2008 - Edition 1

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fter only a few weeks in office, the SRC is up for another major re-shuffle as a result of last week’s sudden resignations. The SRC President, Ricardo Pillay and his VicePresident, Bianca-Maree Sampson have resigned, citing academic and personal pressures respectively for their departures. Pillay’s successor, Xolani Nyali felt that it was “unfortunate at any point to lose people of such a calibre as Ricci and Bianca”. However, he assured the student body that the foundation for the year has been laid and “it is just a matter of taking the bait and running with it”. SRC Media Councillor, Hanna Barry, said that the team building and planning for the year had already taken place and that this vision now just has to be implemented. According to Barry, the resignations were “completely unexpected”, as both Pillay and Sampson showed no signs of any problems. Barry said that Pillay “had no other option” but to resign in order to avoid exclusion from the university as he has been placed on academic probation. “As a second year student, I found it in-

credibly difficult to manage the academic demands and to efficiently carry out my SRC duties. This has taught me to focus my energy on initially shaping my degree and, once matured, take on the challenges of student governance,” Pillay said. Barry said that Pillay hoped to show the student body the consequences of not striking a balance in life. Sampson informed The Oppidan Press that the reasons for her resignation will remain personal and unfortunately she could not be reached for further comment. Dean of Students, Prof Vivian de Klerk was grateful for all the commitment and contributions made by Pillay in his role as SRC President. She also said that she was “confident that the SRC will be in capable hands under the Presidency of Xolani Nyali”. Many other South African universities offer members of the SRC both financial and academic incentives. For example, the University of Johannesburg offers the SRC Presidency a full year sabbatical. “This would lessen the pressure of academic demands,” said Pillay. In contrast, Rhodes offers an incentive in the form of a tuition rebate, which differs for each position within the SRC (50 percent of a BA Fee for the President).

Pillay said that he “would highly encourage the university to look at a yearly sabbatical for the SRC Presidency in order to ensure that one’s duties are carried out efficiently”. Despite the pressure that his involvement in the SRC has placed on his academic commitments, Pillay said that the SRC has been worth every minute of his time. “Being able to influence institutional culture, deliver students services

The recent rape of a male Rhodes student has shown the community that rape knows no creed, colour or gender. The number of reported rapes in Grahamstown seems to be on the increase, although Dr Charles Young, Head of the Counselling Centre, maintains that many cases still remain unreported. According to the Counselling Centre, 3 percent of all counselling sessions in the first half of 2007 delt with rape survivors. This was higher than sessions concerning substance abuse and eating disorders. Dr Young said that the Counselling Centre is “good, but sadly very experienced in dealing with rape victims”. He added that seeking support was advisable as “rape is characterised by multiple traumas. If left unreported, these effects could be catastrophic”. According to the Dean of Students, Dr Vivian de Klerk, the most recent rape took place in the early hours of Sunday

morning (3 Feb), after the student left a local pub in New Street accompanied by men he had met during the course of the evening. He was sexually assaulted on African Street, on his way back to residence. Captain Phindile Koko, Commander of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, said that the case is still under investigation with “some issues that still need to be clarified”. When approached by The Oppidan Press, several students expressed their alarm at the incident; “I was shocked because it seems so far removed from the norm, it’s not something we’ve had to deal with before,” said Tyron Louw. Another student, Mvuselelo Gcaba, felt scared: “it makes me wonder how safe Rhodes really is”. Third year Emma Herbert was also unsettled by the incident and felt that it brought such issues closer to home in the Rhodes community. Some students even felt that the university should shoulder some of the blame: “it is about time that

the university treats everyone equally because now we are all at risk”, said Michael Toman, a second year student. Other students expressed some precautions to avoid finding themselves in a future potential rape situation. Sheldon Goss, a third year BSc student, said it was important to “maintain a state of mind that allows a person to think rationally”. He also mentioned the risk of walking alone in “dark and dangerous places”. Second year Tara Walraven suggested that people should try going out in groups of friends and that they must be aware of their surroundings. She added that when travelling home, students should keep to the security routes, and if necessary use Rhodetrip or taxis. In the wider Grahamstown area, a 29 year old man appeared in court on Tuesday, for the rape of a Rhodes student in 2006. He is alleged to have raped the 23 year old woman on 1 July 2006 in her residence while he was out on bail on another rape charge. The trial will resume on Monday.

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and protect the student body’s interests has provided me with great satisfaction,” he said. Pillay’s devotion to the student body is nevertheless unwavering. Although he has been forced to step down as SRC president, he will remain involved in a number of leadership development initiatives: “I wish to remain committed to students. It has been what I have done for the past two years and it is a passion

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that cannot easily cease. Once I am academically and financially stable, there is no doubt in my mind that I will be back.”

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This is where it gets challenging: imagine you’re a plank. Lie on your stomach. Place your hands beside your chest and use your arms to lift yourself off the ground. Remain a plank: keep your back and bum in alignment. Remember to breathe. Hold for 30 seconds. Sixty seconds if you want to feel the burn.

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Despite incorrect zoning, this particular property has been rented as a digs for the past nine years. The committee did not approve the application, agreeing that the Council needed to curb the problem of “mushrooming”. Incorrectly zoned student accommodation contravenes the town planning scheme (as well municipal income). Lie on your back with your legs bent and knees facing the ceiling. Place your arms across your chest or behind your head depending on what is most comfortable. Lift your chin to your knees. As you do so, focus on using your abs while keeping your head still, and staring straight ahead. Do two sets of 20. Do four sets if you are feeling ambitious.

Courtesy of Map My Fitness.

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gether in a small bowl, then whisk in the olive oil. Add the garlic and basil.  Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until coated. Season well with salt and pepper. Enjoy your dinner by candlelight!

The Grahamstown name changing process will continue on 1 March with the launch of an education drive by the Name Changing Task Team (NCTT) at City Hall. Makana Municipality spokesperson Thandy Matebese said that the NCTT drive is an effort to involve everyone, including students, in the name change debate. He said all residents should understand the history behind the choice of name before anything is implemented. Further meetings will take place and a vote will be held to determine the name. Matabese explained that they needed to be “as consultative as possible with the residents for the process to be done properly,” but that it was impossible to know how long the process would take. The proposal to change Grahamstown to iRhini started last year when Grahamstown Mayor, Phumelelo Kate, announced that the name must change. However, the decision was met with some resistance from the Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) campaign who insist that the name stays the same.

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Our brand-new website TheOppidanPress.com is a cutting edge example of our dedication to Oppidan needs. We provide breaking news, helpful information and entertainment on a daily basis. Every Wednesday we update the website with multimedia features and the latest gig guide. We bring you the funniest YouTube videos uploaded directly on a Rhodes server so they don’t chow your quota. Make us your homepage and stay entertained!

Ever seen a broadcast of the Queen speaking to the nation? Well, we have something even better (and more interesting!) Our former SRC President Ricardo Pillay took the time to sit down with our multimedia team and speak directly to the student body and explain why he resigned. You can view it as a video or download it to listen to on your iPod when you go for a jog.

On the front page, we only brought you the basics of what to do if you are raped. We elaborate further on this on our website. We recommend you have a look and familiarise yourself with the steps to take, because if you are ever in the situation where you have been raped, visiting our website to check up on what you should do will be the furthest thing from your mind. Take a proactive step and be prepared!

www.TheOppidanPress.com

www.TheOppidanPress.com/news

www.TheOppidanPress.com/news

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vegetarian The police have been busy in Kenya. No, not doing what they are meant to be doing, but instead, beating up and shooting at civilians. These civilians are protesting against the rigged elections that took place late last year: can you blame them? Watch how Kenyan police and army strike at protesters and judge for yourself.

Intrigued? Watch the undoubtedly funniest sport in the world and have a good chuckle over your morning breakfast. Men furiously contest the world championship in toe wrestling in this YouTube video, which we are hosting on a local server so you can watch it without busting your quota. Check out page 15 in this edition to read about more hilarious sports!

and l a n o i t i trad www.TheOppidanPress.com/opinion

www.TheOppidanPress.com/sport

Not everyone has the golden arm of Shaun Pollock or the speed of Bryan Habana to lead their nations to a World Cup victory. But there are other sport careers open to people who are passionate about their game, Nicky & the Harriet McLea albeitSaner without glamour of adoring fans screaming after a victorious match.festivities Sports science haswere opened up O-week this year subject numberalcohol of sports field careers to quite muchastricter regulations than and deepens knowledge of sport previous years. one’s The Dean of Students, and how athlete’s bodieswith function. Vivian de Klerk, together the These are some first of the major careers in SRC, encouraged years to drink the field: responsibly and adhere to the recently

approved Policy for the Responsible Use of Alcohol. Some O-week events organised by the SRC were completely alcohol free, while others provided substantially less alcohol

When our nations clash over a game of rugby or, more recently, over a game of football, emotions become the order of the day. Tempers flare, fights break out and cowboys cry. However, there are some sports that are, quite frankly, as exciting as getting socks for your birthday. Chess boxing, for example, is simply pointless. Opponents square off in alternate rounds of boxing and chess. A match consists of up to eleven rounds of Eskom’sand incompetence andstarting subsequent boxing chess sessions, with schedule have added by aload-shedding four minute chess round followed an unwelcome two minutes of change boxing.of pace to many Oppidan households. In an effort to help Oppies, the Oppidan Committee is holding an informative load-shedding workshop to encourage Oppidans to take a proactive stance regarding the crisis. “All Oppidans will need to do whatever they can to adapt to this new reality,” said Oppidan Warden Gordon Barker. The workshop, which takes place on 26 February from 17:30 to 18:30 in the Oppidan common room, will address the issues surrounding load-shedding Competitors may win by a knock out, that affect check mateOppies. and by a judge’s decision. Committee TheOppidan sport is quite popularMember, in Europe Jacyn Mitchley, “the workshop (significantly in said: Germany) and it has its will provide Oppies with information own world championship tournament. concerning theunfit scheduled Perfect for the athleteload-shedding who needs a times, tips for saving electricity and breather between boxes. alternatives to conventional electric Cock fighting is quite a doodle-do power.” According to Eskom, if Grahamstown does not utilise its total specified quota of electricity allowed for certain timeframes, load-shedding does not take place. Oppidan Kirsten Harris feels that collective action on the part of Oppidans can make a real difference. “We need to stop shifting the blame and stand up and take responsibility in order to resolve this issue. If we all work together we can work towards a solution,” she said.

The Oppidan Committee acknowledges that there are a number of concerns arising from the electricity crisis and offers the following suggestions to Oppidans:  Attend the load-shedding workshop!  Cook meals in advance and save them in the fridge;  Have candles and matches easily available;  Utilise the Oppi bus which leaves from the Kaif and will take you home every night between 17:00 and 22:00

Sports physicians treat all healththan in the past. Budget changes reflect related problems that the SRC spentaffecting R11,000 professional on wine for sports people. They a degree eight halls’ cheese andcomplete wine events in in medicine before in the 2007, while this yearspecialising wine costs for sports-related injuries. Theyfor advise the same events totalled R8,000 eleven coach on correct training methods so halls. that be avoided both on Theinjuries alcoholcan policy acknowledges the playing field and in training. that “social drinking is normal for a large number of people” and thus aims treat or any other toPhysio’s promote theinjuries health and well-being physical problems that may affect of students through more moderatea sports person’s performance, usually consumption of alcohol. During regarding muscular complaints. O-week, every function involvingThey areconsumption called in to treat an athlete after the the of alcohol required sports physician has made a diagnosis. permission from the Registrar. According to de Klerk, the aim of this regulation was to avoid exposing first year students to “liquor pressure” in their introduction to the university. Only beer, cider, wine and fortified

Dieticians dietsinand eating no wine were plan allowed residences; schemes for sports people, focusingto spirits were permitted. According on healthy nutrition. Every athlete Xolani Nyali, newly appointed SRChas specific needs theirisactivity President, the regarding alcohol policy an and body typedocument, so the dietician devises “aspirational not a punitive aone, plan that willresidence be most effective ” so while studentsfor their particular type of activity and will are encouraged to obey these rules, build bodily strength where it is needed Oppidans are not obligated in any way. most. Dieticians work closely with However, de Klerk has emphasised coaches and players in monitoring the that “Oppidan students still fall under effectiveness of the diet plans. Rhodes jurisdiction when it comes to

bringing the university into disrepute”. Psychologists go beyond the physical She said that Oppidan Warden Gordon to prepare sports people to deal with Barker will investigate complaints from any psychological challenges thatthe may Grahamstown residents against drunken behaviour of Oppidans if it is deemed necessary. The SRC rose to the dry O-Week challenge. The Chocolate Ball and the Hall events were alcohol free, and both

in the Philippines with the added bonus that it is now legal. As its name suggests, the ‘sport’ involves grown up chickens pecking at each other until one (or both) kick the bucket. However, a raging rooster can be given an advantage by sharpening the cock’s natural spurs or by attaching a razor-sharp blade onto the spur. This type of variant is known as a “slasher” fight. Fitting. For rugby-lovers not blessed with the bulge of the Burger, sheep tackling could be your fix. This bestial pastime is a popular training method for rugby players in New Zealand. The sport is quite simple; a chase, a tackle, a bleat. Another smelly occupation is toe wrestling, which is similar to arm wrestling. All players must be barefoot so that they can link toes and each player’s feet must touch flat on the other person’s feet. To win, one must pin his opponents feet for three seconds. The sport is a hit in Britain and there is even a toe wrestling world championship. The toe test was invented in the 70s so that a game could exist in which the Brits could be successful. Jolly well done ol’ chaps!

affect their performance. They also encourage live lifethe Movieplayers Night to and thea positive Jazz Evening style that will improve their self-esteem had limited alcohol, each person and confidence order toThe enhance receiving one in glass only. SRC sporting receivedperformance. many compliments from both Sports fanatics who for lackthese the genuine students and parents events. talent to bend it like Beckham swing Alcohol was sold at the streetorparty, it which like thewas Bigsponsored Easy mightbywant to African conSouth sider these career choices in the sportBreweries (SAB), but free water and ing field.were Unfortunately, Sports science Coke also provided by the SRC is in notanoffered here at Rhodes but Huattempt to encourage responsible man Kinetics and Ergonomics (HKE) drinking. is a good start ifcontrary you’re interested in However, to all measures learning more abouttothe body anda its taken by the SRC encourage dry movement and,year in the future,tended linkingtoit O-week, first students toleave different sportingfree professions. the alcohol events early to

underway in an attempt to highlight the dangers of misusing alcohol. The slogan for the awareness week is As the ashes of the AfricanisCup of “Save TriVarsity”. TriVarsity under Nations slowly settle, I can’t help but feel the threat of cancellation due to an that African soccer is still byof overwhelming number ofgoverned complaints bureaucratic twits,unsavoury still facingbehaviour. adminisRhodes students’ trative blunders, nowhere to be week found The Alcohol Abuse Awareness amongst the top ten in the FIFA rankincluded activities such as a “Save ings, with Egypt still proving themselves TriVarsity” debate and a Hall-based the Pharaohs to of come the continent. competition up with the best The African Cup of Nations (AFalcohol free party idea. CON) a fitting manifestation of Thewas Dean of Students’ final comment where African socceralcohol is situated; deep was that “banning” during in a mucky gutter. order forasAfrican O-week is not the In way to go, drinking soccer togo progress, soccer and bodies and will just underground secret attend the festivities in New Street. Pub administrators alike need to recognise drinking is anti-social. owners preferred to keep O-week wet, thatDe development, organisation and Klerk and her office applaud wet, wet. structure areyet needed to take the sport to abstinence, also support responsible Alcohol Abuse Awareness week, an international level. alcohol use in moderation. which began on Monday, is currently AFCON 08, hosted by Ghana, was a sumptuous soup of blunders, seasoned with some infrastructural inefficiency. I will concede that the quality of soccer on show was outstanding, with the exception of a few moments of ill-disciplined defending and random fist fights. But that’s beside the point. We all know that it is not African talent that is lacking, but rather an environment conducive to the nurturing of these skills. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) must have cringed in embarrassment as their own national coach, Claude Le Roy, exclaimed that the pitches were “terrible!” You’ve got to appreciate the mousy man for being brave enough to bite the hand that feeds him and say it like it is. One couldn’t help but feel that the tournament was in dire need of organisation (even from the comfort of my couch many thousand km’s away). Teams arrived to find that the hotel they were meant to be staying in had not yet been built, pitches rivaled potato fields, and members of the media were treated like third class citizens. Shock prevailed as the Egyptians, almost ready to belt out their national anthem, were met with the rather unfamiliar tune of Nkosi Sikelel’i Afrika. Perhaps the cherry on the fluffed cake was the stadium being Peppergrove Mall Open an account with Wallace’s for reduced to moments of darkness before Tel: 046 622 high-quality pharmaceutical care the Mali versus Sudan kick-off. 7373 Seemingly new African trend. and give-aways! Email: [email protected] Having endured a pro-longed season of power cuts by Asskom, I began to wonder what havoc and what possible destruction they could create in our preparations for 2010? Could we see ourselves in the same position as Ghana, with unfinished stadiums, sporadic blackouts, in a state of panic and chaos because we have no power capacity to deal with the streams of masses that will grace our shores? All because Asskom (with some governmental assistance) neglected to realise that a catastrophe was looming in the dark (no pun intended). African soccer cannot progress with hindrances from dysfunctional governments and clueless governing bodies. If anyone who is somebody agrees with my rant, please tell the soccer governing bodies that are paying coaches a R12 million per annum salary will not solve our headaches and woes. Rather than Rands, inject some direc tion and organisation into African soccer to move us forward to a successful 2010.

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from Monday to Thursday;  Invest in products called “Greenheat” which use an eco-friendly, non-flammable gel to create and maintain heat. Barker says that while the electricity crisis is at the top of the Oppidan Committee’s agenda, it is up to all Oppidans to “be aware of the loadshedding schedule and arrange your life around it”.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

16.00 - 18.30 06.00 - 08.30 16.00 - 18.30 06.00 - 08.30 16.00 - 18.30 06.00 - 08.30 06.00 - 08.30

We welcome all first years and returning students. The friendliest service and most competitive prices in town. We offer: Liquor Store Laundromat Chicky Fish (Take-Away)

Pic: Supplied

Stand upright with your legs shoulderwidth apart. Lower yourself by

property owners are slow to notify the Makana Council. Councillor Luyanda Nase said that it was time the Council gained from the profitable industry. He made this comment whilst the committee was pretending you are going to sit down in discussing an application for the rezona chair with your weight through your ing of a house in Bedford Street. The heels. Push through your heels to return new owner of the property wishes to to an upright position. Don’t fall over! continue renting the house as a digs and Do two sets of five. Four sets of ten if has applied for the house to be rezoned. you are insane.

If power cuts have left you trying to roast marshmallows over a candle, thisRowing recipe is easy (and healthy), and The Association of South Africa can be made minimal (ROWSA) has with recently put anlighting. end to the Just remember to turnRhodes on yourand turbo on-going row between Stelmode when dealing with the fridge to lenbosch, ruling in the Maaties’ favour. avoid all the cold air escaping. Rhodes’ clean-sweep of honours at Boat Races in 2007 was spoilt by an appeal againstINGREDIENTS: the Rhodes Men’s B rowing 1 carrot, peeled andopponents, grated crew. Their Stellenbosch feeling1unfairly treated theends umpire’s cup sugar snap by peas, decision duringtrimmed the race, appealed against the victory, but Rhodes’ B crew 8 cherry tomatoes, cut in half refused to red re-race they maintained 1 small bell as pepper, seeded and that they had wondiced the race legitimately. have awarded 1“ROWSA small cucumber, peeledthe andmedals diced to Stellenbosch the basisthinly that our refusal ½ cup redoncabbage, sliced to re-race violation of some rule,” ¼ cupwas redaonions, thinly sliced said John1Snelgar, a member of the Rhotbsp Dijon mustard des B crew. Snelgar also vinegar mentioned that 1 tbsp balsamic the rivalry between the two 3 tbsp olive oil teams had increased1due to the appeal and assured garlic clove, minced that theSalt Rhodes crew looked to “avenge and pepper (to taste) this decision at Boat Races this year”. Rhodes’ rowers have already made a METHOD: good start to 2008 giving  Combine the carrot,them sugar“confisnaps, dence in training and incucumber, each othercabto tomatoes, bell pepper, match the great results from 2007, ” said bage and onion in a salad bowl and Alex the women’s rowing tossVan untilBesouw, well-mixed. captain.  Whisk the mustard and vinegar to-

Pic:s Supplied

Imagine you have a rod through your back and bum and keep them in alignment. Beginners should start by executing the push-up on their knees and progress to the full push-up (on your toes). Ensure you breathe in on the way down, and breathe out as you push up. Do two sets of ten. Four sets of 20 if you’re feeling hectic.

At a recent meeting of the Land, Housing and Infrastructural Development Portfolio Committee, officials were instructed to propose strategies to deal with the “mushrooming of student digs” and sub-letting of houses. Houses which have been zoned as Start theresidential” exercise byare taking step “single oftena let to stuforward with one leg. Bendtoyour knees dents without application the council and lower your back knee towards the for rezoning. Student housing should floor, keeping the front heel downbut and be zoned as “general residential”, the knee directly over the centre of the foot. Take a step by pushing upwards through the bottom muscle of your back leg. Your body should remain upright. Do two sets of ten (one set on the left leg and the other set on the right leg). Four sets of 20 if you’re up for a challenge.

students have access to the morning after pill. Exact figures regarding student use of the emergency contraception will only be available at the end of the month, but Sister Shaw believes that numbers are on the rise. Should the same student request the morning after pill on their third visit, staff will refer them to Dr Bull at the High Street Medical Practice. “We want to educate students,” said Sister Shaw, “they must be aware of what PCCs do to your body”. “Emergency contraception should be kept for emergencies and not used as a regular contraceptive,” agrees Wimpie Bosch, a pharmacist at Grahamstown Pharmacies. >> Anja Müller-Deibicht

Illustration: Cilla Pickering

Fourth year honours student, Donald Pots, was held up at knife-point in his home on 9 February. Although nobody was physically injured, the thief made off with two an iPod. You’ve hadcellphones a long dayand of lectures, Pots was returning at the approxifinished off your essay, home cooked digs mately 3:30am when he discovered the dinner, cleaned the bathroom and killed in his room. The man held up aintruder record number of spiders in your a knifeYou’re and motioned forThe Potscold, to back room. exhausted. hard away from the door. The intruder thento truth is that you do not have the time grabbed what was on the top, deskgo and swing into your itty-bitty to ran the out of the house. Rhodes gym and attend a spinning class resthow of the digs alerted is!). (noThe matter cute thewas instructor but thedoes intruder fled theAre Where this had leavealready your health? property. “We’ve our bed fair share you just going to had fall into at the of end break-ins, ” said Pots. The six-man digs of the day and hope the first year spread on Cradock Street been robbed from your years in has residence will go twice and an away onestimated its own? ten car radios have been It’sstolen. time to be proactive about your It is The believed that Press’ the intruder gained health. Oppidan new Health access towill thegive house door section youwhen hintsthe andfront tips on was left open while the other digs mates how to improve your health and well were conversing in thethe driveway. Followbeing without leaving spider-free ing this incident, a new security comfort of your own home. We’lldoor starthas been installed and razor wire is being off by explaining some basic exercises fitted. you can do before you hit the pillow.

“If you are leaving yourself open to pregnancy, then you are leaving yourself open to Aids and STI infection,” said Sister Jeane Shaw from the Rhodes Sanatorium. She believes that despite SHARC’s (Student HIV/Aids Resistance Campaign) “excellent condom distribution”, accidents do still happen. The Rhodes Sanatorium offers free contraception as well as free emergency contraception known as post-coital contraceptive (PCC) or ‘the morning after pill’. Sister Shaw explains that this emergency contraception can be taken up to 72 hours after the incident. Unless 72 hours have passed or an adverse medical condition can be identified, all female

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sions was to install devices that indicate how much electricity is being used by individuals groups of students As you sit with your digs supper on hold,arrested and theormonasteries forciblywithin a residence. Also mentioned is amurnovel waiting for the power to come back on, vacated, with reports of torture and reducing commonplace. energy consumption you wouldn’t think that some good couldder way soonofbecoming by ausing Blackle than come outpanties of the power crisis inanger South Using pretty to show your As result, Lannarather Action forGoogle Burma in internet searches on campus (screens Africa. But it can. at an evil regime may seem a little odd at and other activist groups have urged use less to energy generating black The lack of all, power could actsit-ins, as a first glance. After for decades, supporters mail in their panties by the as opposed to white). The eventual winner catalyst to change the way we use limited boycotts, riots and marches have been post to Myanmar embassies in accorwas Imran Tarmohamed (pictured resources and could lead to the developthe principal means of showing dissent. dance with the group’s motto, “Send right) who, in often, addition making some of the of innovative technological solu- early, Thisment explains why protests in Myanmar Send ” as to a deliberate gesture suggestions already mentioned here, tions to problems of resource limitation. in late 2007 were initially received with of insult to the Burmese government. also suggested the university could Government has already started talking a giant question mark when demonstraIndeed, womenthat all around the world its ownthe electricity, suchsendas in banning olderwith typeplacards… light bulbs in haveproduce torsabout took to the streets been obeying mantra and classes at the gym. of the energy saving type as well ing spinning andfavour their panties. their undies in droves. The current electricity should as promoting solar heated According to activist groupwater Lannasystems. However, Than Shwe is notcrisis the only ring alarm bells for other resources South Africa’s climate is perfect for Action for Burma (the principle moveman in politics whose authority is cur- that may become very limited in the near the adoption of solar energy technolment behind the panty-protests), rently being buried under a mountain of future. One likely candidate is clean, ogy, yet very few private households adorning placards emblazoned with the or women’s underwear. George Bush facesfresh water.threat Waterless be one way institutions have adopted the availfaces of Burmese military officials with a similar overtoilets in the may US, where of drastically reducing the amount able technology. ‘Wind farms’ are also women’s underwear is considered one a women’s group known as the “Axis ofof fresh water, as litres water popular in forms many of European of the highest cultural countries, insult in Eve”pollution has also to been demonstrating forofreare used in a single flush. Dr Garth yet such technology is almost unheard South-East Asia. It is a widely-held begime change by donning their g-strings.Cambray gives a good description of how of in South Africa. Hydro-electric power lief that contact with a woman’s knickers Their demand, according to statetheyonwork: www.scienceinafrica.co.za. is also a viable andsap efficient option for – dirty or clean – will the strength of a ments various websites, is for greater According Dr Cambray,inthe country suchand as South Africa, those in power, judging by thewith wellthe accountability andtotransparency theaverage amount of sewage that one person country’s fast-flowing rivers such as the known fact that hard-liners in MyanUS administration. So, even though the in South Africa in produces, will pollute and the Orange. marTugela are also highly superstitious, panty political situations Myanmar and the 15,000 litres of fresh water and up to 65, During a competition held last year, protesting is bound to hit a nerve. US may differ in technicality, the bold they showed up in their birthday suits. 000 -115,000 whereremains sewerage is Rhodes students came kicked up withoffvery Panty protests initially last purpose of pantylitres protesters According to Kenyan culture, to see an inadequately treated. and to feasible ideas brutal of reducing constant. yearpractical in response the recent, unknown woman naked is a curse; a tool Government is in a very good posienergy consumption within residences. crack-down by the Burmese government Indeed, the “Axis of Eve” has even which has proved highly effective for tion to fast-track the adoption of techThe most prevalent ideas among the on anti-regime demonstrations. “Panties decided to print their objectives on their the marching women. As long as they nologies such as energy efficient light submissions involved reducing energy underwear. for Peace” activists particularly target Unfortunately, no official remain unclothed, no police officer is bulbs, solar heating and waterless toilets, used by geysers, byGeneral either reducing hard-line junta leader Than the comment has been released as to how willing to arrest or hurt them, and they legislating for their adoption, and by water temperature settings, using solar the by Shwe, following his actions against BudPresident intends to react to demonare free to continue their protest, as well possibly incorporating them as features heating switching off geysers during strators dhist monksorwho previously objected who parade in thongs with the as attract much media attention. of RDP housing. But in the meantime, off-peak times. Oppies who entered the words to the Burmese government’s domestic “Expose Bush” printed on them. No word yet on whether the Rhodes we need to start conserving limited competition mentioned paying for policies. The monks, joinedthat by nuns, Female demonstrators in Kenya took women intend to get their panties out to such as water and electricity by theirand ownstudents, electricity made them more thisresources laymen engaged in peacetrend a step further in the 1990s. protest fee hikes or the possible abolishour own initiative. After all, we have to aware of how much electricity costs. ful shows of dissent but were speedily Instead of showing their underwear, ing of TriVarsity later this year. pay for it. Another general theme in the submis-

DC car alternator to deliver a constant voltage that will power anything that can normally be powered by plugging into the cigarette lighter of a car. The bike’s back wheel is raised off the floor using a stand. A car alternator is mounted behind the bike, and a fan belt attached to the back wheel of the bike turns the alternator. After the installation of some other electrical components, the end product should New Streetbe able to power small ap-

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pliances such as a small TV, a laptop or a cell phone charger. In theory at least… If anyone gets this right please contact The Oppidan Press!

>> Andrew Slaughter

“Dr Williams’ extraordinary claim is a huge propaganda coup for extremists plotting to end centuries of the British way of life. And it was roundly condemned from all quarters last night.” – Staff reporter, The Sun. “If a cultural tradition is in conflict with the dictates of reason - like this example of suppressing a state’s right to certain independence from religious authority - it can’t be in accordance with God’s will and we do a disservice to its adherents by pretending it may be. The object of true faith is one and the same as the creator of human reason.” – Father Jonathan Morris, FoxNews.com.

Student Forum:

Several Danish newspapers are courting controversy once again by reprinting cartoons of the Muslim religious icon, Prophet Mohamed. The cartoons caused violent outbursts around the world when they were first printed last year and many fear that the reactions will be even more extreme this time around. The reprint was agreed on by most of the major Danish dailies so that they could emphasise their commitment to freedom of speech following the arrests of three Muslim men accused of plotting to kill the cartoonist who drew them. News of the apparent planned assassination by the three men has re-ignited many of the feelings of January 2006, when the cartoons first caused chaos. Despite the risk of further violence, the newspapers remain defiant. One of the largest, Berlinske Tidende, defended its decision, stating that it had printed the cartoons “to document what’s at stake in this case and show an

Thursday 28 Feb.

With all those solid facts thrown into our heads (or just whizzing straight through them) during lectures, The Oppidan Press brings you a chance to escape with some of the more crazy theories that people have developed over the years. Read to re-appreciate how sane you actually are! This week’s preposterous claim by the suspicious ‘historians’ of the world is that the Nazis had their own moon base. Apparently, there is evidence somewhere out there that Hitler sent astronauts to the moon as early as 1942 and that they made contact with “half a dozen” alien races, including some who seemed intent on taking over Earth in the future! >> Claire Waterhouse

Tuesday 26 Feb.

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unambiguous support for the freedom of expression we all want to defend”. Unsurprisingly, Islamic countries do not feel the same. Iran has already summoned a Danish envoy to protest the printing and many others are expected to do the same. Leading Muslim clerics around the world have condemned the reprint, but have also appealed for restraint among their communities. “There can be no justification or acceptance of this evil action…we believe in freedom of speech but this must include respect for religions and their symbols…we urge the Muslim community to remain calm and not fall into the trap that is being set against Islam,” said a spokesperson for a major British Islamic group, the Ramadhan Foundation. Whether the calls for self-control will be heeded remains to be seen. Undoubtedly, many Muslims will likely feel that this is a direct provocation by Denmark that deserves a direct response. But as proponents of free speech around the world continue to robustly challenge anyone who dares suggest that the

country without provocation is the definition of a war crime, the very crimes for which Saddam Hussein was hung?

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cartoons should not have been printed, one cannot help but wonder whether freedom of speech would have been deemed a worthy excuse if offensive depictions Christianity or Judaism had been published by a Muslim nation.

With a middle name like Hussein, Barack Obama has already been labelled an “evil terrorist” by his enemies, so the last thing he needed was to give them an excuse to add “dirty commie” to the repertoire as well. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened as a result of one of his staffers allowing Fox News (of all people!) to take pictures of a huge Cuban flag with Che Guevara’s face on it in the Obama headquarters, sparking fears that he is secretly planning on converting the USA to communism. We say vote for the dirty commie anyway! >> Claire Waterhouse

No other president has gotten away with such a criminal display of stupidity and incompetence. Richard Nixon rightly had to resign for attempting electoral fraud, which is probably one of the more ‘minor’ of Bush shenanigans (remember Florida 2000?). Clinton almost got himself impeached for liking the ladies too much. A crime slightly more forgivable and certainly less destructive to the masses than the daily abuse inflicted on the world every day that Bush remains in power. If anyone wishes to restore the damage that Bush has done at home and abroad, then they need to do the right thing and get him and his cronies impeached for their misguided aministration. The evidence is so compelling that any half-decent lawyer could ensure that Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld and the rest are brought to rights. And as for the punishment? Guillotines on the White House lawn may seem a tad extreme for the misguided ministers, but I think that a spell in Guantanamo Bay or Abu Gharaib would give Dubya just the right chance for reflection and contrition. Besides, as my late grandmother once said of him, “Look at that man. I hate his face”. What more cause for condemnation could you need?

Pic: Ines Schumacher

It is possible to modify a garden variety bicycle or stationary exercise bike to produce electricity that can power appliances such as a television. This is perfect for those whose New Year’s resolution was to get more exercise. If you want to watch the telly, then get cycling! Take a look at www. scienceshareware.com/pedal-powerbuild-your-own.htm which gives detailed plans on how to build one. The modifiedContact bike usesJohann: a 14.8 volt17

those species shared a himthen on the sidetwo of his headlast with his cane caring and voicing for people whom ancestor fiveold million years andcommon say, “Have no doubt, boy, you’ll he does not share faith with.” – Salah ago.in DNA mutation rate can–be used in Nizami, Gulf News. be first the crocodile’s jaws!” Tom thisNew way York to estimate Goetz, Post. what is known as a “It’s hardly surprising that in a “molecular clock”. However, what different or- climate in which denouncing ‘Islamists’ “He is directly undermining ganisms can mutate at different speeds, has become the polite way to attack Britain stands for. Can the Archbishop leading to clocks that tick at different really be saying that some people in Muslims, and a literary figure such as rates. This makes it difficult to their determineMartin Amis can rant about the threat Britain should be allowed to have exact origin of approve the flighted creatures to Europe from the Muslim birthrate ownthe laws if they don’t of the wake up to every onesthat we we have? Apparently, yesmorning. he is.” – and still be treated with respect, public A McBay, recent study (using a variety Andrew The Scotsman. opinion has become inflamed. When of different methods on politicians and newspapers denounce “There is an analytical Arabic word ‘taqwa’; molecular has estimated which, mildly data) translated, means that birds “preachers of hate”, it increasingly arose long dinosaurs righteous. The before Archbishop of became sounds as though they’re talking about extinct, living alongside them nearly themselves.” – Seumas Milne, Arab Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has for done 40 million years, a long time before News. ‘taqwa’; and made mankind proud by mammals appeared on the planet.

FABLES BOOKSHOP

Researchers have found that the The widespread Rhodes community has been abuzz use of calorie-free withsweeteners rumours since an article was for can make it harder published in The Zimbabwean in early people to control their weight and food January alleging that at least 60 sons rats intake. Experiments with feeding and zero-calorie daughters ofsaccharin Zanu-PF (compared ministers to had sugar) been guaranteed places at Rhodes, resulted in increased calorie afterconsumption, being expelled from the weight gainUK andand body fat. Australia. By breaking the connection between a Rhodes has denied claims, stating sweet sensation andthe high-calorie food, thatsweeteners political affiliation is not afor part ofbody make it harder the the application for any student to gain to regulate food intake. admission, and that no Zanu-PF-related Naturally sweet foods provide a students had that received preferential treat- is stimulus predicts that someone ment in any way. Registrar Stephen about to take in a lot of calories, leadFourie thatreflexes a Zimbabwean ingclarified to digestive gearing up in government scholarship was available preparation. False sweetness confuses and this hadsystem. sponsored a batch of students to attend Rhodes, but asserted that nothing Other artificial sweeteners (such as about their family positions their aspartame, sucralose andnor acesulfame K) political dealings was that taste sweet butknown. do not accurately However, even ifintake theseand students had the predict calorie can have beensame related to high-ups in the Mugabe effect. government, would it be fair Also, studies inreally humans havetofound denythat them an education simply because people who consume more diet of their affiliation? As students, know drinks are at a higher risk forweobesity, thatmore we don’t always turn out likeblood our presabdominal fat, higher parents (a relieving thought for some), sure and insulin resistance. so punishing us for their crimes would simply not be fair. Besides, if these supposed Zanu-PF offspring saw the light while at Rhodes and went back home and tried to change things, it would be worth it. The more important issue at stake hereResistance is whethertoorHIV not Rhodes playing and Aidsisseems its part in legitimising cruel and unjust to work by differenta mechanisms, government its actions. Evento accordingthrough to ethnicity. Immunity if, asHIV Fourie clearly the defect university because ofstates, a genetic occurs was in notabout aware of any student’s fam1 percent of people originating ily histories or whether theyHere had immune been from northern Europe. deported from Australia, not making cells lack the so-calledbyCCR-5 receptor enquiries into students by that the HIthe virus uses tosponsored enter a cell. the fund, it is quite possible that Rhodes Ten to 15 percent of people originating has from had itsnorthern blinkersEurope on. Let’shave faceinherited it, in the suchgene a corrupt regime would notone be parent for this defectitfrom only unreasonable togreater suppose that at least and display resistance to the Birds are often described as the some of the but recipients of the money disease, not immunity. It hashad been Thedescendants Archbishop of Canterbury recently dinosaurs, only arising more than merit on their side. Somehypothesised that either past plagues of instigated mass controversy when he after dinosaurs became extinct 63 times “don’t ask, or don’t tell” policy thethe Black Death smallpox have been commented that the of some million years ago.adoption There have long might not be thefor best to adopt, even responsible thisone genetic defect being formbeen of Sharia lawbetween (the Muslim law as debates palaeontologists if it positively is the easiest for our selected inadministration. the past. dictated by the Koran) England and geneticists as toinwhen birdswas first Along with this, Fourie Research into femaledoes sex admit trade work- inevitable dueFossil to therecords numbers of Muslim appeared. suggest they thaters theincurrent of immigrants KenyaZimbabwean has identifiedMinister a group that there. years ago, but appearedliving 60 million Transport was hosted at Rhodesdespite in order has remained HIV-negative Predictably, his statements received geneticists contend that they first to set up the scholarship its operarepeated exposure to and the virus. A variantlarge-scale and interest, as appeared asdiverse long as media 100 million years tion.ofAccepting possibly affilithe gene called thepolitically ‘Human Leukocyte follows: ago. atedAntigen-G’ students is was one identified. thing (andThis not too gene “I only wishmutates Winstonand Churchill If DNA divergeswere at a much of athe thing at that)system but recognising helps immune recognise HIValiveknown today:rate He’d(say, walk to Dr Geoffrey forupexample, 2 percent ministers from a government and the variant was foundwhose to appear Rowan Williams Archbishop], crack every million[the years), and two species regime hasoften caused misery and poverty to more in the HIV-negative group. show a genetic difference of 10 percent, most of its population is another – and a rather unacceptable one at that. Rhodes maintains that it has done no wrong and that this is a case of an innocent report twisted badly around. This may be true, technically, but the message it has sent the students is another story.

The US economy is the largest in the By now are as all no familiar with why Jaworld, so it we comes surprise that cob Zuma is supposed to be the news of a possible recession of the bad guy in South African politics. Weishave heard The Tiffindell expansion project is a new Several bread Of allmilk the and weird and producing wonderful things economy by the end of this year sendthe corruption charges, the rape development set to put the Eastern Cape companies recently and going onwere in the world exposed today, I think ing about shockwaves through world markets. of course, the infamous on the international map for a reason prosecuted forcraziest collusion. As producers one of the is that none of theof Thecharges reasonsand, behind this recession apincident. On US the itself, other in hand, not many people would guess – skiing. critical food stuffs, these companies inpresidential hopefuls in the US election pearshower to be driven by the its we have heard about histhat supposed The R400 million project will include curred the wrath the public,impeaching media and campaign haveofsuggested indulging ofalso economic policies have innocence and how all this scandal is a 150-bed five star hotel and 120 timeauthorities, the poor the years hardest PresidentasBush. The are lasthit seven of proved counter-productive. nothing a smear campaign run by share apartments. Already underway, by this unethical business the Bush (mis)rule havepractice. seen the ascenIn Augustbut 2007, the reckless lendhate him and want to see the project will boast extensive new The trend continues in anand even dancy of the most venal corrupt ing those by USwho financial institutions was Mbeki stay power. entertainment and leisure facilities more critical industry – healthcare. The administration in American history. unearthed. Put in simply, Americans are These areand clearly two vastly to increase the resort’s status on an Competition Commission has referred Just look at the impressive rap sheet: over-borrowed over-spent anddifferent their accounts ofspending one man’s life and morality international level. These include a spa three pharmaceutical toinvading the Bush lied about thecompanies reasons for credit-fuelled spree has grindand the question becomes: which one and wellness centre, a gym and new Competition Tribunal for Iraq, and proceeded toprosecution send in the troops ed to a halt. This reduction in spending is right?down Is Jacob reallyThis as bad chairlifts, and a custom-built ice-rink. after they were found to beinternational colluding opdespite overwhelming is slowing theirZuma economy. has as athey say heslump is? Will really bring position. promises tenders. of a speedy It will be twinned with an internawhen biddingDespite for government led to housing andheproblems in Africa downThe as he of US troops, thefound over-that tional ski resort in Europe and is the Thewithdrawal Competition Commission the South financial markets. USbecomes Federal the latest(the dictator to runbank) the extraordinary stretched military is now unpopular spending by the US. Compounding investors, provided mines and industries only South African resort with natural Adcock Ingram Critical Care,anDismed Reserve US central tried potential of his African country occupying force inHeathcare the middleand of aFrecivil have the power to continue operating. snow for skiing purposes. The resort Criticare, Thusanong to curb the situation through interestinto thethis situation is the Eskom saga. Many he is justincreased someone whoeconomists have sharply lowered their warKabi which could have been prevented However, most of Sub-Saharan Africa also has facilities to blow snow during senius South Africa, engaged with rateground? cuts andPerhaps the government positives, hasthe never been far months of minimal powder. Situated in attention to the poor. Despite his lack wants to thestimulate best for his and in- economic if other the invasion never taken place. growth forecasts to account for of is not directly controversy integrated into larger each during had the tender process to spending thecountry economy. This from Zuma’s side. Corruption allegations formal schooling, Zuma also appears to tends to forge a path towards economic Surely invadingand another countryprices. without the effects of power constraints, which world economy. African economies are the north Eastern Cape on the border avoid competition manipulate only created a false ‘wealth effect’, creatand now to a looming trialin–the dogworld him be to ancontinue intelligent man. Hegenerating is well aware ofmore– immune international is the definition of a war are set until new turbulence of Lesotho, Tiffindell was established Theprovocation latter was declared exempt from ing prosperity a boom in and housing prices andrespectabilonly at every conferenceofand the the importance of in South inter- markets ity.the Sure, he seems have dodgy capacity crime, theafter veryitcrimes which Saddam is established 2012.Africa’s Electricity thanpress the economies Europe, in 1993. As it stands, Tiffindell attracts prosecution agreed for to co-operate drove demand, buttonow thesome bubble media isIftaking greatfor joy vast numbers of tourists from home and national among andlong-term shower habits, the prices Hussein was hung? The companies are set reputation to double over theinvestors next five andAsiainternational and South America. sustained during the investigation. has friends burst. The effectsbut of in these in period, announcing that South attendance at Davos in a long end, have is he been reallylower goingemployment to be the be-all yearshis Bush has just createdtenders new to well-received help finance Eskom’s expansion the crisis might Africans lead to a are abroad, who spend significant amounts were bidding fornot public-sector policies allegations forthe which he is Cape, currently about to elect adownturns corrupt rapist to power January him Eskom capablewants of maintain-series end-allgrowth for South Africa? has done his utmost plans. At the proved same time, of economic in the two of money within Eastern andproblems, taxpayers’but money was used to foot to andand economic in the US. under the investigation. in economies 2009. Whileinhe was found guilty boosting ing power this standing. Zuma also By most accounts, it seems exacerbate existing crises. For example, at reduced rates forknows new that major Africa, Southnot Africa economy of the country’s their inflated bills. When producers agree In light of this, South Africa hasthat to the to offer Considering thebusiness large numbers the rape charges and is stillisa ANC party unity is of probably utmost imporanswer is no. Despiteposition. the wild rumours his administration’s with the energy-intensive projects, in and of Nigeria. Thankfully, ourthere economy poorest province. The modelof on how much they will close chargelinks instead assess its own economic The whoproject adore him, his reactions chance of innocence in theascorruption something which reflected not as may circulate regarding histhe desires a bidtance, petrochemical industry has to reassure investors. A was reliable dependent on America it was 20 for supporters the expansion indicates that of engaging in competition, it isseen donethe US JSE that has fallen by 9.1 percent since have done nothing more than set an case too, the attitude of our potential in his acceptance speech at Polokwane to never leave power or to start a do everything in consumers its power toare prevent energy supply is a critical factor to South years ago. Some local economists predict between 800 and 1,000 jobs will be to inflate prices and the end of December and the Rand and has extremely example. Although Zuma ones revealed far more about him created in December. Seen as When a true ‘man Zimbabwe-esque land reform campaign,Africa’s a serious response globalrising warming. economic future. their of the that president South Africa and other emerging duringbad and after construction. who suffer. With to concern at suffered as a result. Global risk aversion willisprobably notexciting bring our country thansuch any guilty finding have. , his and charisma has never expressed has even a Nero-like markets arepopularity failing, investors tend markets as China and would India will use What even more is that localto theBush escalating costexpressed of healthcare in South has Zuma fuelledhimself the sell-off of South Africanmoreown people’ ruin as President, the fact remains Zuma showedasaacomplete far to outstrip thatmarkets of his predecessor than a simple to continue contempt for his ownascitizens; sitting idly to turn emerging like South and the US recession chance tocontempt develop communities will benefit as they will that Africa, collusion is seen a contributing shares and bonds plan as some investorswith get the damage he has done the legal the national fight against Aids and be given make believe is by exactly Mbeki’s and foreign poliby while Orleans drowned. Africa. Thismany could benefitthat thehe JSE tradeforamongst themselves and shift the opportunity to to provide the factor. MoreNew investigations are underway rid of ‘risky’economic assets. Our export earnings system, international reputation, forand women’s rights withthe hisUS. reckless whatit the country needs to prevent cies. likely True, to hissuffer focusdue is directed towards making an attractive destination for itself power influence from resort withour products and services. in this sector. are also to decreased women’s rights and the Aids pandemic is behaviour and statements during his grassroots development and the working from falling into the rut that is so often a price that South Africa can little afford rape trial and continues to seem little predicted. classes, but no one can deny that it is Surely invading another to pay. more than amused by the serious However, despite these possible about time the government paid more

6

The Oppidan Press 20.02.08

Home Sweet Home. Try your hand at interior decorating with this interactive game. www.hotgames.com HITTING THE G-SPOT >>

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Meet outside Alec Mullins Hall at 20:00 to make a date with the stars at Astrosoc’s public star-gazing. The February night sky can be marvelled at with the society’s telescope. You will be able to identify stunning star groupings with the aid of a 30mW green Laser Pointer. 5IF
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On Saturday 23 February get glittered for OutRhodes society’s ‘Straights Party’: 19:30 for 20:00 at Fort Selwyn. Transport will be leaving from Eden Grove and the theme is Las Vegas meets Moulin Rouge (so think glitter, feathers, sequins, casinos, and anything over the top). Members get in free, R25 for nonmembers and R15 for African Drum Soc members.

Living Room

The name says it all: this is the room where you live! The easiest way to save money is to use what you have. Start by keeping nice-looking bottles (like the blue wine bottles or Peroni bottles), clean them and place them on your windowsill. Then get old frames; spray paint, and some blackboard paint. Spray the frame and paint its inner part with blackboard paint. Write a message or draw a picture on it each week and - voila - you have a wall decoration! Another way to colour your walls is with hats and scarves. Go to the local hardware shop and buy some hooks, put a few of them on the wall and hang colourful things on them. If you print wall-size posters on plain paper, you will be able to create a statement by sticking them all on one wall. Black and white

Kitchen

Many people believe that a kitchen is the heart of a home, but most students tend to avoid the kitchen. A kitchen is more than just a source of food, it is a place to get together, drink wine and enjoy a meal. A kitchen must be clean; so get started and clear the space. Choose a theme for your kitchen: whether it be Italian, modern, or classic 1950s. Buy a few accessories which carry out the theme, such as some towels and cloths in colours that are complimentary. Now style your kitchen with food. If you chose a modern theme, try a simple type of fruit in a glass bowl. Display your collections. Use your wineglasses and plates to decorate your kitchen. Putting your glasses, plates or bowls ‘on show’ adds a modern edge to the room. You can re-paper your drawers and cupboards in a fun, new colour. Get some funky fridge magnets and put interesting recipes on your fridge. Put some flowers or greenery in a vase, or get a pot plant to soften the hard surfaces.

Fixing up your kitchen can give a homely touch to your digs and to add to this, there is nothing that makes a house feel more homely than the smell of fresh coffee or homemade bread.

Bedroom

A digs bedroom is your own private space where you can study and, at the same time, a place to relax and sleep. Start by getting yourself a duvet set of your choice, which will determine the colour theme of your room. It is always easier to keep to neutral coloured curtains so that you can use them for a few years. White curtains, for example, create a spacious feel. Because your room is ‘your’ place, it is always colourful and entertaining to have photos around. Buy test tubes from your

local lab. Hang these test tubes in your window frame with some ribbon or fishing line and place greenery or flowers in them. You can always give a place a fresh feel by painting old furniture. The most important thing to remember when decorating a home is to look out for bargains; use what you have; add a touch of green; and always keep it clean. Most of all, be creative and have fun!

jazzfavourites Nina Simone, best known for her song “My baby just cares for me” has become a legend in the world of jazz. She grew up as Eunice Waymon in North Carolina and was recognised as a child prodigy for her ability to play piano by the age of four. She later studied at the Julliard School of Music in New York. Simone also used music as a source of political commentary. When four black children were killed in the bombing of a Birmingham church in 1963, Nina wrote “Mississippi Goddamn”, a bitter accusation of the situation of her people in the USA. She was able to use music and her strong stage presence to showcase the raw emotion she experienced.

Most Rhodes students recognise the sounds that have brought South African band Goldfish success. The two talented musicians of which the band is comprised, David Poole and Dominic Peters, are known for their fusion of jazz and classical with dance music. Both are successful Jazz musicians, who use samplers, a groove box, keyboards, funky upright bass and saxophones, to obtain their unique Goldfish sound. They are also members of the acclaimed Jazz band, Breakfast Included. They combine their jazz and electronic skills with exciting new techniques to create live dance remixes. Their sound is similar to St. Germainthe Verve Remix albums, Mr Scruff and Fatboy Slim.

Herbie Hancock, a well-known pianist and composer, who has just won the 2008 Grammy for Album of the Year and Best Contemporary Jazz album for “River: The Joni Letters”, was born on 12 April 1940 in Chicago. Hancock is one of the great modernjazz composers, and is the creator of “Watermelon man”, which has been a basic reference-point throughout his career. He is also famous for songs such as “Maiden Voyage”, “Dolphin Dance”, right through to the dance grooves of the insidious and sanity-threatening “Rockit”. Hancock is also renowned for the biggest-selling jazz record of all time, “Head Hunters”.

Potters in the 17th Century had the nasty habit of digging holes in roads in an attempt to find more clay. Hence the word ‘pot-hole’. Nowadays, the search for clay has become far easier. The hunt, in fact, need not go further than Grahamstonian Jane James who was, until recently, a ceramics teacher at Carinus Art School. Jane was my teacher in high school so I was pleasantly surprised when I heard that she was offering private pottery classes from her home studio in Frances Street. The two hour lessons are offered on Monday mornings and evenings and cost a cool R70 per week, which includes all the equipment she has on offer (although you are free to bring your own as well). Classes are very laidback with Jane selling the clay as well as paint, glazes and all the good stuff you need after you have beat the living… air bubbles out of the terracotta clay in an attempt to relieve the stress of daily student life. Fellow potters regularly show up with a bottle of wine to accompany the flow of wide-ranging conversation as you create your own masterpieces. Or in my case, make something pretty. Not to worry if you have never taken clay in hand; Jane is always standing by to demonstrate,

Catherine McDonald Going against every sober person’s advice, I braved the short walk from my Citi Golf to the newly opened Munchies on New Street. Previously known as Mr Burger, this small fast-food takeaway was frequented conditionally: at night after having had one too many drinks, or from sheer desperation. Although Munchies is not exactly fine dining, the establishment looks much better than it used to. It has been redecorated and rearranged, so much so that it isn’t too scary to enter in sober sunlight.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS A potter’s creativity begins to take shape on the wheel.

The menu can even be called impressive, with a variety of dishes to cure any serious attack of the munchies. It offers a bit of everything from around the globe, with burgers (R14+), hotdogs (R8), subs (from R26), vetkoek (R6), Roti (R29), as well as various Chinese and Thai dishes. Munchies also sells chocolates and has a selection of chips for sale, although these are quite expensive, a packet of Cheese Curls breaking the bank at R10! Having tried the sweet and sour chicken myself (R35), I was pleasantly surprised at the size of the serving, although the quantity of the dish was not quite sufficient to compensate for the

quality. I was disappointed to discover that the chicken appeared to have been prepared half-heartedly as the dish was in serious need of sauce and finishing. The service, however, was very friendly and prompt. If your appetite cannot drag itself out of your abode, Munchies deliveries are charged at R2,50, making the grub more accessible to those without transport or the energy to mosey down New Street. Munchies is open until midnight on Monday and Tuesday and until 3am every other day, making sure that those stumbling home from Friar’s still have their fix.

Décor: Atmosphere: Value: Drinks (sodas only): Food:

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Yellow House

Complete the grid by placing digits one through nine in each cell in such a way that only one of each digit is present in every row, column and box.

Pizzeria &

Cocktail Bar On High Street

Open Wednesday to Saturday from 6.30pm 35 exciting cocktails to choose from, at student friendly prices. Also available: cocktail platters, which should be ordered a day in advance; wood fire pizza as well as homemade lasagnas. Bookings to be made from 3pm on 046 636 7884

Puzzler Media 2008

Wednesday 20 February is the Society Sign-up evening at Alec Mullins Hall from 19:00. This event presents an opportunity for the Rhodes community to be exposed to the societies available and sign up to those of interest. Look out for free pizza and T-shirts!

There is no place like home. Your digs cannot be home but it is important to make it a haven, where you feel comfortable. For many students, their digs is just a temporary place to put their things and sleep at night. It is a known fact that your surrounding environment has a psychological effect on you. Living circumstances may be a cause for stress, so it is important to take charge of yours. When you arrive at your digs, you should feel welcome and relaxed. Some people hate decorating, but if you let yourself have fun, you’re likely to be more creative. Here are some affordable tips to make your digs beautiful, and your life less stressful!

advise and inspire, ensuring that everyone receives individual attention from the artist. Although the materials (such as the clay, paint and glaze) need to be purchased separately and are not included in the R70 fee that Jane charges, every conceivable extra is available at ridiculously affordable rates, as is the “firing” of the masterpieces and mugs. Another positive aspect to joining in Jane James’ pottery class is the fact that she is able to teach every possible method; from throwing clay and ‘building’ pots, plates and said ‘pretty things’, to slabs and coils and working with the wheel (although there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell of anyone recreating the scene with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in “Ghost” …so forget it!). If making ceramic artefacts yourself is not your cup of tea, Jane’s pieces are on sale at Reddits and, apart from teaching the discussed pottery classes, Jane also offers reiki and reflexology sessions from her home during the week, although these are by appointment only. To find out about the availability of Jane’s classes or other offers her numbers are (046) 622-7842 and 084 251 4116.

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posters work out cheaper and create a ‘cleaner’ feel. Interior advisor Ann De Koker says that guys could use an old guitar or bicycle, spray paint it so that it looks retro, and hang it on the wall. A house needs life, so put some flowers on the table. If you don’t have money for flowers, one rose or some greens out of the garden should work. You can also add colour by putting some magazines on the coffee table. Because you are most likely to entertain your guests in the living room, it is important that this room shows off your personality, so add your own touch.

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The week of Monday the 18th to Friday 22 February is the Dean of Students’ Alcohol Abuse Awareness Week aimed at highlighting the dangers of misusing alcohol. Events include a “Save TriVarsity” debate on Monday 18 as well as the ‘DOS Challenge’, a Hall-based competition to judge which Hall can stage the most successful alcohol-free event.

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February: the cheesy month of love and foolish displays of nauseating affection is almost behind us. Thank goodness! The thought of having to walk past fuzzy bears and over-priced candy in supermarkets…Well, let’s just say it doesn’t induce the warm fuzzy feelings it purports. Before you come to the conclusion that I am a bitter old spinster, let me assure you firstly that I’m anything but old. The reason that I’m not a huge fan of Valentine’s month has nothing to do with my relationship status, but more to do with the kitsch nature of the commercial affair. It’s all about how many (red) roses and extravagant gifts you can send or receive, posing as a symbol of how much someone values you. In case you didn’t know or understand the meaning behind the day you were celebrating, let me give you a brief history behind lovers’ day. According to history.com, the origins of this love-fest are unclear as there are different stories and legends behind it. My favorite version of events is the story of Father Valentine and Emperor Claudius II. In third century Rome, Claudius II believed that his army would be stronger if they did not have wives and families to distract them so he banned marriages altogether. Father Valentine decided that this was unfair and proceeded to secretly marry the soldiers to their lovers. Claudius found out what Valentine was doing and had him arrested and sentenced to death. The couples that had been married by Valentine would visit his jail cell and pass him flowers and notes to show their gratitude for what he had done for them. Old Valentine then fell in love with his jailer’s daughter and on the day that he was to be executed (14 February), he wrote her a letter and signed it, “From your Valentine”. And that is where the soppies supposedly began. Regardless of what the original story is, we’ve moved away from the true essence of Valentine’s deathrow sincerity. Of course it’s fantastic to have someone pamper you and show you how much they appreciate you, but surely if your relationship is stable enough your partner shouldn’t have to wait for one silly day to express their deepest feelings? If you’re left doubting your partner’s affections for the other 364 days, perhaps you need to re-evaluate what it is you both want and what your relationship is all about. If you don’t receive anything this month, it certainly does not mean that you are unworthy of love or that you are any less desirable than your friend next door who received a dozen presents (red). The days of feeling unloved because you didn’t get a chocolate from a secret admirer should be left behind along with your high school crush. I may not know what love is, but I know that it can’t be bought from the shop around the corner. There is more to making a relationship work than wilting flowers and cutesy greeting cards (red).

Editor: Ines Schumacher Editor: Ines Schumacher Deputy Editor: Jade Deputy Editor:Fernley Jade Fernley Managing Editor: Lionel Managing Editor: Faull Lionel Faull Advertising Manager:Manager: TasminTasmin VoslooVosloo Advertising Marketing Manager:Manager: AndrewAndrew Lynch Lynch Marketing FinancialFinancial Manager:Manager: Solomon Moyo Moyo Solomon Arts Editor: Strydom ArtsAmanda Editor: Amanda Strydom AssistantAssistant Chief Designer: Ashleigh Swaile Swaile Chief Designer: Ashleigh

Pic: Gaynor Barnard

Pic: Gaynor Barnard

Rock. Ricci. Rock. Hard Ricci.place. Hard place. Ricci has done braveathing: Ricci hasadone brave he thing: he chose to honour the Student Constituchose to honour the Student Constitution despite his inclinations not to.not He to. is He is tion despite his inclinations on academic probation, and therefore, on academic probation, and therefore, constitutionally, he must If RicciIf Ricci constitutionally, heresign. must resign. had nothad left,not a few voices voices left,(annoying) a few (annoying) would would have cried over actions havefoul cried foulhis over his actions and tainted the realthe reason he would and tainted real reason he would have stayed: to helptostudents. Ricci isn’t have stayed: help students. Ricci isn’t selfish.selfish. The Rhodes studentstudent body has losthas a lost a The Rhodes body great leader and, although he will remain great leader and, although he will remain involved behindbehind the scenes, the SRC involved the scenes, thewill SRC will not be not the be same him. him. thewithout same without The circumstances forced forced him tohim to The circumstances resign.resign. The question I ask isIthis: The question ask isshould this: should the circumstances change? Wouldn’t the circumstances change? Wouldn’t we rather have anhave SRCanPresident who who we rather SRC President is not encumbered by the by demands of is not encumbered the demands of academic life? We don’t academic life? Wehave don’tThabo have Thabo MbekiMbeki rushingrushing to his Politics tutorialtutorial in to his Politics in the middle of…whatever he does. the middle of…whatever heUCT does. UCT has adopted this system, sending their their has adopted this system, sending president on a sabbatical to fulfiltohis du-his dupresident on a sabbatical fulfil ties to ties the student body. This is someto the student body. This is something that our new Xolani,Xolani, thing that ourpresident, new president, might might consider implementing for future consider implementing for future SRC presidents. SRC presidents. Ricci’s Ricci’s resignation leaves aleaves sour ataste resignation sour taste in my mouth. Not because of anything Consultants, was among the listthe on list theon board’s website, it listedit listeddent Property Monika Gaybba of Independent Prop- Propin my mouth. Not because of anything dent Property Consultants, was among the board’s website, Monika Gaybba of Independent Robert BrandBrand Robert he did,he butdid, because of someone passingpassing estate agents with whom students four non-certified agents agents affiliated to erty Consultants, also known as Monika but because of someone estate agents with whom students four non-certified affiliated to rental rental erty Consultants, also known as Monika by beneath the radar. leaving due due bad experiences. This isThis not the Monika Gaybba Properties. AccordGaybba Properties, lodgedlodged a complaint by beneath the Ricci radar.isRicci is leaving had had bad experiences. is not the Monika Gaybba Properties. Accord- had had Gaybba Properties, a complaint to “academic reasons”, but why nobody case. Independent Property Consultants ing to ing The to Oppidan Press, the complete about The Oppidan Press’ coverage. The The to “academic reasons”, butis why is nobody case. Independent Property Consultants The Oppidan Press, the complete about The Oppidan Press’ coverage. drawing attention to the fact that our does not operate a rental agency. The The list included 31 non-certified agents complaint is directed at the editorial drawing attention to the fact that our does not operate a rental agency. list included 31 non-certified agents complaint is directed at the editorial Vice-President External is leaving for for Press also stated that the Estate in Grahamstown; when Iwhen checked it, writtenwritten by InesbySchumacher. Vice-President External is leaving Oppidan Press also stated that the Estate in Grahamstown; I checked it, Oppidan Ines Schumacher. “personal reasons”? The woman who sowho so AffairsAffairs Board Board had listed The20. editor assuredassured me thatme thatAgencyAgency The complainant had two objec“personal reasons”? The woman had five listed five listed The editor The complainant had two objec- it listedit 20. boldly boldly promised that she would be our be our agents agents affiliated to Monika checked the list,the it listed tions totions the editorial, which which could be promised that she would non-certified affiliated to Monika when she checked list, it 31 listed 31 non-certified to the editorial, could be when she FeMailFeMail & Guardian has chosen the right Properties. This was based Grahamstown agents,agents, of whom five five Gaybba summed up as follows: & Guardian has chosen the right Gaybba Properties. This was on based on Grahamstown of whom summed up as follows: moment to leave, I incorrect information supplied by the by the affiliated to Monika Gayb- Gayb1. Her 1. agency, which which is not aisrental moment to that’s leave,why. that’sAlthough why. Although I incorrect information supplied were as listed as affiliated to Monika Her agency, not a rentalwere listed am assured that Bianca-Maree’s decision According to Monika Gaybba She hasShe a witness who iswho board. agency,agency, was referred to “in the context am assured that Bianca-Maree’s decision board. According to Monika Gaybba ba Properties. has a witness is was referred to “in the contextba Properties. was made of Ricci’s, I Property Consultants, to vouch for thefor accuracy of of an article dealingdealing with bad experiwas independently made independently of Ricci’s, I of Independent Property Consultants, prepared to vouch the accuracy ofof Independent of an article with bad experi- prepared have tohave wonder what her motivations all agents working for thefor agency have have her report. ences students have had of had rental agen- agento wonder what her motivations all agents working the agency her report. ences students have of rental are. If she decision prior prior Fund Certificates. The Oppidan I spokeI to Darius Masenya at the at the FidelityFidelity cies,” and was thus by thatby that are.made If she her made her decision Fund Certificates. The Oppidan spoke to Darius Masenya cies,” and wastarnished thus tarnished to Ricci’s, why was it not to Monika Gaybba and and Estate Estate AgencyAgency AffairsAffairs Board,Board, who who Press apologises association. to Ricci’s, why wasannounced it not announced Press apologises to Monika Gaybba association. prior toprior his?to Should she be she ablebe toable leaveto leave Property Consultants. informed me thatme the website is out is out Independent 2. The 2. editorial stated stated that the Estate his? Should Independent Property Consultants. informed that the website The editorial that the Estate without disclosing the realthe reason for herfor her that the information on it on it AgencyAgency AffairsAffairs Board Board listed five nonwithout disclosing real reason date and that the information listed five non-of dateofand resignation? A student leader leader must be Brand Brand is a journalism lecturerlecturer could be incorrect. He also stated that thatRobertRobert certified agents affiliated with Monika resignation? A student must be is a journalism could be incorrect. He also stated certified agents affiliated with Monika transparent and unselfish – values that that specialising in law in and ethics. He alsoHe also technicians had been Gaybba Properties, when in fact in only transparent and unselfish – values specialising law and ethics. the board’s technicians haddownbeen downGaybba Properties, when fact onlythe board’s she hasshe chosen to ignore. The Holy acts asacts the newspaper’s ombudsman. He He loadingloading and updating certaincertain informathree were Two ofTwo those lefthad left has chosen to ignore. TheGrail Holy Grail as the newspaper’s ombudsman. and updating informathreelisted. were listed. of had those aroundaround “personal reasons” (so often On 24 On October last year, Oppidan complaints from disgruntled theon site, which may explain while the third “personal reasons” (soused often used 24 October lastThe year, The Oppidanthe agency, fields any complaints from disgruntled the site, which may explain fields any the agency, while theappeared third appeared tion ontion to get out of an situation) Press published an article, “Oppies left lefton theon readersreaders and serves an objective me- meviewersviewers found found three three listthe in error. Oppidan Press Presswhy three to get outuncomfortable of an uncomfortable situation) Press published an article, “Oppies and as serves as an objective whydifferent three different list in The error. The Oppidan must be de-sanctified in order holdto hold out in out the cold” students’ difficulties diator diator in editorial disputes. If you have different lists at lists different times. times. didn’t attempt to obtain comment from from must be de-sanctified into order in theon cold” on students’ difficulties in editorial disputes. If you have different at different didn’t attempt to obtain comment our leaders accountable when they in dealing with estate that handle please please contactcontact him onhim on I accept the editor’s assurance that thatany complaints, Monika Gaybba Properties, which which our leaders accountable whenslink they slink in dealing with agents estate agents that handle any complaints, I accept the editor’s assurance Monika Gaybba Properties, off intooff theinto shadows. off-campus accommodation rentals.rentals. would would listed non-certified agents [email protected]. have set theset record straight. the shadows. off-campus accommodation [email protected]. site five listed five non-certified have the record straight. the sitethe On a more note, our own – Pam –Golding and and I discussed affiliated to Monika Gaybba Properties the complaints telephonOn apositive more positive note, our own Two estate Two agents estate agents Pam Golding affiliated to Monika Gaybba Properties I discussed the complaints telephonOppidan Councillor, Pumeza, has taken Drostdy EstatesEstates – were–singled out out ically with examined it. The it. writer of the of the Gaybba of Independent Oppidan Councillor, Pumeza, has taken Drostdy were singled when she examined The writer icallyMs with Ms Gaybba of Independentwhen she over asover Vice-President Internal. The Opfor criticism. Both were the the Property editorial cannotcannot be faulted for using Consultants (“Monika Gaybba as Vice-President Internal. The Opfor criticism. Bothafforded were afforded editorial be faulted for using Property Consultants (“Monika Gaybba pidan Press her andher wishes opportunity to comment, and theand cominformation on a public websitewebsite of a of a Dear Readers, Properties”) and with pidancongratulates Press congratulates and wishes opportunity to comment, the comDear Readers, information on a public Properties”) andInes withSchumacher. Ines Schumacher. her all her the all bestthe forbest thefor year ahead. I were carried in the article. body, even that if inforWith regard to the first complaint, the year ahead. I ments ments were carried in the article. professional body,ifeven that inforWith regard to the first complaint,professional encourage all Oppidans to consider run- run- An editorial in the same clutching this newspaper subsequently turnedturned out to out be to beIf you are complainant. Inde- Inde- mationmation encourage all Oppidans to consider An editorial in theedition, same edition, I agreeI with If you are clutching this newspaper subsequently agreethe with the complainant. ning for thefor newly position. The The signedsigned by the by editor, Ines Schumacher, between gratefulgrateful fingers,fingers, then good pendent Property Consultants does does incorrect. ning the opened newly opened position. the editor, Ines Schumacher, between thenfor good for incorrect. pendent Property Consultants only way weway canwe make voices heard heard provided adviceadvice on howontohow dealtowith we undertake to deliver a asthat it may, she had sought a rentala rental agency.agency. Mentiononly canour make our voices provided deal with not operate you. Although we undertake to deliver a as itifmay, if she had soughtyou. Although not operate Mention- Be thatBe is to stand to the make agents.agents. The editorial included a the newspaper – free –– to every from Monika Gaybba Prop- Prop-copy ofcopy Gaybba Properties in the in thecomment is toup stand up plate to theand plate andamake a rental rental The editorial included aing Monika of the newspaper free – to every comment from Monika Gaybba ing Monika Gaybba Properties change.change. reference to the Estate AgencyAgency AffairsAffairscontextcontext Grahamstown, it is quite erties, erties, that would have provided an of coverage of students’ bad ex-bad exreference to the Estate in Grahamstown, it ispossible quite possible that would have provided an digs indigs of coverage of students’ This year have our our Board,Board, which which regulates the industry that you don’t always receive one. opportunity to rectify or at least clarify with rental agents does imply, Thisweyear weexpanded have expanded regulates the industry periences that you don’t always receiveThere one. There periences with rental agents does imply, opportunity to rectify or at least clarify newspaper, addingadding four more non-certified estate agents on are three you need do: first, the information supplied by the by board. incorrectly and negatively, that it that is also newspaper, fourpages more of pages ofand lists and lists non-certified estate agents on arethings three things youtoneed to do: first, the information supplied the board. incorrectly and negatively, it is also news, information and entertainment. According to the editorial, your post- postThe failure to seektocomment from the agency,agency, and that students have have news, information and entertainment.its website. its website. According to the editorial,a rentala rental makethat sure thathouse your and/or house and/or The failure seek comment from themake sure and that students TheOppidanPress.com is beingis reincludes 31 non-certified estate estate box is clearly numbered; second, check complainant is, as I mentioned previhad bad experiences with it. The newsTheOppidanPress.com being re- the listthe list includes 31 non-certified box is clearly numbered; second, check complainant is, as I mentioned previhad bad experiences with it. The newslaunched today, today, with daily agents agents in Grahamstown, of whom five fivepaper’spaper’s to see iftoone themof them the root the complaint. failurefailure to seektocomment from fromously, at launched withnews dailyupdates, news updates, in Grahamstown, of whom withdigsmates your digsmates see of if one ously, at theofroot of the complaint. with your seek comment multimedia features, interactive opinion are affiliated with “Monika Gaybba alwaysalways hogs your copy; the newspaper can becan faultProperty Consultants is a is a I believe multimedia features, interactive opinion are affiliated with “Monika Gaybba Independent hogsdigs your digsthird, copy; go third, go I believe the newspaper be faultIndependent Property Consultants polls and much proudly invite invite Properties” and four and filland fill ed for ed unfair coverage, in thatin it that didn’t of concern in thisin regard. polls and more. much We more. We proudly Properties” andwith fourDrostdy with Drostdy mattermatter to www.TheOppidanPress.com for unfair coverage, it didn’tto www.TheOppidanPress.com of concern this regard. you to you jointo usjoin as we next instep Estates. These non-certified agents,agents, online form giving us yourusexact to obtain comment from the The second, and more ustake as wethe take thestep next in Estates. These non-certified the online form giving your exact attempt to obtain comment from the out theout The second, andserious, more serious, attempt studentstudent journalism. according to the editorial, “are not physical address and description of yourof your subject of critical coverage. I therefore is more complex. The comjournalism. according to the editorial, “are not complaint physical address and description subject of critical coverage. I therefore complaint is more complex. The compermitted to practise estate agency” house.house. that the newspaper carry carry claimsclaims that the Estate AgencyAgencyrecommended permitted to practise estate agency” plainant recommended that the newspaper plainant that the Estate and students should avoid with with correction and apology: AffairsAffairs Board Board lists only and students should dealing avoid dealing Best wishes, the following correction and apology:Best wishes, liststhree onlynonthree non- the following them. them. Ines Schumacher In an article on 24 October, The Opcertified agents agents affiliated to Monika Ines Schumacher In an article on 24 October, The Opcertified affiliated to Monika In a letter October and de-and deLionel Lionel Faull Faull 072 461072 3174 that Monika Gayb- GaybGaybba Properties, not fivenot as five alleged In adated letter 26 dated 26 October 461 3174 pidanimplied Press implied that Monika Gaybba Properties, as allegedpidan Press livered to me via email on 30 October, Managing Editor Editor [email protected] ba Properties, also known as IndepenOppidan Press. When I checked livered to me via email on 30 October,by Theby Managing [email protected] ba Properties, also known as IndepenThe Oppidan Press. When I checked

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KibakiKibaki and hisand nearest challenger, Raila Railaa visibly shattered ECK chairman in a in a his nearest challenger, a visibly shattered ECK chairman Odinga. KibakiKibaki had trailed in all opinion room that had been of all election Odinga. had trailed in all opinion room that hadcleared been cleared of all election polls for months, but thebut margin had had observers and journalists by paramilitary polls for months, the margin observers and journalists by paramilitary After previous elections, the winnarrowed to onlytoabout percent on After previous elections, the winnarrowed only 3about 3 percent on police.police. election day. Byday. 30 December , however, ner hadner always been sworn in a dayinor had always been sworn a day or election By 30 December , however, tat violence. We don’t in live any in of any the of the KibakiKibaki had won thebut manner in which so latersowith ceremony in one in one tat violence. Welive don’t hadbut won the manner in which laterpomp with and pomp and ceremony centrescentres that have brunt “Sohowazyourvac?” The ubiquitous first- firstthe election had been in his favour of Nairobi’s public public parks. parks. Not this time. thatborne have the borne the brunt “Sohowazyourvac?” The ubiquitous the election hadrigged been rigged in his favour of Nairobi’s Not this time.urban urban But weBut have week-of term question. was blatant to all but thebut most of coronation occurred withinwithin a of the killings. weseen haverefugee seen refugee week-of term question. was blatant to all thebiased most biased ofKibaki’sKibaki’s coronation occurred a of the killings. camps,camps, roadblocks and looting. Speak to “I went“Iback Kenya, I reply. few hours, from the publicly-inaccessible his supporters. roadblocks and looting. Speak to wenthome back to home to ”Kenya, ” I reply. few hours, from the publicly-inaccessible his supporters. the other at Rhodes, “Wow!“Wow! That must so beautiful. ” The proof? Kibaki’sKibaki’s party had been OdingaOdinga went on TVon to TV to many of many of theKenyans other Kenyans at Rhodes, Thatbe must be so beautiful. ” The proof? party had been State House. State House. went sure Eyes mist reflect reflect imagesimages decimated, with many his trusted result – pop! half-way I’myou’ll sure hear you’llmuch hear worse. much worse. Eyesover, mistcorneas over, corneas decimated, with of many of his trusted refute the refute theand result and –– pop! – half-way and I’mand does alldoes thisall leave of rolling plains teeming with lions defeated by largebymargins. his speech the plug pulled So where thisKenya? leave Kenya? of rolling plains teeming withand lions andlieutenants lieutenants defeated large margins. through through his speech thewas plug was pulled So where Most tellingly, it has betrayed the moral lithe Maasai warriors jumping around.around.OdingaOdinga claimed more than of half the of the on all live media broadcasts throughout Most tellingly, it has betrayed the moral lithe Maasai warriors jumping claimed morehalf than on all live media broadcasts throughout and brutal way inway which Kikuyus have have of our of political class. Kibaki, “Um, yes, sort of.sort Butof. youBut heard Kenya.Kenya. For 48 For hours were to parliamentary seats, double that of that of and brutal in which Kikuyus bankruptcy our political class. Kibaki, “Um, yes, you about heard about 48 we hours wetreated were treated tobankruptcy parliamentary seats, double been targeted since the polls Ruto’s for his for part, squandered the goodwill our elections, right?”right?” Kibaki’sKibaki’s party. The Electoral Commission cartoons and warm HardlyHardly been targeted since theinpolls in Ruto’s hishas part, has squandered the goodwill our elections, party. The Electoral Commission cartoons and fuzzy warmmusic. fuzzy music. the Riftthe Valley, shouldshould not be not be the entire that that backyard, Some have, haven’t.haven’t. But a large of Kenya (ECK)(ECK) had taken imposof a free fairand election. backyard, Rift Valley, of practically the country entire country Someothers have, others But a large of Kenya hadan taken an impos- indicators indicators ofand a free fair election. of practically coincidence. inhim (andinrecalcitrant dictator number of us Kenyan students have have sibly slow hours announce KibakiKibaki The result Kibaki’s win haswin since as coincidence. voted (and recalcitrant dictatorseen asseen number of us Kenyan students sibly72slow 72 to hours to announce Theof result of Kibaki’s has since voted him And don’t meget started Daniel arap Moi out) in 2002. Kibaki and returned to Rhodes after likely the most seen more than 1,000 people killed the winner. During this time, Kibaki Andeven don’tget even me started Daniel arap Moi out) in 2002. Kibaki and returned to Rhodes after likely the most seen more than 1,000 people killed the winner. During this time, Kibaki on the on third candidate, were allies Kibaki has has disturbing vac of our lives. had somehow managed to overturn a violence and perhaps thepresidential third presidential candidate, werethen, alliesbut then, but Kibaki disturbing vac of our lives. had somehow managed to overturn a in inter-ethnic in inter-ethnic violence and perhaps OdingaOdinga Musyoka. Young,Young, dynamic, nearly nearly every promise he made On 27 On December Kenyans voted in marginmargin mainlymainly through peoplepeople displaced. Luckily,Luckily, my my brokenbroken Kalonzo Musyoka. dynamic, every promise he made Kalonzo 27 December Kenyans voted inmillion-vote million-vote through 500,000500,000 displaced. he campaigned with with to the nation ever since; a parliamentary and presidential elections. family family and I don’t to ethnic results results announced in the latter highly-educated, he campaigned to the nation ever including since; including a highly-educated, parliamentary and presidential elections. announced in the24-hours latter 24-hours and Ibelong don’t belong to ethnic determination againstagainst both both constitutional review,review, a power-sharing The latter predicted to be ato closelygroupsgroups that backed KibakiKibaki or Odinga, so admirable determination constitutional a power-sharingadmirable Thewas latter was predicted be a closely-of the ECK’s that backed or Odinga, so of the prevarications. ECK’s prevarications. Kibaki and Raila. I had genuine hopes agreement with then-ally Odinga, and foughtfought election between President Mwai The final result was announced by we haven’t been targeted in the tit-forKibaki and Raila. I had genuine hopes agreement with then-ally Odinga, and election between President Mwai The final result was announced by we haven’t been targeted in the tit-forthat Musyoka would would provideprovide the homea crackdown on corruption. His clumsy that Musyoka the homea crackdown on corruption. His clumsy solution to the post-election manipulation of the election result has solution to the post-election manipulation of the election result hasgrown grown crisis by mediating between undoubtedly been his most political crisis by mediating between undoubtedly been hisdamnmost damn- political challengers. No No ing act.ing There since: since: his fellow-presidential his fellow-presidential challengers. act. have Therebeen haveothers been others At the At firstthe whiff the trough (a like announcing a new Cabinet (sans (sans chance.chance. firstofwhiff of the trough (a like announcing a new Cabinet Vice-President’s position for himself and and Odinga) just hours AfricanAfrican Union Union Vice-President’s position for himself Odinga) just before hours before seats inseats the Cabinet for his for allies), mediator John Kuffour touched down down severalseveral in the Cabinet his allies), mediator John Kuffour touched he guzzled up what Kibaki could offer in Nairobi to discuss a power-sharing he guzzled up what Kibaki could offer in Nairobi to discuss a power-sharing him. Tohim. hellTo with country’s need for arrangement. hellhis with his country’s need for arrangement. prosperity. As for As Odinga, he is notorious in peace and prosperity. for Odinga, he is notorious in peace and Two things give megive hope: firstthe is first is Kenya Kenya for being a life-long power power Two things me the hope: for on being on a life-long that thethat disputed presidential election trip. Hetrip. hasHe been in no less than the disputed presidential election hasengaged been engaged in no less than obscured the relevance of the of the three major in the last fivelast five result has result has obscured the relevance three coalitions major coalitions in the elections. Kenyans oustedousted years, trying to propel himselfhimself into theinto theparliamentary parliamentary elections. Kenyans years, trying to propel a wholea whole host ofhost morally-dubious, tired tired Presidency. Each coalition has crumbled of morally-dubious, Presidency. Each coalition has crumbled politicians and and as Odinga left forleft pastures new. His re-His re-old stick-in-the-mud old stick-in-the-mud politicians as Odinga for pastures new. have given new generation of leaders a cent election pledgespledges were a were joke. aHe toldHe told haveagiven a new generation of leaders a cent election joke. chance. The second is that is Kenyans now now each region in turninwhat to chance. The second that Kenyans each region turnthey whatwanted they wanted to recognise the need a total of hear; taken a whole, his election mani- manirecognise thefor need for aoverhaul total overhaul of hear; as taken as a whole, his election our constitution and many festo would have polarised and probably our constitution and previouslymany previouslyfesto would have polarised and probably held assumptions about how impoverished the country. He hasHe gathheld assumptions aboutKenya how Kenya impoverished the country. has gathbe governed. There may more ered around him some be governed. Therebemay be more ered around himnasty sometypes, nasty like types, likeshouldshould come, but Kenya will shine William Ruto –Ruto a former wingman and andhard times hard to times to come, but Kenya will shine William – a former wingman again. again. bully-boy of arapofMoi’s. systematic brightly bully-boy arap The Moi’s. The systematicbrightly

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The Oppidan Press 20.02.08

Safety and security tips you’ll want to know if you’re living in digs -JTB
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Self Defence Vulnerable points with methods of attack Eyes - fist, fingers Ears - flat of the hand Bridge of the nose - back fist, head Chin - kick, fist, elbow Windpipe - fist, elbow, chop

Solar plexis - kick, knee, fist

to face it naked. 6. Your computer is your best friend. If you have a laptop, get a lock and chain it to your desk. You don’t want to end up writing a 5,000 word essay by hand. Chains are available from all good computer stores. 7. Do not walk home alone at night, especially if you’re drunk. The chances of a would-be rapist crouching in the shadows are minimal, but the probability of being mugged is considerably higher. 8. The vast majority of rapes (almost 80 percent) are committed by acquaintances. In the age bracket 16-25, the statistics are even higher. If you’re out drinking, use a buddy system – you look out for your buddy and they look out for you. That way they can check up on you if you’ve been gone too long, or some unsavoury character takes advantage of your inebriation. This applies to men and women. Being macho is no protection against two or more would-be

rapists. 9. Sometimes trying to beat up an aggressor is inadvisable – like when they have a broken bottle in their hands and a crazed glint in their eyes. For those occasions when you think self-defence will improve your chances of survival, we suggest going for the low blow, in the cases of male aggressors. It’s simple. (1) Aim at the crotch, (2) grab his balls, (3) twist ‘em, and (4) pull, hard. In four easy steps you’ll have him writhing on the ground in inexpressible agony. Then run. Make straight for the nearest place of safety – a police station, busy public space, or a friend’s house. 10. Lastly, make sure that you have a set of emergency numbers for the police station/hospital and next of kin. Keep a hard copy in case you are unable to get to your cell phone. Fill in the card to the right and cut it out to keep in your kitchen or bedroom in case of an emergency.

Groin - kick, knee, fist Knee - kick from front or side Shin - kick Instep - stamp on

EMERGENCY DETAILS Grahamstown Police station: 0860-10111 Grahamstown Hospital: 10177 Next of kin/close friend:

BE PREPARED In the event of being physically attacked, knowing the body’s vulnerable points will give you an advantage over your attacker (above). To be even better prepared take self-defence classes to learn the most effective ways of defending yourself (top left and right).

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The digs experience has become a reality at last. You can smoke and drink what you want, when you want. Although the dishes cannot wash themselves, they also can’t tell you what to do. Life is sweet until your laptop is nicked out of the window, you lose three cell phones in as many months and you’re left going comando because someone stole all the washing off the clothesline. Welcome to Grahamstown – City of Saints and rampant petty crime. We’ve collected tips from ‘once burnt, twice shy’ Oppi students – following these precautions ought to make it more difficult for opportunistic thieves to rob you of everything you hold dear. 1. Lock up, even if you’re just going out for five minutes. 2. Almost all digs have a functional security alarm. The first day I moved into my digs, I opened the door and was greeted by a piercing ringing. Having never used an alarm before, I just ignored it and started moving into the house. A minute later, Hi-Tec rushed through the front gate, armed, very dangerous and charging right for me. Being taught how to use an alarm for the first time by a security guard with arms bigger than a normal person’s waist was not my idea of fun. But I learnt my lesson. The four to six digit code should always be punched in when you leave the house. Try and put on your alarm every night before you go to sleep, even if it’s just the places you know you won’t sleepwalk into– rather wake up to an alarm than to a stranger rooting through your things. 3. Leaving keys in the door on the outside is like inviting the criminals over for coffee, so make a hook in a discreet area for them to hang when you have locked the door. 4. Close the windows when you leave as thieves often employ kids to wriggle through the smallest of gaps. This is a hassle to do all the time if you are always in and out of digs, so only open the windows that are easily accessible if you’ll only be using them for a short amount of time. Do not leave any kind of valuable within easy reach of open windows, even if you’re at home. 5. Take your washing down off the washing line when you leave. Varsity life is enough of a challenge without having

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pliances such as a small TV, a laptop or a cell phone charger. In theory at least… If anyone gets this right please contact The Oppidan Press!

>> Andrew Slaughter

The US economy is the largest in the By now we are all Ja- that world, so familiar it comeswith as nowhy surprise cob Zuma is supposed to be the bad news of a possible recession guy of the in Southeconomy African politics. We of have all theSeveral weird and The Tiffindell expansion project is aOf new milkwonderful and breadthings producing by the end thisheard year is sendabout theing corruption charges, theworld rape markets. going oncompanies in the world today, I think development set to put the Eastern Cape were recently exposed and shockwaves through charges and, of course, the infamous one of theprosecuted craziest isfor thatcollusion. none of the on the international map for a reason As producers of The reasons behind this recession apshower incident. the other hand, presidential hopefuls in the these US election not many people would guess – skiing. critical food stuffs, companies inpear to beOn driven by the US itself, in its we have indulging also heardof about his supposed campaigncurred have suggested The R400 million project will include the wrath impeaching of the public, media and economic policies that have innocence and how all this scandal is Presidentauthorities, Bush. The last seven of the hardest a 150-bed five star hotel and 120 timeas the pooryears are hit proved counter-productive. nothing butIn a smear by lendthe Bushby (mis)rule have seen the ascenshare apartments. Already underway, this unethical business practice. Augustcampaign 2007, therun reckless those who himfinancial and want to see most venal and corrupt the project will boast extensive newdancy of theThe trend continues in an even inghate by US institutions was Mbeki stay in power.Put simply, Americans are in American history. entertainment and leisure facilities administration more critical industry – healthcare. The unearthed. Theseover-borrowed are clearly twoand vastly different and their Just look at the impressive rap sheet: to increase the resort’s status on an Competition Commission has referred over-spent accountscredit-fuelled of one man’s life and morality Bush liedthree aboutpharmaceutical the reasons forcompanies invading to the international level. These include a spa spending spree has grindand the question becomes: which one proceeded toTribunal send in the troops and wellness centre, a gym and newIraq, andCompetition for prosecution ed to a halt. This reduction in spending is right? is Is slowing Jacob Zuma bad despite overwhelming opchairlifts, and a custom-built ice-rink. after they wereinternational found to be colluding downreally theiraseconomy. This has as they say Will he slump really bring position.when Despite promises of a speedy tenders. It will be twinned with an internabidding for government ledhe to is? a housing and problems in South Africa down asmarkets. he becomes US troops, the overtional ski resort in Europe and is thewithdrawal TheofCompetition Commission found that the financial The the US Federal latest dictator to run stretchedAdcock militaryIngram is nowCritical an unpopular spending by the US. Compounding investors, provided mines and industries only South African resort with natural Care, Dismed Reserve (the the US extraordinary central bank) tried potentialtoofcurb his African country into the force in Thusanong the middle Heathcare of a civil and Frethis situation is the Eskom saga. Many have the power to continue operating. snow for skiing purposes. The resortoccupying Criticare, the situation through interest ground?rate Perhaps he isthe justgovernment someone who war which couldKabi haveSouth beenAfrica, prevented economists have sharply lowered their However, most of Sub-Saharan Africa also has facilities to blow snow during senius engaged with cuts and increased positives, never been far larger attention to the poor. Despite his lack of wants thespending best for to hisstimulate country and inthe invasion had never place. process to growth forecasts to account for is controversy not directly has integrated into the months of minimal powder. Situatedif in each other duringtaken the tender the economy. This economic from Zuma’s Corruption allegations formal schooling, alsoconstraints, appears to which tends to only forgecreated a path towards economic Surely invading another country without prices. the effects Zuma of power worldside. economy. African economies are the north Eastern Cape on the border avoid competition and manipulate a false ‘wealth effect’, creat– and now a looming – dog himin the world be an intelligent He isuntil wellnew aware of prosperity international respectabilprovocation the definition of aexempt war from are set toman. continue generating more immunetrial to turbulence of Lesotho, Tiffindell was established Theislatter was declared ingand a boom in housing prices and only at every markets press conference and the of Europe, the importance Africa’s inter- Electricity ity. Sure,drove he seems to have some dodgy crime, the very crimesafter for it which Saddam capacity of is South established in 2012. than the economies in 1993. As it stands, Tiffindell attracts prosecution agreed to co-operate the demand, but now the bubble media is taking greatIfjoy nationalprices reputation investors andnext international friends and habits, but in the was hung? are setamong to double over the five Asia and South America. sustained for vast numbers of tourists from homeHussein and during the investigation. The companies has shower burst. The long-term effects of these in announcing that South Africans are lead to a his well-received attendance at Davosexpansion in end, is hepolicies really going to belower the be-all just created new years to help finance Eskom’s a long period, the crisis might abroad, who spend significant amountsBush has werenot bidding for public-sector tenders have been employment which he is the currently about to elect a corrupt rapist to power January proved him capable of maintainand end-all for South Africa? buttaxpayers’ has done money his utmost plans. At the same time, Eskom wants series of economic downturns in theallegations two of for money within Eastern Cape, problems,and was to used to foot and economic growth in the US. under investigation. in 2009.major Whileeconomies he was found not guilty ing this to standing. Zuma knows that By most In accounts, seems thatAfrica the has to exacerbate existing crises. example, offer power at also reduced rates for new in Africa, South Africa boosting the economy of the country’s their inflated bills.For When producers agree light of it this, South large numbers of model there is still ANC party unity is of utmost imporanswer isassess no. Despite wild rumours his administration’s close links theinstead energy-intensive projects, probably inof the rape andcharges Nigeria.and Thankfully, ouraeconomy isConsidering poorestthe province. The business on how much they willwith charge its ownthe economic position. The supporters him,project his reactions in theoncorruption tance, something which was reflected that mayJSE circulate regarding desires petrochemical industry has seen the it USis done a bid to reassure investors. A reliable chance of notinnocence as dependent America as it was 20 forwho the adore expansion indicates that of engaging in competition, has fallen by 9.1 his percent since the have done nothing more than set an case too, the attitude of our potential in his acceptance speech at Polokwane to never end leaveofpower or to start a do everything in its power to prevent energy supply is a critical factor to South years ago. Some local economists predict between 800 and 1,000 jobs will be to inflate prices and consumers are the December and the Rand and has extremelycreated bad example. Zuma revealed more about in December. as a true ‘man When of the theirpresident Zimbabwe-esque reform campaign, a seriousones response global warming. Africa’sSeen economic future. that South far Africa and otherhim emerging during Although and after construction. who to suffer. With concern rising at suffered asland a result. Global risk aversion bringmore our country than anymarkets guilty finding people’, own his popularity and charisma Zuma himself has never expressed moreAfrican Bush hasthe even expressed a Nero-like markets are failing, investors tend such aswould Chinahave. and India willwill useprobably Whatnot is even excitingto is that local escalating cost of healthcare in South has fuelled the sell-off of South ruin as President, the fact remains that Zuma showed a complete contempt far outstrip that of his predecessor and than a simple plan to continue with contempt for his own citizens; sitting idly to turn to emerging markets like South the US recession as a chance to develop communities will benefit as they will Africa, collusion is seen as a contributing shares and bonds as some investors get he hasthe done to the legalto provideby fight against Aids and make many believe hebenefit is exactly Mbeki’s economic and foreign poliNew Orleans drowned. are underway Africa. This that could the JSE by for the national trade amongst themselves and shift the damage be given opportunity thewhile factor. More investigations rid of ‘risky’ assets. Our export earnings international reputation, rights his reckless what themaking country to prevent itself forfor women’s cies. True, focus is directed it needs an attractive destination power and with influence from the US. system, our resort with products and services. in this sector. arehis also likely to suffer towards due to decreased women’s rights and the Aids pandemic is behaviour and statements during his grassroots development and the working from falling into the rut that is so often a price that South Africa can little afford rape trial and continues to seem little predicted. classes, but no one can deny that it is Surely invading another to pay. more than amused by the serious However, despite these possible about time the government paid more

they showed up in their birthday suits. According to Kenyan culture, to see an unknown woman naked is a curse; a tool which has proved highly effective for the marching women. As long as they remain unclothed, no police officer is willing to arrest or hurt them, and they are free to continue their protest, as well as attract much media attention. No word yet on whether the Rhodes women intend to get their panties out to protest fee hikes or the possible abolishing of TriVarsity later this year.

caring and voicing for people whom he does not share faith with.” – Salah Nizami, Gulf News. “It’s hardly surprising that in a climate in which denouncing ‘Islamists’ has become the polite way to attack Muslims, and a literary figure such as Martin Amis can rant about the threat to Europe from the Muslim birthrate and still be treated with respect, public opinion has become inflamed. When politicians and newspapers denounce “preachers of hate”, it increasingly sounds as though they’re talking about themselves.” – Seumas Milne, Arab News.

“Dr Williams’ extraordinary claim is a huge propaganda coup for extremists plotting to end centuries of the British way of life. And it was roundly condemned from all quarters last night.” – Staff reporter, The Sun. “If a cultural tradition is in conflict with the dictates of reason - like this example of suppressing a state’s right to certain independence from religious authority - it can’t be in accordance with God’s will and we do a disservice to its adherents by pretending it may be. The object of true faith is one and the same as the creator of human reason.” – Father Jonathan Morris, FoxNews.com.

With all those solid facts thrown into our heads (or just whizzing straight through them) during lectures, The Oppidan Press brings you a chance to escape with some of the more crazy theories that people have developed over the years. Read to re-appreciate how sane you actually are! This week’s preposterous claim by the suspicious ‘historians’ of the world is that the Nazis had their own moon base. Apparently, there is evidence somewhere out there that Hitler sent astronauts to the moon as early as 1942 and that they made contact with “half a dozen” alien races, including some who seemed intent on taking over Earth in the future! >> Claire Waterhouse

Several Danish newspapers are courting controversy once again by reprinting cartoons of the Muslim religious icon, Prophet Mohamed. The cartoons caused violent outbursts around the world when they were first printed last year and many fear that the reactions will be even more extreme this time around. The reprint was agreed on by most of the major Danish dailies so that they could emphasise their commitment to freedom of speech following the arrests of three Muslim men accused of plotting to kill the cartoonist who drew them. News of the apparent planned assassination by the three men has re-ignited many of the feelings of January 2006, when the cartoons first caused chaos. Despite the risk of further violence, the newspapers remain defiant. One of the largest, Berlinske Tidende, defended its decision, stating that it had printed the cartoons “to document what’s at stake in this case and show an

Tuesday 26 Feb.

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unambiguous support for the freedom of expression we all want to defend”. Unsurprisingly, Islamic countries do not feel the same. Iran has already summoned a Danish envoy to protest the printing and many others are expected to do the same. Leading Muslim clerics around the world have condemned the reprint, but have also appealed for restraint among their communities. “There can be no justification or acceptance of this evil action…we believe in freedom of speech but this must include respect for religions and their symbols…we urge the Muslim community to remain calm and not fall into the trap that is being set against Islam,” said a spokesperson for a major British Islamic group, the Ramadhan Foundation. Whether the calls for self-control will be heeded remains to be seen. Undoubtedly, many Muslims will likely feel that this is a direct provocation by Denmark that deserves a direct response. But as proponents of free speech around the world continue to robustly challenge anyone who dares suggest that the

country without provocation is the definition of a war crime, the very crimes for which Saddam Hussein was hung?

Student Forum:

Thursday 28 Feb.

cartoons should not have been printed, one cannot help but wonder whether freedom of speech would have been deemed a worthy excuse if offensive depictions Christianity or Judaism had been published by a Muslim nation.

With a middle name like Hussein, Barack Obama has already been labelled an “evil terrorist” by his enemies, so the last thing he needed was to give them an excuse to add “dirty commie” to the repertoire as well. Unfortunately, that is exactly what has happened as a result of one of his staffers allowing Fox News (of all people!) to take pictures of a huge Cuban flag with Che Guevara’s face on it in the Obama headquarters, sparking fears that he is secretly planning on converting the USA to communism. We say vote for the dirty commie anyway! >> Claire Waterhouse

No other president has gotten away with such a criminal display of stupidity and incompetence. Richard Nixon rightly had to resign for attempting electoral fraud, which is probably one of the more ‘minor’ of Bush shenanigans (remember Florida 2000?). Clinton almost got himself impeached for liking the ladies too much. A crime slightly more forgivable and certainly less destructive to the masses than the daily abuse inflicted on the world every day that Bush remains in power. If anyone wishes to restore the damage that Bush has done at home and abroad, then they need to do the right thing and get him and his cronies impeached for their misguided aministration. The evidence is so compelling that any half-decent lawyer could ensure that Bush, Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld and the rest are brought to rights. And as for the punishment? Guillotines on the White House lawn may seem a tad extreme for the misguided ministers, but I think that a spell in Guantanamo Bay or Abu Gharaib would give Dubya just the right chance for reflection and contrition. Besides, as my late grandmother once said of him, “Look at that man. I hate his face”. What more cause for condemnation could you need?

Pic: Ines Schumacher

It is possible to modify a garden DC car alternator to deliver a constant variety bicycle or stationary exercise voltage that will power anything that bike to produce electricity that can can normally be powered by plugging power appliances such as a television. into the cigarette lighter of a car. This is perfect for those whose The bike’s back wheel is raised off New Year’s resolution was to get more the floor using a stand. A car alternaexercise. If you want to watch the telly, tor is mounted behind the bike, and a then get cycling! Take a look at www. fan belt attached to the back wheel of scienceshareware.com/pedal-powerthe bike turns the alternator. build-your-own.htm which gives After the installation of some other detailed plans on how to build one. electrical components, the end prodThe modified bike uses aContact 14.8 volt Johann: uct should be ableStreet to power small ap17 New

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sions was to install devices that indicate how much electricity is being used by As you sit with your digs supper on hold, individuals or groups of students within arrested and the monasteries forcibly a residence. Also mentioned is a novel waiting for the power to come back on, vacated, with reports of torture and muryou wouldn’t think that some good could way of reducing energy consumption der soon becoming commonplace. Researchers have found that the by using Blackle rather than Google in come outUsing of thepretty powerpanties crisis in The use Rhodes community has been abuzz to South show your anger As a result, Lanna Action for Burma widespread of calorie-free internet searches on campus (screens it can. withcan rumours anfor article was Africa. But at an evil regime may seem a little odd at and other activist groups have urged sweeteners make itsince harder use less energy in generating black as The lack powerAfter couldall, actfor asdecades, a in The Zimbabwean firstofglance. sit-ins, supporters to mail their panties by the people topublished control their weight and foodin early opposed to white). The eventual winner catalyst to change the way we use limited January alleging at least boycotts, riots and marches have been post to Myanmar embassies in accorintake. Experiments withthat feeding rats60 sons was Imran Tarmohamed (pictured right) and could lead to the develop- dissent. and daughters of Zanu-PFtoministers resourcesthe principal means of showing dance with the group’s motto, “Send zero-calorie saccharin (compared who, in addition to making some of the ment of innovative technological soluhad been places at Rhodes, This explains why protests in Myanmar early, Send often,” as a deliberate gesture sugar) resulted in guaranteed increased calorie suggestions already mentioned here, of resource limitation. after being expelled from thefat. UK andtions to problems in late 2007 were initially received with of insult to the Burmese government. consumption, weight gain and body also suggested that the university could Government has already started talking Australia. a giant question mark when demonstraIndeed, women all around the world By breaking the connection between a produce its own electricity, such as in about banning older type light bulbs in Rhodes denied thefood, claims, stating tors took to the streets with placards… have been obeying the mantra and sendsweet sensation andhas high-calorie spinning classes at the gym. favour of the energy saving type as well thatmake political affiliation is not a part of and their panties. ing their undies in droves. sweeteners it harder for the body The current electricity crisis should as promoting solar heated water systems. the application for any student to gain According to activist group Lanna However, Than Shwe is not the only to regulate food intake. ring alarm bells for other resources that South Africa’s climate is perfect for admission, and that no Zanu-PF-related Action for Burma (the principle moveman in politics whose authority is curNaturally sweet foods provide a may become very limited in the near futhe adoption of solar energy technolhad received preferential treatment behind the panty-protests), rently being buried under a mountain of stimulusstudents that predicts that someone is ture. One likely candidate is clean, fresh ogy, yet very few private households or ment in any way. Registrar Stephen adorning placards emblazoned with the women’s underwear. George Bush faces about to take in a lot of calories, leadwater. Waterless toilets may be one way institutions have adopted the availFourie clarified that a Zimbabwean faces of Burmese military officials with a similar threat over in the US, where ing to digestive reflexes gearing up in of drastically reducing the amount of able technology. ‘Wind farms’ are also government scholarship was available women’s underwear is considered one a women’s group known as the “Axis of preparation. False sweetness confuses pollution to fresh water, as litres of water popular in many European countries, and had sponsored a batch of students to of the highest forms of cultural insult in Eve” has also been demonstrating for rethis system. are used in a single flush. Dr Garth Camyet such technology is almost unheard Rhodes, but asserted that nothing South-East Asia. It is a widely-held begime change by donning their g-strings. Otherattend artificial sweeteners (such as bray gives a good description of how of in South Africa. Hydro-electric power about their family positions nor lief that contact with a woman’s knickers Their demand, according to stateaspartame, sucralose and acesulfame K) their they work: www.scienceinafrica.co.za. is also a viable and efficient option for a dealings known. – dirty or clean – will sap the strength of ments on various websites, is for greater that tastepolitical sweet but do notwas accurately According to Dr Cambray, the avercountry such as South Africa, with the However, if these had those in power, and judging by the well accountability and transparency in the predict calorie intake even and can havestudents the age amount of sewage that one person country’s fast-flowing rivers such as the been related to high-ups in the Mugabe known fact that hard-liners in MyanUS administration. So, even though the same effect. in South Africa produces, will pollute the Orange. wouldhave it really be fair toTugela and mar are also highly superstitious, panty political situations in Myanmar and the Also,government, studies in humans found 15,000 litres of fresh water and up to 65, a competition held last year, denywho them an education simply becauseDuring protesting is bound to hit a nerve. US may differ in technicality, the bold that people consume more diet 000 -115,000 litres where sewerage is Rhodes students came up with very of at their affiliation? Asobesity, students, we know Panty protests initially kicked off last purpose of panty protesters remains drinks are a higher risk for inadequately treated. and feasible ideas of reducing that we don’t alwaysblood turn out like ourpracticalyear in response to the recent, brutal constant. more abdominal fat, higher presGovernment is in a very good posienergy consumption within residences. relieving thought for some), crack-down by the Burmese government Indeed, the “Axis of Eve” has even sure andparents insulin(a resistance. tion to fast-track the adoption of techThe most prevalent ideas among the so punishing us for their crimes would on anti-regime demonstrations. “Panties decided to print their objectives on their nologies such as energy efficient light submissions involved reducing energy simply not be fair. Besides, if these supfor Peace” activists particularly target underwear. Unfortunately, no official bulbs, solar heating and waterless toilets, used by geysers, by either reducing the posed Zanu-PF offspring saw the light hard-line junta leader General Than comment has been released as to how by legislating for their adoption, and by settings, using solar while at Rhodes and went back homewater temperature Shwe, following his actions against Budthe President intends to react to demonpossibly incorporating them as features heating or switching off geysers during and tried to change things, it would be dhist monks who previously objected strators who parade in thongs with the of RDP housing. But in the meantime, off-peak times. Oppies who entered the worth it. to the Burmese government’s domestic words “Expose Bush” printed on them. we need to start conserving limited mentioned that paying for The more important issue at stakecompetition policies. The monks, joined by nuns, Female demonstrators in Kenya took resources such as water and electricity by their own electricity made them more here whether or not Rhodes is playing Resistance toisHIV and Aids seems laymen and students, engaged in peacethis trend a step further in the 1990s. our own initiative. After all, we have to aware of how much electricity costs. in legitimising a cruel and unjust to work its by part different mechanisms, ful shows of dissent but were speedily Instead of showing their underwear, pay for it. Another general theme in the submisgovernment through its actions. Even according to ethnicity. Immunity to if, as Fourie clearly states, the university HIV because of a genetic defect occurs not aware of anyoriginating student’s famin aboutwas 1 percent of people ily histories or whether they had been from northern Europe. Here immune fromCCR-5 Australia, by not making cells lackdeported the so-called receptor intoto theenter students that the enquiries HI virus uses a cell.sponsored by fund, itofispeople quite possible that Rhodes Ten to 15the percent originating has hadEurope its blinkers Let’s face from northern have on. inherited the it, in then those two a with his cane him onspecies the sidelast of shared his head a corrupt regime it would not be gene forsuch this defect from only one parent commonand ancestor five million years say, “Have no doubt, old boy, you’ll unreasonable to suppose that at leastBirds are often described as the and display greater resistance to the ago. DNA rate can be used in – Tom bemutation first in the crocodile’s jaws!” ofimmunity. the recipients of been the money had disease, some but not It has this way Goetz, to estimate what is known as a descendants of dinosaurs,ofonly arising recently The Archbishop Canterbury New York Post. more that thaneither meritpast on their side.ofSome-after dinosaurs hypothesised plagues clock”. However, different or-what became 63 when he“molecular “He instigated mass extinct controversy is directly undermining theor“don’t ask, don’t tell” policymillion years the Blacktimes Death smallpox have been ganisms Britain can mutate at different speeds, ago. There long commented thathave the adoption of some stands for. Can the Archbishop might the best one being to adopt, even responsible fornot thisbe genetic defect leading to clocks that tick at different been debates form between of Shariapalaeontologists law (the Muslim law as really be saying that some people in if it is the easiest for our administration. positively selected in the past. rates. This makesshould it difficult to determine and geneticists tothe when birdsinfirst dictatedasby Koran) England was Britain be allowed to have their with this, does admit ResearchAlong into female sex Fourie trade workthe exactown origin ofifthe flighted appeared. Fossil records they of Muslim inevitable due tosuggest the numbers laws they don’t creatures approve of the that the Zimbabwean of immigrants ers in Kenya has current identified a group thatMinister that we wake every morning. yes he is.” – appeared 60 million living years ago, but there. ones up we to have? Apparently, Transport was hosted at Rhodes in order has remained HIV-negative despite studyMcBay, (using The a variety geneticists contend that his theystatements first Predictably, received A recent Andrew Scotsman. set up the its operarepeatedtoexposure to scholarship the virus. Aand variant of as different “There analytical methods appearedlarge-scale as long asand 100 diverse millionmedia years interest, is an Arabic on word ‘taqwa’; tion.called Accepting possibly politically affiliof the gene the ‘Human Leukocyte molecular data)mildly has estimated thatmeans birds ago. follows: which, translated, atedwas students is oneThis thing (and not too If DNA mutates Antigen-G’ identified. gene arose long before dinosaurs becameof and Winston diverges at a “I only wish Churchill were righteous. The Archbishop of a system thing atrecognise that) but HIV recognising helps themuch immune extinct, living alongside themWilliams, for nearlyhas done known rate for He’d example, percent alive(say, today: walk2up to Dr Geoffrey Canterbury, Rowan ministers from a government and the variant was found to appear whose every million 40 million years,and a long time before proud by years), and [the two species Rowan Williams Archbishop], crack ‘taqwa’; made mankind regime hasHIV-negative caused misery and poverty to a genetic difference of 10 percent, more often in the group. mammals appeared on the planet. show most of its population is another – and a rather unacceptable one at that. Rhodes maintains that it has done no wrong and that this is a case of an innocent report twisted badly around. This may be true, technically, but the message it has sent the students is another story.

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Lie on your back with your legs bent and knees facing the ceiling. Place your arms across your chest or behind your head depending on what is most comfortable. Lift your chin to your knees. As you do so, focus on using your abs while keeping your head still, and staring straight ahead. Do two sets of 20. Do four sets if you are feeling ambitious. Courtesy of Map My Fitness.

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The Grahamstown name changing process will continue on 1 March with the launch of an education drive by the Name Changing Task Team (NCTT) at City Hall. Makana Municipality spokesperson Thandy Matebese said that the NCTT drive is an effort to involve everyone, including students, in the name change debate. He said all residents should understand the history behind the choice of name before anything is implemented. Further meetings will take place and a vote will be held to determine the name. Matabese explained that they needed to be “as consultative as possible with the residents for the process to be done properly,” but that it was impossible to know how long the process would take. The proposal to change Grahamstown to iRhini started last year when Grahamstown Mayor, Phumelelo Kate, announced that the name must change. However, the decision was met with some resistance from the Keep Grahamstown Grahamstown (KGG) campaign who insist that the name stays the same.

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Our brand-new website TheOppidanPress.com is a cutting edge example of our dedication to Oppidan needs. We provide breaking news, helpful information and entertainment on a daily basis. Every Wednesday we update the website with multimedia features and the latest gig guide. We bring you the funniest YouTube videos uploaded directly on a Rhodes server so they don’t chow your quota. Make us your homepage and stay entertained!

Ever seen a broadcast of the Queen speaking to the nation? Well, we have something even better (and more interesting!) Our former SRC President Ricardo Pillay took the time to sit down with our multimedia team and speak directly to the student body and explain why he resigned. You can view it as a video or download it to listen to on your iPod when you go for a jog.

On the front page, we only brought you the basics of what to do if you are raped. We elaborate further on this on our website. We recommend you have a look and familiarise yourself with the steps to take, because if you are ever in the situation where you have been raped, visiting our website to check up on what you should do will be the furthest thing from your mind. Take a proactive step and be prepared!

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The police have been busy in Kenya. No, not doing what they are meant to be doing, but instead, beating up and shooting at civilians. These civilians are protesting against the rigged elections that took place late last year: can you blame them? Watch how Kenyan police and army strike at protesters and judge for yourself.

Intrigued? Watch the undoubtedly funniest sport in the world and have a good chuckle over your morning breakfast. Men furiously contest the world championship in toe wrestling in this YouTube video, which we are hosting on a local server so you can watch it without busting your quota. Check out page 15 in this edition to read about more hilarious sports!

and l a n o i t i d tra www.TheOppidanPress.com/opinion

www.TheOppidanPress.com/sport

Not everyone has the golden arm of Shaun Pollock or the speed of Bryan Habana to lead their nations to a World Cup victory. But there are other sport careers open to people who are passionate about their game, Nicky Saner & Harriet McLea albeit without the glamour of adoring fans screaming after a victorious match. Sports science has opened up O-week festivities this year were subject quite a number of sports field careers to much stricter alcohol regulations than and deepens one’s knowledge of sport previous years. The Dean of Students, and how athlete’s bodies function. Vivian de Klerk, together with the These are some of the major careers in SRC, encouraged first years to drink the field: responsibly and adhere to the recently approved Policy for the Responsible Use of Alcohol. Some O-week events organised by the SRC were completely alcohol free, while others provided substantially less alcohol

When our nations clash over a game of rugby or, more recently, over a game of football, emotions become the order of the day. Tempers flare, fights break out and cowboys cry. However, there are some sports that are, quite frankly, as exciting as getting socks for your birthday. Chess boxing, for example, is simply pointless. Opponents square off in alternate rounds of boxing and chess. A match consists of up to eleven rounds of boxingincompetence and chess sessions, starting with Eskom’s and subsequent a four minuteschedule chess round load-shedding have followed added by minutes change of boxing. antwo unwelcome of pace to many Oppidan households. In an effort to help Oppies, the Oppidan Committee is holding an informative load-shedding workshop to encourage Oppidans to take a proactive stance regarding the crisis. “All Oppidans will need to do whatever they can to adapt to this new reality,” said Oppidan Warden Gordon Barker. The workshop, which takes place on 26 February from 17:30 to 18:30 in the Oppidan common room, will address may winload-shedding by a knock out, theCompetitors issues surrounding check and by a judge’s decision. that affectmate Oppies. The sport is quite popular in Europe Oppidan Committee Member, (significantly in Germany) and it has its Jacyn Mitchley, said: “the workshop own worldOppies championship tournament. will provide with information Perfect forthe thescheduled unfit athlete who needs a concerning load-shedding breather between times, tips for savingboxes. electricity and Cock fighting is quite a electric doodle-do alternatives to conventional power.” According to Eskom, if Grahamstown does not utilise its total specified quota of electricity allowed for certain timeframes, load-shedding does not take place. Oppidan Kirsten Harris feels that collective action on the part of Oppidans can make a real difference. “We need to stop shifting the blame and stand up and take responsibility in order to resolve this issue. If we all work together we can work towards a solution,” she said.

The Oppidan Committee acknowledges that there are a number of concerns arising from the electricity crisis and offers the following suggestions to Oppidans:  Attend the load-shedding workshop!  Cook meals in advance and save them in the fridge;  Have candles and matches easily available;  Utilise the Oppi bus which leaves from the Kaif and will take you home every night between 17:00 and 22:00

Sports physicians treat all healththan in the past. Budget changes reflect related problems affecting professional that the SRC spent R11,000 on wine for sports people. They complete a degree eight halls’ cheese and wine events in in medicine before specialising in 2007, while this year wine costs for the sports-related injuries. They advise the same events totalled R8,000 for eleven coach on correct training methods so halls. that injuries can be avoided both on The alcohol policy acknowledges the playing field and in training. that “social drinking is normal for a large number of people” and thus aims Physio’s treat injuries or any other to promote the health and well-being physical problems that may affect a of students through more moderate sports person’s performance, usually consumption of alcohol. During regarding muscular complaints. They O-week, every function involving are called in to treat an athlete after the the consumption of alcohol required sports physician has made a diagnosis. permission from the Registrar. According to de Klerk, the aim of this regulation was to avoid exposing first year students to “liquor pressure” in their introduction to the university. Only beer, cider, wine and fortified in the Philippines with the added bonus that it is now legal. As its name suggests, the ‘sport’ involves grown up chickens pecking at each other until one (or both) kick the bucket. However, a raging rooster can be given an advantage by sharpening the cock’s natural spurs or by attaching a razor-sharp blade onto the spur. This type of variant is known as a “slasher” fight. Fitting. For rugby-lovers not blessed with the bulge of the Burger, sheep tackling could be your fix. This bestial pastime is a popular training method for rugby players in New Zealand. The sport is quite simple; a chase, a tackle, a bleat. Another smelly occupation is toe wrestling, which is similar to arm wrestling. All players must be barefoot so that they can link toes and each player’s feet must touch flat on the other person’s feet. To win, one must pin his opponents feet for three seconds. The sport is a hit in Britain and there is even a toe wrestling world championship. The toe test was invented in the 70s so that a game could exist in which the Brits could be successful. Jolly well done ol’ chaps!

Dieticians plan diets and eating wine were allowed in residences; no schemes for sports people, focusing spirits were permitted. According to on healthy nutrition. Every athlete has Xolani Nyali, newly appointed SRC specific needs regarding their activity President, the alcohol policy is an and body type so the dietician devises “aspirational document, not a punitive a plan that will be most effective for one,” so while residence students their particular type of activity and will are encouraged to obey these rules, build bodily strength where it is needed Oppidans are not obligated in any way. most. Dieticians work closely with However, de Klerk has emphasised coaches and players in monitoring the that “Oppidan students still fall under effectiveness of the diet plans. Rhodes jurisdiction when it comes to bringing the university into disrepute”. Psychologists go beyond the physical She said that Oppidan Warden Gordon to prepare sports people to deal with Barker will investigate complaints from any psychological challenges that may Grahamstown residents against the drunken behaviour of Oppidans if it is deemed necessary. The SRC rose to the dry O-Week challenge. The Chocolate Ball and the Hall events were alcohol free, and both

affect their performance. They also encourage players to live a positive lifethe Movie Night and the Jazz Evening style that will improve their self-esteem had limited alcohol, each person and confidence in order to enhance receiving one glass only. The SRC sporting performance. received many compliments from both Sports fanatics who lack the genuine students and parents for these events. talent to bend it like Beckham or swing Alcohol was sold at the street party, it like the Big Easy might want to conwhich was sponsored by South African sider these career choices in the sportBreweries (SAB), but free water and ing field. Unfortunately, Sports science Coke were also provided by the SRC is not offered here at Rhodes but Huin an attempt to encourage responsible man Kinetics and Ergonomics (HKE) drinking. is a good start if you’re interested in However, contrary to all measures learning more about the body and its taken by the SRC to encourage a dry movement and, in the future, linking it O-week, first year students tended to to different sporting professions. leave the alcohol free events early to attend the festivities in New Street. Pub owners preferred to keep O-week wet, wet, wet. Alcohol Abuse Awareness week, which began on Monday, is currently

underway in an attempt to highlight the dangers of misusing alcohol. The slogan for the awareness week is the ashes ofTriVarsity the African Cup of “SaveAsTriVarsity”. is under Nations settle, I can’t the threatslowly of cancellation duehelp to anbut feel that African soccer is still governed by overwhelming number of complaints of bureaucratic twits, still facing adminisRhodes students’ unsavoury behaviour. trative blunders, to beweek found The Alcohol Abusenowhere Awareness amongst the top ten in the FIFA included activities such as a “Saverankings, with Egypt still proving themselves TriVarsity” debate and a Hall-based the Pharaohs of the continent. competition to come up with the best The African Cup of Nations (AFalcohol free party idea. CON) was a fitting manifestation of The Dean of Students’ final comment where African soccer is situated; deep was that “banning” alcohol during in a mucky gutter. In order for African O-week is not the way to go, as drinking soccer to progress, soccer bodies and will just go underground and secret administrators alike need to recognise drinking is anti-social. that development, organisation and De Klerk and her office applaud structure are needed to take the sport to abstinence, yet also support responsible an international level. alcohol use in moderation. AFCON 08, hosted by Ghana, was a sumptuous soup of blunders, seasoned with some infrastructural inefficiency. I will concede that the quality of soccer on show was outstanding, with the exception of a few moments of ill-disciplined defending and random fist fights. But that’s beside the point. We all know that it is not African talent that is lacking, but rather an environment conducive to the nurturing of these skills. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) must have cringed in embarrassment as their own national coach, Claude Le Roy, exclaimed that the pitches were “terrible!” You’ve got to appreciate the mousy man for being brave enough to bite the hand that feeds him and say it like it is. One couldn’t help but feel that the tournament was in dire need of organisation (even from the comfort of my couch many thousand km’s away). Teams arrived to find that the hotel they were meant to be staying in had not yet been built, pitches rivaled potato fields, and members of the media were treated like third class citizens. Shock prevailed as the Egyptians, almost ready to belt out their national anthem, were met with the rather unfamiliar tune of Nkosi Sikelel’i Afrika. Perhaps the cherry on the fluffed cake was the stadium being Peppergrove reduced to moments of darkness Mall before the Mali versus Sudan kick-off. Tel: 046 622 7373 Seemingly a new African trend. Email: [email protected] Having endured a pro-longed season of power cuts by Asskom, I began to wonder what havoc and what possible destruction they could create in our preparations for 2010? Could we see ourselves in the same position as Ghana, with unfinished stadiums, sporadic blackouts, in a state of panic and chaos because we have no power capacity to deal with the streams of masses that will grace our shores? All because Asskom (with some governmental assistance) neglected to realise that a catastrophe was looming in the dark (no pun intended). African soccer cannot progress with hindrances from dysfunctional governments and clueless governing bodies. If anyone who is somebody agrees with my rant, please tell the soccer governing bodies that are paying coaches a R12 million per annum salary will not solve our headaches and woes. Rather than Rands, inject some direc tion and organisation into African soccer to move us forward to a successful 2010.

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from Monday to Thursday;  Invest in products called “Greenheat” which use an eco-friendly, non-flammable gel to create and maintain heat. Barker says that while the electricity crisis is at the top of the Oppidan Committee’s agenda, it is up to all Oppidans to “be aware of the loadshedding schedule and arrange your life around it”.

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

16.00 - 18.30 06.00 - 08.30 16.00 - 18.30 06.00 - 08.30 16.00 - 18.30 06.00 - 08.30 06.00 - 08.30

We welcome all first years and returning students. The friendliest service and most competitive prices in town. We offer: Liquor Store Laundromat Chicky Fish (Take-Away)

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Despite incorrect zoning, this particular property has been rented as a digs for the past nine years. The committee did not approve the application, agreeing that the Council needed to curb the problem of “mushrooming”. Incorrectly zoned student accommodation contravenes the town planning scheme (as well municipal income).

If power cuts have left you trying to roast marshmallows over a candle, this is easy (and healthy), andAfrica Therecipe Rowing Association of South can be madehas with minimal (ROWSA) recently putlighting. an end to the Just remember turn onRhodes your turbo on-going row to between and Stelmode whenruling dealing the fridge to lenbosch, in with the Maaties’ favour. avoidRhodes’ all the cold air escaping. clean-sweep of honours at Boat Races in 2007 was spoilt by an appeal against the Rhodes Men’s B rowing INGREDIENTS: crew. Their Stellenbosch opponents, 1 carrot, peeled and grated feeling unfairly treated by the 1 cup sugar snap peas, endsumpire’s decision during the race, appealed trimmed against the tomatoes, victory, butcut Rhodes’ 8 cherry in halfB crew to re-race as they maintained 1refused small red bell pepper, seeded and that they had won dicedthe race legitimately. “ROWSA have peeled awarded thediced medals to 1 small cucumber, and Stellenbosch on the basis that our refusal ½ cup red cabbage, thinly sliced to¼re-race was a violation some rule,” cup red onions, thinlyofsliced said John Snelgar, member of the Rho1 tbsp Dijonamustard des B1crew. Snelgar also mentioned that tbsp balsamic vinegar the rivalry3between the two tbsp olive oil teams had increased due clove, to the minced appeal and assured 1 garlic that Salt the Rhodes crew(to looked and pepper taste)to “avenge this decision at Boat Races this year”. Rhodes’ rowers have already made a METHOD: good start to 2008 giving them “confi Combine the carrot, sugar snaps, dence in training and in each other to tomatoes, pepper, cucumber, cabmatch thebell great results from 2007, ” said bage and onion in a salad bowl and Alex Van Besouw, the women’s rowing toss until well-mixed. captain.  Whisk the mustard and vinegar together in a small bowl, then whisk in the olive oil. Add the garlic and basil.  Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until coated. Season well with salt and pepper. Enjoy your dinner by candlelight!

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Fourth year honours student, Donald Pots, was held up at knife-point in his home on 9 February. Although nobody was physically injured, the thief made off with two cellphones and an iPod. You’ve had a long day of lectures, Pots was returning home atdigs approxifinished off your essay, cooked the mately 3:30am when he discovered dinner, cleaned the bathroom and killedthe intruder in his room. The man held up a record number of spiders in your a knife and motioned for Pots to back room. You’re exhausted. The cold, hard away from the door. The intruder then truth is that you do not have the time to grabbed what was on the desk and ran swing into your itty-bitty top, go to the out of the house. Rhodes gym and attend a spinning class The rest of the digs was alerted (no matter how cute the instructor is!). but the intruder had already fled the Where does this leave your health? Are property. “We’ve had our fair share of you just going to fall into bed at the end break-ins,” said Pots. The six-man digs of the day and hope the first year spread property owners are slow to notify the on Cradock Street has been robbed twice At a recent meeting of the Land, Housfrom your years in residence will go ing and Infrastructural Development Makana Council. and an estimated ten car radios have away on its own? Councillor Luyanda Nase said that Portfolio Committee, officials were been stolen. It’s time to be proactive about your instructed to propose strategies to deal it was time the Council gained from It is believed that the intruder gained health. The Oppidan Press’ new Health with the “mushrooming of student digs” the profitable industry. He made this access to the house when the front door section will give you hints and tips on and sub-letting of houses. comment whilst the committee was was left open while the other digs mates pretending youanare going to sit in how to improve your health and well Houses which have been zoned as discussing application fordown the rezonwere conversing in the driveway. Followa chair with your weight through your being without leaving the spider-free Start the exercise by taking a step “single residential” are often let to stuing of a house in Bedford Street. The ing this incident, a new security door has Push through heelswishes to return comfort of your own home. We’ll start one leg. Bend your knees dentswith without application to the council heels. new owner of theyour property to been installed and razor wire is being forward to an uprightrenting position. Don’t fall over! off by explaining some basic exercises and lower your back knee towards the continue the house as a digs and for rezoning. Student housing should fitted. Do has twoapplied sets of five. Four sets to of be tenrezoned. if you can do before you hit the pillow. floor,bekeeping the front heel down andbut zoned as “general residential”, for the house you are insane. the knee directly over the centre of the foot. Take a step by pushing upwards Imagine you have a rod through your through the bottom muscle of your back This is where it gets challenging: imagine back and bum and keep them in leg. Your body should remain upright. you’re a plank. Lie on your stomach. alignment. Beginners should start by Do two sets of ten (one set on the left leg Place your hands beside your chest executing the push-up on their knees and the other set on the right leg). Four and use your arms to lift yourself off and progress to the full push-up (on sets of 20 if you’re up for a challenge. the ground. Remain a plank: keep your your toes). Ensure you breathe in on the back and bum in alignment. Remember way down, and breathe out as you push to breathe. Hold for 30 seconds. Sixty up. Do two sets of ten. Four sets of 20 if Stand upright with your legs shoulderseconds if you want to feel the burn. you’re feeling hectic. width apart. Lower yourself by

students have access to the morning after pill. Exact figures regarding student use of the emergency contraception will only be available at the end of the month, but Sister Shaw believes that numbers are on the rise. Should the same student request the morning after pill on their third visit, staff will refer them to Dr Bull at the High Street Medical Practice. “We want to educate students,” said Sister Shaw, “they must be aware of what PCCs do to your body”. “Emergency contraception should be kept for emergencies and not used as a regular contraceptive,” agrees Wimpie Bosch, a pharmacist at Grahamstown Pharmacies. >> Anja Müller-Deibicht

Illustration: Cilla Pickering

“If you are leaving yourself open to pregnancy, then you are leaving yourself open to Aids and STI infection,” said Sister Jeane Shaw from the Rhodes Sanatorium. She believes that despite SHARC’s (Student HIV/Aids Resistance Campaign) “excellent condom distribution”, accidents do still happen. The Rhodes Sanatorium offers free contraception as well as free emergency contraception known as post-coital contraceptive (PCC) or ‘the morning after pill’. Sister Shaw explains that this emergency contraception can be taken up to 72 hours after the incident. Unless 72 hours have passed or an adverse medical condition can be identified, all female

If you wanted to examine the psychology involved in cricket to the extent that it becomes a serious academic pursuit where case studies are conducted and used, one need not look any further than our very own Rainbow Nation. Nowhere else in the land of 3oz willow and red cherries do its prime servants have to worry more about boardroom shenanigans than in our very own cricket landscape. Just at the moment when public sentiment seemed to have shifted to “worry free” when wondering about the Proteas’ mental capabilities do their employers take the piss and stir up the old hag hole that is quotas. It is back, and everything that came before it seems

to have been graded as “Q-Lite”, as the current mess shows where the fault lines in South African cricket truly lie. The fault lines aren’t controlled by the regular padding of ball to grass, but instead by those who spend most, if not all their time away, from the business area of the gentlemen’s game. Norman Arendse’s attempted putsch of the Proteas’ selection committee is a worrying signal that Cricket South Africa is far from the unified body that came to power back in the heady and idealistic days of readmission. Those days were punctuated by bright starts and even brighter statements chastising the previous regime for being racist and not representative of all South Africans. Such has been the furore caused by the president of our own cricket

board that the cry of “surprise surprise, nothing has changed” rings through the longrooms of every South African cricket arena. The racial make up of the squad is, 14 years since the election of the honourable Mr Mandela, a far more pertinent issue then ‘less vital’ concerns like how we are going to replace the ginger ninja Shaun Pollock. I am a committed supporter of transformation, but, oddly enough, get agitated when some high and mighty authority figure suddenly decides to get off his backside, be pro-active and ‘really’ work for their pay. We saw the same symptoms in rugby before the World Cup last year, although the situation was not allowed to go south because Jake White ensured he got the Republic’s name on the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Unfortunately their cricketing cousins’ phobia of tweaking out whenever we face Australia in a high pressure game stopped the Proteas from earning enough brownie points to ward off the intentions of over eager administrators. During the holiday I spoke to a member of the legal profession who had met and dealt with Norman Arendse personally. Needless to say, he didn’t receive a particularly glowing caricature. Instead, what I heard was a description of a man who puts his name first so that he grabs all the headlines. At the time I took these words of council, from an advocate no less, with a pinch of salt since I didn’t want the image of cheery administrators highfiving the players after a good days work to dissipate. Alas, it didn’t take long for

the great stench of corporate turd to roll over the cricketing landscape like fine silk sheets over a body that demands respect and admiration. Perhaps it was a good thing that we were all suddenly sobered by Mr Arendse sliding his greedy hands into the great cookie jar of power found in the CSA kitchen. If he hadn’t acted selfishly, and quite frankly irresponsibly, all South African cricket supporters would actually be optimistic that the field and the board room were synergised for the goal of making the Proteas the best in the land. It is perhaps better that supporters of the game aren’t too rosy about the trust that exists between the different cricketing limbs in SA because at least we won’t be surprised by anything.

Sports Awareness Week festivities As part of Sports Awareness Week - and leading up to the Sports Sign-up evening - all Rhodes sport clubs went out to bat for advertising space on almost every wall on campus. The week of February 11 to 15 February was very well organised, with all clubs holding practice sessions for any interested students, most of which were first years. “I had fun going to all the clubs and playing a bit of everything, but I will be joining the gym,” said Christopher Chingu, a first year BA student. After a week of practice to work out the holiday laxness, a couple of matches

took place on Friday and Saturday. The cricket Twenty-20 game at Kings Field was the highlight of this past weekends’ matches, with live music and flowing boundaries to keep the crowd cheering. The small clubs also had something to smile about as a satisfactory number of students showed interest and participated in the practice sessions. “I think the attendance was good and it was nice seeing the smaller clubs getting a good number of students; especially females,” said Michael Phillips, the Chairperson of the Table Tennis club. Although table tennis is one of Rhodes’ smallest clubs it is also one of the best performing ones as its team played a huge role in helping Rhodes win TriVarsity in 2006.

A number of first year students, such as Richard Francis, really enjoyed the activities on offer. “I think the facilities here are good and I was very impressed with the football field. I’ll definitely sign up with a lot of clubs,” said Francis. The Oppidan Press wishes our Rhodent athletes a successful sporting year in 2008!

During O-week, a fun-filled Amazing Race proved a successful enterprise for the Oppidan teams that entered. The Oppidan Press had a Sudoku checkpoint on two of the three days and cheered the teams on from the sidelines. Oppidan Committee Sports Representative Malcolm Freeman (second from left) was pleased with the Oppi teams’ performance: “It was good to see lots of people running and performing well, even though the numbers did dwindle slightly due to fatigue, injury and clashes with orientation lectures. I encourage all students to get involved in the inter-res sports trophy and represent Team Oppi.” Day 1 5 teams entered Placed 2nd in the mixed category Day 2 4 teams entered All teams came in top 12 Including winning overall on the day Another team placed 2nd in the mixed category Day 3 2 Teams entered 1st team placed 2nd overall