Activate - Edition 7 2015

Activate Edition 7, 29 September 2015

Rhodes University’s Independent Student Newspaper

Est. 1947

Freedom of expression 16. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes—(a) freedom of the press and other media;(b) freedom to receive or impart information or ideas;(c) freedom of artistic creativity; and(d) academic freedom and freedom of scientific research.(2) The right in subsection (1) does not extend to—(a) propaganda for war;(b) incitement of imminent violence; or(c) advocacy of hatred that is based on race, ethnicity, gender or religion, and that constitutes incitement to cause harm. Vryheid van uitdrukking 16. (1) Elkeen het die reg op vryheid van uitdrukking, waarby inbegrepe is –(a) die vryheid van die pers en ander media;(b) die vryheid om inligting of idees te ontvang of oor te dra;(c) die vryheid van artistieke kreatiwiteit; en (d) akademiese vryheid en vryheid van wetenskaplike navorsing.(2) Die reg in subartikel (1) omvat nie –(a) propaganda vir oorlog nie;(b) die aanstigting van dreigende geweld nie; of(c) die verkondiging van haat wat op ras, etnisiteit,geslagtelikheid of godsdiens gebaseer isen wat aanhitsing om leed te veroorsaak, uitmaak nie.Vergadering, betoging, linievorming en petisie 16. (1) Wonke ubani unelungelo lenkululeko yokuvakalisa into ayicingayo, ebandakanya – (a) inkululeko yamaphepha-ndaba, namanye amajelo eendaba; (b) inkululeko yokufumana okanye yokunika abanye ulwazi okanye izimvo; (c) inkululeko yokudala nokuvelisa ngokobuchule; kunye (d) nenkululeko kwezemfundo nenkululeko yokwenza uphando lwezobunzululwazi.(2) Ilungelo elikwicandelwana (1) alibandakanyi –(a) ukuntyontyela imfazwe; (b) ukuphembelela udushe olufukamileyo; okanye (c) ukuhlwayela intiyo esekelwe kubuhlanga, kwisini, okanye kwinkolo, ephembelela ukwenzakalisa/ukwenziwa kobubi. Ukuhlangana, ukubonisa ukunganeliseki kunye noxwebhu lwezikhalazo 16. (1) Wonke umuntu unelungelo lokuveza imibono yakhe ngokukhululeka, okubandakanya – (a) inkululeko yamaphephandaba neminye imithombo yezindaba; (b) inkululeko yokufumana nokudlulisela phambili ulwazi nemibono; (c) inkululeko yokwakha izinto ngokusebenzisa ubuciko; futhi (d) inkululeko kwezemfundo kanye nenkululeko yokwenza ucwaningo olunzulu. (2) Ilungelo elikwisigatshana (1) alihlanganisi – (a) inkulumo egqugquzelela impi; (b) ukugqugquzela udlame olufufusayo; noma (c) ukutshala umoya wenzondo ngokobuzwe, ngokobuhlanga, ubulili noma ngokwenkolo okudala inxushunxushu. Ukubuthana, ukubhikisha, ukugculisa abanye ukuthi beseke umbikisho nokwethula izicelo ezibhalwe phansi 16. (1) Motho e mong le e mong o na le tokelo ya ho hlahisa maikutlo k a bolokolohi, ho kenyeletswa le - (a) bolokolohi ba phatlalatso tsa ding o l wa le diphatlalatso tse ding; (b) bolokolohi ba ho amohela kapa ho phatlalatsa tsebiso kapa mehopolo; (c) bolokolohi ba ho qapa eng kapa eng ya bokgabane; le (d) bolokolohi ba borutehi le bolokolohi badiphuputso tsa saense. (2) Tokelo e ngotsweng molawaneng wa (1) ha e kenyeletse- (a) propaganda ya ntwa; (b) hlohleletso ya dikgoka;kapa (c) kgothaletso ya lehloyo la mofuta o mong, morabe, bong kapa bodumedi, mme hoo ho kgothalletsa ho baka kotsi. Dikopano, mekoloko ya boipelaetso, ditletlebo 16. (1) Mongwe le mongwe o na le tshwanelo ya kgololosego ya go tlhagisa maikutlo, go akarediwa – (a) kgololosego ya dikgatiso le metswedi e mengwe ya pasalatso; (b) kgololosego ya go amogela kgotsa go neelana ka tshedimosetso kgotsa dikakanyo; (c) kgololosego ya botaki ba botlhami; le (d) kgololosego ya boithutedi le kgololosego ya dipatlisiso tsa bonetetshi (2) Ditshwanelo tsa molawana (1) ga di fetelele go akaretsa – (a) tlhotlheletso ya ntwa; (b) tlhotlheletso ya khuduego e e kukelang; kgotsa (c) tlhotlheletso ya letlhoo le le ikaegileng ka bomorafe, lotso, bong, kgotsa bodumedi, le se e leng tlhotlheletso e e tlisang kgobalo. Kokoano, ditshupetso, phiketo le phetišene 16. (1) Omunye nomunye umuntu unelungelo lokuveza amazizo wakhe ngokutjhaphuluka, kufakwa hlangana nalokhu – (a) Ikululeko yamaphephandaba nemirhatjho; (b) Ikululeko nokutjhaphuluka yokwamukela begodu nokudlulisela phambili ilwazi begodu nokuveza imibono; (c) Ikululeko yokuveza ikgono lokubumba nokusungula; begodu (d) ikululeko yezokufunda begodu nekululeko yokwenza irhubhululo lezesayensi. (2) Ilungelo elutjhiwo kusigatjana (1) alifaki lokhu – (a) ukukhuluma ngendlela ephehla ipi; (b) namkha ukutjala umoya ongabangela bona kubenenturhu esobala; namkha (c) ukuletha inzondo esekwe ekuhlukeni ngebala, ngokobuhlobo, ngokobulili, namkha ngokwekolo, okubangela iphehlo eletha ukulimala. Ukubuthana, ukutjhagala, nokwenza ukurhwanta kunye nokwethula iinghonghoyilo. 16. (1) Mang le mang o na le tokelo ya go ntšha maikutlo, yeo e akaretšago – (a) tokologo ya dikgatišo le diphatlalatši tše dingwe; (b) tokologo ya go amogela goba go abela tshedimošetšo goba dikakanyo; (c) tokologo ya boithomelo bja tša bokgabo; le (d) tokologo ya tša thuto le dinyakišišo tša saense. (2) Tokelo mo karolwaneng (1) ga e akaretše – (a) Tlhohleletšo ya ntwa; (b) Tlhohleletšo ya kgaphamadi ye e okaokago; goba (c) khuetšo ya lehloyo leo le itshamilego godimo ga mohlobo, morafe bong goba bodumedi, mme e tsošago tlhohleletšo ye e ka hlolago kotsi. Kgobokano, tšhupetšo, kgwabo le ngongorego 16. (1) Munhu un’wana na un’wana u na mfanelo

Listen.

2 News

Q&A with SRC President 2016

By Muchemwa Sinkala

Born and raised in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, Sisesakhe Ntlabezo, Industrial & Economic Sociology Honours student and newly elected 2016 Student Representative Council President, agreed to answer a few questions to give insight into who he really is, and what he hopes to achieve during his term of office.

Activate Editor-in-Chief: Mitchell Shaun Parker Deputy Editor: Laura Richardson Print Editor: Nandi Pape Online Editor: Mako Muzenda Deputy Online Dave Richardson Chanel Retief Executive Consultant: Heather Cameron

Can you describe yourself in 3 words?

Curious, collaborative, listener.

Financial Mangager James Foulkes

Why did you choose to run for president?

For multiple reasons, but one of the main reasons was to serve. I believe in servant leadership and that in helping others, we can continually build and rebuild our society.

Beyond that, I love working with people and the position allows me to constantly explore new ways of collectively leading and working towards the core goal: ensuring that students are represented, and that our voices are never lost.

Art Director: Tiger Maremela Chief Photo Editor: Madeleine Chaput

What were your feelings when you found out you would be the next president?

It was a mixture of shock, being humbled and excitement. Shock, because there’s no way of preparing to be told that the students chose you. Humbled, because the election represents a vote of confidence from the student body, a vote I do not take lightly but rather as an opportunity to show that it was not a wasted vote. Excitement, for the year to come – it brings with it a world of possibilities, and I’m honoured to have given the chance to lead.

How do you intend to engage with issues of transformation?

In a variety of manners. Definitely working hand in hand with other student leaders and activists on campus to ensure that the process of transformation filters to as many avenues as possible. Furthermore, finding ways of ensuring that transformation is not limited solely to “engagement”, but rather beginning to take steps towards tangible change. Currently, the SRC is working on forming a transformation task team consisting of a variety of students to further feed and inform the process of transformation.

How do you think the SRC can best represent the students considering the multiplicity of voices at Rhodes?

In many ways, this is the core challenge of all SRCs and not a question that can be answered in one simple statement. I believe that, in our year in office, if we lead with sincerity and integrity, if we listen to concerns that are raised and take them to heart, and if we always act in the best interests of students, then we will give our all towards representation.

What are your major plans for your year as SRC president?

On a broad level, working hand in hand with the rest of the Council to create an SRC that is aware of topical issues, that is relatable and approachable, and that seeks to grow and develop to meet the needs of its student body.

What are your thoughts on this year’s SRC? I have much respect for them. They have gone through a challenging year, with its own difficulties but they have remained standing – that alone is incredibly commendable. In

Chief Designer: Sara Steiniger Deputy Chief Design Alizwa Mnyatheli Chief Sub-editor: Nereesha Patel Sisesakhe Ntlabezo is President elect for SRC 2016 Pic: Sourced

News Editor Muchemwa Sinkala

particular, Zikisa Maqubela is an astounding man, and from him I have learnt so much.

What contributions to the ‘Rhodes society’ have you made since you started at this institution?

I was the Chair of the Oppidan Committee in 2014, and in 2015 I have been an Oppidan Sub Warden. In these positions I have worked closely with other student leaders.

What makes you different from other presidents before you?

I think – and this applies not just to me as a President, but the 2016 SRC as a whole - more than anything, the context that the 2016 SRC is walking into is different.

For example, conversations around decolonizing institutions and the process of transformation have encouraged students to mobilise and be injected with a sense of urgency. With that, the challenges that we will face are different.

What do you think, other than transformation; is the most important thing to Rhodents right now?

Awareness and understanding. They are crucial first steps in the process of transformation

A&E Editor: Jomiro Eming Deputy A&E Editor Kate Middleton Features Editor: Nina Reinach Deputy Features Editor Jessica Bokete Lifestyle Editor Ciara O’Donoghue Politics Editor: Leo Vaccaro Environmental Editor: Tyler Naumann

From the Editor There has been an important shift in the way that we do journalism here at Activate. The hard news is no longer as interesting to us. Content that is without opinion is boring and can just as easily be found on News24 or the like. We, too, have thoughts and those thoughts are being encouraged within our space.

project that is close to my own heart. Our “Your Activate. Your Voice” content is some of the most poignant and thoughtful writing I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Activate wants to be a platform for that kind of conversational space. It is part of a continuing effort to allow Rhodes students to be heard in ways that current spaces do not provide.

It is clear that there are voices that are crying out to be heard at Rhodes University… to be uncovered and made accessible. Engagement, now, is key.

Journalism at its best is one that provokes the reader and makes an impact. As such, the pages that follow will move you to tears, or to laughter.

They’ll get you to reflect on your own life. This is what we want.

The face of the media works is shifting to the more emotional, social and personal, yes, but don’t mistake this for any intention to not critically discuss the pressing issues of our context either.

In fact, in this edition you will also find analysis on transformation across the country, the nature of graffiti as protest art and a look into food wastage in Rhodes dining halls.

Eight pages of this edition are dedicated to a

News

29 September 2015 Edition 7

Our pendulum doesn’t swing all the way to

the serious either. For the more light-hearted among you, we have your Rhodes horoscopes, a think piece on what the world would be like if Kanye West really did run for President of the US and some tips as to how to make res-life more manageable.

Let me conclude with this: gratitude. The last few months have been a wild ride but the feedback we have received has been so great too. As a team, know dear readers that we are so thankful for all your contributions, comments and suggestions as well as the words of encouragement. It is noted and much appreciated. The fierce loyalty that has developed within our readership is what makes the job so worth it.

Onwards and upwards. @mitch_parker13

Sports Editor: Adriana Georgiades Designers: Bianca Levin Sarah Beath Community Engagement : Vuyo Pike

Contacts: Editor: activate.editor@gmail.com Deputy Editor: activate.deputy@gmail.com Printed by Paarl Coldset, Port Elizabeth

3

Tolerance is handcuffed by its own principles Misty de Robillard On Monday the 14 September, Professor Wim Trengrove held a public lecture exploring the following topic: The clash of equality and religious rights: De Lange v Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church of South Africa.

The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa is the supreme law - but what happens there are contradicting rights within the Constitution? It is this fundamental question which the Constitutional Court is currently grappling with in the case of De Lange v Presiding Bishop of the Methodist Church.

The basic facts of the case are as follows: De Lange, a minister of the Methodist church lived in an open relationship which the Church was aware of and accepted.

However, when De Lange announced in front of the congregation that she planned to marry her same sex partner, the church warned of possible disciplinary action. Ignoring the warning, De Lange finalised her marriage ten days after the announcement. District and National levels of the church declared that De Lange was no longer allowed to practice as a minister as she had acted contrary to the practices of the church.

The case centres on the controversial question; should a church or any similar organisation have the power to discontinue the services of a lesbian minister for failing to follow its moral rules and guidelines.

There are three fundamental rights at play in these circumstances which all pull in different directions: the right to equality (s9), the right to freedom of religion (s15) and the right to freedom of association (s18). Section 18 allows like -minded people to form associations in order to practice and promote commonality in interest. This right is of particular importance because it has been used as a tool for vulnerable communities to mobilise together and stand up to stronger groups.

As a matter of doctrinal belief, the Methodist Church views marriage as an institution which is determined by God on the basis of spiritual and scriptural grounds. According to this belief, marriage is a God-given institution which demands the union of one man and one woman. The right to religion encapsulated in S 15 of the Bill of Rights allows and protects the church’s right to have its own regulations and belief system.

S 15 is a key ingredient to the realisation of one’s dignity and is central to one’s sense of self and community. The church does not exclude those who do not conform to its rules, but rather sets a higher standard for its ministers prohibiting them to solemnise same sex marriages and enter into them.

Section 9 of the Bill of Rights is the right to equality and expressly prohibits discrimination based on various listed grounds, one of which is sexual orientation. The contention with section 9 comes into play when private people have other constitutional rights that come into conflict with nondiscrimination (i.e. section 15).

This case begs the question of the extent to which private entities may or may not discriminate against certain sectors of society and whether certain forms of discrimination are lawful.

The standard approach the courts use to address such a scenario would be to strike a balance of harm between the parties. However, in this case there stands to be serious harm caused either way.

On the one hand De Lange faces humiliation and a possible infringement on her dignity by being disqualified for being what she is.

The obverse would be the serious harm inflicted on the church congregation if they are forced to go against their belief of what a marriage should be – a God given institution – which is a core belief of the religion as a whole. Even the most ardent equality activists will admit that when it comes to its’ religious leaders, the church is allowed to discriminate based on religious grounds meaning only those who subscribe to the core beliefs can be leaders.

That being said, should the court tolerate discrimination of private groups?

The Constitution celebrates difference and the right to be different and enforces that the state & all citizens should line up to tolerate difference. Therefore, the Church should allow leaders to be different. But the right to be different includes the rights of associations, which in turn allows for the exclusion of some and inclusion of others.

The Constitutional Court faces the mighty, seemingly impossible, task of balancing these issues in the De Lange case,

the results of which stand to sharply divide the public. The court must provide one, uniform answer for two completely contradictory questions: whether by allowing the Church the autonomy to exclude individuals from leadership positions based on sexual orientation is opening the door to the privatisation of discrimination - or whether tampering with the fundamental core of a religious group can be justified so as to preserve the equality rights of vulnerable minority groups.

29 September 2015 Edition 7

4 Politics

Politics

Reality or rhetoric?

Leo Vaccaro

T

here are students at Rhodes University who feel that the claims around institutional racism are unfounded and that this sudden wave of protests and vandalism are without cause: that standing on a soapbox quoting Biko about black consciousness is irrelevant to our current situation. The question then arises, is there any basis for transformative change at Rhodes University and, by extension, other institutions?

Transformation has mostly associated with issues such as the name change, institutional racism, curriculum reform, decolonisation and so on. We hear these things very often, but what exactly is meant by these things?

Perhaps the very fact the these debates make people so uncomfortable indicates that there is some truth to them. Activate took the opportunity to explore some of the main arguments being made by those seeking reform and transformation at Rhodes.

One thing should be made clear however - transformation is not a process or a goal that can be reached by following a checklist and ticking off issues. Dealing with transformation requires that the general public tackles these issues all at once, at every angle, and to constantly question our institutions.

Transformation is a constantly evolving debate.

LANGUAGE Consider possibly the most pressing issue – the language barrier. Every tertiary institution in South Africa offers their curriculum in English (and/ or Afrikaans). And yet, only 9% of the population uses English as their mother tongue. Statistics show that over 70 percent of South Africans speak either a Nguni or a Sotho language ( primarily isiXhosa and Sotho).

While there is argument to be made about the difficulty that would be encountered regarding resources in other languages, it definitely stands that there is a significant advantage for English-speaking students in tertiary education.

In a transformation debate held by the Faculty of Law, the most pressing issue that was raised was the language barrier. Students studying in a language that is not their mothertongue are now to compete with students whose English is at a far superior level.

While there is a quota for enrolling a diverse range of students, when it comes down to actually studying at university, the students allowed in are

in a disadvantage. The result is that the same racial demographics that were initially granted into Rhodes, UCT, Stellenbosch and so on are not reflective of the same demographics that eventually go on to graduate or reach postgraduate levels. The graph below indicates this point more clearly.

Transformation would involve finding solutions to this problem and establishing structures that allow for previously disadvantaged groups to not be so severely impacted by the language barrier.

One of the objectives of the Open Stellenbosch movement was specifically to address language reform – particularly considering some of the issues regarding ‘mere accommodation’ for Englishspeaking students (barring those who can speak neither English nor Afrikaans first fluently). The ‘Luister’ documentary posted on YouTube earlier last month has confessions from a variety of students who find that the translators do not adequately compensate for the fact that classes are taught initially by Afrikaans professors and lecturers.

subject in a critical way; in fact, politics only has three out of a possible twelve modules which focus on African political writers and scholarship.

The philosophy department has entire courses dedicated towards Aristotle, Descartes, and even Chinese philosophy, while only offering a single term optional course addressing race and racism – despite the vast amount of African philosophy.

But what is it about curriculum that speaks to issues of transformation? As mentioned earlier, it comes down to a matter of conversations which do matter, and those which do not. As a student, learning under the banner Western ideals and conversation consciously encourages the European modes of thought while discrediting others. This is what contributes to an inherent culture of exclusion.

Criminalising those who demand that the curricula be redressed would be an act of accepting blindly what is being taught as an indisputable truth. Curriculum reform is a healthy exercise that should be done constantly - without reform curriculum would be left stagnant and left in the dark ages.

CURRICULUM While language is arguably quite clear-cut in its exclusionary nature, what about issues regarding curriculum? Another hot-topic is that of curriculum reform. Many would argue that curriculum is something that does not express institutional racism: That curriculum (in what it does or does not teach) is merely the nature of the field of study at hand.

For example, the only supposed ‘logical’ point to start with the study of philosophy would be to delve into the works of Plato, Descartes, and Aristotle.

But these philosophies tell a story of Western philosophy. In turn, knowledge on other philosophies or other world views are lost, and by extension excluded from the conversation. In this way curriculum has an important role in determining whose ideas are heard and whose conversations are included. In short, one can see how the issue of curriculum is indeed a tangible reality that expresses institutional racism.

One of the issues raised by the Black Student Movement is that of the curriculum at Rhodes. It is alleged that some of the curricula underemphasise or even neglect African theory altogether.

Generally speaking, fields of study that could be affected by this issue especially are sociology, anthropology, politics, law, and philosophy – however, this is not an exhaustive list. There are very few subjects which address the African

NAME CHANGE & CULTURE What is in a name? Why is it that there is such a fuss around this topic country-wide? Why is transformation being so sought after in something as intangible as a name?

“

Transformation is not a process or a goal that can be reached by following a checklist and ticking off issues. Dealing with transformation requires that the general public tackles these issues all at once, at every angle, and to constantly question our institutions.

Perhaps what is known to be most central to the idea of transformation, at least at Rhodes, is the issue of name change. Perhaps what is known to be most central to the idea of transformation, at least at Rhodes, is the issue of name change.

On the one hand, students feel that the name of Rhodes University must change as it is symbolic for colonial oppression. On the other hand, students feel that changing the name will do very little to bring about real transformation, and argue that it is actually earmarking pointless protests, vandalism and disunity.

partying, drinking and ‘gees’ - but these are norms that are not subscribed to by all students.

Also, to change the name would be to dismiss the heritage that Rhodes University has (despite what it may be).

Furthermore, has the name of Rhodes not been redefined to encapsulate the values that it currently stands for? The argument is that when one thinks of Rhodes University, one does not first think of Cecil John Rhodes and his legacy, but rather one thinks of a university that stands for diversity, liberal values and multiculturalism.

A name is a symbol. As stated before, it is a banner that encapsulates the values of the people that stand underneath it. The argument is that it without change there can be no substantive transformation and decolonisation.

All efforts to transform will only ever have to be grounded in what is visible and what can be pointed to as the problem. But this may mean that there will never be a symbolic change – a symbolic break from the past.

Captions such as “Black Lives Matter”, “Decolonise this Institution”, “Black Power” and so on make strong claims and are therefore the objects of suspicion to the validity of the arguments made. However, these claims are not spray painted on the walls without some reasonability and rationality behind them.

These exclamations speak to transformation on every level - it does not occur by changing a language policy, or altering a curriculum or even changing a name.

Transformation would, at its most abstract level, demand that people question their perceptions about the meaning of institutional racism.

There is still quite a significant cultural barrier between groups in society. When it comes to the university space, although students may exist in the same space, certain groups of society may feel excluded. For instance, if one does not have X, Y and Z norms and values they are left out in the cold, so to speak. Rhodes upholds another reputation which is centered around

– A GENERAL REVIEW ON TRANSFORMATION AT RHODES AND BEYOND

5

THE WAY FORWARD It would be an injustice to say that nothing has been done around the issue of transformation.

Earlier in September, Graham House had a protest concerning, amongst other things, representation of sub-wardens. In a house that consists of a black majority, it may seem inequitable to have two white subwardens represent and lead them. While the contention was not necessarily that the sub-wardens were white, it was rather a matter of the majority of the house feeling culturally and representatively excluded. The protests were vitally acknowledged and as a result, the posts were reopened.

Furthermore, Jan Smuts House is in the process of reviewing the name and conducting elections with the student body to present the Board of Residences and Senate with alternative names.

On a more social level, after over 80 years, the Rhodes University Rowing Club (RURC) has elected its first black captain, Thomas Lungu.

Amongst other faculties, over the past month the Law Faculty has conducted a close review on its curriculum and has also taken into consideration structures to assist law students who are not home-language English speakers.

The issue of transformation is a debate which should not be taken lightly. The discharge of institutional exclusion should be to address it all simultaneously - that is to say that it should be the case that protests surrounding the name change should only be acceptable (or at least not criminalised) after curricula, language policy, culture and so on is dealt with first.

While some changes may need some attention more than others, these changes should not be viewed in isolation.

Rhodes University workers, academics and staff march to the admin block.

Pic: Mitchell Shaun Parker

Protests reached the University of Kwa-zulu Natal, also. Pic: Sourced

The University of Cape Town, where it all began, sparked a national movement for transformation. Pic: Sourced

Employment statistics of population groups by skills bylinething where dis come from yo?

70

60

50 Black students rallying at the Rooiplein fields in support of the Open Stellenbosch movement. Pic: DailyVox

Skilled

40

30

Semi-skilled

20

10

Low-skilled 0

1994 UCT students similarly protesting against both the Cecil John Rhodes statue and institutional racism. Pic: Sourced

2014 Black

1994

2014

Coloured

1994

2014

Indian/Asian

1994

2014 White

6 Enviros

29 September 2015 Edition 7

10 Things you (probably) didn’t know about the earth us with heat, we would be able to survive by harnessing the energy from our own core.

Even though we’ve gone to the moon and climbed We actually have less time in a day than we think; the the highest mountains, we have discovered less earth spins on its axis for 23 hours and 56 minutes. than 10% of the earth’s oceans.

Those extra four minutes are added so that we can There is an estimated 20 million underwater properly face the sun once it appears again. species that we have not encountered. There’s hope The salt in the ocean comes from rocks on the for mermaids still. shores; rainwater is naturally acidic and therefore Due to earth’s constant movement, it is estimated erodes the salt crystals from the rocks into the sea. that in 250 million years time, the world’s continents If you had to take out all of the salt in the ocean - will merge once again and form a supercontinent and cover the earth with it, a layer 152 metres thick called Pangaea Ultima. would cover everything.

Once the earth was said to be flat, but after some There exists a flat lakebed in Death Valley, called time, scientists found it to be round. Not anymore.

Racetrack Playa, where rocks move by themselves.

While the earth is technically a circle, there is a This phenomenon is created by icy water from the bulge around the equator stretching 32 kilometres mountains covering the land and rock in a slippery outwards, creating an elliptical shape. layer, combined with strong winds – boulders There are more than 20 million tons of gold at the weighing hundreds of kilograms are able to move bottom of earth’s oceans. However, it is so widely by themselves. spread out that it is nearly impossible to excavate. If The earth, being a relatively small planet, is not we were able to harvest this gold, we would be able actually supposed to have a moon. However, it is to give every person on Earth 4 kilograms each. theorised that 4.5 billion years ago a twin planet Sorry, Mr Blue Whale, you’ve got competition. named Theia crashed into Earth and disintegrated, The largest living organism on earth was found in but a small part was left behind and called the Oregon, USA. moon.

It was a honey mushroom: its fungus grew The earth’s core is just as hot as the sun – between underground to the size of 2 200 acres - that’s the 5 000 and 7 000 degrees Celsius – so if the sun We may have discovered planets in outer space, but we still only know 10% of our earth’s size of two rugby fields. were to suddenly die and not be able to provide oceans. Pic: NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center/Reto Stöckli /Flickr

Enviros

Food glorious Food

By Tyler Naumann and Kathleen Painter

By Tyler Naumann

Rhodes needs to become more environmentally aware. Pic: Ian Burt/Flickr

Rhodes, why you no recycle? was kicked in and destroyed when someone tried to make a fire in it,” Sait says.

Recycling is a vitally important service to We all wish to help out the environment and the environment as it reduces the amount of the best way to do that is to recycle. However, greenhouse gases and pollutants emitted into at Rhodes University, that becomes a little bit the atmosphere. It also decreases the need challenging. Not many of us know where to for raw materials from rainforests, therefore send our recyclable items, and it is so much preserving and maintaining existing natural easier to throw it all in a bin anyway. But what resources. about recycling bins?

Many residences do have recycling programs It is clear that there are no recycling facilities available on campus for students to use. Rafeeq put in place; however, these are sometimes not effective or not used by students at all.

Sait, Acting Assistant Manager of Operations A main concern for Rhodes University is not for Grounds and Gardens, explained that the willingness of students to help save the eight tin, plastic, and paper recycling bins environment and recycle, but the implication were provided for students’ use in 2009.

Unfortunately, these bins were misused. When and maintenance of various programmes that are created. it came time for the university to empty these It’s called a recycling can, not a recycling bins for recycling purposes, it was found that waste, including food wastage, was thrown into cannot. Let us all do our part in helping to recycle as much waste as we can. the incorrect bins. “There was even a bin that

By Tyler Naumann

7

We have all seen the trolleys of trays and loads of leftovers after every meal at the dining hall, but has anyone ever wondered where it all goes? Behind the metallic doors and steel shelves is there an infinite black hole of secondhand slices of bread, discarded spoonfuls of peanut butter and unwanted lettuce leaves? Deducted from an online survey done at Rhodes University, 77% of people do not know how much food they waste. 81 % of students said that knowing how much food is wasted every day would make them want to waste less food, well here you go.

According to the Food Services Department at Rhodes University, the University spends on average R150 000 per day to provide three meals a day to about 3200 students, wardens and dependants. These funds come from the fees paid by students’ tuitions that stay in residence, and also for Oppidans who use their dining hall.

Of that money, an average of R15 000 is wasted per day by students not finishing their meals. As much as Rhodes is considered our home, if we really were at home our parents would never let us leave the dining table without finishing everything on our plates. It is estimated that only 46% of people finish everything on their meal trays. Staff members of the dining halls are not allowed to take out any food, even the leftover food that has been cooked but not served; often food that is still in the bay marines has to be thrown out because it was not used.

So how does it work and where does all the waste go? All wasted food is scraped off of 3200 trays, three times per day and put into big black waste bins. These waste bins pile up and are bought at a low price by local farmers.

Seven days a week at 4pm the farmers come and collect the waste which is then used as pig food (swill). There are even farmers on a waiting list ready to sign a one year contract with the Food Services Department at Rhodes University.

Simon Wright, the Manager of the

Food Services Department explains the current plan they have in place.

“The safest way for us to deal with our wastage is through the pig soil process,” he says. The Food Services Department aims to work around an over catering rate of less than 10% per day.

Kathleen Painter, a Rhodes University Honours student in Environmental Science recently completed her thesis research on how much food is actually wasted at Rhodes University.

Her motivation behind this project was the fact that “very little is known about how much food wastage there is in South Africa, and especially at Rhodes University.” She continues by saying, “We are at a meeting point of many people with huge amounts of knowledge, we have the ability to change practises and behaviours if we wanted to.”

Painter weighed the waste of five dining halls, Allan Webb, Founders, Jan Smuts, Courtenay-Latimer and Nelson Mandela, over a period of three weeks.

• Overall, students waste 191.4 g per person, per meal (4 kg’s per week) • Small halls waste more per person than large halls (Small 205.57g; Large - 168.69g) • Female halls waste more than male halls (Females – 304.68g; Males – 161.73g) • Halls that are further from the centre of campus have more people booking meals and not taking them than halls that are close to the centre of campus (Far – 81 meals booked and not taken per day; Close – 69 meals booked and not taken per day) Often the amount of wastage per meal depends on whether or not students actually show up for their meals. This has become an increasing problem as, 7% of 200 people interviewed said that they never unbook meals even if they know they aren’t going to eat them.

Only nine percent of respondents said that they always finish the food on their plate. Reasons given for this included upbringing, knowledge

Do you finish everything on your plate?

Chart Title

Wasting food is common occurrence across the Rhodes campus. Pic: Madeleine Chaput

of the environmental consequences of food waste and not wanting to disrespect the kitchen staff that made the meal.

“I come from a disadvantaged background, I know what it means to be hungry and I do not wish to waste any food,” said one anonymous respondent. Another respondent said that they hate wastage, that it irritates them, and that they offer to finish other people’s food just so that there is less waste.

One of the main contributors to waste is bread. Even though peanut butter and jam sandwiches are heaven, students’ tired and hungry eyes are in fact too big for their stomachs. Peanut butter, syrup, jam, and butter are also a large contributor to wastage in the dining halls. We all understand that Mary Poppins was a wise lady saying that a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down but I highly doubt a whole serving spoonful of apricot jam will help anything go down.

The wastage of bread has been reduced with a prevention strategy that has been put into certain dining halls. Loaves of bread are now put into

the dining room so that students are allowed to take however many slices they want, when they want, without feeling the pressures of the queue and the uncertainty of their stomachs.

Even though students pay R46.64 per day for three meals and they are fully entitled to this food does not mean they should treat themselves to a buffet every night and not eat it. It is not a waste to Rhodes University that students do not finish the food that they are entitled to; it is a waste of students’ own money.

When asked what students thought could be done in the dining halls to reduce the amount of food wasted, most respondents mentioned the portion sizes and the type of food made. Students want the option of having smaller portions; some even suggested that the students be allowed to dish up food for them.

What can we do?

• Students simply need to be aware of the unnecessary waste that they are producing. They may not see their food sliding off their plates into a bin, but it

Why do you unbook meals?

Chart

Do you book meals and not take them?

Chart Title 2%

8%

30%

Always

Always

Usually

Sometimes

Neutral

35%

Neutral 53%

Sometimes

46%

Never

19% 30%

When there is a special on take-out in town

17% 26%

3%

When I don't like meals When I don't have time

8%

Rarely Never

7%

Title When I'm away

7%

9%

does happen.

Wright advises students to “[p] ut on your plate what you feel you can eat. Take a little bit of what you think you’re going to eat and rather go back and get some more.”

• Order a packed meal if you are going to be too busy to go to the dining hall.

• Wright also encourages students to go for second meals as this too reduces waste.

• Tell the kitchen staff if you don’t want something to be served to you. Or if you would like less/ more of something.

The next time you race to the dining hall at 5pm sharp to devour your meal after a long day of lectures, tuts, and assignments think twice or even three times before taking another slice of bread, a side plate of salad or a spoon of jam.

As an institution we have the obligation to be more sustainable because of our size. Be conscious of the food you unnecessarily waste and remember, unbooking is just a click away..

•

To get money back

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Edition 7

Your Activate. Your Voice.

One of the things that most Rhodes students will praise about this University is that, at least on paper, we have a diverse student body. Race, religion, sexual orientation and class all intermingling in the small space that we know as our campus. And yet, despite that, there are a multitude of stories and experiences that are foreign to most of us because of that diversity. We can’t all experience all things.

It is this quandary that brings us to this special section of our edition. What does it mean to be black at Rhodes? To have considered suicide?

To be Christian? As a part of a continuing plan to create spaces for these kinds of conversations, Activate is proud to present the voices of students at this University that feel that their stories are perhaps not clearly represented or understood.

Moving forward, Activate has established a new online platform for submissions like the ones you’ll see in the following pages. If you have a story that you feel needs to be heard by Rhodes and more, you can submit your thoughts at: bit.ly/youractivate.

It is our hope that these stories will spark debate and thought among the Rhodes student body, and provoke interesting questions about what it means to be in the space that is this University.

On Mojo Jojo and violent allies Loyiso Gxothiwe There is an episode of the Powerpuff Girls where Mojo Jojo, after an unfortunate incident in his villainy, repents and decides that he wants to change and join the girls in fighting evil and his former associates. After the girls reluctantly allow him to join their ranks, Mojo starts causing more trouble for the girls than when he was actively trying to harm them.

Like Mojo Jojo, allies have tended to be a liability for social justice movements and at times have been more violent to the people that they are presumably trying to help than the bigots doing the work of the devil with conviction.

This year being one of the toughest Rhodes University has had in racial relations since the arrival of democracy, calls for transformation have rattled the famously liberal cocoon that is Rhodes. Having frequented the SRC Facebook page (a space which has come to be seen as a battleground for people pro-Rhodes versus people calling for transformation) for updates on how the transformation process was progressing, I have encountered many a white ally doing everything except help.

A great number of allies I have noted almost always operate out of a place of trying to clear their names from those other guys. The ignorant whites who they paint as fringe and of no real influence outside of abusing black people online. Whether or not their viewing proud racists as fringe is an accurate reflection is a conversation for another day.

These allies, like the bigots they desperately try to separate themselves from, seem to be more concerned about being labeled or even having it implied that they might be racist than around the actual work of dismantling white supremacy. I sometimes cringe when I see them pop up when a black person posts an article or video about white people being racist. And even then, their contributions are limited

to "White people *annoyed face emoji*". You can almost see them twitching and shouting, "It wasn't me!" through those two words.

Then you will find the purposely obtuse ones who struggle to hide their intentions of stalling conversations by asking rudimentary questions repeatedly. These people also pathetically wait for a black person to get annoyed so they can tone-police them and tell them how they could have agreed with them had they been nicer. This group somewhat symbolises the general white ally. Their allyship can only be granted on condition that black people ignore abuse from them, revisit anything they believe/practice that makes them uncomfortable or allow themselves to be pacified if they are to get something from this relationship. Mojo Jojo did not trick the girls into letting him in because he wanted to destroy them from the inside. He had genuinely felt guilty and had grown tired of his evil deeds which always resulted in him having his ass handed to him by girls. This article is not suggesting that every white person that cares about others or joins social movements is there to infiltrate them and destroy them from the inside. It is simply showing that a lot of white people who try to be allies are often so invested in whiteness and whatever they are able to amass from anti-blackness that they cannot be of any use to the movements they are trying to assist. As an ally, you have to be prepared to check and challenge all kyriarchal structures that maintain oppression and not only those you are comfortable with. A lot of white people will have no problem when sexism or homophobia is discussed.

But discussing economic privilege is a no go area. Acknowledge the fact that racism is largely a system that was built to ensure the economic oppression of people of colour and not just to tell them they are ugly or stupid. You don't have to tell us we are beautiful.

We know. Just help us get our reparations and our land back.

On overalls, gees and transformation Mitchell Shaun Parker I decided that I wasn’t going to wear my overalls to one of the most important events in the Rhodes University social calendar: Boat Race Festival. For the uninitiated, overalls are a sign of Rhodent (the RU moniker) spirit. Where large groups of us gather, there too shall be the overall – covered in purple paint and an assortment of stains. It’s part of a long-standing tradition of gees at this University.

However, I now feel uncomfortable in mine. Having worn them consistently to Great Field Parties and Intervarsities anon, I now can’t bring myself to don the very uniform I was so proud of not even a few months ago.

Rhodes University’s main headlines this year have been dominated by issues of transformation. Many black students have found the space of Rhodes University difficult to selfactualise in. There is discomfort.

There is institutionalized racism.

There is pain.

Symbols are important in this kind of emotive politics. As much as one can quote Fanon or Mbembe and engage with it intellectually, there is also a strong personal element to these feelings. There are real people who are feeling real feelings of oppression. (One has only to watch

something like the viral Luister video to see how genuine this is.)

Thus, symbolic actions like the falling of the Cecil John Rhodes statue at UCT or the painting of Ellen Kuzwayo University in front of the Drostdy Arch are so powerful – they

overalls, paint them and transform them into a symbol of drunken revelry is arguably trivializing the very real lived experiences of students and their families at Rhodes. (This being something raised by the vocal Black Students

and white. Yes, it is practical too – keeping you warm, clothes clean etc etc…

However, and this is something that I think is increasingly important, is that there are people who are made to feel unwelcome because

Pic: Sourced

are a reaffirmation of self. They fight against the negativity of emotion felt by students.

Following on from this, the symbol of the overall has been problematized and I can’t ignore that. There are people in South Africa who are forced to wear overalls every day of their lives in order to barely survive. To wear

Movement.)

Don’t get me wrong, I can understand the other perspective and to a large degree I can sympathise with it. I am arguably pro-overall. There is no intent to do harm. It’s promoting team spirit. It’s a unifying act wearing overalls that sees Rhodents from all walks of life brought together under the purple

of those Rhodes overalls. There are people who are reminded of their own personal struggles of selfactualisation when they see their university endorsing such symbols.

I read a quote recently about feminism and men’s role in it that speaks to allyship. “Men who want to be feminists do not need to be given space in feminism. They

need to take the space they have in society and make it feminist.”

I’m white and thus am a part of the privilege that allows me to hear arguments that are pro-overall and feel like they are legitimate because my lived experience doesn’t make me feel my heart in my throat when I see people wearing overalls.

Like I said, it’s an emotive politics and those feelings can’t be ignored. While I might not be able to do much in terms of making active change with regards to transformation and it isn’t my place to be the voice of the people in this, I can be aware of those kinds of problematisations and what that means for people around me.

To the argument that accommodating people all the time is illogical, I personally think that the comfort of others is more important than something like overalls. Like I’ve said, it’s a symbolic thing and much in the same way I am making a symbolic gesture.

As a result, I didn’t wear my overalls. Despite being called antigees the whole weekend, I stand by my decision. As much as I’ve put a lot of effort into my overalls – getting a good combination of obscene language and crafty paintwork – I now know more and, as such, I probably won’t be wearing them again.

The life of a magician’s assistant Parahl Jacobs

Mojo Jojo is a funny example of a very real problem with modern day activism. Pic: Real Buried Treasure/Flickr

The recent #IAmStellenbosch campaign is an example of this violent allyship. Those involved are actively ignoring the very real incidents of racism and prejudice taking place at their University. This kind of erasure is a problem and speaks to a greater issue of how allies can make the causes they support more about them than the people who they are supposed to be supporting. Pics: sourced

For me, paying attention was something I held very dearly. I knew every curve and crevice of this beaut.

How concentration flowed in and out of my mind, behind my eyes, ringing in my ears. I knew it so well not because it was constantly with me, so often by my side that I could take in every detail of it; but rather because attention almost constantly alluded me.

Attention was so rarely in my presence that, when it does decide to make an appearance I stop and drink it all before the magician waves his magic wand and makes it disappear as quickly as it came.

This magician goes by the name of Attention Deficit Hyper-activeness Disorder (stage name ADHD).

A very good performer ADHD is and he has been a known roommate of mine since I was 6, sharing space in my brain. When I was younger he was quite entertaining, showing me all of his wonderful magic tricks, providing an escape from the dreary life of school. But as I grew older, he became problematic; stealing my attention from work and even play.

I take medication to calm him down and they work quite well.

But I don’t like them; they give me headaches, make me nauseous and

super sensitive to my surroundings. At least the medication gives me what I want: the ability to concentrate. But it is not natural and doesn’t feel comfortable. It feels like a soggy blanket over my brain, holding me down over a book or computer.

However this year, in my first year at Rhodes, I decided to free myself from the wet blanket and bring back the great ADHD for more performances. I decided that trying to conform to society’s idea of a normal behaviour when it came to being hyperactive was just to tiring. I wanted to be my normal. I wanted to be the magician’s assistant.

For the most part I enjoy his company.

Sharing the stage is exhilarating. He makes me sociable and confident. He has also provided me with spontaneity to rival all on campus. But I fear he may be taking over. I have been skipping my medication a few times too many.

My marks have also been slipping

Pic: Sybren Stüvel

from my grasp. I suspect that the magician has vexed me.

I am finding it increasingly harder to control him. He seems to even have overpowered the medication. People continuously ask me how come I am not working and whether I have taken

I have taken my medication. This only makes me think that there is no point in taking medication if people can no longer tell the difference.

I am constantly struggling with wanting to be myself and wanting to work and get good marks. But if I am

myself, my marks suffer. But if I take medication, my social and emotional wellbeing takes a toll.

I want to get firsts and I want to be able to show people that I am actually quite clever. But it is much more fun being the magician’s assistant.

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29 September 2015

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29 September 2015

w

intervention or a moment of clarity through the drugged haze but, in the moment where I had lost all hope, the image of my little brother sprung into You never forget the cold, crinkly my mind. The cliché is that your life is paper on the bed; nor the flickering supposed to flash before your eyes in florescent lights; the looks of your final moments but I saw his. His disapproval from nurses on duty; the ticking of the clock as you move closer first love and a first heartbreak.

His smile as he graduated from high to a daylight that you didn’t intend to school and university. A tear on my make.

Your method doesn’t really matter… birthday every year. The complete complexity of a life. A future that pills or a blade will elicit the same sense of shame. “I love you all x” – the would exist entirely without me. I words that were going to serve as my picked up the phone and began last. A tearfully-typed Facebook status dialing frantically. Lukewarm water, ipecac and the man I have loved was all that was going to be left in the wake of my personal tragedy. The and cried over most saved me that night. It is a difficult memory. One status got two likes. that doesn’t sit well with me. It should The idea of bleeding out wasn’t something I could bring myself to do, never have come to this. Hindsight, as usual, is 20/20 but in the moment and I’ve always had a terrible pain it felt like the only option available to tolerance, so I went with painkillers and a glass of cold milk. It was just like me.

A doctor I saw a while after said the movies. One little green and red that it probably had to do with the capsule to start and then handfuls. toxic mix of anti-depressants and Painkillers to kill the pain: there was anti-anxiety medication I was on at the some poetry to it all. Call it divine Trigger warning - suicide Anonymous

time.

Even now, I can’t really place what was going through my mind. My only recollection is a feeling an emotional dizziness – a profound loss of self. The world had shifted off its axis and it needed to come right or I would lose my mind more than I already had. So there I sat, in the emergency room of Settler’s Hospital. Friends of mine had rushed to the waiting room and were patiently waiting for me to be okay while I purged myself of both the painkillers and the pain. The clock kept ticking. Ticking although I hadn’t wanted it to and sometimes, even now, I share that sentiment.

Rhodes University can be a difficult space in which to just exist. For months at a time I found it difficult to get out of bed, shower and eat. I lost my DP for various subjects. I’ve lost friends who couldn’t deal with all my drama. I dove deeply into blocking out all my problems at the bottom of a glass.

My experience has been one

of little support, structurally, from places where it is expected. Despite clearly falling apart, not once did my sub-wardens, warden or any other member of staff approach me to ask if I was okay. When I pulled myself together enough to go to the Counselling Centre I was treated as a waste of time and not someone who needed priority support. So much so

“

Rhodes University can be a difficult space in which to just exist. For months at a time I found it difficult to get out of bed, shower and eat.

that all of my sessions were cut short because my counsellor had others things to do.

When you are surrounded by so many people who are living their own lives - dealing with their own academics, social lives and personal problems - it’s difficult to reach out to them. So, having the people who

are placed there specifically to help you not take you seriously can be very harmful. I shouldn’t have come to the point where I tried to take my own life and yet I did and now I’m dealing with that. It is a daily struggle. Some days I still find it an Olympian task to get out of bed and just be a human.

Life can be shit. It can make you feel like your heart is being ripped apart sometimes. But you have to forgive yourself your flaws, and forgive those who have wounded you.

Those who know about my ‘incident’ have asked me since: “Do you regret it?” assuming that an easy yes or no answer could apply. If I’m honest, I don’t. Though it was one of my darkest moments, it (prepare for the cliche) was the rock bottom I needed to hit to rebuild my life. The hand you get given in life might not be perfect but you can play it regardless.

Come what may.

The sun will rise.

Pic: Mitchell Shaun Parker

To be a university student is rough Kate Lara Soloman You have to get brilliant grades, be attentive in lectures, be interactive in tutorials and present your essays and projects in the most flawless manner possible. In addition to this, you have to socialise with friends and with family while being healthy.

This means regular showers, meals, and sleep. It is a wonder that some of us can do all of this and still have time to take in air.

Now, try being a university student, but with a mental illness.

I am one those university students.

I suffer from severe anxiety and depression. I too, try to handle all of the subjects above and when I do, I get a high off of it because I see it as such an achievement. You see, with a mental illness (depending on which

one you may have), many actions and activities are challenging, or at least, difficult to do all at the same time.

With my depression, my energy is often depleted, and I have little or no motivation to complete my tasks – even if it is a simple action like trying to take a shower. There are times when I have let myself rot away in my bedroom with suicidal and destructive feelings keeping me company. I could not care less about university work, socialising or living.

Yet with my anxiety, everything matters all too much. If I do not complete my tasks or activities, I panic. If I do not interact with my friends, I panic. I panic.

My panic attacks can range from hyperventilating to full on disassociation. I have too much energy but use it to pace my bedroom

to the point of exhaustion.

When the both are tangled within one another, it often leads me to selfharm. Granting that self-harm can be used as a way of asking for attention, I use it as a coping mechanism (which I will state is VERY unhealthy). I will cut up my thighs and stomach using a razor blade. I will throw my body and my arms against the table or wall until I am covered head to toe with bruises.

Sometimes it is as subtle as taking a scorching shower which burns my skin, or brushing my teeth a little bit too hard so that I spit up red.

I want you to use what these mental illnesses have done to me, and now see how I try to cope as a university student. It is difficult. It is demanding.

I cannot tell you how much pain and tears it has to take to make it through each week.

However, I am lucky. I have a therapist who has been gradually assisting me accomplish little and big goals. I am at this time on antidepressants (which I take daily) and anti-anxiety pills (which I take if I have a panic attack). I also take sleeping pills as my depression and anxiety often mess with my sleeping cycles.

I have a huge support system – my friends and family who may not always understand, but are still there to hold me and talk.

I need you to know that this is my ordinary reality, and it is like this for so many others. One in four students at our university has a mental illness, and it may not necessarily be depression and/or anxiety. It can be Borderline Personality Disorder. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Schizophrenia.

Bipolar Disorder. So when you do

hear the story of a student struggling with mental illness, do not tell them that they are “lazy”, being “silly” or “just making it up for attention”. I want you to sit down, and listen. Listen to how they, as warriors, have to fight the obstacles they are faced with because of their mental illness and how they have to do this at the same as being a university student.

If you are a student with a mental illness, I want to let you know that everything you are feeling is so completely valid.

You are not alone in your struggles.

It is okay to have a mental illness. It does not mean you are weak, foolish or lazy. You are a human being who just happens to have an extra load on their back, and I and others are so happy that you are here and surviving each day.

What it’s like to be a sex worker at Rhodes University Trigger warning - suicide Sian Ferguson “I’m thinking of dropping out of university and becoming a stripper.”

“Why is she dressed like a prostitute?”

“Stop whoring off your dreams.”

I heard all of this in the space of one day. Near the beginning of this year, a lecturer of mine said that sex tourism was based on ‘narcissism and lust’, and said that sex work degraded the ‘true meaning’ of sex.

I remember pinching my forehead and sighing audibly. I’ve done sex work in the past, and I’m tired – exhausted, even – of being exposed to this sort of bigotry in my place of learning. It

amazes me that even those who study sex work are so bigoted towards sex workers. It amazes me even more that students and staff alike assume that nobody at university could be a current or former sex worker.

It’s abundantly clear to me, and many other sex workers, that we’re invisibilised in this institution.

A big part of the reason for this is because of the stigma attached to sex work, which makes it difficult to publicly identify ourselves as sex workers. Because we don’t speak about it, people think we don’t exist.

The stigma attached to sex work is an extension of heteronormativity. We’re socialised into believing certain things about what sex means and how it should be experienced. One

heteronormative idea is that sex should be done within marriage, only out of love, and only for free. For this reason, sex work is met with a great deal of bigotry from most of society.

It also connects to classism, in that many of us participate in sex work out of financial need. On the other hand, it’s often assumed that all sex workers are uneducated – another classist myth that leads to our erasure.

But as I always say, university is expensive.

It’s completely illogical to assume there are no sex workers at Rhodes University. In the short period of time in which I’ve been here, I’ve met quite a few people who’ve done sex work – whether it’s stripping, cam work, pornography, professional domination, or

transactional intercourse.

We’re among you: we’re your classmates, lecturers, neighbours, and friends.

We live in your residences, clean your university, and pass you at the Kaif or in the library. We deserve to be acknowledged, and we deserve your respect.

To be a sex worker at Rhodes University is to be constantly exposed to microaggressions that suggest we’re disgusting, immoral, or inhuman.

Even in spaces dedicated to transformation, we’re erased and ignored.

Sex workers are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. It’s imperative that we’re not left out of the conversation about transformation.

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BSM Genealogy The Black Student Movement The year 2015 has been a turbulent year across institutions of higher learning in South Africa. Student movements have gained traction across the country, disrupting the slumber of these institutions that have failed to decolonise and transform in the supposed post colonial South Africa. The Black Student Movement (BSM) has emerged to unite against the still colonial university currently known as ‘Rhodes’, a university which silences those who find themselves marginalised in it. In this colonial space, the work of the movement has been met with the modus operandi of violence and aggression that safeguards the status quo of ‘Rhodes’. The following is a timeline outlining the journey of BSM this year: 16 March: A poster by the BSM inviting “all people concerned with transformation to join us in showing solidarity with the UCT Rhodes Must Fall Movement” is shared on the Student Representative Council (SRC) Facebook page. The response testifies the extent to which the University has failed to conscientise its student body and seriously take into account the different struggles, lived experiences of all students. The poster is met with vitriolic comments and general disapproval which illustrates that the majority of students are oblivious and dismissive to the realities of other students - an indication of not only of white privilege but Rainbow Nation induced amnesia of apartheid.

19 March: Shortly after the march, the Rhodes SRC Facebook page is flooded with comments of disapproval with regards to transformation at ‘Rhodes’. As a result of the toxic comments, the SRC calls an emergency student body meeting where issues of decolonisation and transformation will be engaged with the SRC and the Vice-Chancellor. The BSM is firm on its stance of a name change for the institution.

20 March: The institution releases a letter to the alumni proclaiming that the Vice-Chancellor had been successful in calming a “racism storm” - as opposed to conversations on decolonisation and transformation. In essence, this letter serves as the starting point of criminalizing students calling for meaningful transformation at this institution. It engages in a narrative that seeks to maintain the status quo, to stifle those who feel sidelined at the University and to appease a predominantly white alumni.

24 March: The BSM attempts to handover a memorandum of grievances to management but is barred from the administration building, where the offices of management are located. However after returning from a Higher Education Conference, Dr Mabizela engages respectfully with the BSM. The barring of black students from the main administration building is a tactic which had been used by the University against organisations such as the South African Students Congress (SASCO) in the early 1990s. Its assumption is that black students are criminal and their actions inherently insidious. This action also speaks to the privilege that white students have at ‘Rhodes’ as opposed to other students; and the lack of engagement by the University with its students at a time when institutions such the SRC have come to be problematised.

26 March: Black academic and one of the figures of the Black Consciousness Movement, Dr Aubrey Mokoape engages with BSM on black consciousness and pledges solidarity in our pursuit of the name change. He further questions the naming of the “post-colonial” South Africa and what this has meant for the life of the black person today.

11 April: Graduating and other members of the BSM attend the Graduation Garden Party in order to bring to the fore the way in which that space of celebration is exclusive and caters only to individuals and families from white and affluent backgrounds.

In our disruption, abantu abamnyama baziva bamkelekile kumbhiyozo ongazobanyanzela baziphathe okwabantu abakwiHigh Tea. 17-18 April: Curriculum Transformation Colloquium where

the BSM gained solidarity from students at the University of Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town and University of Fort Hare. During the colloquium, subverting contributions from BSM members articulated the shortfalls of our current curricula, to the discomfort and annoyance of “omniscient” academics.

Unlike any of these types of colloquiums, students became active subjects in an issue that directly affects them. A member of senior management compares students to terrorist groups in Cambodia during the colloquium. The comment is never apologised for, even though the Vice-Chancellor had promised that the matter would be investigated.

pertinent step toward the creation of an institution which does not silence those who challenge its still-colonial status quo.

11 April

26 August

9 September

BSM and art: taking down the tapestry

The Black Student Movement 13 May: BSM adopts forms of guerrilla activism by posting pictures of Cecil John Rhodes on various places on campus. This was done to contextualize the kind of individuals which have been allowed to have a stake in the University in a 21st Century and ‘post colonial’ dispensation. It was intended to remind the institution that the name of the University cannot be completely distanced from the man and his legacy.

11 April

26 August

16 May: Law scholar Tshepo Madlingozi engages with BSM coloniality and the function of student movements in such spaces.

28 May: The BSM marches against the international criminalisation of black bodies. This attempts to speak out against the vilifying of young, black people who in the past have been denied existence in spaces such ‘Rhodes’ University and who, now in the “post-colonial” age, demand the fair recognition which they ought to be getting. (Image: Kate Janse van Rensburg)

16 March 16 May

16 August: ‘Remember Marikana’ candle light vigil with the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM). This was in remembrance of the day in which miners were shot down at Marikana for protesting for adequate wages and the lives lost on that day. The event, which demonstrated the ignominy of the capitalist system and the criminalization of black and working class people, had been conveniently forgotten by an institution that purports to be a space that is cognisant of socioeconomic issues.

25 August: Nearing closer to the end of third term, and being aware that the institution still needs to implement a longterm solution to vacation accommodation, the BSM delivers a memorandum to management, asking that accommodation be provided at no extra cost to the students. Additionally, it asked the University break the tradition of being an elitist institution, as displayed in its culture and policies, especially considering the degrees of economic inequality in South Africa.

26 August

19 March

26 August

26 August: BSM returns for a response on the memorandum from management. It is found to be unsatisfactory by the movement. The occupation at the BSM Commons (formally known as the “Council Chambers”) begins in hopes of pressuring the institution into responding adequately to an issue which has been discussed with management since the first short-vacation this year. The occupation also sought to create a way whereby the institution can finally hear the voices of marginalized black students on this campus.

28 August: The institution’s Senate meeting moved is from the BSM Commons to the Post-Graduate Village in an attempt to evade engagement with BSM. At first, black students are prevented from gaining access into the venue. As the video entitled Apartheid 2015 shows, the University then calls police on unarmed students who were protesting on university property.

The chairperson of the Senate also adjourns the meeting following the BSM’s entrance.

28 May

28 August

20 March

30 August: The BSM disrupts the first day of Highway Africa Conference in an attempt to bring the issues which plague the University to the attention of journalists.

9 September: Students, workers and academics protest against the untransformed condition of the institution. This is a

24 March

16 August

28 August

During the occupation, the BSM removes Keiskamma tapestry from the walls of the room formally known as the ‘Council Chambers’.

The BSM took the tapestry down with the utmost respect for o-mama bethu, who had put in incredible effort into the work. Our act was not meant as an attack on black intellectual thought.

The BSM decided to take down the tapestry (and keep it in a safe place within the room we are currently occupying) because of a unanimous decision that the tapestry is not a full and fair representation of the town in which the University is placed in.

The tapestry fails to contextualise colonialism and its effects in this institution. We do not want, nor can we forget colonialism. We also do not propose that this should be done. Instead we propose that our past be acknowledged in ways that do not privilege the status quo.

The tapestry ignores that there is a long history before the settlers arrived eRhini (as is often the case). It is also indicative of the facade which attempts to make-believe that holistic transformation is taking place at ‘Rhodes’. It is a means to insert a would-be transformative work into an untransformed space in order to legitimise the university’s ‘transformation project’.

The tapestry shows how superficial some community engagement practices are at this institution. Although black women made the tapestry, the institution is silent on how the work does not eradicate the unequal power relations, and the way in which black people can be used as the man-power while the white man assumes all the ideological power in projects.

A once-off payment, a once-off engagement is not transformative in itself and should be problematised. The way in which black intellectual thought is only treated as a seminal work is issue which should be addressed.

Aside from the movement taking down the tapestry as political action, the narrative of the story that has been ignored is that BSM took down all the artworks that we did not identify with ideologically, not in the sense that we have no respect for black intellectual thought, but because we recognise the depth and capacity that black thought can achieve in explaining its lived experience.

The explanation given by the institution of how the tapestry came into being, was that of black people being in control of the narrative and omit that the narrative worked off a structure that was colonial in nature and which was acceptable to the general conversation of transformation. This was done when black people should be granted not only creative freedom, but intellectual input into what makes up the spaces which we assume.

The Movement has also taken down paintings in the lobby of the ‘Council Chambers’. We believe that in an institution that is meant to be making active decisions towards transformation, it is necessary to problematize the kinds of imagery that is associated with the institution, as well as the power relations in the symbols on the walls of this institution.

To replace the tapestry and paintings, we have placed images of black leaders that have been ignored and people that inspire our aims in trying to decolonise this institution and re-center the lived experience of African people in this space. This includes people such Es’kia Mpahlele, Ellen Kuzwayo, Michael Brown, Mbuya neHanda, Zanele Muholi, Thandiswa Mazwai, Miriam Makeba, and WEB Du Bois, among others.

This act was a decision to remind the University that in fact, black lives do matter.

Pics: Sourced from BSM, Kate Janse Van Rensburg, Sithasolwazi Kentane and Kayla Jacob

7 8

Edition 7

29 September 2015

Unanswerable Questions on the Toed Line

Dark skin

Dani Kreusch

Carol Kagezi

Am I – a white, het, cis, Christian, English-speaking female – allowed to complain about the things that are unfair in my life?

It’s a question that’s worried me more and more as my awareness of the world and its atrocities has increased. I’m privileged because of the things I was born with and born into, and there’s certainly no sense in trying to deny that compared to a large number of individuals in this country my life has been a charmed one. So will my pushback against some of the hurtful unfairness flung my way simply be spoiled tantrumthrowing? Or am I actually allowed to say something?

Am I allowed to be upset at the student behind me in the NASFAS line who muttered that I was “just another white chick stealing our money”?

It is, after all, the truth: I am here almost totally reliant on bursaries and government funding, and without it I wouldn’t have been able to afford Rhodes’ textbooks, let alone its course fees.

Do I have a right to be here, lapping up money for four expensive years, at the expense of another person who didn’t grow up with as much as I did, and who maybe got pushed below me in the waiting list because I was educated properly and in my home language?

The little bit I don’t rely on government handouts for I get from working; that money usually pays for my food and electricity for the month. But is the fact that I can get a job because I have the English skills just another indication of the unfair advantage I’ve been born with? Can I even mention that I work for the rest

Black dark skinned girl, here is what they do not tell you; They do not tell you that from the time you are born, you are not privileged. You are actually deeply disadvantaged because of the colour of your skin. They do not tell you that in the hierarchy of life, the white man comes first; then the black man; then the white woman; then the light skinned woman and then finally you.

They do not tell you that you are the scum of the scum destined to be a beast of burden, carrying the heavy load since your sister of lighter skin was not designed for such a task. They do not tell you that sometimes men will look at you and only see a sex slave- used for pleasure and put to the side only to be picked up again when someone is bored or needs to be pleased.

They do not tell you that most men, white or black, are more likely to choose your sister of a lighter skin complexion over you. They will not tell you that there is an obsession with women who bare a lighter skin tone than you do.

They do not tell you that it is okay to seek help when you are feeling depressed - that is even if they allow you to feel depressed. They do not tell you that eating your problems away will only lead to multiple organ failure brought about by obesity.

They do not tell you that all those skin whitening products will eventually lead you to a slow death by skin cancer. They also do not tell you how hard it will be to find a foundation that matches your skin tone or just the right red lipstick shade to suit your complexion.

They do not teach you how to care for your nappy hair. All they shove down your throat is Westernised culture, brought to your home by the colonialists. They do not tell you that you need to pay extra attention to your kinks or that you need to love and respect it because it is your crown jewel.

They do not tell you that your voice is just as important as your counterparts who are seated all around you.

They will not tell you that you look exquisite in gold, green, yellow, blue and red but the fact of the matter is that all these bold colours compliment your dark gorgeous skin.

Black dark skinned girl, they do not tell you enough that you are beautiful and intelligent.

Pic: Sasha Kabwato

A Christian at Rhodes Roxanne Daniels

I was petrified to come to Rhodes.

So many people at church looked at me with a deeply serious and knowing look when I said; “I’m going to Rhodes to study Journalism and Drama,”. “Oh I see,” went the pensive replies. In contrast, classmates at school who asked the same thing gave an ecstatic and knowing look, some winking and putting their hands in the air as if to say “party party time!”

I began to ask myself whether it was the right decision, especially where my faith was concerned, to go to Rhodes. What if I get sucked in and forget how important my relationship with my Saviour is i asked myself?

What if I lose focus on Christ who strengthens and guides me? What if, what if what IF? And yet, the most important people in my life did not doubt for a moment that going to Rhodes was

the right decision for me. My pastor very obligingly helped find out what church I could go to in Grahamstown.

My parents, sister and now brother-inlaw were excited for my new journey and reassured me that it would be a time of growth away from home. They said it would be an opportunity for me to make my own decisions about my walk with the Lord. How very right they were.

I had to decide When there were postmodernist discussions in Drama and English, I had to decide whether to believe the essence of what was said or not. When I decided that I did not agree with the notion that there is no one truth, I had to decide why and question what I had so easily accepted in my heart.

When a lecturer tackled poetry with English 1 students, I had to decide whether or not I agreed with the church of England who used

the Bible to oppress and excuse mismanagement of money, or the ill treatment of children and prostitutes for several decades. When I had decided that the church was wrong and behaved appallingly, I had to talk about how man is fallen and is a terrible ambassador of the perfect love of God. When Christianity was called a ‘crutch’, just something convenient to believe in so that I have the false security of knowing that everything would be okay, I had to decide to talk to friends about the real security I have known in Jesus. I had to decide to trust with my whole heart, that the foundation of my being is not a crutch, but a relationship with my creator that sustains, grows and challenges me.

When the Bible’s teaching about women submitting to men in marriage was looked down upon and labelled as anti-equality and out-of-

date, I had to decide why I still agreed that that’s the way it should be. When I did decide, my eyes were opened to much more than submission. I learned that men too were given instructions to love sacrificially like Christ sacrificially died for us, so that

“

I could sit here and be bitter about how Christians are sometimes treated at Rhodes (not forgetting that many individuals who claim to be Christians have treated other people terribly too), but I am not.

we may have life.

The best decision Needless to say, I had several decisions to make. I could sit here and be bitter about how Christians are sometimes treated at Rhodes (not forgetting that many individuals who claim to be Christians have treated other people terribly too), but I am not. I cannot regret my experience of being looked at strangely or being attacked by questions both posed both by people and academic content. No, I cannot be bitter about it at all. For when I look at the past three years, I see my own faith having been strengthened by this adversity.

I understand my own relationship with Jesus as having grown close and intimate despite the difficult times i faced. I know my journey on this narrow road as a Christian has just begun and I am excited for the challenges ahead and the new opportunity for growth.

Pic: lisbokt/Flickr

of my keep as a sort of justification to be on government study grants, when so many have to drop out of school to earn a living for themselves and their entire families? I live comfortably on my salary because I, unlike others, don’t need to send any of it home.

Can I really say, “I worked hard to get here; I deserve these opportunities,” even if my degree is at the expense of another’s?

On the flipside of that: am I allowed to be upset that a handful of the travel bursaries, part-time jobs and other positions I’ve applied for have said “We’d love to have you but… [Insert very pregnant pause here] equity issues, you know”? How much can I complain that there might not be a job waiting for me because of Equity Issues, while I’m all too aware about how many lives those “Issues” are saving?

I have worked hard to get better-than-just-a-pass marks because I don’t want to join the unemployed statistic one day, but does that really give me a reason to think I’m entitled to anything? I need to live one day, but so do so many others. And I can’t focus only on myself and forget what the years of history granted my ancestors. So is moaning about how hard my life was, continues to be and will be in the workforce spitting in faces and ignoring the glaring obviousness of my privilege?

How angry can I get at the world hating on Christianity when I’m so obviously biased toward my religion? Am I allowed to be irritated that jokes against any other religion are usually (rightfully) called out, but people can walk around using God’s name as a swear word and wearing blatantly blasphemous shirts? Am I allowed to be upset that almost every lecturer doesn’t believe what I do, and that their views come through in their courses so firmly that if I write what I really believe I’ll be, at best, looked at as unacademic?

I know everybody deserves freedom of opinion and I love the diversity and how the world is learning tolerance for other religions and the like. And I know Christianity has a bad rap sheet for a lot of sound historical reasons. But does that mean that I have to keep my mouth shut, chest churning in hurt, every time somebody tears down what I believe in? Am I allowed to ask them to please stop, or is that me infringing on others’ rights?

If I had the answers to any of these questions, I wouldn’t have written this piece. And I know that deep questions such as these ones are a part of life; a part of negotiating your way through endless moralities and truths. I just wish people would speak about it more, so that I can learn how to better fight for myself without stabbing others in the back simply because I was handed the weapons to do so when I was born.

Being gender fluid at Rhodes Jude Anjuli Daya I was “born a girl”, but I prefer ‘assigned female at birth’: someone looked at my infant body and decided that my anatomy meant something about my gender. For the first 13 years of my life I had long, curly, beautiful hair. I hated it with a passion, and in Grade 8 I chopped the whole thing off with a pair of kitchen scissors. Like several other girls at my new school, I wore the khaki pants instead of the khaki skirt. It was comfortable and I had never known how to wear a skirt anyway, how to be ‘ladylike’, how to ‘sit like a girl’. People told me I looked like a boy, and this felt fine. I started wondering, do I not enjoy looking ‘girly’ because I don’t feel feminine or because the idea of being a girl just feels alien?

I spent a lot of time on the Internet, as a very lonely teenager struggling to figure out what this whole ‘transgender’ thing was and if it meant that I was some kind of freak. I discovered communities

of people like me: FtM, female-to-male transgender, transmen. I could talk to these faraway people and realise that there was a light at the end of the tunnel.

When I was sixteen, I came out to my parents. I identified strongly with the term “transmasculine”, transitioning to something masculine if not necessarily 100% male. I explained to my mother that I was transgender, I wanted to change my name from Anjuli to Julian, I saw myself as more of a boy than a girl but not quite either, I would like for people to refer to me as he instead of her. More than anything, I wanted ‘top surgery’ and T: in other words, a double mastectomy to give me a flat male chest, and testosterone injections to transform my uncomfortable female body into something I could live with.

I wore a binder to compress my chest, and a lot of ill-fitting men’s clothes, trying desperately to hide my tell-tale hips. Shopping in the men’s section as a deeply social anxious teenager was

terrifying, but it was worth the stares and the awkward questions.

Before I came to Rhodes, I was certain that I wanted to be in a boys’ residence.

This was my chance for a fresh start and finally people could see me how I saw myself. My parents, luckily, pointed out that this was a massively unsafe idea.

So I moved into a girls’ res, I introduced myself as Anjuli and I kept quiet.

But something changed. I still had the same short hair, but I tried out shorts, stockings, dresses, skirts, headbands and discovered that hey, people like when I look like this! For the first time in my life, people found me attractive - as a small, awkward girl with short hair that changed colour every month. I wondered, did I feel that I had to identify as male because I hadn’t felt like I was good at ‘being a girl’? What did it even mean to be a girl?

In my second year, I fought with my parents for a long time and eventually decided to legally change my name. The

official reason I still give people is that nobody can pronounce my Indian birth name, Anjuli. This is partly true. The new name I chose: Jude. Gender-neutral, and easy to pronounce, it’s something that finally feels comfortable.

These days, I don’t see myself as male or female. I identify as genderqueer, gender-fluid, non-binary. My gender changes from one day to the next. I realised that actually, I enjoy femme things, makeup can be fun sometimes, skirts make me feel pretty, and that boys don’t have to be masculine (no shit!).

There are still days that my body feels so awfully female I can’t breathe, and on those days I wear pants and big jerseys and ask my girlfriend to refer to me as her boyfriend. Maybe at some point in the future, when I can afford it, I would like to get a chest reduction and go on testosterone. When I’m around close friends and people who have some understanding of transgender people, I prefer to be referred to as they or them,

and not as she or her. But most of the time, people see me as a girl and I don’t correct them because it’s a constant struggle trying to explain my identity.

As a non-binary person, it’s difficult navigating a system that only allows for the binary. Had a mixed-gender res existed when I was in first year, I would have leapt at the chance to be somewhere where I wasn’t pigeonholed into one of two inaccurate gender boxes.

I was lucky that I could cope with being in a res for my assigned gender, but many trans people aren’t that lucky. It’s still not safe for trans students at Rhodes to be in residences, not because transgender men aren’t ‘real men’ or transgender women aren’t ‘real women’, but because the system is not set up to be adequately supportive.

Rhodes needs to do better to support trans students. There are way more of us than you think, and if this institution is going to be truly inclusive, we need to be prioritised.

8 Features

29 September 2015 Edition 7

Kanye West recently announced at the VMAs that he would be running for President of the United States of America in 2020, arguably the most powerful country the world. This announcement was met with such ridicule and uproar; one would think that the US presidential election is one that is actually taken seriously. This is in light of the fact that The Terminator and Donald Trump have also been given great consideration as suitable candidates for positions of power in the US election sphere.

Imagine, if you will, the blessed combination of Kanye West and his alleged running mate: Taylor Swift.

Partisan politics dominate the US Senate and House of Representatives but if Kanye can make amends with Taylor after the 2009 VMAs, think of the kind of unity that could be fostered between Republicans and Democrats.

It cannot be said that the man is anything less than extraordinary. Kanye West is one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold more than 21 million albums and 100 million digital downloads. He has also won a total of

9

Yes We Kanye

Pic: Música Independiente/Flickr

Nina Reinach

Features

21 Grammy Awards, Time Magazine named Kanye one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2005, 2011 and 2015, and he is featured on almost every notable list about the music industry. This man’s dedication and commitment to his profession, and the success that came as a result of this, and of being one of the most creative minds in the world, inspires a confidence that Kanye West is the hero that America not only deserves, but the one it needs.

His campaign game would be as strong as 300 Romans and would undoubtedly sweep the nation.

Kanye would create a theme song to accompany all ad campaigns – the intention to do this being expressed in ‘Black Skinhead’ (2013) and ‘Power’ (2010) when he said that, “every superhero needs his theme music”.

Naturally, Kim K’s selfies would help rally the nation and their collective effort to become the world’s most influential and powerful couple (obviously, second only to Beyoncé and Jay) would stir up a media frenzy greater than the ‘uLife unjalo’ fiasco.

Kanye would build a throne, crafted from all the shits he doesn’t give

about your opinion, and above it a golden plaque will read “You are now watching the throne in the Kanye Zone”. He would also implement the cryptocurrency, Coinye West, as the US’ actual currency. Further, every opening line of his potent political speeches would open with “Hear ‘Ye, Hear ‘Ye, all Yeeze citizens”.

As ridiculous as all of this may sound and would probably be, if Kanyeezy Breezy succeeded in his campaign and one had to analyze his more potent lyrics, one could actually infer some pretty sound policies and political viewpoints held by West.

Kanye West often speaks of empowering black lives and criticized George W Bush for “not caring about black people”. In ‘Murder to Excellence’ (2011), he says “It’s time for us to stop and redefine black power / 41 souls murdered in 50 hours.”

This speaks to the gun violence, mass shootings and racial profiling that has resulted in the #blacklivesmatter movement in the US. Furthermore, in ‘Murder to Excellence’, it is said that “I feel the pain in my city wherever I go / 314 soldiers died in Iraq, 509 died in Chicago.” West is clearly challenging

the policy of gun control in this anti-war stance song. This stance is further emphasised in ‘Power (Remix)’ (2010), “Been a don, praying for the families lost in the storm / Bring our troops back from Iraq, keep our troops out of Iran.”

To West, addressing gun violence isn’t just about limiting access to weapons, his attitude toward the fact that the US only makes up 5% of the world’s population but 31% of its mass shootings, is that it’s about fighting poverty. Further, that it tackles a culture that glorifies violence and allows for racial profiling, police brutality, mass incarceration of African-Americans, and the militarization of many U.S. police departments.

With respect to education, West’s views are clear. In Power (2010), West says that “The system broken, the school’s closed, the prison’s open,” and in ‘We Don’t Care’ (2004), “You know the kids gonna act a fool / when you stop the programs for after-school,” and in ‘All of the lights’ (2010), when he pleads to be allowed to support his daughter so that she doesn’t have to go to “that ghetto university.” West’s emphasis

on education is a thread that carries through most of his work, and he clearly makes the point that it’s ludicrous for the US to be spending up to 5 times more on incarcerating people than it is on education, and the fact that the US has the highest incarceration rate in the world.

If Kanye West, being a leader who will fight for and prioritise black empowerment, education, the deprioritization of war and acting to quell gun violence, isn’t enough to get you to back Team Yeezus 2020, and if you really believe that “ain’t no one man should have all that power” – consider that by then, Donald Trump may possibly have been running the country into the ground for four years and will more than likely have locked up or declared war on anyone and anything that isn’t white, rich and male.

By then, we might just need the true Dark Knight to rise up and take the place of the toupe.

As extravagant and outrageous as Kanye may seem, he doesn’t come close to that of Donald Trump, and actually may just do good things. If anything, at least he’s had a good start.

After months of training the Rhodes University Rowing Crew (RURC) on the Kowie River in Port Alfred after Boat Race. Pic: Sourced

Defamation for dummies Nina Reinach

If there is one thing that grinds my legal nerd gears, it’s when people toss the threat, “I’m going to sue you for defamation” around too liberally. So, before you take the time to call up a very expensive lawyer, who will likely laugh and proceed to tell you that you have no case before charging you a legal fee amounting to your first born child and enough Bacovians to end world hunger, I have compiled a handy guide to the ins and outs of defamation.

Defamation may be defined as “the wrongful, intentional publication of words or behaviour in relation to another person which has the effect of injuring his status, good name or reputation”. The law protects one’s reputation and provides that any unjustified publication – oral and written – of anything damaging to a reputation may allow the injured person to claim damages for defamation. But don’t get excited yet.

What do you need to show to succeed in your action for defamation?

To succeed with your action, you will need to show that:

The remarks were defamatory

They referred to you: and

They were published by the defendant.

You would further need to establish two things: Firstly, the element of fault or blameworthiness – which is presumed to exist unless the other party successfully defends their actions as having been made in jest or mistake Secondly, unlawfulness (sometimes called wrongfulness), which again is presumed and which the other party has to meet with a defence. This defence could include that you gave your consent for the material to be published, that the comment was fair and/or truthful or that it was for the benefit of the public.

What are defamatory remarks?

To determine whether words published are defamatory, one should ask whether a reasonable person of ordinary intelligence

might understand the words to convey a defamatory meaning.

Thus, whether a ‘reasonable right thinking man or woman’ hearing or reading the words would think any less of you as a result of the remark. Courts may well take note not only of what the words expressly say, but also of their possible implication.

Only when the court is clear as to the meaning of the offending words can it decide whether or not they harmed your reputation – it is furthermore necessary that the meaning of the words must be determined in the context and circumstances in which they were used. Once the meaning of the words has been determined can the court decide if they actually damaged your reputation.

South African law requires that a defendant must intend to defame a plaintiff when he utters or writes defamatory remarks.

He must realize that use of the words in question amounts to an unlawful attack on the plaintiff’s reputation. If the defendant is in error, and thinks that what he or she is saying is not defamatory, then he or she is not liable. If a genuine mistake is made about a name, a person may be defamed, but the defendant who made the mistake will not be held to have had the necessary intention to defame. If a defendant makes a defamatory remark which he believes is justified because he believes it to be true and in the public interest, he will not be liable even if it turns out later not to be true. However, he must produce evidence that he did not have the intention to defame in a manner that is unreasonable and unjustifiable.

If what was said about you can be shown to be true, and, provided the remarks were also made in the public interest, the defendant cannot be held liable for the damage he does to your reputation. This is because he will be held to have justified his attack on your reputation. Part of the right of free speech is that anyone who wishes may express his genuine opinion on any matter of public interest. Most expressions of opinion are protected, and entail no liability for defamation, even where they defame a person. It will not help a defendant to simply

dress up an allegation of fact as an expression of opinion – the opinion expressed by a defendant must be based on fact for it to qualify as a protected opinion.

Action for damages (ie. cash dollars) All statements, written or spoken about you, which diminish your reputation in the eyes of right-thinking people, and which were made with that intention, will give you grounds for an action for damages for defamation. Damages are calculated on the basis of the harm done to your reputation. You do not have to prove any actual loss. Nor is there any type of scale for such damages. The assessment will depend largely on the views of the judge, who is guided by previous awards in similar cases and numerous factors, such as:

Malice and the nature and extent of the publication.

Presence or absence of an adequate apology; and

Rank or social or professional status of the party whose reputation was allegedly damaged.

Slander and Libel Two British law terms that often find their way into South African conversation are ‘libel’ and ‘slander’, which distinguishes between written and spoken defamation.

South African law does not draw this distinction: it refers to all reputation damaging statements as defamation, whether they are published (that is made public) by word of mouth or in writing.

While freedom of expression is a constitutional right in South Africa, it is not an absolute right; meaning that if anything you say – or publish on social media – has a negative impact on the rights of other (even one other), then your right to freedom of expression may be limited. As a general rule, bear in mind that ‘feelings are not facts’, and a court will initially try to determine whether a post made on social media is both true and in the public interest. Defaming individuals or companies using statements that cannot be backed up by fact and substantiating evidence could land you in hot water.

Nina Reinach

A

fter two years of extreme commitment to the mare and as such, commitment to consuming large amounts of liquor, frequently fighting for DPs, making Friars closing time more times than making the Library closing time, constantly being in a state of perpetual laziness and doing absolutely nothing other than sometimes going to class and being a waste of space, I decided to take up rowing this year. My intention to join the club was by no means pure - I had seen some of the fine gentlemen of the RURC out in town towards the end of last year and the Boat Race Festival is genuinely my favourite holiday of the year. As someone who had been extremely athletic in high school and as someone who enjoys new challenges, I thought to myself, ‘how hard can rowing really be?’, took a chance, and signed up midway through the first term.

Classic rookie error.

Rowing, is probably one of the toughest sports in existence.

It requires a mental strength, perseverance and dedication beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.

After obtaining two black belts in karate and kobudo, and fighting in various world championships and all Africa games, I thought I had a firm grasp on what it is to be disciplined, competitive and a team player. I found that I hadn’t the slightest idea. I also found that it was addictive.

Initially, I started going to the training sessions and water sessions at my own pace and when I felt so inclined.

And by that I mean, when I felt like my bed was more comfortable than getting up at 5am to train. The rowing club allowed each novice to put in as much effort and time as they wanted, and I felt no pressure to sacrifice my academics (or sleep) for rowing. But soon I found myself, making new friends and found that starting my day watching the most beautiful sunrises, while sitting in a boat on the stunning Settler’s Dam in a nature reserve, was actually the best way to start a day.

5am mornings never got easier, but rowing became part of my routine and part of my day. My friends started sighing and rolling their eyes at me because no longer was I just rambling on about law and Lord of the Rings – rowing dominated every topic of conversation. I wanted to share my newfound passion with everyone

who would listen. I started feeling less anxious and became more productive – my marks went up in average by 15%. I lost 8kgs, even though I still ate a lot of pizza and still went out three times a week. The training picked up gradually and soon we were doing hour long erg sessions, gyming almost every day, over and above the 20km we were rowing every morning before classes even started. We pushed ourselves and our crew mates mentally, emotionally and physically in such a way, that our running joke was that ‘if you didn’t cry, bleed,

“

Rowing, is probably one of the toughest sports in existence.

It requires a mental strength, perseverance and dedication beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.

chunder, or swore that you’d never row again, you didn’t push yourself hard enough’. And yet, even through hours of pain, sweat and suffering, we couldn’t help but pitch up every day, ready for a new challenge, a new day with our crew.

People laugh or are genuinely shocked when I tell them I actually saw a boat come past at the Boat Race in Port Alfred this year – and not only saw one come past, I rowed in one of them with a crew. The RURC dominated the heats races on the Thursday – arguably the most trying, as we race time and not another boat.

We also won the spirit trophy for the song we created for the rower’s formal dinner that evening. We rowed our races in the finals on the Friday and Saturday, with everything we had to give, and when our legs gave out, we rowed with nothing other than our hearts and fierce dedication, nerve and passion.

We didn’t win the Boat Race, but our club has seen vast improvement and development over the last few years, with our men moving up from 5th gradually to a 2nd this year. This is considering the size of our university and the fact that almost all of our rowers only start at Rhodes whereas

most university teams are made up of students who rowed throughout high school. Even so, four of our men were sent to represent South Africa internationally in Korea. This year we also voted in the first black male captain for 2016, Thomas Lungu, in the history of the RURC. When I look back at 2015 and at my time at Rhodes, being a rower in the RURC, will be what stands out for me. The memories made while trying to get boats out of the shed and onto the water, the distinct lack of memories following a particularly debaucherous night at the Club House from the punch for the Spandex Party, proudly showing off and comparing the blisters and calluses on my hands with my crew mates’ because we know the cost and hard work it took for them to be there, wearing the purple tri-suit at the Boat Race, being asked at a rowing pre-drinks if ‘this is my rowing family’ and glowing with pride, as well as proudly saying “I’m a rower” when people ask me why I’m walking around in socks and slops mid-winter on campus (because I didn’t have time to change), are what made 2015, phenomenal.

10 Arts and Entertainment

Arts and Entertainment 11

29 September 2015 Edition 7

Jol for charity Pic: Sourced

Kate Middleton

Black Power was graffiti’d on the wall next to the library. This in a recent wave of similar graffiti on campus. Pic: Madeleine Chaput

Graffiti: protest vandalism and spray-paint When many of us think about protest, we immediately conjure up images of men and women picketing outside parliament buildings, or unruly mobs taking to the streets.

We don’t always think of passive-aggressive displays, such as silent protests or graffiti. Graffiti, however, is an art form often taken at face-value, which is subjected to our narrow definitions of vandalism.

“When it comes to democratic processes,” explains Rhodes Political and International Studies lecturer Professor Leonard Praeg, “we tend to subscribe to a very narrow, procedural idea of democracy, and dismiss all the emotional inputs as irrational and destructive.”

So, where and what did graffiti came from, and why is it so relevant to Rhodes University?

By definition, graffiti is the act of writing messages on walls, the term stemming from the Italian word graffiato, which means “to scratch.” This form of art and individual expression is not a new concept, and has been around since the days of the Egyptian empire.

That said, the type of graffiti we know today came about in the 1960s in New York City. There exist three main categories of modern grafitti: tags, throw ups, and masterpieces. Tags are simple artist signatures, throw ups are slightly more elaborate and often consist of stylised 3-D letters, and masterpieces (or “pieces”) are the complex and are often extremely detailed murals.

During the 60s, most New York residents were poor, working-class citizens who sought to redefine themselves through hip-hop culture. One of the ways through which the

movement claimed attention was by spray-painting messages on prominent buildings within the city. It started as a way for individuals to make their presence known, but soon tags, throw ups and pieces were sprawled across the entire cityscape.

These messages soon transitioned into political statements, artistically shouting from street corners and subways. Just like the art that has recently cropped-up around our own campus, they were an expressions of frustration and discontent with their societies. Graffiti was a way to communicate this discontent, forcing thought-provoking images onto a public canvas. Even the most rudimentary forms like the tag are statements against perceptions of public property and public norms.

By spray-painting something as simple as a name in a public space, the artist makes their presence known and demands their voice be heard.

“Black Power” and “Black Lives Matter” are two very pertinent examples for Rhodes at the moment, and their placement reminds us of transformation issues every time we walk past certain buildings or through certain areas around campus. Their juxtaposition against pristinely painted walls forces the university to acknowledge that there are injustices proliferating in our society – and, even closer to home, in our university itself.

However, there are those that oppose its use, as seen with resistance movements such as the A4 sheet stuck over the washed-off protest graffiti outside the library. “Vandalism costs money and valuable time to repair,” it reads. “Couldn’t Rhodes

University’s finite economic resources be put to better use?”

So, does one hashtag it “vandalism” or trend it “protest art?”

Graffiti as a political protest tool has flourished over the past 50 years. The polarised debates regarding its use and its power to bring about actual change exist just as much between institutions as between friends, and consensus is virtually impossible to reach.

However, regardless of whether one dismisses it as vandalism or embraces it as expression, one simple fact cannot be denied: graffiti elicits discussion.

You are free to decide for yourself if you think it defaces public property and shuts down discussion, or defaces public guises and shuts down injustices, but graffiti – as with art form – should not be taken for granted.

Julian Stodd, established author, blogger, and founder of SeaSalt Learning, wrote a beautiful passage about graffiti.

Interpret it however you like, but treat it in the same way as you would the graffiti on your desk, on your wall, or around your university: with the acknowledgment that there was a very specific intention behind its creation, and that there might be many others who share the intention but lack the voice.

“There are classes of voice: levels of authenticity and volume.

From formal, highly produced, vetted, authorised, famous, sanctioned and pervasive, through to the suppressed, denied, desperate rants scratched in wood and walls. The voices that shout beside railway tracks, festoon bridges, colonise underpasses and flit between the body panels of trains as they lie rotting in neglected sidings. There is beauty, threat and desperation. Everywhere, there is graffiti.”

Sporting the art of parkour Jomiro Eming From humble origins in le petite Lisses in France, to major cities like Amsterdam, to even our modest university campus, the art and sport of parkour has hooked millions of fans across the world. Although I didn’t have to scale a building or jump from a rooftop, I was lucky enough to meet one such individual, and he isn’t a vandal, vagabond, reckless teenager, or street thug with ripped jeans and a baggy hoodie. His name is Dylan Waterworth, and he’s a good-natured guy with an itch for adventure.

To put it simply, parkour is getting from A to B in the quickest, most efficient and fluid way possible. Jumping from walls to windows, swinging under and over railings, and diving

past obstacles are just a few of the stunts one can employ. Depending on one’s individual preferences, however, parkour can have various levels of creativity, and thus everyone will define parkour differently.

Still, regardless of whether you do it as exercise, to challenge yourself, for the adrenaline rush, or simply as a hobby, freerunning takes a lot of dedication and a lot of practice.

Dylan grew up in Richards Bay and started parkour in 2010 when he moved to Durban. “I saw some videos online, taught myself a move or two, and joined a team I found out about online,” he says.

Now, his team Saints Parkour & Free-running trains around campus, utilising spots near the

Geography department and the Kaif for some training after-hours or on weekends. Dylan never tries to inconvenience anyone, which is partly why they train when they do. On the few occasions they’ve been asked to leave, they have.

Nevertheless, Dylan gets his kicks from the simple opportunity of seeing more of life and having a little adventure while doing it – he’s eager to free-run in places like London, Amsterdam and Munich one day..

Despite having to recover from a cracked knee-cap earlier this year, Dylan strongly disagrees with the perception that Parkour kidsare reckless, dangerous sports junkies. “This couldn’t be further from the truth,” he explains.

“Everyone should do some parkour in their lives

and I will teach anyone who asks.”

The community within the country - and even within Rhodes University - was, in Dylan’s experience, incredibly welcoming, which makes starting parkour really easy. What’s more, Dylan believes that anyone can do it. “You don’t have to be athletic, or strong, or even able-bodied to do parkour. There’s a kid in Northern Africa training with only one leg.”

All it takes is breaking past the misconceptions, looking online for local teams or workshops, and going to a training session. “Parkour doesn’t take strength, it makes it,” he says.

And Dylan never takes off his parkour wristband because he is convinced that joining the Durban parkour team was the best decision of his life.

Loose Change Events was started by Jarren Thomas and his then acquaintance, Andrew Lawrie. The idea came to them last year when they both realised that they wanted to do something that would actually benefit people, but still allow them to have a good time.

“We’ve always wanted to create some change,” says Thomas, “whether it’s with friends, family or in the greater society. What we also love is music, throwing parties, having a good time and letting other people have a good time, too.”

After coming together, they tried to figure out what it is that they could do to create a positive outcome to partying, because - let’s face it - it’s what students do best, or so the stereotype goes. Nevertheless, the idea emerged out of

this discussion, and so it came about: “Partying for the people, partying with purpose.”

Initially the team started off on a donationbasis, and tickets to an event were discounted based on whether you had brought something to donate to the current cause. “For example, you could bring your cans for the SPCA and we would discount your ticket down to whatever price and then we go and do the good deed for you.” Thomas said this system worked well because people are always willing to give back; it’s as soon as it becomes a hassle that they tend to become less involved.

The duo has seen a change in the party-goers themselves. Thomas explains a fairly normal occurrence at his events of someone throwing their cigarette butt on the floor and another person reprimanding them. This speaks to their main focus of prevention rather than a cure, and

their goal of implementing long-lasting values and ideas that people can take away from an event and apply to their own lives.

One such example is Scott Flatau, and he celebrated his 21st birthday in a slightly different way. Flatau had been thinking long and hard before his birthday on what he wanted to do, and that’s when a family friend gave him an idea.

“I was lucky to get what I got for my 21st, so I thought that instead of students trying to fork out for me when I’ve already gotten presents, I can give it to someone else.” So, instead of cheap liquor and money, his guests donated blankets for those in need this winter as Grahamstown can be an extremely harsh place to be when it’s cold. In total, they donated between 40 and 45 blankets to the Hospice.

Flatau sees receiving alcohol from friends as a temporary gain, whereas giving back to the

community and helping other human beings can last far longer. If it inspires others to follow-suit, then its effects reach even further.

The generous nature of Rhodes students is definitely spreading, and many other students such as Shelby Kleynhans are continuing similar themes in their own 21st birthdays. Flatau believes that this “giving spirit” changed the atmosphere of his birthday, in that people partied even harder knowing that they had done so for a good cause.

Rhodes University is a sheltered and generally very privileged place. Through each person making their own small contributions, we as students can empower the community around us. All it takes is making the first move, and realising that there is always someone out there who needs that R10 more than you do . Party for the people; party with purpose .

Thuthuka Bursary Programme First intake of Thuthuka students in 2016

If you are in grade 11 or 12 and academically strong with exceptional Maths marks and excellent marks in your other subjects you could be selected for the prestigious Thuthuka programme, which will provide full funding for your studies towards qualifying as a Chartered Accountant.

How can you access this opportunity?

Start by applying to study BComm (Accounting) at Rhodes University and indicate on your application that you wish to apply for a Thuthuka Bursary.

Why study at Rhodes?

The beautiful Rhodes campus is based in the small university town of Grahamstown and offers a unique student experience that equips you to succeed as a CA(SA) in the international world of accounting and finance The Rhodes Department of Accounting offers a SAICA-Level 1 accredited programme, providing a world-class education with a high number of contact hours in the form of lectures and small-group tutorials and one of the lowest staff-student ratios in the country, with highly qualified, professional, passionate and experienced lecturers who know what it takes to qualify as a CA(SA).

Why Thuthuka?

Thuthuka students are fully funded for study fees, accommodation with three meals a day and text books through the Thuthuka Bursary Fund and are provided academic and soft-skills support by the Department of Accounting.

Rhodes-Saica-Thuthuka: a winning combination to ensure your success in qualifying as a CA(SA)

12 Photostory

29 September 2015

Left, right, left right…

Sometimes you can get so caught up with your day to day life that each day just sort of blends into the next, and the next, and the next. Time becomes this big ball of snow rolling down a hill, gaining mass, gaining momentum, and with every second that seems to go by quicker it becomes more difficult to stop, and appreciate the little things. It’s for this reason that I take photographs. It’s so easy to put your head down and watch your feet go left, right, left, right as you walk through life, missing all the little moments that actually make life worth living. These moments are different for everyone, the ones that you see scattered around this little box of text are the moments that make my life worth living. The Eastern Cape is undeniably one of the most beautiful places in this country, so lift those heads and start looking to your left, and to your right.

By: Greg Roxburgh

Edition 7

Photostory 13

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Lifestyle

Is Rhodes for everyone? partner in front of me.” She also can’t stand it when someone knows that their friend is gay and still asks, “Are you and your friend coming eing at university for the first time can to the party?” knowing full well that ‘friend’ is be a daunting experience for anyone. their partner. No one can account for individual O-week is filled with activities to ensure that good friendships are formed between male ignorance or insensitivity.

Discrimination is not always obvious or and female reses, and between res mates. We usually adjust within the first few months, finding extreme. At Rhodes homosexuals aren’t prevented from attending class are staying ourselves and starting to express who we really in res. It is also rare for them to be openly are. shunned, humiliated or insulted. The words But not everyone experiences this, and it’s ‘fag’ or ‘dyke’ are seldom used in the Rhodes certainly not the norm we all perceive it to be. context. And yet, there are more subtle forms of There remain many students at this university discrimination which remain ongoing. who can’t be themselves. Why? Because Kyle* chose to come out to only a few of they’re homosexual or bisexual and, as much as his friends in Matric and during his gap year Rhodes claims to be liberal, accepting and unbecause he knew that he would often be discriminatory, in practice we don’t always live excluded. When he came to university he found out these ideals. that he was welcomed, but there is still a subtle We all have our own ideas about what is sense of homophobia within his friendship ‘appropriate’ and ‘inappropriate’ behaviour, groups. At a res meeting, one of his friends so it’s impossible to guarantee that every suggested that the res serenade other male single student will be accepting of those reses, but the reaction was overwhelmingly wanting to ‘come out’. That said, this does negative. This was not a problem for the many not mean that Rhodes as a university cannot female, ‘sister’ reses that were expected to create a welcoming environment for its LGBTQ serenade each other. community.

Aaron* lives at home and, though he has Amy* is a homosexual student who found experienced some form of discrimination, res that Rhodes was “pretty chilled” about life isn’t a problem for him. He went to a school homosexuality and bisexuality. She did her that made him feel socially excluded. It was research before coming here and liked what very sport-orientated and placed emphasis she saw. She just has a problem with people on the importance of being ‘macho’ and that say, “Okay, you’re gay, but don’t kiss your

Kelia Losa

B

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masculine. He was never interested in sports and so was excluded from many conversations and events. When out partying, everyone would talk about ‘hooking up’ and ‘pulling’, but Aaron would have to lie and pretend he wasn’t interested. University is much like this according to him. There have been many cases where men and women sit in the common room, dining hall or on campus and brag about the people they ‘pull’, often excluding homosexuals like Aaron,

“

“Okay, you’re gay, but don’t kiss your partner in front of me.”

unintentionally.

He still believes that it’s easier to ‘come out’ at university because the atmosphere is a lot more accepting than that of his old high-school. He believes that “it’s the best time of your life to do it.”

Despite the common fear; of rejection, social implications and a lack of acceptance, Amy, Kyle and Aaron are adamant that Rhodes was the best place to come out. They also stressed the importance of being comfortable with yourself.

“You know the cliché that it gets easier?” says Amy. “Sometimes it doesn’t.” She feels that it’s

a good idea to test the waters before jumping straight in. She advises that you start with your peers and friends at Rhodes by asking them their opinions on homosexuality and bisexuality.

They will probably not change the way they treat you, and often they will know before you tell them.

“99% of the time, your friends already know.

The issue is more about saying it than people knowing,” says Kyle. Telling the first person is the biggest step and then it gets easier from then on.

According to Aaron, if people are true friends, then they will be accepting and will not change their attitudes towards you. Your friends like you for your behaviour, attitude, likes and dislike, not your sexual orientation.

Each situation is different. There are homosexual and bisexual students that sit in the common room with their friends and talk about their hook ups without judgement; there are reses that are looking into serenading other reses of the same sex; there are organisations that promote the acceptance of relationships that are not based on heteronormativity and Rhodes is constantly trying to improve on this.

There may often be individuals who reject these ideas, but being accepted by your own social circle often makes these people insignificant. Think of your own experience and decide, is Rhodes accepting? *Names have been changed

Your Rhodes horoscope Ciara O’Donoghue and Kyran Blaauw

H

ere at Activate, we spent some time gazing into our telescopes, consulting our star charts and gazed into the future to bring you our thoughts about what the coming month is going to bring you.

Fortunately, it seems things aren’t going to be entirely terrible in October for most of you, so that’s pretty exciting.

These horoscopes are, of course, 100% accurate because as a news organisation this is something we are good at.

Aquarius (Jan 20 - Feb 18) This month Saturn’s muscular arms will embrace you while he showers you with an abundance of genuine, selfie-attractive friends. It’s your time to blossom in the Facebook garden of friendship, so keep your heart open and your camera ready.

Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20) While swimming in Jupiter’s atmosphere of self-reflection this month, you may encounter some parts of yourself that are not quite ‘on point’.

Not everyone can instantly master the timing on ‘Dubsmash’, but don’t worry, your killer eyebrow game makes up for the distortion.

Aries (Mar 21 - Apr 19) The ram will enter the eighth house of Einstein on the oblique surface of Mars this month, meaning that you will experience plenty of academic success! But obviously you still need to study, work hard and resist the urge to procrastinate on Instagram … yeah … sorry.

Taurus (Apr 20 - May 20) The light reflecting off of Venus will shine down on your face this month, relieving stress and enhancing relaxation. Exam term can be hectic, but Venus has found the ‘chill’.

Gemini (May 21 - Jun 20) The clouds of doubt in your metaphorical skies will finally open, and this is obviously the perfect time to make potentially life altering decisions, like who really is your favourite member of One Direction?

Cancer (June 21 - July 22) This month the full moon is engaging in the ancient lunar dance of student budget. There will be no shortage of money in your pocket. So the social booze-enthusiast crab doesn’t need to become a hermit after all!

Leo (July 23 - Aug 22) The sun is undergoing a rotational shift that will show you romantic flames in the coming month. Be prepared to meet your soulmate on the second Thursday after the solar equinox at 4:39 pm under the shade of an acacia tree. The lion is hunting for ‘the one’.

Virgo (Aug 23- Sep 22) Mercury is moving closer to the sun’s rays of social media success. This will have a direct influence on your Instagram account, increasing your followers by three to six people (at the very least). #LifeGoals.

Libra (Sep 23 - Oct 22) The light of Venus will ricochet off your cell phone screen, falling instead on your feet. The Friars dancefloor will be on fire as you ‘Cupid shuffle’, ‘whip’ and ‘nae nae’ to your heart’s content. Just don’t twerk. Not even Venus can help you with that.

Scorpio (Oct 23 - Nov 21) Mars is entering the dark shadow of the earth, causing a double rainbow of unicorn luck to arch over you. As long as you find the pot at the end of it, things will just keep going your way.

Tables at 2 for 1 at Saint’s will magically appear before you. Your braised tenderised steak will be actual meat from an actual cow. That DP warning letter will vanish before your eyes.

Sagittarius (Nov 22- Dec 21) Jupiter will engage in a battle with Neptune in the coming month, knocking the fifth house of the archer into the food court. Good food will be yours. You will get to taste the sweet ambrosia of the gods, or at least the best Grahamstown can offer … sorry again.

Capricorn (Dec 22 - Jan 19) Saturn’s hugs will send you into a spiral of inspirational positivity this month. The ‘Rhodes Confessions’ page will be flooded with your motivational quotes and words of wisdom. Just be careful not to overdo it. That kind of stuff can really get one’s goat.

Hacks to make res life easier Kyran Blaauw University is hard, and living in res does not make it any easier.

Rules, dining hall food and hours are not fun, but don’t despair.

Here are some effortless hacks to help make res life a little more bearable.

Hack #1: Ever noticed that people only steal your blue pens and reject the red ones? Well, all you have to do is put your blue pen cartridge into the red pen holder and no one will ever know.

Kind of sneaky, but very effective. Plus, it could be fun to give someone a ‘blue’ pen and see what happens when they find out that it’s actually red. Try it in your next lecture for a much needed laugh.

Hack #2: Most of the time, if we don’t get up in the morning it’s because we physically can’t, but sometimes we simply don’t hear the alarm. For some reason this seems to happen more on Thursdays than any other day of the week. Strange. In order to amplify the sound, place your cell phone in an empty glass. Now you will never miss that 07:45 lecture. You’re welcome.

Hack #3: One res life struggle that we all know, is having to pack and carry our boxes to and from the box room. Arm day for who? The next time you have to pack up and move your entire life, put your heavy box on top of an empty box of a similar size.

It will make the other box feel lighter. So, just add air. Seems pretty legit.

Hack #4: When you reheat that leftover pizza, remember to put a glass of water in the microwave with it. The water will help prevent the crust from getting soggy. I think I’m going to buy pizza now, just so that I can test this hack, again. Like I needed another excuse to buy pizza.

Hack #5: When your room starts smelling like stale takeaways or the inside of Friars, it could be time for this next hack. Stick an air freshener at your window and the scented breeze rolling in will ensure that you have a fresh smelling room all year round.

Please? You may be used to the odour, but no one else is. Do it for your corridor.

Hack #6: You can also use an open window to cool down your room. Okay, that one seemed obvious, but there is more to it. In order to help the heat escape from a stuffy room, hang a wet towel over the open window. As the water evaporates, so will the heat. This hack is pretty cool if you ask me. Super chilled.

Hack #7: A huge struggle staying in res is the tiny storage space. The reason everything ends up in the middle of the floor is because there’s simply nowhere else to put it. One way to store all of your bits and pieces without them getting in the way, is to pack them into big, plastic storage containers and keep

them under your bed or at the back of a cupboard. Now there’s so much room for activities!

Hack #8: Whenever you go out, there is the fear of losing your room key. Sub-wardens are scary when you wake them up at 3.00am to let you in. In fact, it could be wiser to just sleep outside your room. A great way to ensure your key’s safety without having to worry about it is to tie it to a piece of clothing.

Or you could connect it to a hair elastic and wear it on your wrist.

Hack #9: Cables are everywhere. They are constantly getting tangled and it’s difficult to keep track of what goes where.

Connect bulldog clips to the side of your desk, bedside table or shelf and pull your cables through the clip handles, hooking them on the ends so that they don’t fall through. It may sound difficult, but I’m sure you’ll be cable to do it.

Hack #10: Nothing is more annoying than when your two bowls won’t fit in the microwave together. Just put one of the bowls on top of a mug and it will have all the space it needs.

Double the food in half the time? Life changing. That sounds like a joke, it’s not. Seriously.

So the next time you want to complain about res life, just try some of these awesome hacks and you’ll feel better. Or you can remember the free Wi-Fi. That usually does the trick.

Fear and Loathing in football officiating Brad “Chelseasux” Dennett

Diego Costa “plays“ soccer. Pic: Sourced

While Rugby is quite a simple sport (run, fall, tackle, run, kick) it’s one whereby respect towards the officials and each other isn’t asked of the players but forced upon them. Thus you can watch a match and not feel disappointed in humanity.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for football.

This past weekend saw the sport once again brought into disrepute by the fiendish antics of Chelsea’s Diego Costa, a man who, like his manager, has never shied away from being a total dick.

While diving has unfortunately become an ever-present element within football, Costa’s dark arts are on another level. Scratching, shoving an opposing player in the face, as well as continuously taunting and disrespecting him in an effort to get him to reciprocate and subsequently be sent off - such are the lengths to which Diego Costa resorted during Chelsea’s match against Arsenal.

While Costa will never change as a player, and indeed will remain a horrible human being, the onus is on the FA and their referees to look to rugby and their officials, as a way in which a sport should be officiated.

Too often we see players crowd the referee and sprint from one side of the field in an attempt to do so. Such an occurrence during a Champions League match between PSG and Chelsea resulted in Zlatan Ibrahimovic labeling the Chelsea players as “babies” and saying “the worst is when I got the red card all the Chelsea players come around [nine in total]. It felt like I had a lot of babies around me.”

Should that happen in a rugby match, they’d all find themselves with a yellow card and sitting cozy on the bench for 10 minutes. The referee is to be respected at all times. Indeed this approach is aided by rugby’s inclusion of a referral system and the aid of a TV umpire whose job is to view the footage and either confirm the referees initial decision or help in clarifying an event of which the ref had not seen.

Football referees are particularly useless, but when they’re left with no lifelines in order to make a decision, they are truly shown to be fallible characters.

The majority of major sports come with assistance to the officials; think of how many matches would have been unfairly skewed had the officials not had the aid of the hawkeye, which has found its way into tennis, cricket, Gaelic football (what even is that?),

badminton, and hurling.

Associations such as the NFL and the NBA have also incorporated instant replays as an option for refs should they be unsure over a decision, just as it’s used in rugby.

Costa, labeled a cheat by his own teammate Kurt Zouma (“Everyone knows he likes to cheat a lot”), will surely be allowed to continue his slimy ways, and continue to be a terrible role model while he offers up the worst examples of sportsmanship.

While Costa’s actions would be most likely result in some form of action by the hierarchy of sports such as rugby, basketball, and american football, this won’t be the case for football. Why? Well because controversy brings with it more attention from the media, more people become involved and more hear about it, and as a direct result, more money is made.

While football the most popular sport in the world, it’s also the most lucrative. Those in power, such as the FA and FIFA (people who through their very appearance would struggle to kick a ball, let alone play a match) are killing the sport, as our love for the beautiful game is sacrificed in order to further deepen their pockets.

Rhodes cricket going for glory Adriana Georgiades The 2015 cricket season is in full swing, and First Team captain Reinhard Arp is expecting a successful season for Rhodes University.

Rhodes has four cricket teams: The First Team, which was recently relegated from the Premier League to the Promotions League.; the second and third teams, called Rhodents

and Rats respectively, play in the Grahamstown Farmer’s League, and the fourth, called Shrews, which play in the second division of that league.

The teams practice four times a week collectively.

The First Team have set their sights on regaining a position in the Premier League. The First team have four games coming up in the league, with two warm up games against

Northville and United Brothers, both Port Elizabeth teams from the Premier League.

The First Team is going to University Sports South Africa’s(USSA) cricket tournament in December in Stellenbosch , which is a cricket week for several universities across South Africa. The First Team is competing in A league, but against the second tier teams. The First Team are hoping to

join Tuks, UCT, and Stellenbosch in the first tier, and Arp is confident of their chances. “Last year we won four out of five games, and narrowly missed out on qualifying for the A-section, so this year we want to qualify for the A-section and if we do we qualify for Varsity Cup Twenty20, which is in February,” he said. “But I am massively confident that we will qualify for Varsity Cup Twenty20 this year.”

Arp added that they are also wanting to increase their support base at Rhodes. “We don’t get that much support but we want to try have Sports Bar open on Saturdays and Sunday afternoons when there is cricket here,” he said, “[We want to] try get some sort of gees around, getting people here for some half price drinks or offer some sort of cheap food, but that’s all still in the pipeline,” he added. .