2014

Investec Rhodes
100
Top
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Dr Colleen Vassiliou
Vassiliou is currently the Acting Director for Student Afairs. She
completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Mathemat-
ics and an Honours degree in Psychology at the University of the
Free State. She also holds a Masters degree in Counselling Psychol-
ogy and developed the VASSI Mathematical Profciency Test for
her Doctoral Research. Vassiliou is a Counselling Psychologist and
frst joined the Rhodes staf in 2009 as Head of the Counselling
Centre and in 2011 she was appointed Manager of Student Well-
ness. In this capacity she oversaw the running of the Counselling,
Health Care, Careers and HIV divisions.
Eric Ofei
During his years at Rhodes, Ofei has been active in community
engagement and participated in student governance, having
been SRC President and currently serving as the SRC Student
Liaison Ofcer.
Sarah Green
Green currently works as a Psychologist in the Rhodes Univer-
sity Career Centre. She has previously worked as a Social Worker
at the King Williams Town Childrens Home and holds a Master of
Social Sciences degree in Counselling Psychology. Green has been
involved with the Career Centre for some time as both a Counsel-
ling Psychologist and as the Manager of the Career Centre.
Benita Bobo
Bobo currently works as an intern in the Student Afairs Ofce
and the Career Centre. She graduated from Rhodes University in
2012 with a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Psychology and
English Language and Linguistics. Bobo then went on to com-
plete her Honours degree in Psychology in 2013. She is currently
studying part-time and is a frst-year Masters of Social Sciences
student. Bobo has also assisted in coordinating the Masibambane
community engagement initiative which is aimed at children with
disabilities in disadvantaged communities. She has also worked as
an intern for the National Research Foundation.

Noma Mrwetyana
Mrwetyana is currently the Acting Manager of Student Well-
ness at the Rhodes University Counselling Centre. She previously
worked as a teacher before pursuing a career in Psychology, and
registered as a Counselling Psychologist in 2007. She holds several
qualifcations, including an Advanced Certifcate in Labour Law
from Unisa, an Honours in Social Sciences from Rhodes Univer-
sity and a Masters in Psychology from the University of Fort Hare.
Mrwetyana set up her own private practice before being appointed
as a Student Counsellor at Walter Sisulu University. She joined the
Rhodes Counselling Centre in 2012.
Veronica Moodley
Moodley is currently the Courtenay-Latimer Hall Warden and
House Warden of Oriel House and Oriel Annexe. She is currently
completing her Honours in Sociology Development Studies, which
is an investigation into the perceptions of the community mem-
bers of Hooggenoeg in relation to service delivery. In 2010 she was
one of the fnalists for the Grahamstown Citizen of the Year award.
Prof Laurence Juma
Juma is currently working as a lecturer in Rhodes Universitys
Faculty of Law. His lecture areas include property law, customary
law and public international law. He graduated from the University
of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Law degree and went on to obtain a
Masters of Law from the University of Pennsylvania. He completed
his Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Fort Hare and
also holds a Masters of Arts degree in Peace Studies from the Uni-
versity of Notre Dame. Juma was appointed Hall Warden for Jan
Smuts Hall at the beginning of this year. He also currently serves on
the Editorial Board of African Yearbook of International Humani-
tarian Law.
Dr Lee Watkins
Watkins is the Head of Music and Musicology at Rhodes Univer-
sity as well as a senior lecturer in Ethnomusicology. He graduated
cum laude in both his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Master of
Arts degrees from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He also holds
a doctorate from the University of Hong-Kong. Watkins heads
up a project that deals with the heritage of Ntaba kaNdoda in the
Amatole Mountains and is an assessor for the American Council
of Learned Societiess (ACLS) African Humanities Program. He
was also recently invited to be the Area Editor for Africa for the
Language Arts and Linguistics (Hong Kong) journal.
Rat Western
Currently a lecturer of Digital Arts in the Rhodes Department
of Fine Art, Western has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and
a Masters in Interactive Media from the University of the Witwa-
tersrand. She has previously worked as a freelance web and print
media specialist and lectured Digital Arts at the Wits School of Art
before moving to Rhodes. She is the International and News Editor
for ArtTrob, an online publication. Western has exhibited interna-
tionally in places such as Florence, Dublin and Rotterdam and has
received a number of awards including Te Martienssen Prize in
2002 and the HP Invision Digital Photographic Award in 2003.
Peta Myers
Myers completed her BCom degree through Unisa, afer which
she ran a bookkeeping and personal consultancy business. She has
been a lecturer in the Accounting Department at Rhodes since
2007 and has since completed her Honours in Financial Account-
ing through Unisa, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education
and her Masters in Education with a focus on student learning in
Accounting 1 through Rhodes. She is currently studying towards
her PhD which concentrates on the enabling and constraining fac-
tors faced by Accounting students during their degree. She is also
the House Warden of John Kotze Residence and the Hall Warden of
St Mary Hall.
Mandla Gagayi
Currently the Head of Sport at Rhodes University, Gagayi last
year represented the South African delegation as the Deputy Chef
de Mission of the University Sports South Africa at the World
Student Games held in Russia. He also attended a previous World
Student Games in Bangkok as the Logistics Manager and was
involved in the 2010 World Cup as a team liaison for the England
national team. Gagayi is a Hall fellow for Lilian Ngoyi Hall.
Susan Smailes
Smailes has been the current Director of Special Projects in the
Vice Chancellors Ofce since 2010. She has previously held the
positions of Head of the Ofce of University Industrial Rela-
tions Advisor and Director of Industrial Relations at Wits. Afer
receiving her LLB at Rhodes in 1995, she went on to complete an
LLM through Wits in 2000. Smailes has been a guest lecturer for
the Rhodes Law Faculty and has been part of the Rhodes Masters
Rowing Crew since last year. Additionally, she is a registered social
worker and was a member of the Grahamstown Child Welfare
Board in 2012 and 2013.
Vuyani Zondani
Currently the Community Partner and Student Organisation
Coordinator for Rhodes University Community Engagement,
Zondani obtained his Honours in Development Studies from the
University of the Western Cape in 1993. In addition to this, he
has completed courses in Project Management and Environmen-
tal Education from Rhodes and a Horticulture and Landscaping
course from the Durban University of Technology. He frst came to
Rhodes as a Junior Researcher for the Institute of Social and Eco-
nomic Research (ISER), but has also acted as Programme Manager
for Hope Africa in Cape Town and managed the Greening of
the Nation Programme under the South African National Biodiver-
sity Institute.
Setlogane Manchidi
Manchidi is the Head of Investec CSI in South Africa. He com-
pleted his Honours in Social Policy and Management with distinc-
tion from the University of Cape Town and is currently working on
his Masters in Commerce from the University of Johannesburg. He
has previously worked for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture)
and in 2005 was added as an Archbishop Desmond Tutu fellow.
Under his leadership, Investec CSI has been awarded the 2009 Sun-
day Times Top 100 CSI Leadership Award. Manchidi also sits on
the Study Trust board of trustees and has chaired the Kutlwanong
Maths, Science and Technology Centres Board as well as the ABIL
Development Trust.
Thandi Mzizi
Mzizi is the current Advocacy Ofcer of HIV/Aids for staf and
students at Rhodes. He has previously been the Director of Tandis
Research, Training and Development CC and an Assistant Director
for HIV/Aids at the Department of Economic Development and
Tourism for the Western Cape Provincial Administration. Mzizi
completed his Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial Psychol-
ogy and Industrial Sociology in 1999 and received his Masters of
Philosophy in HIV/Aids and the world of work from Stellenbosch
University in 2006.
Janine Harris
Harris is currently working as both Rhodes Universitys Manager
for Housekeeping Services and the Oppidan Hall Warden.
Christine Lewis
Lewis is currently part of the Rhodes Career Centre as the
Graduate Recruitment Programme contact person.
2 Te Oppidan Press 8 October 2014
Investec Rhodes Top 100 2014
Meet the Top 100 judges for 2014
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A message from Investec
Message from the Acting
Director of Student Afairs
Steven R. Covey once said, Being efective in todays world is no longer an
option, its the price of entry into the playing feld.
As the Acting Director of Student Afairs (DSA) I would like to congratulate
each of the Top 100 winners for achieving excellence in their respective catego-
ries. Rhodes University is proud to celebrate students who emulate values of com-
mitment, dedication, leadership and excellence. Te Division of Student Afairs
wishes to celebrate this outstanding achievement recognising that no achieve-
ment occurs without hours of hard work.
Richard St. John once said, Nothing comes easy, and behind every success are
hours of plain hard work. Sounds intimidating, but a simple shif in attitude can
turn mediocre into incredible.
We trust that other students will be inspired when they see the achievement of
their fellow peers, and will also strive to optimise their potential.
Te DSA would like to thank Investec for a partnership that is of great beneft,
not only to our students but to Rhodes University. Te DSA would also like to
acknowledge the Career Centre staf for their willingness to facilitate the Top 100
process this year.
Dr Colleen Vassiliou
Acting Director of Student Afairs
Yet another cohort of young achievers is recognised and celebrated through the Investec Rhodes Top 100. As al-
ways, this an exciting time not only for Te Oppidan Press, Rhodes and Investec as partners but also for the deserv-
ing award recipients. It is exciting as it is an acknowledgement and celebration of individuals.
We celebrate those for whom good was never enough, as they strived for excellence. We celebrate those who un-
derstand that success is no destination but needs to be constantly pursued as we never really arrive. Its a celebration
of those who have long accepted that being ordinary robs them of the opportunity to be out of the ordinary. Simply
put, Te Investec Rhodes Top 100 is a celebration of choice, passion, hard work, perseverance and positive actions. On
behalf of Investec, I wish to congratulate all those listed this year well done to all of you! You deserve all the applause,
recognition and moment of fame, enjoy the time and experience. Being listed here is recognition of your amazing
potential and talents what is important though, is for you to continue to work to your potential and associated talents,
making meaningful contributions aimed at the betterment of your life, country and indeed the world.
May you be an inspiration to many. Continue to be role models to others where your achievements will be confrma-
tion of countless possibilities around us reminding all of us that where there is a will there is a way. Going forward,
the world has high expectations of you and I have no doubt you will achieve and exceed some of these expectations
good luck! To Te Oppidan Press and Rhodes, thanks for partnering with us in the creation of such a wonderful
platform that not only recognises performance but actually celebrates people and their achievements.
Best wishes,
Setlogane Manchidi
Head, Investec Corporate Social Investments
Investec Rhodes Top 100 2014
8 October 2014 Te Oppidan Press 3
This category
is aimed at
those students
involved in the
cultural world,
from performing
arts to visual arts
and journalism.
We aim to
award those
who display
excellence, talent
and leadership in
their feld.
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Binwe Adebayo
Currently completing the fnal year of
her Bachelor of Journalism, Adebayo is
the longest standing editorial member
of Te Oppidan Press. Since she joined
as Photo Editor in 2011, she has made
many contributions to the student pa-
per, including securing the frst student
media accreditation for major South
African concerts and music festivals
for Te Oppidan Press in 2012. She
also served as the newspapers Editor
in Chief in 2013. Adebayo currently
writes for City Press, ToughtLeader,
Te Con Mag and Archetype Online
Magazine. She will be pursuing the
position of Arts and Lifestyle Journal-
ist at City Press next year.
Dave Mann
Mann is in the fnal year of his Bache-
lor of Arts. Current Music and Culture
Editor for Archetype Online Magazine
- a magazine which he cofounded
towards the end of last year and for
which he has gained international
attention and exposure. Mann has also
worked as Arts and Entertainment
Editor and Online Editor at Activate,
Rhodes Music Radio music reviewer,
a writer for Cue and freelance Arts
journalist for Grocotts Mail. Trough
these publications he has documented
aspects of the Grahamstown arts and
culture scene, including local bands,
local schools arts and numerous as-
pects of the National Arts Festival.
David Glover
Currently in the third year of his Bach-
elor of Fine Arts, Glover has taken part
in two recent art competitions: win-
ning the Rhodes Fine Art Department
Holiday Exhibition and becoming a
fnalist in the Sasol New Signatures
national art competition. Tis year
Glover joined fve other performers
and researchers from the Rhodes Fine
Art department with the intention of
producing a newspaper investigating
the Infecting Te City performances
in Cape Town in early 2015. Glover is
a current member of the Useless Arts
Collective as well as the band Shackles
& Bones, which was signed by Silver
Cup Records earlier this year.
Joshua Oates
Oates is currently in the fnal year
of a Bachelor of Journalism degree,
specialising in photography. Having
been a writer for Grocotts Mail since
his frst year in 2011, Oates has also
had his photographs published in
Cue, Te Herald and on the Algoa FM
website. Oates was elected Chief Photo
Editor at Te Oppidan Press in 2013
and contributed to the latest edition of
Rhodos. In 2012 he became a member
of the Golden Key International Hon-
our Society for his academic achieve-
ments and he received an award for
Best Technician in his 2nd year radio
broadcast course.
This award is
given to those
students who
go above and
beyond their
academic
duties in order
to improve the
lives of those
around them.
These students
are actively
involved in the
upliftment of
the community
and are leaders
in active
involvement and
positive change.
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Andile Hlanti
Currently completing the third year
of his Bachelor of Commerce degree,
Hlanti has been involved in a variety
of student community engagement
projects, mostly through his residence,
Guy Butler House. He was nominated
as the Houses Community Engage-
ment Representative in 2013 and was
awarded the Nelson Mandela Hall
award for Outstanding Commitment
to Community Engagement and Gold
Award for Excellence in Community
Engagement from Rhodes in the same
year. In conjunction with his work
on campus, Hlanti is a student leader
for volunteers at Nompumelelo Pre-
School and a volunteer at Jabez Aids
Health Centre.
Ayanda Mbonani
Mbonani has always been interested
in community engagement initiatives.
Since her involvement in the establish-
ment of a youth initiative in Grade 11
called ClayPot-Youth Against Social
Injustice, she has taken on community
engagement projects with a passion.
Although only in her second year of
a Bachelor of Science degree, she has
been involved in a variety of projects
including Legal Activism, Inkwenkwe-
zi Society, Te Oppidan Press, Gender
Action Project and Pan African Youth
Dialogue. Trough the Pancake
People start-up project, a start-up
project which provided help for frst-
years participating in Grahamstowns
nightlife.
The Oppidan Press
Investec Rhodes
100
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4 Te Oppidan Press 8 October 2013
Investec Rhodes Top 100 2014
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Luke Cadden
Studying towards his Honours in Psy-
chology, Cadden is also a Graduate As-
sistant in the Psychology department
as well as a tutor for Organisational
Psychology 2. In his frst year, Cad-
den was part of the Rhodes Debating
Society and the winning team which
won the Eastern Cape Junior league
and went on to represent Rhodes at the
Nationals in Pretoria. He has also been
a member of the Naturally Cafein-
ated Improvised Comedy group since
2012. He has recently been selected as
a principal candidate for the Fulbright
Program in the USA for 2015.
Siphesihle Nxele
As part of her Masters in Chemistry,
Nxele spent two months in Japans
University of Tohoku, Sendai-shi and
was also able to attend this years Na-
noAfrica, an international conference
focused on nanotechnology work. For
two years, she has been a Rhodes 2nd
team hockey player and she was a 2013
Sub-Warden for Ruth First House as
well as a Lillian Ngoyi Hall committee
member. Currently the Chairperson
for the Chemistry Society, Nxele has
also been a tutor and demonstrator for
Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 3.
Caroline Thomson
Currently studying towards her
Masters in Information Systems
(IS), Tomson was the 2012 Miriam
Makeba Hall Head student, the 2013
and 2014 Educational Technology
Graduate Assistant for the Economics
Department and a Sub-Warden for
Tomas Pringle House since last year.
She has also been a Wellness Leader
and is the current Senior Postgraduate
Representative and Graduate Assistant
for IS. Academically, Tomson was the
Project Manager for both the winning
Information Systems 3 Development
Project and the IS Honours Develop-
ment Project.
The General
Excellence Award
is presented to
candidates who
have excelled
in a number of
avenues available
to a Rhodes
University student.
Specifcally for
those students
who have not one
but many talents,
this award goes
to students who
manage to juggle
several aspects
of student life,
excelling in each.
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Phillip Garayi
Garayi graduated with a distinc-
tion in Bachelor of Commerce and
is currently completing his Honours
in Information Systems. He has held
a number of leadership positions,
including Treasurer and Chairperson
of the Chi-Alpha Society, and Faculty
Representative for the Commerce
Faculty. He is currently a Sub-Warden
for De Beers House and is part of the
Kimberley Hall Committee. Garayi is
involved in community engagement
projects facilitated by his church, resi-
dence and the Chi-Alpha Society.
Nhlanhla Mabena
Currently a fnal year LLB student,
Mabena has also played for the 1st
Soccer Team and served on the Soccer
Committee as the Activism and Trans-
formation Ofcer in 2011. She was stu-
dent volunteer in Rhodes Community
Engagement Programme. Mabena is a
driver for the Get Home Safe initiative
and she is also an Oppidan Sub-War-
den and Wellness Leader, and mentors
frst years. Mabena coaches netball as
a Student Assistant at Kingswood Col-
lege and has obtained Level 1 Umpire
Accreditation in netball.
Raymond Ndlovu
Ndlovu is studying a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Economics and Instru-
mental Music Studies. He won the
novice category of the 2013 Mu-
tual & Federal Boatrace and has also
represented Rhodes in dancing at the
South African National Dance Compe-
tition. Ndlovu has performed with
the Eastern Cape Opera Company
and currently serves on the Miriam
Makeba Hall Committee and is also
a Sub-Warden and Wellness Leader
for Piet Retief House. He was also the
President of the Toastmasters society.
Sonal Patel
Patel is currently studying a PhD
in Pharmacy Practice. She has been
placed on the Deans List and is also
a member of the Golden Key Inter-
national Honour Society. She has
published two papers and presented at
six pharmacy conferences. Patel has re-
ceived several scholarships, including
the Henderson Postgraduate Scholar-
ship Award and a Rhodes Prestigious
Scholarship. She has served as the
Pharmacy Postgraduate Faculty Repre-
sentative and as the Chairperson of the
Postgraduate Liaison Sub-Committee.
Potiwa Purazi
Purazi is in his fnal year of a Bachelor
of Pharmacy Honours degree. He
is greatly involved with the Rhodes
Health Care Centre where he is a
Sub-Warden as well as providing crisis
management and frst aid services. He
is the Prayer and Intercession Leader
for the Student Christian Organisa-
tion. As a member of the Golden Key
Honours Society, Purazi has served as
the organisations Vice President. Last
year he mentored frst year pharmacy
students as part of the Trojan Aca-
demic Initiative. He has been awarded
Academic Half Colours and has made
the Deans List twice.
Fredy Mashate
A third-year LLB student, Mashate
served as acting team manager for the
Rhodes Volleyball team in 2012 and
served as the Site Launch Manager for
Galela Amanzi. He has also volun-
teered as an English tutor at Good
Shepherd Primary School. Mash-
ate works at the Rhodes University
Law Clinic where he mentors fourth
year law students. He is currently a
Sub-Warden for Adamson House and
previously served on the House Com-
mittee as the Food Representative.
Mashate is also a co-founder and cur-
rent Chairperson of DYN, a Christian
society at Rhodes University.
This award is a
special award
sponsored
by Investec
to recognise
students who
have excelled
in the Rhodes
University
Commerce
Faculty.
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Megan de Jager
De Jager is in her second year of study-
ing towards a Bachelor of Commerce
degree at Rhodes and is the current
secretary of the Commerce Students
Council. She is the Treasurer of the
Hellenic Student Association (HSA)
and has been elected as President
of the society for 2015. Megan was
acknowledged as the top academic
achiever in Hilltop 3 this year. She is
an Economics 2 class representative,
and was placed on the Deans List in
2013, receiving her Academic Half
Colours that same year.
Jessica Burger
Burger is currently completing her
Bachelor of Business Science degree
and is a student representative on the
Commerce Faculty Board. She tutors
frst-year Statistics and was named
as the top performing student in the
Economics 2 class for the frst semester
of 2014. Burgers commitment to her
academics is evident in her placement
on the Deans List and enrolment as
a member of the Golden Key Inter-
national Honour Society. She also
tutors both junior and high school
Mathematics and is in the process of
establishing her own business.
Robyn Philander
Currently studying towards becoming
a Chartered Accountant, Robyn has
received her Academic Half Colours
and is on the Deans List. In 2013,
Robyn came in the top ten performing
students for her year in the Commerce
Faculty. Outside of her academic
commitments, Robyn is an Ncedana
mentor in the Commerce Faculty and
was on the Ruth First House Commit-
tee in 2013. Afer attaining her degree,
Robyn plans on completing a three-
year training programme that she was
accepted for at Deloitte.
Sally Grinham
Grinham was the recipient of the Top
100 Commerce and Finance prize in
2013 and is currently completely her
Accounting Honours afer receiving
the Tax 1 prize in her third year. She
is actively involved in the Commerce
Faculty: not only is she the 2014 Post-
graduate Accounting Class Represent-
ative, but she also tutors Accounting 3
and provides additional ADP sessions
for Accounting 2 students. She acted
as Treasurer for the Galela Amanzi
society in 2013 and currently holds the
position of Project Manager for the
society.
Investec Rhodes Top 100 2014
8 October 2014 Te Oppidan Press 5
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This award
recognises
leadership
potential as well
as extraordinary
extramural
contributions or
achievements
by students.
Receiving this
award is a
special honour.
A maximum of
25 candidates
are selected to
be recipients of
the award each
year.
Currently studying towards her
Masters in Information Systems
(IS), Tomson was the 2012 Miriam
Makeba Hall Head student, the 2013
and 2014 Educational Technology
Graduate Assistant for the Economics
Department and a Sub-Warden for
Tomas Pringle House since last year.
She has also been a Wellness Leader
and is the current Senior Postgraduate
Representative and Graduate Assistant
for IS. Academically, Tomson was the
Project Manager for both the winning
Information Systems 3 Development
Project and the IS Honours Develop-
ment Project.
Trisha Nathoo
Currently in the fnal year of her LLB,
Nathoo has been part of the Hindu
Students Society and has been a sub-
committee member, Projects Manager
and Advisory Committee member
since 2010. She has also been heavily
involved in activism as a member of
Legal Activism as well as a volunteer at
the RU Legal Aid Clinic. Additionally,
she was the Projects and Activism Task
team leader for RU Green in 2013 and
is now the environmental chair of the
society. She currently tutors English,
History, Mathematics and Geography
to grades 1 to 8 at EduCentre.
This category
aims to award
those students
who not only
excel physically
on the Rhodes
sports felds
but also show
leadership
qualities in their
chosen sport,
or in the sports
community as a
whole.
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Nomsa Chemuru
Chemuru is currently a Masters
Pharmacy student and member of the
volleyball club. She has represented
the Eastern Cape by being a part of
the volleyball provincial team and
is the current Vice Chairperson of
the volleyball club. In addition to
this, Chemuru held positions such as
Chairperson, Secretary, Community
Engagement Ofcer and Develop-
ment Ofcer for the volleyball club in
previous years. Chemuru is a certi-
fed provincial referee and volleyballs
convener representative for the Eastern
Cape University Sport South Africa.
Cody van Wyk
Eighteen-year-old van Wyk has been
involved in hockey for twelve years.
His achievements include being se-
lected to captain the Eastern Provinces
under-18 hockey team and receiving
an award for being the most valuable
midfelder at the under-18 provincial
hockey tournament. In addition to
this, van Wyk is part of South Africas
under eighteen A-team and has rep-
resented South Africa in the Hockey
5s tournament in the second Summer
Youth Olympic games held in Nanjing,
China this August. He is one of only
fve frst years to be part of the Rhodes
First Team hockey.
Charles ODonoghue
ODonoghue is doing his BSc Honours
in Chemistry and has been involved in
leadership positions at an academic,
sporting and university society level.
He is the 2014 Chairperson of the
Student Sports Council and has been a
mens tennis captain, Vice-Chairperson
of the Rowing Club and a Class Rep-
resentative for Chemistry in 2012 and
2014. He has also won the Adminis-
tration Award for contributing to the
consistent operation of the Rowing
Club for several years. He was the 2012
group leader of his 2nd year Chemistry
Group Project which went on to win
best group in that year.
Tinashe Jani
Currently studying towards his BCom
in Information Systems and Man-
agement, Jani has been the head of
events for the Zimbabwean Society, an
advertising manager for Te Oppidan
Press and the head of events for the
Golden Key International Honour
Society. Academically, he has attained
Academic Half-Colours, Golden Key
status and a place on the Deans List.
On completing his degree Jani hopes
to be part of an organisation which
will utilise technical skills to provide
high levels of customer service.
Grace Moyo
Moyo is in the penultimate year of her
LLB degree and her active approach to
her academics has given her many op-
portunities including travelling to New
York in 2013 and 2014 to take part in
the National Model United Nations
conference. Her leadership positions
include being a Sub-Warden for Vic-
toria Mxenge House in 2013 and SRC
Secretary General in 2014. Moyo is the
2015 SRC Vice-President for 2015 and
in 2013 was awarded a Top 100 award
for General Excellence.
Katharine Holmes
Holmes obtained her Bachelor of Arts
degree in Journalism with a distinc-
tion and is currently studying towards
a Post-Graduate Diploma in Media
Management. A volunteer for the
Inkwenkwezi Society from 2011 to
2014, she has been awarded with a
community engagement award since
2011 for her service to the society. She
is currently the Media Liaison for the
Inkwenkwezi Society as well as a mem-
ber of Oppi TV. She has served on the
Ellen Kuzwayo House Committee for
the last two years, and has also held a
Sub-Wardening position.
Farisai Chiwanza
Currently studying towards her Bach-
elor of Pharmacy, Chiwanza has held
a number of student leadership posi-
tions. In her residence, New House,
she has served as an academic repre-
sentative in 2013 and as a Sub-Warden
in 2014. In 2012 she was appointed as
the Secretary of the Chi-Alpha Society.
She has been a Pharmacy mentor
and has tutored a number of subjects
including Statistics, Biochemistry,
Anatomy, and Physiology. She was
awarded Academic Half-Colours in
2012 and 2013 and has regularly being
on the Deans List.
Victor Mafuku
Currently studying towards his Mas-
ters degree in Political and Interna-
tional Studies, Mafuku has served on
the SRC as both the 2013 Academic
Councillor, a 2013 Executive Member,
and the 2014 Vice-President in 2014.
He also served as the Chair of the
Student Forum. He served as the Vice-
President of the Rhodes University
Toastmasters Club in 2011 and was the
Co-Founder and Vice-President of the
Zimunlimited student society in 2011.
Tis year he has also served as a vol-
untary Legal Assistant for NEHAWU
workers representatives.
Audrey Zvinavashe
Zvinavashe is currently in her fnal
year of studying towards an LLB
degree. She served as a Sub-Warden
in Amina Cachalia House in 2012 and
2013, and is a 2014 Sub-Warden in
Celeste House. She has served on the
committees of Golden Key Interna-
tional Honour Society and AIESEC,
as well as working as a tutor in the
Law faculty and a student mentor for
Amina Cachalia House and Adinkra
Child Mentorship Programme. In
addition to this she has been awarded
certifcates for her service to Golden
Key, Desmond Tutu Hall and Rhodes
University Community Engagement.
Thabo Seshoka
Seshoka is currently studying towards
an Honours in Anthropology. He
served as the SRC Community En-
gagement Councillor for two years.
He has also served as the Chairperson
of the Give5 organising committee.
He is currently a mentor for frst year
Oppidan students as well as a tutor and
Research Assistant in the Anthropolo-
gy Department. Seshoka has been part
of the University Senate, the Institu-
tional Forum and the Student Service
Committee. He has also served as the
Deputy Chairperson for the Confer-
ence on Leadership in Africa.
Kyla Hazell
Hazell completed a triple major with
distinctions in all subjects and is cur-
rently completing a joint Honours in
Law and Politics, six months of which
will have been on exchange in the
Netherlands. She has worked for Te
Oppidan Press for the past four years
and her positions included Deputy
Editor, Editor and Executive Consult-
ant. She has volunteered at the Legal
Resources Clinic and as a freelance
writer for Rhodos. Hazell is an Allan
Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow and
has been involved with the Allan Gray
Centre for Leadership Ethics Existen-
tial Conversations initiative
Kyle Lloyd
Currently studying towards a BSc
Honours degree, Lloyd has served
as both the Secretary and Chairman
of the Student Christian Fellow-
ship (SCF). In collaboration with
the Grahamstown Baptist Church
and community engagement repre-
sentatives, he was involved in the SCFs
implementation of tutoring and youth
ministry programmes at the Bowker
Street Baptist Church. He has regularly
been placed on the Deans List for
Academic Merit and has also served as
the Vice-Chairman and Secretary of
the Zoological Society.
Grinham was the recipient of the Top
100 Commerce and Finance prize in
2013 and is currently completely her
Accounting Honours afer receiving
the Tax 1 prize in her third year. She
is actively involved in the Commerce
Faculty: not only is she the 2014 Post-
graduate Accounting Class Represent-
ative, but she also tutors Accounting 3
and provides additional ADP sessions
for Accounting 2 students. She acted
as Treasurer for the Galela Amanzi
society in 2013 and currently holds the
position of Project Manager for the
society.
6 Te Oppidan Press 8 October 2014
Investec Rhodes Top 100 2014
Brad Bense
Bense has served on the SRC since
2011, holding various leadership
positions from Media Councillor and
Vice President to his current position
as 2014 SRC President. He is currently
completing his MA in Journalism and
continues to juggle leadership respon-
sibilities. Bense used his SRC position
to rebrand many of the SRCs events,
campaigns and involvement with
the student body including Purple
Tursdays, O-Week and Intervarsity so
as to improve them each year. Bense is
passionate about student governance
and represents students at all levels of
University forums.
Shingirai Katsinde
Katsinde is currently studying towards
a Masters in Pharmacy with her
research focusing on child health and
development. Katsinde has partici-
pated in the Environmental Health
Promotion by mentoring under-
graduate Pharmacy students as well as
held the position of RUPSA-Upstart
mentor and supervisor whereby she
has collaborated with the community-
based programme to promote health
awareness. Tis year she volunteered
for Phelophepa health-train which is a
country wide mobile healthcare service
delivery project.
Sonal Patel Caroline Thomson
Patel is currently studying a PhD
in Pharmacy Practice. She has been
placed on the Deans List and is also
a member of the Golden Key Inter-
national Honour Society. She has
published two papers and presented at
six pharmacy conferences. Patel has re-
ceived several scholarships, including
the Henderson Postgraduate Scholar-
ship Award and a Rhodes Prestigious
Scholarship. She has served as the
Pharmacy Postgraduate Faculty Repre-
sentative and as the Chairperson of the
Postgraduate Liaison Sub-Committee.
Currently studying towards her
Masters in Information Systems
(IS), Tomson was the 2012 Miriam
Makeba Hall Head student, the 2013
and 2014 Educational Technology
Graduate Assistant for the Economics
Department and a Sub-Warden for
Tomas Pringle House since last year.
She has also been a Wellness Leader
and is the current Senior Postgraduate
Representative and Graduate Assistant
for IS. Academically, Tomson was the
Project Manager for both the winning
Information Systems 3 Development
Project and the IS Honours Develop-
ment Project.
Matthieu Maralack
Matthieu frst began his university ca-
reer in 2010 and has since appeared in
a great number of leadership positions.
He is currently studying towards his
Honours in Music and Musicology and
has used this experience to allow 10
youths in Grahamstown an insight into
the music industry. Tis project was
funded by the National Arts Festival
and centred around the technological
aspect of the feld. In 2012, Matthieu
served as SRC President and acted as
Treasurer for the Christians @ Rhodes
NPO. He has also served as Head
Student in his residence and has been a
Sub-Warden there for two years.
Darren Anderson
Darren is currently in his ffh and
fnal year, working towards his LLB
degree. During his studies at the
University, he has served in many
leadership positions and received a
signifcant number of awards for his
academic eforts. Darren was ap-
pointed Oppidan Sub-Warden this
year and, in 2012, acted as a student
assistant at Kingswood Junior. In 2012,
Darren was appointed Chairperson of
the SRC Student Disciplinary Board.
He has also used his legal expertise in
his position as a Legal Teory 1 tutor
and to assist fellow students, members
of the community and staf members.
Kudzayi Zvidzayi
Kudzayi is currently in his fnal year of
a Bachelor of Pharmacy. He has since
been involved as a representative of
the Christians @ Rhodes society and
prayer leader. He also represented
Chi-Alpha Society in the Christians @
Rhodes steering committee from 2011
to 2013. He is currently serving as a
wellness leader in his hall and acted
as Sub-Warden for the National Arts
Festival and School Festival in 2013.
Kudzayi was a tutor for statistics in
2012 and served as practical demon-
strator for anatomy, physiology, and
Pharmacy Biochemistry and Chemis-
try in 2013.
Nadia Froneman
Froneman is currently studying for her
LLB and is in her ffh year at Rhodes
University. She has an array of leader-
ship positions under her belt, and
currently works as a Student Defense
Counsellor for the SRC and legal
Sub-Warden for the Oppidan Hall,
where she deals with legal matters for
students living of campus. Previously,
she has been Treasurer and Fundrais-
ing Representative for the Oppidan
Committee, who she worked with for
two years, and a mentor for frst-year
Oppidan students.
Nyasha Simbi
Simbi is registered for a BSS in
Organisational Psychology and is cur-
rently studying towards an Honours
degree. She has been a Sub-Warden
in Atherstone House in the Jan Smuts
dining hall since 2013 and has also
been on the Jan Smuts Hall committee
during that time. She has worked as a
Peer Educator (2013-2014) and as the
Student Peer Education committee's
Public Relations Representative (2014),
as well as the Rhodes Staf and Student
Peer Education Assistant Secretary in
2014. She also held the role of a Well-
ness Leader last year.
Potiwa Purazi Neo Monyeki
Monyeki is currently studying towards
a Postgraduate Diploma in Account-
ancy (DipAcc) and is in her ffh year
at Rhodes University. She has worked
in numerous roles within her residence
and dining hall, including Commu-
nity Engagement and Resnet Repre-
sentative (2011), Sub-Warden for Oriel
House (2012 and 2013) and Hall Sen-
ior Student for Courtney-Latimer Hall
(2014). She has also been a Teory of
Finance and Statistics 1D tutor (2011)
and an Auditing 1 tutor (2014), as
well as Transport Representative and
Treasurer for the Rhodes University
Volleyball Committee (2014).
Lloyd Etherington
Etherington is currently studying
towards a Bachelor of Business Science
Honours in Mathematical Statistics
and Economics. He has been Sports
Representative and Sub-Warden for
Calata House. He has also been an
active member of the Rhodes Mens
Hockey team, being a 1st Team player
and committee member. Etherington
has maintained a strong academic
record which has aforded him the
opportunity to represent the Eastern
Cape in the Emerging Views Confer-
ence held at NMMU in September. He
is also an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
Scholarship Holder.
Linda Mkwanazi
Mkwanazi is currently studying
towards a Bachelor of Commerce
in Management and Information
Systems. She has served as a Jame-
son House Committee member and
Sub-Warden, and currently serves on
the Board of Residences. Mkwanazi
is currently the chairperson of His
People Society. She is a mentor for
pupils at the Gadra Matric school and
has taken an active role in the Trading
Live for Mandela Campaign. As part of
the Golden Key International Honour
Society, she represented South Africa
at the Global Envision Forum in the
United States this year.
Catherine Bower
Bower is studying towards an Honours
degree in History. She has held leader-
ship positions in both the Amina
Cachalia House and the Desmond
Tutu Hall Committees. As a member
of the Inkwekwezi Society, she has
helped tutor grade 2 and 3 pupils from
both St Mary and Samuel Ntsiko Pri-
mary School. Bower is also a member
of the Golden Key International Hon-
our Society and was on the Deans List
for 2013. She also received Academic
Half-Colours in the same year. She
received the Milner Memorial Prize
for Academic Achievement in History
in 2013.
Purazi is in his fnal year of a Bachelor
of Pharmacy Honours degree. He
is greatly involved with the Rhodes
Health Care Centre where he was a
Sub-Warden as well as providing crisis
management and frst aid services. He
is the Prayer and Intercession Leader
for the Student Christian Organisa-
tion. As a member of the Golden Key
Honours Society, Purazi has served as
the organisations Vice President. Last
year he mentored frst year pharmacy
students as part of the Trojan Aca-
demic Initiative. He has been awarded
Academic Half Colours and has made
the Deans List twice.
Investec Rhodes Top 100 2014
8 October 2013 Te Oppidan Press 7
Academic Excellence
Law
The following students
have been recognised by
Dr Rosaan Krger, Dean of
the Rhodes Law Faculty,
for their outstanding
performance in their
studies this year.
The Academic Excellence Award is awarded to candidates who are top academic achievers. Deans of
each faculty presented the four candidates who received the highest marks across their disciplines.
Commerce
These candidates were
chosen for their academic
performance throughout
the year. Dean of Com-
merce Professor David
Sewry chose them for their
excellent results in their
respective departments.
Humanities
Professor Tom Martin,
Dean of the Humanities
Faculty, has selected
these candidates as the
top achievers in the June
examinations. They have
been recognised for their
outstanding promise.
Science
Outgoing Dean of the Sci-
ence Faculty Professor Ric
Bernard selected the
following candidates. Each
was chosen for their out-
standing performance this
year in their respective
departments.
Pharmacy
The Rhodes University
Pharmacy Faculty has
recognised the following
candidates for their
academic achievements this
year. They were selected by
the faculty Dean, Professor
Rod Walker.
A note from The Oppidan Press to say well done and thank you
The Oppidan Press would like to congratulate all the winners of the Investec Rhodes Top 100 awards.
These awards are a testament to the dedication, drive and positive possibility of the future of our generation.
However, something as big as this does not happen overnight. We would like to recognise and thank those people who have worked to put together this years Investec Rhodes Top 100.
Again our gratitude is extended to Investec for their ongoing support and sponsorship, in particular to Carol Dlamini, Noluthando Thembela and Setlogane Manchidi for their assistance
and direction. Our thanks also go to the Division of Student Afairs Ofce and Dr Colleen Vassiliou for their continued support for this project. We would also like to express our appreciation
to the esteemed judges who gave of their time to assist in the judging process.
Finally, to The Oppidan Press team who worked hard to bring this years project to fruition. We would like to thank Editor Amanda Xulu, Deputy Editor Stuart Lewis, Online Editor Chelsea
Haith, Community Engagement Ofcer Abigail Butcher and Managing Editor Sindisa Mfenqe for orchestrating the project.
Thanks are also extended to Chief Photo Editor Kellan Botha and Assistant Photo Editor Bronwyn Pretorius for their photography of this years candidates; outgoing Chief Designer Madien
van der Merwe, incoming Chief Designer Hannah McDonald, Assistant Chief Designer Amy-Jane Harkess and Senior Designer Amy Ebdon for the design of the edition, as well as outgoing
Chief Sub-Editor Kaitlin Cunningham and incoming Chief Sub-Editor Kate Jennings for compiling the winners biographies.
Farkhanda Quddusi Francesca Broughton Manil Solanky Sean Bierman
Abigail Branford Helen Lenahan Kaitlin Cunningham Hayden Searle
Tanyaradzwa Musakana Naseema Shaik Janeeta Ranchhod Farisai Chiwanza
Armand Swart Shivani Moodley Chloe Hofman Ngonidzashe Mugandiwa
Jonathan Kenyon Tomas Knoetze Nolene Dixon Aidan Schulze