2009 - Edition 7

Edition 7, 13 August 2009

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>> Intervarsity 2009 Take a look at our special Intervarsity supplement

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>> Fact or fiction? Swine flu: is the paranoia justified? All your questions answered

Distribution subsidised by the Oppidan Committee and the South African Post Office.

NEHAWU makes a song and dance over adjustment

Jade Smith and Robyn McCormick The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) strike may cause even more disruption for Rhodes students. If the University postpones Intervarsity because of the continuing strike and the outbreak of seasonal and swine flu, we will have to wait a little longer to don our overalls. The NEHAWU members embarked on industrial strike action on Monday 3 August. Despite the University management meeting with union officials every day last week, by Friday morning the two parties had not yet reached a compromise. Conditions of the industrial action stated that NEHAWU members were allowed to demonstrate only in the area of the Drostdy Arch lawns and along certain roads; a stipulation that they kept until Thursday.

Debbie Robertson, a third year member of the Gender Action Project (GAP) was on duty at the Women’s Week information table on Thursday morning when she witnessed the strikers trash the library quad. “They were very energised and immediately started destroying the area. They picked up the bin and other people tried to pull it away. We physically had to stand on our banner to stop them from ripping it up off the floor,” Robertson said. A striker who asked not to be named said: “We feel like we are taken for fools. All we have been given are empty promises. Money which should be used wisely is given to useless people who do not work. They spend their entire day playing computer games. We will continue to strike until we are given what is rightfully ours.” “Without me fighting for my rights, no-one else will,” said another

striker, who also requested anonymity. “This strike has boosted my confidence. Our needs will definitely be fulfilled if we strike together.” The crux of the matter is the oneoff market-related salary adjustment for support staff that Vice-Chancellor Saleem Badat envisioned as part of his action strategy on arrival at Rhodes. The University’s aim is to get the salaries of its staff as close to the national average as possible, as without competitive salaries Rhodes will not be able to attract academic staff. Because it would be financially unwise to raise the salaries of all grades of staff simultaneously, the University has staggered this process. NEHAWU’s main demand was that, of the R10 million allocated to market adjustment in Rhodes’s budget, R6 million should be divided equally among grades one to eight support staff members. The University

Pic:s: Megan Lewis

NO SOLUTION IN SIGHT Rhodes students marched in protest of the continuing NEHAWU strike. Disruption of lectures, violent behaviour, inadequate meals and dirty residences have students demanding their money’s worth.

Council rejected this demand because these grades of staff already earn close to the national average of their job, and with the increase, would earn above average, while other grades would still be earning below the average.“It would be unfair to other support staff if we divided it equally,” said Badat. “What Rhodes is doing is distributing the money equitably.” For the duration of the strike, the no-work-no-pay principle has applied. NEHAWU has appealed against this but the University has not budged. Meanwhile, lectures have been disrupted by strikers, property has been damaged and library construction workers intimidated. Police were called to monitor the strikers’ behaviour and Rhodes made an interdict against the union on Friday. Also on Friday, the SRC organised a march for students to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the consequences

of the strike. SRC President, Kholosa Loni appealed to students to stay within the Union Lawns rather than march through campus. However, students ignored this appeal and surged to Main Admin, where they presented a memorandum to both the University and NEHAWU, demanding a “sustainable and workable solution as quickly as possible”. Students complained about the quality of food they were receiving in dining halls, with posters reading, ‘Rhodes: Where leaders learn to starve’, and ‘Badat, what did you have for lunch today?’. Meanwhile, the University is aiming towards a peaceful resolution of the situation. “We want to resolve [the strike] as soon as possible,” Badat said, “and then I’ll invite their strike management and our strike management for a braai and a couple of beers and we’ll talk about what we both learned from it”.

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The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Got news? Send your news story ideas to us and we will consider them for publication. [email protected].

Leadership in Africa Conference the first of its kind AFRICA’S DATE WITH DESTINY Student delegates and a range of prominent speakers discussed ways to strengthen leadership in Africa at the Rhodes-held conference in July.

Robyn McCormick The first ever Conference on Leadership in Africa, held at Rhodes last month, saw students from all over Africa come together for a weekend to discuss creative ways to improve leadership on the continent. Organised by a group of Rhodes students, the indaba opened up a space for debate and discussion on the weak sense of leadership that seems to be a common trait of African countries. Despite having been thoroughly assaulted by a spate of Grahamstown’s unpredictable weather, the delegates bundled up to attend Rhodes VC Dr Badat’s opening address, which focused on the “interesting times” we live in. Badat quoted President Barack Obama in saying that “as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself ”, and that through today’s globalisation, there has been “a negation of human values, a closing of mind and hearts…that have promoted intolerance and made the world a less safe place to live”. The delegates from Rhodes, NorthWest University and Fort Hare were addressed by prominent South African leaders from varied backgrounds. Chief Strategy Officer of Altech Africa, Dr van der Westhuizen spoke on the qualities of a great leader. Another speaker

Pics: Robyn McCormick

and Chairman of Nedbank Group, Dr Reuel Khoza, outlined the unique challenges facing current and aspiring African leaders. One of these was the need to break down what Khoza termed “a false sense of African camaraderie” in preference of independent, conscientious, compassionate leadership which is necessary in order for Africa to keep its “date with destiny”. CEO of Business Leadership in Africa, Michael Spicer, emphasised the double-edged characteristics of the current economic crisis, saying it should be viewed not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. All of the speakers condemned the prevalence of corruption in African countries and cited it as one of the causes of the African crisis. Rhodes student, Katherine Furman, who is reading for her Masters in International Relations, spoke as part of a discussion panel on South Africa’s relationship with other African countries. “We are at a junction. It is around the one year anniversary of the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. We need to question how we, as South Africans, treat people as people,” Furman said. The Dinokeng Scenarios (http:// www.dinokengscenarios.co.za/ ) made up day three of the conference, where delegates discussed the state of the various African countries that they came from, including Ghana, Zimbabwe,

Malawi, and Togo. Other South African leaders who addressed the conference included: Dr Khoza; MTN Chair in Media and Mobile Communications, Professor Harry Dugmore, Rhodes Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr Sizwe Mabizela, and Professor Jìmí O. Adésínà, director of the Transformative Social Policy Programme and professor of Sociology at Rhodes Head of the Conference Organising Committee, Dale van der Lingen said: “Overall, the conference went well. The hard work of getting it off the ground has been done, and this provides a base for future conferences to be hosted here at Rhodes. I hope that this will be the seed of a conference focused around giving young leaders the tools to lead Africa to its rightful place in the world economy”. Despite the enthusiasm of the delegates, Dr Khoza pointed out that the journey to leadership was no easy one: “You could choose to curl up and die, or you could persist. I would suggest persist. There will be pain, but you must persist”. For more information on the conference, or to get involved in next year’s conference, go to http://coliafrica. wordpress.com/, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/event. php?eid=236395780645 or email [email protected]

Khanyisa Titus Results have shown that the recent June examinations were a serious challenge for many Rhodes first year students. In comparison to previous years, the first year failure rate was notably high. Deputy Dean of Law, Advocate Les Roberts said the Law faculty has noted a marked difference: “This year’s first year results were definitely worse than last year but the reasons are being investigated”. Dean of Law, Professor Jonathan Campbell offered possible explanations for the downward trend in Legal Theory 1. “I believe that ‘spotting’ [covering a certain amount of the work and not all course material] when studying is a problem among the students, as they are mainly relying on their own impressions of what will be asked,” Campbell said. He also noticed a lack of certain basic skills amongst law students, such as writing and reading skills. “These are rather poor as seen in the faculty and today students are less inclined to read, which is a problem,” said Campbell. The Statistics department observed a similar lack of basic skills. Head of Department, Professor Gunther Jäger said of first years’ performance in the Theory of Finance exam: “We experienced a large problem with students who did Mathematical Literacy in high school

instead of the more complex Mathematics”. As a result, the department called on high school Maths teachers to hold extra classes for students who could not cope with difficult mathematical concepts. “This has never been done before, it was our first time in the department and we thank those teachers for supporting us,” Jager said. However, results did not seem to suffer in the Statistics department. “The first years’ results were certainly not worse than the previous years. There are many reasons that contribute to this and we are very pleased with the Stats department,” Jager said. Head of the Anthropology department, Robin Palmer said that in the last 30 years, the failure rate has never been particularly high. But Palmer mentioned that poor lecture attendance by first years, especially on Thursdays, could have contributed to this year’s 39 percent failure rate. “Rhodes students tend to party on a Wednesday night and are too tired to attend lectures the next day,” Palmer said. He also believes that the suggestion that students dedicate 40 hours a week to academic work is not being followed, and this was reflected in the June marks. The Economics department did not note a substantial drop in first year results this year. Head of Department, Professor Hugo Nel was pleased with

the pass rate. “Our June pass rate this year, on the basis of the number of students who wrote, is the same as last year and only fractionally lower than the year before and has been within a fairly stable band. Very interestingly though, the proportion of students who scored a first class pass this year has increased slightly compared to last year,” Hugo said. He said that first year students need to work hard from day one, as some take longer than others to settle into university life. Professor Paul Bischoff, head of the Politics department, was similarly content about first years’ performance in the exams. “We are satisfied with the distribution of marks this June. We also believe the failure rate for us is lower than last year at this time. As such, I think our students have generally done well this June. The reason could be interested, motivated students and good teaching.” Students, likewise, expressed mixed views. First year student, Martin Bomela was dissatisfied with his results: “I think I did badly because I was not focused enough for these exams, but I know I’ll do better in November”. Gemma-Leigh Goosen, a first year student, felt that she worked well to obtain her marks. “I’m quite happy with my marks and just hope that I’ll do as well in November,” Goosen said.

Pic: Megan Lewis

If at first year you don’t succeed, try again

TIME OF RECKONING June results revealed that many first year students struggled, particularly in the Legal Theory and Theory of Finance exams.

Hungry stomachs trump injustice as cause for protest Robyn McCormick “If you live to 50, you have a 100 percent chance of being raped. I have a 10 year old sister and a 40 year old mother…” Zizipo Mgobo, a member of the GAP working group was emotional at the conclusion of the

protest held outside the High Court last Friday. Students gathered to protest against the way the justice system in South Africa treats cases of sexual assault and rape survivors, specifically ‘curative’ rape for lesbians, and the rape of ‘Buyisiwe’, who has been waiting for the sentencing of her eight

rapists since 2005. The protest, organised by the Gender Action Project (GAP), saw two women being chained to lampposts outside the High Court alongside GAP and 1 in 9 banners. Volunteers handed out pamphlets detailing the repeated postponement of Buyisiwe’s rape case as an example of how the

South African justice system delays rape trials, often indefinitely. However, the response was less than desired, as few students attended, seeming to prefer the student protest against the consequences of the workers’ strike. Skye Martin, a member of the GAP working group said, “I think the protest was disappointing because there

were very few people there and very little interest in it. I also think that it’s sad that more students are interested in what they’re getting for lunch than the rape rate in this country. There are so many more important things for us as young South Africans to be concentrating on than service delivery in our residences”.

The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

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SRC Strike. What do you think of the SRC’s march to the main admin building this past Friday? Let us know. [email protected]

The flaw in the liquor law Leigh Hermon

World champion rapists

By now, many Rhodes students have felt the effects of the new liquor by-law as they experience earlier closing times at Grahamstown’s beloved social spots. The by-law has resulted in the strict control of trading hours of alcohol in the Makana Municipality. Many students are outraged at the development, which has disturbed precious partying hours, but has any thought been spared for the local businesses of Grahamstown? There is no doubt about the detrimental effects of alcohol, which range from liver disease to chronic embarrassment. While there is indeed a strong case for the restriction of alcohol, it is debatable as to whether we can afford to suffocate this part of our economy. Mike Hubbard and Katy Vos, the owners of Friar Tucks, said that they

had almost 50 employees before the enforcement of the liquor by-law. This number has since been reduced to approximately half. Many Friars employees are students at Rhodes, who rely on their wages to help fund their education. However, those who have been hardest hit at Friars are the cleaning staff, many of whom are the breadwinners for their families. These men and women have gone from weekly earnings of approximately R500 to a mere R170. In addition to staff cutbacks, Hubbard and Vos have to deal with regular police harassment. A police van is often stationed outside the door of the club from 23:45, with officers chasing away customers and enforcing the closing time. Pub owners in Grahamstown have asked for more information regarding the liquor by-law but have received little response from the municipality. “If

you ever phone the municipality they refuse to talk about this particular issue. It’s like it doesn’t exist,” said Hubbard. Minutes from council meetings about the by-law are unavailable though they are meant to be publicly accessible. Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk believes that little has changed: “The laws of supply and demand will continue to operate. Customers are still free to purchase their alcohol during opening hours”. During the Festival last month, the liquor laws were adapted to accommodate the influx of tourists and artists. Trading hours were extended to 02:00 throughout fest for all venues, except Lounge Around and The Long Table which were allowed to trade until 05:00. Could it be that the extension of trading hours is based on what best suits the municipality at various times of the year? Are other big events like Intervarsity enough to warrant extended

trading hours? What about next year’s FIFA World Cup? Aside from these issues, there is the question of whether or not the by-law is effective in any way. According to Hubbard and Vos, the amount of binge drinking has increased. “Now we’re selling more Stroh Rum, Tequila and Jagermeister than we’ve ever done,” said Hubbard. Many students have responded by ‘pre-drinking’ earlier, ensuring that they are just as drunk as before. Furthermore, the practice of ‘post-drinks’ is becoming more popular, whereby students gather at places like Grey Dam and Settlers Monument to carry on drinking long after the 02:00 closing time. Evidently, some issues have not been thought through. Meanwhile the by-law continues to be enforced, heavily affecting parts of the Grahamstown business community.

Benjamin Fogel

Your new drinking hours According to the Makana Municipality website, bottle stores and retailers may sell alcohol between 9:00 and 21:00 Monday to Saturday and between 9:00 and 13:00 on a Sunday and Public Holidays. Restaurants, pubs, clubs and shebeens are permitted to sell alcohol between 11:00 and 00:00 Monday to Thursday. On weekends they may sell alcohol between 10:00 and 2:00 and on Sundays and Public Holidays, between 11:00 and 22:00. If business owners fail to adhere to these new times, they may be fined R3 000 or imprisoned. Ruby Blue, a club in Fourways, Johannesburg, was recently shut down due to the new liquor law.

Blunder >>

Ginger snaps, cat food and an ice cube tray Lonwabo Fayo Britain's Daily Telegraph published dodgy details of claims on taxpayers’ money made by various ministers and lawmakers. The documents revealed how some lawmakers used lax regulations to their benefit, paying for housing taxes and costs of furnishing homes. Others bizarrely claimed for trivial amounts, including a packet of ginger snaps, two cans of cat food and an ice cube tray. One lawmaker claimed compensation for the cost of servicing the swimming

pool of his country home, while another paid for a hunter to catch moles that had invaded his garden. Even British Prime Minister Gordon Brown – Britain's treasury chief at the time – paid his own brother £6 500 for cleaning services between 2004 and 2006. Brown's office said the leader's brother had handled payments for a cleaner the two men shared. Figures released to Parliament show that the 646 House of Commons legislators claimed £93 million in allowances and expenses last year. Seems like some power elites were cutting costs long before the global economic recession!

Strike for strike: students join the action Nonceba Mhlauli Since Monday 3 August, students have been left confused and hungry as the strike has resulted in dirty residences and smaller packed food portions. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) took industrial action against Rhodes University management over a wage dispute. Divania Timmal, a second year BA student who lives in Allan Gray said: “The strike is messing up everything, we pay a lot of money to stay in residence and we are made to eat out of polystyrene, it’s ridiculous”. She supports the workers but feels that it is unfair on students, who have been kept in the dark. “We would have also expected a reaction from the SRC by now informing us as to what’s happening,” she said. Another residence student, Zinziswa Mani feels that the workers are justified. “The workers would not have gone on strike for such a long time if they were not serious about their demands and I feel that they should be met,” she said. However, Mani feels that the University is also not considering the needs of students. “The food they give us is not enough and our residences are very dirty,” she said.

Xhanti Njozela, chairperson of SASCO who spoke on behalf of the Progressive Youth Alliance (SASCO, YCL and ANCYL) said they fully support the strike said that supporting strike action and being supportive of workers’ demands are two different things. “Strike action is unfortunate, we wouldn’t encourage it any day because it causes unpleasant disruptions and ought to be an action of last resort, but the PYA is strongly supportive and stand by the demands of the workers. Our loyalties lie with the workers,” he said. The SRC eventually released a press statement on Wednesday stating that they also supported the strike, but that no student shall be forced to perform, against their will, tasks or services that they have already paid for. It is students' prerogative to undertake these duties at their own discretion. In response to the press release, Njozela said he was disappointed with the SRC. “What we need from the SRC is for them to act strongly on this matter, a press statement is not only late but also ineffective,” he said. At the time of going to press, there was no clear indication as to how long the strike would last as NEHAWU was still negotiating with University management.

Pic: Megan Lewis

August is Women’s Month, and a good time to revisit the issue of rape. It is common knowledge that South Africa has the worst rape statistics in the world. Daily, we are confronted with shocking accounts of violent sexual crimes against women, men and children, which are rife throughout the country. The same facts are thrown around time and again. Well over 500 000 rapes are reported in this country every year, but according to statisticians only one in nine victims report their assaults. This means that in reality there are nearly 5 000 000 rapes in South Africa annually, and these are said to be conservative estimates. It has even been suggested that a woman in South Africa has a better chance of being raped than of learning how to read. A recent study released a new disturbing figure: one in four South African males is a rapist. The appalling rate of sexual violence in our country has not been addressed adequately as a political issue. The ANC Women’s League was all too quick to support Zuma during his rape trail and condemn the alleged survivor. The entire judicial system needs to be addressed in order to counter sexual violence and the rights of victims must be stressed and protected. Rape survivors are often subject to shame, humiliation and threats throughout their trials. It is no surprise then that only one in nine cases are reported to a police force which is consistently unable to counter the problem. South Africa is home to a sinister phenomenon of disempowered men who look to empower themselves through rape – the ultimate act of violent patriarchy. In order for this country to combat the problem our men need to redefine their identity. A way must be found to remedy the perverted patriarchal distortion of masculinity, which results in a sense of entitlement over others. The current political leadership needs to take a stand against the issue by admitting the extent of the problem. In the wake of Women’s Day, people must awaken from their apathetic slumber and realize that a war of sexual violence is being waged and sides must be taken. Misogynistic violence needs to stop before we lose another generation to these awful statistics. Men, ask and you shall receive. If not, get the new issue of FHM and some lotion!

NOT ENOUGH Students protested on Friday 7 August to express their dissatisfaction with the University’s service delivery during the NEHAWU strike.

4 The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Opinion

Tumelo Tladi 072 589 7230 [email protected]

Illustration: Leigh Stadler

In light of the many incidents of industrial action that have taken place throughout the country recently, I have been forced to do away with my idea that Grahamstown is not, in any way, part of the greater South Africa. I bet I’m not the only one who used to think that bad things like strikes and swine flu couldn’t affect us – here in the middle of nowhere. Gone are the days when Rhodes was a peaceful and flu-free campus. We may be living in a ‘fish bowl’ but it seems the water keeps getting dirtier. It’s good to get a wake up call every once in a while. As much as this town of iRhini is small and significantly removed from what many students feel is proper civilisation, it is still in South Africa. That means that whatever economic crisis comes upon the nation will affect us… eventually. And when national unions are up in arms because of this or that, it’s only a matter of time before our local municipal workers start striking too. Oh wait, that happened two weeks ago. It is not surprising that the central reason for all these unionists’ industrial actions is money (I wonder if the SABC will ever enjoy as much publicity as they have been getting lately). With the economy taking the direction that it is, realistically, we should all be up in arms. Could this have anything to do with the new government or is it just an unfortunate coincidence? Money and service delivery are the buzz words of any strike action, with the cycle coming full circle right on our doorstep. NEHAWU strikers are, crudely speaking, demanding more money; and students are striking about the poor service delivery they are getting from the University as a result. As the strike continues, a staff member (earning about R3000 per month) is losing approximately R200 per day. It seems like a lose-lose situation to me. Does the end really justify the means? Don’t get me wrong. I am all for voicing concern at any sign of poor service delivery and unjust regulations. Sure, people’s demands should be met but at what cost? And at whose expense? Won’t that mean that somewhere down the line my parents will have to make a plan about how to pay my now exorbitantly high fees? And won’t that simply set the ball rolling for another student striking saga? A compromise really is the only solution. And hopefully, in the case of the NEHAWU strike, the dispute over the wage adjustment will have been resolved by now, as you read this paper. As for the flu outbreak, hopefully that will also be under control before Intervarsity this weekend. Nothing ruins good purple fun like a flu-ridden and dirty campus.

Editorial cartoon >>

Bursting our bubble

Feel like ranting and raving? Let us know what you think. [email protected].

EVERYONE’S DOING IT It seems that our cartoonist has succumbed to the season of striking, along with the municipal workers, NEHAWU members, Wimpy staff and students. She is demanding longer deadlines and unfortunately, at the time of going to print, The Oppidan Press management and cartoonist union were still locked in negotiations.

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The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Opinion

Swine flu. Do you think the media is over rating the spread of swine flu? Tell us what you think. [email protected]

Sungeni Chithambo This newspaper has not been sneezed on. And even if it was sneezed on, you probably would not get swine flu (unless the distributors definitely have swine flu and you got your hands on this paper within a few minutes, then immediately rubbed your mouth, nose or eyes on it). Swine flu is an airborne disease, and the only pigs that will be infecting you are the people breathing, coughing and sneezing in your direction. Biology lesson aside, judging by the way people are oinking on about swine flu one would think that Ebola hit the place, or that Robert Mugabe was becoming the president of the UN. Nomsa Vaphi, a nurse at the Rhodes Sanatorium agrees that peoples’

response towards this pandemic is exaggerated. “To them it has a stigma of death,” she says. According to Vaphi, many students go to the san thinking they have been infected. “When they cough, they think it’s swine flu,” she says. “People shouldn’t panic.” Swine flu is highly contagious, as is normal seasonal flu. Shared symptoms between the viruses are fever, coughing, body aches and fatigue, and may also include a sore throat, vomiting and diarrhoea. Dr Bert Evans from Drs Marx & Bennett has treated about five swine flu patients. He says that “one must treat any infection with respect”, so it might be wise to report any flu-like symptoms. And these don’t include a random cough in the middle of a lecture. Evans feels that swine flu has been sensationalised by journalists. And

hypochondriacs, tutorial-dodgers and generally paranoid people everywhere have jumped on the bandwagon. The first swine flu death in South Africa was reported on 3 August. A 22year-old male from Stellenbosch University died on 28 July but, according to Western Cape Health Minister, Theuns Botha, his death was unusual and the majority of people who contract the virus recover fully. Hygiene is a major factor in preventing the spread of flu. You can avoid the porky situation by covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough and disposing of used tissues properly. In other words, be considerate to those around you – it’s not particularly nice to share your germs. You – reading this – swine EXTREME MEASURES flu won’t kill you. But if it gets you, please don’t turn into a virus-spreading Panic all over the world has caused people to take drastic steps to avoid contracting swine flu, and Grahamstown is no exception. pig.

It ain’t just about the money

Pic: Mikaila Thurgood

Benjamin Fogel

BIG BUCKS Students are enticed by the money BCom degrees supposedly offer, but at what cost to their potential for social contribution?

Why do Bachelor of Commerce students choose this particular degree? If asked, most do not consider their studies to be particularly interesting or enjoyable. Rather, they repeat Theory of Finance (TOF) several times to make money, or because mom and dad were unwilling to foot the bill if they decided to dabble in a BA (or another exhaustively so-called “Bugger All” degree). It is exceptionally irritating when a BCom student smugly dismisses a BA degree as a one-way track to nights of endless revelry and subsequent unemployment. Accountants’ arguments often conclude that BA subjects “have no right answers”. But university is not necessarily about the black and white, and should certainly challenge one’s opinions and beliefs. Surely there should be more to studying than the incentive of getting a job in the real world. What about becoming a well-rounded, educated individual capable of critically engaging with the world, for example? The fields of Politics and Philosophy are often dismissed as having little practical application but the knowledge gleaned from both can shape our lives in many different ways – even in commerce-type considerations. For example, the idea of money having value that can be exchanged for goods is a philosophical concept. But that is not to say that the “BA all the way” attitude is correct. A Bachelors

of Science degree challenges an individual in a completely different way as the fields of Physics, Earth Sciences, Maths and Chemistry deal with topics which force us to revalue our existence on a cosmic level. Are we nothing more than a bunch of small particles vibrating? Are we still evolving? This goes back to the questionable contribution made by BCom students. BA subjects contribute ideas, Science contributes technology, and both provide explanations of our existence. BCom students may make the moola, but the reason the world is in such a

dire economic crisis is primarily due to greed and the urge to make more money from things which are not really there. Although we cannot live without money, there is far more to life then getting rich. If you are going to become an entrepreneur and a BCom equips you for that, go ahead, but there must be something your business can give back. If we value money above ideas and discoveries, we are already on the route to hell. In an age of smug condemnation and the undervaluing of academics, scientists and teachers, we need to re-examine our priorities.

Men replaced with semen Danelle Wessels Imagine a world without sex. Technically, humans have not needed it for reproduction since In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) erupted onto the ultrasound. Making a baby can be like baking a cake – the ingredients are mixed up in a laboratory dish and popped into the oven, with the final product coming out as a carefully timed, nine month-old bun of a bouncing babe. And now men may have even less to do with the baby-making process. Scientists at Newcastle University in the UK and the North East England Stem Cell Institute (NESCI), led by Professor Karim Nayernia, have allegedly succeeded in creating artificial human sperm. The laboratory-produced sperm, called In Vitro Derived (IVD) sperm is produced from embryonic stem cells. While the idea may not sound very raunchy or romantic, this sort of research may help scientists to better understand the causes of infertility in men. Sorting out sterile sperm? Great! But everyone seems to be getting a little carried away with the babymaking business. Gung-ho (and perhaps slightly unstable) feminists have already jumped at the idea of a society without men, where women shall reign supreme. There’s talk of two women one day being able to have children genetically related to both of them. But surely it’s a little too early for this man-eliminating procreating? Besides the fact that the research is still in its preliminary stages and it may be

at least a decade before the IVD sperm is of any real value, the stem cells used to create fully mature sperm need XY (male) chromosomes. Sorry ladies, world domination will have to wait. While men suffering from infertility may be grateful for the advancements, those with highly obsessive female stalkers may not be so happy with the direction in which stem cell research is headed. Theoretically, IVD sperm can be created from human skin cells, so genetic fraud could become easy in the future. A woman would only have to obtain a skin sample of the desired father of her child and presto! All she would need is a ring to make a decent woman of her. This may sound like something out of a science fiction novel or Hollywood horror film but, to the relief of many, DNA dabbling will only be possible in the distant future. It is currently illegal to test sperm by trying to create a baby from it, and the research team has no intentions of that sort. Professor Nayernia and his team have also been questioned about the validity of their findings as many scientists argue that the claims are unsubstantiated. To add to this, the original publication in which their research was released has been temporarily withdrawn due to alleged plagiarism of an earlier publication in the introductory paragraphs. If everyone calmed down, they would see that there’s nothing to worry about. We’re not going to have mutant babies running amok from experiments gone wrong just yet, so let’s save the melodrama for the movies.

Pic: supplied

Too much whine about the swine

6 The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Entertainment

Celebrity Recipe >> Bongo Maffin’s Stoan, shows us how to make his Freestyle Chicken Soup. Ingredients

1 sachet of Knor cream of mushroom soup 1 sachet of Knor cream of chicken soup 2 cups of frozen mixed veggies Deboned chicken thighs Mushrooms Half a packet of pasta (any kind) Spinach, 2 cloves of garlic 1 onion, 1 green pepper Thyme, Coriander Chicken spice Salt to taste, Aromat 1.5 litres of water, 1 cup fresh cream Olive oil for frying

rooms in the olive oil. • Cook the pasta and boil the water separately. • Add the boiling water, pasta, chicken spice, salt and Aromat to the chicken, onion, green pepper and mushroom mix. Let it simmer for five to seven minutes. • Add the mixed veggies and spinach. • Mix both soup sachets into a paste and add to pot, stirring occasionally. • Add fresh cream and coriander and simmer for ten minutes. • Serve with your favorite bread.

Method

Serving suggestion

• Slice the veggies and chicken into strips. • Brown the chicken, onion, green pepper, garlic, thyme and mush

Crumble blue cheese over the soup just before serving and garnish with chopped coriander.

Celebrity Recipe. Do you have any celebrity friends? We want their recipes! Let us know. [email protected]

Couture for a cause Staff Reporter Twenty models are set to hit the catwalk on 21 August 2009 for the highly anticipated SHARC Anti-Fashion Show. The glamorous evening will take place at Rhodes’s Great Hall with local student designers showcasing their diverse creativity. Aside from the glitz, glam, fashion and fun, the event aims to promote acceptance, respect and love for other people, and for the self. The SHARC committee is hoping that the fashion show will change perceptions of what models should look like. All proceeds from the event will go to a school in Joza. A few of the student designers who will be showing off their talent are

second year Journalism student, Melissa Radebe and third year Drama student, Goitsemang Nkomo,. There will be a variety of additional entertainment on the night. Hip hop dance routines, soulful poetry, a contemporary movement piece and singing are just some of the extra acts that will make for an energetic atmosphere. The event is organised by the SHARC committee with assistance from Honours Drama Student, Saint Francis. SHARC aims to get other Rhodes societies involved in the event to show their support for the cause. The SHARC fashion show is definitely not to be missed so be sure to go and get your culture fix. Its more than just a fashion show, it’s a fiesta! The event starts at 18:30 for 19:00, but go early to get your front row seat.

ROCKING OUT

Pics: Catherine Cunningham

Patrick and the Swayzes, Jacob and the Zumas, Jude and the Laws. Stickers were placed all over campus and beyond just in time for Pretoria band Desmond and the Tutu’s launch of their EP “____and the ____” last Friday at the Scout Hall. The indie kwela pop band wowed the audience with their uniquely South African sound, which features emphasised spoken word and whiney, yet smooth vocals.

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Rules of ngagement Big Tyson and Thulani MahambaSithole The game has changed. The rules that regulate interaction between men and women have shifted in a more liberal direction. Today’s women are independent and unafraid to pursue what they want aggressively. The rules of engagement have become more interesting and spontaneous, but they also present a whole new set of problems: they are somewhat unfair, as they complicate the game for women more than for men. A 57 percent majority of the Rhodes student body is female, and in many instances ladies find themselves having to make the first move to initiate relationships. It’s no longer enough for ladies to look pretty and assume that love will find them. These days, women have to take charge, even compete against each other at times. The “typical Rhodes guy”, as girls on campus put it, is the way he is because women have allowed it. Girls regularly compete for our attention amongst themselves, with plots, plans, gossip and rumours, to the extent that we don’t have to play the field – the field plays itself. Women have become more comfortable with seeking sexual pleasure and acting on feelings of love or lust. They are increasingly, and more confidently, taking the necessary steps to meet their needs which, as history tells us, has not always been the case. Innovative sex toys, masturbation, and finding new and interesting sex moves are various ways of experimenting with pleasure. Women who actively engage in such behaviour are no longer entering strictly taboo territory, although society still lays down certain boundaries. As unfair as it is, women are often judged for having multiple partners or seeking sexual gratification in a relationship – behaviour which is traditionally associated with men. We live in a society that strives for gender equality, but if this is the case then why are women still made to feel ashamed about the same things for which men are praised? Let’s rehash the classic example: if a guy cheats he’s a ‘playa’, sometimes even a hero; but if a girl does the same she’s a slut. Women are increasingly displaying characteristics for which chauvinist men have been criticised in the past such as flirting, ass-groping and the ‘I-was-sodrunk’ excuse, used when lust leads to infidelity. The result is that men have adapted to this changed situation, which has in turn resulted in somewhat of a role-reversal in the interaction between men and ‘the fairer sex’. This is also perhaps why, to a large extent, chivalry has become obsolete. But aren’t men are still the one’s wearing the pants?

The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Arts

Budding with creative inspiration? Send us your recommendations on what to do and see on the art scene. [email protected]

Recreational reading - really? Lauren Minnie It’s no secret that we basically spend all three years of our university degrees reading. Those big, chunky course readers and lists of ‘recommended readings’ seem to haunt us the most right before exam time, when we realise that they were dead serious about keeping up from the word go. We are, after all, supposed to be ‘reading for our degrees’. Then there are those who enjoy reading for fun (shock horror!). These are often the same people who enjoy writing for fun (I’m really sorry, I don’t mean to alarm you with this information). See exhibit A – The Oppidan Press office. Before our weekly editorial meeting, I had a very interesting conversation about being judged by the book you’re seen reading. Not so much a ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ scenario, but more a ‘don’t judge the reader by the alarmingly

bright pink book he/she is reading’ kind of set-up. Even those who rarely pick up a recreational read must know the slightly embarrassing feeling of reading Marian Keyes when a Classics major walks past with his copy of The Odyssey. Or that feeling of ignorance when you’re sitting outside the English department in the lovely afternoon sun, completely engrossed in your Jodie Picoult, while third years walk out with books you’ve never even heard of. The little child in you just wants to jump up and shout “Don’t judge me, last week I was reading Tolstoy!” So for all of you who enjoy the occasional chick lit, or even just a bright cover, between your more thought-provoking reads – I’m here to tell you that it’s okay. One day you’re going to catch those guys in a Lindsay Lohan movie, or listening to Paris Hilton, and then who’ll be judging?! Mwahahahaha!

Shaken or stirred: the art of cocktail creation Ever heard a barman call himself a mixologist? I don’t think the fad has quite hit G’town yet, but mixology is the art and science behind cocktail and shooter recipes. I hit the local nightspots to find out whether any Rhodes student has what it takes to be the next big mixologist. Our first stop is Friars, where barlady Alexandryna Audagnotti, a third year BA student, whips up her two favourite shots: the Friars ‘slinky’, and a ‘star wars’. Having known Alex since she started bartending two years ago, it’s slightly strange for me to watch this whirlwind

of energy so calmly and patiently layer the different spirits. The ‘slinky’ ends up being a perfectly combined pyramid of colour. “I like playing around with the density and stuff, it’s really fun, and it has aesthetic appeal,” says Alex. Her next shot, a ‘star wars’, is an amazing little creation, with drops of red and blue sambucca exploding all over the surface of the drink before falling to the bottom of the glass in two balls. “They really react beautifully!” Alex says, pleased with the final product. Next stop is Cafe Blanca, where I hope to find the Mona Lisa of cocktails. The first two shooters packed quite a punch, so I am not sure that

I still have 20-20 vision to judge this effectively. Barman Tim Cooper, a first year BSocSci student, whips up one of his favourites: a kiwi martini. The result is a delicate, light green cocktail spotted with the black dots of the kiwi. Hmmm…pretty, but not enough. On my way home, I pass Pirates and decide to test the waters. If mixology is the art and science of mixing drinks, then toxology is the art of combining drinks, with general disregard of the palate, for ridiculously cheap prices. The Bergie bomb? Really? Clearly not all Rhodents worry about the aesthetic appeal of their drink, as long as it gets the job done! I suppose, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

other magazines and newspapers on campus, it cannot be classified as just another student publication, but rather a combination of both student and staff participation. “It is not a student, not a staff publication, but a School of Journalism and Media Studies publication” and the magazine is a platform for the school to show “who and what we are, what we do and what we have to offer,” said Snyders. The staff includes student writers and photographers as well as lecturers and specialists of the department.

Third year photojournalism student Nicola van Rensburg, commented on being part of the Quote team: “Although I was not too experienced as a photographer [the founders] were helpful and understanding.” She added that working on the publication was a great experience. The magazine will be produced biannually, reporting what has happened in the school within six month periods. The first edition, published last week, reflects the aim to represent journalism from various angles such as what

students are being taught, how they are taught and what they can produce as a result. The magazine is not exclusively of interest to journalists or potential journalists as it covers many issues that affect the school as a whole such as the Highway Africa Conference and the Future Indaba project dealing with the alumni network, which will be covered in the next issue. The magazine will give students an opportunity to learn more about what it means to be a journalist and what journalism is all about.

Lauren Minnie

New magazine gets the inside scoop on journos Yvonne Nhuta The School of Journalism and Media Studies has recently launched a new digital magazine Quote, aimed at reflecting the ideals of the school and the high quality of work that its students learn to produce throughout their years at Rhodes. Taking the idea from the school’s previous publication, JQ, the founders of Quote felt it necessary to go beyond what they had previously achieved

with regards to conveying their message. The purpose of the publication is to communicate the school’s activities to various stakeholders, alumni in particular, as well as current staff and students. The alumni network is sponsored by Telkom which supports the publication. According to Jolandi Snyders, Alumni, Marketing and Events officer of the school and co-founder of Quote, the magazine was created to “reflect what the school is all about and the high calibre of its students.” Unlike

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BE THE CHANGE Nominations for SRC elections open between 7-14 August 2009 Collect nomination forms from the SRC office (top floor of the Bantu Stephen Biko Building) between 08h30 and 17h00

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The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Features

Have a knack for creative writing? Join the features team. Just drop us a line. [email protected]

San’s service needs renovating too In your haste, you’ve cut yourself shaving. You see blood. Your hands and feet go clammy. It’s deep – too deep for a plaster. But where do you go? Do you frantically bang on your neighbour’s door, screaming out of pain and squeamishness? Do you brave severe blood loss and drip a blood trail all the way to the sanatorium? Or do you phone your doctor and demand an ambulance and a stretcher? In such cases, the most convenient and immediate option would be the sanatorium, which has a sister either on duty or on call 24 hours a day. But would it be the most reliable option? Over the years, the san has been a steady source of contention amongst students. The reviews have not been good. Emma Morris, a third year student living in Kings Manor objected to the san sisters’ lack of concern: “The one time I went there they weren’t even sympathetic. I mean, don’t mollycoddle but when someone’s

feeling sick, show a little sympathy”. Should you trust the san to attend to your medical needs? According to another third year student, Breanne Robb the answer is no: “The ‘service’ wasn't very good [when I went there]. I felt it was half-hearted and they didn't really go in depth, the treatment seemed very superficial”. When asked about students’ negativity and complaints regarding the san, head sister, Jeanne Shaw says that people expect too much: “People need to understand that it’s a sanatorium – it’s a day clinic not a hospital”. There are currently four sisters on duty at the san and on average they will see 1280 patients per month, which is more than a sixth of the Rhodes student population. Shaw also says that the facility is understaffed and underfunded, having only just received funding from the European Union in order to start refurbishing the old san. What do these renovations promise the san? Shaw believes it will do wonders. “It’s going to be tremendous,” she says. Extensive planning and effort

A hellish place of peace Daneel Knoetze

Pic: Caroline King

Mikaila Thurgood

ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT Students may change their negative perceptions of the San after the extensive renovations are complete. have gone into the san’s remodeling. It will soon boast new private consultation rooms, a new waiting room and consultation desk (with a private nook), renovated male and female wards, a private telephone room, and an outdoor

area for patients. Unfortunately, Morris isn’t as optimistic. “You’d have to renovate the people as well as the building,” in order to see noticeable benefits and differences she says.

Big Brother Make your R2.05 go Grahamstown further Wilhelmina Maboja Lerusha Reddy I gathered all the coins together and discovered that I had only two rand and five cents to my name. Then I thought to myself, ‘how far can one go with a measly R2.05 in Grahamstown’s Central Business District’? I put my thrift hat on and hit town to find out. And that is when I got my surprise. For all the cocktail lovers and cheap drunks out there, I recommend making your way to Café Blanca where you can buy a drink made up of cocktail leftovers, suitably named the ‘shit shot’, for just R2. Use the 5c piece to chuck at the bartender for talking you into buying the shot in the first place.

But the dirt-cheap deals don’t end there. If you’re low on tumblers, then travel down High Street and visit May’s fashion where you can purchase two tumblers (for next to nothing) for those raucous digs parties. If tumblers are not on your thingsto-get list, why not spend your princely sum on a packet of toothpicks? Seriously. Toothpicks have an abundance of uses but a favorite of mine is arranging the wooden sticks to resemble my name. Jessica’s Fashions next to Shoprite boats a number of trinkets you can purchase with R2.05 such as pens, key rings and even hair dye. But I say, stick with the toothpicks. Your room probably needs some creativity.

Ever had the feeling you are being watched on and off campus? Today, your paranoia is not unwarranted. The beady eye of surveillance is ever-present, always watching. Consider Facebook, cell phones and student cards for instance. These three things are so common and so frequently used that we rarely stop to look at them for what they really are – evidence of 21st century surveillance. Gone are the days when your delinquent self could party hard with the reassurance of no recorded proof the next day. Today, your credit or debit card can show whether you’re a successful future investor or a poor alcoholic miser. We take it for granted that this rectangular piece of plastic with a magnetic strip contains all sorts of information, such as your last spontaneous overdraft at an obscene hour, to the last place, time and date you swiped it for a R4.95 Kit Kat. Our own campus has us on surveil-

lance. If you’re not signing up with your student number, then you’re chipping in or out with your dallas chip. Students who live in residences such as Jan Smuts have the opportunity of starring in their own show: CCTV, which airs 24 hours a day. Oppidans who live in Kings Gardens are also watched by security cameras 24 hours a day, bad hair or not. Some students would like to get in on this big brother-like treatment. “There have been a few incidents that happened along African Street, which is really close to my digs, so cameras wouldn’t be such a bad idea,” said first year BSc student, Michelle Chan. Other students see security cameras as an invasion of privacy, especially considering the size of Grahamstown. Being under surveillance no longer means you need to be in one place. With cell phones, bank cards and Bluetooth technology, you could be scanned like a can of baked beans at Pick ‘n Pay, have all your personal information exposed, and never know.

How to enjoy a pint at Eden Grove Liza Smith At the end of every month, Eden Grove is abandoned and silent. No, not due to frequently held exams, but because of a test for only the most daring students – donating a pint of blood. Maryke Harris, of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS), was excited about the 47 new donors recruited at the last blood drive held on 30 July. Out of the 190 potential donors, 167

students were able to donate blood. Those who don’t venture near the venue come blood donation day out of fear of needles, should take a look at these guidelines which make donating blood as pain free as possible. Bear in mind that blood is needed every two seconds, and your donation can help save a life. Do your bit and become part of Club 25 – youth caring enough for others to give a little of themselves. How to survive donating blood 1. Get a good night’s sleep!

THERE’S AN ALOE ON MY STOEP >>

2. Avoid caffeine drinks like Red Bull and coffee, as well as fatty foods. 3. Eat chocolate and drink Coke before and after donating. A handy little trick to justify those sweet cravings. 4. Keep your bandage on for at least four hours after donating to avoid infection. 5. Do not donate blood if you know you are at risk of STDs or HIV/ Aids or are using drugs of any kind. 6. Eat a good meal some two to four hours before donating.

7. Do not look at the blood draining from your arm – IT NEVER HELPS! 8. Forget about the needle. Mind over matter. 9. Avoid alcohol a day before and after the donation. 10. Drink more fluids after the donation and make use of the biscuits and juice on offer at the donation centre. 11. Do not do heavy lifting or strenuous exercise of any kind for a day after donating blood.

The dusty Swartberg Pass which starts at the Karoo foothill village of Prince Albert and eventually gives way to a tarred highway to Oudtshoorn, is not a road to a destination, not a means to an end, but an end in itself. The pass showcases the weirdest and most staggering geology to be witnessed anywhere in South Africa. Navigating the pass is a pleasant and straightforward affair: the road is well-maintained and a little stone wall provides some psychological comfort regarding the 50 metre dead drop to the left. There is, however, a single turn-off signposted ‘Dangerous Road’ and ‘48km = 2 hours’. Those 48km twist and turn along the crest of the Swartberg range and lead to an abrupt and foreboding dead-end plainly labelled ‘Die Hel’. With a tank of petrol and time to spare, it is a near irresistible invitation. The story of Die Hel, also known as Gamkaskloof, is one of a resilient and intensely isolated farming community. The first European farmer settled here in 1830 and was followed by a handful of families whose names are now synonymous with the Kloof. For over one hundred years, the only way of reaching the outside world (in other words, the relative metropolis of Prince Albert) was by foot, a journey through rough terrain which took days. Legend has it that a taxman returning from Gamkaskloof likened this trip to “Hell”. Yet there is, in fact, little about Gamkaskloof which justifies its name. The basin itself is watery and fertile, somewhat of an Eden in the wasteland that is the Swartberg range, and the community of old were God-fearing conservatives who detested the stigma attached to the tag of the taxman. However, the last leg of the journey, the near vertical ascent down Elandspass is, to this day, a trying experience. No problem, mind you, for the flash, high-rolling Cape Town 4x4s which come for their weekend kicks. But mine is a Nissan 1400, with an abominably low clearance and a broken petrol pump. Sadly, upon arrival hopes of finding an abandoned fringe community are laid to rest. The road was opened in 1962 and it was the pin that burst the bubble of ‘Die Hel’ – slowly letting the outside world in and the inside world out. Nevertheless, the unique heritage, both natural and cultural, is being preserved. Under the maintenance of Cape Nature Conservation, Gamkaskloof is today a world heritage site for its diverse mix of fauna and flora. Cape Nature has also set about restoring the rundown farmhouses to accommodate visitors. It is a peaceful and beautiful place in winter, but I’m told that summers in ‘Die Hel’ are filled with diesel fumes and the sounds of city slicker thrill seekers. So pick your visiting time wisely, for it always was, and should remain, a place of solitude and quiet.

The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Environment

Green living. Are you living a green lifestyle? Let us know what tips and tricks you use. [email protected]

Grahamstown wind in Eskom sales Nicole Venegas The ‘windy corner’ sounds like something out of a John Steinbeck novel but it may soon be the site of Grahamstown’s newly proposed renewable energy project and a possible solution to the load-shedding nightmare. Waainek, as this area is more commonly known, is the projected site of a new wind farm to be constructed by the French company Innowind, which specialises in wind-generated renewable energy. The farm will have 12 turbines that will each produce between two and three megawatts (MW) of electricity on average. This means that the total amount of electricity produced on a normal day would be around 24 to 36 MW. In layman’s terms, this wind farm should supply more electricity than Grahamstown will need in winter. The company will then sell what is left over to Eskom. However, before the project can be approved, it must first be reviewed by

WIND WISE Waainek, also known as the ‘windy corner’ is where Innowind plans to develop Grahamstown’s new wind farm.

Coastal and Environmental Services (CES), which will assess potential environmental issues that such a project could cause. They are currently at what is called the scoping phase, where a report is prepared to inform both the public and relevant authorities about the project and any issues raised at public meetings. The public is now being granted a grace period to lodge any more complaints or issues they may have with the project, a process that will be completed on 13 August. Once this is done, the draft of the scoping report will be released for a month to allow the public a final chance to comment. Some of the issues already raised by Grahamstonians are noise, the potential problem of high visibility and the strong sunlight reflection the turbines might have. There is also a concern about the ecological impact the wind farm will have on the area, especially regarding migratory birds. Innowind will consider these issues and establish just how great an impact this project will have. Pic: Amy Attenborough

Look out for >> • The Enviropaedia The Enviropaedia website is worth having a look at as it has useful links related to green living, such as the Sustainable Lifestyle Guide. To find out more, visit http://www.enviropaedia. com/

• The Green Mall If you are going to Cape Town during the next vac, check out the new green mall that has just opened at 210 Long Street. For more information on shops that promote sustainable living, such

as The Green Shop or the Hemporium, have a look at their website at http:// www.210onlong.co.za/mall/

• The Digs Greening Project

GRASS wants to help you green up your digs. So if you are interested in participating in this project or want to find out more, contact GRASS at grass. [email protected].

• Farmers' market Every Saturday from 9:00 to 12:00 the farmers' market at the Old Gaol takes place, where you can buy fresh and healthy locally grown vegetables, crafts, and other goodies.

Eco-fact >>

It is said that wind turbines have a negative effect on bats as the rotating blades are so powerful that they strain the bats’ weak lungs, causing them to explode.

Who is the greenest of us all? Nikki Kohly The newly created Rhodes University Environmental Awards, established by the University’s Environmental Committee, is now open for nominations and submissions. The awards, for both staff and students, recognise environmentally sound practices and operations that promote sustainability. Examples of such practices include implementation of the University’s environmental policy such as energy-efficient practices, use of ‘green’ products, reduced consumption and waste generation, use of online course materials, less jet setting around the planet, and recycling or re-using items. It may also involve active promotion of environmental innovations and emerging green technologies on campus, and improved impact on the surrounding community and environment. The awards place particular emphasis on working cohesively

towards environmental sustainability for the common good in the long term. Four categories are eligible for nomination: (1) residences or student societies; (2) sections (within divisions); (3) institutes or departments and (4) individuals. Successful nominees will receive recognition in the form of a unique, handcrafted Environmental Awards floating trophy, a framed certificate, and a place on the Rhodes University Environmental Awards Honours Roll. Their achievement will also be announced in the graduation booklet. The closing date for nominations is Wednesday 30 September. The Vice-Chancellor will present the awards to winners at a cocktail function on 30 October 2009. To apply or nominate a colleague or peer for an Environmental Award, visit http://www.ru.ac.za/environment/committee/environmentalawards for more info. Submissions may be emailed to [email protected]

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Wikipedia joins the green revolution Tommie Gilbert If you are interested in learning more about the environment and how you can ‘do your bit’ then Wikia Green is right up your street. On 9 September last year, Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia, launched the Wikia Green website which is dedicated to those who want to share what they know about the environmental and sustainable universe. The project is part of Wales’s second internet-related development, ‘Wikia Incorporated’ – a collection of individual sites all dedicated to a specific topic, ranging from Star Wars to Liverpool FC. As with Wikipedia, anyone can edit these sites. But unlike its bigger brother, Wikia aims to attract those who are passionate about the topic, rather than

provide the internet community with a general reference point. Take, for example, the Wikipedia article on the oil company ExxonMobil: it explains its founding, its overall history and similar sorts of facts. But the Wikia Green page on the same topic will most likely look at its environmental record, focusing on the Exxon Valdez disaster of 1989. Inspired by a conversation with Al Gore two years ago, Wales hopes that the site will become the pre-eminent source of green-related information. He also hopes that the more focused approach will allow readers to understand environmental issues and technologies without having to sift through all the technical stuff. Wikia Green will allow people to search and explore topics relating to the environment, but the focus is more on information, suggestions of what people

can do and directions to other sites with more information on the subject. For example, the ‘calculating carbon footprint’ article is mainly comprised of a list of six or seven external websites where you can calculate your carbon footprint and add more if you know of any. So how, you may ask, is this different from blogging? Well, it isn’t a blog but Wales hopes that bloggers will use Wikia Green as a source of information, as well as a place for pooling their resources and information. Wales also intends it to be a site to which bloggers will direct their readers so that they can access a simplified version of the information - a sort of environmental guide for dummies. If you want to check it out, take a trip to http://green.wikia.com/wiki/ Wikia_Green

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The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Business

Credit crunch: Have you been directly affected by the world economic meltdown? [email protected]

Can old dogs learn new tricks? Tito Mboweni is spending his last days in office as Reserve Bank governor, while his replacement, former ABSA chairperson Gill Marcus, waits in the wings. Having chaired the board of one of the domestic banking ‘Big 4’, she is well-equipped for the job with a comprehensive understanding of private sector’s position in the financial system. She is also determined to achieve her own most important objective – the improvement of social justice in our country. Marcus’s appointment marks an interesting turn of events as she returns to the institution that rejected her just five years ago when she was suddenly relieved as Reserve Bank deputy governor at the end of her contract. According to The Times, Jacob Zuma stated in his public announcement on the appointment, that Marcus had “qualities of proven leadership, sound judgment and integrity. She will prove a worthy successor to Mr Mboweni”. Many seem to agree with Zuma’s sentiments, particularly those unions who have opposed Mboweni’s blindeye approach to utilising policy tools to promote job creation. South African unions have been very vocal about their opposition to the Re-

serve Bank’s inflation targeting framework, arguing that it has not effectively contributed to reducing unemployment. Their opposition to Mboweni's reappointment was based heavily on their desire for a new approach to monetary policy. But Gill Marcus can hardly be called a union-friendly selection. She is also a strong advocate for inflation targeting, and she was one of the forces behind the policy’s implementation, first as deputy finance minister and then as deputy governor of the Reserve Bank. Unlike Mboweni when he joined the bank ten years ago, Marcus has tremendous experience with monetary policy and her hard working nature and professionalism put her in a position to introduce and direct change. Marcus has a difficult task ahead of her because despite the outstanding job done by Mboweni in fighting inflation, she will have to focus on the bank’s capacity advancement as well as keeping unions happy in the face of rising wage disputes.

WILL MARCUS MAKE US PROSPER? South Africa’s trade unions hope that new Reserve Bank governor, Gill Marcus will introduce more unemploymentreducing policies than her predecessor, Tito Mboweni.

The butterfly effect Ines Schumacher

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Motshidisi Mokoena

MATERIAL GIRL >>

Today’s graduates, tomorrow’s unemployed Gwynne Mhlanga The global economic recession has a firm grip on everyone and world leaders have made appropriate sympathetic noises about the impact this will have on the person on the street. Most of these affected people are recent or future graduates, trying to find jobs in an economic climate marked by rapid job loss. Finding a job is challenging for all graduates, but finding a job during a recession is a whole new ball game. Unemployment is higher than normal and most firms are tightening their belts and cutting their graduate recruitment

programmes to minimise costs. This is of a great concern to students who have degrees or qualifications geared for industries such as banking, finance and retail, as these markets have been heavily affected by the recession and have suffered massive job cuts in recent months. As Forbes noted, a recent college graduate will be entering an economy with an unemployment rate that's twice as high as when they entered school. These are not promising odds. Nowadays, graduates cannot afford to be picky. Many will find themselves having to put aside their career ambitions and be happy to receive a pay cheque at all.

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Recessions are marked by many wage strikes with workers demanding more pay to match the inflation of prices. We have seen evidence of this in the industrial action of the Grahamstown municipal workers and even closer to home, the workers union (NEHAWU) whose members disrupted lectures, intimidated individuals and destroyed property last week. The wage issue is tricky. Companies argue that if they had money to increase wages they would not need to lay off workers and that if people become patient the situation will right itself without the need for wage adjustments. However, workers need to survive and, as economist John Keynes

pointed out, “in the long run we will all be dead”. But this scenario should only be seen as a challenge for fresh graduates. Advice from Exforsys.com states that new graduates are young and mistakes should be expected. Although in this case the mistake is not theirs, graduates can recover and adapt to the economic climate. During periods of recession, new graduates must look beyond their original career aspirations and consider alternative sources of income, such as potentially lucrative hobbies. Students should not let the recession be discouraging in the quest to become financially stable.

Now how’s this for an example of the butterfly effect. You know, a kind of chain reaction, a snowball effect. A butterfly flaps its wings on one side of the world and causes a hurricane on the other. Chaos theory. And I think we can all agree that the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) is nothing but chaos. The ANCYL established Lembede Investments in 2001 to generate income for the branch. Basically it has become the same as everything greedy men get their hands on, and that’s a shit-ton of money used to enrich themselves. But one thing these greedy men lack is brains. Not only did they get involved with the late Brett Kebble, but they also did it in the most public and stupid way possible. Auditors investigating Lembede recently released a report after they found irregularities in the company’s basically non-existent bookkeeping. The report found that the previous management breached the Companies Act, didn’t keep financial records of its dealings, and hadn’t conducted an audit since 2001. It has been reported that R436 million is unaccounted for. So it’s no surprise that the ANCYL now wants to kill Lembede in the most obviously ostentatious way possible. The organisation’s president, Julius Malema is trying to mop up the scandal and was recently quoted as saying: “If you do away with these activities, people will understand that being in the youth league does not mean you are going to be rich. We have existed as the youth league before without any investment arm.” But all that aside, it is my conviction that politicians and political parties shouldn’t be involved in business at all. One of the most obvious examples is Tokyo Sexwale who has his finger in many pies. It has made him a rich, but also questionable man. The current leadership of the ANCYL didn’t mess Lembede up and they’re taking the right steps to rectify the sticky situation they find themselves in. On a slightly unrelated note, it seems Malema may be taking the ANC’s guidance to heart and is changing his image. Malema has in the past said that he will go to parliament only when he is “a shiny polished diamond”. He’s just carbon now, but he might become a rough diamond sometime soon. Unfortunately the hurricane is spinning around the current leadership of the ANCYL and not the previous Lembede management whom no-one is planning to hold accountable. Enjoy your champagne and caviar boys! I hope you choke on it.

The Oppidan Press 13.08.09

Science & Technology

WTF? Seen anything weird and wacky online lately? Send us a link. [email protected]

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What’s all the fuss about flu?

FLU FREAK OUT Despite media hype, swine flu is not much more contagious or deadly than normal seasonal flu. Nokwanda Kota Somebody please help me understand because I quite honestly cannot, and I have tried with earnest determination. What is the big deal about swine flu? The past couple of weeks have been Influenza A (H1N1) mania. Everywhere you turn there’s some random layman (no disrespect intended) spewing the most fantastic ‘swine flu’ trivia. For the record, it’s as easy to contract Influenza A (H1N1) as it is to contract other variants of our everyday seasonal influenza viruses. You don’t have to exchange copious amounts of saliva in marathon kissing sessions like I heard on the radio a while ago…Trust me, I’m a doctor… almost.

Okay, admittedly the panic was warranted in the beginning. I too experienced an increased heart rate. It is always a cause for worry when an animal source of a virus combines with a human virus. The result is usually a potentially fatal novel hybrid. If the population has no previous immunological exposure to this new ‘mutant’ virus, a pandemic is born. Enter Influenza A (H1N1). FACT: Although it is commonly called ‘swine flu’, the origin of the virus is unknown and there have been no reported cases of infection from exposure to pigs. You cannot get it from wellcooked pork. Thus you can still host your bacon party, no worries. FACT: Influenza A (H1N1) is spread from person to person via infected respiratory droplets expelled by coughing

or sneezing that can either be inhaled or contaminate surfaces or hands. So let’s cover our mouths when we cough girls and boys! FACT: The virus is sensitive to anti viral meds like Relenza, Tamiflu and the generics (which are just as good, and affordable in these economically turbulent times). FACT: Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalisation or medical care. Levels of severe illness from influenza A (H1N1) appear similar to levels seen during local seasonal influenza periods. Thankfully, the time for mass hysteria has now passed. Or has it? With a mortality rate lower than one percent and a severity rating of ‘moderate’ from the World Health Organisation, ‘swine flu’ is clearly not the bad boy it was initially toted to be. However, all it takes is a cursory glance at the media and an occasional ear to the radio to appreciate swine flu’s dynamic nature. In case you’re interested, there are three main Influenza viruses: A, B and C. Influenza A and B are of the family Orthomyxoviridae. Influenza B and C are almost exclusively found in humans (rarely pigs and seals). Influenza A infects mostly birds and mammals. There are many sub-types of Influenza A, divided according to the protein on their surfaces (surface glycoprotein): heamaglutinin (HA) and neuroaminidase (NA). Hence Influenza A (H1N1). *Kota is a 4th Year MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine) student at The University of Pretoria.

Science one step closer in the fight against HIV Zukiswa Kota Scientists in the United States have decoded the HIV genome. After more than two decades of mystery surrounding the manner in which the virus attacks the immune system and escapes detection, researchers at the University of North Carolina have made a breakthrough. This has serious implications for the development of HIV treatment. Like Polio and influenza, HIV is an RNA (ribonucleic) virus, which means that it

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utilises RNA and not DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) to replicate and go about its business. One of the characteristics of HIV is its rapid mutation, thus the North Carolina scientists hope that at some stage a new class of drugs will be created to fight what they refer to as a shape-shifting virus. Current treatment does not eradicate HIV; drug cocktails only help to control the virus and prolong the lives of people living with it. While a great deal of progress has been made since the 80s, scientists have a long way to go before they can present the world with the ulti-

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mate breakthrough in HIV research. Until then, the role of non-governmental organisations, governments, education institutions and individuals in promoting awareness and education regarding HIV/Aids cannot be underestimated. In South Africa, there is a growing focus on scientific research to support the fight against HIV/Aids. Examples include SHARP (South African HIV/Aids Research (and Innovation) Platform) within the Department of Science and Technology and a variety of research units based in universities around the country.

Watch this space: new health and fitness column on the way Zukiswa Kota In the past, the SciTech section has run a number of health and fitness related articles, and based on readers’ interest, we’ve decided to introduce a permanent column dedicated to the subject. We have a number of interesting people to interview, fitness fads to explore, health tips and hazards to discuss and, most interestingly, ideas around the science of exercise. One of the upcoming reviews

will be of the sixth Discovery Vitality Fitness Convention to be held in Johannesburg later this month. The three day long convention, which we will be attending, is hosted by the Sport Science Institute of South Africa (SSISA) and Discovery Vitality. We are, however, having creative difficulties naming our new column. Do you have any ideas? Send your creative suggestions for our new column to the SciTech editor at [email protected]

The khaki colloquium Mathilde Brassine Everyone who attended the third Eastern Cape Wildlife Colloquium on 25 June seemed to have discussed and agreed on a common dress colour for the day: khaki. The event took place in the Biological Sciences building at Rhodes and was hosted by the Association of Eastern Cape Private Nature Reserves (Indalo) and the Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group (WRMRG) of Rhodes University. The event, which has been growing every year since the launch of the colloquium in 2007, included a wide variety of people, ranging from farmers to nature reserve managers and researchers, all with a shared interest – wildlife management issues and natural resource conservation. The presentations covered a wide range of interesting topics and several of the invited speakers were Rhodes lecturers and students. Professor Adrian Craig, an ornithologist in the Zoology and Entomology department, gave a presentation on the history of oxpeckers in the Eastern Cape, the chemistry of Euphorbia bothae and its role in the diet of black rhinos was explored by Dr Wendy Popplewell, a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Chemistry department, and Professor Nigel Barker of the Botany department gave

an interesting talk on the Great Escarpment Research Programme. There was also a presentation on carbon sequestration in the Eastern Cape by Dr Ayanda Sigwela, who worked for SANParks for several years before becoming an environmental consultant. Further talks by invited speakers included: Mr Andrew Skowno’s talk on how landowners who promote conservation of biodiversity and threatened ecosystems can save large sums of money through WF/WWF tax incentives; Mr Nelis Wolmarans who spoke about anti-poaching tactics in the Shamwari game reserve, and a talk on wildlife disease management in the Eastern Cape by Dr W. Fowlds and Dr P. Brothers (a qualified wildlife veterinarian with extensive experience in disease management). Shorter talks were presented by research staff from some of the attending Indalo reserves including one by Dr Jenn Gush from Amakhala game reserve, and by WRMRG student Jeannine McManus with an update on her research on the spatial ecology and activity patterns of leopards in the Baviaanskloof. A cocktail party closed the highly productive day, and managers, farmers and researchers exchanged anecdotes and opinions on environmental issues, while students took the opportunity to hone their networking skills.

IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE… Men As Partners (MAP) special supplement for Intervarsity 2009

Schumi’s second coming onto the F1 scene DEPRIVED OF A HERO’S WELCOME Motor racing legend, Michael Schumacher has not recieved the attention you would expect upon his re-entry into the F1 racing world.

Litha Mpondwana The return of F1 Grand Prix legend, Michael Schumacher has been surprisingly unceremonious in motor racing circles. This may be due to the fact that team Ferrari is struggling with its nemesis, McLaren. Or perhaps it is because of the sour relations between manufacturers in this year’s championship. For whatever reason, Schumacher’s return has been just another sports news story, instead of the celebration of a legend’s return. Schumacher retired from Grand Prix racing in 2006, ending his career while

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still on top of his game. Although he did not win the Grand Prix championship that year, he still commanded respect from fans and fellow racers alike, and was undoubtedly of legendary status. During Schumacher’s time away from the race track, no other motorists have been able to better him. The shining light that was Fernando Alonso has not yet lived up to his early promise, which saw him pip Schumacher for the Grand Prix championship in 2006. The emergence of dynamite Lewis Hamilton was met with varying opinions from Grand Prix fundis. Schumacher’s return to F1 racing is a timely one, coming right in the middle

of a chaotic season, which has seen much frustration, controversy, threats and court battles. The sport is in major need of something positive and Schumacher, arguably the eternal face of F1 motor racing, might be just that. Schumacher will officially make his comeback to racing on 23 August at the European Grand Prix in Valencia, Spain. However, his return is temporary, and the length depends on how quickly Brazilian Ferrari driver, Felipe Massa, recovers from his head injury. Nevertheless, for the moment, Schumacher is in the best position to ignite the thrill and excitement which the Grand Prix so badly needs this season.

Taona Karidza Grahamstown will once again become a hive of activity this weekend with the eagerly-anticipated arrival of Trivarsity, sorry make that Intervarsity. The event returns to the Rhodes campus this year after we were controversially denied hosting privileges last year. Trivarsity was last held here in 2006, when questionable conduct by students tarnished the University’s name. Supporters will be able to enjoy a range of sporting fixtures in addition to Saturday’s rugby, the annual crowd favourite. Other sports worth watching are hockey, soccer, and netball. The Rhodes teams have been training tirelessly to ensure that they will not disappoint supporters on the day. This year’s rugby team to watch is the first team, which has had a rather impressive season so far, beating many opponents, including Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). RUFC fans can expect clinical yet en-

tertaining rugby from all Rhodes teams over the weekend. Apart from the sport there is, as always, an array of entertainment to be enjoyed. The occasion has been known to attract people from all over and this year should be no different with many making the trip to Grahamstown from as far as Stellenbosch. Celebrations will peak at the main event – the tent party on the Great Field. Although it will undoubtedly be a fun-filled weekend, bear in mind theft tends to be rife over Trivarsity with large numbers of people expected at the venues. Students are advised to leave valuable belongings at home, and bring only strictly necessary things to the events. Most female residences have banned inter-visiting of both males and females for next weekend, but male residences are still vulnerable – try stay alert guys! Overalls are still available for around R100 for those who are not yet organised. Let’s suit up and support our teams this weekend and remember, drink responsibly

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SPORTING HOPEFULS Students look forward to Intervarsity every year — an occasion for fun, friends, drinks and a little bit of sport.

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We're about to paint Grahamstown purple again