Concern over judicial review

see page 3

Terminated pregnancy statistics

see page 5

LAN-ing at Intervarsity?

see page 6

The Oppidan Press

Activists protest school rape, teacher suspended
see page 3

Edition 5, 10 - 18 May 2012

Musical mayhem
Gtown hit by a wave of bands this month

check out pages 8, 9, 12 & 13

EE! FR

News

The Oppidan Press 10 May 2012

Outcry at proposed No Saturdays Ac

The first few weeks of the second term have been alive with student activism, following on from an eventful and exciting first term of student engagment. This activism ranges from protests against rape in the local Grahamstown community at the end of April, and includes an inaugral Stop Rhino Poaching campaign, to be launched on 14 May. What is most encouraging about this activism is the level of outreach and involvement between the often insulated Rhodes University community and Grahamstowns residents. University-based gender activists planned protests outside a local school and the Beaufort Street police station while engaging in lengthy conversations with local activists and social movements. This move towards increased collaboration and synergy should not be underestimated. Rhodes Universitys student activists often have a reputation among local activists for fly-by-night protests that upheave local communities and fail to leave sustainable change. By including the needs and views of local activists in the planning processes of our protests, student activists are able to assist change. This may mean that students cannot be the driving force in local activism, and must instead abdicate their egos in favour of empowerment of and engagement with Grahamstowns residents. This local empowerment affords Grahamstown and its permanent residents the opportunity to continue much needed activism long after students have graduated and taken their skills with them. This long-term project is desperately necessary in a space that often struggles with the transience of a student town and student causes. This transience was most eloquently and tragically expressed through this years graduation, where the lives of two newly graduated Rhodes alumni were cut short. The loss of Mak and Lelona will be felt by Rhodes University and South Africa for years to come, as their skills and talent have been lost forever. More than that however, their families and friends will mourn the loss of two hard-working, passionate, and deeply caring individuals. That they are Rhodes alumni is truly an honour to those of us still studying and working at this University, as well as prospective students. In line with this, The Oppidan Press has included a tribute page to Lelona and Mak (page 4). Where Lelona and Mak were rolemodels for their friends and fellow students, there are Rhodes students that consistently fail to lead. There were over 16 critical incidents reported to the Dean of Students office in the first term alone (page 2). These include a case of demostic violence, a homophobic attack, a xemophobic attack and two rapes - committed by Rhodes students against other Rhodes students. At a University where leaders learn to think critically, to celebrate diversity and respect human rights, our very own are attacking others on the premise of bigotry. This in the same term as the Universitys annual Human Rights week to campaign and educate about the rights of our fellow South Africans and humans. These transgressions need to be highlighted and publicly condemned in an ongoing project to put a stop to bigotry on our campus. In addition to these developments, The Oppidan Press is thrilled to announce that it is now primarily an online publication. This edition is our first foray into online only publishing, and we look forward to launching our newly designed website in the coming weeks. We hope our readers will join us on this exciting new endeavour, which affords us the opportunity to experiment with and develop our skills in online publishing. Follow our Facebook page for more updates. By Laura Skippers

he Student Representative Council (SRC) was at the centre of controversy following a statement released on their Facebook page on Tuesday 17 April which reported that Academic Administration had decided to do away with Saturday examinations due to an inconclusive poll result. The poll, which was conducted via RUConnected, asked students to indicate whether they were for, against, or indifferent towards Saturday exams. The results were: 810 votes for no Saturday exams, 817 votes for Saturday exams, and 135 votes for no strong opinion either way. The SRC went on to state that following the inconclusive result, the resolution sought to benefit the majority of the students. Many Rhodes students are infuriated by the current draft examination timetable situation and took to the SRC Facebook page to voice their outrage. According to SRC President Matthieu Maralack, Academic Administration were concerned about the congested timetable, and proposed the solution of no Saturday examinations to allow the examinations to be spread over a longer period. The matter was referred to SRC Academic Councillor Sakhusomeleze Badi, who addressed the issue at length at the Student Body Meeting (SBM) held on 21 March. Unfortunately, the SBM was poorly attended by students. However, those present reached a consensus to not make a decision without looking at the physical timetable. They

proposed that the SRC release both versions of the timetable: one with Saturday examinations, and one without. The SRC agreed to this, releasing both proposed timetables later that week as well as a poll for students to voice their preferences. At the close of the poll, however, a mere 1762 students had taken part. This was one of the reasons the results were deemed inconclusive. There are 5000 undergraduate students and a result from 1762 students is not a true representation of the student body, said Maralack. A press conference was held on Thursday 19 April to address student grievances expressed on the SRC Facebook page. Some had even threatened to organise a Black Thursday event in opposition to the SRCs Purple Thursday. Maralack admitted that the SRC were at fault in not stating that the poll conducted was not a vote but rather an attempt to determine where the student body stands with regards to Saturday examinations. Registrar of the University, Dr Stephen Fourie explained that the longer exam period allowed the timetable to be designed according to a block system that ensured that majors are spread out across blocks and guaranteed time off in between each block. He added that the No Saturday timetable was also beneficial to Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) students. SDA students have to report to their venue on Saturdays and spend the entire day in isolation waiting to write their paper, said Fourie. He added that Rhodes had to make concession for this and employ invigilators

v d p of the Bea May. This fol two learne and 7 year erson Prim - SRC President, Accordi Matthieu Maralack ministrati Action Pro to invigilate these students for this the 7-year time period of which they are not opened a c permitted to swot. month ago Maralack ensured students that the was admit draft timetable is not final and that later on 25 there is a trial period and space for the day be review. He offered a resolution that the UPM pu November examinations take the nor- chair Ayan mal Saturday examinations approach. day protes In a later development, Fourie has to unite ag informed students of a compromise important draft timetable. It proposes that exams out and de and cry in begin on the Friday of Swot week (rather than the Thursday), and that the South there be no exams on the first Saturday,said. though exams will be scheduled on the Graham second Saturday of the examination May said t than a pro period. Fourie said, With over three thou- the week b sand curriculum combinations it is not has come possible to devise a perfect timetable is enough, for all students, but given the sophisti- Patricia M cated technology we use we know that On 26 A side the sc this is a good timetable. inaction w All issues can be reported to and failure academicadmin@ru.ac.za and all cused of r comments will be taken into account before the publication of a final timetable.

There are 5000 undergraduate students and a result from 1762 students is not a true representation of the student body

By Kyla H

16 critical incidents reported in first term

By Kyla Hazell Excluding medical or psychological emergencies reported to the Health Care and Counselling Centres, 16 critical incidents have been brought to the attention of the Dean of Students office so far this year. This is compared to a total of 41 reports throughout the course of 2011. The reports to the DoS office include 1 case of common assault, 1 case of domestic violence, 1 incident of homophobic attack, 2 cases of racist hate speech, 3 reports of sexist or gender-based hate speech, 1 incident of xenophobic hate speech, 1 racist assault, 2 rapes, 3 instances of sexual harassment, and 1 case of xenophobic assault. Student Harassment Officer Larissa Klazinga believes the increase in reports is connected to efforts at making the student body more aware that they can lay complaints with the University. I believe it relates directly to people being more aware that they can do something, and not to an increase in the level of incident, she said. Klazinga also said that making students aware of the many reporting officers within the University structure has helped. Students need to know that they can go to anyone they feel comfortable with as their first source of advice and options, she said. Reporting officers include some lecturers and wardens as well as staff from the Human Resources Division and Health Care Centre. Comprehensive lists of these officers are available from the Harassment page on Student Zone, in the Gender-based Violence Issue of The Oppidan Press and on posters around campus. Senior Lecturer and University prosecutor Sarah Driver believes that the increase in reporting is possibly a result of students believing that Rhodes is now taking harassment issues more seriously. Her fellow University prosecutor and Deputy Dean of the Law Faculty Gordon Barker agreed and said that he doubted there had been a general deterioration in behaviour. My concern, however, is that people might have unrealistic expectations, said Driver. She mentioned that there had been cases in the past where complainants had been disappointed. Driver said that students may at times be unhappy with the outcome of their case. According to Barker, a full investigation including the gathering of statements and evidence must be completed before a decision is taken as to whether or not to pursue prosecution. The prosecutors will not ask for unrealistic sanctions and will only proceed if they believe there is a reasonable possibility of success. The rights of both parties must be taken into account and consideration will be given to fair procedure, whether evidence is admissible, whether evidence is sufficiently strong and whether witnesses will cope under questioning. If we think it will be an exercise in futility, we will decide not to prosecute. It would be unfair to put both sides through that process, said Barker. Driver said that the prosecutors value the input of the recently introduced structure, the Fairness Forum, as it gives them a broader view and ensures that the perspective on any given case is not that of only two people, but that ultimately the decision to pursue formal prosecution remains theirs. The Fairness Forum is a structure consisting of a broad spectrum of university role players that will differ depending on the case before it and exists to assist the prosecutors in assessing whether or not a case should proceed.

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details

Editor: Michelle Solomon. Deputy Editor: Benjamin Katz. Managing Editors: Camagu Mona and Khanyisa Mapipa. Financial Managers: Kuda Chawira and Wandile Nkosi. Marketing Manager: Sin Rees. Advertising Manager: Babalwa Nyembezi. Webmaster: Thandile Pambuka. News Editor: Kyla Hazell. News Assistant Editor: Joshua Oates. Features Editor: Kate-Lyn Moore. Assistant Features Editor: Ashleigh Brown. Environmental Editor: Kate Janse van Rensburg. Politics Editors: Lucy Holford-Walker. Arts & Entertainment Editor: Binwe Adebayo. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Vimbai Midzi. Sports Editor: Denzil de Klerk. Pictures Editors: Kelly Muller, Kirsten Makin and Madien van der Merwe. Chief Sub-Editor: Wilhelmina Maboja. Sub-Editors: Fabio De Dominicis, Tia Egglestone, Ndumi Ndlovu, Amanda Murimba. Chief Designer: Stephanie Pretorius. Assistant Chief Designer: Chevawn Blum. Marketing and Advertising Designer: Amy Slatem. Junior Designers: Jehan-ara Khonat and Aimee de la Harpe. Letters to the Editor: letters@theoppidanpress.com Advertising details: advertising@theoppidanpress.com Distribution queries: distribution@theoppidanpress.com www.oppidanpress.com www.facebook.com/theoppidanpress www.twitter.com/theoppidanpress The Oppidan Press publishes letters that are bona fide expressions of opinion as long as they are not clearly libellous, defamatory, racist or sexist. We publish anonymous letters, but as an act of good faith on your part, we require your full name. We reserve the right to shorten letters due to space constraints and to edit them for grammatical inaccuracies. Any letters that do not make it into our print edition will be published on our website.

10 May 2012

News

The Oppidan Press

Activists protest school rape, teacher suspended

By Kyla Hazell

ver 200 Grahamstown residents and Rhodes students protested child rape in front of the Beaufort police station on 1 May. This follows reports of the rapes of two learners, a brother and sister of 6 and 7 years old, at local George Dickerson Primary school. According to Stuart Lewis, administration officer for the Gender Action Project (GAP), the family of the 7-year-old female rape survivor opened a case with the police over a month ago. The girls younger brother was admitted to hospital three weeks later on 25 April. He had been raped the day before. UPM publicity officer and former chair Ayanda Kota said at the May day protest that the community needs to unite against rape. I think its important for the community to come out and demonstrate, vent their anger and cry inside at the incompetency of the South African Police Service, Kota said. Grahamstown resident Patricia May said the 1 May march was bigger than a protest organised by activists the week before. The community has come this time, because enough is enough, said community member Patricia May. On 26 April protestors gathered outside the school to protest the schools inaction with regards to the rape cases and failure to suspend a teacher accused of raping the girl. The accused

teacher remained in his post until activists demanded his suspension on 26 April. The teacher was suspended later that day. Resident Thuli Veliti said at the time: This thing of raping children must stop. We must be strong and make sure that it stops. SRC vice-president external Silvanus Welcome added: The rapist needs to be suspended and I hope he gets the sentence he deserves. Justice must be served to the fullest extent possible, he added. Local activist Nomalanga Mkhize said protesters were frustrated with the slow response from police. We want you to protect our children. We are asking the police to do their job. Children do not make up stories about rape, she added. We need to take it seriously. Mkhize said that the protesters were frustrated with the slow response from police. We want police to investigate everything as quickly as possible so we can resolve what has been happening here, she said. Gender Action Project chair and protest convenor Michelle Solomon said she doubted whether the protest would force the police to take action in the cases. What this protest does do is get the community to stand up together against, and thats more powerful in the long-term, she said. DISCLAIMER: Michelle Solomon is both editor of The Oppidan Press and chair of the Gender Action Project (GAP).

UPM spokesperson Ayanda Kota (above) addresses the gathered protestors Pictures: HOLLY SNELL

Experts wary of proposed judicial review

Panel discussion on judicial review reveals concern from legal experts worried the move might threaten independence of SA courts
By Kyla Hazell Panellists in a discussion hosted by the Faculty of Law on Tuesday 24 April urged citizens to be cautious in their consideration of the proposal to review the countrys judicial system, expressing concern that the independence of our courts is under serious threat. The discussion was organised to facilitate open dialogue around controversial issues concerning the Discussion Document on the transformation of the judicial system and the role of the judiciary in the developmental South African State. The Document was released in February this year. Dean of Law, Professor Jonathan Campbell, made it clear that every attempt had been made to balance the debate as far as possible. Confirmation had been received that a representative of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development would be attending to present the African National Congresss viewpoint in the discussion, but such a person did not arrive. Member of Parliament for the Democratic Alliance and Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Debbie Schafer, said she thought this was significant as it would be difficult to defend something indefensible. Schafer was joined on the panel by Rhodes Constitutional Law lecturer Dr Rosaan Kruger, member of the General Council of the Bar Advocate Izak Smuts, and Chairperson of the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, Sipho Pityana. The Document proposes a unifying of mind-sets between the judiciary, legislature and executive, and an assessment by the executive into the impact of decisions taken by the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court of Appeal. These recommendations are supposedly made in the interests of transformation. I cant imagine that a general review which looks at transformation would look at just one arm of government, said Pityana, expressing his reservations concerning executive motives in proposing the review. He said that any attempt to unify the three branches of state would be dangerous to our Constitutional Democracy and the supremacy of the Constitution. Pityana argued that it is the division of the state that allows for the restriction of power in our value-driven society, describing governments suggestion to examine court decisions as an unacceptable act of intimidation against the judiciary which South African citizens should not tolerate. All the panellists concurred that nothing would be wrong with an independent body conducting an enquiry into the judiciary, but that the executive could not undertake the task itself. In a Constitutional Democracy it is quite simply unacceptable that the executive branch of the state embark on an assessment of the judiciary, said Schafer. Advocate Smuts suggested that the governments current sensitivity towards the role of the judiciary is perhaps an attempt to divert attention away from executive failures in delivering promises to citizens. He suggested that the context surrounding the recent proposals should make us wary. When the cabinet calls for a review of Constitutional Court judgments, and now also those of the Supreme Court of Appeal, alarm bells ring, he said. When the president states that the executive wishes to review the powers of the Constitutional Court, the bells no longer ring they cry out in anguish.

Dr Rosaan Kruger, Mr Sipho Pityana, Adv Izak Smuts and Ms Debbie Schafev speak as panelists at the Law Facultys event, Justice Reviewed. Pictures: DAVID HARDING

News

The Oppidan Press 10 May 2012

A tribute to Makabongwe and Lelona

Flowers at Lelona Fufus memorial service at the Rhodes Chapel on 24 April, the service was attended by many staff and students who paid tribute to Fufus memory. Picture: HANNAH MCDONALD

Murdered Rhodes graduate remembered

By Kyla Hazell

t was with a sense of having been robbed that mourners at the memorial service for late Rhodes graduate Lelona Thembakazi Fufu remembered the life of their daughter, sister, student and friend. One of our brightest and best has been stolen from us in another senseless act of violence, in another display of our culture of impunity and lack of respect for human life, said Vice-Chancellor Dr Saleem Badat in a tribute to her life which appeared recently in The Herald. Fufu was stabbed to death on Thursday 12 April while hitch-hiking from Motherwell in Port Elizabeth to Grahamstown to attend her graduation ceremony. She was to receive a joint honours degree in mathematics and mathematical statistics, for which she had obtained 72%. Had she been at her graduation she would have heard me say that she was among the best and brightest in our society, said Dr Badat. That we looked up to people like her to exercise leadership, to re-imagine and reshape our future, to forge new ways of conducting our affairs, and to make people and justice the vital centre of all our actions. Fufu joined Rhodes in 2007, registering for a BSc extended studies programme. Considered underprepared by her secondary education, Dr Badat recalls telling her when they first met in her foundation year that Rhodes had chosen her because they recognised that she possessed the intellect, potential and talent to succeed. The University had certainly not been mistaken. According to Dean of Science Professor Ric Bernard, Fufu sailed through her undergraduate degree and achieved exceptionally in her honours as well. Her death is an absolute tragedy for the family, an

absolute tragedy for the University, an absolute tragedy for the Science Faculty and an enormous loss for the country, he said, speaking at the memorial on 24 April of how a young woman with Fufus qualifications ought to have had a tremendous impact on the nation. A memorial prize will in future be awarded each year to a student who has come through the foundation system and achieved in mathematics or mathematical statistics, he added. Pulleng Molekwa, a friend of Fufus, remembered how Fufu had always encouraged her classmates in the 2007 foundation year not to give up. It was difficult as we were not used to being lectured in English, but Lelona always urged us to be grateful as many other kids didnt get the opportunity we had, Molekwa said. Fufu had returned to Motherwell in Port Elizabeth from Durban where she had started work as an intern for the National Research Foundation (NRF) especially for the occasion of graduation. A representative from the NRF who spoke at the memorial service commended her as a young woman who would have made a magnificent contribution. But it was not only Fufus successful academic career that was celebrated. Speakers at the service which honoured her life spoke fondly of her caring nature, love of God, dedication to her books and loyalty to all those in her life. A resident at New House Residence for five years, Fufu was known as an easy-going, happy student who, warm and caring, was like a mother to all the girls she lived with. Reading a message from girls who had known her, House Warden Ms Lisl Griffioen said, The one thing we all did at some point was run to Lelonas room for comfort when things got tough. She was loved and will be missed. Some confusion had arisen as a result of Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics and Student Affairs Dr Sizwe Mabizela, being listed as a speaker for

Had she been at her graduation she would have heard me say that she was among the best and brightest in our society
- Vice-Chancellor, Dr Saleem Badat

The late Makabongwe Mak Ndzwayiba has had a scholarship set up in his name. Picture: SUPPLIED

Bursary in students honour

By Hlumela Mkabile

the memorial service when he was in fact in Pretoria. Deputy Vice-Chacellor of Research and Development Dr Peter Clayton, , clarified that Dr Mabizela had in fact spoken and ceremonially handed over the graduates degree certificate at the funeral service for Fufu which took place on Saturday 21 April in Port Elizabeth. Standing for a photograph holding the robes Lelona was due to wear on the evening of her graduation, Fufus mother, Bongeka Fufu, said that no one had yet been caught in connection with Lelonas death. She hoped someone would call with information to help police catch the people who did this. Lelona was loved by everybody, she said, referring to the entire family which had made the trip from Port Elizabeth for Fufus memorial. I have been crying until now. Reverend Glen Craig who led the service encouraged all who had known Fufu to maintain contact with her family and share their stories of her as a friend. There is so much to be grateful for about her life, he said. Her family must have been tremendously proud. Life at Rhodes continues, but Fufus memory will not fade. Discussions are currently under way about how to discourage hitch-hiking and assist those who rely on public transport to travel safely to and from Rhodes. Perhaps whatever scheme we devise can be a memorial to Lelona so that the death of Lelona Thembakazi Fufu is not entirely in vain, said Dr Badat.

scholarship has been set up in honour of the late Makabongwe Ndzwayiba. The Makabongwe Ndzwayiba scholarship, worth R50 000, will be awarded to a Rhodes student who, like Makabongwe, strives to be the best they can be despite their hardships. Described by many close to him as a humble soul, Ndzwayiba, affectionately known as Mak, left a mark in the lives of those close to him. He passed away on 29 March, two weeks before his graduation. On his graduation day, Vice-Chancellor Dr Saleem Badat, acknowledged Ndzwayibas battle with cancer and outstanding academic achievements in his graduation address. It is rare that we single out any specific graduate, but this morning it is necessary, he said. Towards the end of his address, Dr Badat spoke of the Makabongwe Ndzwayiba scholarship. Inspired by him [Makabongwe] and in his memory, today we pledge the Makabongwe Ndzwayiba scholarship to support a student at Rhodes who, in the spirit of Makabongwe, has courageously overcome significant hardships, he said in the address. At his memorial service on 19 April, Ndzwayibas close friend Zwelibanzi Mndebele spoke of Ndzwayibas life, his battle with cancer and undeniable faith in Christ. My Christ is a healer, he quoted Ndzwayiba as saying. Makabongwe believed until the end, said Mndebele. During a sharing at the memorial service, Economics Professor Gavin Keeton read an e-mail he sent out to

What a fine intellect but what a fine young man also

- Economics Professor, Gavin Keeton staff members when he had heard of Ndzwayibas passing. In the e-mail he commended Ndzwayibas outstanding academic achievements. What a fine intellect but what a fine young man also, he added. In another sharing of time spent with Ndzwayiba, senior student of Allen Webb Hall, Sivuyise Dlova described Ndzwayibas life as a short but well lived.

10 May 2012

Features

The Oppidan Press

Graduates pose with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Leymah Gbowee, who was at this years April graduation ceremony. Picture: SABINA ACHIENG Cheap signs advertising illegal abortions can be found all over Grahamstown. Picture: STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Rhodes tackles unplanned pregnancies

By Tamryn Van Greunen

Lunch with Leymah

Graduate students lunch with Leymah Gbowee
By Mikaela Erskog Leymah has a presence, and its contagious! You just want to bottle it up and save it for a peek later. The simple utterance of the name of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate stirs an undeniable excitement in Andrea Royeppen, who recently graduated with a BA and Post-graduate Diploma in Political and International Studies. During graduation week, Andrea Royeppen and a few other similarly fortunate female students were invited to lunch with prominent Womens Rights and Peacekeeping activist, Leymah Gbowee. Together with the current Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Tawakkol Karman, Gbowee received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for womens right to full participation in peace-building work. This was due to her immense contribution to the rights of the women of Liberia and, more importantly, her pivotal role in ending the Second Civil War of Liberia in 2003. Gbowee came to Rhodes campus during graduation week, as she was being awarded an honorary doctorate of Law for her commitment to the empowerment of women. Royeppen delightfully describes the experience as one to have been, a surreal opportunity. Fellow Rhodes student Sabina Achieng, who graduated with a Post-graduate Diploma in Political and International Studies, admires Gbowees down-to-earth manner as she describes her personality as, warm, motherly, highly receptive and completely accessible. What seems most striking about these students encounters with Gbowee is the unanimous recognition that she, although having such huge international acclaim and political influence, remains a grounded, inviting, personable individual, as she encouraged the students to ask her both general and intimately personal questions. As clich as it sounds, she really is genuine, compassionate and strong.

t the end of the first term of 2012, the Health Care Centre recorded a total of 19 students who had sought assistance in having a legal termination of pregnancy (TOP). Illegal TOPs have been performed up until eight months whereas a legal TOP, which is free of charge from public hospitals, can only be performed up to the 12th week of pregnancy. Why heard of then do an estimated 200 000 South -mail he African women risk their lives and tstand- seek illegal TOPs yearly? What If a student seeks a legal TOP from e young the HCC, the procedure they will follow includes a confirmation of their spent pregnancy, by taking a pregnancy ent of test. The student will then arrange a ova meeting with Dr Barbara Bull, who a short practices in Grahamstown, so that all the students possible options can be discussed. Counselling is also strongly recommended. If the student wants to go through with the TOP a scan will be performed to see how far along the pregnancy is. If the student still insists on terminating their pregnancy, the TOP has to be done in Port Elizabeth, as Settlers Hospital does not have the required staff and facilities. The student will be able to choose whether she wants the TOP to be performed at Marie Stopes, a TOP clinic, where she will have to pay an upfront fee of R750. The nurses will give her a Misoprostol tablet to take and send her back home. This Misoprostol tablet, which induces an early onset of labour, was not designed for TOP purposes but was rather created to treat gastric ulcers. According to Avril Kivitts, a nurse at the HCC, 90% of the women opt for a TOP at Marie Stopes. If the student does not have R750, they can go to Dora Nginza, the public hosiptial in Port Elizabeth, where they will

give the student the same tablet. The complete process is free of charge to students, apart from the upfront payment at Marie Stopes and transport to Port Elizabeth. Many young women are, however, using the morning-after pill as a form of regular contraceptive, which is extremely dangerous to ones health. The morning-after pill is to be used only three times, as it is a lot stronger than regular contraceptives. According to Kivitts, on average 10 MorningAfter Pills are given to female students weekly. 20% of women who opt for free, legal TOPs will not go onto family planning. However, the injection and the pill are both freely available from the HCC. Kivittis explained that Most students feel that if they use the morning-after pill it will not harm their fertility, this is, however, mistaken, as it does severe damage in the long run, because it contains a high dose of progesterone. As a warden, Debbie Ainslie has had to deal with students falling pregnant. She said: It took much more of my time because there were so many different things to deal with. She had to support the young women emotionally,but also introduce them to their options, such as family planning. If the students needed to speak to someone other than her, she recommended the Counselling Centre. An illegal TOP can cause major health risks to the mother, as the procedure is not observed by the practiced eye of medical practitioners. In most cases complications occur and these women usually reach a hospital severely bleeding due to Post Partum Hemorrhaging and require advanced medical help. Doctor Ciesielski, a gynaecologist from Mowbray Maternity Hospital, explained, In the 90s [he] saw a few women a day coming into the hospital after illegal abortions.

Usually, heavily bleeding, septic and anemic. Kivittis said that some young women who seek illegal TOPs choose to do so because the attitudes of some of the nurses at abortion clinics are terrible. She also said that some students feel as though they are treated with disgust; they are made to feel humiliated and shameful about their decision. With a case that happened at Edenvale Hospital, a nurse at the reception desk reprimanded a young woman saying, If you cant help yourself to use a condom then why should we help you? You should be ashamed of yourself; you are destroying your own body. Another reason why some students seek illegal TOPs is fear of recognition. Students do not want to go to a public hospital or abortion clinic in their geographical areas, as they are scared that someone they know will discriminate against them for their actions. Lastly, students seek illegal TOPs due to cultural beliefs and religion; they are anxious of being isolated from their family or friends, due to their decision.

Together with the current Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Tawakkol Karman, Gbowee received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011

Illegal TOP results in student death at UJ

This year 20 year old Ayanda Masondo, a second year Human Resources student at the University of Johannesburg, was found dead in her room after what is assumed to be an illegal TOP gone bad. Brixton police station spokesman Constable Michael Kgatle stated that, At this stage an illegal abortion would appear to be the reason for her death. There was a lot of blood at the scene.

Although she is an activist, involved in politics, she is not a politician. She is straightforward and direct, with no inhibitions, says Royeppen. The sincerely compassionate nature of Gbowee came through as she continued to casually interact with students during the intimate gathering. According to Royeppen, Gbowee described how she had detected an employee seeming distinctly unhappy for weeks on end. Gbowee explained that she felt highly concerned that her colleague could not come to her for help or guidance. Touched by her clear concern, Royeppen remarks, She really makes time for the little people constantly working at a grass-root level. Lecturer and PhD student of the Department of Political and International Studies, Siphokazi Magadla, played a central role in bringing this significant public figure to Rhodes. Achieng elaborates, stating that Magadla started contacting Gbowee as early as 2010 and nominated her for the honorary doctorate. Siphokazi made this opportunity possible and I am extremely grateful to her, she said. Gbowee clearly had a profound and definite impact on the lucky few who meet her. A nostalgic glimmer in Achiengs eyes reveal the reason for her growing and almost intoxicating energy as she continues to talk about the truly inspirational quality of her encounter with Leymah Gbowee. She is only in her forties and already has achieved so much. It made me think, I need to do this and go there, she said with vigour.

Features
Graduation: breaking the bank?
Graduation weekend means big business for local shop owners
By Jordan Du Toit and Alexandra Maggs person per night. Rhodes University also offers accommodation in its residences for both guests and graduates at a rate of R300 per guest and R270 per graduate per night. And, of course, the graduation ceremony is not complete without the gown; prices start from R145 for gowns, another R110 for the hood and an additional deposit of R100. Graduation is a rewarding, but costly experience. For those who cannot afford these expenses it can prove to be a difficult time. So what happens when the expenses are too high? When students simply cannot afford the compulsory robe and hood? Birches staff will simply refer them to management and arrangements will be made. Despite these expenses, the Rhodes graduation weekend is a far more festive occasion than at most other South African universities and in some cases, a cheaper occasion too. The Rhodes festivities last the entire weekend, with a garden party held on the Drostdy Lawns, as well as the option for graduates to attend a Graduation Ball with tickets priced at R420 per couple. There isnt a grad ball or anything like that, and after the ceremony the university provides champagne and stuff under a little tent, said a recent Stellenbosch graduate. Most graduations at other prominent South African universities merely consist of a ceremony and a brief cocktail party. Some faculties at Rhodes throw separate after parties for their graduates. These are an opportunity for graduates and their families to mingle with departmental staff and other academics. These smaller celebrations are also a nice opportunity for classmates to say goodbye to one another and for the university to honour all of the hard work that both students and staff members from the relevant departments have put in over the years, said Laura Maggs, a recent graduate.

The Oppidan Press 10 May 2012

raduation took place on the weekend of 12-14 April with graduates from all over the country arriving in Grahamstown with family members and friends to share in the celebration. Not only is this an important event for the graduates, but for the economy of Grahamstown too. This is the time when businesses flourish as they cater to graduation needs, including gown rentals, celebratory dinners, graduation photographs and accommodation. Its like a second festive season in Grahamstown, says Ronell Arends of Kodak. Kodak does excellent business during the graduation weekend. This can be attributed to their excellent marketing and convenient service, as well as special graduation rates. In addition to this, they store graduation photographs for five years after the event takes place in case graduates have limited time to collect photographs, as well as for students who are not able to pay for their photographs at the time. For most students, a celebratory dinner with their guests is an intrinsic part of the graduation weekend. Denese Palm of Haricots Bistro on New Street, said the following of the 2012 graduation weekend, We were almost booked out every night. On Friday we had three to five sittings during the day. Bookings were even made in 2011. The Haricots staff was extremely busy, with management working 16 hour shifts to accommodate for the graduation influx. Haricots is a popular choice amongst graduation visitors as they offer a special graduation menu and sell champagne by the glass, making the graduation dinner an extra special experience. Other expenses include accommodation, with guesthouse prices ranging from R250 to R450 per

Recent graduates Candace Gawler and Michele Fry. Picture: ROBYNNE PEATFIELD

We dont eat, we dont sleep; we LAN

By David Harding Until recently, gaming was mostly thought of as an alternative hobby. However, with the rise of the video game industry, the popularity of gaming, in particular multi-player gaming, has increased drastically; gaming has become a more socially acceptable form of entertainment, with its most social form coming from LAN (Local Area Network) gaming. LAN-ing centres around the multiplayer gaming experience. According to Jonathan Funcke, LAN Head for Rhodes Game Society, Multi-player games, found at LAN events, focus more on the competitive aspects of the game, pitting players or teams against one another to achieve a goal. These LANers tend to avoid sleep as they game the night away. We often take breaks between gaming sessions, says Funcke, to relax or nap or generally reflect on the previous match. This enables gamers to be in a social and sometimes competitive environment. A LAN is much like the Rhodes ResNet. When attending a LAN party, you would connect your computer to a central hub or switch via a LAN cable, inputting various settings through the Control Panels Network Settings. This allows you to connect to all the other people who are connected to the same hub or switch. Once you are connected to the network, you will then be able to access the other computers on it and you will be able to share files by activating the File Sharing option in the selected files properties. Being connected to the local network, you are also able to connect to other computers and servers through multi-player games, allowing you to play with your friends and against your enemies. People tend to look at LAN parties as a bunch of guys sitting in a room playing games. However, this generalisation has been proven to be flawed by the appearance of the fairer sex at LAN parties. Female gamers, especially those who attend LAN parties, are fast becoming a norm in the LAN-ing community. One such woman is Pascalene Houseman, who asserts that LAN parties are being more heavily attended by females, even if they arent actually playing the games themselves. With regards to females attending LANs in a competitive sense, Houseman said that, Its just another way to show that not only guys can play PC games and understand whats going on, girls can too. And it seems to be a greater upset when a girl beats a guy these days. Funcke backs up this statement, as he notes that a certain girl gamer played a key role in the Rhodes victory at the TriVarsity LAN in 2010. With regards to this competitive Inter-Varsity LAN, Funcke said, I plan to set eSports [LAN Gaming] as an officially recognised event, which will hopefully join the roster of annual events for Tri-varsity.

I plan to set eSports as an officially recognised event, which will hopefully join the roster of annual events for Tri-varsity
- Game Soc LAN head, Jonathan Funcke

Gaming, however, is not the only thing done at these LAN parties. Often people attend LAN parties for the aspect of file-sharing, and to simply socialise with people they share similar interests with; although, the social aspect of LANs do tend to center around the games being played. As Funcke said, Once the gaming gets going, conversation tends to be around the structuring and co-ordination of teams (normally via shouting). However, LAN-ing extends beyond the boundaries of the organised Game Society LANs, as residences on campus organise small residence LANs as a social past time. In the end, LAN parties are mostly a social outing, comprising of a hobby, which seems to attract a large number of diverse people interested in the social and competitive aspects of gaming.

10 May 2012

Features

The Oppidan Press

Joyce Banda - making waves and history

By Lucy Holford-Walker Politics

oyce Banda has made history in becoming Malawis first female president and is only the second woman on the continent, following Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, to take on the leadership of an African country. Renowned for her fighting character, Banda has no doubt changed the face of African politics. Her appointment as vice president to former Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika in the 2009 elections came as a shock to the conservative male-dominated country in which many women still adhere to the expected stereotypical and traditional role that comes with simply being born female. Banda has made her presence known from the beginning by means of not adopting the role of subservience, but rather taking a stand where and when she felt necessary. Her refusal to approve Mutharikas plans to make his brother, current foreign affairs Minister Peter Mutharika, president after his term came to an end in 2014 is a good example and is arguably

why she has got to where she is today she has stood when others have feared to do so. Banda has been victim to closedminded and chauvinistic mindsets in a conservative and traditional society. After her refusal to accept Mutharikas proposal for his brothers presidential take-over, Banda was thrown out of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and subjected to contempt by the public in rallies and on Malawian radio. Whilst some, such as the senior ruling party official, feel that Malawi is not ready for a female president, and made uncouth comments likening her to a common mandasi or fritter seller, Banda has approached her foes with grace and has since used the derogatory remarks to her benefit, proving the naysayers to be incorrect. Banda responded to the comment saying she was pleased to be identified with Malawian market-women due to the fact that more than 80% of Malawian women belong to that category; she feels she stands for women across Malawi and can indeed relay their issues and concerns. Banda has been globally praised for facing adversity and coming out on top. When asked to resign as vice

president, she instead started her own political party, the Peoples Party, and has had surprising success. She is indeed, gender aside, an incredible role model for young people across Africa, says Kudzai Simba, a PGCE student at Rhodes University. Malawi is one of the poorest countries not only in Africa, but also in the world. Banda is set to face the broken partnerships with the West that were destroyed under Mutharikas rule and upon whom Malawi relies for financial aid. This severing of aid for the country and her people mean that Malawi is in serious disorder, evident in the vast shortages of fuel, basic and necessary drugs as well as foreign currency. Banda has a lot to do. She is facing serious challenges as well as a society that is watching her closely; waiting for her to slip up. But if her past is anything to go by, Banda will pull Malawi out of the economic struggle and into a more stable state of affairs. The sad reality is that her actions will be judged much more stringently due to the fact that she is a woman. Perhaps the dark continent, with a woman in control, might just make for a lighter political forecast in the future.

Joyce Banda casts her vote at the Malawi elections in 2009. Picture: MALAWI ELECTIONS PIX/FLICKR

What or who is Kony 2012 ?

By Emily Corke Politics KONY 2012 became a sensation worldwide in less than 24 hours after the campaign founders of Invisible Children (IC) released a 30-minute long video that went viral. The video gained viewers quicker than any other video on YouTube and suddenly #KONY2012 and #makehimknown became Twitters most tweeted trends. BBM statuses and broadcasts about the infamous Joseph Kony became widespread and fast. The youth started to protest, but critically, protests were based on very little information. Whilst the popular YouTube video gives one side of the story, is there another? And what is all the hype about? It would appear that few people understand the campaign and what it actually involves. The video was released as an urge to make Kony known around the world so that he may be stopped. Many critics called it an expensive propaganda film and it attracted a lot of attention from journalists and the media. The IC attracted a lot of criticism for the video and its campaign from world-renowned media stations and journalists like BBC correspondent Andrew Harding. Harding said that it is hard to criticise good intentions, yet there had seemed to be gross reaction to the extraordinarily sudden success of the social media campaign by three American advocacy groups. The campaign also went under fire by one of our own. Richard Stupart, Masters Journalism student at Rhodes

Kota steps down

Ex-UPM leader puts the movement before himself
By Stuart Thembisile Lewis Politics At the Annual General Meeting of the Unemployed Peoples Movement (UPM) this year, founder and long-running leader of the movement, Ayanda Kota stepped down. He was replaced by Asanda Ncwadi and redeployed as the publicity secretary of the movement. Kota founded the UPM in August 2009 explaining, as he put it in a statement on Activate Online, to respond to the crisis of unemployment and the commodification of essential services in a society dominated by corruption and greed. The UPM has since been involved in many protests in the Grahamstown area and has been met with alleged municipal stone-walling and police brutality. Kota himself was the subject of a controversial theft case involving Rhodes academic Claudia MartinezMullen earlier this year. He was also charged with resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. He filed a counter-charge of assault against the officers in question. This is not our movement. We [the Executive Committee of the UPM] have to understand that it is a movement of the people. The UPM is not only Ayanda Kota, Kota said when asked about his reasons for stepping down. He added that democratic processes had to be respected, that no position in the UPM was a lifetime appointment and that it was time for some new leadership. Excited was the term he used to describe his feelings about his new position. I will serve the UPM in whatever position they put me, he added. As part of his duties as publicity secretary, Kota has started a Facebook page for the UPM and instituted a newsletter dubbed The Truth. The first edition was distributed on Friday 20 April. Kota stated his greatest achievement during his tenure as chairperson was the rapid growth of the UPM as a social movement and the raising of its profile nationwide. He added that they had done this with absolutely no financial support whatsoever: We give everything to the movement. Kota was also at great pains to state that none of these achievements were his, but rather they belonged to every man and woman of the UPM and the collective progress that they made. He also stressed that the UPM could never be happy with where it was and continued to build itself and to grow outside of Grahamstown in places such as East London and Port Elizabeth, and to then extend its reach to other provinces. Kota also stated that he had absolute faith in Ncwadi as the new chairperson of the movement and called on all members and allies of the UPM to collectively support his successor.

A group of children in Uganda photographed by Richard Stupart whilst travelling in the country. Picture: RICHARD STUPART and known freelance journalist, explained to The Oppidan Press his stance on the Kony issue since his travels to Uganda and his direct experience with the issue. Stupart believes that it is obvious that Joseph Kony is a monstrous character, but realising the problem doesnt make the solution obvious as the video makes one believe. Stupart believes that there are two key issues in the IC campaign. Firstly, the video said he has a catalogue of offenses that [he] stands accused of . According to Stupart, Its a narcissistic reinforcement of the idea that only the white Westerner can save Africa and probably does more harm than good because of the way it presents Africa to the rest of the world. According to Stupart, KONY 2012 gives a platform for narcissistic castle building where jokes about the exotica Africa with pictures of black children and Kony references are exposed, and which have incidentally spread around the Rhodes campus at a rapid rate. A key fact that the video fails to mention, is that Kony is no longer in Uganda. Kony is in fact no longer in the Democratic Republic of Congo either, but actually in the Central African Republic and has not been seen in a few months. Stupart and other international media critics and journalists alike, believe the Kony campaign will not and cannot work. This is indicative of the gaps or questions that surface from the Kony campaign, for example, where the money that thousands of people have been contributing over the years has gone to or the fact that Kony isnt even in Uganda anymore. Stupart believes that taking a stand and making a difference should start with understanding what is actually going on, and pushing for an appropriately intelligent response: It is a lot less cool than a wristband and an activism pack, but your money would be much better spent on a book or two.

Photos Music mash up

1

The Oppidan Press 10 May 2012

1. Electric guitarist, Gareth Wilson of Southern Gypsey Queen at Slipstream Sports Bar. Picture: DAVID HARDING 2. Haggis and Bongs Angus Nixon plays the Great Highland bagpipes. Picture: STEFAN JANSE VAN RENSBURG 3. Tammy Wilson, bass guitarist of Southern Gypsey Queen. Picture: DAVID HARDING 4. Shadowclubs Jaques Moolman. Picture: KELLY MULLER 5. Darren Leader of Zebra & Giraffe. Picture: HOLLY SNELL 6. Zebra & Giraffes Greg Carlin at their gig at Prime. Picture: HOLLY SNELL 7. Zebra & Giraffe bass guitarist Andrew Maskeu. Picture: HOLLY SNELL 8. The crowd that gathered at Slipstream Sports Bar for the Southern Gypsey Queen. Picture: STEFAN JANSE VAN RENSBURG

10 May 2012

Photos

The Oppidan Press

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Features

The Oppidan Press 10 May 2012

Medical aid guide for post grads

By Morgana Newcombe Business For many people, obtaining a degree means that they are now just as qualified, if not more so, than their parents. This is a scary realisation as it means taking on adult responsibilities. The one area that few people prepare themselves for is the prospect of having to find your very own medical aid scheme. The problem with medical coverage for a postgraduate student is that they carry significantly more pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and high blood pressure, in comparison to undergraduate students due to differences in age. Most medical aid companies will calculate your subscriptions according to the clients factor of risk. This is inevitably higher if you have a pre-existing condition. Despite this, most students including postgraduates require very little actual medical aid cover. So why should they inherit the additional expense that comes with being loyal to their parents medical aid company when there are other options? We took a look into what kind of Medical aid options are available to students. The Rhodes University HCC has enlisted the help of Absa Health Care consultants to track down a selection of scheme geared specifically to students. The Absa HCCs visit the university every two weeks to consult with students looking to secure medical aid cover, as well as those who are already on a medical aid scheme. Until recently, the only package on the division was Momentum Health Care, which offers two different plans, the Ingwe option and the Access option. However, last year, a new package entered these limited health care options - CompCares Networx package. The HCCs next visit is on 3 May 2012 at Eden Grove between 11am and 2pm.

Momentum Health Ingwe Option

A pot inbetween the top and bottom half of the Hotbag. Picture: JENNA LARSON
Price per month: Member: R329 Adult dependnt: R329 Child dependant: R180 Up to R900 000 at any private hospital* per family p/a. Includes: Take-home up to 7 days medicine dosage. Maternity benefits Dental/oral benefits (both hospitalised and non) Radiology, pathology (both hospitalised and non) and mental health Organ transplant, renal dialysis, oncology / chemotherapy GPs

CompCare Access Option

Price per month: Member: R463 Adult Dependant: R463 Child Dependant: R304 No annual limit applicable. Available at any private hospital*. Benefits include: Take-home up to 7 days medicine dosage Internal prosthesis Maternity benefit with no annual limit Dental/oral benefits (both hospitalised and non) Radiology, pathology (both hospitalised and non) and mental care Organ transplant, renal dialysis and oncology/ chemotherapy

Networx Option
Price per month: Comprehensive cover for students (only): R318 Unlimited PMB (Prescribed Minimum Benefits), annual limit of R270 000 per beneficiary or R550 000 per family covering: GPs, specialist treatments and ward fees (all) Theatre and Medication fees Blood transfusion, oncology (radiotherapy & chemotherapy) Surgical prosthesis Clinical technologist Radiology (MRI, CT & PET scans) Psychiatric treatments up to 21 days Organ, bone-marrow transplant, plasm spheresis & renal dialysis. Sports injuries as well as emergency accidents and trauma. Out of Hospital care: Chronic conditions prescribed by network providers and doctors. Cover on day-to-day services including GP visits, acute medication, basic radiology & pathology are unlimited. While specialist consultations, basic dentistry and optometry a well as emergency room casualty visits are subject to limitations. Additional Benefits: Preventative care is subject to limit of R100 per benefit and flu vaccinations limited to R70 once a year.

200 hotbags for 200 years

Grahamstowns hotbag project is helping the community in both environmental and economic ways
By Kristen Birch Environment

n celebration of their 200-year anniversary, Makana Municipality is running various projects to commemorate its lengthy existence. The Environmental Learning Research Centre (ELRC) of Rhodes University, together with the municipality and RU Green have organised projects, which aim to promote healthy living, decrease poverty and improve the environment. According to RU Green Chairman Alex Lenferna, the first part of the project is to select 200 homes in Ward 7. An organic compost heap has been constructed near these homes and an area has been cleared for a vegetable garden. A tree will also be planted to promote healthy air and soil. The second part of the project is loaning a hotbag or KoekSister to the various families. This is a device used for cooking. The financer of the project, Jenna Larsen, explains that the hotbag is two bags that are given to a family to be used together. The bags are quite economical and environmentally friendly as they continue to cook food long after it has been taken off the stove. Once food, such as rice or porridge, has reached its boil, placing the pot between the two hotbags will continue the cooking without additional external energy. This may save up to 50% of energy used for cooking, Larsen said. The idea is that the money saved from using less electricity, goes towards buying seeds for the familys new garden. According to Larsen, the hotbag project draws on the knowledge of the Xhosa practice where acacia coals were used to slow-cook foods. The idea is to reflect on and re-imagine past practices and incorporate them into our modern everyday lives, Lenferna said. Lenferna says that this project is not

The idea is to reflect on and re-imagine past practices and incorporate them into our modern everyday lives
- RU Green Chairman, Alex Lenferna

Out of Hospital care: Chronic conditions not subject to limitations; 26 conditions covered. Prescribed medication covered GP visits (unlimited benefit) Optical benefits Additional benefits: Casualty/emergency room benefits Specialist and physiotherapy visits Plus HIV Aids benefits for ARVs as well as AIDS related admissions.

Out of Hospital care: Prescribed and chronic medication is unlimited with no co-payments (available at chosen network provider). GP visits Optical benefit (every 2 years) Additional benefits: Casualty/emergency room benefits 3 Specialist visits per annum. Plus HIV Aids benefits for ARVs as well as Aids related admissions

only environmentally and economically beneficial as a result of less electricity being used. It also has various health benefits. Because it is slowcooking the nutrients stay within the food, Lenferna said, and hopefully they will be cooking some of their own home-grown vegetables from their new gardens. According to Larsen, the ELRC aims to empower women by creating employment for them. The women of St Marys Development and Care Centre have been creating the 200 hotbags. The workers of the Masihlule Project, with regards to the Grahamstown dump, are being paid to source out Styrofoam for the insulation. The aim is to provide an income for those involved. Lenferna says that these are the early stages of the project. Once the creases are ironed out, we would love to get Oppidans involved too, Lenferna said, They could use the hotbag in their own homes. He says that they have 30 composters, hotbags, trees and vegetable gardens planned for the Oppidans. Larsen says that this project aims to bring back sustainable and healthy practices that have been forgotten. Its a simple way to reduce the effects of poverty and improve the environment, he said.

Rhino awareness: Education is the foundation

By Kate Janse van Rensburg Environment Wildlife veterinarian Dr William Fowlds delivered a rhino awareness presentation at Rhodes University on 28 March. Fowlds aims to create maximum awareness by informing the public on what they can do for this critical flagship species. Start thinking of it as a war, said Fowlds, we have [become] too used to seeing this issue which is now completely out of control. He highlighted that people avoid disagreeing about the smaller issues, which is evident in there being over 150 organizations fighting for the same cause. Fowlds emphasised that awareness is vital. An animal rights presence is in existence within Asia where demand for rhino horn is most rife. We need to plug in to this, said Fowlds. Educating the East that rhino horn as a commodity is detrimental to the entire species is a critical starting point. We think we need to do so much yet we can each do little bits each day, said Fowlds while addressing the issue of apathy. Digital bridges across continents such as social media forums like Facebook, Youtube and Twitter have a huge potential. Fowlds emphasised this while advising adopting a mentality of awareness. Fowlds also recommended spending time in a rhinos presence to form a genuine appreciation. Imagine our world without rhinos, he explained, it is the same perception with the rhino as with the dinosaur. Understanding the markets potential if rhino horn trade is legalised is a great concern. We simply do not understand the demand, he said. We are mentally far detached from the East. We need to find a way to bridge the gap. He emphasised how we had neglected to put our efforts across the waters. Poachers at the bottom of the chain are being arrested, while the kingpins remain untouched. I am convinced corruption goes all the way through these channels, said Fowlds. Therefore, legislative backing is essential to convict the criminals. Rhino horns value leads to corruption. Tactics must be enforced to decrease this. Corruption is here to stay. You have to take away the incentive, he suggested. Avoiding poaching has many hidden costs. It is R80 000 per rhino per year for security that cannot be ensured. Rhino orphans are the by-product of poaching. They need to be hand reared which is also a costly exercise. Kariegas story of the rhino Themba earlier this year has created awareness. It has drawn out a part in people we didnt know existed, said Fowlds, referring to the publics humbling response. This contrasts to the brutality exercised by poachers. Fowlds advised that Themba and Thandis story must be told so that everyone is aware of what these animals have been through. Thandis survival must be used to her advantage. Support for the cause can be shown by wearing rhino awareness T-shirts and displaying bumper stickers. It is comforting to know that someone youve never met thinks the same way you do. Fowlds emphasised that people must make sure where their money is being distributed. He suggested that donations be made locally where results can be directly viewed. Rhodes University will be holding a Rhino Awareness Week from 14 to 18 May.

10 May 2012

Letters

The Oppidan Press

11

Do you have something to say? We want to hear it! Email us on letters@theoppidanpress.com

Dear Editor, Dear Editor,

Public apology: offensive comment at RU Jamming

Let me fall on my sword here. Id like to unconditionally admit that comments I made in my comedy act at the RU Jamming event relating to members of the Atherstone house were sexist, discriminatory and insulting towards women in general and was in direct conflict with the Rhodes University policy. I have decided to remove the particular joke from my act as I realize that it hurt the women from Atherstone House. I apologize to the members of Atherstone house and realize the hurtful nature of the joke. Unfortunately, I cant promise that I wont offend anyone in the future, thats the nature of comedy. As a comedian you dont always know how an audience will respond to a joke until you actually do it. Every joke has a victim and its a risk you take hoping the audience can suspend their own feelings of shock and that victim can laugh at themselves. However, there comes a point in time when it becomes really difficult to justify a statement made in an act artistically - a line that was crossed on that Wednesday evening. One of my comedy heroes, Ricky Gervais, always states that there isnt anything you cant joke about. It depends on the joke. Its a comedic philosophy that Ive taken to heart. There is, however, a qualifier. Comedy isnt your conscience taking a day off. Jokes can come from a good or a bad place. It can be used to educate or it can hurt. At RU Jamming, it was used to hurt. Kind regards, Mr van der Westhuisen

RE: O-Week serenades

I read the 28 February edition of The Oppidan Press and was shocked to find articles relating to students unhappy about the OWeek tradition of serenading. When I found the lengthy letter to the DOS from a first year detailing her ordeal with the serenades, I felt great sympathy for the mystery student. That sympathy lasted about halfway through her 1500+ word letter. The ebbing sympathy was being slowly replaced with something quite different annoyance. Dont get me wrong. Not 100% of that annoyance was with the complaining girl. Some of it has to be awarded to the fact that all it took was a handful of first years who had bad experiences with serenades (I counted 3 first years in the article plus the one who sent the letter, though Im aware there may be more) out of more than 1 500 first years (in other words the unhappy ones constitute less than 1%) to get higher management so worried they need meetings to discuss the way forward regarding serenades. Isnt that rather extreme? Besides the fact that its impossible to please 100% of any group of people, lets remember that this particular group consists of first year students. They are naturally going to be nervous and unsure during their first month. But that is why they are in university in the first place: to be taught how to adapt to a new environment that may not be as easy and comfortable as the one with which they were familiar. Not just adapt pardon me but to thrive as well and thus become the leaders of the future. And a leader does not make huge complaints as soon as a situation turns out to not be to his/her liking. For simplicity sake, I will refer to the writer of that complaining letter as Sue. If she had just opted out of serenades, this whole debacle could have been avoided. Because, surprise surprise, serenades are optional. If she had stayed in her room or maybe told comm members that she had valid reason not to participate (comm members are not monsters, they are people too and they understand that people may have different religions or circumstances), she could have stayed in her comfy bed while her res-mates went out and met fellow first years and comrades. From what Ive heard, there were new rules this year for serenades. I am a fourth year student, and I have never been on comm. So I am not sure how well these rules were followed this year. Maybe 2012 was just a bad year and some residences took things too far. Does that suddenly mean all serenades are just as bad? Do we let the one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel? No, we sort out just the bad one. The barrel still contains good ones and it should be on these that we place our attention. In her letter, Sue insinuates that serenades were too sexual, vulgar, sexually discriminative and inappropriate for her and that the experience terrified her. She also continuously refers to Dr Badats welcome speech to the first years. She seems bewildered that an institution like Rhodes, that is among the most intellectually talented women and men of our society, would use serenades as part of a brand new students orientation. Evidently she is only used to norms. And that is where serenades are beneficial. They shatter the shells new student try to hide themselves in and pull them out of their comfort zones. They teach you to become more confident in an unfamiliar situation and, most importantly, to be more confident in yourself. When I did my serenades, I was just as terrified about the prospect of meeting girls in just my boxers. I too had qualms about showing off my legs and my abs to girls I didnt even know. But as the serenades progressed, and as I built comradelike bonds with my resmates, our confidence grew together and we felt we could handle anything together; even the girls who laughed and pointed at us, our dress, our song, our dance, and our skinny legs. - to read the rest of this letter please go to www.oppidanpress.com Kind regards, Andre ACE Ah Chow (Proud Rhodent)

Dear Editor,

RE: Marijuana psychosis: student takes trip home

With a good dose of shock and disappointment, Wardens, Hall Wardens, psychologists, students and staff members working at the University have had to confront the potentially damaging article published in 13 March 2012 The Oppidan Press entitled Marijuana psychosis: student takes trip home. The primary concern raised across this spectrum of university employees and students is the wholly inaccurate description and near denial that marijuana psychosis is in fact a real mental health concern or diagnosis. Mr Naidoo is reported to be hesitant to draw any link between the use of marijuana and mental illness. Unfortunately, this is wholly incorrect and should have been corroborated by the author, Joshua Oates, with another source who practices directly in mental health. This is poor journalism and an indictment on the quality of writing, research and editing done for this article. To clarify, we would like to present a number of facts and additional information about the relationship between marijuana use and mental illness. Firstly, a diverse range of substances from alcohol to opiates (ie. heroin) can cause a substance-induced psychotic disorder also known as a substance-induced psychosis. Like other psychotic episodes, the person will experience significant delusions and hallucinations which impair their reality testing. The delusions or hallucinations are not as a result of intoxication from the substance, but occur as a result of continued use or withdrawal affecting the frontal cortex, cerebellum and basal ganglia (ie. movements, speech, personality and reality-testing). The seriousness of a substance-induced psychosis cannot be overstated. Such people are at serious risk of potentially harming themselves and others through attempts at suicide, or uninhibited and potentially violent behaviour. Needless to say, it is also highly distressing to those who have to observe and manage these cases. In the past two years alone, a number of Wardens, Counselling Centre psychologists and other staff have had to deal directly with several students during substance-induced psychotic episodes which have required hospitalisation and withdrawal from the university. Recent research in Denmark suggests that there marijuana is a common factor in up to 80% of schizophrenia cases. Clinical psychologists working at Fort England in Grahamstown can corroborate this with the high number of substance-related admissions to the General, Acute and Maximum Security Psychiatric Wards. Individuals with a genetic and / or biological predisposition (ie. family history) towards mental illness are at the greatest risk. However, it is impossible to accurately identify this predisposition beforehand. Even minimal use of marijuana could lead to substancerelated mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Marijuana use at a young age (ie. before 21 years old) can have serious and detrimental effects on cognitive development, and can lead to increased risk of psychosis and the development of dependence / addiction. This is without considering any pre-existing or underlying genetic or biological risk to mental illness. Marijuana use increases the risk of psychosis by up to 700% for habitual users, proportional to the amount of marijuana used. We would like to urge a healthier balance of facts and editorial responsibility regarding content that is presented to the student body. Kind regards, Greg Wilmot (Counselling Psychologist and Warden, Joe Slovo) and Dr Colleen Vassiliou (Manager: Student Wellness)

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Arts & Entertainment

Southern Shadow Gypsey Club
By Jess van Tonder

The Oppidan Press 10 May 2012

Jaques Moolman of Shadowclub. Picture: KELLY MULLER

he old school rock of Southern Gypsey Queen and the bluesy rock of Shadowclub, were accompanied for the night by Haggis and Bong. The selection of bands made sure that every music taste was catered for. Upon their last leg of the Dirty Sexy Rock n Roll tour, Shadowclub and Southern Gypsey Queen were definitely in top performance mode. Even though this is not the biggest crowd we have played for on tour, Grahamstown has the right attitude and vibe about live music, and is always ready for us, said Louis Roux the bassist for Shadowclub. The night started off with Southern Gypsey Queen playing Be the Lion, the crowd dancing while they cheered the musicians on. When Tammy Wilson started singing 99 red balloons it became evident what the crowd enjoyed most about the band. When asked about the tour with the boys she said: This tour has been made up of 6000kms, late nights which turn into early starts, strangers and friends, the good gigs and the bad, the constant pang from home and being outnumbered five to one by rocker boys. It was a rollercoaster ride of experiences but I did it all wearing my dress.

Dirty Sexy Rock n Roll would not even begin to describe the tour, stated Gareth Wilson, lead guitar and vocals for Southern Gypsey Queen. This has been one of the most demanding tours, but definitely one of the best. We havent only been mates for over 15 years but having another band with the same style of music as us makes a huge difference in performing style and the feel of the gig. Following SGQ was Shadowclub that kept the crowd moving with their deep notes and old school sound; Good Morning Killer definitely being one of the crowd favourites. I felt motion sickness from the stage moving but that just shows how much energy the crowd had. Grahamstown never disappoints, said Roux. Being in a town that appreciates live music is definitely one of the best things about being on this tour. Southern Gypsey Queen and Shadowclubs visit to Grahamstown is certainly a night that will not be forgotten soon. This is not the last time we will hear of this explosive duo as they are scheduled to play at Oppi Koppi this year. Haggis and Bong ended off the night with their set - the crowd offering up the very last bits of energy they had left. The band consists of six strong members - Angus Nixon, Dominic Skelton and Liam O Flaherty on The Great Highland Bagpipes, Thomas

Hughes on Drums, Xavier Knox on Bass Guitar and Dave Callaghan on Electric Guitar. Their performance was nothing less than electric and mind-blowing. Haggis and Bong have been described as a band with, strong catchy melody lines and fast paced, technical rhythms. The pipes are the driving force behind the bands unique sound. Reinforced with sensational drumming, deep, funky and rhythmic bass lines and uplifting trombone sounds, the band presents an ensemble of instruments that have transcended the boundaries of traditional musical genres and has created a unique sound that sets the band apart from the rest.

Even though this is not the biggest crowd we have played for on tour, Grahamstown has the right attitude and vibe about live music, and is always ready for us

- Louis Roux, bassist of Shadowclub

Lulo Caf fails to turn tables

By Nandi Majola Celebrating the end of the first term with a performance by Lulo Cafe, at Prime nightclub, seemed to be the best idea for a lot of students, but sadly some were disappointed. The event saw a turnout that was better than expected due to the dwindling numbers of students as the end of term approached. The promotion of the event by fellow Rhodes students contributed to the high turnout as the audience enjoyed the sounds of R.S, Bleqdip and Willy-D who took to the turntables and got the crowd pumping with House on the main dance floor. Upstairs, local DJs Staliyaan, Tod and Skuzie catered for the Hip Hop heads and added Dancehall to the mix. It was a night for us all at Prime as people partied on the two different levels according to their music tastes a fun and effective factor that Equilibrium lacked. Ladies were treated to a R20 price for tickets, and the boys with R30 ones. Prime raised the stakes and late-comers forked out R50 at the door a pricey cover charge that comes to light whenever big talent comes to Grahamstown. Although the night proved to be enjoyable for students who looked forward to the upcoming vacation, there were mixed feelings about Lulo Cafs set. He wasnt interested in what he was doing, said Zama Mkhwani,Bleqdips set was cool though. This was disappointing for those who had seen his entertaining performance at the Great Field party last year. Although this was a small loss for Lulo Caf, it is definitely a success for our local talent. All-in-all the night was enjoyable, and a good start to Rhodents two weeks of blissful rest.

Soul Candis DJ Lulo Caf real name Sikhululo Maliwa to launch his latest offering What about Soul. Picture: ALLEGRO DINKWANYANE

Arts & Entertainment

10 May 2012

The Oppidan Press

13

Where all the wild things are

By Jess van Tonder

ne of the best internationally recognised South African bands, raking in SAMA awards, MK Awards, and performing alongside artists such as Snow Patrol and Oasis at festivals is simply part of the rep Zebra & Giraffe carries. The band has two albums under their belt and a third being released this year. Even though they narrowed the band down to three - Greg Carlin (lead vocals and guitar), Alan Shenton (lead guitar) and Mike Wright (drums and

keyboard) - this trio shows no sign of slowing down. The band has picked up the pace and has started more tours that will be going on throughout the year. All of us have been involved in writing and performing music in South Africa for a number of years, and do it full time. Zebra & Giraffe started as the solo project of Greg Carlin, but evolved into a band with members and contributors. It was a natural progression whereby we started writing together and enjoying one anothers ability in the band, said Shenton in regards to

the formation of Zebra & Giraffe. Although they are not known as a party band they definitely brought the energy and party atmosphere with them, dispelling the clich that performers must have a drink or two before a show in order to be at their best We are serious about our hour on stage, and giving the best show, serious about our music yet we still enjoy joking around with each other on stage. After the show is when the party starts, said Mike Wright, pianist and drummer. Grahamstown was more than eager

to welcome Zebra & Giraffe. The crowd urged them on to perform their well-known songs Oxymoron, The Knife, Bleed Me Out and Arm Yourself . The energy of the Rhodents was undeniable. If the crowd is feeling the music then we begin to feel the show with them. Our performance is based on the crowds enjoyment of what we do, said Shenton. Their feeding off of the crowds energy became more evident the more the show went on. Zebra & Giraffe stated that they are definitely going to be back in Grahamstown more often this year with the

release of the new album. The show was really, really good. I honestly wasnt feeling good before the show, but that is definitely one of the best shows of the year. The crowd was insane! I dont know but so much energy came back to us tonight. And that is why I play music, said Carlin.

Above: Zebra and Giraffe guitarist, Allan Shenton at the bands gig at Prime last week. Picture: HOLLY SNELL

we recommend
Eat. Cook. Write. : Black Pepper Plum
Fellow Rhodent Carina Truyts, has spiced up the blogosphere with her passion for cuisine. In her blog www.blackpepperplum.blogspot.com, she blogs about good food, great recipes and her worldly travels; in her words - things that make me happy. A former student at Stilwood Kitchen in Cape Town, her blog entertains you with her personal thoughts and experiences, while bringing the world of foreign and local cuisine right to your doorstep. Her blog, written both in English and Afrikaans, is easy to navigate through and [literally] entices the reader with mouth-watering photographs of her creations. Now a third year Journalism student andliving in digs, Truyts understands the student budget syndrome, and so her recipes cater for the everyday Rhodents often depleted resources. You can expect to both learn about the scrumptious food she makes and be entertained by personal stories of her everyday life. If youre a lover of good food and cooking, then Black Pepper Plum will be right up your alley. The delicious looking food and upbeat stories draw you in and leave you itching to try out the recipes. If you enjoy travel, I also suggest you take a look at some of her exciting Travellers Tales - the beautiful photographs and tales of her experiences almost compel you to pack your bags and follow in her footsteps. Hopefully, we will see more of these in the near future. So, if you are a food lover, world traveller, fellow chef or even just enjoy a good read, I recommend you visit Black Pepper Plum you wont be left hungry.

Retro Refugee - Art in word and image

A fresh and innovative approach to blogging, two Capetonians have joined efforts in a blog blending edited photography and slam poetry in a manner that is both inspirational and enjoyable.

Seemingly Offbeat
The blogosphere seems to be booming with new talent every day as more and more students are taking to the cyber world to let their creative juices flow. Robyn Perros, a Rhodes BJourn student, is one such person. Her blog is entitled Offbeat - a fitting title as it encapsulates her essence. In retrospect it may be a cheesy name, it may even be a cheesy blog says Perros.

Durban native Mfundo Ntobongwana, who goes by the name Native Refugee (also a Facebook page), is responsible for the thoughtful poetry explored in this recently devised project, retrorefugee.blogspot.com. Exploring themes of love, religion and ambition, as well as the search for what he calls a Conscious Awakening, Ntobongwanas writing is gripping and honest, while free of flowery adjectives and unnecessarily complex words. He challenges the RetroRefugee visitor to allow him or herself to be pushed towards this conscious awakening, and states plainly that it is not a blog for those seeking a mindless trend. The pictures used in RetroRefugee come from the edited photography of Keenan Hagins, whose Tumblr page Retro Future at mrhagins.tumblr.com has become especially popular among students of late. Featuring inspiring quotes and beautiful images, Hagins requests of visitors to the site that Whatever you do, do it for the love. Initially the page started as a hobby. The blog has grown to over a thousand followers and is updated at least once a week. While RetroRefugee is still in its early days, it is definitely a blog to keep an eye out for. In a world where everyone and their goldfish have a Tumblr page, it is refreshing to find a blog that is thought-provoking and well-designed, serving not only to entertain but to inspire.

By Jamie Tucker

blackpepperplum.blogspot.com

retrorefugee.blogspot.com

By Jenna Lillie

Created in 2011, the inspiration for Perros blog content stemmed from the seemingly offbeat rhythm of the world. From her original poetry to her rich vocabulary that describes her life experiences within Rhodes and overseas travels, she uses her writing to create a world of her own. Blogging however, was never a hobby Perros foresaw in her future - the concept unappealing to her. Her poems are personal and beautifully written spanning topics that are easily accessible, mostly appealing to the creative aesthetically appreciative students at Rhodes. Humorous, down-to-earth and appreciative of the simple things the world has to offer, Perros uses her blog as a space to let all of the moments she has lived come to fruition; moments that have shaped who she is and what she wants to become. "Pen and paper are just two simple tools that enable the confusion of thought and the beauty of imagination to grow their own lungs. Without words the mind is suffocated by this senseless world. Words are what let the mind breathe." Plain and simple, it is one of the most interesting blogs I have come across. She has a flair for life and the ability to translate that into words that will inspire you to do the same.

By Tarryn De Kock

offbeat-rp.blogspot.com

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Arts & Entertainment

Rhodes beloved Ubom! crosses the border
By Tarryn De Kock

The Oppidan Press 10 May 2012

Where RU: when geography and performance collide

By Vimbai Midzi Seldom do the paths of seemingly unrelated Departments at Rhodes cross. One would never dream of combining the efforts of the Pharmacy Department with those of the Politics Department, simply because of the way academia tend to be structured here. Pushing these boundaries however, were the Geography Department and the Drama department who held their Interdisciplinary series entitled Know your Place. The show combined performance, multimedia and mapping software in order to discover and embody the true meaning of place and location. This process of what Roddy Fox, Head of the Geography department, called performance mapping, demanded open-mindedness and a willingness to step out of the confines of your degree and consider how another course could possibly enrich your field. Each geography student mapped out their movements in 24 hours, drawing circles around them to signify each place they were in. What resulted was a massive graffitilike piece on the stage, mapping out the daily movements of a typical Rhodes student. In essence, the performance took on serious questions about space and location in relation to our identities. The different spaces we are part of be it an educational, social or recreational space seems to indicate certain characteristics about ourselves. Andrew Buckland called it amazingly creative and applauded the two departments for stepping out of the confines of their disciplines and creating something new. Fox commented on the inside-ness and outside-ness in Grahamstown, and the way in which certain people are found within certain places, while others are excluded. An audience member pointed out the fact that not one reference was made to Prime, while there were several made to The Rat and Parrot and Friars clubs perhaps an indication of the different recreational spaces that different groups value. The critique and commentary panel also consisted of Professor Anthea Garman of the Journalism Department, Head of the Drama Department Andrew Buckland, First Physical Theatres Alan Parker and the director of the performance, Ford Evanson (also director of last years play, Schmooze).

bom! Theatre Company has been busier than ever since kicking off the My Heart Beats Ubom! campaign earlier this year. This term signalled the culmination of the campaign in the My Heart Beats Ubom! Week, with a program that included a toyi-toyi, T-shirt stencilling and, of course, the humorous and heart wrenching satire The Dogs Must Be Crazy. Dogs, set to be shown at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) in May as well as the National Arts Festival here in Grahamstown in June, is a clever dark comedy that explores the serious concerns and quirks of humanity in a manner that is highly physical and emotive. The use of the mechanical dog could easily have failed but the actors were surefooted and at ease on stage, whether toyi-toying or guiding the dog into his kennel. It is definitely a production that could be watched more than once, for both entertainment and human introspection. Were planning on taking over Fest this June, says Sifiso Sikhakhane, marketing manager of Ubom!. Not only will Dogs be showing, but well also feature heavily in the Festival parade and in three major shows. One such production is Through Blue, an exciting collaboration

between Ubom!, the renowned head of Rhodes Drama Department Andrew Buckland and award-winning director Rob Murray, Bucklands former student. Ubom! has survived and thrived with over a decades contribution to Rhodes and the Eastern Cape arts community, and we want to celebrate that relationship, Sikhakhane enthuses. The My Heart Beats Ubom! Facebook group has mobilised students on campus and made them part of the Ubom! family. Ubom! merchandise is also now being sold in the form of bags, T-shirts and badges. As a theatre company to watch this year, Ubom! can be found in this years NAF program and all around Grahamstown during the festival. Sikhakhane welcomes students to drop by the Ubom! office in the Drama Department and check out the Facebook page, My Heart Beats Ubom!, for further details. Ubom! has survived and thrived with over a decades contribution to Rhodes and the Eastern Cape arts community, and we want to celebrate that relationship - Sifiso Sikhakhane Ubom! Marketing Manger

Students of all shapes and sizes stood up and let their hearts beat UBOM! throughout the companys campaign week on campus. Clockwise: Afika Nqeto, Michelle Du Plessis, Sihle Vena, Calym George, Noxi Mafu, Lance Afrika, Ashleigh Watson and Stephanie Pretorius. Picture: BUHLE NGABA

Arts & Entertainment

Absolution: A story of loss, truth and the Eastern Cape
By Dirk Steynberg

10 May 2012 The Oppidan Press

15

he crowd hushed as everyone listened intently, exited to hear what American writer Patrick Flannery had to say at his book launch, hosted by the Rhodes Department of English. Flanerys most recent book aptly named Absolution has been described by The Wall Street Journal as the very essence of what it is like to be at the tip of the African continent. Born in California in 1975 and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Flannery moved to London after having completed a BFA in Film in New York. There he began writing only after completing his doctorate in 20th century English. Absolution did not start out as a novel at first. He explained that his doctorate provided the first germ for what he has accomplished. His work had first consisted of three discrete stories without setting. The spark of turn meant he needed to break his material down and infiltrate new ideas to the plot. Envisioning a specific background, he explained how he noticed that the landscape he was describing in his book soon resembled the Eastern Cape and Small Karoo. I simply accepted it, was all he said. It was a satisfactory explanation for his audience, as they laughed along with him. The book tells a story of post-apartheid South Africa in intimate detail. It follows Clare Wald, a famous and controversial writer who suffers from the loss of her sister. As he read, the audience was visibly intrigued - the content fluent and for the most part, cunningly humorous. Why South Africa? Flannery rhetorically asked. Smiling, he replied that South Africa leads him to dangerous answers: ones about truth and the possibility for each character to create their version of the story and their own truth. A frequent visitor to the country, the local detail in the text made it accessible and real. Flannery he believes that he could not have done it without the relationship he has nurtured with the country. At the end of it all, he left his audience quite literally asking for more. This work promises to be an exciting read. Picture: ROBYNNE PEATFIELD

Prof Wylie does it again English dept celebrates The Bards 448th
By Jenna Lillie Professor Dan Wylie of the English Department has done it again he has launched his sixth collection of poetry. An open invitation was extended to anyone who has a love of poetry and could not help but appreciate Professor Wylies latest book. The title Sailor: Poems for my father encapsulates the essence of the book, a tribute to Professor Wylies deceased father. The central theme of the poems is his exploration into the unknown that was his fathers being, and his attempt to understand the relationship they shared over the years. Each poem is an individual gem that alone is a great work of art, and they all come together to form a masterpiece of literary work. Dans poems are marked by an emotional frankness which is both distinctive and refreshing, said Samantha Naidu, English lecturer as well as one of Wylies colleagues. The small common room in the English Department seemed to burst at the seams, as Wylie became the man of the hour. Young, old and in- between, his work attracted every sort of person whose shared passion lay in poetry. Im always surprised when more than five people show up. It means Im doing well, said Wylie humorously. This book is his best so far, it shows a sustained excellence, said poet and writer Harry Owen,I say this as a poet myself, not a friend. The calibre of praise Wylie received by his colleagues, friends and fellow poets further validated his talent and his ability to be a wonderfully honest poet. His book is on sale for R100, a worthwhile read for interested writers and poets. A lover of foundational texts,Wylies collection consists of a story of a son searching for his father, and parallels that of Telemachy in Homers epic The Odyssey. The rich and personal stories each link to precious memories which were shared in anecdotes between each reading - enough to make you understand that lecturers lives are more than mundane poems and more fascinating than we give them credit for. By Vimbai Midzi To celebrate the 448th birthday of William Shakespeare, the Rhodes English Department, alongside the Shakespeare Society of South Africa, held their annual lecture on The Bards works and their connections to our world today. The lecture, entitled From Agincourt to Mangaung: Henry V and the uses of history, focused on the connections between the timeless wonder that is Shakespeare, and the political situation South Africa finds herself in. Giving the lecture was Deputy Head Academic at St Annes school for girl in Pietermaritzburg, George Niven, who also spent time in the 90s working at Kingswood College here in Grahamstown. He described Henry V as one of Shakespeares works that provide an opportunity to explore current political issue by looking at the past. The play is one of the Bards history plays, and centres around the Battle of Agincourt when a small group of English troops defeated a full French army. It speaks of The Rhodes English Department held their annual lecture on William the extent to which the good politician Shakespeares works to celebrate The Bards 448th birthday. can also be a good man the moral king, said Niven. throughout high school half in confusion and half in awe. As a piece of artwork, Shakespeare managed to link the We celebrate the masterpieces that the human mind can passion and the creativity of theatre to the leadership of a create; the foundation of English theatre as we know it; and nation and the complications that arise within it. The role the timelessness of the Bards work as it echoes through the of apartheid in South Africa produced the likes of Nelson centuries of English and Drama students, reminding us of Mandela, akin to Henry V in his royal status as a Xhosa the past so as to predict the future. The collision of art and prince, and who managed to shed the stigmas of the past current affairs is what made this lecture so interesting, and and become influential and revolutionary in himself. The what will undoubtedly keep the Bards birthday a day to lecture exposed the tough questions that plague South remember. Africa as a nation at war with itself , grappling with social divisions and vast economic disparities. In celebrating Shakespeare, we celebrate more than just the plays we read

Dans poems are marked by an emotional frankness which is both distinctive and refreshing
- Samantha Naidu

What rhythm does you heart beat to?

Sports

14

Lulo Cafe fails to turn tables

12

Have your say: letters to the editor

11

Underwater hockey making waves

R
By Simpiwe Ndlovu hodes sent two teams to the recent Inter-club Underwater Hockey tournament in East London in March, where they played against other clubs from across the country. Both the mens and the womens teams did exceptionally well. The men have not won a medal since 1996, so they were understandably excited when they won gold this year. Their path to glory was not smooth sailing however, as they had to overcome opponents such as the Pretoria Sub-Aqua club, NMMU, Border B and the formidable Border A. They faced NMMU in the semi-final convincingly, beating them 7-0. The final against Border A was a truly nail-biting affair. With the match deadlocked at 2-2 and with seconds to play, the Rhodes mens team scored the winner, clinching the match 3-2. This victory saw them claim gold medals in the B-league. The women did well to win silver in their respective league. Their competition was stiff, especially since the majority of their opponents were mens teams. In their semi-final, an extra-time winner gave the Rhodes women a 4-3 win over Border B, in what was a riveting encounter. They were unfortunately unable to continue their winning streak in the final, losing to Pretoria Sub-Aqua A 2-5. The Rhodes womens team thus received silver medals in the C-league. The two Rhodes teams also played against each other twice with the womens team emerging victorious both times. On the same weekend, the Rhodes womens team joined the South African womens team for an integrated training session. According to Underwater Committee member Kerry Pieterse, the Lady Boks were very impressed with our Rhodes ladies, and they were not hesitant in giving praise to their talents. The trials for the Eastern Province womens team were held recently, in which the team qualified to go to the Nationals tournament to be held at the University of the Western Cape in the first week of May. As for the mens provincial squad, there is no Eastern Province team due to lack of participants. One Rhodes student, Alex Lodenkemper, has been selected to play for Border Club instead. ABOVE: Christine Coppinger, of the Rhodes women underwater hockey team, looks to attack against Border B, with Brittany Oliver nearby to assist. Picture: NICK RIDDIN

Rhodes flexes muscles in rugby league

By Mvuzo Ponono At the end of the last term it became evident that the Rhodes U/21 rugby team had reached a crossroad. The team is just too strong to be in the Bleague provincial competition. What has become apparent is that the team is not quite strong enough to go toe to toe with the regions elite rugby sides just yet. The Rhodes players have made it clear that they are playing for only one thing this season and that is to win the competition for promotion into the A-league. Their chances were not done any favours by their loss to the Dolphins early in the series. What will make the purple team sleep better at night is the knowledge that they outplayed the Dolphins and that they were only outdone by ill-discipline. Since that fateful night of mediocrity, the team has impressed, winning their next two games quite comfortably. They travelled to the heart of the Port Elizabeth townships and beat Young Collegians 84 -10 in Zwide. Their following assignment and the last game they played before term-end was handling an effortless 36-5 beating to Uitenhage. Rhodes was dominant in the game, breaking through tackles with so much ease it should have been a game of shadow. Uitenhage needed to play the game of their lives to win against such odds. The underdogs music sounded strongly when they scored the first try. Their flair was however not enough and Rhodes ruthlessly crushed the slight rebellion scoring six tries. These one sided showings are precisely the problem facing Rhodes rugby. They have so far been displaying that they are the strongest in the pack, flexing their muscles in two easy wins. They also have shown too much vulnerability for a side that is supposed to be the playground bully. Their loss against the Dolphins and their inability to put Uitenhage to the sword are clear signals that the biggest fish in the pond might not be big enough for greater waters. Added to their moderate rugby, is the fact that the professionalism of the other B-league teams is not of the standards that Rhodes would ideally have. Their first match away against the Police Brumbies was cancelled because the home side failed to pitch. The game against Uitenhage was almost cancelled when the visitors were late by an hour after kick off. The Harlequins also gifted Rhodes easy points when they failed to make it to Grahamstown in the first week of Term 2. So, it is abundantly clear that the Rhodes team needs to save itself and make it out of this league, for the players sanity and ours.

Internal soccer leagues first week action

By Denzil de Klerk The very first night of second term set into motion the much anticipated and eagerly followed Rhodes Internal Soccer League 2012. This year the league has adopted a new structure. The Premier League is comprised of the nine best teams from last years competition, while the lower division, the Championship, includes the remaining ten teams. With an overall structure similar to the English Premier League and South Africas local Premier Soccer League, there includes a knock-out tournament called the League Cup, in which all teams are given a shot at the title. Matches that took place in the Premier League in the first week did not disappoint in terms of spectator value and goals. The biggest shock of the week was the result of the first Monday clash between Abu Dhabi and Titans, a merged team comprised of last years Team Oppi and Zim United Soc. 2011s winners of the double, Abu Dhabi, went down 1-2. Phoenix Knights, last seasons runners up in the knock-out tournament, took care of Fantastic Eleven, beating them 4-0. 18 April saw MSA brush aside Skova FC 2-0, while Abu Dhabi rectified their wrongs, be it ever so slightly, when they narrowly beat Panush 1-0. Monday night had both Cullen Bowles and Retief Rangers failing to trouble the goalkeepers when their match ended in a goalless draw, while the new team, Rhodes Staff, got their campaign off to a 3-2 win against Allan Webb. On the Wednesday night, Joe Slovo and Cosmos FC shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw, and Goldfields did away with their opposition in Hilltop FC, outclassing them 3-0. Also on Wednesday night, Micah 6:8 demolished Allan Webb 5-0. This victory was imitated by Rhodes Staff when they won 5-0, this time against Retief Rangers. With both divisions kicking off in style, much can be expected from the Rhodes Internal Soccer League this year.

The Rhodes players have made it clear that they are playing for only one thing this season and that is to win the competition for promotion into the A-league