Shifts, tips and hours

see page 5

Profile: Sakhe Badi is our new SRC President

see page 8

LARPing all the way home

see page 11

The Oppidan Press

RU Choir tours the Cape

Edition 7, 25 September 2012

EE! FR

14

How much is Rhodes drinking?

SRC quells concerns over election legitimacy Advertorial: Meet the 2012/2013 councillors

3 9

Rhodes women excel, men disappoint at Boat Race

15

News
By Jenna Lillie

The Oppidan Press 25 September 2012

Not enough zombies to fear

The shift in atmosphere has nothing to do with weather, my fellow humans. You are not crazy, nor are you imagining things. You feel it, you feel them. They are back and they want you. Zombies are set to threaten Rhodes University for the third time in 12 months, as Humans versus Zombies (HvZ) returns to campus. This reappearance of the undead has led some to question what the zombies motive may be and if they are succeeding in achieving their goals. HvZ was created in 2005 at Goucher College in Baltimore, USA, by Chris Weed and Brad Sappington, who later created an official website explaining the general guidelines, rules and information for other universities to customise their own games. Since the games inception, HvZ has spread to over 1,000 locations, spanning six continents. Zombies made their way on to the Rhodes campus for the first time in Live Smart Week last year. It was supported by the Dean of Students office who hoped the game might broadened the activities students take part in. However, the third coming is being run independently by the Game Society (Game Soc), whose main objective is simply to create a fun-filled atmosphere for all to enjoy. Many US universities have banned HvZ due to the sensitivity around gun violence and the violent nature with which some students played the game. Game Soc has put careful precautions in place to ensure that HvZ is played as safely as possible. Security briefings before the game aim to explain the rules and avoid any violence, disruption or danger. We emphasise that players must use common sense and abide by the rules, explained William Walters, Game Soc chairperson. We have received no complaints concerning safety or injuries with regards to this game, however, maybe they should consider running it once a year to maintain the novelty and excitement, said Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk. De Klerk said that the game may not decrease drinking or change peoples attitude, but said that she believes it does demonstrate that there are others ways to be involved, and that the gamers are setting an example of this. The game has stuck to its original format with a few changes. We have thrown in a few surprises and made the missions far more exciting. New supply drops will mean more participation than previous games, explained Walters. However, according to Walters, sign-ups this week were less than desired when compared to the last game. Players from previous Rhodes HvZ games, speaking at the security briefings, said they have generally had a positive experience. I force my friends to join. It is so much fun, said Christina De Gouveia, a veteran zombie. Former Game Soc chairperson Jonathan Funcke encouraged players to remain in the game even if zombified. There are no losers: there are just two sides and two very different experiences that you can play in.

Annual alcohol survey underway

By Canny Maphanga

he Dean of Students (DoS) office is currently running their annual Alcohol Usage Survey in order to gain insight into the alcohol consumption patterns and perceptions around drinking culture among Rhodes University students. We try monitor patterns of usage, in order to counteract the myth that Rhodes University students drink much more than other students, said Dean of Students Dr Vivian De Klerk. My view is that Rhodes students probably do not drink that much more than students at any other university, but are just more visible when they go out to drink, since the town is so small and there are only a few drinking spots, De Klerk added. In order to prove this statement the Dean of Students needs facts, and these facts are sought through the promotion of the Alcohol Usage Survey. However, many students seem to not know about the survey. BA student Roberto Queiroz said, This is the first time I am hearing of [the survey]. I think the organisers need to make more of a conscious effort to create awareness. It has been suggested that awareness is perhaps limited due to the lack of alcohol

awareness student groups available on campus. Prime bartender and student Keith Manuhwa believes that Rhodes students do not drink as much as people perceive them to. I think we have average levels of alcohol consumption, Manuhwa said, adding that he found drinking levels where he bartends at home in Zimbabwe similar to those in Grahamstown. You get [alcohol consumption] everywhere, not just at Rhodes University. The university intends to make the results of the survey public internally and then use the data to give substance to various awareness raising initiatives. De Klerk is working hard to create awareness and wishes more student groups would get involved. Allan Webb Hall has recently run a High on Life campaign and my office runs a Live Smart competition among all the halls, encouraging students to organise fun events where moderate drinking is the norm, De Klerk said. The DoS decided to extend the duration of the survey by a week after it had reached 1429 responses, saying it can only be significant if more than 2000 students participate. Students who completed the survey are entered into a lucky draw and stand to win a return flight to any South African destination of their choosing.

The annual Alcohol Usage Survey, run by the Dean of Students Office, has been extended due to not having reached the required number of participants. PICTURE: HANNAH MCDONALD

Biko Remembered in community march

By Kyla Hazell In commemoration of the life of anti-apartheid activist Stephen Bantu Biko, Grahamstown residents, Rhodes University academics and students marched through town from the Drostdy Lawns to St. Philips Anglican Church in the Fingo Village township on 19 September. The route followed during the march was that taken by Biko and his comrades when they left a National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) conference, which was held at Rhodes University in 1968. Biko had been deeply offended by the segregation of black and white students in residences and dining halls during the conference. It was in the Fingo Village church that Biko and those with him slept that night. The break of some black students from the predominantly white NUSAS that year precipitated the formation of the South African Students Organisation (SASO), of which Biko was the first president. From the start, SASO was committed to Black Consciousness philosophy, assisting in the creation of the Black Peoples Convention (BPC) and playing an important role in the struggle. Organised by the Unemployed Peoples Movement (UPM), the march on Wednesday was followed by a commemorative ceremony at the St Philips church during which a number of speakers addressed the congregation. Despite the poor attendance, the UPM Chairperson, Asanda Ncwadi believed the event was successful. What is important is that it was a similar small number who walked out from Rhodes to this church and who organised themselves to bring about black consciousness and SASO, Ncwadi said. Richard Pithouse, a lecturer in the Politics Department, expressed a similar sentiment during the ceremony, emphasising the significance of the day in the wake of the Marikana Massacre in August. Marikana has shown to us and the world

The Unemployed Peoples Movement (UPM), along with Grahamstown residents and Rhodes University staff and students, march from the Drosty lawns to Fingo Village Township on Wednesday, 19 September 2012, to commemorate the life of Steve Biko. Picture: KYLA HAZELL the oppressive face of the state in South Africa today, Pithouse said, continuing to explain how Biko walked into an uncertain political future when he chose to leave NUSAS and relating this to the present day. We are not quite sure of the future, but we know that something needs to be done differently, he said. Pithouse argued that the Black Consciousness Movement provided an example of rejecting the status quo in the pursuit of a better future. We need to walk away from the consensus that we must continuously obey, he said, We need to find something new. Fundile Mafungosi of the Masifunde youth development organisation echoed Pithouse, saying that while the struggle, aided by the work of organisations like SASO, succeeded in dismantling a racist system, the fight against all forms of oppression is far from over. We are in a world, a continent, and a country faced with massive inequalities, Mafungosi said. Pauline Wynter, associated with the Steve Biko Centre in Brazil also addressed the crowd. The organisation works to uplift impoverished black Brazilians through education. Wynter spoke of how the organisation had been encouraged by the life and work of Biko. I am really here to thank you for keeping this dream alive for minorities not only in South Africa, but across the world who find strength in Biko, she said.

25 September 2012

News

The Oppidan Press

Complaints challenge legitimacy of SRC elections

By Hlumela Mkabile and Benjamin Katz oncerns over electoral fraud were aired following the second round of the Student Representative Council (SRC) elections, hosted in the final week of the universitys third term. Publicly addressed by SRC liaison and 2013 electoral officer Eric Ofei, complaints of interference from electoral officers at voting stations, and errors with the voter lists were lodged with the SRC. Ofei assured students at the first inauguration ceremony in its new format on 7 September. Despite the allegations the official report submitted by the elections impartial officer, James Tsabora, unequivocally confirmed the 2013 SRCs legitimacy. Notwithstanding the questions and accusations made on social networking platforms in particular the Rhodes SRC Facebook page - only four official complaints had been lodged. The election office stated that only officially-laid complaints would be investigated, of which all four had been interrogated. Discussing the complaints, Ofei said the issue of student numbers not appearing on the Oppidan student voter list was raised. The complaint insinuated potential for electoral fraud. Ofei stated that his team had ensured that all signatures were counted and corresponded with the ballot numbers. Two other complaints were laid against Sarah Price-Jones, the newly instated SRC media councillor. Jones and her team were accused of campaigning on Election Day, a practice that is not allowed by the electoral office. Accusations were made against Jean-Michel Gaud, who, while supervising the Jan Smuts voting station, was asking voters to vote for Jones. According to the official report compiled by Tsabora, Jones claimed she was unaware of Gauds actions, only discovering the accusations on the evening of the election after reading comments on the SRC Facebook page. The report stated that Gaud had not denied his actions and had acknowledged their questionable nature. At the time of going to print Gaud was unwilling to comment on the situation. The impartial officers judgement was that Jones had been guilty of the complaint laid against her, only because she had failed to ensure that her campaign team refrained from campaigning on Election Day. Joness penalty was to forfeit all votes from the Jan Smuts voting station. Competing candidate for the media councillor position Kirsten Allnutt expressed her frustration with such interferences. I believe the elections, which have been marred by controversy already, are such a delicate issue and behaviour like this is abhorrent and serves only to exacerbate the already high level of student apathy, she said. Former SRC president Matthieu Maralack attributed the irregularities of the election to the introduction of the ballot system. According to him, the SRC was contacted by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which had explained that difficulties in monitoring digital elections provided space for electoral fraud. Asking for over R20 000, according to Ofei, the IEC offered to run this years election. However, budget constraints prevented their involvement in the second round, leaving the SRC to rely on senior students, hall representatives, and SRC alumni to act as voting officials. Maralack maintained, that the 2013 SRC is legitimate. All formally lodged complaints were appropriately handled and students are free to approach the SRC with any issues, he said.

Student, Jacqueline Pinto volunteers as a helper for the 2012 Student Representative Council (SRC) elections at Nelson Mandela dining hall. Picture: KIRSTY MAKIN

Scarlet Letter replaces Slutwalk

By Joshua Oates The Gender Action Project (GAP), in conjunction with the Community Engagement Division, is currently hosting Scarlet Letter Week from 25 to 28 September. The aim of the week is to raise awareness of victim-blaming involved in incidents of rape, and to give space to Rhodes students and staff to think critically about rape culture. The week will replace the Slutwalk event, as organisers felt that the name Scarlet Letter Week was more appropriate. Some people found the name to be alienating and offensive; others felt it was an attempt to appropriate the term 'slut' and recast it in a positive light; and others still loved the name, said vicechairperson of GAP, Lauren OBrien. She said that the old name of the protest was overshadowing the aims and the messages that they wanted to communicate. The focus is to draw attention to the culture of victim-blaming, said OBrien. We wanted something that would be engaging and relevant to a Rhodes context, she said. For this reason, the protest will be confined to Rhodes University campus. Scarlet Letter Week seeks to question norms in our society that vilify survivors of sexual violence through slut shaming and make them responsible for the actions of the rapist, said Coordinator of Student Volunteer Programmes, Nosipho Mngomezulu, hence the name Scarlet Letter, like in the late 19th Century novel by Nathaniel Hawthorn, in which social stigma was worn on the body. According to Mngomezulu, it is hoped that people who participate will think about the way rape culture informs and labels the roles and responsibilities of women and men, particularly in cases of sexual violence. We seek to make clear that the crime of rape is a crime that disproportionately affects women and that it ought to be treated as a crime, not as an indictment of the survivors of that crime, she said. There will be various events happening on campus throughout the week. A discussion exclusively for men will be held on Tuesday 25 September at 7pm in Arts Major. The talk will be about males and their relationship with feminism. Entitled Wear the pants?, this discussion will be hosted by GAP Administration Manager, Stuart Lewis. The reason behind it being men only is that I want men to speak as openly and freely as possible without fear of attack or disapproval from their female contemporaries, said Lewis. There will be another discussion entitled Is our culture a rape culture? on 27 September at 6pm in the Eden Grove Seminar Rooms. The discussion is open to all students. In addition, there will be displays and photo exhibitions in the Library quad and around campus all week. These discussions will focus on different aspects of rape culture.

>>Rhino Day
The world observes Rhino Day this week to protest the poaching of Rhinos across the globe

>>New dawn >>RU flashbacks

Herman Wasserman gave his inaugural lecture last week: a new dawn for Journalism and Media Studies Where are they now? A closer look at Rhodes University Alumni and their stories

Check it out at: oppidanpress.com

News

The Oppidan Press 25 September 2012

Mooncup project to take its first steps in Grahamstown

By Jesame Geldenhuys The Gender Action Project (GAP) is taking the next step in their initiation of the Mooncup project, which they intend to start introducing this month. The Mooncup, a reusable sanitary product, is soon to arrive in Grahamstown as part of a project which premises itself on advocating gender empowerment and environmental safety. The initial plan was to distribute the Mooncup to high schools in Grahamstown and then potentially take the initiative to other disadvantaged locations. However, Lauren OBrien of GAP said this proved impossible. We realised we were being unrealistic in wanting to involve school girls in the original programme, so we are beginning a pilot project with volunteers from the Womens Academic Solidarity Association (WASA), she said. WASA is a network of Rhodes women established to deal with some of the more complex issues facing women in higher education institutions. WASA members welcomed the initiative, as the Mooncup is a safe, environmentally friendly and cheaper product for women to use, said Siphokazi Magadla, chairperson of WASA and lecturer in the Politics Department. It is not only important for the organisers to demonstrate that the Mooncup is ideal for struggling teenage girls, but also that the product is useful for all kinds of women, she added, alluding to the research element of the project. The pilot project involves the distribution of the Mooncup to the volunteers from WASA, who will then meet with GAP once a month to discuss any issues or comments that arise. From here we will go about compiling information that can be distributed to school students, said OBrien. Should the Mooncup project make it to local schools, GAP is also considering distributing the product to the mothers of the girls involved. This is in order to overcome taboos such as those about tampons and the stigmas attached to menstruation, said OBrien. Nosipho Mngomezulu of the Community Engagement office added that the Mooncup will be promoted as a tool for gender empowerment. Debate around the initiative is already growing on campus. Student Chelsea Maloney said, I think it is a good advancement in terms of the environment and being cost effective but I think it will cause a bit of a stir in the community because its such a new concept that a lot of people are unsure about how it works and the morals behind it. Ruth Kruger, vice chairperson of RUGreen and former SRC environmental councillor, said, I think it is an excellent initiative. Feminine hygiene products are expensive, not to mention wasteful. Mooncups can be re-used for a long period of time, which makes a lot of economic and ecological sense. The Mooncups have been ordered with funding from RUGreen and the Gender Action Project. OBrien hopes that further funding will be received either from a menstrual cup distributor or company with environmental interests. Although the Mooncups have taken longer to arrive than anticipated, OBrien said that GAP expects them soon.

The Grahamstown name change debate has left many people questioning the future of the town, but Executive Mayor, Zamuxolo Peter, said the fate of the towns name will be decided in the next six months. Picture: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE

Name change debate resurfaces

By Stuart Thembisile Lewis n the 200th anniversary of the founding of Grahamstown, the controversial debate over whether to rename the city or not has resurfaced. Grahamstown is currently named after Colonel John Graham of the British Army. Graham was infamous for his brutal campaign against the amaXhosa in the Albany region, in which he employed what he described as a proper degree of terror. Former president Thabo Mbeki described him as a butcher. Last month, Grahamstowns executive mayor Zamuxolo Peter announced that a decision regarding the towns name change would be taken in the next six months. He said that a budget of R250 000 has been put aside for the name change, adding that if it was not used to rename the town, the money would go towards renaming streets in Grahamstown East. The Makana Municipalitys Naming Task Team (NTT), headed up by Councillor Julia Wells, is in charge of putting forward a proposal regarding the name change. Wells, who is also a senior lecturer in the Rhodes University History Department, declined to comment as she has yet to present her findings to the Municipal Council, but noted that after this she would be able to discuss it more freely with the media. The debate over the name change has been ongoing since 2007 when then-mayor Phumelelo Kate announced that the name had to go. The Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) movement was launched by Advocate Jock McConnachie to prevent the name change and has been fighting the process since its inception. The KGG believes that in the interests of reconciliation, the names should be kept as they are because they represent a combination of opposing histories. It also stresses the importance of the brand that the town has built around the Grahamstown name as a cultural and educational centre. In a survey conducted by McConnachie, the KGG found that 80% of residents were in favour of keeping the towns name. This included 60% of residents polled in Grahamstown East. Dr Sally Matthews, a senior lecturer in the Rhodes University Politics Department, felt that it was worth considering renaming places that are named after objectionable historical figures such as Colonel John Graham. She also stressed however that the process would be meaningless if only the name changed.Changing a name of a place does not miraculously change that place and [it] can be used in order to obscure concerns about the lack of significant and meaningful transformation, she said. Matthews also said that it was important not to frame the debate in terms of the poor not benefiting, as local businesses would be given the opportunity to be involved in producing changed signage and anything else that would be required. When approached, many Rhodes students felt that the idea of a name change is farcical. Older students pointed out that the debate has been going on for a long time and that ultimately nothing would come of it. Jess Jooste, a PGCE student, echoed the KGGs sentiments about the brand of Grahamstown, saying, You send your kid to Rhodes University in Grahamstown. Theres no real point in changing either of their names.

Annual DebSoc debate questions Mandela Day

By Stuart Thembisile Lewis Zubeida Jaffer, heavyweight journalist and Rhodes University alumnus, addressed students last week Thursday at the annual Public Debate on the content of her article entitled, Whats wrong with Mandela Day?. Responding to Jaffer was Anthea Garman, an associate professor in the school of Journalism and Media Studies, and chairing the Rhodes University Debating Societys annual event was Nosipho Mngomezulu. Jaffer said that Mandela Day - an annual event where participants dedicate 67 minutes of their day to helping others - had become an opportunity for people and companies to show themselves off. She singled out former US president Bill Clintons opening of a primary school library as an example of this. Jaffer also argued that the current system of touching and going by companies had actually retarded community development. Both Jaffer and Garman touched on this issue and asked companies to rather build a sustainable relationship with a community in which the community took ownership of what was being done for their benefit. It mustnt be just charity work, said Jaffer. Jaffer invoked the legacy of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko, and founder of the South African Native National Council (precursor to the African National Congress), Pixley ka Isaka Seme, to call on South African students to build a new nationwide student movement. She argued for a need to combat problems in education and to investigate issues and incidents such as the Marikana massacre. Garman echoed her sentiments, calling for a powerful and credible critique from members of institutions like Rhodes University. Jaffer said that activists from the 1980s like herself were running out of steam and needed the new generation. When I was a student we felt battered and beaten, but students these days have so much confidence. You must have your say, she said.

Students gather at Botany Major on Thursday 20 September 2012, to find out about What is wrong with Nelson Mandela Day? Picture: HANNAH MCDONALD

25 September 2012

Police: crime stats low despite recent attacks

By Alexandra Maggs

News

The Oppidan Press

espite recent publicity of violent muggings and assaults, the Grahamstown Police Department has said that violent crime statistics are not increasing. There have been a few incidents in the last month but this type of crime is not necessarily on the increase, said Captain Mali Govender of the Grahamstown Police Service. This concern follows a number of incidents that have occurred in Grahamstown and in the coastal towns of the Eastern Cape. Recently, a source who wished to remain anonymous was mugged and stabbed during a beach visit in Kenton. My friend and I were walking back from the beach to the car through the bush and a young guy followed us, she said, He stopped us and asked for our belongings but we put up a fight. That was when he stabbed us and ran away. Rachael Wood, a Wits student who was visiting a Port Alfred beach during June, was also in a mugging-related assault. I was on holiday when the assault took place and I was a lot less vigilant, said Wood. They pressed a knife to my side while they took all they could from my beach bag. Once they had emptied my beach bag, I was sexually assaulted by the oldest of the

three, she said. Colonel Lizette Zeellie of the Port Alfred Police Department assured that despite these recent incidents, crime is not on the increase. The cases of muggings and mugging-related assaults are quite low, she said. Previously we relied on car guards to provide security, but we are looking into getting cameras installed in strategic places which will be monitored by a local security company, said Zeellie. These incidents usually occur the most around the festive season and during the holidays, said Sinethemba Mabona, the junior consultant at the Port Alfred Tourism Office. The police force is good and people should feel safe visiting our beaches, she said. In both cases, the South African Police Services have been praised for their efficient and thorough action. [The Kenton Police Department] were very good. They instilled confidence in us and have been in contact ever since, keeping us updated with any progress, said the anonymous victim of assault. Wood echoed these sentiments. [The Port Alfred Police Department] were very helpful in staying in contact throughout the investigation, even once I was back in Johannesburg, she said. At the time of going to print, no arrests had been made but investigations were still ongoing.

Rhodes teams make finals in Glenister Challenge

By Bulelwa Mthombothi Two Rhodes students are among the twelve finalists of the Glenister Challenge, a competition aimed at Law students accross the continent. The competition, run by well-known Johannesburg businessman Hugh Glenister, asked students to draft a legislation that would assist in the fight against corruption. We are very excited about making it through to the finals, said Kyla Hazell, a second-year Law student, one of the Rhodes University finalists. We never in a million years could have imagined we would make it. Both of the Rhodes teams that submitted entries have made it to the final round and have been invited to the final event in Cape Town on 29 September. They will compete under the University category. We are indeed very proud that two of the finalist teams are from Rhodes University, said Dean of the Law Faculty Professor Johnathan Campbell, Being the smallest law faculty in the country, this is yet another example of us punching far above our weight. The competition was also open to the students in a number of African countries, including Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar and Mauritius.

We are indeed very proud that two of the finalist teams are from Rhodes University
- Prof. Johnathan Campbell, Dean of the Law Faculty

Cynthia Belwana and her daughter Thabisa Belwana run Cynthias Soup kitchen, an organisation which aims to provide daily meals to those Grahamstown residents who would otherwise go hungry. The money raised during the Picture Pot event will go towards aiding the running of the soup kitchen. Picture: JESAME GELDENHUYS

Picture Pot is back for another year

By Jesame Geldenhuys After great success last year, Rhodes Society Masincedane Soup Kitchen is hosting another creative Picture Pot fundraising event on 27 September in aid of Cynthias Soup Kitchen in Xolani. Inspired by Johannesburgs one night exhibition, 1000 drawings, Picture Pot aims to raise money for charities from art donated by the public. Society chairperson Jocelyn Coldrey said, The event was great last year we raised more than we ever had on any student fundraiser before. Participants in Picture Pot submit one A4 piece of art and anyone in the community is able to take part. The piece can be any medium. Ali Coldrey, a Sociology student and one of the organisers of the event explained, Last year we even had some yummy foods and home-made goodies. On the night of the event, those in attendance are able to take one artwork of their choice home in exchange for a R20 ticket. Last year the event was held at the music lounge. It had a lovely back garden so once people had looked at the pieces of art and chosen one to take home they could come outside for some wine, soup and live music, said Coldrey. Organisers anticipate good participation. Last year many people left it until the last minute to submit things, so were hoping for a boom in the last week, Coldrey explained. All funds raised by Picture Pot will go towards Cynthias Soup Kitchen, which aims to provide free daily meals to adults and children who may otherwise go without. The soup kitchen was handed over to Cynthia Belwana in 2006 and she has been running it from her home since. Thabisa Belwana, her daughter, believes it is something that is made for her mother and said that

Following last years success, the art exhibition shows no signs of slowing down
she always tries to help. More than 100 people come through the soup kitchen every day. Some of them dont work or get anything so they need to come for a meal, Belwana said. The money raised for the soup kitchen is used mostly for ingredients and electricity. Masincedane also takes bread to the Belwana home every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Before, it was only soup that we gave to the people, but now we have some rice, bread, mince meat and vegetables as well, Belwana said, further explaining that the vegetables served are grown in her own back garden. Belwana hopes that further funding might one day be used to build a shelter in the quad to protect people from bad weather when they are waiting for their meals.

Glenisters call for citizens to participate in combating corruption was prompted by the recent Constitutional Court ruling that the disbanding of former corruptionfighting unit the Scorpions was unconstitutional and invalid. All finalists entries will be released to universities and think tanks for consideration. Winners of the competition will share R60 000 and will each receive a Samsung 10 Galaxy tablet. In addition, R50 000 will be awarded to their faculty. The second-placed team will receive R30 000 and a Samsung 7 Galaxy tablet for each member, as well as R25 000 to their schools faculty. Law student Mbulelo Ncolosi said that before they found out their hard work had paid off, his team had already been content with the experience.

Further details about the event can be found on the Picture Pot Facebook page.

Features The long road to free and fair elections

By Emily Corke ollowing a long process that elicited controversy and outrage from candidates and the student body alike, the 2012 SRC elections came to its conclusion in the final week of the third term. After reaching quorum with 2137 votes, the election was declared free and fair by Impartial Officer James Tsabora. The first set of elections, which were held on 20 September, failed to reach the required 33.3% quorum. After this, many of the standing candidates pulled out, leaving numerous posts empty or uncontested. Despite the challenges, outgoing SRC president Matthieu Maralack said he felt that the elections were well-conceived from the beginning. Everything was planned well in advance, and then we didnt reach quorum and that messed everything up, he said. SRC liaison and electoral officer Eric Ofei and newly-instated SRC vicepresident Brad Bense said that there were various reasons for the challenges that arose during the SRC elections. Ofei first attributed the difficulties faced by the electoral team to the prominence of Inter-Varsity weekend. Inter-Varsity overshadowed the elections, including the campaigning in the week leading up to the elections, he said. He went on to describe the confusion that surrounded the new ballot system, which he perceived to have left students feeling unsure as to how they should and could cast their vote. Ofei and Bense felt that poor advertising and campaigning were part of the issue around voting, as many students felt uncertain about and unfamiliar with the candidates. Ofei called it lazy campaigning, lamenting how candidates in the first round failed to go further than poster-campaigns. It was the worst campaigning I have ever seen. Some candidates in uncontested positions didnt even put up posters, said Ofei. Another factor was the contribution of Dylan Smiths open letter, which was incredibly damaging to the election process and people lost confidence in the SRC, therefore they didnt vote, he said. (The original letter can be found at oppidanpress.com) In addition to the aforementioned issues, a further controversy arose in relation to this years decision to involve the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). There were many issues about the electronic voting system (in previous years) and there was no control over it. So it is about time that we brought in the IEC, said Ofei. Unfortunately the SRC had not budgeted for the hidden costs of the IECs involvement, including transport and accommodation for the electoral officers. According to Ofei, the SRC spent over R20000 on the IEC. I believe the IEC would have been useful, but since we didnt reach quorum while they facilitated the election it does seem like an awful waste of money, Bense explained. Due to these costs, the second round of elections was facilitated by the SRC, who had been trained by the IEC during the first election. Like any other election, we had a few issues. There were only four formal complaints which we could only deal with, and which were dealt with accordingly, said Ofei. However, students seemed to have had more issues with the SRC The controversial and often uniformed statements made on the Student Representative Council (SRC) Facebook page resulted in the sensationalist commentary and personal jibes at council candidates. Picture: HOLLY SNELL candidates and their campaigns. The SRC Facebook page became a spotlight for humourous and hard-hitting interaction. People were really harsh this year. Their complaints and attacks at the councillors were borderline insulting, said Ofei. The Facebook page has diverted from its original purpose: to serve as communication. I think students are allowed to express their opinions on that platform but that being said it is a reflection of the maturity of some individuals, said Maralack. A lot of the time people fell into a trap of responding to uninformed statements and it [became] sensationalist. Ofei and Maralack confirmed that they were happy to respond to any complaints laid against the SRC in the correct manner. Politics student Tarryn de Kock, who had been active in the group throughout the election process, said, [The Facebook page] got ugly really quickly and it could have been avoided in general. People sometimes took it too far - good conversations were taking place and [the ugly debate] was detracting from that. De Kock felt that students were logging on to the Facebook page to see the latest drama. However, she said that she had little confidence in the electoral procedure and so it was a way of viewing whether she felt the candidates were worthy or not. Despite the furore, frustration, and final fruition of the 2012 election campaign, Bense was confident that the restructured training and handover process had been successful. Now it all rests upon individual councillors to step up and perform their duties to their best ability, which I believe to be very high, he said.

6 The Oppidan Press 25 September 2012

EVENTS MANAGEMENT AT UCT? YES!

Events Management is a major component in the Postgraduate Diploma in Management (Tourism Management), and one of the fastest growing industries both in South Africa and elsewhere. Conferences, exhibitions, concerts, festivals and other types of events need graduates who have a wide range of key management skills and who can plan strategically. The key elements of business, tourism and events management are taught in this intensive one-year postgraduate management programme, which has been rated the top programme in Africa in its category by best-masters.com, and 11th in the world. Also offered at UCT are Postgraduate Diplomas in Management in Marketing Management, Sport Management and Entrepreneurship. These challenging but rewarding courses prepare students for the world of business and have a reputation for dramatically enhancing career opportunities. A strong theoretical and practical grounding in management disciplines and area of specialisation ensures that graduates can make an immediate and valuable contribution in their chosen careers. To apply for admission, you need only an undergraduate degree in ANY area, a year of your time and the passion to succeed. Applications close end October each year. For more information contact Nashly Langenhoven: Email Nashly.Langenhoven@uct.ac.za Tel 021 650-3777, or visit the School of Management Studies website:

www.commerce.uct.ac.za/managementstudies/pgdiplomas

25 September 2012

Shifts, tips and hours

Is your bank account always in the red? Perhaps you need a student job

Features

The Oppidan Press

Training camp for the new SRC

Hogsback was the location for bonds to be formed within the new SRC
By Jenna Lillie Politics In line with the changes made to the Student Representative Councils (SRC) constitution this year, the newly-elected SRC was sent to Hogsback during the September vacation to kick-start the first week of the new SRC shadow term. Early this year the 2011/2012 SRC raised concerns that the handover process each year failed to adequately prepare new councillors for their responsibilities. The former SRC body took to introducing a longer shadow period which has been aimed at rectifying this problem. Former SRC President Matthieu Maralack explained the mechanisms of the term as a relay race: the predecessor continues to run alongside their successor even once the baton has been passed on. Setting up camp at the infamous Away With The Fairies backpackers lodge, the aim of the training camp was to encourage team building and create a united organisation to work on behalf of the student body. Rhodes University has hosted SRC training weeks in previous years, but the 2012/13 SRC had been further developed. The departure from Rhodes campus allowed the team to work with each other every day without distractions. They cooked, ate and brainstormed together, said SRC liaison officer Eric Ofei. The extensive program involved team building exercises, vision discussions, plan implementation for 2013

TIPS

By Vanessa Louise Knight Business re those annoying five cent copper coins all you can ever find jingling around in your seemingly barren wallet? Believe it or not, you are not alone. Its unquestionably common that many Rhodes students are generally out of pocket money and are forever scrounging for those one or two rand silver coins. The cob-webbed pockets, negative bank balances and depressing cellphone banking alerts have forced a number of students into the part-time job market around Grahamstown. For some, the few extra rands go towards tuition fees and for others, its all about getting that one last drink at Friars on a pumping Friday night. Whatever the reason may be, student jobs are on the rise and are becoming increasingly popular. After the initial hustle and bustle of first year, many students return wiser about their monetary situations. Armed with better ideas on how to budget, they have clearer ideas on effectively spending and earning money. Second year is a sizable jump from first year and for a number of students securing a heightened sense of independence scores high on the lengthy list of priorities. The first step towards this is getting a job. How to get a job in Grahamstown With Grahamstown being a student town it gives way to numerous parttime or even full-time job opportunities for willing and eager students. There are over 20 different bars and restaurants situated around town that are sometimes looking to hire. For most students in the job market, hopping from door to door was how they

Dont accept a job that will run over your timetable or leave you feeling like a zombie the next day, regardless of what the pay might be
careful consideration before applying for or accepting any job. The chart below shows the shift hours, wages, tips and individual job satisfaction levels of working students across different establishments in Grahamstown. This will give you a good idea of the profile of the jobs at each place. Another important factor to keep in mind when job hunting is to remember that as a student, your course work must always take priority over your income, because after all we are here to get educated. Dont accept a job that will run over your timetable or leave you feeling like a zombie the next day, regardless of what the pay might be. It wont do you any favours in the long run. Kayla Lidstone, a Journalism student and bartender at Friar Tucks Pub and Grill (Friars) explains that the hardest part of her job is waking up for classes after a Wednesday nights work. She goes on to add that it is extremely difficult and that sometimes she only gets about two hours of sleep. Lidstone also admits that she often misses lectures and tutorials due to sleep deprivation. So if you are looking at getting a job all the factors need to be carefully considered first. Different jobs suit different people. Have a look at the chart to see where is best for you. For example, employees at Friars receive more tips and decent pay, but their hours are particularly hectic. The Rat and Parrot has better hours, but offers a lower wage. You need to find a balance that best suits your lifestyle. Good luck!

hunted for and found the jobs they have. Adrian Romeo from Revelations Caf suggests that putting in that extra 10% when job hunting often goes a long way. He suggests spending some one-on-one time with a manager as a great way to leave a longer-lasting impression than just your CV. What you need when applying for a job in Grahamstown For the most part, managers at the hostelries around Grahamstown are relatively lax on the presentation of formal documentation such as your CV and previous work references, but to avoid unnecessary disappointment and being turned away, bring along a copy of each. Students are often daunted by the fact that they may not have had any prior experience or training in a serving environment, and at times are completely put off by the prospect of this type of work - but dont stress. Managers generally understand if you are newbies with no experience. Ian Currie, owner and manager of New Street restaurant Ruanthai, says that getting a job at his restaurant involves a one-on-one interview and not much else, regardless of experience. With a chuckle, Currie adds that as long as he likes you, you might just get the job. Things to keep in mind when applying for a job Beggars cant be choosers. We often jump at the first opportunity given to us, but shift hours, wages, tips and general job satisfaction levels are all factors that need to be taken into

as well as lectures from key figures at the University. Spending a full week with each other allowed us to know one another on a personal and professional level, said Thabo Seshoka, the incoming community engagement councillor. Key speakers included the universitys registrar Dr Stephen Fourie, deputy vice-chancellor Dr Peter Clayton, and Allan Webb hall warden and senior lecturer John McNeill. They explained important concepts, ranging from a lecture on the history of Rhodes University, to an explanation of the protocols and procedures within the administrative system. In comparison to previous years, this camp has been the best, explained Ofei, They have had a start that no other SRC has had. Mathaabe Thabane, the newly elected SRC secretary general (a position that was added to the council this year), said that it was extremely informative... you thought you knew stuff; now we understand what is expected of us. Maralack was pleased with how the week was conducted and expressed surety in the incoming SRCs abilities. I am confident in them, they now have a strong footing, said Maralack.

They cooked, ate and brainstormed together

- SRC liaison officer Eric Ofei

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Features

The Oppidan Press 25 September 2012

When all you need is some Badi

2012/2013 SRC president is confident about the year ahead
By Lucy Holford-Walker Politics small town guy with big ambitions, newly elected 2013 Student Representative Council (SRC) president Sakhe Badi was officially inaugurated as president on 7 September at the first SRC inauguration ceremony in Rhodes history. Badi served this year as the SRCs academic councillor, which gave him an advantageous level of experience of the Universitys mechanisms. However, Badi is aware that there is much to be done, and that there is a need for a change in mindset on both the part of the SRC and the student body. With the enthusiasm he shows for Rhodes University and its students, one can believe that he may just achieve that on which he chooses to focus. Descending from the small village of Willowdale, about 80 kilometres out of Umtata, the Bachelor of Economics student believes that the SRC as a student governing body needs to look to developmental goals - one of which is relevance. He trusts that students need to be aware of what the SRC stands for, and know how each councillor is positioned to aid students and work for their benefit. I want to make a change, Badi said, in response to why he decided to run for president, and I could see areas where I could be a part of that change. Badi continued to say that he sees student governance as an area that needs adapting. We need to redefine the mandates of student governing structures and move into a modern context. Badi believes that in this way mistakes from the past will have less chance of reoccurring. In terms of where he sees the SRC moving towards in 2013, he was confident that the SRC training camp, held in Hogsback in early September, gave the council a solidified vision and allowed them to have gelled as a team. The purpose of the training camp was to prepare the SRC councillors for office by implementing team-building and forming a united front with which to better serve the student body. Badi believes this was achieved. We now have a vision and want to realign the local agenda of student governance to the provincial and national agenda - we need to look at our student body as one not in isolation, he said. When probed about the mishaps of the current SRC body, Badi acknowledged that there is more they could have achieved, but feels that they were hampered by time constraints. Badi congratulated the current SRC in their achievements, such as the initiation of an operational shuttle for students living on upper campus and the changes made to the general student governance constitution, but feels that there is room for more to be done. This is because he believes a legacy must be left. After all, the institution lives longer than you do, he said. To those that cavalierly state that the SRC has failed to perform as they should, Badi explained that all bodies or organisations have to continuously prove themselves and that their responsibility is never complete. It is our job to constantly prove that we are worthy representatives and live up to the mandate student governance should not only be the mandate of the SRC, but of all students, said Badi. He admits that the low levels of enthusiasm for voting were disappointing and encouraged students at Rhodes to be less apathetic and more politically conscious. Whilst only time will tell if Badi and his team will deliver on their promises of change and transformation at Rhodes, His level of enthusiasm is refreshing, especially in the wake of the recent struggle for quorum. Newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC) president Sakhe Badi aims to make a change during his term in office. Picture: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE

Student political societies absent from campus

By Stuart Thembisile Lewis Politics South Africas two largest student political organisations, the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation (DASO) and the African National Congress-affiliated, South African Students Congress (SASCO), are both registered with the universitys Societies Council. Despite this, there is little evidence around campus that suggests they are active. This is even despite outgoing Student Representative Council (SRC) societies councillor Mfundo Makanas acknowledgement that these groups are in fact active. DASO chairperson Luyanda Mfeka is the first to admit that a person would be forgiven for thinking otherwise: DASO hasnt been as effective in creating a real space for itself within the student body as we had initially envisioned. He blames issues internal to the Grahamstown student society, as well as the larger DA-wide debate on what their studentbranch should strive towards being (other than a mouthpiece for the party). Mfeka took over as chairperson at the beginning of the year when the previous representative opted to resign. DASO, he said, is a small society with only 68 members and their internal attempts to get members involved, primarily in the first semester, had been poorly attended. Its hard to run a society when theres hardly anyone to run it for, he says. Some DASO members complained that they had not received any e-mails from the society, which Mfeka attributed to an administrative error with the DASO mailing list. He said the society had made efforts to track down these e-mail addresses but received a very limited response. Mfeka also pointed to an e-mail that DASO had sent out just before this years June exams, a time when students are bustling in preparation for their final tests. Mfeka admits that the timing may have contributed toward the poor response they received. The e-mail contained notification of a society meeting and listed several items for discussion, including a community engagement project with a local pre-primary school, a planned public lecture and the opening of a DA Youth branch in Grahamstown. The e-mail also called for any candidates interested in contesting the SRC elections on behalf of DASO to put their names forward. Bulumko Dukada, chairperson of SASCO, acknowledged that allegations of sweeping statements about the ineffectiveness of SASCO from non-sympathisers of the movement had been made. He noted that they had had issues

DASO hasnt been as effective in creating a real space for itself within the student body as we had initially envisioned
- DASO chairperson, Luyanda Mfeka

with visibility on campus and not as many members had signed up as had been originally anticipated. Dukada stressed that SASCO was indeed highly involved on campus with open support for the annual Sexual Violence = Silence protest and Muslim Student Associations (MSA) Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW). Dukada also noted that they had organised several events that included representatives of the Makana Municipality in order to strengthen ties between the student populace and the rest of Grahamstown. Mfeka pointed out that the major purpose of political societies was to contest SRC elections but that even when they do succeed in doing so, they struggle to maintain control of those candidates such that we can say that that was DASO or that that was SASCO.

ADVERTORIAL:
PRESIDENT: Sakhe Badi

MEET YOUR

SRC 2013
TREASURER: Ntsikelelo Qoyo
My portfolio is the treasury, which ensures that the SRC spends its allocated budget well and keeps proper record of all its expenditures. During my term of office I want to improve communication between students and the SRC. I believe that the SRC ought to be transparent and students have a right to hold the SRC accountable to how they spend their budget.

My Name is Sakhusomeleze Badi. Im in my 3rd year as a Bachelor of Economics student. The portfolio that I was elected to serve in the year of 2011/2012 is that of an Academic Councillor, and I have been elected to serve as the SRC president for the year 2012/2013. I would like to acclaim SRC councils both past and present for their incomparable contribution to the institution and student governance as a whole, the solid foundation laid, not over an afternoon or a day but over years of selflessness. With new relations formed in 2010, the courageous conversations started in 2011 (Lets talk was the motto). With improved service delivery in 2012 through the reformation of student governing structures (U-Matter), it is crucial to understand where we come from so that we may know where we going. Thus in 2013 we are saying: its time to build on the foundations laid by being innovative, using a hands-on approach and by making student governance a mandate for all us. This is accompanied by a vision of realigning the local agenda with both the Provincial and National Agenda.

SECRETARY GENERAL: Mathaabe Thabane

My name is Mathaabe Thabane and as the newly elected and first ever Secretary General of the Rhodes University SRC, I hope to lay foundations of sound principle, organisation and excellent administration. My job is to see that the internal workings of the SRC are intact and that the objectives of the council are fully carried out. I am also mandated to be the spokesperson of the council and represent Rhodes on a provincial and national scale. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who voted and hope to effectively and efficiently serve you, the Student Body. Rhodents, I salute you.

ACTIVISM & TRANSFORMATION: Mbongeni Ngwenya

I am very excited about being the 2013 SRC Activism and Transformation Councillor! I have many ideas and plans on how we can get Rhodes students involved in social issues that directly and indirectly influence our lives. These issues are local, regional, national and international in their scope. I plan to work with student societies, hall representatives, hall and house senior students, oppidan and residence students, as well as with staff. The awareness that I aim to promote will lead to transformation for a home away from home and a home for all.

After a year serving the students as the SRC Media Councillor, I have realised and learnt many things about the SRC, the university and the students. This is in terms of institutional bureaucracy and building networking relationships from scratch across campus, Grahamstown, University Divisions and Academic Departments, respectively. My experience across this multilateral spectrum has opened my eyes to many issues that exist pre-conditionally for the University. However, many issues that I have noticed are easy to solve if the correct management of time and resources are utilised. Solving the issue is easy compared to being made aware of them. After running the SRC media portfolio, the SRC Media Team, Purple Thursdays as well as Intervarsity this year, on top of my third year academics, I have the experience and the practical mindset needed to make things happen. All I need is you, the student body, to make the effort on your own behalf. I beseech you to assist me in transforming a student vision, to have communication and improve on a relationship that is over a hundred years old between the student body and the SRC.

VICE-PRESIDENT: Bradley Bense

ACADEMIC COUNCILLOR: Victor Mafuku

I am final year LLB student who shall be pursuing a Masters Degree in Taxation next year. My duties will be to contribute towards an environment that is conducive to study here at Rhodes, to be involved in academic planning and represent students who face academic exclusion and the loss of their DP certificates.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Thabo Seshoka
I believe that each and every one of us has an impact, directly or indirectly, on someone elses life in a positive or negative way. As the Community Engagement Councillor I want to get people involved so that we can help the people of Grahamstown overcome the problems that they are currently faced with, such as poverty and illiteracy. This will only be possible if we build up and update on the current projects that are in place, so that we can see what is working or not. Only then will our impact be larger and felt. Dont tell me the skys the limit when there are footsteps on the moon - Farrah Gray.

COUNCILLOR:

ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCILLOR: Luke Cadden

My goals and responsibilities fall into both the internal and external spheres of university life. The internal progress and objectives remain unseen by the student body up until the progress report is made public. Externally, I promise to implement a steadfast and proficient recycling system across campus, promote a recycling culture and encourage environmental consciousness within the residence system. The issue of food wastage in the dining halls has been seriously noted. Together we will be assessing ways to either minimise or use this wastage in a way that is environmentally beneficial.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COUNCILLOR: Ndana Tendayi

My name is Ndanatseyi Ndana Tendayi and I am currently a second year, studying BCom Accounting. As the 2012/2013 International Affairs Councillor, I aim to transform the portfolio of International Affairs Councillor. In order to do so, I will try by all means to fulfil all the tasks that are set out for my portfolio within the SRC Constitution. I am hoping to work with everyone pretty well and have an awesome year.

MEDIA COUNCILLOR: Sarah Jones

My name is Sarah Jones and as Media Councillor for 2013, I have a vision to make information regarding activities happening within Rhodes more accessible to students. I want to utilise all communication channels efficiently, so that boundaries between students and the SRC become non- existent. Im a confident and capable individual ready for any challenge I may face. This year I started my journey at Rhodes and I am currently majoring in Law and Anthropology.

OPPIDAN COUNCILLOR: Sixolile Timothy

I am Sixolile Timothy, your Oppidan Councillor for 2013. I am currently doing my third year, majoring in Economics and Legal Theory. Im 100% Team Oppi and as your Oppidan Councillor, I would like to address safety and security concerns off campus through the relevant channels. I would also like to improve communication and accessibility between the SRC and the oppidan community. I also want to assist students on financial aid in relevant matters and be a vibrant voice for all oppidans.

PROJECTS MANAGER: Carey Frazer

I am a 2nd year Journalism student and as the new SRC Projects Manager, my responsibility is to organise projects and events on behalf of the SRC. These include co-ordinating the organisation of entertainment functions throughout the year, including O-week, and to actively seek sponsorship for the SRC, together with the Student Benefits Councillor. I aim to focus more on working together with international, community engagement and environmental councillors, to organise events within their specific portfolios and agendas so that greater awareness of their causes can be achieved.

RESIDENCE COUNCILLOR: Khanyisile Phiri

As a BCom in Accounting student, I enjoy facing new challenges on a day-to-day basis, as these keep me on my toes. I look forward to serving the Rhodes student constituency as their 2013 Residence Councillor, and in assisting them with any challenges and residence related issues that they may face. It will be a priority to ensure that students needs are met within their respective residences and to make sure that Rhodes residences are really a home away from home for all students.

SOCIETIES COUNCILLOR: Amanda Green

I am a Bachelor of Social Sciences student from Durban who is an aspiring organisational psychologist. The vision of the SRC speaks of being a body founded by students, for students. I believe that among many objectives it seeks to inform, listen, be compassionate to and benefit the student body as a whole. My aspiration as the Societies Councillor is that values such as these are carried out.

STUDENT BENEFITS COUNCILLOR: Naledi Pholo

My name is Naledi Pholo and I am a 3rd year Bachelor of Social Sciences student. My desires for the sake of the student body are driven by my passion and belief that students are stakeholders of the university. Additionally, their views, aspirations and needs are of equal importance to that of the workers, academics and of senior management. Through the philosophy of bringing a solidified solution to the fore, I aim to consolidate individual needs. In the interim I look forward to building strong relations.

The snowy escape

The Drakensberg offers affordable holidays for students keen to get away
By Jordan du Toit

s the most famous mountain range in South Africa, the Drakensberg is a haven for anyone eager to get away, and it can be done on a relatively low budget, too. Getting to the central Drakensberg involves a lengthy 12-hour trip from Grahamstown (only two and a half hours from Durban and roughly five from Johannesburg) but once youre there, you will quickly forget your aching lower back as you face the stupendous cliffs towering over the horizon. I was greeted by snow on the peaks when I arrived just after a nasty cold spell. The area surrounding the immense cliffs is a place that feels so much simpler and calmer to a girl used to city life. This could possibly be due to the fact that the cows outnumber the people two to one and rural landscape is all you have to feast your eyes on. Faced with the utter beauty of the natural world, you cannot help but feel that your problems are insignificant and surmountable. The area is littered with B&Bs, self-catering cottages and hotels, depending on your budget. Permanently hungry students can get great meals at reasonable prices. The Waffle Hut, on the way from Winterton towards the Berg, is a must. With pages of combos to suit every palate and the main prices ranging between R20-R55, it is always swarming with both tourists and locals. I sat in front of a table of Americans who were eagerly The snow-capped peaks of the Drakensberg and the abundant outdoor activities are a welcoming break. Picture: JORDAN DU TOIT

The area surrounding the immense cliffs is a place that feels so much simpler and calmer to a girl used to city life

taking family snaps and next to a group of youths who polished off more food than I thought possible. Attached to the Waffle Hut are the premises of the Kwa-Zulu Weavers & Candles. Im currently accumulating digs furnishings and I found carpets, metal work and dcor for a steal when compared to city prices. The Thokosiza Lifetsyle Centre also demands a visit. The restaurant has delectable meals which are admittedly a bit pricey. However, with such unusual flavours and combinations, the prices are forgivable. I had a trout salad that looked to be straight out of a top-tier restaurant. For those of us whose pallets are less refined and who would prefer a simpler meal, there is a deli at the centre where normal groceries can be bought. Hikes, fishing, horse trails and the famous canopy tour are some of the delights of the Berg. Even if you merely string up a hammock and stare at the mountains while attempting to read another English novel, you will come back feeling refreshed. The ancient majesty of the crags and peaks cannot help but awe and inspire you, particularly when they are dusted in snow and oh so bravely trying to rival the Alps.

A working vacation in South Korea

By Alexandra Maggs The Teach Korea Program is an exciting and easy gateway to a new culture and an invaluable experience, especially for students looking to travel abroad. The international agency places students qualified to teach English in the high-tech world of South Korea. The program has been operating since 2005 and takes pride in its placement of over 1200 students in various South Korean primary schools. Applicants must have obtained a Bachelors degree from a nationally accredited university, speak English fluently, and be highly motivated, willing to engage with learners and embrace the culture. The application process takes a bit of effort. Theres a lot of paperwork to do, and theyre a little finicky about making sure everything is just as it should be, said Christopher Kemp, who has recently spent twoyear teaching post at a public school in South Korea. Students are hired as guest English Teachers (GETs) on a 12-month renewable contract. South Korea is a desirable destination for students due to the high demand for English teachers, the low cost of living and the excellent pay. The program provides a fully furnished apartment, travel insurance and international health insurance. Apart from these basic perks, this is also an opportunity to experience different customs and immerse yourself in a new culture in a way that tourists simply visiting the country cannot. South Korea is a blend of high-tech culture and old tradition. It is a tourists mecca, having something of both the old and the new to interest the hungry traveller. Working as a teacher you get to experience more of the cultural flavour from a local perspective. The typical working day of an English teacher in Korea differs, depending on which school you are placed in. I know people who worked 22 hours a week, and I know people who worked as little as 5 hours per week, said Kemp. No matter what your working hours are, you will be expected to be at the school all day, he added. For Stephen Smith, another recent participant in the program, the most difficult part of working at a Korean school was the disinterest in English shown by the students. I would walk into the classroom and most of the kids couldnt care less about English. Some were half asleep, he said. Kemp echoed these sentiments. [The] kids can be boisterous and naughty. Dont expect angelic schoolchildren, he said. At times the difference in culture can be a major adjustment. This is probably the hardest part of living in Korea. The fact is that the English level in Korea is mostly very poor people will generally find it very difficult to understand you, said Kemp. Experiencing new cultures is great, but just be aware that it can also be very challenging at times as well, he added. Some of Kemps strangest experiences usually involved Korean cuisine such as dog, octopus and silkworms. I think the first few months are hard, but once you get into the swing of things it will be one of the greatest experiences of your life, said Smith. Kemps advice to prospective applicants is to seriously consider whether the program is definitely for you. You need to be aware that it is challenging, and it will be tough at times, he said. Overall it was good. There are bad days, but it really is an adventure and an opportunity to go to places you wouldnt be able to otherwise. Smith agreed and had high praise for the experience and the program. It was awesome and a great way to see the world while working. For more information visit the Teach Korea website at www.teachkorea.co.za or pick up a brochure at the career centre. TOP: The class of Rhodes graduate Roxanne Henderson, who is currently a guest English teacher at Silnae Elementary School in Korea. BOTTOM: A letter and drawing sent to Liane Le Roux in the Think Korea programme, from one of her students. PICTURES: ROXANNE HENDERSON

send an email to travel@oppidanpress.com if youd like to tell us about your travel experiences

Route 62: LARPing all the way home

By Kyla Hazell

s the final pressured days of term drag by, the thought of a trip home by car or bus fills many students leaving Grahamstown with dread. What many students may not realise is that the long road home has the potential to be more than simply reoccurring fields and the odd passing cow. In fact you might find, as I did, that where the N2 crosses Memory Lane, standard childhood games can in fact reignite the imagination and remind us of what it is to play. As the subject of many American movies and Red Hot Chili Pepper anthems, the classic road trip is much lauded as one of the quintessential university experiences. Beer pong and burgers notwithstanding, there does seem to be something in the moment of tar passing under tires around a carefully engineered curve that lends to perspective. Yet the question still remains, how do you pass the time between these glorious turns? This was a question a group of us came to ponder on a recent trip to Cape Town. Having chosen our road (Route 62 through the heart of the Karoo) and assembled our allies, we Glad-wrapped the sandwiches, plugged in the iPod and were finally in transit but at a loss as how to occupy ourselves.

Traffic laws and road blocks seemed to rule out our first few ideas, inspired as they were by the on-screen shenanigans witnessed in our preteen years. Already hoarse from singing Hansen and having thoroughly exhausted the bank of road trip conversation topics, we cast our minds back to childhood in the hopes that some or other gone-by games would capture our collective imagination. I Spy, unsurprisingly, failed to do so. Twentyone questions proved similarly uninspiring. We then decided to try a new game: My Team. It was here that our mental adventure began. My Team is a common car game which, depending on your company and particular inclination, can prove, for the truly bored consciousness, either vaguely entertaining or fundamentally mind-numbingly dull. What it involves is the choosing of players for your own team. Anything seen in the course of the trip may be claimed. The point of this game is often unclear, ranging from gathering the most practical set of resources for the building of a civilisation, to the assembling of a team revered by all as simply (and nebulously) epic. We chose war. As the first few hours of the drive sped past, we cunningly amassed our troops. Fields and flocks were kept in store, bridges seized and factories occupied. Soldiers were enlisted

from among the scary-looking. Misty gorges were snatched up and decoy cows deployed. The wolf sanctuary was argued over and won. A sunny hill. A pristine beach. The world of birds. One by one, the things that crossed our path were drafted and, as the commanders explained their choices, it became clear we were engaged in a far more complex operation than had initially been thought. What had started as a mindless pass-time somehow became World of Warcraft meets Humans versus Zombies. We had unintentionally begun a live action role playing game, or LARP. Yes folks, we were LARPing. Basically the adult form of make-believe, LARPing involves playing a game according to certain invented rules in an imaginary or created world. Our rules were simple and our world was South Africa at war in a science fiction story. Politics students at heart, we decided our armies would need to be backed by parties and that these parties ought to make clear their respective manifestos. Any acts of war contradicting their stated ideologies would result in a loss of party support and the forfeiture of their next move. We also decided that the war of the newSouth African future would need to be environmentally responsible and that any acts, such as the burning of forests, which would damage

the natural world would also cost the player a turn. I situate my troops within my forest fort and station my cows in the field outside. I send my snipers to shoot your cows and take your troops. I reveal that the stationed beasts were in fact my decoy cows and, as your bullets betray your position, deploy my hidden troops to take your snipers hostage. And thus the game progressed. Perhaps mercifully, Cape Town was upon us before victory was claimed. But we maintain that one day the war will be won, and as we stand in the ruins of our once beautiful country, we will be captured by a gentle song; a soft humming is on the wind. We will look to see the victor, broom in hand, beginning to clear the wreckage alone. Slowly, our armies join in. The battle has passed and differences are set aside. The four commanders, on a sunny hill above a misty gorge astride four giant wolves, observe as their forces unite to rebuild the nation while birds of paradise spin through the sky and the sound of Hansens Mm-bop sung in unison swells to meet their ears. So what if we got a bit carried away? Its a pretty long drive. Picture: JORDAN DU TOIT

Gamtoos: nature's nook

By Ashleigh Brown Most people know about the hustle and bustle of Jeffreys Bay. But away from the noise is a small settlement (because it can hardly be called a town) of which many people remain unaware. Situated right on the river mouth you will find Gamtoos. Gamtoos is a small, scattered place along the river bank, close to the Gamtoos river mouth. It has the sea roaring just over the sand dunes, and the calm water of the river lapping at its feet. Quite a number of wooden clad beach houses can now be found in and among the bushes. Further down the river is The Ferry Hotel. This old-style boat house offers vacationers a nice quiet place to stay away from the cramped and noisy Jeffreys Bay. There are plenty of water activities on offer, from canoeing, to fishing and jumping off the bridges. A gentle boat cruise slowly sailing down the river is a relaxing way to spend your afternoon with friends. Cast a line and wait for dinner to catch, while you float away with the current. Or perhaps get some wood and meat and lightup a braai along the riverbank, watching the sun burn up the dunes as it slowly fades away. If you would rather have you feet on solid ground, then there are hiking trails and whale watching spots just for you. The bush behind the river offers numerous trails which are clearly marked out for new visitors to the area. The Gamtoos Home Owners Association has maps of the various trials and peaks in the area, which rank from beginner and up. These can normally be found at the estate agents offices just as you get into Gamtoos. There is also game in the bushes, darting around, to keep your eyes open for. For the more adventurous among us, there are opportunities to go sand boarding down the many dunes lining the coast. The Ferry Hotel has sand boarding packages on offer. If you are looking for a more rustic experience, there are camping grounds right on the river banks, which are a 10 minute walk from the lapping ocean shore. Just bring a tent, some friends and youre set. There are bathrooms and braaing facilities, as well as a small cafe with all the basics (at a slightly more expensive price). Gamtoos is a silent paradise where water meets bush and time seems to tick by slowly. It is more of a place for the nature-loving, peace-seeking soul. It is a place to kick back with a beer and watch the sun set over the horizon as the stars take hold of the night.

Gamtoos, otherwise known as Baviaanskloof, is the perfect spot for lovers of both bushveld getaways and seaside tranquillity. Picture: SOURCED FROM WWW.MONKEYLAND.CO.ZA

Opinion

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The Oppidan Press 25 September 2012

Last week the Unemployed Peoples Movement invited Grahamstown to march from the Drotsdy Arch to St. Philips Anglican Church in Fingo Village to commemorate the life of Bantu Stephen Biko, a figure in whose biographies Rhodes University should feature prominently. The march was the same that Biko and his comrades had undertaken in 1968, when a National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) conference was held in Grahamstown, which would later be his place of arrest at a roadblock just outside the settler town. NUSAS (representative of the countrys university student population) was undergoing an interesting period in its existence. The organisation was facing concentrated challenges within its black membership against issues of representation. The fiery debate focused on the question of how appropriately the predominantly white student leadership could embody black student issues. The debate waged from two aggressive sides: one calling for black students to rise up and take control of their own representation, the other fearing that these ideals replicated the racist ideology of the apartheid state. Rhodes University policy promoted segregation in the universitys dining halls and residences. When Biko and other black students arrived in Grahamstown they were told that accommodation had been prepared for them in Fingo Village, separate from campus and on the other side of Grahamstown. The blatant racist bigotry of the apartheid-era university administration drove Biko to begin the South African Student Organisation (SASO), a focal point for the beginnings and success of the Black Consciousness Movement. The birth of SASOs incarnate, the South African Students Congress (SASCO), came in 1991, twenty-four years after the original was banned following the events of the Soweto Uprising the previous year. A wing of the organisation is currently registered as an active society under the Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC). The UPM march has brought the prominence of Rhodes Universitys role in the history of South African political activism to the fore. The controversy in the final weeks of this years internal SRC electoral process managed to ignite the student body, placing pressure on previous claims of student apathy. However, while the university may have weathered the political storm in having reached quorum in the second round of the elections, the debate surrounding political apathy needs to continue. While the current Rhodes political groups may be registered as active, their presence this year and in previous years, has been disappointing. The universitys student body may finally be grappling with internal Rhodes politics, but the conversation must now expand its critique to answer the following question: why do our campus political groups struggle to find support in the very birthplace of such a fundamental political movement in the fight against apartheid.

T
Illustration: AMY SLATEM

Whats wrong with Mandela Day?

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details

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

he Rhodes Debating society hosted our annual public debate last week. Zubeida Jaffer presented her paper, The Problem with Mandela Day, with Journalism and Media Studies professor Anthea Garman as her discussant. Both speakers were introduced and invited by chairperson Nosipho Mngomezulu to share their perspectives on issues surrounding Mandela Day. The debate was then opened to the floor and members of the audience could challenge, agree with, or question what they had heard. I had already engineered the type of analysis that I thought both Jaffer and Garman would gauge with in the subsequent debate. I expected to hear some controversial analysis about why Mandela Day is an inherently flawed concept. I expected them to question whether our current philanthropic approach to Mandela Day is disingenuous or not. Considering that we are only asked to pledge 67 minutes of our time once a year, I was expecting them to explore this once-off approach to charity. I was interested to find out whether the speakers thought that charity is necessarily a good thing in a country such as South Africa, where the culture of entitlement is increasingly pervasive and finds the number of people who simply expect to be given disproportionate to those who take initiative.

I expected this discussion to have some snap, crackle and pop. However Jaffers anecdotal style moved us in a different direction. The audience was encouraged to be more reflective about our role as students and young people in Grahamstown and in the country. Jaffer raised questions and ideas around Mandela Day that were possibly more important and more provocative than my initial expectations. She argued that our generation has inherited a vibrant legacy of doers, where the likes of Steve Biko and Pixley ka Isaka Seme did not confine themselves to their own problems; they saw their challenges as being a means with which to instil confidence and pride in the student community that in turn would inspire the healing of an entire nation, she said. However, somehow we have dropped the baton in this country. Throughout Jaffer and Garmans address I questioned what about our era draws parallels to the previous generation of doers and whether our struggles could be considered similar. Considering the fact that we live in a place like Grahamstown where inequality mocks us every day in the simple walk from campus to the middle of town, I quickly realised that there are still overwhelming challenges in our generation that we need to engage with. Perhaps Mandela Day forces our

generation to look inward and question why we are only proactive for a mere 67 minutes a year. Garman argued that after apartheid we seemed to occupy this strange psychological space where we halted dialogue with those in power in order to make meaningful decisions about what we wanted our country to be. It seemed that we conceded our power as young people to transform our societies and our livelihoods to a government that often fails us. Weve stopped being proactive as young people. What have we done and where were our voices as a student body during recent events? When Mgcineni Noki from the Eastern Cape, the man with the green blanket at Marikana, voiced his concerns for his community against London Mining, what did we say when he was shot and killed by police? Surely part of the purpose of Mandela Day is to continue to engage with and talk about the problems that face our newly inherited country beyond the 67 minutes were asked to dedicate on 18 July? Jaffer and Garman made compelling arguments about the necessity of saying and doing more than just the 67 minutes asked of us. Although the dialogue was not the harsh critique I expected it was an important discussion. Fezokuhle Mthonti is the Media Relations Officer for Rhodes Debating.

tweets from the week @oppidanpress

Jordan du Toit (@JordErin) 13 September Copy of @oppidanpress being passed around my hair salon in Benoni- and the praise is glowing! Black spot (@MrPhamodi) 7 September Coz everybody needs some-Badi! RT @thembi_lewis: RT @oppidanpress: The 2012/2013 @RhodesSRC president is Sakhe Badi Jordan du Toit (@JordErin) 7 September Singer from Rhodes Melodies reaching a pitch that the bartender is eyeing his wine glasses with fear #SRCinauguration @oppidanpress Babalwa Nyembezi @BabS_Nyembezi 6 September The @oppidanpress reports that 2137 votes were cast, 2046 votes were needed to reach quorum. Okay. Well done Rhodents! Keitumetse KekanaTM @iam_shakes 6 September Being a "Journalist University", I believe @oppidanpress and Rhodes University should dedicate a day for the journalist killed in Syria

Arts & Entertainment

We heard a Zoo
Tailor opens for Z&G with first single Wolf
By Jessica van Tonder hursday night saw Zebra & Giraffe play an intimate, dark and dramatic show with opening act Tailor starting the evening off. Accompanying Zebra & Giraffe on their tour, this band has proved to be a sound to look out for and one that the crowd loved. The fact that Tailors debut album The Dark Horse was written within a day is just one of the remarkable facts about the band. Steaming talent from Cape Town, the band presents a new, dark pop that without a doubt complements the feelings of Zebra & Giraffes, The Wisest Ones tour. As Tailor, it was my first time solo in a proper studio with a producer, recalls the singer, I took what I thought were my twelve best songs, written over a few years. Just as we finished laying down the last one, I began playing about on my guitar and singing lyrics that seemed to sail in to my head. I didnt even realise I had written a song until the producer asked me to play it again because he The commencement of the Live Music Societys (LMS) annual Battle of the Bands, which started on 22 September, has local bands vying for the title of Grahamstowns best. It is always an event well attended by LMS members and local music enthusiasts alike. The competition presents a unique opportunity to reveal the underground sounds of Grahamstown with which few people are familiar. As such it promises to be a stellar showcasing of local talent. The competition kicks off at the Union building. The first band to perform is Shackles and Bones, who describe themselves as, a four-piece rock band that meets you at the bar, chats you up, and then punches you in the face. Heat Niner, along with grunge/alternative rock band Counting Backwards, are the two other competitors who will take the stage during the first round of the competition. The second round of Battle of the Bands is due to take place on 29 September, with a performance by the

25 September 2012

The Oppidan Press

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Grahamstown bands fight for gold

Its time for Battle of the Bands
By Dirk Steynberg

Up and coming band, Tailor, opens for Zebra and Giraffe at the Union on Thursday 20 September. Picture: JESSICA VON TONDER hadnt hit record. The bewitching song Wolf , is Tailors first single from The Dark Horse. But it wasnt a once-off. One by one, new tracks just flowed out of me, says Tailor. No one could believe I hadnt prepared them. It was a bizarre, spiritual experience. I felt as though I had floated out of my body and was watching someone else. I learnt a lot about myself that day. I discovered a side to me I didnt know was there. The songs deal with personal issues on which she would not elaborate and childhood memories she tried to forget, but forced herself to face. Although it was a quiet show in Grahamstown, the fans that attended got to experience a dark side to pop, a show that was intimate and engaging. Zebra & Giraffe commented on their new album. It's definitely a little darker than our previous stuff, but still accessible. I think it was just the natural sound that we were hearing in our heads, and it was the music that we wanted to play, said Alan Shenton, the bands guitarist. They are planning to tour through South Africa for the rest of the year and then head to Europe for 2013. Although the Union performance was their best attended show for the launch of the album The Inside, front man Greg Carlin took the crowd for what it was and joked saying, Did you all forget to tell your friends we were playing? There was no disappointment for the fans that found themselves in this small, intimate show.

Were a fourpiece rock band that meets you at the bar, chats you up, and then punches you in the face
- Shackles and Bones

Devil Sent Me Back, a five-piece metal core band. They will be joined by the Gentlemen Callers as well as Fletcher's Memorial. The final round is due to take place on 13 October. The night will see the surviving bands battling it out for the prestigious title of winner. Despite the predominance of what many would categorise as heavy or alternative music, Rhodes students are eagerly anticipating watching their favourite bands shred away on stage.

Arts & Entertainment

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The Oppidan Press 25 September 2012

RU choir tours Cape

By Vimbai Midzi

The Rhodes University Chamber Choir performed at St Andrews Church in Newlands, Cape Town, conducted by Peter Breetzke on 14 September. PICTURE: RICHARD GRANT

he Rhodes University Chamber Choir sang their way into the hearts of their audiences during their most recent musical excursion. The choirs annual tour, which took place during the September vacation, began at the Dutch Reformed Mother Church in George, where they collaborated with the George Male Voice Choir, the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Saasveld Campus Choir and the University of Cape Town Choir. Well known for their rendition of Umshini wami, the choirs preparation for the tour began months in advance, with their performing twice at Haricots Deli and Bistro as a fundraising measure. The choir boasts a rich sound, with each voice complimenting and contributing to its overall uniqueness. This is a breath of fresh air and a change from the all too familiar gyrating music of club mixes and dubstep. Under the gifted and experienced instruction of conductor Peter Breetzke, the tour proved to be a success and received favourable reviews from its audiences. Singing at an impressive total of 15 venues including a number of high schools and churches, the choir dazzled in Cape Town, uniting with the UCT choir for their last recital. The recitals were such a joy to attend and the range of music, pieces, precision, clarity and obvious pleasure with which the various songs were delivered, was a delight, said Mervyn Wetmore, a representative from the Holy Trinity Church in Kalk Bay. Having begun in 1953, the Rhodes

Choir is full of amazing people - were all so different, but we love music and weve become a family now
- Cathryn Moodley, first-year Soprano

Chamber Choir was one of the first university choral groups in the country, and thrives on a spirit of diversity combining the musical talents of members from different and almost opposing faculties at Rhodes. Cathryn Moodley, a soprano in the choir said, Choir is full of amazing people - were all so different, but we love music and weve become a family now. Joining at the beginning of the year, Moodley said that the choir had exceeded any expectations she might have had, and that she enjoyed the wide range of songs they sing.

Their final performance, Champs-lyses, will be on 4 October and will contribute to supporting Ikhaya Lethu, a local orphanage in Grahamstown, as well as their tour to France in 2013, which will be the first time the choir has performed overseas since 1960.

we recommend
DJ Von Dirty
Luniko Futshane, better know as DJ Von Dirty, is a local DJ whose sets are a fusion of dubstep, electro and house music. Well-known in the student community, his reputation as a diverse and skilled DJ precedes him as a regular at local nightlife spots. Aside from playing at private events, the bulk of his time is spent spinning at Prime, Olde 65 and at the House of Pirates. Rhodents, although prone to clubbing in any case, have praised Von Dirtys mixes and are assured of a night well spent when hes on the decks. I love the way he mixes his music. Hell use songs that you would never really think go together and it really just works, said student Amanda Mabela. In addition to his mixing skills, Von Dirty hosts two music shows on Rhodes Music Radio (RMR), which air on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 6 to 9 pm. Branching out from only mixing other peoples music, he has recently created a mixtape called The Von Dirty Project. His experiences at both RMR and in Grahamstown clubs have given him an edge in his music and have helped him develop a unique and recognisable style that he has grown into. When asked about his lifes three essential components, he responded, Music. Times three. By Zanele Mukhari By Tee Mesani

Show me your roots

DJ Bleqdip
Bulelani Mkula first fell in love with house music on hearing War, an Oskido track on the album Church Grooves. Having tried his hand at spinning when he was in grade 12, Mkula only took a serious interest in DJing during his first year at Rhodes University. He quickly landed himself a gig at RMR and he adopted the name Bleqdip, which was inspired by his love for deep house. Bleqdip, along with Rungano Zendera (also known as DJ RS), are the co-founders of RMRs Monday 6pm show Battle of the Sexes where the DJs discuss the Grahamstown nightlife. Bleqdip now hosts RMRs Wednesday show Mix Lab 4 Beats. Bleqdip and other local DJs RS, Willy D and Fabiano host two parties, Drug House and Night Grooves, which happen only twice a year, with invites given to a selected few. Bleqdip also plays house regularly at Prime, Olde 65 and the House of Pirates. Bleqdips series of mixes entitled Sweet Sounds Cafe and are available on SoundCloud for listeners to download. When asked what his next project will be, he casually responded, I dont know hey, I just DJ because of my love for house music.

Samukelisiwe Mnculwane at the Show Me Your Roots Festival on saturday 22 September, organised by The Zulu Society in collaboration with the Dean of Students Office and International Office, to celebrate Heritage Day and also to acknowledge and showcase Rhodes Universitys diversity. Student cultural societies were invited to the event. Cultural groups from the greater Grahamstown community were also present. Picture: KEITUMETSE SHAKES KEKANA

25 September 2012

Sports

The Oppidan Press

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Picture: HOLLY SNELL

Women outshine men at Boat Race

By Andrew Tombs he womens A and B teams gave an impressive performance at the annual Mutual and Federal Boat Race, which took place in Port Alfred between 13 and 15 September, setting a precedent in team performances. This year marks the 32nd Boat Race. Nine South African universities participated. The weather over the three days was not ideal, as rowers experienced strong winds and choppy waters. Nevertheless this did not diminish the high spirits at the event and the competition ran as planned. The days accolades for Rhodes University were counted in two bronze medals, one silver, one Mutual and Federal hamper, and one Mutual and Federal trophy. The womens A crew came in second place, happily clutching their silver medals. They also won the Mutual and Federal trophy for the most improved womens crew, indicating that womens rowing at Rhodes is headed in the right direction. This was further proved when the womens B crew came first overall, claiming the gold medal in their category. Both womens crews were highly satisfied with their results. The mens A crew came fifth, which was their lowest placing since 2008. Kaira Bray, the coxswain for the mens A crew, stated that this result has inspired the team to work aggressively towards the goal of first place next year, for which they have already started preparing. The mens B crew came fourth, which was a disappointing result, seeing as they had won in the previous two years. The mens crews did, however, win the Mutual and Federal hamper for best hair. The womens B crew win came around due to the crews being very close, especially in the weeks of training they undertook, said coxswain Nicole Wilmot. The most difficult part of the race was lining up as the wind was blowing us around, she noted. The University of Pretorias B crew was even blown onto rocks as a result of the weather. Wilmot hopes the crew will keep high levels of preparation and determination for future events. Rower in the mens A crew Sam Vosper expressed similar sentiments about the effect of the wind on the races. The conditions were extremely challenging, with strong winds and opposing currents kicking up quite a lot of swell. Vosper stated that crews pushed themselves all out for the 20 minutes that it took to cover the 6.2 kilometre stretch. The Rhodes sides faced crews with some members having had a significant amount of

international experience. A number of competitors were Olympians, some of which had left London with gold medals. Others had participated, and in some cases won medals, at the Student and U/23 World Championships. Vosper said that the Rhodes University crews underwent an intensive training program in preparation for Boat Race. He explained that this training consisted of vast amounts of mileage being done on water and land, with ergometers, bicycling and running, as well as time in the gym. Crews had been training for the races since May, twice a day for sessions ranging from 45 minutes to two and a half hours. He also mentioned a three-week training camp that all crews did. Winners: Mens A University of Pretoria. Mens B University of Cape Town. Womens A University of Pretoria. Womens B Rhodes University

Successful season bodes well for 2013 Futsal finally takes off
By Zintle Ngubeni By Denzil de Klerk Though the year has yet to draw to a close, it could be said that 2012 was a good one for Rhodes sport. The football season in particular proved an interesting revelation. Rhodes Internal League Soccer (RILS) concluded at the end of third term and, in true sporting style, provided it all. From the dizzying heights of its thrilling conclusion to the dreary weather, prompting a number of cancelled matches, talking points were ever-present. The Phoenix Knights and Titans remained level on points, with Titans having a superior goal difference when the final day of action descended upon us. League organiser Andrew Lowndes describes it as the match of the season. His was a role of constant action behind the scenes as communication channels were maintained. Phoenix Knights won 2-1 in a game that was frenetic and very tight, added Lowndes, It clearly illustrated the passion of our league. That match was the climax in the new format of the league, which separated Premier League teams from those listed in the Championship division. Lowndes reflected that the changed setup ensured that the standard of play [was] consistent. The end-of-season Premier League table saw the Phoenix Knights and Titans dominate the results with eight and seven wins respectively. The second season of the Rhodes Internal League Futsal is proving to be a highlight among football enthusiasts, despite the previous attempt to establish the League having been unsuccessful earlier in the year. Futsal, a game not known by many, is five-a-side indoor soccer, with several other alterations to the normal soccer rules. For example, goalkeepers can pick up back passes, there are no throw-ins but kick-ins instead, matches are significantly shorter, and the goals and playing area are a lot smaller. The end product is a fast-paced, highly intensive, non-stop football game. The failure of the first season was due to several factors, including the league being run at the same time as the Internal League Soccer, and matches being on Friday nights a time in which most people would prefer to be enjoying a night out. This resulted in many teams not pitching on match days, and subsequently leaving committed teams frustrated several weeks in a row. This time around certain changes were made by league coordinator Andrew Lowndes. These have succeeded in making the futsal league more reliable and better attended. It needed more attention from me. I focused on soccer more. Now I am fully focused on season two, he said. Lowndes also attributed the success of the second season to referees now being more used to the game, their playing one longer match on a night instead of two shorter ones as well as a significantly higher number of teams signed up. This season has 18 mens and four womens teams in the league. Lowndes explained that he really pushed to get more women teams involved in the league. We only have four teams this season, but those four teams are really committed, he said. It is brand new to Rhodes Sport, so it will take time to establish a culture of social futsal soccer for women, but nonetheless, I am very happy with the current situation. According to the log status last week, Black Leaf United was on top of the mens league, with The Honds in a close second. The women leaders were SD, followed by Royal Strikers. Matches take place every night of the week, with Tuesdays and Thursdays devoted to a knock-out competition and the other days to the league. The venue is at the mini AstroTurf, adjacent to the hockey AstroTurf.

The Rhodes Staff team dominated during the Internal Soccer League Cup Final, which took place on Thursday 23 August. They beat the Phoenix Knights 2-1, marking the first time Rhodes Staff won the cup. Picture: JOSHUA OATES The bottom of the log indicated MSA and Skova FC as this years struggling teams, with only one win between them. A total of eight games were played in this division. The Championship, meanwhile, was a lot tighter at the top as only a point separated the teams at the summit. The bragging rights in that case went to Rhodes Staff with a tally of 22 points from their nine games. In second place was Micah 6:8 who were just one point adrift. Bottom-placed Cosmos notched up four points from their matches, having drawn as many games. Progress was also made as far as spectator presence is concerned, with many teams enjoying decent support. I would never have missed a single match this time around, reflected Bernard Erasmus, who has followed the league since his first year in 2010. Though not a player himself, he boasts a unique distinction of having initially backed the two teams which emerged victorious in both divisions. The 2013 version of the RILS is well set to grow from the strengths of this years campaign, with plenty positives noted by the organisers. Its now all systems go for the rest of the Rhodes sporting calendar.

It is brand new to Rhodes Sport, so it will take time to establish a culture of social futsal soccer for women
- Andrew Lowndes, League co-ordinator

Winners of Best Hair

Political groups invisible Battle of the bands

see page 8 see page 13

Sports

see page 12

Clash of the titans in rugby semi-finals

By Mvuzo Ponono he semi-finals of the Rhodes Rugby Internal League were testament to the sublime form shown by two teams that have dominated throughout the season. The results were in favour of the favourites. Dream Team beat Founders 17-5 and the hardplaying Heathens ground out a victory against a resurgent Hill. The Dream Team kicked off proceedings with a sparse crowd in attendance. It was a pity that too few eyeballs witnessed the quick exchange of tries in the first 10 minutes, which established an early score of 5-5. It has to be stated that Dream Team carried themselves in the game like champions. In a tense match, Dream Team did the small things right. They scrummed well, mauled, drove and controlled possession and therefore the match. The defining moment in the game came just before the stroke of halftime when Dream Team barged through Founders defence. They made it look easy, too. Like a patient war machine, they gained hard fought territory through a number of phases until they were in sight of the Hill headquarters. A breach of the last line of defence left the score at 12-5. Founders tried their best to get back into the game and fight themselves out of a corner, but when you are not quite a championship team, it tends to show. Needing a converted try to even the match out, the Founders outside centre intercepted a Dream Team pass, finding himself able, had he possessed the natural speed, to run about 60 meters to score a try. This was not the case, as he was stopped five metres from the try-line. Dream Team quelled that rebellion and any hope of a comeback died alongside it. The second game started off at a cracking pace. Both teams tried asserting their dominance, like two boxers who come out firing in order to subdue the opposition. The clash of heads continued throughout the game. Heathens were the first to draw blood, converting a penalty. Hill levelled the scores a few minutes later. A match not high on points must be taken as a credit to the standard of the league that showcased two exceptionally prepared teams with little between them. As in the first match, quality rose to the top. Although both teams were giving as much as they were getting, it was slowly coming to light that Hill was struggling. Heathens were hurting the opposition with more telling blows. It was a matter of time before the knockout punch was landed. It came just before the end of the game, when Hill forwards marched over the line for the only score of the game. What can we expect in the final? Heathens have been the most consistent team in the league, despite losing to Dream Team earlier in the season. Heathens have been able to force their hand by dominating the big collisions upfront. They have an impeccable forward unit. Their backline though, possesses the game-changing half back combination of Ryan Dewey and Mathew King. With both players easily slotting into scrum-half and fly-half and offering different skills in the position, the Heathens can turn a game upside down at will. Looking at the opposition, what makes the final a humdinger of a game is the fact that Dream Team is a well-rounded side. Andrew Smith is the epitome of the forward muscle they have. The two packs of forwards will be locked in a titanic battle and both have the ability to dominate. In the backline, Dream Team possesses the likes of Jimmy Hitchcock and Graeme Elamo, Rhodes first team players who can bring the X -factor when required. The final should be one of the most exciting in the Internal Leagues history. Attempting to predict the outcome is a certain risk, but if this pundit can call it, Heathens are already strutting around in championship attire. Hill and Dream Team engage in a scrum in the second half of the semi-finals last Friday, Hill ending the game on top, resulting in a final clash between Hill and the Heathens, taking place this Friday 28 September. Picture: MADIEN VAN DER MERWE

Current RRIL standings

1 Heathens 2 Dream Team 3 Founders 4 Hill 5 Troopers 6 Wolves