What Has the SRC Done For You Lately?

By David Shields and Ithuteng Mashabela

Rhodes University’s Student Representative Council is seen as an organisation which exists with the aim of representing the interest of all the University’s students. Its mission statement describes it as a “student approachable institution which fosters a conducive developmental environment in and out of the academic sphere.” However, it seems that after O-week this council of ours is hard to be seen. A common opinion among Rhodents is that it is really only during the weeks leading up to the elections that any visible effort takes place. “The SRC needs to be more in-your-face,” says concerned second year Law student Lebo Motsumi, “just like they are during the elections.”

Mansfield battling leukemia

By Graham Ziervogel

Jeremy Mansfield, a popular South African radio personality and ex-Rhodent, has contracted Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Fortunately, the disease is not life-threatening and Mansfield will continue with his on-air commitments.

Mansfield has stated that he is adopting an aggressive approach towards handling the disease, and has already made several necessary changes to his lifestyle. Most notably, he has had to stop drinking and smoking, something which Mansfield finds particularly difficult, given his love for beer.

Open Column

By Deva Lee

The first year the One in Nine Sexual Violence = Silence protest was staged at Rhodes, a group of about 80 women participated. The campaign has grown each year, and last week 412 people participated in the protest. Purple shirts penetrated most buildings on campus and, for most students and many Grahamstonians, an encounter with a protester was inevitable.

From the Editor

By Kate Douglas

The final week of term is always crap. Last week I was already seeing the faces of stressed, sleep-deprived students, walking around either like zombies or panicked creatures. No matter how long we have known about the final week’s assignments, they always seem to sneak up on us. You are not alone; we are all in the same boat. No matter what year or degree, we are all stressed out together. But I am sure that is of little comfort.

This is why I want everyone to take a minute to really think about the vac ahead. It is almost upon us. Whether you are going home to parents or staying here to work, vacations are still the incentive to push through the workload that comes with the final week of term. For those of you who are a bit concerned, we will get there. I promise you that the week does pass and the vac does come. So work your heart out. Give it your best. You will always enjoy a break more if you can honestly tell yourself that you deserve it. So go on, don’t give up. You can do it; that is for sure. You wouldn’t be here if you couldn’t, I promise.

New House dominating Inter-Res

By Tshilidzi Mutavhatsindi

Pic: Sean William Messham

After a long hassle in sports admin due to late submissions of inter-res competitors, Rhodes’ popular Inter-res sports competition finally kicked off on Tuesday, 10 March, with badminton. After a very long competitive night, New House came first in the Ladies’, while last year’s spirit award winners, Guy Butler, dominated the Men’s badminton Inter-res, collecting maximum points of the night.

Alcohol Personality Types: Part Two

By Ithuteng Mashabela

So, O-Week came and went and perhaps so did some of your most recent memories. The time has come for you to reconsider your choice of beverages for those late nights when the Rat & Parrot and Equilibrium have become your second homes. The alcohol you drink not only affects your behavior and determines how much you will remember the morning after, but might even say something about your personality.

Sports Scholarships offered at Rhodes

By staff reporters

Rhodes University offers three different sports scholarships, namely the Ali Weakley Rugby Bursary, the Sports Bursary and the Rhodes Sports Foundation Bursary. The Rhodes Sports Foundation was formed following a R600 000 donation from old Rhodian Donovan Neale-May and a second donation of R600 000 from the Old Rhodian Golf club. This provides financial assistance to outstanding sports people as they represent the University at various levels. The Sports Bursary awards are made at the end of each year, and are based on the achievements and overall performance of a worthy student. The bursary is worth R2500 and awarded in October of each year. The Ali Weakley Rugby Bursary is an award given to a rugby player that epitomises all that Ali Weakley stood for. A candidate needs to have made a significant contribution to the spirit and achievement of the Rhodes University Rugby Club. “Ali was captain and coach of the Rhodes University Rugby Club. Ali was not only mentally strong but was principled and highly respected both as an incredibly hard and outstanding player and as a person,”said Professor Steven Olivier. All of these bursary awards allow outstanding sports players to gain access to a quality education whilst showcasing their talent and promoting sports at Rhodes.

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. 

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.

Mumps outbreak on campus

By Mpho Raborife  

There has been a recent outbreak of mumps on campus as well as several cases of German measles. Keyur Patal and Bridgette Goosen, Subwardens of De Beers and Victoria Mxenge houses respectively, have both reported infection in their residences.

Website Launch Pics on the Website

The pictures from the website launch party on 2 October, is now on the website

go check it out!!

Activate Online EQ Gallery

Mandarin course in the pipeline for Rhodes

By Daniel Charvat

The teaching of Mandarin as an additional language at Rhodes seems to be a possibility for next year. A Confucius Institute is to be set up within Rhodes, following discussions between Rhodes University and the Chinese Hanban (similar to the British Council or the United States Agency for International Development).

Filling gaps in the market – and along the pavement

By Babongile Zulu

Without even having to enter a store, Grahamstonians can buy bags, sunglasses, earrings, caps and much more. All this is available by simply strolling down High Street. Vendors sit under their umbrellas come rain or shine, selling their goodies for as little as R5. Grahamstown’s informal traders are filling a gap in the market for affordable goods, which any student can appreciate.

Justice delayed is Justice denied!

pic by Sean William Messham

 

By Meggan McCarthy

Volunteers of the Gender Action Project (GAP) and the One in Nine campaign handcuffed themselves outside the Grahamstown High Court on Friday 8 August 2008, as part of a 12 hour protest in solidarity with the women rape survivors appearing in court. 

Liberal Propaganda

By Matthew Edwards

 

I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together. The Beatles always knew how to tell it straight. I’ve had these lyrics swimming in my head for quite a while now and I’ve realised that the phrase is, in actual fact, applicable to many situations. It could very well be the answer to all the world’s problems.

A fusion of fashion

By Shanaaz Prince

Pic by Kim Van Beek

 

According to the show’s managing director, Vuyokazi Mnyengza, the idea of the fashion show originally came about as an entrepreneurial experiment in an effort to showcase the talents of various local designers in and around Grahamstown. “We are basically aiming to test the waters out there and to see how the people in Grahamstown will respond to the event,” said Mnyengeza.

The Politics of Politics

By Simon Howell

 

 

Watching the news the other night, it occurred to me that African politics, and politics in general, is awash in contradiction.

Sleeping on the sidewalk: a look at Grahamstown’s street kids

Poverty is an ever-present issue in South Africa, but why does Grahamstown have so many children on the streets? Leigh Raymond and Judy Dlamini investigate.

From left field

By Timmy Hancox

A new year and any amount of peering into the crystal ball could bring half a dozen predictions.

The violent cost of silence

By Paula Gilbert

The Third World has had to pay the price for the silence and inaction of the rest of humanity. There is so much violence in our world, but the amount of attention and value your tragedy receives depends on your geographical location.