Letter to Editor

Dear Editor
(From Siyabonga-ka-Phindile Yonzi) 

I’m disheartened by the vandalism of the pictures of Bantu Biko in the Biko Building. It must be said that it was not an act of drunkenness but a venting out of racism that is deep seated in our institution. We are aware of the ideologies of those who frequently drink in that particular shebeen that is housed in Biko building. I personal witnessed them complaining about the name and further saying South Africa must be renamed Republic of Mandela because everything is named after him.

Letter to Editor

Dear Editor

(from Diphapang Mofokeng)

I have realised that there is more to the name change debate than it meets the eye. It appears to me that those arguing for the name to remain do so uninformed. They think that proponents of name change do so out of sheer excitement.

The Pronoun-SIR

By Puseletso Matenche

‘Pronounsir’ is the name that this incredible Rhodes musician goes by. The play on words is strikingly unique and attention grabbing, thus making it an easy commitment to memory. Munyumba Mutwale is a second year Business Science student. He was born in Zambia but has spent most of his life in Botswana and South Africa. Most people will know him by PRO and will attest to his voluble personality.

Tornado victims still desperate

By Kyle Robinson and Brad Janssen 

 The tornado that ripped through Grahamstown on Wednesday 8 October damaged and destroyed an estimated 189 houses, leaving many people homeless or without adequate shelter. Efforts by the Makana Municpality and other local charity organisations have tried to provide aid to the victims, but many residents are still living in dire conditions.

Give 5 gives the Oriel ladies a feastful night for their efforts

By Mpho Raborife

Give 5 hosted a charity dinner in Oriel Dining Hall on 30 of September to congratulate the ladies of Oriel Hall for all their hard work during the Give 5 campaign. Although the ladies did not raise the largest amount of money (that award went to St. Mary’s Dining Hall), they were the hall with the highest number of participation.

The final count down

By Gwen Matthews   

Pic: Desiree Schirlinger

Saturday, 11 October was “just not the team’s day”, according to Eric Maboza, the Rhodes 1st women’s soccer coach. The team lost 2-0 in their second last match of the season which was against Fort Hare in the SASSU league. This was the match that Rhodes player, Andile Nkosi predicted would “be their toughest match this season”.

Victory for Rhodes waterpolo team

By Leigh Raymond

Pic by Kuhoano Kunutu: Jane Charlton, Rhodes polo player at the match against St Andrews, Wednesday 15 October  

On Wednesday, 15 October, the Rhodes women’s water polo team played their second match of the league against the St. Andrew’s third. It took place at the newly built DSG indoor pool. The match was part of the internal league, a last year set-up between the Rhodes water polo teams and school teams, with the aim of allowing all the teams to play one more time.

---

The game began at 17:30 with St. Andrew’s kicking the match off with a spectacular goal. It was a strength versus strength championship, with the Rhodes team coming back full force, placing the score at four all in no time. The St. Andrew’s team demonstrated pure skill and athleticism, but were no match for the Rhodes side. Rhodes scored the last goal of the match, leaving the end score 5-4. “We won but we played very disjointedly,” said Kim O’Hanlon. O’Hanlon herself scored three goals for Rhodes with Cari Lee Haakonsen scoring the other two.

Oppidans shine at sports awards

By Tshilidzi Mutavhatsindi

 

It is called the law of cause and effect. 31 Rhodes University club representatives sat in suspense on Friday 10 October for the Rhodes annual sports awards evening, which took place at sports admin. Hardworking and talented Oppidan sports representative, Malcolm Freeman, walked away with inter–res men, women, and spirit awards for the oppidans. Zane Plescia, Athletics Chairman, also walked away with Club of the Year and Committee of the Year Award.

Oppidans shine at sports awards

By Tshilidzi Mutavhatsindi

 

It is called the law of cause and effect. 31 Rhodes University club representatives sat in suspense on Friday 10 October for the Rhodes annual sports awards evening, which took place at sports admin. Hardworking and talented Oppidan sports representative, Malcolm Freeman, walked away with inter–res men, women, and spirit awards for the oppidans. Zane Plescia, Athletics Chairman, also walked away with Club of the Year and Committee of the Year Award.

Rugby touches lives

By Lauren van der Vyver

Crouch, pause, and engage. Kings Field was host to the Winchester Touch Rugby Tournament on Sunday, 12 October. This event was organised by Winchester House in association with the Rhodes University Rugby Club in order to raise money for the Grahamstown Hospice. Six teams of six players registered, each with a minimum of two female members. Team Activate, The ‘A’ Team, Team Mullet, The Rockspiders, Team P and Team Diggin’it all played each other with 7 minutes to each half.

Off the Mark

By Ollie Field

 

 

This week I had the privilege of witnessing one of this century’s finest sportsmen top off a truly astounding career with a record breaking performance. Sachin Tendulkar’s first innings score of 88 in the second test against Australia saw him surpass Brian Lara’s record as the world’s highest test run scorer of all time.

Leeds player for Rhodes?

By Tshilidzi Mutavhatsindi

 

South African youngster Joshua Vermooten, who played for Leeds United’s reserve side in England, is considering putting international football on hold in order to attend varsity. The 20-year-old central defender moved to England with his family, at the age of 11, in September 1999. “I had been playing soccer since I was six, so I immediately got involved with the school soccer team there,” Vermooten said.

Olympic archer made honorary member of Rhodes Archery

By Lauren van der Vyver

 

 

Pic by Desiree Schirlinger: Calivn Hartley setting up his bow  

The Rhodes archery club is one of the few Rhodes sports clubs who went out to impress in performance this year. They also ended the year on a high note when they hosted one of the world’s best archers, Calvin Hartley, at their AGM on Wednesday 8 October. The 20-year-old athlete was made an honorary member of the Rhodes archery club. He was also one of the 64 men to qualify for the Beijing Olympics this year after successive wins in both South Africa and all African championships.

Masincedane soup kitchen sustains community

By Sarah Schäfer

 

Pic: Katy Bonheim 

The Masincedane soup kitchen operates from the Xolani township in Grahamstown and feeds some of our community’s most vulnerable members – the young and the elderly. Our society was established at Rhodes University to support the kitchen, and has since gone from strength to strength. Our aim is sustainability and, with this in mind, we set up a vegetable garden that now supplies extra nourishment. Local businesses have also become involved in the provision of bread and non-perishables. A fresh water tank has been donated thanks to fundraising from other generous societies, especially Green Revolution And Social Solutions (GRASS) and we are in the process of having this built next to the property. 

Noisy proceedings and earplugs for all

 

By Babongile Zulu

Pic: Simone Armer 

It all started on the first day of fourth term; the workers and the machines moved in and construction started. The noise soon began, affecting all the residences and departments in the general vicinity of the library.

Chemsoc Magic

By Annalene Meyer

Pics: Chemsoc  

The Chemistry Society (ChemSoc) has been actively involved in the community this year. ‘Magic shows’ were presented for children around the country at the Children’s Arts Fest held in July. Popping balloons, floating balls, colourful rainbows and gooey slime were the order of the day. These shows were taken to local schools including Ntaba Maria, Victoria Primary, Archie Mbolekwa and Good Shepherd. Throughout the year, ChemSoc members were involved with Khanya Maths and Science Club which continue to go from strength to strength. Our active involvement in the community is in an effort to encourage pupils to enjoy science in primary school and see the fun of science.

Open Column: Locked up in the ivory tower

By Deva Lee

With tuition fees that reach up to R30 000 a year, Rhodes students have got to have the capital. For those who don’t, limited options are available. The R100-R200 a week that most part-time jobs in Grahamstown have to offer just doesn’t touch sides. Tutoring will help you out with about R5000 a year, but those opportunities only open up at third year level. This leaves the average middle-class student with a fat student loan that gains about 10% interest each month. Scholarships seem to only be available to students who are achieving multiple distinctions and come from highly disadvantaged backgrounds. Not many make the mark.

The dreaded white man

By Ithuteng Mashabela

 

 

Pic by Leigh Raymond: Mara Horowitz, a Rhodes student who’s adopted the dreads  

Nina Rivers is a young, white, female Rhodent, typical in some respects but somewhat different in her choice of hairstyles. Rivers sports wispy, blonde dreadlocks that have earned her the admiration of her peers, but have made her mother cry. “Conservative white people don’t like them because they think I’m trying to be black,” she explains, but admits that she donned her dreads simply because she thought that they looked cool.

10 Steps to prevent procrastination

By Samantha de Villiers  

It’s that time of the year again: increased levels of stress, decreased levels of attention and an overwhelming need to re-tidy your room every few days. Exam stress is slowly creeping its way back into our lives and the familiar feelings of anxiety and procrastination culminate as November approaches. Here are a few tips to help you steer away from falling into the luring trap of procrastination – or finding it if you prefer. 

Movie review: Hansie

By Jane Rosen

 

  

Former SA cricket captain, Hansie Cronje, has been hailed by many as one of the greatest South African cricket players and captains. In 2000, the United Cricket Board banned him for life after allegations were made against him for match fixing. He tragically died in a plane crash in 2002. His brother, Frans Cronje, a producer and screenwriter, has produced a movie entitled Hansie, retelling “the story [of Hansie’s life] as accurately as possible”.