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The Oppidan Press

Picture: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE

Kariega rhino update 6

announced

2012 Honorary Degree candidates

The Gender-Based Violence Issue, Edition 4, 23 -30 March 2012

Another homophobic attack Delivery express

Picture: HOLLY SNELL

Picture: HOLLY SNELL

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Picture: ROBYNNE PEATFIELD

Understanding the Sexual Offences Act 5

Update for Rhodes discrimination policy Meet the reporting officers

5 9

Picture: RICHARD STUPART

Innovations

TRIGGER WARNING*

This edition of The Oppidan Press contains information about sexual assault and/or violence which may trigger a strong emotional response in survivors of sexual abuse. If you trigger or need support in any way please contact the Counselling Centre at 046 603 7070 or 082 803 0177 (after hours).

News

The Oppidan Press 23 March 2012

Rhodes Universitys annual Silent Protest takes place on 23 March, and marks the end of Human Rights week. The week saw activists take to the streets for a free Palestine; had journalists question press ethics; and academics debate South African xenophobia and the rights of foreign nationals. As the first term of 2012 comes to a close, we are saddened and angered by the news that already two homophobic attacks have been reported to the Dean of Students office, as well as a racist and a xenophobic attack. In addition, two rapes have been reported to the DoS office. By the end of 2011 three rapes were reported to the DoS. Human rights abuses like these limit human potential; it makes them feel less than human, keeps them afraid and creates isolation. It robs them of their dignity. The Oppidan Press team decided to dedicate this edition to advocacy and education around gender-based violence. In so doing we have included a breakdown of the Sexual Offences Act (page 5) and Rhodes policy on discrimination and harassment. We included a report on the verbal abuse of Silent Protest participants in 2011 (page 6), sexism at Rhodes (page 10), as well as male rape (page 11). In addition, we explored the concept of rape culture (page 12) and its effect on men by casting them as rapists (page 11). Due to the educational nature of this content, The Oppidan Press team decided to increase our circulation from 2000 to 4000 copies. We wanted to ensure that as many members of the Rhodes community as possible had access to this information. This increase in circulation was funded by the DoS office and the Gender Action Project - we extend our thanks to them both. In its policy on Eradicating Unfair Discrimination and Harassment, Rhodes University states its commitment to developing shared values that embrace human rights and the underpinning fundamental dignity of all people (see page 5). The DoS reports that it receives up to four complaints every week of student violations to this commitment, however. These include frequent mediations in cases of domestic violence. The DoS reports that few of these cases ever reach formal disciplinary hearings, as complainants opt for mediation instead and remain in abusive relationships. The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) reports that one in four women in the Eastern Cape has suffered physical abuse at the hands of their partners or expartners. The same study revealed that more than half of Eastern Cape women have suffered emotional or financial abuse. The Oppidan Press issued a call to arms for student leaders on campus to take a stand against domestic violence. The fifteen students declared their stance against physical and emotional abuse by allowing us to photograph them (see page 7). Of the fifteen students, and according to the CSVR report, three of the women students would be subjected to physical domestic violence in their lifetimes. We attempted to represent this by artificially bruising the faces of three women students. Human rights must constantly be negotiated and fought for in the face of systems of oppression that will work to deny us of our rights. For as much as human rights are fundamental, they are also highly inconvenient to those with unbridled power and little conscience. In order to protect our rights and the rights of others, we must take a stand now.

A homo SNELL
ABOVE: Ayesha Bibi Osman and Nabeela Sader take part in the march of solidarity organised by the Rhodes Muslim Students Association (MSA) protesting against the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Protesters shouting Stop the killing, stop the crime! Israel out of Palestine! marched peacefully from the Kaif to the Clock Tower where they presented the Dean of Students with a memorandum calling for Rhodes to cut ties with all Israeli academic and cultural institutions. The march was endorsed by the Students Representative Council and supported by Students for Social Justice and the ANC Youth League. Picture: STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER RIGHT: City Press news editor and Rhodes alumnus Natasha Joseph facilitated a discussion about the state of South African journalism in the Council Chambers on 20 March. Joseph spoke about her experience working for the Cape Argus when the Brown envelope saga was exposed and journalist Ashley Smith alleged in a police affidavit that he was paid to write positive stories about former Western Cape premiere Ebrahim Rasool. Picture: STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details

Editor: Michelle Solomon. Deputy Editor: Benjamin Katz. Marketing Manager: Sin Rees. Financial Managers: Kuda Chawira and Wandile Nkosi. 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: Sibulele Magini, Lucy Holford-Walker. Arts & Entertainment Editor: Binwe Adebayo. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Vimbai Midzi. Sci-Tech Editor: Sithandwa Ngwetsheni. Sports Editor: Mvuzo Ponono. Assistant Sports Editor: Denzil de Klerk. Pictures Editors: Ananda Paver, Kelly Muller, Kirsten Makin, Madien van der Merwe. Chief Sub-Editor: Wilhelmina Maboja. Deputy Chief Sub-Editor: Matseliso Taka. Sub-Editors: Fabio De Dominicis, Tia Egglestone, Ndumi Ndlovu. Chief Designer: Stephanie Pretorius. Assistant Chief Designer: Chevawn Blum. Marketing and Advertising Designer: Amy Slatem. Junior Designers: Jehan-ara Khonat, 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 letter that do not make it into our print edition will be published on our website.

Disciplinary report analysed

By Stuart Thembisile Lewis

hodes University recently published the finalised and pending student disciplinary cases from 2011 on their website. The charges varied from bringing the University into disrepute, to theft and housebreaking. The punishments that had been meted out seemed almost identical. On one hand, a student convicted of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm was originally sentenced to one year of exclusion, which was suspended while the student was still at Rhodes. This was on condition that a similar offence was not committed in that time. In addition, the student was given 80 hours of community service. The case was reviewed and the suspended exclusion was extended to two years.

On the other hand, several students were convicted of possession of a cell phone during an exam - they all received two years suspended exclusion and 85 hours of community service. This is five hours more community service than the student who was found guilty of assault to do grievous bodily harm. Another student, who allegedly wrote notes on their thigh, was sentenced to two years suspended expulsion with 75 hours of community service. A student found guilty of fraud was similarly sentenced. It is a message to our community that Rhodes takes academic matters very seriously, and that cheating of any kind cannot be tolerated, said Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk. She also stated that while there are general guidelines and precedents, each case was handled on its own merits and one simply cannot

It is a message to our community that Rhodes takes academic matters very seriously [...] cheating of any kind cannot be tolerated - Dr Vivian de Klerk, Dean of Students

generalise. De Klerk added that a students personal circumstances, prior disciplinary record, the severity of the offence and other factors will be considered in sentencing. De Klerk said that disciplinary matters were handled by professional prosecutors and proctors employed by the University for this purpose, and not by the Dean of Students Office.

23 March 2012

News

The Oppidan Press

Oppies unhappy with NSFAS

Oppidans claim NSFAS financially favours students in residence
By Deneesha Pillay The Student Representative Council (SRC) is set to act upon concerns raised by students at last years Oppidan Forum regarding the alleged unequal treatment between those in the Rhodes residence system and Oppidan students by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The NSFAS is a government-sponsored organisation that allocates funds to various tertiary institutions to financially assist underprivileged students. Many at last years Oppidan Forum voiced their unhappiness that Oppidan students receive less assistance from the Fund than students in residence. Excluding tuition fees, Oppidans receive a monthly allowance of R2200. With that they are expected to pay for accommodation and any other expenses. Due to minimal financial support from the government, the University has had to contribute more of its funds to the NSFAS package. As it stands, however, NSFAS Oppidan students are still unable to receive meals on campus. It should be noted that Rhodes Universitys contribution is one of the highest in the country, however, I do feel that this should not occur at the expense of Oppidan students, said SRC Oppidan councillor, Nicolain Shabangu. Shabangu stated that the SRC are planning to host a NSFAS forum for financial aid students, as many were dissatisfied with last years forum. We received no feedback on the queries and concerns that were raised regarding the financial aid issue, she said. Another major concern for NSFAS students according to Shabangu is that they have to produce lease contracts for the financial aid office to show evidence of non-fraudulent behaviour. This affects students who live in township areas where legitimate leases cannot be produced. This forces students to move closer to town where they pay higher rates. Students are allowed to apply for various financial aid packages: the residence package, the home/Oppidan package, a tuition only package and a handout/book allowance. Each student, however, needs to contribute their own amount determined by the financial aid committee according to what the students family should be able to afford. We are bound by the rules of the NSFAS and we work within a very tight undergraduate financial budget, said, Rhodes University Financial Aid Administrator, Luyanda Bheyile. The main focus of the NSFAS forum would be to deal with issues such as transparency and lack of communication between the financial aid office and students. The other SRC members and I appreciate the Universitys contribution towards the fund and we acknowledge that this is a national issue, however; we need to work together as an institution to ensure the overall well being and progress of these NSFAS students, said Shabangu.

A homophobic incident on New Street resulted in charges being laid against a student at the DoS office. Picture: HOLLY SNELL

Another homophobic attack

Rhodes University student attacked outside The Rat and Parrot
By Jenna Lillie said that statistics cannot be accurately assembled as most victims feel too scared or ashamed to report the incidents. Perrett feels that this should not be the case and that the problem will be better dealt with if more light is shed. Prejudice and intolerance isnt going to be solved within a day, which is why activists do what they do, she said. Rhodes motto is Where Leaders Learn and perpetrators of prejudice are not the leaders Rhodes wants to create. We hope for acceptance, but settle for tolerance she added. OUTRhodes, a society that celebrates the sexuality of students focusing on gay, lesbian, transgender, intersex and bisexual students rights, says it will not tolerate such incidents. We firmly believe that students should be able to come to Rhodes and Grahamstown and not fear for their safety. This incident was an atrocity, she said. According to Perrett, the process should begin with Larissa Klazinga. The Dean of Students office records the victims statement and evidence, including witness statements before the necessary proceedings begin. Hearings and cases are then put together allowing the disciplinary process to begin.

n Saturday 4 March, a homophobic attack took place between Rhodes University students, on New Street. According to Rhodes student Amanda Dlamini, homophobic slurs were thrown when a disagreement in the Rat and Parrot escalated. Rhodes student, Greg Nicolson, was on the receiving end of the antagonism. The abusive ranting turned physical when punches were allegedly thrown. According to Dlamini, Nicolson and friends walked away hoping the fight would end, but the perpetrator followed them. The alleged attacker pushed Nicolson into the bonnet of a car resulting in him sustaining injuries. He purportedly attempted to further harm but Nicolson thwarted his efforts. According to Student Anti-Harassment Officer, Larissa Klazinga, the case is ongoing and is a confidential matter. This is the second known case of the year, according to OUTRhodes Chairperson Mallory Perrett. The first occurred during O-Week. Perrett

We firmly believe that students should be able to come to Rhodes and Grahamstown and not fear for their safety. This incident was an atrocity
- Mallory Perrett Chair, OutRhodes

I have begun proceedings with the matter, said Nicolson. No further information about the case can be revealed at this time. The process that the University has to take takes time so it is going to be a while before we see the outcome of the case, he said. We encourage students to read the harassment section on the Rhodes website and be informed about the procedure and options you have if faced with a situation like this. See page ... for opinion on this issue from Mallory Perrett, Chair of OutRhodes

2012 Honorary Degree candidates

The Rhodes University Honorary Degree committee is proud to announce the nomination of five outstanding candidates who will be awarded honorary degrees during the April 2012 Graduation ceremonies.
Professor Mike Bruton is a Rhodes graduate and former Head of the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Sciences. He became the first Director of Education at the newly built Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town. He then went on to become the founding Director of the MTN Science Centre in Cape Town and was a founder of the Old Mutual-MTN Science Center in Durban. He has played a key role in the development of various science centres around the country and authored the book, Great South African Inventions. Geoffrey de Jager graduated from Rhodes University in 1973 and has since had a long and distinguished business career. His portfolio includes two stock broking firms, ES Securities Limited and RND International Limited. De Jager has displayed substantial support to organisations concerned with education heritage, social justice and the environment. Leymah Roberta Gbowee is the Executive Director of the Women Peace and Security Network in Accra Ghana. In 2002 Gbowee organised the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace. She went on to organise the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET), which brought an end to the second Liberian civil war in 2003 and led to the election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Gbowee published her memoirs in September 2011. Gbowee, along with Sirleaf and Tawakkul Karman, were awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for womens rights to full participation in peace-building work. Raymond Louw is a passionate and effective advocate of the South African free press. As a member of International Press Institute (IPI) Resolutions Committee for more the 25 years, he

Leymah Roberta Gbowee (centre) was awarded the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. Picture: AKTIV I OSLO.NO/flickr has also defended media freedom in countries such as Morocco, Indonesia and Israel. Epainette MaMbeki Mbeki is a profound South African symbol of unwavering commitment to educational advancement and social development. She is a prominent force in the Linda Mbeki Hospice. Furthermore, she has established the Nomaka Mbeki Technical Senior Secondary School and owns the Goodwill Trading Store which she runs herself. Provided by the Rhodes University Communications Division.

News
By Jordan du Toit

The Oppidan Press 23 March 2012

Masithetheni protest
Break the silence about male rape

Providing easy access points to cater for disabilities

By Bulelwa Mthombothi Key Rhodes decision-makers recently attended the Disability Sensitisation Workshop which took place on 8 March and aims to make things easier for disabled students and employees at the University. According to Rhodes Safety, Health and Environmental Officer Nikki Khly, the workshop was held to broaden the thinking of central role players regarding disabilities and issues of accessibility at the University. Attendees were encouraged to think not only of physical disabilities, but also to take into consideration the visually and hearing impaired. According to Khly, the workshop brought to light the importance of catering to not only the physical needs of the disabled but also their social needs. Our attention was drawn to disability as an evolving concept, she said. This evolution, she feels, results from interactions between persons with impairments and changes to attitudinal and environmental barriers. Jay Pillay, Head of campus food services, said, Disabled people have as much of a right to work as able-bodied

he Masithetheni protest against male rape is due to be held in the second term. Organisers are eager to grow the protest so its impact can reach further into the male community in and around Grahamstown. Masithetheni translates loosely as let us talk. The protest was initially created in addition to the Silent Protest where men were not allowed to take part as rape survivors, only as men in solidarity with female survivors. Held on 27 May 2011 for the first time, 30 men took it upon themselves to speak out against male rape. Their aim was to show that sexual violence does not only happen to women. Rape is defined in South African law as vaginal or anal penetration with an object, without consent. Under South African law male rape has only recently been termed a crime. Vice chair for the Gender Action Project (GAP), Lauren OBrien says, Even men are subject to the patriarchy in our society. Rape is the most violent act of domination that can be committed against anyone, including men. This is a fact that the protest aims to put out into the public domain so it can be corrected. A lot of people are unaware that even childhood sexual abuse counts as rape, said Larissa Klazinga, Student Anti-Harassment Officer for Rhodes University. Last year, the men who protested were tied to bars for an hour, surrounded by a group of women who supported their cause. Many of the protesters were homosexual, and because there were fears of homophobic

Every person, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, should take part to reject rape culture
- Lauren OBrien Vice-chair, Gender Action Project

A recent workshop examined how well Rhodes caters to students with various disabilities. Picture: HOLLY SNELL people. The question of relevance relates only to whether the employee can do the job to the required standard. Attendees were also told how people with disabilities are faced with challenges in three main areas: access to the physical environment, access to information and access to communication. In order to address these, Khly said that the University needs to be sensitive and this sensitivity ought to inform decisions we make on an on-going basis.

attacks, the women provided a means of protection for the male protestors. There were 30 participants last year, and so the numbers will grow slowly, said Klazinga. GAP chair, Michelle Solomon added: GAP is working on it to back [the protest] financially and get involved. There is a possibility of the protest partnering with OUTRhodes again this year, but this has not yet been confirmed. The protest is still quite small compared to the much larger Silent Protest but the organisers hope the Masithetheni protest will still assist in the creation of an air of acceptance and tolerance towards the issue of male rape. Klazinga said: Men were finally able to talk about rape without shame [after the protest last year]. OBrien added: You do not need to be gay to take part. Your sexual orientation should not impact on your beliefs about rape. Every person, regardless of gender and sexual orientation, should take part to reject rape culture. See the Opinion pages for more about the Masithetheni Protest

Rhodes students and living gender queer

By Bulelwa Mthombothi Androgyny is a term that many students are not familiar with, but it is certainly present in the Rhodes community. Androgynous individuals prefer not be confined to a specific gender and its particular stereotypes. They embody both masculine and feminine traits and choose to dress in a way that counteracts the conventional gender-specific dress codes. It is not that androgynous people are confused about their gender; they just do not feel they have to conform to the gender restrictions society has set up. Vice-chair of GAP Lauren OBrien notes how there are many ways in which someone can identify themselves as being androgynous. I identify myself as a woman, but certain characteristics I exhibit may be considered male characteristics, she explained. The question is where and how do androgynous people fit into Rhodes society? President of OUTRhodes Mallory Perrett said: there is no need to fit in. This is not to say they want to isolate themselves, but they are comfortable enough to be true to themselves and to not be confined to gender stereotypes. Perrett feels that although Rhodes is against prejudice in any form, Rhodes students might not be ready for a life outside of gender classification. She added that its okay, as that would mean changing your entire perception of reality. Student Mathabo Tladi, noted that There is no archetype that we can see and define as androgynous. As such, she is not really familiar with what it means to be androgynous. This does not mean that people are necessarily opposed to androgyny; it just means they arent exposed to it on a large scale. OBrien felt that the issue of androgyny is one not dealt with by Rhodes. Bathrooms are labelled male or female, she said and indeed if the Rhodes society is not aware of what androgyny is, the institution might not feel the need to deal with the issue. Perrett noted how she has seen some people on campus dress androgynously. She felt the androgynous world is a far more interesting place to live in, as we are not bound by gender and the baggage that comes with it. In the end it is all about being free to express yourself.

Panic button, pepper spray: RU armed?

By Tamryn van Greunen It seems the days of walking absent-mindedly along campus or strolling home after a night out have seen their last in the wake of a shocking 50 separate criminal events reported to Hi-Tec within the past month. Student Jamie Bezuidenhout, was the victim of one of these. On 25 February Bezuidenhout had a digs warming, but when he and his digs mates returned home early Sunday morning, their back gate that had been damaged and their backdoor was opened.It was immediately evident that we had been broken into, he said. Laptops, a docking station, iPod and camera were stolen. Reports were filed with both Hi-Tec and the police, who Bezuidenhout said both arrived on the scene promptly. According to Hi-tec staffer Kenny Knoetze their average response rate is about 3 minutes. Three days later, at 3:45am Bezuidenhout was woken by the sound of an unusual noise in his room. As I opened my eyes to the noise, [I was] met by one intruder who was watching me as his companion was scratching around my desk, he said. I realised for the first time the size and age of the intruders and was shocked to see that they were no older than thirteen, he said. After a brief struggle, the intruders tried to exit Bezuidenhouts room through a window, the burglar bars of which they had previously bent outwards. Bezuidenhout again pushed the panic button and both Hi-Tec as well as the police arrived promptly. The police informed me that I was lucky to be alive and Hi-Tec were shocked that they had returned so soon after the previous break-in, Bezuidenhout said. Bezuidenhout added that his cellphone was charging and was placed under the pillow he slept on. The intruders managed to remove my phone from under the pillow without waking me up, which led me to believe that I was gassed as I am normally quite a light sleeper, he said. The thieves managed to steal Bezuidenhouts docking station and his digs mates iPod. Bezuidenhout said: The police doubt they will be able to recover our possessions. Bezuidenhouts digs exceeded R20 000 in theft damages. As a safety tip Bezuidenhout cautions students to make sure that their landlords are aware of the crimes happening in Grahamstown and agree on the importance of tight security measures. I would hate for anyone to have to go through what I have been through. To have your privacy invaded and to lose your sentimental and irreplaceable photos, work and music, is just not worth compromising on your security, he said. According to Knoetze, criminal activity reported to Hi-Tec between the dates of 3 February and 6 March include 25 house break-ins, 10 thefts, two robberies, one incident of drunken driving, five cases of fighting, two car break-ins, and seven instances of trespassing. Knoetze said: Students need to activate their alarm system every time they leave their house, as well as lock away their valuable possessions. Oppidan sub-warden Christopher Sewry said: Students need to be more vigilant and cautious while on campus and at their homes. Knoetze futher suggested that students get panic buttons. Bezuidenhout has since decided to move into a complex.

Along with your wallet, keys and cellphone, pepper spray is quickly becoming an essential carry-on when you are out and about in town. Picture: KIRSTEN MAKIN

23 March 2012

Features

The Oppidan Press

Rhodes anti-discrimination policy revealed

By Michelle Solomon

hodes Universitys Policy on Eradicating Unfair Discrimination and Harassment came into effect in January this year. The policy document has been drafted and re-drafted by various internal Rhodes University committees since 2007. ers to Student Support Officer Larissa NELL Klazinga said the five year delay was because the policy covers several Rhodes University structures, including staff and students, of which jurisdictions often butted heads over the policy. It was kicked around for five years, and it drove everyone who was trying to draft it crazy, she added. Despite the lengthy delay, Klazinga said several complaints had been brought to her office since January up to four cases a week. There have been cases of cyber harassment in the form of nasty smses and ugly things being said on Facebook or twitter, according to Klazinga, as well as serious complaints regarding homophobic, racist and xenophobic assaults as well as rape. Klazinga said the policy attempted to recognise harassment as a form of unfair discrimination, something which was never attempted before. The policy defines unfair discrimination, which is distinct from

discrimination, as: discrimination that impairs the fundamental dignity of the complainant. The policy is informed by the South African constitution, as well as the Employment Equity Act. Drawing from this legislation, the policy sets out several kinds of discrimination as prohibited. Prohibited grounds for discrimination include, among other; gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, age, disability, religion, culture, language and HIV status. Klazinga said the policy gave a far more comprehensive and holistic view of harassment within the context of discrimination. She added that, because the policy applies to Rhodes students and staff, it provides for the formation of a new structure: the Fairness Forum. The Fairness Forum is made up of different reporting officers and can be pulled together to reflect the complaint thats before it. So, if youre dealing with an issue of racism, you might want to have a different make-up for your Fairness Forum than if you are dealing with an issue of xenophobia or religious intolerance or homophobia, Klazinga said. The policy outlines several options available to students and staff subjected to harassment and unfair discrimination. These include an initial and private consultation between the complainant and a reporting officer. Should the complainant require

further assistance, their complaint will be transferred to a co-ordinating officer in either the Dean of Students or Human Resources divisions. The coordinating officers in these divisions are Klazinga and Thulani Mnyungula, respectively. The co-ordinating officer will assist the complainant by facilitating indirect or direct communication with the transgressor. Should the complainant request mediation from a third party, the co-ordinating officer will choose the mediator. If the transgressor refuses to participate in mediation, or if mediation breaks down, the complainant will still be able to take formal action. Klazinga said that, as a result of a concern regarding prosecutor bias in the past, formal action cases will be presented to the Fairness Forum before further investigation. So the Fairness Forum is a step between the report and the final prosecution. The prosecutors do an initial investigation, and then they present a case before the Fairness Forum. And the forum, in consultation with the prosecutors, makes an assessment about whether or not the case should go forward, Klazinga explained. For a list of Rhodes Universitys reporting officers, please see page 9.

Picture: HOLLY SNELL.

Sexual Offences Act explained

By Abongile Sipondo South Africa is home to some of the most prevalent cases of sexual violence in the world. Is it estimated that a South African woman is raped every 6 seconds. In an attempt to deal with the high incidences of sexual violence and the ambiguities that have existed in our law, Parliament passed the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences Act) Amendment Act which came into effect as of 2007. According to the preamble, the act grew out of a need to incorporate all sexual crimes under one law and to clearly define sexual crimes and related issues of sexual violence. There are several problems that pose a threat to the success of the Act, however. The act attempts to address sexual violence in South Africa, its implementation is problematic according to Director of the Cape Town based Womens Legal Centre, Jennifer Williams. Ordinary people are not aware of the provisions of the Act. This is one of the main challenges with regards to implementing the Act effectively. People are not aware of their rights in terms of the Act, especially how different state service providers have to integrate their services to provide services to victims of sexual violence; including the police, the national prosecuting authority, and health services, she said. Williams added that there are national directions to the service providers about how to deal with sexual offenses, but these are not implemented or monitored. There is doubt about the constitutionality of some of the sections of the act. In particular, there is a pending constitutional challenge to section 15 and 16 of the Act, which criminalises consensual sexual activity between children aged 12 to 16. This is a challenge by the Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN), with the Womens Legal Centre at the amicus curiae, to the provisions of the act that criminalise consensual sex between children. We are arguing in that case that sections 15 and 16 impact negatively on girls as they are more likely to be the victims of non-consensual sex and the provisions will discourage girls from reporting rape because they can be charged with an offence themselves if there is insufficient proof that the sex was non-consensual, Williams added. It is argued that it is unconstitutional, she said. Despite the challenges, there are a number of positive outcomes to the Act. It introduces three new crimes, specifically against children and people with mental disabilities, as well as codifying crimes previously defined under the common law. There have been concerns around the interaction of the new offences with the previous common law offences, however. In one court case, a challenge was raised that the new offence did not apply retrospectively, yet the Act had repealed the common law offence, so the accused claimed that he could not be charged with an offence that did not exist anymore. The court found that this could not have been the intention of the Act, Williams explained. The Act also recognises that rape does not only happen between a man and a woman, but approaches rape and other offences in a gender neutral way. It also allows for the provision of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection in rape survivors and also sets out the procedures to be followed for the compulsory HIV testing of the rape accused. The act has also expanded the outdated definition of rape to include any kind of sexual penetration of any part of a persons body, with any object or any part of another persons body. Non-consensual oral sex, as well as anal or vaginal penetration using objects or any body part is classified as rape. Sexual violation, previously called sexual assault, has also since been expanded to provide for a wider understanding of the ways in which people are violated. In a country with such a high prevalence of sexual violence, it is imperative that the public is made aware of this legislation. See The Oppidan Press Online at oppidanpress.com to find a copy of the Sexual Offences Act.

Call for review of Regulation of Gatherings Act

By Stuart Thembisile Lewis Politics The Makana Municipality has been repeatedly accused of illegally prohibiting gatherings in contravention of the Regulation of Gatherings Act (RGA) of 1993 by various organisations such as the Students for Social Justice (SSJ) movement and the Unemployed Peoples Movement (UPM). Now Professor Jane Duncan, Highway Africa Chair of Media and Information Society at the Rhodes School of Journalism and Media Studies, is calling for a review of the entire Act. Duncan went into the municipal records in 2010 to look at all applications to hold marches and gatherings since 1996. There was no evidence that the municipality had been prohibiting gatherings. By 2011, however, evidence surfaced surrounding the violent clashes between police and protesters in the Phaphamani informal settlements in Grahamstown that showed the municipality had illegally prohibited their march. In order to prohibit a march, a meeting must first be convened between the municipality and the convener of the protest in order to discuss the problems with the protest. According to Section 4 of the RGA: If a convener has been notified [that the gathering may take place] or has not, within 24 hours after giving notice [to the municipality], been called to a meeting ... a gathering may take place. The municipality never did this, nor did it submit a written notice to the conveners of the protest. There are procedures laid out in the Act that allow for situations when the municipality cannot get in touch with the protest conveners, but the municipality did not follow these either. The conveners only received a verbal notification. Without a written notification or a meeting, there was no evidence that the protest had been prohibited. Duncan calls this a trick by the municipality to avoid public protest against them and make it impossible for people to challenge their prohibition in court. Earlier this year, the Makana Municipalitys Director of Corporate Services, Thabiso Klaas was accused of prohibiting a SSJ solidarity march during the trial of local activist and UPM chairperson Ayanda Kota on the grounds that the SSJ failed to submit a written application to the municipality. Under the RGA the convener of the protest, in this case, SSJ member Paul Hjul, only has to notify the municipality by letter of the intention of the group to gather. Duncan said that the municipality had developed a form that they require to be filled out in order for permission for the protest to be granted. There is no provision for such a form within the RGA. The difference between this and what is required in the RGA is that the form is asking for permission, the letter is simply a notification Duncan explained. The SSJ had to ask permission from the Grahamstown magistrates court in order to picket in front of it as they

What the municipality is doing is unconstitutional as it takes away peoples right to picket and demonstrate
- Prof Jane Duncan, Highway Africa Chair of Media and Information Society

could possibly be disrupting a crucial service but the court ruled in their favour thus overruling the municipalitys prohibition. Duncan said she is glad that Hjul refused to ask for permission from the municipality and that the courts decision represented a big step forward. In addition Duncan called for a review of the Regulation of Gatherings Act as she believes that no one in the municipality should be getting away with making unilateral decisions regarding protests. She also said that what the municipality is doing is unconstitutional as it takes away peoples right to picket and demonstrate. Makana municipal manager Ntombi Baart did not respond to calls for comment before The Oppidan Press went to print. See The Oppidan Press Online at oppidanpress.com to find a copy of the Regulation of Gatherings Act.

Features

The Oppidan Press 23 March 2012

Abusing the silenced

Silent protesters must be aware of verbal abuse
By Alexandra Maggs On 23 March, protesters will take part in the Silent Protest in solidarity with the thousands of rape survivors who dont and cannot speak out about their abuse. Many are unaware that they could face severe and degrading verbal abuse from complete strangers on the day of the protest, however, they will be unable to retaliate. First time participant Belinda Ziemann was shocked to find out that these incidents had occurred in the past. I think they just do it [to] get a reaction out of you, she said. Although she is now slightly more apprehensive about participating, she is still eager to support the cause. The same can be said for Donna De Jongh, another first time participant. I was aware of stories of verbal abuse that have occurred in the past, said De Jongh. It just saddens me that someone would do something like that, she added. Student Masechaba Molewa has participated in the protest since 2010 and tells of her encounter with verbal abuse. Molewa was approached by a male student before her first lecture of the day. He asked me if I was taking part in the Silent Protest and obviously I couldnt answer him, she said. He then told me that he didnt understand why I was taking part in the protest because it wouldnt stop men from raping women [and that] rape would only stop when women stopped wearing short skirts, Molewa said. Unable to retaliate, Molewa was left shocked by his words. I was stunned because he was wearing a solidarity shirt, but theres basically nothing you can do, she added. Another victim of verbal abuse, Aimee de la Harpe, was also targeted during her first protest by a group of male students, one of whom said to her, Well if she had it [been raped] once, Im sure she wont mind if it happens again. Shocked, De la Harpe responded by walking away as she was warned not to engage. Another previous participant recounted her story: I was walking past the Kaif when I bumped into a guy. I didnt see his face but I heard him say in a quiet voice, no one would hear you scream. I was left standing in disbelief at what Id just heard. Verbal abuse can be encountered in various different forms, from threats, to derogatory remarks, as well as supposed jokes that may not have malicious intent but are still extremely offensive to many protestors. Vice Chair of the Gender Action Project Lauren OBrien said: Harassment is inevitably a problem each year - people take advantage of the symbolic silence and use the womens inability to respond against them. Protesters are generally encouraged not to engage with perpetrators and walk away. We suggest that anyone who experiences harassment - verbal or physical - tweet their experience to @RUsilent, our twitter account, as well as take a photo of the perpetrator, OBrien said.

Qualms over Kariega Rhinos

The rhinos are still in a critical condition after their horns were brutally removed. Picture: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE

Wildlife veterinarian Dr William Fowlds is attending to the two Kariega Game Reserve rhinos, Thandi and Themba. They are fighting for their lives after having been savagely attacked by poachers on 2 March. The Oppidan Press travelled to Kariega to directly investigate the current situation
By Kate Janse van Rensburg Environment said Kariega assistant manager Jason Loest. Thandis behaviour is returning to normal. She has begun socially integrating with other rhinos. Although future complications are a possibility, Thandis mobility has left Fowlds optimistic about her recovery. Fowlds has an unbelievably compassionate relationship with the rhinos. I cannot get used to it, he said with reference to the violent attack inflicted on Thandi and Themba. The brutality was beyond description, he said and added that this is defacing, not dehorning. The poachers went far beyond the horn and savagely hacked into their growth plates as well as the underlying skull. Fowlds highlighted that the poachers were only concerned with their own safety. They did not care where the panga landed, he said. Their brutality is driven by their greed. Fowlds aims to humanise the issue so that we can physically understand the rhinos suffering. He likens the pain the rhino experiences to that which a human would experience if their leg was chopped off without anaesthetic. Kariega Game Reserve has proceeded to dehorn all rhinos on the reserve. Id far rather have a rhino without a horn than a dead rhino, said Kariega Reserve Manager, Mike Fuller. Farming rhino horn should maybe also be legalised so as to avoid the poaching, he suggested. Rhino poaching is an increasingly contentious issue within the global media. The rhino death toll has reached critical levels with over 130 rhinos dead this year. Statistics regarding rhino deaths by poaching are no longer being released to the public. Therefore South Africa is facing global criticism due to its handling of the situation. There has been much media coverage since the Kariega poaching incident took place. Various avenues for fundraising have also been opened. We need the world to understand how much the rhinos suffer. We need them to understand the truth, he said. Fowlds encourages the Grahamstown community to get behind the rhino cause and start creating awareness. Charity starts at home. Things are starting to move globally, but it is important not to leave the locals behind. added Fowlds. Dr William Fowlds will be giving a talk about rhino poaching on 28 March at 7pm in the General Lecture Theatre at Rhodes University. The talk is open to students and the general public.

resently, Fowlds main concern is Thembas leg which is in critical condition. There are lots of uncertainties, said Fowlds. Normally, when a vet darts a rhino, the rhino is down for twenty minutes. According to Fowlds, Themba spent between three to ten hours on the ground. The weight of his body restricted the blood supply to his leg and he couldnt get up. Rhino skin is incredibly thick, therefore it takes longer to recover. One cannot tell what is going on beneath the skin on Thembas leg, Fowlds explained. He highlighted that it is vital for the rest of Thembas body to recover to some degree. He needs as much recovery between anaesthetics as he can possibly get, emphasised Fowlds. From both the trauma and drug side, we dont know how much his organs can handle, he said. This means that Themba needs to be sustained from a nutritional point of view in order to yield as much support as possible. On the other hand Thandi, the female rhino implicated in the rhino poaching incident, is doing very well. Shes a tough cookie, thats for sure,

Sexual violence pervades EC

By Hlumela Mkabile Crimes involving sexual violence are known to bring a cloud of shame to their survivors, to the point where many victims refuse to press charges against their perpetrators. Captain Mali Govender, the Media Communications officer of Grahamstowns police station, noted: This has certainly changed a great deal, where more people are now reporting cases, even though there is still a number of people who end up dropping the cases. Recent statistics show that incidents of sexual violence in the Eastern Cape have risen in the past two years. According to the SAPS provincial crime statistics, the total number of sexual offences in the Eastern Cape has increased by 2.2 percent from 2009/2010 to 2010/2011, from 9047 to 9380 reported cases. Reflecting on the reason for the rise in the sexual violence statistics, Vice Chair of the Gender Action Project Lauren OBrien said: I suspect that the endemic is related to the pervasiveness of the patriarchal rape culture which undermines womens rights and agency. Even though there has been a rise in reported incidents of sexual violence, Govender noted that male survivors hardly ever report such cases and that the only reported crimes of sexual violence against men have come from institutions such as the correctional facility and the Fort England Hospital. This clearly demonstrates the stereotype against male survivors of sexual violence, which prevents them from coming forward and laying charges. Sexual violence has become one of the biggest issues in our country and needs to be addressed. [Sexual violence] is an extremely difficult crime to police, as it mainly happens indoors. In other cases that have been reported, which took place outdoors, most of the victims were under the influence of alcohol and leaving a tavern in the late evening or early hours of the morning, Govender said. In order to address issues of sexual violence OBrien said, We need to focus on educating children from an early age and emphasising on equality. All people ought to stand up and reject rape myths whenever they are made visible.

Changing sanitary stigmas with the mooncup

By Jesame Geldenhuys A collaboration of members from the Gender Action Project (GAP), Slutwalk Grahamstown, and the South East Africa Climate Consortium Student Forum (SEACC SF) recently met to discuss plans for the distribution of Mooncups around Grahamstown. The mooncup is a reusable sanitary product that is not only affordable, but also environmentally friendly. Through the distribution of this product, GAP, Slutwalk and SEACC SF are hoping to empower women to deal with the stigmas attached to menstruation. Nosipho Mngomezulu, staff at the Community Engagement office, said: The mooncup will be promoted as a tool for gender empowerment. Purely having ovaries means youre disadvantaged in this community. Research is being done into initially distributing the mooncup in high schools around Grahamstown and then spreading out to disadvantaged locations. By beginning small focus groups within four schools, the collaboration hopes to create a safe-haven for the topic of menstruation to be discussed and to get feedback on the success of the product. Funding and marketing campaigns are being discussed within the alliance and proposals for sponsorship from various organisations are being planned, but Community Engagement Office staffer Julie-Anne Lothian said, It will be a month-by-month process and will start rolling out in September or October. The initiative is also a green project due to its environmental advantages and chairperson of SEACC SF, Alex Lenferna, is part of the collaboration. Lenferna said: Sanitary products are a big bio-hazard and not bio-degradable.

Take a stand

23 March 2012 The Oppidan Press

Two Rhodes University rape survivors hold up the words of their rapists as a part of the Project Unbreakable Campaign. The campaign was started in October 2011 to help heal sexual abuse survivors by photographing them with posters that hold the quotes from their attackers. This is a way for survivors to reclaim the power of the words that were used against them. Grace Brown, a 19-year-old freshman at The School of Visual Arts in New York, came up with the idea after a friend revealed that she had experienced sexual assault. Pictures: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE AND KIRSTEN MAKIN

Where leaders take a stand.

Students stand up against domestic violence

Benjamin Katz, The Oppidan Press

Michelle Solomon, Gender Action Project

Matt Maralack, SRC President

Marcia Modiba, SHARC Chairperson

Amirah Kolia, SRC International Affairs

Kate-Lyn Moore, The Oppidan Press

Aimee de la Harpe, Silent Protest

Nouceba Mhlauli, SASCO National Executive Committee

Kiarin Gilles, South African Union of Students National Executive

Owethu Makhathini, SRC Activism & Transformation

Ruth Krueger, SRC Environment

Madien van der Merwe, The Oppidan Press

Adam Kramer, Cancer Awareness Initiative at Rhodes

Jehan Khonat, Muslim Student Association

Patrick Wilken, Legal Activism

One in four women in the Eastern Cape have been physically abused by a current or ex-partner. More than half of Eastern
Cape women have been subjected to emotional or financial abuse. - The Centre for the study of Violence and Reconciliation
If your friend is experiencing emotional, financial or physical abuse at the hands of their partner (or anyone else), stand up. If you are experiencing any kind of abuse, stand up. Stand up, speak out, break the silence, stop the violence. If you or a friend needs help, call 046 603 7070 or 082 803 0177 (after hours). Pictures: KIRSTEN MAKIN, MADIEN VAN DER MERWE AND KELLY MULLER.

Features

The Oppidan Press 23 March 2012

Males can now speak out

The Gender Action Project, a Rhodes society, recently started a forum that encourages men to join the conversation about rape and sexual abuse.
By Shandu Mulaudzi These discussions are aimed to get men talking about these issues and to get their feedback on how they feel. He stated: Men and women need to be aware that men can speak out about feminist issues. It is us who created the patriarchal system, which is the root cause of many of these issues; we should have a hand dismantling it. Silent Protest residence cell team leader Mathabo Tlali said that out of 52 residences on campus not more than five men were part of her team. She added that she understood why this would be the case. There isnt a discourse amongst men about rape and sexual violence. Now they come into this environment where we are vehemently against rape, but its a womans discourse and we have not invited them. We just expect them to speak a certain way and act a certain way, she said. She added that many of the perpetrators of rape are men and because of this, women tend to vent their anger about the issue towards all who take the shape of their attackers. It is important that as women, we remember

Steers employee Isheunesu Munda waits for a delivery order to come in. Picture: HOLLY SNELL

Delivery bikes: the pros and cons

By Kristen Birch Fast food restaurants in Grahamstown are increasingly using motorbikes for food deliveries. Most motorcycles seen zooming around the Grahamstown area are delivering food from Debonairs, Scooters, Twing and Steers. The positive is that delivery vehicles with larger carbon footprints are not being used. Debonairs, Scooters and Twing all make use of the Suzuki ax100 motorbike for their deliveries while Steers uses the Yamaha ybr 125. The Suzuki bikes are light on petrol and cost R100 to fill up the tank. This will last for an average of 300 kilometres. According to Twing employee Danielle Wiblin, the majority of Twings deliveries go to Rhodes campus. She said that the motorbikes are used on average 20 times per day depending on how busy they are. The students are lazy, said Scooters employee Nkanyi Maweza. Maweza stated that a large amount of their deliveries go to Graeme College and Kingswood College, but like Twing, the majority of the orders are being made by Rhodes students. According to Maweza, Scooters spends an average of R150 on petrol each week with motorcycle deliveries. Debonairs Pizza manager Sakhie Ngculu said: We deliver sixty times a day, and this is on a quiet day in Grahamstown. Ngculu highlighted the fact that without delivery orders, the business would suffer immensely. Debonairs makes use of seven delivery motorcycles for their business. According to Ngculu, they spend roughly R600 to R800 on petrol per week. Ngculu does not consider the students to be lazy, but says that they do rely on using delivery motorcycles. They work until one or two oclock in the morning and it is not safe to walk into town on your own at those times, he said, I would be ordering takeout if I was in their situation. According to Steers employee Zans Mbekea, Steers makes use of 15 delivery motorcycles. She finds that Steers mostly gets orders for delivery. At least the fast food delivery bikes are fairly environmentally friendly and include students safety. Walking, however, is still the greenest option.

ast year, over 300 men wore their Men in Solidarity t-shirts and took part in the Silent Protest. This year marks the 6th year of the protest and, in an effort to engage with men on issues of rape culture, the Gender Action Project (GAP) hosted a Mens Dialogue and Discussion on 18 March. This year, the Silent Protest is based on a statistic stating that 1 in 20 women who are raped, report the crime. It aims to stand up for those women who are silenced by their rapists and to stand together with those who have been brave enough to speak out as rape survivors. When asked why the mens GAP discussion forums were started, GAP admin officer, Stuart Lewis said: In feminist and female-issue related discussions, men are often conspicuously absent. Sometimes this is because we are collectively blamed for the issues, which does form a part of rape culture, and sometimes we shut ourselves out.

Men and women need to be aware that men can speak out about feminist issues

- Stuart Lewis, GAP admin manager

not to generalise and stereotype. These are the types of things we are trying to curb, so this is why we want men to come forward and say what it is they feel, said Tlali. Lewis said the response to the talks had been limited due to the desire to keep the discussions intimate and conversational therefore have not been actively advertise. Only men were at the forum to ensure that they did not feel pressured into saying certain things because women were present.

Rhodes network system limiting student devices

By Sithandwa Ngwetsheni Sci-tech There have been grievances as to why the Rhodes Network, better known as Resnet, is not able to cater to students who have more than one device that requires Internet connection. The network allows people to register one wireless device and one wired device. This means, for example, you can register an iPad on the wireless network and a PC in your residence room (two devices). Or your laptop in both your room and on wireless (one device, two registrations). However, you couldnt register both an iPad and a laptop on the wireless network. Guy Halse, the current manager at the Information Technology Division, said, There currently isnt a way to work around this on the wireless network. He said that there are a number of reasons for the status quo and they are: a) It was/is a means to control the amount of Internet bandwidth people use. (In signing up for the Student Network, you pay for the privilege of connecting a private computer to Rhodes network, you do not pay for Internet access at Rhodes. This is a subtlety that people often miss. b) Rhodes uses fairly static IP address allocation (your IP address remains pretty much constant throughout the year). This is convenient in many respects, and something that people pay a premium for on the commercial market, but also means we cant oversell our address space. IP address space is a finite resource. c) It is a means of discouraging people from installing unmanageable switches in residences (which would violate the AUP in any event), since these devices can have unintended consequences. For instance, causing a denial of service to all users in a residence, as recently happened in Canterbury House. d) It used to be uncommon for people to have more than one device. e) Because of the above reasons, the idea of one device is now an inherent design assumption in the self-registration system. Making the assumption results in a very straightforward billing model; changing this assumption is not particularly easy, and would likely involve reimplementing large portions of the registration portal. As personal devices (smartphones, etc) become more prevalent, this constraint becomes more problematic. Students increasingly want to be able to register more than one device. Halse adds that this is an issue they are aware of and will likely address in the future. For more information and ways to work around the one device restriction on the wired network please see http:// www.ru.ac.za/static/studnet/configs/ InternetConnectionSharing

Students and staff members alike are restricted from registering two devices on the Rhodes network. Picture: HOLLY SNELL

23 March 2012

The Oppidan Press

Please keep this page for future emergencies.

If you or a friend are being harassed or discriminated against please contact one of the reporting officers below.
This page was sponsored by the Dean of Students Office.

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10

Opinion

The Oppidan Press 23 March 2012

Un-taping the Silent Protest

Gender activist Michelle Solomon on the Silent Protest and solidarity with survivors.

here are different statistics for the numbers of rape survivors who do not report their rape for fear of reprisal. Different studies in South Africa say 1 in 4, 1 in 9 or 1 in 20 survivors report their rape. The statistic most frequently used by the South African Police Services to calculate the number of survivors who report their assault (in relation to those that dont) is 1 in 35. Rape limits human potential; it silences people, makes them feel less than human, keeps them afraid and creates isolation. The Silent Protest affirms our solidarity with the women silenced by rape and sexual violence. Freedom of speech is denied to victims of sexual violence, and despite the laws and policies that have been put in place, patriarchal attitudes and misogynist practices render laws and policies meaningless in the lives of many survivors. According to the South African Police Services national crime statistics from 2008 to 2011 indicate that over 205 000 sexual offences were reported, of which just over 165 500 were rapes reported between 2008 and 2011. This means that anywhere between 800 000 and 6-million South Africans raped in

the last three years. Of those 165 500 rapes reported, less than 4 percent will result in a conviction. These convictions are hard won by rape survivors, as they face secondary victimisation and trauma through every step of the legal process. It starts with police members that question whether survivors were really raped, or had provoked the attack. It continues with insensitive and inept district surgeons and nurses that treat a survivors body like a crime scene, with little respect for the survivors dignity or humanity. After enduring this much trauma, a survivor must wait for police members to investigate her crime, and a docket is then submitted to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The NPA will decide whether a case is worth prosecuting or not. If the NPA decides to pursue the case, the survivor will have to face not only her rapist in court, but also a judicial system firmly embedded in patriarchy and rape culture. The disregard for rights of South African women and survivors of sexual abuse by the SAPS and Department of Justice was clearly exemplified by recent reports in the South African press.

On 15 March, the Sowetan wrote that Public Protector Thuli Madonsela ordered the Department of Justice to apologise to a rape survivor for delaying her rape case in court for 9 years. The department finally apologised to the survivor for her drawn out ordeal only 15 months after the order, but refused to compensate the survivor for her trauma. This is despite an order to do so by Madonsela. On 17 March the Weekend Post carried a front page story about a business woman who was gang raped in Port Elizabeth in early 2011. She was left for dead in the dunes, and was only discovered by a jogger some days later. The survivor told the Weekend Post that the first time she received a call from the police about her case was on 29 February 2012 - more than a year after her brutal rape. The Silent Protest stands in solidarity with these, and all, rape survivors. Michelle Solomon is the media liaison for the Silent Protest. If you are ever sexually assaulted please contact the Health Care Centre or Counselling Centre staff urgently. Call 046 603 7070 or 082 803 0177 (after hours).

Protestors march to the Rhodes University clock tower at the start of the Silent Protest in 2011. Picture: FABIO DE DOMINICIS

The guise that is sexism on campus

By Emily Corke Politics It is well-known that on campus, sexism or gender-based discrimination is by no means accepted and the action taken against counts of sexism are extremely serious. Regardless, sexism still exists. It may not always be visible, but it is in fact audible. The way in which students so often perceive and talk about fellow students is frighteningly common. All too often, making sexist and degrading comments about women or men has a lasting effect, beyond what is realised. Rhodes students have unfortunately fallen into the trap of crossing too many lines between innocent jokes and overt sexism. Alexander Sutherland, newly appointed harassment officer, feels that sexism is insidious as often it is both women and men who subscribe to a version of what it means to a man or a woman. Sexism is hidden in the simple statements we use every day. A group of men were overheard saying yoh, that bint is hot! Good genetics hey. The word bint is a slang word to describe a woman and has associated negative connotations. When actually asked what it means, no one knew the answer. There are several offensive words thrown around in general conversation, of which the meaning is rarely known. For example, the term wench refers to a witch or prostitute - insult on a massive scale. One need only listen to the conversations on campus, and it is clear that the insidious sexism is indeed evident. The sexist jokes that fly around the lunch table that seem to be so humorous are in actuality degrading, generalised and in turn, cast both sexes respectively into stereotypical roles. What often starts as a joke can very quickly lead to sexist remarks about the role of both men and women and before long jokes evolve into sexist harassment. According to the Rhodes University Harassment Policy: Harassment is either verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility towards an individual because of the individuals race, gender or sex. Sexism, like racism, comes in many guises, it is the more oblique ways in which women or men are expected to behave in quite narrow ways which often involve a double standard that needs interrogating, Sutherland added. Students at Rhodes, as well as at other academic institutions are suppose to be educated individuals, yet the ignorance is still substantial on issues such as these. Sexism is insidious, and it sneaks its way into our everyday conversation and Rhodes students are guilty of being undercover sexists. Perhaps as a student body, we need to take a step back, admit to it, then attempt to make a change. But in order to make a change to our sexist attitudes we need to be aware that they are sexist. Double standards, stereotypes and sexism on the whole, is not only prevalent, but all the more degrading.

Teaching boys in a sexist society

Even in classrooms, varying societal gender dynamics are reflected, writes Athambile Masola
I am a teacher. Part of the joy of teaching is interacting with my learners. I spent 12 years in an all-girls school and I come from a matriarchal family so my experience of boys has largely been through interactions in public spaces and friendships. I now have to interact with teenage boys daily. The boys I teach are mostly pimple-faced, scrawny-looking and some are shy. Those who arent shy are usually the loudest, often easily getting attention from girls and dont mind boasting about their charm. There are also the burly characters who communicate an aggressive demeanour simply by sitting in my classroom. They all wear their insecurities as teenagers in different ways, beneath the too cool for school swagger. Ive already witnessed a fist fight between two boys but two weeks later, they were friends again. Gender in education is a minefield of many generalisations. Some are simplistic, such as which subjects boys and girls show different performance levels in. The assumption is that girls are better at language studies and boys are better at Maths and Sciences. I was fascinated when I discovered literature about the feminisation of language instruction. Educators suggests the way language is taught in schools is targeted towards a particular kind of learner. Because girls are seen as compliant when it comes to classroom behaviour, they often do better in language education. Language classes require learners to be reflexive and this kind of thinking is couched within the assumption that girls are better at this than boys. I have noticed that beyond the classroom behavioural problems, the boys I teach simply want to play outside, where learning is about sports and male bonding. Their writing is often not as verbose as the girls. This is not to say they do not perform as well as the girls, but they are also more inclined to lose concentration when I teach. Apart from the academic teaching aspect, I have tried to create space for conversation in my classroom. Where there are

any sexist incidents, I try using these for further conversation and teaching. I recently witnessed a boy tap one of the girls in my class (on her butt). The girls response was that of any disrespected womans: she slapped him. Anyone else may have suggested that this is the nature of teenagers who have raging hormones so I shouldnt worry myself too much. When I intervened, the boy seemed confused. This is a common joke amongst learners at school, but the girl was firm that she felt disrespected. I tried to ask why he thought it was an acceptable joke that he can tap girls and he simply saw this as a game. I have found that while there are enough positive images directed at girls behaviour, there arent nearly as many positive messages for boys. It is accepted that teenage boys are violent, permanently horny, and disinterested in anything that might provoke any thinking. There are also underlying messages for what it means being a boy in a poor community and the norms that are expected in that social setting. There are challenges and pressures young boys are facing to become manly men, but as young feminist teacher I do not want to be the one that harangues them about the gender question. When the gender debate emerges in class, boys are inclined to get defensive, which isnt a surprise because they are young boys growing up in a sexist society. I dont want to be the person who tells the boys who or what they should be, but I do wish I could engage them about the daily sexism they perform without even realising it. But between teaching grammar and characteristics of a short story its not that easy. This is an extract from a column which was originally published on feministssa.com

23 March 2012

Opinion

The Oppidan Press

11

On rape and being a man

Aidan Prinsloo discusses the myth that men cant be rape survivors

he Silent Protest stands proudly in the Rhodes annual tradition as a beacon against the horrendous crimes perpetrated against women in our country. For many, rape is a taboo subject, a silent evil that is best left in the dark. Yet the less we speak of it, the more myths we come to believe about it. The Silent Protest has done much to undo these myths by challenging the social taboo on the subject. Considering the shocking statistics around the rape of women in this country, we should be thankful for the Silent Protest. But there is still one myth it cannot debunk. Rape does not only happen to women alone. A 2002 survey found that 44% of young men under the age of 19 had been raped. About a third of this group said they had been abused by men, 41% by females and 27% said they had been raped by both males and females. While women still constitute the largest portion of those affected by genderbased violence, the number of men affected by this is not insignificant. Furthermore, although women do not have an easy battle, there are tons of research on every aspect of conventional female rape, and police, nurses and doctors are trained to expect it. Men who want to talk about their experiences on the other hand, have to deal with mass incredulity. People just dont believe its possible for a man to be raped. A Google search still brings up precious e Silent little on the subject of male rape. A friend of mine

who participated in the Masithetheni protest against male rape last year told me that his coworkers (educated people at Rhodes!) thought that the message on his shirt was a joke. One woman actually laughed at him when he tried to explain to her that men can also be raped. Little did she know that she was talking to a rape survivor. As I have said, for all its praise-worthy qualities and history, the Silent Protest is ill-equipped for taking up the male-rape survivors cause. Ideally, we should deal with rape as a complete problem one that affects women, men and (sadly) children. For now, however, that is not possible. It was with this in mind that I was convinced by a friend last year to start a protest to raise awareness around male rape. I called it Masithetheni Let Us Speak. This was not to somehow vindicate men, but rather to show that genderbased violence is all-destructive. My aim was to break the myths that male-rape only happened to prisoners or to gay men. Understandably, it did not receive as much support as the Silent Protest. Many found it difficult to accept that normal men could be the victims or survivors of rape. Quite a few men loathed to be seen as activisty. Then again, we did turn heads. Our contingent of brave men and supportive women started something. People began to question the notion of rape. For those who took part, Masithetheni was a healing moment when light was finally cast on their very silent struggle.

Bheki Kweza, Qhawe Mhlongo and Vusi Sidindi were participants of last years Silent Protest as Men in Solidarity. Picture: FABIO DE DOMINICIS

Of men and rape culture

Gender Action Project member Stuart Thembisile Lewis writes about the myths of rape culture and what they say about men
Have you ever heard of rape culture? Unless you are a gender activist or, dare I say it, feminist, you probably havent. I certainly hadnt until I came to Rhodes and got involved with the Gender Action Project (GAP). As a society that specifically deals with gender-based issues and runs various gender advocacy initiatives we come up against rape culture almost every day. The problem is: so do you. You just dont know it. Rape culture is all-pervasive in our society. It is one of the worst side-effects of patriarchy. Due to the unbelievable size of the problem, and the incredibly varied nature of it is also nearly impossible to define and to classify each individual occurrence of rape culture. All we can really do is give a few examples of it and hope that they are sufficient enough for your imagination to expand upon. Telling a woman how to dress, how to behave, where to walk or how much to drink in order for her to stay safe is rape culture. It may sound like a sensible thing to do because youre just trying to protect her, but the underlying assumption is that her behaviour, her clothes and her level of drunkenness are to blame for his crime. The other side of the same coin is the assumption that men rape because they are men and a woman did something to make them think about sex. This demonisation of men is rape culture. Rape culture extends beyond such generalisations though. If you look at the way we talk you can see glaring examples of rape culture. Ever wonder why some of the worst insults equate someone to female genitalia? As if being a woman makes you less human than a man. Also no matter how complicated the test or how one-sided the soccer score, neither of those things could possibly ever rape you. In saying that they did, you are trivialising the ridiculous level of hurt that victims of rape have to deal with daily. Under South African law, rape is defined as any forced or coerced sexual act involving penetration of the genitalia by anything, not just a penis. Forced or coerced oral sex is also rape. Its also rape if the other person is drugged or drunk to the point at which they can no longer give consent. These laws apply to all genders. Despite the very clear definitions in the legislature, this is rarely reflected in reality. Survivors have barely any chance of getting their rapist convicted or even arrested. There is also very little education about the legality of the issues and as such almost none of the offences are reported. There are three different statistics about the reporting of rape in South Africa, each one more horrifying than the last. At the bottom of the scale, and according to the 1 in 9 Campaign, is that only one out of every nine rapes is reported. The scariest one, used by the police, is 1 in every 35. The one used by the Silent Protest is 1 in 20. This protest takes place at Rhodes annually and is the largest anti-rape protest in South Africa. Women marchers have their mouths taped up to represent the silence they are subject to. Rape survivors who have broken the silence are not taped up. Neither are men. Many men have complained that they want to be taped up as well. The reason they arent is because men are already silent about these issues. If they are untaped they can finally speak up and add their voices to the call for change. There have also been many complaints about the amount of man-hating rhetoric that they have to endure despite the fact that they are there in solidarity. As much as this too is rape culture, I urge men, just for that day, to take it on the chin and understand that it is coming from a deep well of pain. The day of the protest is exceedingly overwhelming and hard to deal with for survivors. I also urge men to not let that dissuade them from participating wholeheartedly in the protest.

The Biopharmaceutics Research Institute is looking for

Clinical Study Volunteers DURING the SHORT APRIL VAC and 2nd TERM HEALTHY FEMALES and MALES
with skin tone from

VERY FAIR to LIGHT TAN

to participate in skin blanching studies.

Remuneration for Participation

e-mail us at or phone bri.blanching@ru.ac.za 046 603 8189 or 082 802 8110 for more information

This advert has been approved by the Rhodes University Faculty of Pharmacys ethics committee

Telling a woman how to dress, how to behave, where to walk or how much to drink in order for her to stay safe is rape culture

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Opinion
Dear Rhodents,
As media councillor, I believe that prominent issues need to be addressed on platforms with widespread reach. I would like to thank The Oppidan Press for giving me this opportunity to air my views. This week marks the Silent Protest, the largest protest of its type in the nation. Living in a country with some of the highest rates of rape, violence and HIV/AIDS in the world poses the question: What has gone wrong in our society? South African identity revolves around many things, examples pop into our minds such as braais, boerewors, Nelson Mandela, rugby, rainbow nation, 1976 Soweto Uprisings, the Kruger National Park among other things. But what most of us overlook is the hope and dreams of reconciliation and transformation across a divided nation in equalities, distribution and rights that should be pointing towards a brighter future. In this future, it should be as vivid as any other grand issue that gender disparities are still alive and prosperous in our country, communities and homes. Pertinent as these problems are, many women are faced with daily hardships that are more devastating to our people than most of us can even begin to fathom. A woman is raped in South Africa every 26 seconds. Indeed, women are predominantly survivors of sexual abuse compared to men. During the Protest, men are targeted and generalised as evil and the great betrayers. But not every man is seen in this light, and most definitely not necessarily yourself. If you feel like your manhood is being bashed, then I suggest being the better man and standing there in solidarity with your peers no matter what. Everyone is free to their own expression, yet when seeing things in the greater scale of society in this real and harsh South African context, I implore men and women to show empathy and maturity when facing this Protest. Unfortunately the world can be an ugly place. But does it have to be this way? I dont think so. And neither should you. Without real people making a real stand there will be no hope. Dont sit back and complain, get up and do something. Get involved, get understanding, become alive rather than be as nave to think that none of these issues will ever stray across your life path. In light of the upcoming graduation for students from 2011, I hope that once you all leave Rhodes you will have left with more than a degree. I pose this question to all you students of Rhodes University, where leaders learn, what do you want to add to society once you leave this institution? And I hope that for all of you that your minds have opened to what we are facing once we leave here, that you make the right and just decisions that you will surely have to make one day, and that you choose what is right for us all. Your SRC Media Councillor 2012,

The Oppidan Press 23 March 2012

Why does Africa hate the gays?

Mallory Perrett investigates why some African countries have a bad track record on LGBTI rights

frica is once again being drawn into the stigma of the Dark Continent with its endless civil wars, starvation and AIDS epidemics. To add to our burden were faced with countless meaningless deaths in an attempt to flush out those who have been outed, or perceived as belonging to the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Intersex (LGBTI) community. The Commonwealth Charter is currently being drafted and many LGBTI individuals and organisations are calling for their communities needs to be met and protected. It is interesting to note that of the commonwealth nations, 41 of the 53 nations still criminalise gay sex. According to the Mail & Guardian, South Africa is leading the debate at the United Nations on rights of sexual minorities and is supported by Europe, except for Russia and North and Latin America. Many Muslim and Asian nations have remained silent on this issue, with Pakistan leading the walkout in

defiance of South Africas solidarity with the LGBTI community. The West was accused by Mauritanias delegate of forcing the LGBTI issue and distracting the worlds attention to real human rights issues such as the plight of Muslims in Western Europe. There are two issues here. Firstly, while South Africa remains the poster child of LGBTI rights, legislation still has not filtered into the actions of its people. Corrective rape and the rampage of a homophobic serial killer, it is very apparent that there are those in this country who arent quite ready to be soopen. Homosexuality is seen as un-African and another western influence that has infected the continent. Student Tee Mesani believes that people dont want change... [and] want to impose their beliefs onto everyone else. He agrees that homosexuality is seen as un-African, which is why so many anti-gay laws have been passed. The second issue is that LGBTI rights arent seen as something of a priority in comparison with other

issues such as the Israel-Palestine or Syrian conflict. It is hard not to believe that they arent an issue, however, particularly because in Cameroon, 10 women have been arrested on suspicion that they were lesbians and in Uganda a bill has been brought forward blocking gay access to HIV treatment. While it is commendable that South Africa pushes the LGBTI issue, it should be watching for its fellow comrades, and avoids distancing themselves too much from the situation. South Africa needs to bridge the gap between African knowledge and what is mistakenly seen as a Western phenomenon and understanding needs to be fostered. Otherwise, South Africa runs the risk of further alienating themselves from the continent in which so much pain and suffering occurs, while still receiving a pat on the back from the West and how can things change then?

#itisrapeif
There are assumptions of what sexual consent is. Alumnus Jennifer Thorpe explores some of these fallacies
Penetration, according to our law, does not only mean penetration by a penis. Penetration covers the penetration of the genital organs of one person into or beyond the genital organs, anus or mouth of another person; the penetration of any other part of the boy of one person, or any object, including any part of the body of an animal, into or beyond the genital organs or anus of another person; or the genital organs of an animal, into or beyond the mouth of another person. It is rape when consent was not given. A lubricated vagina does not mean consent to sex. Having a lubricated vagina is not an invitation to penetrate it. An orgasm does not mean consent. An orgasm is a physical response to stimulation of genital organs. An orgasm is not a crime. Rape is. Not wearing any underwear does not mean consenting to sex. Being drunk or stoned does not mean consent to sex. In fact, being drunk or stoned prevents you from giving consent. Sending someone naked photos of yourself does not mean consent to sex. Taking off your own clothes does not equal consent. If you are afraid for your life, or afraid of violence, and take off your clothes because you think it would be safest thing to do in the situation, you have not given your consent. You have been forced. Sexual orientation is not a sexual invitation. Being a wife, or a husband, or a daughter, or a son, does not mean consent. A statement issued by the Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust in 2011. Visit their website at http://www.rapecrisis.org.za, or our rapecrisis.mobi from your cellphone. This is an extract of a column originally published on Thoughtleader.co.za. We heard via the online grapevine about a revolting Twitter hashtag topic #itsnotrapeif and due to some masochistic compulsion, we clicked on it to see what people were saying. This tag is devastating for the rights of survivors, and fuels myths that survivors of rape deserved what they got. Rape in South Africa is a crime that is affecting hundreds of thousands of women, girls, boys and men. This is no joke. It is a crime that is clearly defined in law as: Any person who unlawfully and intentionally commits an act of sexual penetration with a complainant, without the consent of the complainant, is guilty of the offence of rape. Consent cannot be given if you are forced by violence or the threat of violence to yourself, to a loved one or to your property. Consent cannot be given if you are drunk, drugged, asleep or unconscious. Consent cannot be given if you are younger than 12 years old or mentally challenged. Consent cannot be given if you are forced to consent by someone in a position of authority over you. For example, if you are forced to consent to sex with your boss, your teacher, or your president, because you think that not having sex will affect your position at work, your learning institution, or your status as a citizen. Consent cannot be given if you have been deceived by someone in authority, or a professional, that tells you that you need to submit to a sexual act for your physical, emotional or spiritual health.

Rape culture is...

can't be raped. ...the assertion that wives can't be raped. ...refusing to acknowledge that the only thing that the victim of every rapist has in common is bad luck. ...refusing to acknowledge that the only thing a person can do to avoid being raped is never be in the same room as a rapist. ...avoiding talking about what an absurdly unreasonable expectation that is, since rapists don't announce themselves or wear signs or glow purple. ...a collective understanding about classifications of rapists: The "normal" rapist (whose crime is most likely to be dismissed with a "boys will be boys" sort of jocular apologia) is the man who forces himself on attractive women, whose crime is disturbingly understandable to his male defenders. The "real sickos" are the men who go after children, old ladies, the disabled, accident victims languishing in comasthe sort of people who can't fight back, whose rape is difficult to imagine as titillating, unlike the rape of "pretty girls," so easily cast in a fight-f**k fantasy of squealing and squirming and eventual relenting to the "flattery" of being raped. ...the insistence on trying to distinguish between different kinds of rape via the use of terms like "gray rape" or "date rape." ...the myriad ways in which rape is tacitly and overtly abetted and encouraged, having saturated every corner of our culture so thoroughly that people can't easily wrap their heads around what the rape culture actually is. That's hardly everything. It's merely the tip of an unfathomable iceberg. This is an extract from a column which was originally published on shakespearessister.blogspot.com

Melissa McEwan ...rape is being used as a tool of war and genocide and oppression. ...rape being used as a corrective to cure queer women, a militarised culture and "the natural product of all wars, everywhere, at all times, in all forms." ...encouraging men to use the language of rape to establish dominance over one another ("I'll make you my b**ch"). ...making rape a ubiquitous part of male-exclusive bonding. ...is ignoring the cavernous need for men's prison reform in part because the threat of being raped in prison is considered an acceptable deterrent to committing crime, and the threat only works if actual men are actually being raped. ...1 in 3 women being sexually assaulted in their lifetimes. ...not even talking about the reality that many women are sexually assaulted multiple times in their lives. Rape culture is the way in which the constant threat of sexual assault affects women's daily movements. ...victim-blaming and spending enormous amounts of time finding any reason at all that a survivor can be blamed for their own rape. ...the media using euphemisms for sexual assault. ...tasking victims with the burden of rape prevention. Rape culture is admonishing women to "learn common sense" or "be more responsible" or "be aware of barroom risks" or "don't dress this way," and failing to admonish men to not rape. ...the idea that only certain people rape. ...ignoring that the thing about rapists is that they rape people. ...the narrative that sex workers

Brad Bense

Arts & Entertainment

MADE: Taking the arts to the streets
By Joni Lindes Forget getting crushed, forget getting smashed, lets get made. MADE, the newest society at Rhodes University, is reaching out to the township community in the form of Music, Art, and Drama Education. The society aims to inspire children in dire circumstances to indulge their creative side by having Rhodes students go into the township to mentor children and teach classes in art, music and theatre. Society member, Lauren Robertson appealed to students to do more with their time than just study and party. I just feel like work and partying is one aspect of your life, but giving back to the community is also really important, she said, who has done similar volunteer work when she taught art to orphans in high school. The idea for the society originated from the minds of Jack Kaminski and Robyn Perros, chairpersons of the society, who saw that there was a significant gap in Grahamstown - talented children in the communitys townships who have had no outlet or platform to express their bottled up creativity. They [Perros and Kaminski] see children as a great potential, explained Robertson, children can take it [the workshops] further in the long run and it gives them great career opportunities. Perros and Kaminski are, according to Robertson, very passionate about the cause. Robertson is confident that, unlike many societies at Rhodes, they will take the initiative and make a difference. We, as university students are learning things; it is a good way to get our knowledge out there, she said. So far, 75 students have agreed to divide their time in order to host art, drama and music workshops for children. The more we get, the better our influence is on the community, Robertson said. The societys first meet and greet will be happening on 24 March at 3pm at Monastery. All are welcome and students attending this function will still have the opportunity to sign up for the new society.

23 March 2012 The Oppidan Press

13

Do you have something to say? send your letters to letters@theoppidanpress.com

Amaphiko Township dancers perform. Picture: CHELSEA MACLACHLAN

Act. Dance. Transform

By Vimbai Midzi

The Biopharmaceutics Research Institute is looking for

n the heart of Extension Nine in Joza, lies a bigger heart one that beats for the generation of young men with a passion for the performing arts. This heart belongs to Dumisa Mpupha, a poet, performer and story teller who started the Miracle Workers dramatic Society. This multi-disciplined group uses a fusion of jive, traditional dance, pansula and acting, to entertain, educate, and hopefully bring about change in their community. The group is made up of boys and young men between the ages of 14 and 20, each one mentored personally by Mpupha. I was so quiet. I resented myself when I looked in the mirror, said Mpupha, speaking about his life before he dedicated it to performing arts and to the development of the boys. He began the group in 1994 and has managed to infuse the boys with his energy and his love for theatre, music and dance. Having been born and bred in Grahamstown, Mpupha was aware of the social problems that plague young men, and his motivation for starting the group was to try to make something positive for our area. The rate of young men who do not either go to university or start working in the townships is alarming, and as a result the levels of crime and vandalism have escalated over the years. Bearing in mind the level of abuse and domestic violence in the township as well, Mpupha has used the arts to erase the notion that every man is bad. As is expected, Mpuphas efforts have not been without resistance. He spoke about the way in which parents of the boys he works with were mistrusting and suspicious of the group in the beginning, but were more willing to accept the

help of a Rhodes professional, who was, more often than not, white. We must not think that in order for our own circumstances to change, we need the white man, Mpupha said. He is one of the few people in his community who have decided to take the transformation of the community into his own hands and has done so consistently and successfully. As the years have gone by, he has received positive reactions from the community that once shunned him for his seemingly unorthodox methods of bringing about change. Maintaining a level of diversity in their performances, the group draws on traditional music and poetry, fusing it with modern pansula dance moves and acting. This fusion is his way of incorporating different cultures and customs in the boys lives a form of intra-transformation if you will. The theme they have focused on for the next few shows is Be good to my community. It speaks of the need for positivity in the community a sense that change is possible if each person decides to commit to it. You can rely on perseverance and dedication, said Mpupha, beaming, his eyes revealing the change that had come about in his own life because of his groups cause. In addition to leading the Miracle Workers, Mpupha worked at the Rhodes Drama department in 2002 as part of the organising committee for outreach programmes in the community. Currently, his job at Child Welfare has extended his passion for the youth to younger children. In all his efforts, Mpupha has resolved to be a vehicle of change; of attitude. The struggle for funds, places to perform and costumes for the group is still a real part of their journey, but Mpupha remains resilient and committed to the transformation of his group and the community.

Clinical Study Volunteers DURING the SHORT APRIL VAC and 2nd TERM HEALTHY FEMALES and MALES
with skin tone from

VERY FAIR to LIGHT TAN

to participate in skin blanching studies.

Remuneration for Participation

e-mail us at or phone bri.blanching@ru.ac.za 046 603 8189 or 082 802 8110 for more information

This advert has been approved by the Rhodes University Faculty of Pharmacys ethics committee

14

Arts & Entertainment

The Oppidan Press 23 March 2012

Go on, face your fears

By Tarryn de Kock

nnovations is one of the highlights of the Rhodes Drama calendar. As an open platform for students to get involved and showcase their talents in various performing arts, it plays a significant role in boosting their confidence and creating spaces for students to explore their abilities under the umbrella of a theme. This years theme is Phobophobia, or the fear of fear, and will come to life on 23 and 24 of March. Organising committee member, Dumisa Lengwati, provides more information. What brought about the concept? Dumisa: We wanted to deviate from the variety show concept. So, we looked for a work that could evoke emotion in the applicants. We were struck by the word phobia because there are so many different hilarious, debilitating phobias out there, which could draw a lot of material for the applicants. Phobophobia is the fear of fear itself, which we thought was a great way to encapsulate those ideas. How does this years program look? There are a variety of disciplines on display this year, such as singing, acting, movement, and some poetry, which were quite excited about. The

front of house show looks to be very interesting, with Fire poi by Kylie Eriksen and Lexi Meier. This relates to the common fear of fire. What do you think Innovations does for Rhodes, especially the drama community? For non-Drama students, its an opportunity to be involved in a drama production and to be privy to a production that is accessible, because many non-Drama students at Rhodes see the Drama departments work as bizarre and not easily understandable. Specifically for Drama students who feel unlucky in auditioning for other pieces, this is a platform to show their artistic worth and wow the department heads. Its an all-round highlight for the department, especially for the third years who collaborate to put it together. Do you think it eases first years into the departments activities? Yes. Its a huge platform for them to get involved. We like them to be stage hands so they learn the ropes. It also shows them what to expect in the years to come. As a non-Drama student, its great to be able to go to theatre events more often than you would if you werent at Rhodes, because the theatre is on campus and accessible from most parts of town.

Any specific pieces to look out for? Each piece has its own favourable aspects, which I view as equally meritable. The movement pieces are very exciting, and very enjoyable. Theres a lot of committee involvement as well, which means that were aiming for a more professional show as opposed to past productions. Weve also gone for fewer pieces definitely quality over quantity. What do you expect your audience reaction to be? The promotional video has alarmed some non-Drama students. We dont want people to think theyll be scared out of their wits; it was just to build anticipation. We want audiences to be able to access those innate fears we all possess and critically reflect on them while enjoying themselves at the same time. To make this more real for audiences weve created an Innovations Facebook group for the first time for people to view the process behind the scenes to create more hype, and let the audiences feel more in touch with what theyre going to see. Any last words? This is going to be the best Innovations ever. Watch this space, join the event on Facebook and be prepared to be wowed. Innovations is taking place on 23 and 24 March

Rhodes University students rehearse for the annual Innovations productions hosted by the Drama department. This years theme is phobophobia, the fear of fear, and will run 23 and 24 March. Pictures: ROBYNNE PEATFIELD

Tune into Aerials latest edition

By Jenna Lillie On 16 March, Caf DVine held the book launch of the latest edition of Aerial, a composition of creative writing pieces, compiled by local creative writing enthusiasts. The launch allowed for the works of writers to be read aloud and shared amongst appreciative listeners. The publication of the book is linked to a creative writing course, which is facilitated by the Institute for the Study of English in Africa (ISEA). The teachers of the course are highly esteemed English professionals in their own right, including Carol Leff, Paul Mason, Harry Owen and Megan van der Nest. The creative writing course started in February and continues until July, costing R850. The book launch provided an insight into what the course has to offer its students in terms of skills. Student, Caitlin Stobie said: I enjoyed the course so much that Im doing it again this year. Not only do you learn techniques to unclog the writers block, but you also get to meet really talented people and share ideas. The evening began with a mellow atmosphere, filled with the aromas of coffee, wine and decadent treats. Caf DVine provided the perfect location in which to sit and listen to the readings of poems and short stories. The aim of this particular composition was to inspire and move the listener. The caf seated many of the authors and each had a turn to brave their nerves and read their pieces to the audience. Unique and intricate, each piece contained personal stories and backdrops that allowed the audience to peek into the mind-set of each writer. Laughter, sighs, sadness and understanding were just some of the reactions from the audience as they explored the works with the presenters. It was described by audience members as truly inspirational. The evening was perfect for anyone with an interest in the creative writing art form.

The book launch provided an insight into what the course has to offer its students in terms of skills

Arts & Entertainment

Sax, Drums and Rock n Roll
By Jenna Lillie Whether you are new to the Grahamstown music scene or an avid rocker, there will always be new sounds to discover in this breeding ground for artists. Every now and then, a gem may be unearthed however. Sun shiP is one such local band, and has a plethora of musical influences under their belt that make them unique. Larry Strelitz, Strato Copteros, Rick van Heerdan and Anton Brink all have one thing in common: their courage to start up a band, as middle-aged men, in a student town. One Sunday morning we decided: lets jam, said Copteros. Sun shiP has been around since 2009, playing various gigs in Grahamstown at spots like Slipstream, the Lowlander and Grotto Mojito, then rocking it out at Bathurst Arms and the Arts Festival in 2010. With each gig, their sound evolves. The newest addition to the group is saxophonist van Heerden, who adds an element of jazz true to the roots of Blues. The best thing about Blues music is that there is very direct emotion, said Strelitz. This band is a throwback to icons like John Coltrane. This is music centered on emotion and rhythm. Change is inevitable in music - things change, said John Coltrane; a truth that is visible in the journey of Sun shiP. Initially, they started as a classic Blues band doing covers of electric Blues, but the tempo picked up and a fusion of Rock n Roll and Punk emerged. Their lyrics are a fusion of adaptions of Robert Berolds collection of original poetry and Strelitz original songs (which draw on influences from Eastern Cape itself), adds a more

23 March 2012 The Oppidan Press

15

The best thing about Blues music is that there is very direct emotion
- Larry Strelitz lead singer, Sun shiP

s
Shadow Club band members Louis Roux, Jaques Moolman, Isaac Klawansky. Picture: SHADOW CLUB FAN PAGE

t for? rable y mere very Theres a s well, for a osed to one for y over

A shadow takes over

By Jess van Tonder

eing nominated for two SAMAs, Best Rock Band and Best Newcomer, Shadow Club ience has been one of the most talked about bands of 2012. larmed This two-year-old bluesy bunch dont consists of Jacques Moolman on scared vocals and guitar, Louis Roux on bass build and Isaac Klawansky on drums. es to They had previously been part of a ears band called Airship Orange. Klawanect on sky said: We started Airship Orange s at the when we were very young; we became real for big really quickly and were too imovations mature to deal with sudden fame. We me for were also a very complicated set back nd the then, consisting of five members. We d let the were foolish and our behaviour got us ith what banned from many venues, causing the band to internally self-implode.

It is now a relief to be in a band with only three members. Since then they have completely changed their image and have returned with a brand new sound and look, however. Their lyrics are descriptive and emotive. Moolman said: I create riffs and we jam, then we write the lyrics. I write songs that create movies in peoples minds. The band is very experimental and uses responses from live crowds to gauge the success of their songs. This way, the band keeps in touch with its audience and relies on them for direction and inspiration. They have been compared to artists such as Kings of Leon, and when asked they said, We used to listen to Kings of Leons album Only by the Night everyday - the songs had a raw live feel and they played songs that had imperfections yet still sounded

good. Shadow Club cannot promise that their music will always have the live recording sound that they have made on their first album, but according to the band, the second album is similar to the first. A band cant always stay the same, said Klawansky and added they have to mature and evolve. Our second album has a lot more maturity and energy, we hope our fans will enjoy. The band looks forward to playing in Grahamstown next term. Every time we play in Grahamstown the crowd just seems to go buck wild and that was when we were all in separate bands, said Klawansky. See Shadow Club on 20 April at Slipstream. And what were their last words? Dirty, Sexy, Rock n Roll is coming; and were leaving with your girlfriends.

personalised dimension to their music. There are no fights for centre stage because their music speaks for itself, and not on an individual level. Our music reflects the way we are with each other, said Copteros. Brink is the bassist whose rhythm is strong and steady; Strelitz is the lead vocalist and guitarist who is the rock that provides direction and Copteros is the adrenalin and momentum that pulses through each person and sets the tempo. Then Van Heerdan will come in with the unmatched force of the smooth sax and it is complete. We are not the classic twenty something year olds, said Copteros. It can be said that this is what makes Sun shiP unique. Their music is embedded with years of experience and knowledge, but they are humble about this. Journalism lecturer Rod Amner said: A small town like this is lucky to have a gem like Sun shiP and everyone should know John Coltrane. Living in the Rhodes environment has given Sun shiP the opportunity to work amongst up-andcoming artists whom they admire and learn from. These bands would undoubtedly learn some valuable lessons, such as following your dreams and being respectful of the roots of authentic music. Sun shiP has managed to reinvent the sounds of the past and is guaranteed to paint your ears with the sound of Blues.

nnovan the ared to

we recommend
Once We Were Warriors
Once Were Warriors is a 1994 film directed by Lee Tamahori that chronicles the lives of a modern Maori family. When this family moves into a council house their lives become enveloped by alcoholism and domestic violence - the perpetrator being the head of the household, Jake the Muss Heke (Temeura Morrison). On the outside, Jake seems calm and level-headed; a good husband and father. Once hes under the influence of alcohol however, his wife and five children become victims of his vicious temper. His alcohol addiction is the result of his unemployment and the poverty of the family is another issue that is highlighted in the film. Jakes vicious demeanour even results in his wife, Beth Heke (Rena Owen) becoming an alcoholic herself. What is admirable in the film is the ability of the children to stay strong and take care of themselves and their parents. Domestic violence and its contributing factors arent the only issues explored in the film. The Heke family also has to deal with adjusting to a new community and trying to gain acceptance in their new surroundings. Their Maori heritage is obviously an important part of their lives and this is contrasted with their outcast status in their own community. Although the film is set in New Zealand, its messages are universal; especially the silencing of individuals who are victims of domestic or sexual abuse. These victims are in fact heroes because of their strength and courage. If you are not participating in the Silent Protest against sexual violence this week, show solidarity and watch Once Were Warriors.

ing place 4 March

Gender Against Men

This powerful film is a shocking insight into the extreme sexual violence that takes place in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan and Northern Uganda. The documentary exposes the inhumane treatment of women and men rape does not see gender here. No one is immune to evil acts. The explicit visuals of dead bodies and graphically truthful recollections of personal stories are told through rape survivors. There are no witnesses to these humiliating acts of rape because anyone in sight will be forced to watch or then be made to take part. Rape is often only seen as a womans plight and the shame sits with her. The militia use rape to humiliate the men and even force families to rape one another. One in three women are rape survivors in the DRC and there are no known statistics for men. This is not because men are not raped, but because it is seen as an act that only females endure. Patrick Otim, who filmed the documentary, said with tears in his eyes, Some pictures have to be edited because they are too disturbing to watch. Gender against Men will hurt your eyes and pierce your heart, while simultaneously opening your mind to the truth about rape. Men and women are victims; this film is proof that this injustice sees no preference.

A Hidden Truth
Created by Samfya Women Filmmakers, this documentary focuses on domestic violence in Zambia and the abuse of women and children who do not have the voice to speak out against their ill-treatment. The film gives detailed scenarios of five women who have been abused. Through their eyes we are taken into the world of abuse, maltreatment and violence, and the different ways in which it befell them. In Zambia, like many parts of the world, many women above the age of 15 have experienced these unfortunate encounters of maltreatment and abuse. Samfya aims to expose these social issues that are often swept under the carpet, made taboo, and shunned by the different cultures in Zambia and Africa at large. The opening scene begins with the story of a young woman who, on her return home from church, was attacked and abused by her drunken male partner, knocking out three of her front teeth. Samfya breaks their silence, opens the door for discussion and healing, and strives to tell the world no matter what the cost. During the production, the team was apprehended by a magistrate, who confiscated the tape and ultimately threatened to burn the footage. Fortunately for the crew, the Ministry of Education assisted them in getting back their valuable interviews. The footage now stands open for the voices of the abused in Zambia, and ultimately for all other victims for the world to hear.

By Dirk Steynberg

By Nandi Majola

By Jenna Lillie

Shadow Club comes to town 15

Sports

Where leaders take a stand 7

Silent Protest statement

10

Massive turnout for the Green Fund Run

By Mvuzo Ponono

Picture: DAVID HARDING

he biggest Green Fund Run in the history of the event drew over 500 people to support efforts by Rhodes University to be environmentally friendly on 18 March. The Makana Botanical Gardens came alive as runners of varying capability took part in the 5km, three leg race. Some walked, others strolled, some were there to enjoy a glorious autumn afternoon and of course, the more professional athletes came to compete. Team Formula 21 made it a hat-trick of wins. Sabata Samangweni, Basie Boneparte and Simphiwe Tana were again the team to beat. They claimed the title and the right to plant a spekboom

in their honour for a third time in as many years. We come here for the fun and enjoyment. Sometimes you dont have to run for money. Its good to donate money towards environmental concerns, said Boneparte. The Pumped Up Kids, a three member team walked away with second prize, and Cullen Bowles House came in third. The trophy in the best dressed category went to the well thought-out ensemble worn by Jameson House. The seven member team had faces of various political figures - who have supported green initiatives - stuck to their running gear. One member of the group was also carrying a jiving puppet of President Barrack Obama. The Jameson team said the aim of their outfits was to praise leaders like

Gandhi who had supported environmental issues and highlight Obama as the puppet of international corporations. Interested onlookers lined the streets and cheered the runners as they raced to finish the course. The race started and ended at the Makana Botanical Gardens. Organisers said they tried to accommodate all types of participants by dividing the race into three legs. Some people enter as individuals and some as threes. So people can run all three legs or one. The teams vary in size and we even have a team of twenty this year. We are trying to cater for everyone who is interested in running the race, said Green Fund Run organiser Fred Ellery Rhodes Enviromental Officer, Nikki Khly said that this years turnout was the biggest in the

three year history of the event. Its so great that people have embraced the atmosphere of things, (that) some are dressed up. Khly said that the race is intended to do three things: to raise awareness about environmental issues, to raise funds for Rhodes environmental efforts, and to be a day for people to come together and have fun.

We come here for the fun and enjoyment. Sometimes you dont have to run for money
- Basie Boneparte

RU rugby schooled by NMMU Dolphins Along the Makana Brick road

By Mvuzo Ponono

he Rhodes under 21 Rugby team proved how difficult it is to concede a gazillion penalties and win a game. The team narrowly lost 19-18 to Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) on 14 March at the Great Field. Dolphins is the nickname given to the NMMUs under 21B side. This is a fact that makes the mid-week loss more difficult to fathom. The best players at Rhodes were unable to put away what was ultimately a marginally inferior team. The home side was promising in the first half. Their forwards pounced on the ball like tigers on a piece of carcass. The aggression was jungle-like, and the first 15 minutes saw Rhodes assert their dominance and capture a chunk of territory.

The referee came in like a circus master taming a lion. The more he whipped the beast the more it growled in defiance. At times, NMMU was a forgettable feature as the game became more about the referee and Rhodes. It was not all ridiculous. The boys in purple started off playing a smart game of rugby. They retained the ball well, building phases and gaining easy ground, kicking themselves out of trouble. The Rhodes scrumhalf was in good nick, constantly badgering the opposition. All the good work was unfortunately undone by numerous conceded penalties. The first try was ironically scored by Rhodes after they gave away an easy three points. The resultant kick off was chased well and caught by Greame Lelamo. The harrowing winger beat three defenders, at close quarters, to score the try in the corner. Besides the slew of penalties they

continued to give away, their passes were wasteful and the scrums were degenerated. The Dolphins took advantage of the let off, simply walking to the try line aided by the home teams ill-discipline and the referees whistle. Half time ended with the teams tied at 7-7. The second half didnt get better. The Dolphins ran themselves into touch every time they spread the ball. Their flyhalf Darren Adams treated the advantage like it was fire, choosing to play behind it. Their lateral movement gave Rhodes flank James Cragg a chance to pick up a loose ball and go through for a score. NMMU might have been slapped around for most of the game but they got the last laugh, scoring two late tries through Adams and Phila Sixaba. The referee, visibly frustrated with the home side, blew the end of the game after sending off an unruly player.

By Tia Egglestone The bang of the starting pistol fired just after 5:30pm on 14 March sounded the start of the annual Makana Brick Nite Race (aka The Pineapple Race). Fast-footed community members of all ages, shapes and athletic abilities took off from the Albany Sports Club for their 8km run across, through, and around Grahamstown city centre. The race provided sheer entertainment and excitement for onlookers with houses or businesses along the race route. The event consisted of a whole host of road runners, including a large number of Rhodes Athletics Club members. Simphiwe Tana was the winner in the mens category, crossing the finish line in only 27:15

minutes. Terry Lyn Penney was the first female to finish, in a time of 34:23 minutes. Camagu Sisa (27:36 minutes) and Warrick Smith (27:52 minutes) claimed the mens second and third place and Kirsty Hodgeskiss (35:39 minutes) and Jennifer Coppinger (37:04 minutes) were the female second and third place winners. The top five winners each claimed prize money of up to R400. Spot prizes were handed out to a handful of lucky runners. Megan Schoeman, member of the Rhodes Athetics Club, was the fortunate winner of a brand new pair of New Balance running shoes from the lucky draw. The event was a success, and every runner returned home with a medal and a pineapple.