2008 - edition 4

“Hope it was a good Scifest, and continues to be so.”

“I’m telling you now, Mugabe is going to hell. I’ll make sure of it personally.” - Enoch Chifamba, third year student.

“It’s very clear Mbeki is taking a side, he’s supporting Robert Mugabe and it’s such a shame and it’s so wrong.” - Anonymous Zimbabwean Honours student, afraid to give his name for fear that his family will be victimised.

“It is enough for evil to thrive if good people stay silent; if we do not speak loudly South Africa destroys itself. None of us are free until we are all free.” - Paul Hjul, non-activist student, having emphasised that even non-activists need to speak out.

“If your neighbour is beating his wife and you do nothing about it, you’ll be doing the same the next day.” - Felicity Sibindi, Honours student in Politics and History.

“I’m appalled. Thabo Mbeki is sup-posed to be the leader of the region…The area I was in voted MDC and people there are getting persecuted.” - Duncan Potts, first year BCom student.

“You cannot suppress the will of the people. We want change, and that’s what should happen.” - Ronald Chindeka, third year BCom student.

“Today is their 28th anniversary of independence, they should be celebrat-ing. They’re actually mourning. What the few Zimbabweans have done [at the protest] today is really courageous.” - Anonymous Zambian Honours student.

Harriet McLea & Paul Harris

On the 28th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s independence, students and others gathered outside the Department of Home Affairs in Bathurst Street to demonstrate their concern for the political situation in the country and show disgust for the hands-off way in which President Thabo Mbeki has been dealing with it.

“Give back independence to Zim”, “Ban the Bob”, “Zanu is chicken” and a reference to Mugabe as “BeelzeBob”, were some of the slogans on placards held up by demonstrators.

At a special UN Security Council session in New York last Thursday, where African leaders were pressed to address Zimbabwe, Mbeki defended his “quiet diplomacy” towards Zimbabwe’s situation: “What is loud diplomacy? Well, it is not diplomacy, it can’t be.”

Students painted their hands red to symbolise the ‘blood’ on Mbeki’s

hands. “He’s killing us by saying nothing [in Zimbabwe] is wrong,” said Felicity Sibindi, an organiser of the protest. Kwezilomso Mbandazayo, SRC Activism and Transformation Councillor, added that the aim of the protest was to provide, “a voice from Rhodes University to say that the situation within Zimbabwe is unacceptable”.

Results of the election held more than three weeks ago have yet to be released. “It is time for the South African Development Community (SADC) leaders to make a firm stand against the oppressive regime in the country and let go of their ‘liberation-hero-camaraderie’ that is crippling Southern Africa,” said Sibindi as she addressed the crowd. She described the SADC heads of state as having “turned a blind eye on the situation in Zimbabwe”.

Many passionate demonstrators addressed the crowd, showing their solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe. Speakers encouraged those present to speak out and put pressure on the international community to take action in resolving the crisis surrounding election results.

Allan Nyakotyo, manager of Equilibrium and a Zimbabwean, said that it was time that people take a stand: “The more that each one of us says something, the better. Just being here to-day does something. Let’s not be scared.”

Demonstrators gathered to put pressure on the South African government concerning their response to the lack of transparency in the recent Zimbabwean elections.

If you couldn’t make it to the demonstration, watch a video of it on our website.

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www.TheOppidanPress.com/entertainment

For the past 18 months a selection of “party pills” has been on sale in South Africa. Until recently, they could be ordered online or bought over the counter in bottle stores and pharmacies. The pills are currently under review by the Medical Controls Council of South Africa. Watch our online video produced by fourth year television journalists as they investigate what exactly this means and how legal pill-popping stands in Grahamstown.

www.TheOppidanPress.com/politics

Ex-Rhodent Dominique Schäfer moved to the West Bank two months ago to volunteer at the An-Najah University in Nablus, Palestine. We have exclusive access to her own photographs and thoughts about living in this war-torn area. Witness first hand what it is like to be living in Palestine. Visit our website at www.TheOppidanPress.com and watch a slide show that gives an insight into the humanity of Palestine often ignored by international media.

www.TheOppidanPress.com/news

The Zimbabwean elections occurred three weeks ago, but the results have still not been officially released. A protest against this lack of transparency and the gross human rights violations in Zimbabwe took place in Grahamstown on Friday outside Home Affairs. Visit our website to watch our multimedia package of the demonstration and witness the solidarity of people coming together on Zimbabwe’s Independence Day.

www.TheOppidanPress.com

Do you want to be part of something new and forward-thinking? Are you a budding journalist who wants to gain skills and knowledge in multimedia and new media? Whether your skills are with a camera or a pen, our website and multimedia team could be the perfect place for you to further these talents. Check out www.TheOppidanPress.com and send a motivation letter to the Multimedia Editor at [email protected].

The Oppidan Press 23.04.082

www.TheOppidanPress.com/sport

Last week a gruelling triathlon took place in Nelson Mandela Bay. The Ironman competition is not for the fainthearted: it consists of a 3.8km swim, a 180km cycle and a 42.4km run. Rhodes Oppidan Russel Cranswick finished the event successfully. Go online to watch our interview with him as he shares his experience of one of the most adrenaline pumping events that tested his strength both mentally and physically.

The increasing demand for accommodation in Grahamstown has raised concerns over congestion and strain on the available services.

Oppidan Warden Gordon Barker hopes that Oppi students would not be “singled out” by such an issue, as he felt that the 3,000 students living in digs contribute a great deal to the economy of Grahamstown. He stressed that “it’s not in anyone’s interest to destroy the Oppi situation,” and that there should be no difference between students and any other tenant.

Although Ranier van der Merwe, the town planner for Grahamstown, confirmed this and added that all problems around this issue fell under the responsibility of the landlord, Oppidans are still concerned. “I think students aren’t taken seriously; estate agents are ineffectual and landlords act as they please,” said IS student Kate Martin.

Thandy Matebese, Media and Communications Officer for Makana Municipality, stressed that, “the municipality is concerned with the overloading of the existing infrastructure”. He provided the example of residential owners converting their houses into flat-lets to house

more people. However, Matebese maintained that

the issue was still subject to “preliminary discussions” and that any plans still have to go through the mayor’s Committee and Council before they can be approved.

He said that the extra demand for accommodation in Grahamstown had always been a problem caused “not just by students but also by people from outside Grahamstown.” Matebese felt that the two possible solutions would be to “strengthen the infrastructure, or create an area exclusively for this type of residential development”.

Van der Merwe provided more clarity on the issue. He mentioned that Grahamstown was divided into 30 zonings of which four zones were residential. He stressed that the issue did not involve the ‘re-zoning’ of any part of the town but rather a check-up on whether or not the existing zones were being utilised properly. He also said that the municipality’s job was to draw up a 15 to 20 year development plan taking into account, “the predicted growth of the population in correlation with the amount of space available for housing”.

If the space granted to individual landlords was used incorrectly, this creates a problem for the electrical services and sewage systems. Fourth year Oppidan student Robyn Cox echoed van der Merwe’s concern: “Our digs currently houses seven people with a two man flat attached, and our landlady is currently building another flat – where are we all going to fit?”

>> Paul Harris

Mocktails, water slides, volleyball and alcohol-free fun were the order of the day at the St Mary’s Hall beach party held on the St Mary lawns on 12 April.

This event, aimed at promoting alcohol-free fun at Rhodes, is the first of more to come. Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk said R2,000 is to be won by the hall that “most effectively spreads the message to the widest number of students that one can have plenty of fun without alcohol”.

Amanda Shude, a student who attended the party, thinks this was a good initiative by the university because “sometimes you just want to have good, childish, innocent fun”. Zimkhita Sulelo, on the other hand, thinks that the university is going too far as she found

the event boring. “They are treating us like children yet we are supposed to be post-grad students,” she said.

Jacyn Mitchley, the Oppidan Com-mittee Entertainment Representative said: “The Oppidan Committee supports initiatives to make students safer and increase the quality of life at Rhodes. I don’t think that the Dean of Students is trying to police students, rather than trying to create a safe and fun environ-ment.”

The next event is The Weakest Link

quiz competition hosted by Nelson Mandela hall on 22 April and Oppidans can look forward to the Digs Olympics on 10 May at Prospect Field. Registration for the Olympics starts at 13:30 and the cost is R5 per person with four people in a team. The events will last from 14:00 until 17:00. There will be non-alcoholic refreshments, paintball, a gladiator park, and great prizes. Spirit prizes are also up for grabs for supporters.

>> Nolulamo Matutu

Rape and sexual violence is a prominent feature of South Africa’s reality and Rhodes is no exception.

The Dean of Students Division has reported that a female student was sexually assaulted by a male student at a digs party on 6 April. The survivor knows the perpetrator, and according to Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk this is not unusual: “the majority of sexual assaults occur between people known to each other.”

The survivor chose not to inform the university, but rather reported the incident directly to the SAPS. Dr de Klerk said that the police unfortunately do not inform the university. “Once again, shame and fear of being judged

has led the survivor to avoid reporting this violent incident to the office of the Dean of Students, and she was therefore not provided with the extensive and confidential support that is available at Rhodes.”

The survivor is receiving appropriate medical attention as well as trauma counselling.

“We urge all students to report such incidents immediately, so that we can assist and we reaffirm that there is absolutely no shame or blame attached to being violently assaulted, whether by another student, a partner, a friend, or a stranger,” says Dr de Klerk.

>> Oppidan Press reporter

POLITICS >> ENTERTAINMENT >>

The Oppidan Press 23.04.08 3

“We care.” The Dean of Students Division’s slogan is the reason behind a newly-proposed ‘buddy system’ for students.

This system aims to act as a safety mechanism to ensure that students get home safely and is currently under evaluation by the Communications and Development Division and the SRC.

The plan is for student volunteers, stationed in pubs and clubs around town and wearing recognisable ‘buddy shirts’, to be available to walk or drive students back to their residences. Since the system will operate off-campus, CPU will not be

involved. So far, the university has two vehicles available.

Negotiations surrounding issues such as salaries and free non-alcoholic beverages for ‘buddies’ are underway but the SRC is not certain of its stance on the matter: “[We have] not taken a decision whether or not to support the system and still need to look into logistics,” said SRC Media Representative Hanna Barry.

Some students are questioning the effectiveness of such a system. “I personally think that it’s not a good idea because it will just encourage students to get totally plastered and put the responsibility on somebody else to get them home,” said Oppidan Thorsten Schier.

The Dean of Students Division has pro-posed the opening of a late night coffee shop in order to provide an alcohol-free alternative to pubs and clubs, said Dean of Students Dr Vivien de Klerk.

The coffee shop would be situated on the bottom floor of the Union building, close to the Oppidan common room. “We have a venue,” confirmed Dr de Klerk, although, “this project will only go forward if students show interest.”

A survey has been drawn-up ask-ing students if there is a need for this venture, what time it should stay open until, as well as music preferences. SRC Media Representative, Hanna Barry, said that the coffee shop will “cater for a greater variety of students, especially on occasions when students just feel like relaxing and spending less money”.

Oppidan student Matthew Lowe says that: “It could be a good idea, because it gives the people who don’t really want to hang out in bars the option of still doing something social.”

The coffee shop survey will be avail-able on StudentZone on Friday.

Rhodes students are no strangers to the Grahamstown police force. Most of these encounters are alcohol-related, according to Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk. But whatever the nature, it’s important for students to know their rights; not only to ensure that they are not violated, but also to prevent rubbing salt in a self-inflicted wound.

The powers of the police are legitimate and the heavy hand of the law is not to be laughed at. If a policeman stops you and asks for your name, driver’s license or address, you are required by law to obey. Although you are entitled to ask the police for their name and ID document before you give out your address, you must provide your details once they show you theirs. You can, of course, refuse to go to the police station to make a statement, but then they may decide to arrest you. And,

protest as you may, this is completely legal.

You can insist to see the police search warrant before the police search you, unless the police have good grounds to believe you are hiding evidence, or you have already been arrested.

If you are arrested:1. You must be informed why you are being detained.2. No undue force should be used against you (unless you resist or struggle).3. You must be taken straight to the police station.4. You have the right to communicate with a person of your choosing (e.g. warden, parent, legal practitioner).5. You do not have to answer any questions except to give your name and address.6. You should be brought to court within 48 hours after arrest, or the

first court day thereafter if the 48 hours expires after normal court hours or over a weekend/public holiday.

What to do if you are arrested:1. Do not struggle or swear at the police.2. Show your ID book and give your name.3. Do not discuss your case with anyone or sign any statements.4. Request to see a lawyer as soon as possible: you have a right to a legal representative to consult with and represent you if you go on trial.

With the support of the Dean of Students Division, OUTRhodes celebrated its third annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & intersex (LGBTi) Pride Week from 7 to 11 April. Rhodes students, administrators, and the greater Grahamstown community united in celebration of the ‘queer identity’.

Pride Week marked the launch of the new OUTRhodes Hall Representative Programme, a volunteer-based endeavour established to provide a support structure for students dealing with issues of sexual identity and discrimination.

A number of workshops took place throughout the week, including a seminar on LGBTi Activism and the broader Liberation Struggle presented by Mazibuko Jara, a member of the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality. The week ended with a Pride Picnic on the Drostdy Lawns and the much anticipated ‘Alter-Ego’ Pride Party which was held at the Old Gaol.

According to OUTRhodes Vice President Gaby Sanchez, the week was a huge success. A local woman who attended Pride Week expressed gratitude to OUTRhodes for welcoming her and other LGBTi members from the local community, thanking them for their warm hospitality. She emphasised the

impact that Pride Week has made on her life.

Sanchez said: “The true success of Pride Week can only be measured in these kinds of emotional responses that were received. Just knowing that a difference was made in someone’s life, especially someone not directly connected to Rhodes University, is overwhelmingly rewarding and it remains the sole motivation for OUTRhodes to continue advocating social change.”

If the situation has escalated to this level, it is important to remember that only policemen can search men, and policewomen can search women.

We hope that you are better prepared for the next time you shake hands with the long arm of the law.

An ex-Rhodent is volunteering in the town of Nablus in Palestine at the An-Najah University. She shares her experiences with The Oppidan Press.

Would you believe someone if they told you that there is a place where citizens are restricted by pass laws in their own country, and controlled and contained by an eight metre tall cement wall manned by checkpoints and watchtowers? A place where 19 day-old babies are killed with no punishment for the perpetrator, where families are arbitrarily evicted from their homes on a daily basis, where people have no concept of freedom, or what it is like to travel into neighbouring towns without special permits? This is not a description of apartheid South Africa, or a scenario from the Second World War. This place exists right now, in April 2008. It is called Palestine.

I arrived on the West Bank two months ago, not quite knowing what to expect. In the weeks leading up to my departure, media coverage provided me with little comfort and my head was filled with stereotypical images of militant kheffiya-clad Arabs as I arrived at the Calandia checkpoint – the official entrance to the West Bank. This check-point is a huge barbed-wire gate set in the middle of the wall (euphemistically known as the “separation barrier” or the “security fence”) that separates Israel and Palestine, and encircles and controls the entire West Bank. On either side of the gate, and at random intervals along the wall, are watchtowers manned by snipers, their AK47s constantly trained on the wall. I am acutely aware that with

I think it’s safe to say that I am a para-noid person. If I hear a strange noise at night, I don’t assume that it’s a burglar. That sort of villainy is not dramatic enough for me. Instead, I imagine that it is a CIA rendition team waiting to put a black bag over my head and send me to a torture centre in Kazakhstan.

Anyway, my original column was in-tended to focus on the world food crisis. For the first time in my life, however, I was unable to finish and, even worse, I was unable to attribute this to laziness. In amongst all the facts about drought caused by global warming and bread ri-ots in Egypt, I just got totally depressed. And it hasn’t stopped: I’ve been losing weight, losing sleep, and drinking myself insensible every night. It is bad news and every day some new fact comes to light pointing to humanity’s downward spiral. Here are two I learnt the other day: by 2025, 3.6 billion people - half of the world’s population - will not have access to clean water; and up to 60 percent of South Africa’s land mammals are threat-ened with extinction.

Human technology and our crack whore-like dependence on fossil fuels has left our species in a historically unique position. Unlike other climate changes in earth’s history, this is not the result of natural processes. Instead, we have actively altered the balance of a liv-ing planet, threatening to turn it into an inhospitable desert. The thing that truly scares me about all this is not so much the natural changes that are taking place, but the human reactions to them. Global warming and its attendant catastrophes have the potential to render millions of people homeless, causing unimaginable refugee crises. If the post 9/11 world has shown us anything, it’s that developed countries have no problem with turning themselves into security camps to keep out the third world.

And what’s to keep this external oppression from turning on its own citizens? Our daily environment is becoming ever-more securitised. Even in Grahamstown we are surrounded by barbed wire fences and heavily armed private security companies. It’s as if society is being fitted for a war that has yet to take place. If our everyday world is looking more like a prison, what does that make us? When people are scared, when the world seems to be spinning out of control, they are ready to turn to any belief system or leader who offers some sense of stability, no matter how false. Without the collapse of Germany’s economy, there would have been no Hitler. Why do we think that this can’t happen again? History is not some set of events which no longer affect us. It is a latent presence, a warning.

Does writing this mean anything? It’s all too easy for me to sit here and complain from my ivory perch in academia. People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy. As a man, I’m flesh and blood; I can be

ignored, and I can be destroyed. But

as a symbol, I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting. What am I

talking about? Flip straight to

my column in the next edition to find out.

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SUPER DEAL

South Africa was left appalled by the behaviour of the delegates at the recent ANC Youth League (ANCYL) conference in Bloemfontein/Manaung. The conference ended without having resolved any of the issues concerning South African youth. Instead, members resorted to physical blows over small issues, disgracing those who founded the organisation in 1944.

Former Youth League secretary, Rapu Molekane said he felt “shocked and betrayed” by the conference, as the entire event was a failure from the outset. Delegates fought physically over the proceedings of the voting process after it was announced that not all of them had registered properly and therefore would not be allowed to vote.

Even after voting finally took place, the conference resembled little more than a battlefield. Intensive drinking, physical violence and ill-discipline constituted the remainder of the event. Although it was announced that Julius Malema had won the contest for the youth league presidency, the conference was aborted without the conclusion of the necessary election of 30 members to sit on the ANCYL’s National

the twitch of a finger one sniper can kill everyone on my bus. We pass through three more checkpoints on the 50 kilo-metre journey to Nablus, affectionately known as the “breeding ground of ter-ror” – the town that is to be my home for the next three months.

Nothing could have prepared me for the sheer beauty of Palestine – the landscapes, the architecture, the culture and the people. At the same time, not even my years of growing up in South Africa could have prepared me for the tragedy that seeps into every pore of every person, every building and every encounter. Each part tells stories of fami-lies separated, or of brothers, fathers, and husbands being held in prisons for no official reason, detained without trial. Every day thousands of students

and staff at the An-Najah University in Nablus have to pass through the check-points surrounding the city just to attend their lectures. Sometimes they pass in 15 minutes, sometimes it takes two hours – it depends on the mood of the Israeli soldier. Earlier this year, on a day when men were not allowed to pass into Nablus, a group of students skirted the checkpoint and attempted to reach the university by walking over the nearby mountain. They were shot by a sniper watching from the army base.

I wrote this article because I believe that both sides of the story deserve to be heard. Too often, the only story reaching the media reflects the Israeli constitu-ent of an altogether horrific whole. I am under no illusion about the fact that there are many crazy, fundamentalist,

militant Palestinians out there. Just as there are many conscientious, critical and sympathetic Israelis. Unfortunately, it is often the minority that becomes the global stereotype. As someone who has been touched by the integrity, dignity and hospitality of so many Palestinians, I would like to challenge all who read this to acquaint themselves with the facts of the situation. Don’t be fooled by what you read or watch. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by media stations that function purely to make a profit. Equip yourself with knowledge and whether or not you feel inspired to take action afterwards is up to you.

Executive Committee. As a result, the youth of South Africa

has been left disappointed with the behaviour of the league delegates that are supposed to be representing the larger youth population of the organisation. “If we look at the founding members of this organisation we see a clear representa-tion of youth values - a league that was led by visionaries - the post liberation youth league has lost its momentum,” said Siyabonga ka-Phindile, SASCO Chairperson at Rhodes University.

“The South African youth is not only unsatisfied with the proceedings of the conference but they also don’t see a very good future for youth politics, as del-egates elected to represent the interest of the youth are looking out for themselves without even considering the larger population of South African youth,” ka-Phindile added.

Indeed, along with the present divide in support for the ANCYL leaders, the organisation (or lack thereof) has proved that South African politics is a far cry from the visions of the Mandelas, Lem-bedes and Sisulus of the struggle days.

Since the last national conference, membership has dropped from 5,000 to 3,000 members, a trend that is likely to continue following the performance the country has just witnessed.

A photo published of Vice President Dick Cheney on the Whitehouse website last week has caused a furore. Why? Because of the naked woman reflected in one of the lenses of his sunglasses! Mr Cheney, who had told his wife he was off on an innocent fishing trip with some mates, now has to face the music because of those pesky mirrored aviators he was wearing at the time of his digression. Maybe next time he’ll remember to take the glasses off…or, even better, the White House won’t be stupid enough to publish the picture!

Here at The Oppidan Press, it is a com-mon scenario for the politics writers to sit around pondering what’s next for the South African political scene. Usually we don’t get very far because, alas, noth-ing can tell us for sure what to expect…or can it? In our latest quest to bring you the ultimate in political reporting, The Oppidan Press goes alternative and asks a clairvoyant and a sangoma for their predictions for the future of South African politics.

The first stop on our journey of pre-dictions is Trish, a psychic medium who receives messages from guides (people who have passed on) and angels. Sitting outside on one of the last lazy summer afternoons, Trish seems like any other person, and certainly not someone who can read into the future through spiritual means. But once we begin asking her our questions, we are mesmerised. She an-swers us calmly and clearly, all the while looking straight through us, as if she can see something that we can’t.

Our next physic source, sangoma Nozihlwele, seems just as ordinary when we first meet her in her dressing gown in Egazini. A few minutes later, however, she reappears looking every bit the part, from her made-up face to her intricate beading. She tells us that she became a sangoma after falling ill as a child, at which point her ancestors contacted her for the first time. We kneel before her as she explains the functions of her various sticks and how she receives messages from her ancestors. As she answers our questions, she looks thoughtful and hur-ries to convey the messages her ancestors have sent her.

The Zuma QuestionWe start with the obvious: what is going to happen with regards to Jacob Zuma? Trish tells us that while he will be held accountable for some of his actions, Zuma will not be incarcerated. The guides also show that although he has been a “naughty boy”, Zuma will not misuse his power if he comes to office, and indeed is “too wise to give us a Zimbabwe”. However, unfortunately for Mr Zuma, the spirits do tell Trish that he will have to leave politics further down the line for his own safety as there is “too much to know about him”.

Nozihlwele suggests a different take. Her immediate reaction when questioned on the subject is that he is “not the right one”. She says that he has too many charges against him and is “full of wrong things”, making a win for him difficult in the long run. The ancestors tell her that while Zuma is full of ambition, he bases everything “on himself, his traditions and his race”, and therefore does not have the capability to rule effectively.

The Next Big BossThis brings us to the next question: who is South Africa’s next president going to be? Trish cannot give us a certain answer because the spirits tell her that something important is going to happen very close to the election next year which will affect the mood of the entire nation. As a result of this, she tells us that the election will practically be decided “by the flip of a coin”.

Nozihlwele, on the other hand, gives a very clear answer to this question: Jacob Zuma, without a doubt, will be the next president. She does add, however, that she has been told that although he will be the next president, this doesn’t

necessarily mean that he will win the majority of the votes.

What about Mbeki?Interestingly, this is one point that our two consultants agree on: Mbeki will be more useful outside of his presidency than he ever was in it. Nozihlwele says that Mbeki has only been forced to leave by those who are jealous of him but that he will not lose hope and will go further in politics by helping others involved in political organisations. Trish’s spirits agree; she is told that Mbeki will become a mentor to younger politicians because of his wisdom and experience.

The Big PictureNozihlwele does not see a bright future for South Africa. She tells us that the youth of South Africa don’t care about what happens. “They have no manners and they don’t listen to their parents,” she says. This means that this ill-disciplined generation will only bring bad things to politics. Nozihlwele also says that she sees that the only way for South Africa to improve is for the government to “stop being frauds and start feeling mercy for the people”.

On the other hand, Trish predicts a very different future. She is told that political matters will become more tense before they improve, but that the “winds of change are coming and they are all positive changes”. She does qualify that it is going to take at least ten years, but when the change does come South Af-rica will finally become “a true rainbow nation”.

To this effect, she uses a set of cards known as Soul Lessons and draws a card that reads ‘Be Patient’, a message for all South Africans in this time of uncer-tainty.

The White Female President…or notPerhaps the most surprising prediction of the day, Trish receives a message from the guides that “there will be a white, female president in South Africa, who will bring calm and peace and be the forerunner for women in politics within the next ten years”. We then ask about Helen Zille, and receive the immediate response that not only is she “stunning” but that she is not afraid to stand out and that she speaks with knowledge.

We pass this prediction onto Nozihlwele. She (and her ancestors presumably) scoffs at the thought. “No white person will ever rule South Africa again,” she tells us, before laughing and continuing, “it was very difficult to get

democracy for black people, and it must not be lost”.

So, no clearer on what the next few years will bring, we head home. One thing is for sure, however; these two wise ladies have most certainly provided food for thought. If any of these predictions ever come true, you read it in The Oppidan Press first!

Our sangoma says:• Jacob Zuma will be the next president. But this isn’t necessarily the best thing for South Africa.• The current youth will bring nothing good to government.• South Africa will not be ruled by a white person ever again.• Thabo Mbeki will be a good influence once out of power. ANC supporters will become even more confused about who to support in ever-increasing leadership rifts.

Our clairvoyant says:• The next presidency belongs to anyone.• Jacob Zuma will not go to jail. • The current youth bring much hope and potential to the country. • There will be a white female president in the next ten years.• Thabo Mbeki will take on the role of mentor to future leaders.• South Africa will experience a renaissance in the next ten years.

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After a four year absence the Vaginas are back! As part of Rape Awareness Week, Amnesty International and director Christine Balt present The Vagina Monologues, a production that aims to challenge the stereotypes about women and raise awareness about threats to women’s safety. The show will take place at the Nuns’ Chapel next to Salisbury House at 19:00. Tickets will be available at the door.

Vagina Monologues • 23&25 April

Filmfest • 29 April

The International Office’s Filmfest continues with a screening of Death and the Maiden in Eden Grove Red at 20:00. This forms part of the festival’s running theme of “Seven Women”.

1 in 9 • 30 April

Sexual Violence = Silence protest will take place from 7:00 until 18:00, ending with an address entitled “Breaking the Silence” by Ms Carrie Shelver, a Campaign spokesperson in Eden Grove.

This song from The Lion King was first recorded by its writer, Solomon Linda, and his group, The Evening Birds, in 1939. Gallo Record Company paid Linda a single fee for the recording. “Mbube” became a national hit and sold about 100,000 copies. In 2000, journal-ist Rian Malan estimated that the song had earned US$15 million for its use in the movie alone. In July 2004, the song became the subject of a lawsuit between the writer’s family and Disney, claiming that Disney owed US $1.6 million in royalties.

This dreadful offering from a clan of seven vertically-challenged mine workers from Snow White tops our list as the worst Disney song of all time. The music and lyrics (think repetitive “we digs” and “heigh-hos”) can be blamed on Frank Churchill and Leigh Harline. However, Snow White became the first American film to have a soundtrack album released in conjunction with the feature film. The movie was the first full length animated feature to be produced by Walt Disney, and one of the first worldwide.

This song is a ballad between the primary characters Aladdin and Jasmine (whilst they sit on a freakishly aviation-enabled carpet). “A Whole New World”, composed by Alan Menken with lyrics by Tim Rice, won the 1992 Academy Award for Best Original Song. “A Whole New World” is also the only Disney song to hit number one on the US charts. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993, ending the 14-week run of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”.

The Young Royals are hosting a debate on the search for the gay gene. The debate will address the genetic, psy-chological, philosophical, political and humanist perspectives on the topic. Speakers will include lecturers, students and geneticists. It will take place in Arts Minor at 19:00.

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Whoever came up with “what you don’t know won’t hurt you” is a blatant liar. There is nothing more infuriating than finding out that the great love of your life has been monkeying around right under your nose.

Men and infidelity have become synonymous in my book, but it’s unfair to say that all men and only men cheat; women do it too.

From discussions with friends, both male and female, it would appear that the two sexes stray from their partners for a variety of gendered reasons. My inquisitions concluded that men do it because their physical desires need to be fulfilled, and women do it because their emotional needs are not being met.

If your partner cheats on you once, chances are he will do it again if you take him back and pretend that all is well. A lack of repercussions from the first incident conditions him to believe that he can repeat his actions. When you choose to bury your head in the sand,

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741.5 MIL is the call number in the Rhodes library for a series of unique novels by an extremely gifted artist. The concept of a novel-writing artist refers to the genius that is Frank Miller. He is the author of hundreds of graphic novels, many of which have been made into successful films over the past few years. Think: 300, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, and Sin City, all of which are his works, and you’ll have a window into Miller’s labyrinth-like mind.

Graphic novels have been around since the 1960s and have grown in popu-larity since then, gaining somewhat of a cult following. They must however, be distinguished from comic books, which are usually very different in structure. A graphic novel is a self-contained unit in which the plot unfolds completely in a single installment, which tends to be much longer than the average comic book. On the other hand, comic books are usually produced in a series, with the plot never being fully resolved in a single installment.

Another contrast is that graphic novels are gleaning respect in the literary world, with the odd Pulitzer, World Fantasy and Hugo awards for the authors supporting this idea. And readers appreciate this generically unstable form. Belinda Walton, fourth year Pharmacy student, describing them as “the golden mean between comic book and novel”.

In addition to literary distinctions, graphic novels are enjoying increased popularity among scholars studying and interpreting social trends and tracking them historically. They are becoming the

subject of university-level theses, and are being used as a teaching resource in schools. Significantly, graphic novels are far more mature than their comic counterparts. Graphic novels explore sophisticated socio-political themes, usually with a symbolic element.

Many people are jumping on the graphic novel bandwagon, with websites such as www.artbomb.net being devoted to tracking this phenomenon, and numerous online graphic novel publica-tions. The television industry is milking this medium as well. At least five televi-sion networks are dedicated to graphic novel cartoon series, while series such as Heroes have graphic novel versions of their episodes online.

There is good news for those already acquainted with Miller: fans of the Sin City graphic novel series will be able to satiate their thirst for gratuitous violence and memorable one-liners because Sin City 2 and 3 are currently in production and pre-production, to be released in 2009 and 2010.

The original Sin City interwove four of Miller’s graphic short stories, namely, The Customer is Always Right, That Yellow Bastard, The Hard Goodbye, and The Big Fat Kill into a dark depiction of life in Sin City. Now, following the critical acclaim and success of this film, the sequels will delve further into Frank

Miller’s wide selection of stories. Sin City 2 will bring back the cast of the first film and continue its plot, and is rumoured to star Johnny Depp.

A poignant moment occurs when screenplays are written for graphic novels. This is the moment in which two genres are straddled, creating a completely original and exciting product. Art becomes cinema and vice versa. The outcome is not only beautiful, but inherent of all the meanings that were initially inked out onto the paper before the shortcut of moving pictures.

Xoli Matomela, a fourth year Journalism student and enthusiastic graphic novel fan, says that this transition can sometimes be tricky. She

explains that “the nature of graphic novels, with their particular writing techniques and memorable graphics become difficult when they are adapted because one’s own imaginative ideas are shattered”. However, she maintains that Miller and Rodriguez, the directors of Sin City, have done an admirable job so far in translating the novels into film.

Academics and the art world are acknowledging the potential of this art form, and appreciating its literary and aesthetic merit. So if you’d like to check out some sequential art yourself, take a look in to the Rhodes library to discover its true roots, or do a quick Google search and you’ll discover where more graphic novels can be found online.

The Oppidan Press 23.04.08 The Oppidan Press 23.04.08

Gay Gene • 24 April

Lady Lea • 24 April

Lady Lea, one of SA’s most sought-after female DJs, will be dominating the turn-able at Equilibrium on Thursday. Doors open at 21:00 and entrance fee is R30.

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There is a new drug in town with powerful mind-altering effects that can last up to eight hours. This party pill is perfectly legal and available over the counter at pharmacies and liquor stores across the country. In Grahamstown, the party pills can only be purchased from individual sellers.

The pills are marketed under various names, such as Ice Diamonds, Red Hearts and Push. According to a report published by the Independent Online, the party pills have been available in the Eastern Cape since last year.

The report further explains that some of the pills contain 17.5 percent of a substance called ‘piperazine blend’ and 82.5 percent of tableting aids.

The journalist in the report spoke to Deon Meintjies, a director of the SAPS forensic laboratory, who warned that the pills could contain Benzylpiperazine (BZP). This substance, banned in some countries, can result in severe toxic effects if taken in high doses. The side effects of BZP include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches.

Despite the drug being legal game, writers at The Oppidan Press were hard pressed to find people who were willing to openly speak about buying or selling the party pills. One student, who wished to remain anonymous said, “I don’t really see what the big deal is. The pills contain lots of vitamins, that’s all”.

The party pills are marketed as a safe alternative to drinking because they are supposedly ‘natural’ due to their high vitamin content. However, the same student said that on one occasion he had taken too many of these party pills and was “totally out of it”.

In the Independent Online report, Hard Out Distributors (the marketers of the party pills) said that the drugs are legal, safe, and have been well received by people across the country.

the infidelity will continue, because you’re sending a message to him that it’s okay to be unfaithful.

If he turns around and blames his actions on you, don’t believe one word of it. You can twist and contort yourself into a pretzel in the bedroom to satisfy his needs; you can buy all the lingerie you can afford, but if the relationship has run its course and he’s just not that into you anymore, nothing you can do or say will make the shenanigans stop.

Cheating, no matter who does it or why they do it, is selfish. What you know will hurt you, but it’ll also give you a fair chance to make the decision about what your next step will be.

Throughout the ages it has been both socially and culturally accepted for a man to have more than one woman in his life. So why should things change

now? You could almost say it is part of our nature.

What counts as cheating anyway? If you have deep and meaningful chats with a lovely female friend, you can be accused of “emotionally cheating” on your girlfriend. Even watching a movie with another lady (hands off, I promise) can get you in trouble. And if you have a once-off kiss with someone while you’re out, does that count as cheating even if it doesn’t mean anything?

Whilst women may feel the urge to cheat due to inadequate emotional attention from their significant other, men are sensual creatures driven by lust to touch and hold, rather than to feel and experience emotional flushes. Men cheat for all sorts of reasons, mainly because they can. We cheat for sex: hot sex; new sex; more sex. If we are engaging in an emotional affair, we’re probably hoping that it will eventually lead to some kind of physical encounter.

It’s all about the adrenaline rush that from the challenge of having to sneak around. It’s not a nice feeling, but after a while you learn to ignore the nudging feelings of guilt.

There are some wonderful men out there who can stay true and faithful. Good for them. I love all women and although I should be loyal to one person, it’s hard when there is so much temptation around. Take it as a compliment ladies.

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Editor: Ines SchumacherManaging Editor: Lionel FaullAdvertising Manager: Masixole MdinganeAdvertising Manager: Meike MannMarketing Manager: Andrew LynchFinancial Manager: Solomon MoyoDistribution Manager: Douglas MbululuAssistant Distribution Manager: Phillip HurusaCommunity Engagement: Barry Sierra

Content Editor: Jade FernleyArts Editor: Amanda StrydomAssistant Chief Designer: Ashleigh SwaileBusiness Editor: Mbali SikakanaChief Designer: Stefania OriggiChief Sub-Editor: Emilie GilbertChief Sub-Editor: Shea KarssingEntertainment Editor: Takondwa NyasuluFeatures Editor: Nimi Hoffman

Multimedia Editor: Daniel CalderwoodNews Editor: Anja Müller-Deibicht News Editor: Kelly AdamiOpinion Editor: Sivuziwe MzamoPictures Editor: Geoffrey WakefieldPictures Editor: Sarah SchäferPolitical Editor: Claire WaterhouseSports Editor: Siphosethu StuurmanPrinters: Grocott’s Publishers and Printers

Letters to the Editor: [email protected] complaints: [email protected] details:[email protected] queries:[email protected]

Ines Schumacher072 461 [email protected]


Excellent edition! Oppi Press goes from strength to strength!

I have one problem with the “Cling to your coppers” article - not so much with how the article was written, but how one Oppidan was quoted as saying that: “The value of electricity units has decreased rapidly. Units on my pre-paid electricity meter get used up quicker than before.” This statement reveals a misnomer about our Cashpower electricity meters. These meters measure the volume of electricity and allow you to have a set amount of electricity based on the amount of units you buy. Contrary to Luti’s statement, one unit of electricity is still worth one unit of electricity. However, due to price increases these units are more expensive. So, unless Luti’s appliances have also been informed of the price increase and have thus collectively decided to start using more electricity, 50 units of electricity will be given to a person if they buy 50

units and will still be worth 50 units of electricity - no matter what the price is. In short, the actual electrical current does not magically get more expensive, merely the right to use it does.

What Luti may be experiencing is something we will all have to get used to: you usually budget, say, R40 towards electricity per week but now that the price has gone up you get less units for that R40. Hence, having less units means that you run out of electricity quicker due to the diminished volume of units you get for R40 - it has nothing to do with the meter at all unless your electricity usage has somehow increased. Eskom increases the prices of the units and cannot change their values as read by the meters.

I just thought I would clear that up, if this is what Luti was actually saying, I apologise - I just found this quote a bit ambiguous. Peter Barlow, by email

Among one of the many high profile stories and incidences that other univer-sities have had to grapple with, Rhodes has had to deal with the infamous “TriVarsity debate”. Although TriVarsity was initially an event that offered three universities an opportunity for cultural exchange through sports, one could argue that the debate over TriVarsity demonstrated a shift from that under-standing. Just recently, our very own

campus-based student newspaper, The Oppidan Press, summed up, or rather uncritically reported, the debate under the headline “Fort Hare wins TriVar-sity (for now)”. The problem with this phrasing reveals an inability to locate the event within post-apartheid South Africa and the problems experienced by higher education institutions.

The focus of the debate should not be Fort Hare. Although TriVarsity has

not been hosted in Fort Hare for some time, one should not want this to remain so, thus preserving the dominance of already established cultural practices. The focus should rather be centred on an understanding of transformation and the measures that ought to be taken to tackle some of the problems faced by our close campuses. And as a result, student media groups should take their cue from this. After all, what would be the use of

our education if we are unable to use it?Thapelo Tselapedi (Former SASCO Chairperson), by email

Editor’s response: The headline in question lends itself to misinterpretation. The “(for now)”is meant to suggest that although Fort Hare has won the hosting rights for TriVarsity, Rhodes or NMMU may still win the sporting competition itself. The ambiguity was made in jest.

This edition, we report that the SRC is considering a new ‘buddy system’, proposed by the Dean of Students Division (“A friend in need…”, page 3). If the SRC backs the initiative, drunk students may soon be escorted home by sober students, which will have all sorts of interesting ramifications.

In principle, the buddy system is a great idea and I applaud the Dean of Students for taking proactive steps to ensure student safety and address the drinking problem. However, there are some concerns with the system that need to be addressed before it becomes a reality.

Is the student body going to buy into this system? What weight does the support of the SRC have if the student body is not consulted about the project? Just as with the proposed night-time coffee shop (“Have a shot…of espresso”, page 3), the SRC must gauge the feelings of the students. Otherwise, the buddy system runs the risk of failing miserably in its trial run.

I can just imagine a male student – let’s call him Jock – stumbling out of the Rat in the early hours of the morning being eyed up and down by another male student in a bright yellow t-shirt. “Can I take you home?” might just be the cheesiest pick-up line Jock has ever heard. Plus, Jock might be suspicious of the SRC and Dean of Students’ intentions – are these buddies meant to be policing him and taking his student number?

Also, what guarantees the safety of the “buddies” themselves? What if the only buddy left for Jock is a petite young female who must now lug this rather heavy oke up the hill? And then walk back to the Rat alone. Or worse, not be able to go back at all. Mobile panic buttons or pepper sprays for the buddies might be the solution to this problem.

One Oppi we interviewed hit the nail on the head: will students not drink themselves even more recklessly into a stupor if they know they have someone to walk them home at the end of the night? I realise the buddy system is not intended solely for drunk students, but I foresee more drunk than sober people being escorted home. Will this ‘surety’ make students more reckless and lead to even more alcohol poisonings, buddy safety issues and bunked lectures?

We await the results of the student survey with anticipation, and urge the SRC to consult widely on the proposal as well.

It is with regret that I have to write this letter to you, but unfortunately there were a number of inaccuracies in the ar-ticle written about me in your publica-tion which I simply could not ignore.

To begin with the most obvious, I have no idea where Ms Karssing got this from but my first name is Robin and not Robert. To simplify things even more, I am known to my friends, family and acquaintances as Rob. As far as my so-called public persona is concerned I am Rob Vember.

Other minor technicalities include the fact that my show is three hours long on a Saturday and Sunday and not four hours long. I could continue on about how I am technically not regulated by the BCCSA, or how other ‘editorial-type’ comments made are just bad journalism but I think I’ll stop there.

What did annoy and upset me more than any of the aforementioned, was the paragraph which claims that:

“Unfortunately, the record was not approved by Guiness World Records as the witnessing and documentation did not meet the finicky standards set by the institution.” This statement is highly in-accurate. For reasons which I explained to Ms Karssing, I never did submit the attempt’s material to Guiness World Records for verification, ergo they could not have “not approved it”.

Let me state at this point that I am aware that I could potentially be coming across as unnecessarily anally retentive, but I am also aware that your publication potentially reaches 5fm’s core market and for that reason I felt it imperative to point out these errors.

Rob Vember, by email

Editor’s response: Our writer has apolo-gised to Rob for her lack of research and accuracy and he has accepted our sincere apology. We wish him all the best for the future!

enduring traditions.Before you fly into a fit of rage and

spill your drink, listen to the brilliant justification for this nugget of policy-drafting wizardry. The Dean of Students Division believes that our doe-eyed first years, fresh from the cloistered confines of high school, will wander blindly into events labelled “Cheese and Wines” expecting refinement, Bordeaux and Salti-Crax. Instead, they will find themselves in a maelstrom of boozing and excess (with no Camembert in sight) that will transform their young, impressionable selves into hardened drinkers. Don’t laugh. Again, they weren’t joking.

Jokes (or lack thereof) aside, there are strong reasons why this piece of pater-nalism should be ditched.

Firstly, the logic of the DoS is just plain skewed. Any first year with a modicum of sense would: a) not be so naïve as to believe that a Cheese and Wine could be anything but an events where students ‘do what they do’; and b) at least have the ability to walk away if he or she found the event to be so repugnant. To think that first years lack such savvy is insulting to their intelligence as young adults.

Secondly, societies have had their backchat, rendering the ban on the name somewhat ineffectual. Already the replacement names have popped up: “Munch ‘n Punches”, “Nosh & Guzzles”, “Graze ‘n Greets”... the list of possibilities is endless. If helpless, doe-eyed first years

The writer wishes to remain anonymous as he is on the committee of a Rhodes society. He does not want this society to be targeted by Rhodes administration, but does hope to mobilise discussion regarding the topic of censorship.

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You have to hand it to them. The Dean of Students Division and Senior Admin certainly know how to spoil a good party. Not only have they stripped the al-cohol from societies’ functions, but now they’re trying out a little mind control by changing the names we give our events. Again, this writer is fed up.

Unless you’ve attempted using The Alcohol Misuse Policy (TAMP-er) as a cure for insomnia, you would be forgiven for missing out on Clause 3.1 (E 11). The long and the short of it is that the phrase “Cheese and Wine” may now only be used for events which “genuinely serve a range of cheeses, biscuits and wine”. You would again be forgiven for thinking that the drafters of TAMP-er were merely having a bit of a laugh. Un-fortunately for us, they’re not. Already all societies have been forced to drop the name “Cheese and Wine” from events, putting an end to one of Rhodes’ most

were confused with one name, there’s no telling how confused they must be now. As we speak, hordes of young first years are streaming into innocuously named society events only to be greeted by debauchery and drunkenness. It all goes to show that just as a rose by another name would smell just as sweet, a Cheese and Wine by any other name would be...well, a Cheese and Wine.

Snipes and sarcasm aside, this writer fully supports efforts to promote the responsible use of alcohol on campus. However, changing the drinking behaviour of Rhodes students will not emerge through fiddling with semantics. Real change can only be achieved by engaging with students in constructive campaigns, not by alienating and enraging the student body by robbing us

Question: “Why is sport at Rhodes such a joke?” - Anonymous, by email

Response: Who is laughing? Rhodes boasts some of SA’s top shottists: including the 2007 standard and recurve archers British Open Champion and the EP Championships’ gold medalist, holder of seven SA national records. The university also can claim to host the country’s best student rowing crews. Rhodes is proud to call itself alma mater to an internationally renowned Tae Kwondo expert and SA men’s national hockey squad members. Additionally, Rhodes players make up the entirety of the Eastern Province Underwater Hockey team. Rhodes is also home to the number four squash player in the EP women’s division, the 2007 EP number one ladies tennis player, and a member of the All African Stars basketball team. Those statistics are but the icing on the cake – I don’t agree that sport is a joke!

As Dr Badat has stated publicly, our University’s primary focus is on academic and research concerns, and sport must play a secondary role. Nevertheless, sport is acknowledged as a vital component of the student experience at Rhodes. This is reflected in the annual budgetary allocation granted by Council to sport, the financial support provided for our national and international competitors, and the funding which pays the salaries of the 15 staff members who contribute to the smooth running of the Sports Administration in various way (and this does not include coaching staff). In fact, Rhodes Sport has turned a corner, evident in the ABSA sponsorship, which has afforded three clubs a total of R150,000 over the course of three years, and in the founding of the Sports Trust.

As Dean of Students, I recently assisted financially as an event partner in bringing pan-African cyclist Riaan Manser to Rhodes, an event hosted by Rhodes Sport. Since assuming the position, I have attended major sporting events such as TriVarsity (which my predecessors did not do), and I recently travelled to Fort Hare to support Rhodes Sport in taking the decision to keep TriVarsity, despite the obstacles. I meet weekly with the Head of Sport to keep updated, and attend the monthly Sports Council and Exec meetings, and I have supported efforts to professionalize Rhodes sport, and to upgrade facilities, ensuring that requests for such facilities are on the agenda and compete with other budgetary requests. At the next meeting of Sports Council we will be discussing a new Sports Constitution which reflects my ongoing efforts to improve efficiency in the administration of sport. I will continue to do all I can to enhance sporting facilities at Rhodes and to encourage student participation.

Got a question for the DoS? Email [email protected].

Let us begin with a question of clarifica-tion: who was Colonel John Graham? By all accounts, he wouldn’t make anyone’s celebrity dinner party guest list. His “scorched earth” military tactics forcibly removed almost 20,000 Xhosa people from their homes and killed hundreds (if not thousands) of Xhosa men and women. Aside from forced removals (sound familiar?) across the Fish River, Graham had nothing more to do with the Eastern Cape. In summary, his only foray into the Eastern Cape involved driving local people from their homes.

The arguments for maintaining ‘Grahamstown’ as the city’s name can be categorised into two general groups: those who emphasise the cost of renaming the city; and those who claim that the name is not synonymous with Colonel John Graham, and hence it is not offensive. For me, the former claim misses the point that this debate is about challenging norms. Nobody is arguing that the state shouldn’t spend more on service provision (yes it should), and less on labour disputes involving its Municipal Managers (we can only hope). The resources argument

was rightly rejected when Verwoedburg was renamed Centurion. The rationale for this is obvious: Verwoedburg is patently offensive and ought to have been removed whatever the cost. To look at the costs of renaming obscures the real issue: is Grahamstown an offensive name?

At this stage, the latter argument comes in to play, claiming that Grahamstown no longer has any association with Colonel Graham. I cannot help but disagree. Keeping Grahamstown ‘Grahamstown’ ignores the fact that names have an impact on the institutional identity of a city or province (and indeed, an institution of higher learning). A name which tacitly condones (and even celebrates) an individual who has on occasion been called a ‘butcher’ normalises the dominant discourses of these institutions, making Graham’s oppressive actions both palatable and acceptable to those that use his name frequently without consideration. The influence of names on institutional identity and dignity cannot be underestimated or downplayed.

People visit Grahamstown because of its vibrant academic, cultural and scientific life. Changing the name of this

of our traditions and our right to name our social events as we see fit.

Senior Admin, give us our Cheese and Wine’s and we may well give you an invite (although we can’t promise an assortment of biscuits).

Next edition: The SRC and Senior Admin getting a little too cosy...

city will not undermine the existence of the institutions which promote these activities. Our Constitution exhorts us to make a dramatic break from our past, maintaining only that which is defensible and equitable. The name Grahamstown, I am afraid, is neither.

In our next edition, Jock McConnachie, of the Keep Grahamstown ‘Grahamstown’ organisation, presents his case.

The Oppidan Press 23.04.08 9

INGREDIENTS:4-5 tbsp. butter2 eggs2-3 ripe bananas 2/3 cups sugar1 cup flour3/4 tsp salt1/2 tsp baking soda1/4 tsp baking powder1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

METHOD:Preheat the oven to 160°C. Combine the butter, eggs, bananas and sugar in a bowl. Use a fork to squish the banana and mix the ingredients together. In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinna-mon. Mix all the ingredients together. Pour the dough into a greased baking pan and bake for 50 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the loaf). Remove from the oven. This bread is delicious warm or cold.

Pic: S

uppli

ed

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.

Difficulty: Easy

Solution: Split Second timing

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Buck-toothed, afro-adorning, loud-mouthed rapper Pitch Black Afro is back with a new album, and he is BIGGER, BLACKER, BETTER. In this release he features Lungelo Verd Musa and many other South African musicians. Be prepared to be dazzled by Pitch Black’s ever-so-rhyming lyrics. His track “I want people to know” seems to be his follow- up to “Never let you go”, but in many ways fails to be an upgrade of his first ‘love song’. Thus, it is certainly an album that will get your feet moving, and soon you will be rapping along to Pitch Black’s lyrics, if you can keep up.

Catch Sparky and Sibs on the SA Urban Top 20 every Sunday from 3pm-5pm to stand a chance to win this CD, sms 072 11 77 44 8 or call 046 603 88 47.

Lifestyle The Oppidan Press 23.04.0810

“The Vaginas are coming,” says the bold advertisement on the white wall outside the library. Now they are finally here. After a four year break since the production was last staged in Grahamstown, Amnesty Interna-tional, together with director Christine Balt, are proud to present The Vagina Monologues.

“The Vagina Monologues deals with a number of serious issues which affect women. However the message of the play is told in a humorous way, which makes it easier to address these issues, which people might feel uncomfortable to talk about,” said Alinka Brutsch, the chairperson of Amnesty International at Rhodes University.

The cast is a team of charismatic and vivacious young women. Melissa Radebe, performer of the monologue entitled “My Short Skirt”, said that it was important for her to be a part of this production so she could change some of the misconceptions and stereotypes that people may have about women. “The monologue reminds me of my friend who enjoys wearing really short skirts. People sometimes look at her funny

and think that she has loose morals just because of the kind of clothes she wears, and that’s not even the case.”

Although some of the titles of the monologues, such as “My Kutchi Snorcher”, may make you cringe, The Vagina Mono-logues are performed in a sensitive manner. Brutsch insisted that production is meant to be a learning experience for both men and women: “Men should definitely come and see The Vagina Monologues but I would encourage more women to come as well, where they can learn to be more open about their experiences and comfortable with their own bodies. It is a discovery process for everyone.”

The message of monologues is simple: “Love women and respect them,” said Brutsch.

n The controversial production, The Va-gina Monologues, is the brainchild of poet, screenwriter, activist and author Eve Ensler.

n Some critics of The Vagina Monologues have called the production, “the degrada-tion of women by feminist extremists”, and a production of propaganda that assaults the dignity of women and is demeaning and offensive.

n While American universities, such as Florida State University, Arizona State Uni-versity and Boise State University, chose to advertise the production by distribut-ing lollipops shaped like vaginas, holding orgasm workshops, and constructing a 40-foot vagina, Amnesty International has chosen a more subtle approach to advertis-ing with a simple

announcement: “The Vaginas are Coming.”

n The aims of the production are to empower and liberate women by providing a forum in which to discuss taboo topics surrounding the concepts and ideas about sexuality. The production also attempts to raise awareness about serious issues such as rape and the abuse of women.

n In 1997, The Vagina Monologues won an Obie Award and was nominated for both the Drama Desk and Helen Hayes awards. To see what all the fuss and fanny is about, go and see Rhodes’ version of The Vagina Monologues. The production will be showing at the Nuns’ Chapel, which is on Rhodes Campus near Salisbury House, on the 23 and 25 April at 19:00. Tickets will be available at the door.

Impress your digsmates with this recipe for homemade banana bread that will rival Pick ‘n Pay’s delicious loaves.

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Two Rhodes Pharmacy fourth students joined a large number of medics, includ-ing optometrists, dentists, pharmacists and other health professionals, on a train journey through rural areas, giving medical care to those who do not have access to it.

Earlier this month, Nomvula Mabuza and Tinashe Masaka, headed out of Grahamstown to Bityi, a small Eastern Cape village. There they boarded the Phelophela Health Train, the first of its kind in the world.

Here are some excerpts from Nom-vula’s diary, documenting her experi-ence:

Sunday 6 April When I saw the train for the first time it took my breath away. It’s got 18 coaches and each one serves as either a clinic or a residential area. The pharmacy manager gave us a tour of the train. The dentist clinic is the cleanest I have ever seen (I have seen a lot, trust me).

Monday 7 April I woke up at 5:45 today. I am still not used to the place so sleeping in is not so easy. The train is stationed next to a hill on the east and the view of the sunrise is amazing.

I saw a baby with terrible ringworm on his head. I know we are meant to be used to this, but I am not and it freaked me out. The pharmacist handled it well, counselling the mother without flinch-ing.

I hope I will be that good by the time I graduate. I spent the day going over the cabins familiarising myself with the different medicines. I know most of them so I do not feel too overwhelmed.

>>

The Phelophepa Train is about 360 meters long and weighs just over 600 tons. More than 40,000 patients, in the most remote and rural areas in the country,

register at the train for treatment in the various clinics. The train covers more than 15,000 kilometres of railway tracks. The Phelophepa uses about 117,000 litres of diesel fuel– even when the train is

stationary. Transnet Foundation contributes R1.2 million every month to the

Phelophepa.

Kelebetseng Scheppers

(sourced from http://www.mhc.org.za/)

Tuesday 8 April I saw a group of young girls who had come to the train with symptoms of sexually transmitted infections. I could not help but feel helpless because in the back of my head I was wondering if they knew the risks they were getting them-selves into. On their script it was noted that they had been given an educational talk and I hope that they will listen and change their sexual practices.

Wednesday 9 April Today was long. I am so depressed about all the children with skin infections. A four month old child came in today and had this weird lesion on her lower abdomen. I could imagine the pain she was going through. I had to go to the bathroom to mop my face so I wouldn’t cry. This is so depressing.

Thursday 10 April Last night I prayed just before bed telling God how I feel. Now I feel so much bet-ter - infused with energy.

I unpacked the new medicine that came in today to dispense. I seem to be getting the hang of things. I didn’t run out today when a 12 year old arrived with a lower lip that had sepsis. I actually sat in when the pharmacist was counsel-ling the mother on how to apply the ointment she was giving the boy.

Friday 11 April Part of me would like to stay on the train for another week, but part of me is happy to go. I learnt so much onboard. I also grew emotionally and have come to appreciate my life.

The Phelophepa Train, sponsored primarily by Transnet, brings health spe-cialists to South Africa’s rural communi-ties, treating patients around the country over 36 weeks.

For three years, Rhodes pharmacy students have volunteered to work on the Phelophepa Health Train. Phar-macy students from several universities, including the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal and Wits, also work on the train for several weeks during the year. “I get

a lot of satisfaction from helping people and caring for people, and I wanted my students to have that opportunity as well,” said Wendy Wrench, a lecturer in Pharmacy Administration and Practice.

Mabuza believes that the only way Africa’s health sector will improve is if students take personal accountability: “We should stop the attitude that gov-ernment has to solve all our problems. When you think about it, government is actually just a bunch of human beings.”

“I really hope there can be more of such initiatives,” Mabuza said. There is only one health train in Africa which goes to underprivileged communities. Even then, there are some places where it just can’t reach because it needs tracks to do so.

Wrench hopes that students learn more about the practical side of being a pharmacist: “It’s like a welcome to the real world. Students may only leave the pharmacy at 9:30 at night. Often they have to communicate with people who speak another language, and who have had very little education, so it’s a lot more than just medicine. They also develop an appreciation of different income levels. A pharmacist has to think on their feet.”

“Transnet is looking into the pos-sibility of building another health train which should be active by 2009.” This will allow more fourth year and post-graduate pharmacy students to volunteer on the train and more patients will gain access to healthcare.

Nomvula said the trip has changed the way she sees South Africa’s health sector: “Now, I walk with hope. I applied so many theories, specifically those about pharmaceutical care. It’s shown me how we could make this an ideal world.”

For Nomvula’s complete diary entries, check out www.TheOppidanPress.com.


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Up to 90 percent of the scent molecules emitted by flowers are destroyed by air pollutants. Air pollution has such a detrimental effect on the fragrance of flowers that it can inhibit the ability of pollinating insects to find them. Populations of pollinating insects that depend on nectar for food have been declining around the world. In less polluted times (prior to the widespread use of cars), the scent molecules from flowers could travel up to 1,200 metres. In today’s environment (especially downwind of major cities) they may only travel 300 metres.

The chemical pollutants in the air interact with and alter scent molecules, effectively meaning that flowers no longer smell like flowers. In turn, the inability of pollinators to find their food source leads to a drastic decline in the population levels of plants needing insects to pollinate them. Ten more points to man’s destructiveness.

Recent research has revealed that washing fruit and vegetables prior to eating them may not be sufficient to prevent food poisoning. Even using a chlorine disinfectant may not eliminate Salmonella and E.coli bacteria.

Food grown in open fields is exposed to these bacteria through the soil, irrigation water, manure or wildlife. Bacteria can be drawn into fruit after they’ve formed, or even during fruit growth and maturation.

It is possible for these harmful little buggers to sneak out of simpler sanitation measures (such as rinsing), as they are able to move into the inner reaches of the leaves of vegetables or hide inside fruit. They may also organise themselves into protective biofilms that coat the foodstuffs.

Current research shows that the best way to get rid of these unwelcome guests is to irradiate the food by exposing it to a source of electron beams. These beams disrupt the genetic material of living cells, but are not exactly accessible to the hungry Oppi.

“Africa is a very rich continent,” says Dr Monty Jones, Executive Director of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa, “rich in human resources, rich in natural resources”. However, 40 percent of Africans survive on less than a dollar a day, and a third of our children are stunted due to poor nutrition and healthcare.

Dr Jones addressed a Scifest audience about the achievement that won him the 2004 World Food Prize: New Rice For Africa (Nerica).

There are only two domesticated species of rice: Asian rice and African rice. Asian rice is the more familiar rice we eat at dinner. It is the most widely-farmed rice species worldwide because its crops produce the highest yield of rice per hectare of seeds sown. However, African rice is better suited to conditions on the continent. It is a hardier species, more resilient to drought, weeds and African pests.

The challenge for scientists was to combine the high yield of Asian rice with the hardiness of African rice to

Stuck out in the wild with no access to electricity and your iPod is running out of juice? Or, more realistically, just at home during load shedding? Well, if you have a bottle of Energade or Powerade, there is still hope to recharge the Apple: with an onion! Poke a hole into each side of the onion using a screwdriver. Let the onion soak in two cups of energy drink for 30 minutes, until it has soaked up about one cup of the fluid. Then, dry the onion off and stick the USB adapter of your iPod

charger into the flesh. Eureka! Your iPod should start charging. The charge should hold for about 15 to 20 minutes. If you plan to take your iPod on a jog (and have no tastebuds whatsoever), take a bite yourself for added energy.

Where did I get this fantastic information from? The YouTube 2007 awards of course! http://www.youtube.com/ytawards07.

make a high-yielding foodstuff suited to growth in an African climate. This was achieved by Jones’ Nerica project. After many years of crossing the two rice spe-cies, Dr Jones developed what he calls “wonder rice”, a rice variety that tolerates drought, resists weeds, produces much bigger crops than the original African rice, and even has a higher protein con-tent than both African and Asian rice.

Although attractive to commercial farmers, Nerica has been billed as a rice variety for the poor. Early Nerica tests were undertaken by many small-time subsistence farmers using their own local agricultural methods. Already, 20 million farmers, many of whom are women, are benefiting from the increased yields of wonder rice.

In Uganda, for example, Nerica forms a part of the Vice President’s poverty eradication campaign. In some parts of Uganda Nerica rice is now being grown in favour of tobacco, which is their second largest cash crop. Studies have shown that where Ugandan farmers have started using Nerica, with proper crop rotation methods, their income has increased by between US$ 273 and US$ 481 per hectare.

>> Andrew Slaughter


The day may come when South Africa, too, produces it own rice, rather than importing it. Nerica rice is resilient enough to be grown in regions of the Sahara, so it can certainly be grown in the South African climate.

This development is thanks to the steadfast efforts of African scientists who have proved that Africa is rich.

EurEkAMost of the 20 million rice farmer in West Africa

are bound to an environmentally degrading slach-and-burn farming system. Nerica is a

new grain of rice set to improve the lot of West African farmers. It’s good news for South Africa

too - we are the world’s fourth biggest rice importer.

Animals “eat without pleasure, cry without pain, grow without knowing it; they desire nothing, fear nothing, know nothing,” said French philosopher Nicolas Malebranche. Malebranche was influenced by the philosopher René Descarte, who believed that animals were no more than complicated machines.

Today things are slowly changing, with animal behaviourists such as Dr Jonathan Balcombe exploring if and how animals experience pleasure. Dr Balcombe spoke at Scifest about such studies documented in his book The Pleasure Kingdom.

Pleasure and other emotions are ulti-mately private experiences, so scientists have to use roundabout means to study these feelings in animals. Scientists have observed mice feeling empathy for other mice in pain and they have discovered that sheep, supposedly the dumbest of all animals, can recognise members of their original herds after being separated from them for two years. Even more remark-

able is the study that shows that a sheep can tell a happy (well-fed) sheep from an unhappy (under-fed) sheep, even when scientists can’t physically see a difference between the two. Roosters have been caught tricking hens, calling them over by boasting that they have caught an insect when in actual fact they haven’t. Studies have been conducted which show that rodents like variety in their food, and individual mice and rats have individual food preferences. All of this evidence, and more, seems to indicate that animals have emotions and some level of individuality.

Dr Balcombe’s talk was replete with anecdotes about both animal emotion and animal abuse. He concluded with an appeal to his audience that if animals can feel happiness and sadness, then surely we must try to spare them pain. Worldwide, animals are kept and killed in the most horrifying conditions. When we realise that those animals have real emotions, it should change the way we treat them. It may not mean all of us will become vegetarians, but we should all insist that animals are treated in a more humane way.

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In a new feature, The Oppidan Press is recognising and commending creative student entrepreneurs.

Takondwa Nyasulu, our very own Entertainment Editor, takes the spotlight this week. Stylish, well-groomed and with a smile suggesting a naughty streak (*cough*, the sex column), TK is a third year Oppi with her own business.

She recently launched “House of Monroe”, a shoes and accessories business earlier this year. The name was inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s legendary glamour and style.

TK sells beaded jewelry she has made, such as earrings, charm bracelets and necklaces, along with handbags and men’s shoes.

Starting out with a capital grant of R1,000, she is now able to produce enough beadwork for her sister and niece to sell in East London and King Williams Town.

TK recently held a cheese and wine at her digs to display her work and test the market for her products.

Asked about the future of her business, TK is optimistic and plans to increase her advertising on campus. She sees herself including hair extensions and women’s shoes to her product range. “Richard Branson inspires me as an entrepreneur. People tell him he’s crazy, but he goes on with his ideas and they succeed in the end,” she says.

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The role of Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) in South Africa is a contentious issue. The recent R7.5 billion Vodacom empowerment deal, a pander to political affiliation, has shown just how blurry the line between politics and business has become.

The companies bidding for the deal stand to acquire 6.5 percent of Vodacom if they are successful. One of the leading consortiums bidding for the deal has reportedly cut out Bulelani Ngcuka: apparently his leading role in the indictment of current ANC president Jacob Zuma would prejudice governmental players against him. As former head of the National Prosecuting Authority, he investigated Jacob Zuma’s involvement in the arms deal and thus began his woes with the law.

This brings to light the usual BEE debate of its moral implications and political connections.

BusinessThe Oppidan Press 23.04.08 13

BEE is a reality that we, as students, will soon encounter. Whether you decide to start your own business or work for someone else, your business entity will have to comply with BEE codes in order to qualify for lucrative government tenders or certain tax exemptions. This has also added a new dimension to job hunting. Most of us have encountered job advertisements open to BEE candi-dates only.

The aim of BEE is to redistribute income equally, and redress imbalances caused by South Africa’s past. In most cases, the actual result of BEE has seen major players such as Patrice Motsepe, Cyril Ramaphosa and Tokyo Sexwale amass significant wealth in a relatively short space of time.

The political links to these major players are obvious. Motsepe’s sister is Bridgette Radebe, wife of Jeff Radebe, the Minister of Public Enterprises. Cyril Ramaphosa is a former Secretary-Gen-eral of the ANC and celebrated politi-cal leader. Tokyo Sexwale is a former political activist and premier of Gauteng. What is seldom examined is what companies are really gaining from being linked to BEE transactions involving prominent black business people with strong political links.

Businesses operate in environments influenced by the decisions of the ruling party. For a business to survive, it must mitigate risk as much as possible when making long-term decisions. When influential politicians change fields from politics to business, the business world floods them with opportunities in the hope of securing perceived access to the

political networks. The aim is to have access to, and use of, those networks, resulting in tangible business. The more influential the politician, the greater the attraction he or she holds for the big businesses; the more deals the former politician can conclude, the more bank-able he or she becomes and the higher the stakes become.

The same principle has occured in America.The US Corporate Politi-cal Contributions and Stock Returns study found that companies who have generously contributed to US political party coffers have beaten the market by 2.5 percent a year over the past 25 years, with the average firm increasing its shareholder wealth by more than US$150 million per year.

In South Africa, it seems you would be hard pressed to find a prominent black business person without political connections. The ultimate decision-makers remain the management and shareholders of the businesses. But as government withholds incentives from companies that are not BEE compliant, businesses are forced to adapt. Their response has been to strike deals with the most profits.

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The future of Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Alberto Parreira is under a cloud of uncertainty as reports claim that the Brazilian will be returning to his home country. Speculations were sparked when Parreira’s wife stated in Brazilian media last Friday that her husband would be resigning from his post.

It seems likely that Parreira will be untangling himself from South African

Inspired by the Springboks’ World Cup victory last year, rugby is becoming the pastime of choice amongst young people (ages 16-22) in Grahamstown East. Extensions Six and Seven, as well as Joza, have established new rugby clubs, such as Bye, Blues, and Young Tigers, that are competing against opponents from all over the Eastern Cape - and they are doing well.

The new rugby craze in the township has been fuelled by the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU), in an attempt to get rid of the stereotype that rugby is for white people. EPRU has selected the best two players from each local club sides to form an Under 19 squad to play at the provincial trials in May. The team’s kit is sponsored by British Airways.

The clubs have competed in local competitions like the Grand Slam Challenge, a second-tier competition that took place earlier this year. Top-tier teams are currently competing for pole position in the Rugby Super League. Winterose, Wanderers and Brumbies are three of the established local teams competing in this league. They have been joined by new boys Young Tigers, who were formed less than a year ago.

Winterose holds the top spot partly thanks to their forward line that works hard to secure the ball. The team won the recent Rugby Easter Challenge which was sponsored by SARU and included teams from rugby centres such as Port Elizabeth, King Williams Town and

East London.What is significant about this new

rugby craze is that the big clubs, such as Winterose, Wanderers and Eastern now have both male and female rugby teams who train together.

An old favourite, soccer, is also receiving a boost with the support of NGOs as part of the build-up to the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The Dreamfields Project has supplied a number of local teams with DreamBags: soccer kitbags which contain absolutely everything that an 11-man team and four reserves need to play.

At the moment, local teams are preparing for the Graph Soccer League. City Pirates won the recent Easter Soc-cer Challenge, sponsored by Cacadu District. The more established clubs such as Seven Masters, Shades and City Pirates have been drawing the most sup-port, with up to 200 fans attending their matches.

Kholisile Kontso, the coach of Seven Masters, says that “the team has come a long way since I took over as coach in 2002. The players and I have a great working relationship”. This year Kontso has been impressed with the response he has received from Grahamstown’s youth: “A lot of young people from the sur-rounding townships have shown a lot of interest. I now have more players at my disposal. This is great because it makes my job a lot easier.”

Despite these successes, Andile Fulani, a Seven Masters player, expressed his disappointment at the slow pace of soccer development: “It’s unfair that guys from the Eastern Cape never make it to PSL clubs.”

There has not been as much inter-est shown in other sports like cricket, hockey and tennis. Without any outside support young people cannot afford the necessary equipment, which is often expensive.

But for now, rugby is enjoying a mini-revival. Let’s see which direction the ball will bounce in the long-term.For more information about Grahamstown’s township rugby scene, contact Jack Nkwinti on cell: 072 174 8972.

The Ironman Competition is definitely not one for the faint-hearted – or anybody intimidated in any way by the demands of the triathlon: it starts off with a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km cycle and, to top it off, a 42.4km run. And, if that isn’t enough of a challenge already, it has to be finished in less than 17 hours! Fourth year Rhodes Oppidan Russel Crans-wick successfully completed the competition which took place in Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday 13 April. Cranswick crossed the finish line after a gruelling 12 hours and 50 minutes. In retro-spect he says his performance was “longer than I aimed for, but my cycle was terrible. Awe-some experience though!” Log on to www.TheOppidanPress.com to watch our very own interview with him as he shares his insights into the adrenaline- pumping event that tested him both mentally and physically.

soccer’s web of inadequacy. Parreira has refrained from commenting until he has liaised further with the South African Football Association (SAFA) President Molefi Oliphant and CEO Raymond Hack.

It is expected that Parreira will leave his assistant Jairo Leal in charge as he attends to family matters. Parreira’s wife was quoted as saying: “He has already made the decision,” adding that his rea-sons for resigning were personal.

The new rugby craze in the township has been fuelled by the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU), in an attempt to get rid of the stereotype that rugby is for white people.

What is it about sport that has the masses enthralled? The answer is simple: sport is the opiate of the masses. Like a drug, it gets us hooked and then we need more and more of it to get our “fix”. We can’t wait to see more records tumble, for man to run faster, jump higher, throw further. That is what keeps us so enter-tained: seeing the undoable done and man’s body exceeding its most extreme limits.

So in the name of sport being the opiate of the masses, I say let us fulfill the masses’ desire and advocate for the use of performance enhancing drugs! Long gone are the Athenian days when men indulged in little more than healthy outdoor pursuits in order to qualify for the Olympics. Today we want to see su-per-humans – in all their performance-enhancing glory – taking to the field.

I have abandoned the lofty ideal of authenticity in sport. We ban perfor-mance-enhancing drugs, yet forget that spikes, bodysuits, physiotherapy, muscle relaxants, nutri-shakes and such are also performance-enhancers.

If we are to hold true to the idea of sport authenticity, then we may as well regress back in time and find ourselves in the company of butt-naked Grecian athletes engaged in a greasy, sweaty wrestling match (yes please, the ladies urge!).

A performance enhancer is a perfor-mance enhancer. In actual fact, I want to abandon the use of the word “drug” due to its unfairly negative connotations.

Speedo’s controversial LZR Racer Swimsuit, has caused ripples (no pun intended) in the international competi-tive swimming arena. The “seamless, ul-trasonically bonded suit” was said to be performance enhancing and responsible for some record-breaking performances.

This suit was given the green light for use at the recently-concluded Telkom South African Aquatic Champion-ships which resulted in more records tumbling. I feel that this is the right direction for sport to be headed! The lightbulb finally flickered in Swimming South Africa CEO Jace Naidoo’s head, as he realised that authenticity won’t bring the masses to the poolside; but rather a fancy bit of synthetic material wrapped tightly around swimmers’ bodies.

A more exciting national swimming event equals bigger crowds, which equals a fat pay cheque for Jace; even he won’t be arguing for authenticity much longer.

Sport needs to start recognising that it is a fully-fledged consumer market with a responsibility to meet the target market’s wants and needs. Only then can we supporters expect to be perma-nently high.

The staff at The Oppidan Press need a break too! Due

to all the public holidays (yay!), our next edition will

only get to you in three weeks time. Hold on until then and we promise to

make it up to you!

Grahamstown’s very own All Black rugby teams.

An ex-Rhodent shares her experience in Palestine.

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World cricket is experiencing a revolution. Gone are the days when you take your sunscreen to the cricket, sit down and read a book whilst two teams battle to outclass each other over five long days in a partially-filled stadium. The Twenty20 format has changed all this. Cricket has gone from being tedious and lengthy to being explosive, action-packed and exciting. And nothing has been greeted with more anticipation than the newly formed Indian Premier League (IPL).

Cricket has always been a low-paying sport in comparison to other sports such as soccer, rugby and golf. No cricketer got anywhere near the Top 25 highest-paid sports stars, according to the most recent figures released by authoritative business magazine Forbes. But this is all about to change. Teams in the IPL have been bought and bankrolled by Indian business moguls and Bollywood stars for hundreds of millions of dollars, whilst players were auctioned off to the highest bidder for millions more. Some of the international array of stars plying their trade in the IPL include Brian Lara, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan and Stephen Fleming.

The IPL is the brainchild of Indian business tycoon Lalit Modi, one of the richest and most powerful people in India. Modi has secured television rights worth some US$1 billion from sports broadcaster Sony Max, as well as millions of dollars in revenue, advertising and sponsorship to finance

the venture.Many players are retiring early from

their local sides to earn more lucrative contracts in India. Recently, Australian skipper Ricky Ponting spoke out against the IPL for ruining the spirit of cricket as players forget the passion and honour associated with representing their coun-tries in chase of lucrative contracts. But a quick scan of the Kolkata Night Raiders team sheet reveals none other than Ricky Ponting cashing in on proceedings.

International Cricket Boards have also taken a hard line on players who join the IPL. Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola stated that South African players who play a game in the IPL will never be allowed to play for South Africa again. This has not stopped Graeme Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, and AB de Villiers from cutting themselves a slice of the pie.

Although many see the IPL as a blessing for cricket, it is actually having an adverse effect on local cricket leagues, not least in host country India. Many of the top local players have been snapped up by the IPL, although the local league puts on a brave face by saying that young players will now have a chance. But the loss of experienced and talented interna-tional cricketers to the rebel league will n create seismic shock-waves throughout the jolly good old game of cricket.

The first match of the tournament began in spectacular fashion last Friday as New Zealand wicket keeper, Brendon McCullum, smashed the highest score recorded in international list A Twenty20 cricket. He blasted an unbeaten 158 to lead the Kolkata Knight Riders to an extraordinary 140 run victory against the Bangalore Royal Challengers in the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the R. Channaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

McCullum faced 73 deliveries and managed to hit 13 sixes as well as nine fours, setting another record.

The Royal Challengers, who have two South Africans on their team (Kallis and Boucher), looked out of sorts as every ball went for a boundary.

The first match of the Rhodes Internal Soccer League saw eight goals being scored, setting the scene for the season of competitive hometown football. Current champions, Black Gold, virtually brushed every team aside to claim the league crown last year, but their first match this year pitted them against the newly formed team, Raw Materials, and provided them with more of a challenge. This match epitomised striking football; defence was non-existent and attack flourished, with the match finishing in a surprising 4-4 draw.

Rhodes Music Radio will be organising and running the tournament for the second year in a row. This year’s internal league has 18 competitive teams,

The FNB Rugby Varsity Cup culminated in a battle between historic rivals as Stellenbosch’s Maties and UCT’s Ikey Tigers met in the final in the Western Cape on Monday 7 April.

The teams’ respective games leading up to the final also provided top-quality entertainment. Maties made it through

and according to Rhodes soccer coach Luyanda Papu, teams to watch out for include Cory Matthews, Fantastic 11, Ogdean, and the ever potent Black Gold. Despite the formation of many new teams, popular teams that have played in past years, such as Piet Retief, have not been registered, leaving them ineligible to compete in this year’s tournament.

Mandla Gagayi, the Development Officer of Rhodes soccer, praised the Internal League as he believes that the standard of soccer at Rhodes has improved greatly over the years. “This high standard has enabled Rhodes soccer personnel to scout potential players who will be able to represent the Rhodes Soccer first team at higher level competitions such as SASSU [South African Students Sports Union], which takes place in Durban at the end of the

year,” he said. This year also sees the start of the

Women’s Internal League, beginning on 6 May. So far, a total of ten residences have registered to take part in this year’s competition and, unlike the men’s league, there are prizes for the champions and runners-up. Rhodes Soccer Chairperson Matreki Mabizela feels that women’s soccer must be encouraged to build on the women’s qualification to go to SASSU for the first time in many years in 2007. Women’s League matches have been scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday evenings on Prospect Field.

This year’s Internal League should be an exciting and challenging competition for all who are involved. Here’s looking forward to grand goals, good sportsmanship and great entertainment.

with a penalty in the last minute of extra time by right-wing Henoe Stoffberg, giving the team a 47-44 victory over Tukkies. Ikeys staged a phenomenal comeback against Pukke-NWU to grab a 32-31 win in the dying seconds of their match in Cape Town.

The final had its fair share of controversy as Maties appeared to have scored a legitimate intercept try in the 66th minute, only for the UCT captain

to pull a white card, allowing him to challenge the referee’s decision. In an unexpected blow the referee reversed his decision and disallowed Maties’ try.

After a gruelling 80 minutes, Maties were crowned winners of the inaugural FNB Varsity Cup, thanks to a last minute try which sealed their hometown 16-10 victory over Ikey Tigers at the Danie Craven stadium.

2008 - edition 4

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