Student slates petition

By Sian Cohen

Badat addresses a crowd during OutRhodes’ Pride Week anti-

homophobia march on Friday, August 24.                            

                                                            SEAN WILLIAM MESSHAM

The ‘Zero Tolerance’ petition emailed to students during Pride Week received a controversial reply from student David de Bruyn. The petition called for the implementation of a university policy regarding hate crimes, homophobia and any such displays of discrimination. President of OutRhodes, Faith Bosworth, asked Ricardo Pillay, OutRhodes secretary, to send the email on behalf of OutRhodes. De Bruyn e-mailed Pillay, saying, “Please don’t waste my time by sending me this junk mail,” and, “I will now discriminate even more, especially regarding anyone from the OutRhodes.”

Badat stops student assault

By Jess Levy & Sian Cohen

Vice-chancellor, Dr. Saleem Badat, stopped a Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) guard from walking away after kicking a Rhodes student during this year’s annual Tri-varsity event in Port Elizabeth. On Saturday, at about 4:30pm James* followed his friend who was being escorted out of the stadium. James noticed that the guards were being “excessive” towards his friend and he told them to “chill out”. James became disorientated when he fell to the floor, but recalls being thrown to the ground, kicked in the stomach, picked up and thrown down again and then kicked in the face.

SRC 2008 announced

By Raul Dimitriu & Reyhana Mahomed

The new student representatives have been elected. They are:

Remarkable women recognised

By Jess Levy

The Rhodes University Women of the Year awards ceremony was organised by Amnesty International this year. It was held on Wednesday August 27 at Eden Grove and 35 women at Rhodes were nominated across seven categories. 

 

Women awarded in style at the Rhodes University Women of the year awards ceremony.                                      MICHELLE SOLOMON

 

Student takes her own life

On Friday August 31, Ruvimbo Musonza, also known as Joy, took her own life. Musonza, 21, was a third year BSc student from Zimbabwe, residing in Victoria Mxenge House in Nelson Mandela Hall.

 

From the Editor

 By Bianca Silva

They say nothing in life is guaranteed except death and taxes. In passing I would like to add change to that list. For all those women who get angry with men for not being able to commit, it’s time to take a look at the bigger picture, life is the most non-committal bugger yet. It refuses to guarantee anything except that your life can be snatched away from you in a split-second.

So what? I’m a whore

In the bathroom at the Rat, I witnessed a girl run up to another and ask if she had slept with a certain guy. She affirmed this, only to be told that the other girl had slept with him the night before. This was great news and they were soon swopping stories, scarring everone in the bathroom. This got me thinking. Is this ‘get laid’ attitude a socially acceptable university thing? Are we just becoming promiscuous whores?

Stalked

How safe are you behind your keyboard? Samantha Cook and Tallulah Habib delve into the minds of internet stalkers to find out.

 

Student on Politics

By Sekoetlane Jacob Phamodi

 After the lengthy and controversial amendments to the Constitution of the Student Body, the past fortnight saw the advent of the SRC elections in full force. As always, campus was littered with multicoloured campaigns of a handful of students urging us to vote them into their respective positions. We had everything from enormous posters plastered on Eden Grove walls to electronic mail sent via various listservs clogging up our inboxes. By the time this column goes to print, we’ll all know who got the positions and who didn’t, coupled with much speculation as to why.

Spot of the week:

Under the Arch and Lunchbox 

 By Amy Turner

Under the Arch arts and crafts and The Lunchbox are awesome places to spend that lazy hour or two between lectures. Now that the weather seems to be warming up, there’s nothing better than munching on some homemade nibbles and catching up with mates, while sprawled out on the lawns and soaking up the Vitamin D during your own mini picnic.    

 

Colours of the East celebrated

By Jenna Berndt & Ashleigh Eales

The vibrant “Colours of the East” warmed up chilly Grahamstown on Saturday, August 25 at the annual Rhodes Hindu Students Society (HSS) cultural show. Guests enjoyed an evening of ancient and contemporary Indian music, dance and entertainment at the 1820 Settlers Monument. Approximately 750 people attended the event. This included HSS members, students and their families. Dean of Students, Professor Vivien de Klerk was also present, and guest of honour was Mrs Jay Pillay, Rhodes University Catering Manager. A light supper was served in the foyer before the show began at 7pm, hosted by Nadia Pillay, Ricardo Pillay and Fathima Simjee.

SOPHIE MARCUS 

Young directors’ talent out to play

By Yashen Moodley

Rhodes University Drama Department had yet another theatrical showcase of talent with the Honours Young Directors’ Season 2007, which commenced last week. This is an annual presentation which gives the postgraduate Drama students who are in the directing elective an opportunity to showcase their skills and talents in the form of an onstage exam. Each of the four honours students, Meghan Greenberg, Sin Gwamanda, Cassandra Hendricks, and Sarah Roberson chose pieces that were contemporary, cutting edge, and controversial. Students and Grahamstown locals alike supported the Young Directors season as it offered a unique opportunity for theatre practitioners as well as the audiences to experience something new and refreshing. Each of the four productions were unique as they each portray the four distinct personalities of the directors.   

Up Close and Personal with DJ Match

By Tafadzwa Mlambo

Born Methenjwa Maurice Machi, the man we all know as DJ Match could easily be mistaken for your average student at first glance, but they say dynamite comes in small packages and this package is certainly exploding with talent. Originally from Durban, Match now lives in Pretoria.

MATTHEW MIDDLETON 

That's just lame

By Matt Edwards

Apathy is a conflict of disinterest. Rhodes students should have recently seen an entire week celebrating gay pride and, at the same time, an entire week celebrating Christianity. Amnesty International gave out prizes to the Rhodes women of the year, and now all of a sudden we’re not allowed to use the term “cheese & wine” unless there is actual cheese and wine involved. I ask you the common factor in all of these, plus many more? Who gives a f*ck?

Look ma… I’m a guinea pig!

Student medical trials are often talked about, but rarely understood. Nontobeko Sibisi and Rodain Joubert tell a story of scientific discovery, funny skin ointments and free food.

Your World Cup Kick-off

By Ross Alford & Duncan Fleming

After all these years, the world’s most prestigious rugby tournament is finally here and Grahamstown will be celebrating this tournament like no other. We give an analysis of the top ten sides – who are you counting on?

Spinnathon raises R7000

By Oliver Field

Every year, spinning enthusiasts look forward to the Rhodes Health Suite’s annual 12 Hour Charity Spinnathon. This year the event took place on Friday August 24 and cyclists sweated it out for the full 12 hours. At least 320 participants kept all the bikes occupied between 8am and 8pm, meaning that this year’s Spinnathon had the most participants ever.

From left field

By Tim Hancox 

Fools or politicians seem to always become sports administrators in this country! South African cricket appears to be doing a remarkably good job of shooting itself in the foot. Why, oh why have we managed to let Allan Donald slip through our fingers? Seeing the great man helping the blundering Steve Harmison is heart breaking when one thinks about what he could be doing working with the likes of Makhaya Ntini, Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel in the Proteas set up. There is also the chance that England might approach Jonty Rhodes to help with their fielding. These two along with other national treasures need to be utilised in South Africa. This has long been a problem since the refusal to allow Kepler Wessels to assist with the mental conditioning on an Australian tour, when he has the knowledge and character to be a real motivator on a tour down under. Please can we start to use the top resources at our disposal?

Star personalities shine

By Fleur Rollason

The Sports Personality Gala Evening, one of the more formal sporting highlights of the year, took place on Friday August 31. The well supported event honoured the sports men and women who are the most dedicated and enthusiatsic personalities.

First runner up, Jax Stephenson, receives her prize. KAREN CROUCH

Trophy for Black Gold

By Michelle Solomon

Saturday’s Internal League Soccer Cup final between Black Gold and KDFC ended with Black Gold winning the game 3 –2, after going into extra time at 2 all.

Black Gold and KDFC players battle for the prize trophy during the Internal League Soccer Cup final with Black Gold taking the winnings. SEAN WILLIAM MESSHAM