Edition 3 2014

Edition 3, 25 March 2014

INSIDE First black African to go to Space Page 3

Crime awareness at Rhodes Page 4

The history of The Monastery Page 6

Tunnel Vision Fest through a lens Page 8-9

Adventuring to Lake Malawi Page 10

The know-how to Bitcoins Page 13

The truth behind the weird weather in Gtown Page 14

Rhodes rugby making waves Page 16

2 News

25 March 2014

Over R90 000 raised for Give 5 campaign

By Sebastian Burger

T

he Give 5 campaign, which raises money for underprivileged students, has more than doubled its success this year, allowing students who were without basic pocket money to purchase essentials such as groceries and the occasional burger.

The campaign, which takes place for one week, relies on donations of R5 or more from students and fundraising events in residences. It managed to raise an impressive total of R94 295.80, a marked improvement from the R47 004.86 raised last year. R84 295.80 was raised from student donations with a further R10 000 being donated by GBS bank in acknowledgement of the achievement.

The Give 5 campaign is run by Terryl McCarthy, current chairperson of the Give 5 committee who was overjoyed by the results. She thanked “all of you who put so much work and effort into the campaign in so many ways - your hard work has definitely paid off.”

As an incentive for donations, Pick ‘n Pay Grahamstown donated a flat-screen TV to the residence that raised the most money. The winner ended up being Prince Alfred house, with New House and Dingemans taking second and third respectively.

Bringing an end to the week was the traditional Give 5 fire-walk in which students and staff walked over a bed of hot coals to show their support for the Give 5 campaign.

Street Style

Activate Editor-in-Chief: Matthew Kynaston Deputy Editor: Rhea MacDonald Print Content Editor: Leah Solomon Online Editor: David Mann Finance Manager: Kamaria Balkisson Deputy Finance Manager: Alisha Basdow Art Director: Niamh Walsh- Vorster Chief Photo Editor: Michaela Weiffenbach Multimedia Editor: Tebo Ramosili Chief Sub-editor: Heather Cameron News Editor Sinazo Nakupi Politics Editor: Nicholas McGregor A & E Editor: Sebastian Burger Lifestyle Editor: Sara Steiniger Features Editor: Fundiswa Ndlovu Scitech Editor Dimpho Moletsane Environmental Editor: Jane Berg

Yamkela Mdaka. 2nd year. JMS and Politics. Fooling around with this season’s biggest trends - the colour blue and bold florals. Photo: Tshiamo Maremela

Ayanda Mbonambi. 2nd year. Law and Politics. A mash-up of bohemian chic and African flair. Photo: Tshiamo Maremela

From the Editor You’ll be overjoyed that there is no reporting on Oscar Pistorious in this paper.

The South African media has a responsibility to report on things that affect the lives of citizens. An informed citizenry does not come about through celebrity tabloids and second-by-second updates on the swinging of a cricket bat. The coverage of this trial is not about telling the public about an important issue: it’s about the big South African media houses competing to see who can have more eyeballs watching their footage. The public has been drawn into something that actually has very little to do with them.

Seeing some of my heroes such as Katy Katopodis and Rebecca Davis sitting and discussing the intricacies of each day’s proceedings on the 24-hour Oscar channel was disappointing. Even if they are critical of the trial as it is happening, the point is that they are still reporting on it.

I would love to see a news agency say they will not cover Oscar at all. That I could respect.

The Oscar trial is a gratuitous waste of journalism. Its only use is showing us that court cases are not as glamorous and kung-pow as Boston Legal and Law & Order make them out

Sports Editor: Julia Fish Deputy Sports Editor: Nandi Pape

to be. Aspiring lawyers are the only beneficiaries in this, the alleged ‘greatest trial of the century’.

The truth is that the public has been duped into thinking that it is interested in the trial. We see every news agency tweeting about it and filling up our Facebook feeds with the latest inconsequential update, and we think that it must be important. Why else would it have so much coverage?

Perhaps, we think, we should buy one of the many magazines with Oscar’s face on it while we’re queueing at Checkers.

There is a difference between the public interest and what the public finds interesting, and it has been heavily confused. Time to turn off the TV and focus on what is really happening in this country.

In this edition you can read about crime awareness at Rhodes, what’s really going on with Grahamstown’s weather, what the Rhodes rugby team is up to, and much more. Be sure to check out our awesome photo story on the recent Tunnel Vision Festival. Enjoy your read! @MatthewKynaston

Deisgners: Kuvaniah Moodley Cindy Archillies Tininka Nuen Cait Dominy Community Engagement Rep: Kuvaniah Moodley Distribution Manager: Fezikile Cokile

Front Page: Celebrating Human Rights Day, Friday 21 March 2014. Helen Suzman, Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela and other images compiled together to celebrate South Africa’s own history of fighting for human rights.

Design and images by Niamh WalshVorster and Carly Hosford-Israel.

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

Edition 3

News

3

Student forum aims to hold SRC accountable

By Sinazo Nakupi

T

he first student forum meeting of the year was held on Thursday, 13 March in the General Lecture Theatre. The forum, set up to discuss issues pertinent to students, was attended by an impressive amount of student representatives.

The Student Representative Council (SRC) byelections results were announced in the meeting.

The winners were Mapula Maponya and Siyanda Makhubo who were inaugurated into council by former SRC president, Matthieu Maralack.

Declared free and fair by the Impartial Officer by the Office of the Dean of Students Office, Dr Gustav Muller, the by-elections had a voter turnout of 1416 with 390 spoiled ballots.

Following a protest over student transport

where a memorandum from the student body was handed over to Dr Sizwe Mabizela last year, student transport was also addressed. The SRC in partnership with the Oppidan Union, proposed a shuttle service that would cover a radius of 30 kilometres from campus as well as provide transport for students that live up the hill. This service, costing R 2.6 million for all students, would have five shuttles running on an hourly basis from 7am till 11pm with an extended service for postgraduates.

“Rhodes University has no obligation towards transport for students. Other universities charge a certain amount of levy for transport,” said current SRC president Bradley Bense. “The service will cost each student about R305 per year, which

comes to R22 per month for each student. This is the best and only solution for the SRC because we will run out of funds.”

The Oppidan Union chairperson, Sisesakhe Ntlabeso, appealed to all students to support this venture, even if they will not be using the shuttle.

“The amount that will be charged to the student body is small compared to the safety of our students that live off-campus. Every day we hear of students who were attacked because they had to walk to Joza or some distance to their digs,” said Ntlabeso.

In a bid to instil transparency and accountability in the SRC, the secretary-general, Grace Moyo, presented an operational report of each councillor’s activities since the beginning of this year. The Activism and Transformation

Councillor, Lindokuhle Zungu, was praised for his performance as well as the Projects Councillor, Khulani Ngubane, for the success of Orientation week, while an insufficient report was received from the Oppidan councillor.

In terms of finances, the SRC received R 1 206 680 from the university this year, 10% less than what they requested. This effectively led to a reduction in all SRC expenditure and portfolio allocations.

However, the meeting was shrouded with controversy when a member of the African National Congress Youth league (ANCYL) and South African Student’s Congress (SASCO) continuously disrupted the discussion and were eventually asked by the chairperson to leave the meeting.

Mandla Maseko: First black African heading into space

By Tolakele Silo The first black African who is set to go to space, Mandla Maseko, was one of the few selected speakers in the annual Grahamstown Science Festival. Aimed at promoting awareness and an appreciation of maths and science, the festival theme was “Into the Space” and saw over 65 000 learners from several schools across the country attend.

Maseko, who hails from Mabopane in Pretoria, is one of 23 people who won a seat on an hour-long sub-orbital trip happening in 2015.

Maseko was one of the 30 people chosen to go to the local space camp in the Free State where he had to go through three challenges - two of which were compulsory.

One was to skydive to earth from 10,000 feet, and the other was the ‘Vomit Comet’.

“The ‘Vomit Comet’ is a room where

you stand up against the wall and it starts spinning. The challenge in there was to pick up five flags from beneath your feet and put them above your head,” said Maseko. “We were also taken up in a plane and the pilot spun it in the air and when we got off the plane, we had to calm ourselves down and quickly write a test assessing us about the flight.”

Maseko is among an international team of space travellers made up of men and women representing countries from around the globe, some of whom will make history as the first from their nations to go to into space.

Maseko is a part-time DJ and a former engineering student who was forced to put his studies on hold because of financial troubles. Maseko expressed his enthusiasm about the trip, “I am so excited to be the first black South African and African to be heading into space,” he said.

Mandla Maseko will soon blast off as the first black African to venture into outerspace. Photo: Sourced/FLICKR

Israeli Apartheid Week at Rhodes

By Athini Majali

A series of evening screenings and book discussions recently took place at Rhodes University as part of an international campaign to abolish the current state of separation in Israel and Palestine, otherwise known as Israeli apartheid.

The awareness campaign ran from 10 to 16 March and was initiated by the Rhodes University Politics Department.

It is designed to be an awareness week focusing on the current discriminatory activities in Israel.

Educational institutions worldwide have made it their top priority to voice their opinions and raise awareness with regards to the alleged apartheid in Israel. Some even went so far as making direct comparison of the state in Israel now to that of apartheid in predemocratic South Africa.

The Israeli Apartheid Week has been an ongoing campaign for a decade and has been joined by numerous countries since it was established in Toronto, Canada. Film-makers and authors around the world share their

thoughts, knowledge and their firsthand experience of the brutality that the Palestinians were subjected to.

The first screening took place in the Eden Grove seminar room. It entailed a narrative story administered by world renowned director Eran Riklis. This was followed by Ana Nogueira and Eron Davidson’s ‘Roadmap to Apartheid’, which was an attempt to compare South Africa’s apartheid to that of Israel.

Miko Peled, who served time in the Israeli army, and who is author of ‘The Israeli Army General’s Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine’ presented his view and feelings about the current predicament facing his torn country.

Peled concluded his presentation by stating that it is impossible for him to make mention of the condition in Israel without making reference to South Africa and its gruesome past.

Suraya Dadoo hosted the last awareness session in the Sociology Seminar room. The last book discussion was about understanding Israeli apartheid and discussing the roots of the system and its effect he lives of many.

Author and former Rhodes University student, Suraya Dadoo presents her novel ‘Why Israel? The Anatomy of Zionist Apartheid – A South African Perspective’ at Rhodes. Photo by Sara Steiniger.

4 News

25 March 2014

Crime awareness at Rhodes

Students must be careful and aware of their surroundings when travelling by foot late at night as they are a target. The possible repercussions are physical and emotional trauma. Photo: Rhea MacDonald

By Kyle Leaver

R

hodes University and the people of Grahamstown pride themselves in claiming that this quaint, little town is one of the safest in South Africa. It is relatively crime-free when compared to larger towns or cities such as Johannesburg, Durban or East London. Rhodes does not have to contend with the issue of violent crimes against students on a regular basis and, according to Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk, most reported cases of violence occur between students under the influence of alcohol.

However, South Africans face a grim reality that violence is a constant threat, and citizens can never be too careful when trying to avoid meeting the wrong person in the wrong place at the wrong time.

A recent incident has given Rhodes security personnel and university staff a wake-up call with regards to campus safety. A tweet by Dr. de Klerk’s stated: “violent attack by two males on female student on campus on Sat [1 March 2014] 4a.m. She fought them off & got away. Please don’t walk anywhere alone at night”.

The assault allegedly occurred on Prince Alfred Street on the safety path referred to as the 'blue route', which is in close proximity to the Great Hall. Fortunately, the victim was able to escape with minor injuries. The attackers fled and were not identified by the victim.

The incident was reported to Dr. de Klerk to spread awareness of the threat of crime in Grahamstown. Both the Campus Protection Unit (CPU) and Hi-Tec security are making extra efforts to improve the efficiency of campus security.

However, there are steps and precautions students can take to avoid being targeted by criminals, as well as being citizens in a country natorius for violent crimes. CPU has issued a list of suggestions, for both on and offcampus residents, to help prevent such awful occurrences from happening again: •Never walk alone, whether day or night, male or female, Try to move in groups. Criminals are often opportunistic and will take any chance to prey on individuals.

•Travel along well-lit routes, and keep away from dark alleys or streets.

•CPU is always ready to provide a secure escort home should you be travelling alone to any a location on campus. This service is contactable at 046 603 8146.

•Stay vigilant when walking. Scan your surroundings, find the fastest route home, and notify a member of Hi-Tec or CPU security teams should an individual show signs of suspicious behaviour.

•Keep your friends informed of your location if you decide to leave or go elsewhere.

•Remember where SOS panic buttons are situated and do not be hesitant to use them should you feel you are threatened or in danger.

CPU records show that most of the crime that takes place at Rhodes is related to theft, but the possibility of a violent encounter should never be ruled out. The location of the attack on the female Rhodes student so deep within

the borders of the campus is of great concern to university and security staff. According to the Dean of Students Office, a key reason as to why criminals focus their activities on students is that students often own valuable electronic items that can be turned into cash within minutes of their theft. Concealing valuable items and being vigilant of your surroundings are the safest ways to avoid tempting an encounter with a criminal.

This includes concealing items from plain sight by not leaving valuables on the seat of a car.

Catching a criminal in the act can lead to physical confrontations. Criminals will also use the threat of physical violence to force victims in to surrendering their possessions. In this instance of being faced with a violent encounter, selfdefence can be used to prevent serious physical and psychological harm. Pepper sprays and handheld taser devices are legal in South Africa, but tasers are relatively expensive and can be risky to operate. Pepper spray cans are available for purchase from the SRC at relatively affordable prices considering the function they fulfil if used properly. Self-defence classes are also available in Grahamstown.

Dr. de Klerk and CPU manager Towers Naidu have stressed the importance of remaining watchful and vigilant at all times.

A total of 493 cases of assault were reported to the Grahamstown police station for 2012, including numerous other cases of violent incidents.

We have a story to tell”-NYDA

By Tolakele Silo The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in partnership with the Dean of Students Office and the Students Representative Council (SRC) held a democracy dialogue session at the General Lecture Theatre (GLT) on 19 March 2014.

This dialogue was held to reflect on what has happened in the past 20 years of democracy and discuss what South African youth ought to do to embrace democracy for the next 20 years. Chaired by SRC’s Activism and Transformation councillor, Lindokuhle Zungu, the key note speaker was the NYDA’s Andrew Twala on behalf of NYDA’s Board executive chairperson Mr Yershen Pillay.

In his speech, Twala emphasised the importance of the youth voting to promote and uphold the values of a democratic country. “Democracy is hard-earned, it didn’t come cheap and therefore we should protect it by voting,” he said.

He urged the youth to take initiative by engaging with the government in fighting for democracy.

“If you vote, it means that you are entitled to hold the government accountable for everything that doesn’t happen,” said Twala.

“The NYDA is mandated to meet needs of the young people and therefore, the youth needs to be behind parties for democracy to work,” he said.

He concluded by saying “not voting is like being absent in your own life.”

The Activism and Transformation Councillor promised that there will be more debates similar to this that ensure that the youth is educated about the importance of matters involving them.

Edition 3

Politics

EFF loses ‘urgent’ court bid

By Laura Richardson

E

conomic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party leader Julius Malema has promised the public that his party will stand in the elections taking place on 7 May this year, and assured supporters that the party would not fail to meet the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Wednesday deadline for the submission of a candidate list and a R605 000 deposit.

This comes after Tuesday’s High Court ruling which dismissed the EFF’s urgent bid to have the compulsory deposit declared unconstitutional. The EFF had taken President Jacob Zuma, Minister of Home Affairs Naledi Pandor and the IEC to court in the hope of securing an interdict that would force the IEC to remove or significantly reduce the deposit requirement.

Judge Joseph Raulinga told the North Gauteng High Court that the matter was not urgent and ordered that the EFF cover the costs of the 4 March

postponement. Raulinga defended the IEC’s demand for a deposit saying that it was a way to guarantee the “seriousness” of contesting parties.

Any party able to win at least one seat in the National Assembly or Provincial Legislature will have to be reimbursed.

“We do not have the money, but we will be registered by 5pm and will indeed be on the ballot

paper on 7 May,” Malema told supporters gathered at the Palace of Justice The EFF challenged the R605 000 deposit – R45 000 per province and R200 000 for the National Assembly polls - on the grounds that it disenfranchises poor communities and gives the rich an unfair advantage.

“South African courts are being used to rubberstamp the decisions of capitalists.” said Malema.

The EFF plans to take the matter to the constitutional courts if their application continues to be dismissed in the lower courts.

The EFF then repeated its call for the forensic report implicating IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula to be made public as soon as possible. The report allegedly contains evidence that Tlakula and her commissioners failed to follow protocol when securing the lease for the IEC’s Pretoria headquarters.

“We don’t want our elections to presided over by people who have a credibility crisis.”

Expats will have their say

By Nereesha Patel

12 March 2014 was the last day that South African expatriates could submit the document that would secure them the right to vote in this year’s election.

This is the first time in the country’s history that expat South Africans are able to register to vote abroad.

Voters who are living abroad but have registered to vote in South Africa are eligible to vote in this year’s election. In order to do so they had to have obtained and submitted a VEC10 document to the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa

(IEC). By submitting this document, expat voters notify the IEC of their intentions to vote abroad. The document was made available on the IEC website, and voters can go there to check the status of their application form.

There have been mixed reactions from locals towards letting South African citizens who live abroad vote at all. Whilst many argue that it will prove beneficial for South Africans who are travelling or studying overseas, others feel that these expats who have left their country for good should not have the right to vote.

Many local South Africans are of the opinion that expats will not bother to vote, as many may not have a valid South African ID or passport to register with, or because they refuse to have anything to do with South African society. On the other hand, some South African expats are making it clear that they want to have their say in how the country should be governed.

Voting abroad will take place on 30 April 2014, exactly a week before the national election takes place on 7 May 2014.

• Home Baked Cakes, Pies, Quiches and Biscuits • Frozen Meals • Platters for Parties • Individualised Birthday Cakes

5

Tumoil in the land of blood and oil

By Stefan Piek Lately, it seems that Nigeria has been making the news quite often, but unfortunately not for good reasons. This weekend alone there was a stampede, a massacre and the burning of 100 000 tonnes of illegal oil.

The question that this brings to mind is: Who exactly is lending a helping hand to our African comrades?

It seems rather clear that the Nigerian government is struggling to keep its people content, thus, it does not have the capability to keeps its people in check.

A government recruitment drive to provide new jobs for its poverty stricken people ended in the tragic death of seven people in a stampede. Why was there a stampede? Simply because the government lacked the organisational capabilities needed to run a country?

Just to raise the death toll a little higher, 100 people were murdered in central Nigeria due to an age-old land dispute that remains unresolved.

Is the Nigerian government solely to blame for this?

Even though we read about all these issues in the land of blood and oil, we rarely read about anyone trying to help them.

Naturally, a government should be able to maintain some level of control within its borders.

However, the ‘older siblings’ of the world should be willing to lend a helping hand if need be.

So far, I have not seen much of that Western unipolarity that everyone seems to strive for. I am starting to think that helping countries in need was never part of that ideology.

In my opinion, everyone should be jumping at the chance to help Nigeria, if you consider all the resources they supply us with.

Someone could at least give them a little crash course in damage control. Alas, we seem to just watch them bleed out slowly.

Everyone talks about creating a global economy that equally benefits all, including Africa. It seems, however, that the rest of the world either forgot about us again, or simply want to see us burnout.

6 Arts & Entertainment

25 March 2014

A look behind The Monastery

By Tim von Zahn From the beginning, Monastery has always been a major proponent of he Monastery officially opened its underground electronic music. How did it doors as a nightclub four years ago and all begin? quickly established itself at the forefront of “We had electronic music at a stage in its Grahamstown’s underground electronic music life where not a lot of people knew about it. It scene. Unofficially, the party had started a year was sort of underground stuff from mates and and a half earlier as one of a string of house connections we’ve always had in the industry. parties thrown by Daniel Long, the owner of Trance is one of the niches we occupy; also, you Monastery, and his friends. can’t really say that anyone else plays Drum ‘n After two successful parties specially catering Bass in Grahamstown. to Long’s ‘Family of Rhodents’, he converted his We started to expose that music culture to more digs into a nightclub. Monastery has seen many well-known local acts such as Napalma, Hyphen, people and began to throw house parties called ‘Civil Disobedience.’ On our opening night we Counterstrike, PHFat, Haezer and most recently pulled that air-con onto the roof. Have you seen Niskerone. In the future, Long plans on having larger acts grace the decks and there is even talk it? It’s bigger than this table, it’s massive. There of an international act. Monastery caters towards were ten okes with seatbelts trying to hike this thing up for opening night. We get the thing a niche crowd in Grahamstown. Long’s passion for Trance and good quality Drum ‘n Bass can be installed, and we were dead, but we had to felt the minute you step onto the wobbling floor, open in an hour. I was sitting having a beer (and I never read instruction manuals), but I was flicking and once the bouncing begins it never ends. through the pages and it said: “Warning! Do not Compared to the commercial nature of clubs turn on within the first 24 hours of installation.” such as Prime, no one comes close to delivering We were expecting five hundred people in that the mix of old classics and the fresh feel of the tiny little hole, because the bottom bar didn’t new that Monastery is consistently striving to exist then. So, we can’t turn it on, but these perfect. people are in there and it’s so hot you couldn’t Monastery is constantly in the process of breathe. And okes were in there. The walls expanding. Currently, this expansion has seen above the DJ booth were sweating so much the addition of Pirates Pizza to Monastery, which we had to climb and wipe them to stop them enhances the atmosphere of the beer garden from dropping on the equipment. There was a and gives tired stompers a chance to rest their pile of toga’s which we used because it was the feet and sober up. after party of Greek Soc and everyone had their Monastery can only be described as a clothes off, going mad, it was bad. I woke up in family and this sense of community can be the morning from having a clean club to… wow. best expressed through its slogan – “Come Sweat still coming down the walls.”

Together.” Monastery is a testament to one Did you sell alcohol at those parties?

Rhodent’s ingenuity and foresight. Recently, I’m not sure how legal it is for me to tell you Activate sat down with Long, the architect behind this, but look man I can’t really get into trouble the madness that is The Monastery, to listen to for it now; we used to sell cups for twenty or fifty his story.

T

bucks and a whole lot of people rocked up to come and support this jol. At the second party we made R25, 000 on the door.

How many people worked on Monastery in the early days?

Monastery belongs to a bigger family than just me. It’s those okes who were here in the beginning that made it what it became. It wasn’t just me. Everybody was in on it in the beginning.

It was like this secret thing which nobody knew about yet. My solid mates who were at varsity with me backed me up. It was amazing stuff, sometimes they wouldn’t even get paid for anything but they’d want to be here and build things. We built all of this ourselves. The deck has 10, 112 nails in it, built from scratch.

What is most special to you about Monastery?

Monastery isn’t really like a nightclub; it’s always been my home. And the fact that it’s brought me together with all my mates now… I can’t describe to you how important friends are in your life because they’ll pull you through the bad times. I meet people here every day. Good okes come around, you always make mates.

This place has never been a place where there have been any fights; maybe a couple of idiots being rowdy but never any boxers. This is a place of peace. So the things that happen here are actually just okes having too much of a good time.

What is the craziest thing you have experienced at Monastery?

I remember the place was too packed, we had a line up the alleyway and we were trying to barricade these people off at the desk and people started climbing over the roof. It’s easy to get up the one side but the other side is another story. We wound up with all these okes having a stomp on the roof. The one oke was… having so much of a good time… that by the end of it he passed out and couldn’t get off the roof so we had to go up and carry him down.

But the funniest thing I’ve ever seen in my life happened the other day. I checked Gareth Cliff in my club, and he turns to this chick and says “Hey baby, you keen to have a threesome?” And the chick points to this other dude and replies “I wouldn’t touch you with his dick!”

Daniel Long stands outside the night club he started from the ground up. Photo: Tyler Bloomhill

Gig Guide Alternate Watering Holes

The Lowlander can be found on Worcester Street and offers an alternative vibe including acoustic nights. Photo: Supplied

By Sebastian Burger

The Lowlander

Mfanas & Mandisas

Here’s what you get when you go to the Lowlander: beer pong, cheap drinks and the reassuring feeling of drinking in a warm basement. Located underneath the Highlander, the old boys club at St Andrews, the Lowlander is known for a country vibe, a crunchy woodchip floor and great acoustic acts such as Gary Thomas gracing the stage. Think of it as a farmers market for students, except with beer pong instead of fruit and vegetables.

046 622 3564 - 10 Worcester Street

Located in the throngs of Joza township, these two bars offer the authentic shebeen experience, with cheap drinks and friendly faces everywhere. Both bars are equipped with pool tables and offer a slightly different vibe.

Mfanas has a braai area where you can buy meat and cook it or have the in house braai master tend to it. Mandisa’s on the other hand has a jukebox and a DIY seating system involving beer crates for when patrons get plentiful.

Both bars are a fun place to spend a Saturday with some mates while watching the game and are always filled with colourful characters Res bars (Jan Smuts, Goldfields, Botha, Winchester etc) Often overlooked and known for hosting legendary predrinks, many residences such as Jan Smuts, Goldfields and Botha have functioning bars that are definitely worth checking out. Ask your friends staying in res and make an effort to go find them, you won’t regret it.

The Vic One of the older venues in Grahamstown, the Vic Mews recently started undergoing a revival among students, with jazz and blues bands playing on a regular basis, catering for those wanting a break from electronic vibes and yearning for some smooth wholesome tunes.

Apart from the main floor housing the bands, the Vic sports a classic bar named “Henry Ate” and a comfy lounge to talk some solid BS and enjoy the smooth tunes in. The bar is open on Thursday and weekends and is definitely worth popping into for a night.

046 622 7208 - 8 New Street

Mixlab presents Veranda Panda When: 26 March Where: Prime Featuring: Clinixx, Von Dirty, Finger Six Damage: R30 pre-sold, R40 at the door The Treatment When: 27 March Where: Rhodes University Drama Department Featuring: Playwright Martin Crimp and Cape Town based director Liz Mills.

Damage: R25 per student and R40 for public.

Wacky Woods Localization v2 (Psy-Trance Fest) When: 29 March Where: Gambos River, PE Featuring: Tuatara, Derailed, Psytist Damage: R150 Vertigo Festival When: 26-27 April Where: Khoisan Village Tsitsikamma Featuring: Line up to be released soon Damage: TBA

NiteGroovz When: 24 May Where: Prime Damage: R30 pre-sold, R200 VIP

8 Photo Story

Tunnel Vision for days

25 March 2014

Edition 3

Eccentric, psychedelic and esoteric - the Tunnel Vision Festival (Tunnels) exists as an exhibition of some of the most out-there segments of the Rhodes culture. This vivid and vibrant party which takes place on the outskirts of Grahamstown has grown to attract people from as far away as Cape Town and Johannesburg.

For the first time, the Tunnels festival stretched over 3 days, drawing probably the biggest crowd of people yet for an entire weekend of live bands, DJs and dancing. Friday afternoon’s entertainment was predominantly live bands whereas Friday night boasted a variety of visiting DJs. Saturday saw the dance floors become stomping grounds for the trancers who danced well into Sunday afternoon. Rhodes has long enjoyed its position as the most liberal of the liberal arts universities and this legacy of hippy waywardness enjoyed full expression through the dancing and decor at Tunnels. Surreal, multicoloured dance floors were set up alongside the iconic Tunnels’ towers. The festival goers’ getups echoed this bohemian atmosphere with a vast range of colourful and striking clothing, hairstyles and body paint.

This carefree spirit permeated the weekend through hours of dancing and discussions around the bonfires. The event afforded attendees the opportunity to cut loose, let their hair down and enjoy the vibrant, footloose zeitgeist of Grahamstown.

Check out Activate’s footage of the festival on our website!

Words by Emma Laubscher and Michaela Weiffenbach Photos by Michaela Weiffenbach and Jeffrey Stretton-Bell

Photo Story

9

10 Lifestyle

25 March 2014

African Exploration: SA to Malawi

By Ruan Scheepers ike most great idea’s, this one was birthed rather late during a traditional Wednesday brandy and hub session. Minds were immediately made that on an undetermined day, we would find an undetermined way of following an undetermined route to a determined location, the shores of Lake Malawi.

So, with much determining still to do, and final exams still to get through, the planning process was an arduous one. Late nights pouring over maps of the four countries we’d have to cross, the scale of what we were about to do started to become evident. Two students with relatively limited travel experience, tackling 6000km through Africa on a tight budget - at least our mothers wouldn’t worry... Not at all.

The Challenges: Crossing into Zimbabwe at Beit Bridge, the busiest border crossing in Southern Africa at the busiest time of year would be a test of endurance. And to crown it

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all, Mozambique had decided to have a small war around the area we’d have to reach - the border crossing into Malawi. From there we’d been warned of many deadly things including donkeys and goats. And once at the lake we’d most definitely be killed by man eating crocs after picking up some Malaria.

So it came to be that on the 26 December, two of us left Pretoria with the Land Rover stuffed with the basic necessities: Captain Morgan rum and cigarettes. Destination would be Chirombo Bay on the South Western side of the lake where we’d be received by our mate from Grahamstown at his family holiday home.

We’d given ourselves three days of driving, spending the first night at Tshipise, a stunning Forever Resort near Musina then crossing into Zimbabwe and spending the next night in Harare. From there we’d cross into Mozambique, drive up to Mwanza (most certainly we’d be shot or taken as Prisoners of

War (POW’s) ) and on to our initial rendezvous in Blantyre, Malawi. Then it would be onward to the lake. We made it (mostly alive).

In short, the lake was simply mind-blowing.

The beauty and relative non-commercialised nature of it all was awesome. The locals are friendly and helpful beyond anything we were used to. Politically, it’s stable. Even with elections coming up and the likes of the “Cashgate” scandal damaging the image of Joyce Banda’s ruling party, no one is insistent on throwing petrol bombs. Poverty is rife yet everyone makes do with what they have, something which is truly humbling to witness.

Tales of adventures at the lake could fill a book, from sinking boats on stormy waters to New Years parties in Cape Maclear (Plett and Cape Town, eat your hearts out), to parking off on islands with a Captain and Cola. The images are tattooed in our memories. After seven days at the lake we visited Lengwe National Park. Heavy rains meant the roads were flooded and only accessible by 4x4, but as we found out after several hours of winching out stranded vehicles, only just.

Admittedly all this fun came at a price, but it does not have to be that way. It is imperative that proper budgeting and planning is done long in advance. “Better safe than sorry” applies at all times and knowing someone on the other side helps. Travelling in Africa takes a shift in

mindset which unfortunately one too many South Africans struggle to achieve. The cultures and ways of the diverse amount of people you may cross paths with cannot be ignored at any time. Patience is a virtue and I’m sorry but so is common sense and a dash of street wisdom.

And from experience, this seems lacking in tourists, irrespective of nationality. Respect the local laws and be polite, but never a walk over.

There is a very fine balance.

Look after your health. Malaria and other tropical diseases claim hundreds of thousands of lives annually. Take the pills, you’re a long way from home. Remember too, your vehicle is your lifeline. Look after it and ensure you have the basic skills and tools to deal with unforeseen issues. Shit happens faster than you might imagine and the AA doesn’t graft up there.

Neither do mommy and daddy. Again, you’re a long way from home. Appreciate your situation.

Do not travel at night.

Africa is not a terrifying place. It is arguably the most astounding continent on the globe.

Naturally we had our handful of glitches, mostly involving corrupt officials taking advantage of our GP number plates. However, I urge anyone and everyone to realise we as South Africans are part of this continent. Do your homework, turn the key and head north. We have a lot to gain from seeing what it has to offer. One life. Live it.

Dreams in the amaXhosa culture The road from South Africa to Malawi is muddy but it is filled with adventure. Photo: Ruan Scheepers

In the amaXhosa culture the Sangoma is a spiritual healer that people go to when seeking physical, psychological and medical treatment. Photo: Source/FLICKR.

By Nontobeko Gumede

The man behind the coffee counter Tiffany Mac Sherry Surrounded by the sounds of Grahamstown, situated just under the Drostdy Arch is the home of one of Grahamstown’s best cups of coffee and one of its friendliest people.

Starting out as a waiter in Port Elizabeth, Sisa Mapetu is quite surprised by his new found home in Grahamstown. The softly spoken barista claims that after a lot of hard work, faith and support, Grahamstown chose him. He has called Grahamstown and the little coffee shop under the arch his home for the past two years.

Those of us who have tried the coffee from Freshly Ground will know the skill that goes into making just one cup. It is addictive and it

tastes just as good every time you have it. Mapetu claims that it is all in the balance and that he works hard to achieve it with every single frothy cup that he produces.

“The people here are just so great and funny and that makes me happy and funny,” he said when asked about the caffeine deprived students that he encounters on an almost daily basis.

If the hype alone is not reason enough to try the coffee, the fact that Mapetu is a prize winning barista should be. In 2012 he came second in the Eastern Cape for the Speciality Coffee Association of Southern Africa’s regional based championships.

So now with confirmed great conversation and award winning coffee, there is simply no excuse not to visit Freshly Ground.

Service with a smile is guaranteed with S isa Mapetu. He’ll never forget a face and always remembers your order.

Photo: Madeleine Chaput

Dreams are something that each and every human being experiences during sleep. Even though today’s society determines it as a connection to the unconscious mind, the people of isiXhosa culture feel that dreams have a much deeper meaning.

Xhosa is the most dominant culture in the Eastern Cape, with over five million isiXhosa speakers in the province. As with all cultures, it is constantly changing as the years go by.

This has led traditional beliefs to be altered or merged with Christianity to form a different way of life for many Xhosa people in comparison to generations past.

Though these changes have been evident in the new world of today, areas that still practice tradition place a large significance on dreams.

Masixole Heshu has been living in Grahamstown for over 20 years. He is a 3rd year Rhodes University student and has been exposed to a multitude of cultures and belief systems.

However, he has managed to stay in touch with his traditional beliefs. “To some people dreams are just dreams. But to us Xhosa people it is more of a connection to our ancestors,” said Heshu. This common belief about dreams shared amongst most traditional Xhosa people is that dreams serve as a gateway between an individual and his or her ancestors.

Admiration of the ancestors, sometimes called ‘ancestor worship’, is prominent among Xhosa

people. The ancestors are still considered part of the community of the lineage. They believe the ancestors reward those who venerate them and punish those who neglect them.

“Neglecting your dreams does have serious consequences whereby things don’t go well in life for you or you end up getting sick; it is important to listen to your ancestors,” said Heshu.

Zizipho Majavu, a 2nd year Journalism student who was born in East London, shared her experiences on how dreams can also be considered as warnings of an event that is about to happen or of something that has already taken place. Majavu described how some dreams that depict a person or a baby defecating often indicates that someone has fallen pregnant. “My mother would often have these dreams and tell me about it. Sometimes she would even dream of herself eating food which also means that someone is pregnant,” she explained.

Johnson Mgxotheni, who is an Inyanga (traditional healer) from Grahamstown, has been interpreting people’s dreams for over 40 years.

He explained that dreams impact on all aspects of amaXhosa life. According to Mgxotheni, everything that appears in a dream tells you something about your life or carries an important meaning.

“We believe that our dreams are how our ancestors communicate with us. You need to pay attention to the messages, you can’t ignore them,” he said.

Lifestyle 11

Edition 3

Who’s behind Faces of Grahamstown?

By Sara Steiniger

being behind the camera. She particularly loves the power of portraits. “It is brilliant and peculiar how the person may t all started with a New Yorker and a camera. Humans of as well say nothing at all, but the photograph manages to New York (HONY) is a photography blog that contains speak,” says Solomons. portraits of people in New York City and the stories they It must be quite a challenge going up to a stranger and carry with them. It was started by New Yorker, Brandon asking them to tell you about their life. Solomons says Stanton, who created the page after he lost his job. Kate Solomons, a 19-year-old, 2nd year Psychology and History she gets nervous every time and calls herself a complete major decided to bring the concept to this vibrant town of introvert. “I swallow up my anxiety and ask them to tell me their story,” she says. After she has shaken down the ours and call it – “Faces of Grahamstown”. butterflies, she loves it when people are enthusiastic about “I used to read my grandpa’s National Geographic magazines when I was younger and I was captivated by the their stories because she is passionate about sharing them. stories of different people who lived around the world. The “I love portraits because humans have this remarkable feature about them, they can illustrate to us their stories idea of each soul existing with their personal difficulties, through the creases beneath their eyes, how they place resolutions, losses, loves and more,” says Solomons. Her their hand on their shoulder or the way they gaze into the interest in people and their portraits grew as she followed camera lens,” says Solomons. websites like HONY, Portraits of Boston and Humans of With over 650 likes on Facebook and 16 portraits, Kate Paris. She feels as though our tiny city has a lot to offer, “Let’s face it: Grahamstown is not ordinary at all, particularly Solomons’ page is well on its way to becoming the next HONY. Like the Facebook page at: with all the wonderful and exceptional personalities in it” www.facebook.com/facesofgrahamstown. says Solomons. She is a lover of photography and enjoys

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Kate Solomons, the face behind the lens. Solomons is the creator of Faces of Grahamstown, a popular human interest blog. Photo: Kate Solomons

Saving the donkeys, one screening at a time All the money raised from the showing of this movie goes towards the Makana Donkey Rhodes students are stepping up not only to Association, run by Annerie Wolmarans. This association has donkey clinics placed in the do great things for their careers, but also to location and are in need of donations and look out for their community. resources.

Former Rhodes student, Kyle Robinson Instead of using oxen or horses for the film, wrote and directed the short film, Finding Robinson said he decided to use donkeys.

Graham’s Town, which takes a look at how “Donkeys are in the hearts of so many people two men formed this little town of ours. In living in this town. In many ways donkeys association with Rhodes Organization for are a part of the fabric that makes up the Animal Rights (ROAR), the movie aims to character of Grahamstown,” he shared. promote better care towards the donkeys Unfortunately, a large number of these which are often seen trotting around town. creatures are ill-treated and underfed. We see Making a film is no easy task but Robinson so many donkeys on the roads and pulling argues that the script makes the film. “I carts almost every day and there aren’t many poured hours and hours into the writing organisations that look after these humble stage. By the end of it, I had invested so animals. Donkeys are the crux of the film and much time and energy into the project, there was absolutely nothing that was going that is why they decided to raise money for the Makana Donkey Association. to stop me transforming those words into The movie was self-funded and aided by visuals,” said Robinson. donations made by local businesses. The cast Once this element of the process was and crew were made up of Grahamstown complete he had props, locations, actors residents and Rhodes students. So make and crew members to sort out. He had to sure you go and support ROAR as well as our find a dedicated bunch of people. “This past and present Rhodents on 27 March at was difficult, because I could not afford to 7pm at the Rat and Parrot for the screening. pay anyone, and it was going to entail a fair amount of time…the ultimate aim was to raise Entrance is R10 and all funds raised go to the Makana Donkey foundation. funds for the donkeys,” he explained.

By: Sara Steiniger

Mike da Silva, Chad Emslie and Masi Heshu in a scene from Finding Graham’s Town short film. The Rhodes University students have teamed up to raise funds for Makana Donkey Foundation.

Photo: Kate Janse van Rensburg

Fables Bookshop 119 High Street, just down from King Pie

We buy and sell all year round!

Rhodes setworks, African, Modern and popular fiction.

Books make great gifts too! Pop in, have a browse and walk out with a great read.

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12 Features

25 March 2014

The truth behind Human Rights Day South African society, it is not unusual to know someone who celebrates this day as a public f one was to be asked what Human Rights Day holiday yet has no idea what Human Rights Day is about, you would think of the emphasis that is all about.

On 21 March 1960, a large crowd consisting is placed upon certain fundamental rights that of 5 000 to 7 000 unarmed black protesters every person is entitled to. For others, it goes converged on the local police station in the even further, for it is the day during which we Sharpeville township in the Transvaal (Gauteng) commemorate the lives lost in the fight against apartheid during the Sharpville Massacre, more to protest against the Pass laws, which entailed that non-white men over 16 had to carry than 50 years ago. passbooks at all times or face arrest. These But for a majority of young people, it is the demonstrators gathered at the police station, perfect start to a three-day long weekend. offering themselves up for arrest because they Human Rights Day, which falls on Friday, 21 purposefully did not carry their passbooks.

March this year, is nothing more than just The police opened fire on the crowd, and another public holiday, on which students from approximately 69 people died and more than junior school to university levels can sleep in on 180 people were injured. what is usually a school morning, go out with The Sharpeville Massacre caused an outcry their friends and have a good time.

As the years go by, the historical significance of both locally and internationally. From the Human Rights Day among students lessens more apartheid government declaring a state of and more. The day is seen as nothing more than emergency in light of the widespread riots and marches in response to the shootings, to just another holiday, when one can relax with the United Nations condemning the actions friends over a drink or two at the Rat & Parrot, of the police that carried out the shootings, 21 and need not worry about having to spend the March 1960 marked a turning point in South day shuffling all over campus for lectures and Africa’s history in the fight against the oppressive tutorials. Such is the casual approach to a day apartheid regime. which holds significance to a post-apartheid

By Nereesha Patel

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Since 1994, Human Rights Day is celebrated on this date in remembrance of Sharpeville, especially to celebrate human rights and to combat human rights violations. However, as the day’s significance dwindles over the year, many casually dismiss it as another holiday, and, with its falling on a Friday this year, an extended weekend break.

In a society where human rights are highly sought after and promoted, how is it that many South Africans dismiss Human Rights Day in such a nonchalant manner? Does that mean Human Rights Day no longer holds any significance in South Africa? Professor Louise Vincent of the Department of Political and International Studies at Rhodes University disagrees. “Human Rights Day has clear significance since human rights violations are so prevalent both in our own society and across the world,” said Vincent.

“I think it provides an opportunity especially for educators to conscientiously educate those in society who are blissfully unaware of the human suffering around them,” she said. “Often our privileges make us blind to the very brutal lives that millions of people live. So it is up to people who are in positions of leadership and influence in society to infuse the day with meaning. It is

also important to celebrate and appreciate the rights that we do have and for which people fought and made great sacrifices.”

Nica Cornell, a 3rd year Politics and Drama student at Rhodes University, echoes Vincent’s statement. “I think Human Rights Day remains significant in that it represents what South Africa has the potential to be – as a date that is both important to Africans and struggle history, it’s a symbolic example of what we represented, warts and all, for the world and ourselves in ‘94. I agree that apathy and ignorance towards this reflect on how far South Africa is from embodying that, but also that we can change that,” said Cornell.

In light of these statements, it is clear that Human Rights Day in South Africa still holds some historical significance, although how South Africans go about commemorating the day is still a concern. Nevertheless, it is clear that we as South Africans take pride in our human rights, and whether we take the time to spare a thought for those who died in Sharpeville or traipse around town with friends, on 21 March we must never forget those who sacrificed so much for us so that we could fully make use of our human rights.

Entrepreneurs bring colour to Grahamstown

By Christina Schild Students are constantly pushing the boundaries when it comes to dressing and accessorising themselves, letting their personalities shine through. However, in a small city like Grahamstown it doesn’t take long before you encounter someone wearing the exact same outfit or items as you are. This creates a dilemma to find something special, while staying within a fragile student budget.

Take a walk down High Street and there are shops catering towards mainstream fashion, but there is a distinct lack of those which appeal to people with a quirkier style. Two local ladies, one of which is a Journalism graduate from Rhodes University, noticed this empty niche and ingeniously filled it with eyecatching products, taking a leap into the sometimes rocky entrepreneurial world.

Sarah Cohen is behind the Facebook page, ‘’G-town Gems’’. If you are part of the highly addictive “Second Hand Grahamstown’’ page, then you might already be familiar with it. Having initially sold rings solely through the “Second Hand Grahamstown” page last year, she made the decision to start her own page in February to build on her initial success.

Cohen sells hand-picked pieces sourced from overseas, with a focus on jewellery and ‘’things that sparkle’’, in addition to scarves. She operates through the colourful Facebook page, posting between 5 and 10 photos of stock daily, which are commented on by interested buyers. She does this all whilst juggling a full-time job as a cross-media and marketing coordinator at Grocott’s Mail, as well as offering academic transcribing services in her limited free time.

The transition from a student to a local inspired her to provide Local Grahamstown entrepreneur, Tasanee Hermanus, knits and crotches headbands to sell. She is one of a few locals creating and selling arts and crafts as a means of earning that something extra. Photo: Noma Mavundla something that would have a wide reaching happiness factor. looking to share her knowledge and passion with those living with range of yarn, beads, needle hooks and threads, among other Cohen’s aim is to be simple but tender, “The aim of the page is to chronic illnesses, as a means of giving back to the community, useful items. They also stock vintage clothing, locally made hats make people happy, to offer something you won’t find anywhere drawing on her own time incapacitated due to illness. Hermans and hand-made jewellery for those not as practically gifted. “I else. The joy in it for me is by no means the money – it’s putting will gladly source a favourite yarn for anyone, and encourages am slowly building up a stock of crocheted headbands that will smiles on people’s faces,” said Cohen. She has created an sceptics to try out crafting with an open mind. In terms of go on sale when it starts getting cold enough to wear them,” opportunity for many to be able to afford items at a much lower inspiration, she finds that she is often most inspired by what others says Hermans. Despite being especially proud of her earrings, price – a smart move when considering the financial predicament are wearing. Her biggest dream in terms of the shop is to one Hermans’ main loves are knitting and crocheting, which she is that many students find themselves in. The page also runs day have a maker-space, where people could come and create all hoping to spread through affordable lessons and workshops on competitions monthly in which fans can win a jewellery hamper kinds of things, not just knitted or crocheted or beaded, but also the topics. “I have always loved learning new skills, especially in worth R250. There are plans to include more hampers as well as spun, forged and sewed. vouchers for local restaurants and spa treatments. To date she has the area of crafts,” says Hermans.

While both women have taken risks with branching out in “I really believe in the healing powers of crochet and knitting… sold over 200 rings, proving that Grahamstown does indeed have the entrepreneurial world, it’s clear that they enjoy what they I think it can also be used to tie together the broken fragments a thing for sparkles. do. They do it to give something back to the community of of lives, and connect us (to) something bigger and more Having walked past Red Cafe lately, you may have noticed a Grahamstown, to give the characters of this town more colour and meaningful.’’ Hermans encourages students to try the art forms colourful addition - the ‘In the Loop’ shop. The woman behind diversity in their wardrobes and lives. during stressful times as a creative form of stress relief. She is also it all is Tasanee Hermans. Appealing to the crafter will be the

Scitech 13

Edition 3

Bitcoin: Currency of the Internet

By Dimpho Moletsane

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ust as South Africa has the Rand, Japan the Yen and India the Rupee; the internet has the Bitcoin (BTC). Bitcoins are digital currency sent directly over the internet through a peer-to-peer framework. Bitcoin is, in many ways, similar to conventional payment systems like Visa credit cards or Paypal. Bitcoin can be used to buy and sell things from online distributors, as well as to fund and donate to projects and causes online. What makes Bitcoin unique is that no one; no bank, institution or government; owns it. The Bitcoin Network uses a decentralised peer-to-peer structure, with hundreds of computers all over the Internet working together to process Bitcoin transactions.

Bitcoin offers many advantages over standard means of online payment: •Bitcoin transfers currency between persons, thus affording significantly less transaction fees.

•Bitcoin is private, allowing users to not share their personal details.

•Bitcoin is an international currency, free from control of any institution or government, thus making transactions much easier.

•The Bitcoin Network is accessible to anyone with an internet connection.

•Bitcoin wallets cannot be frozen, and are free from any arbitrary limits.

How it Works: Using Bitcoins is as simple as downloading a Bitcoin Wallet, whether on a Smartphone or personal computer. Like a real wallet, it stores Bitcoins which can be used to transfer encrypted payments.

These payments are tracked, listed and controlled through a publicly shared ledger, called The Blockchain, which is checked and confirmed by powerful computers called miners.

Miners are private computers which facilitate Bitcoins in exchange for newly minted Bitcoins for their owners. Using powerful cryptography, the same used by banks with credit cards and electronic banking, Bitcoins are safe from intruders ensuring that they cannot be fraudulently copied, or accidentally double-spent.

To counter against inflation, Bitcoin works similar to mineral or gold mining: As more gold is mined, less gold can be mined. At the moment, 25 or so Bitcoins are generated every 10 minutes by miners. This rate will gradually half every four years. Bitcoin is set to never have more than 21 million BTC.

One way to acquire Bitcoin is through exchanges, which allow users to buy and sell Bitcoins for major currency. As of this publication, 50, 000 BTC are exchanged every day, with over 1000 online stores accepting BTC as payment. More recently, coffee shops have begun accepting Bitcoin as payment and new Bitcoin ATMs are being installed worldwide.

The Bitcoin market has exploded from $50 million to $1.2 billion within a year.

BitX South Africa, part of BitX Global is currently the largest Bitcoin exchange operating in South Africa. However, the soon to be launched BitcoinTrade is set to be South Africa’s first, exchanging Bitcoins in real-time from other users instead of awaiting international approval. There are alternatives to Bitcoin such as Litecoin, which work on very much a similar system.

Bitcoin exchanges currently stand at 1BTC = $628.

The Apped Generation comfort of their room at no charge or play the latest game for free on their phones.

Marketing and sponsorship generates We love apps; we live and breathe by revenue for free apps through the them. Students can now make huge advertising we hate at the bottom of amounts of money from apps with little every one of the apps we download. It effort and time and most importantly, a is what’s funding developers and in turn great idea. what’s making the app business a lucrative Initially, applications were simply one. App creators have become younger software run on hardware such as and less experienced in terms of skill and cellphones and laptops, aiding in prior learning. Any hopeful or potential the functioning of the hardware to its developer can learn how to create an app maximum capability. Recently, however, through free online sources like blogs, apps have evolved to a stage where YouTube tutorials and free help guides. they are so much more both in terms of This meaning that the app world really is technological advancement and user an open marketplace for those who are enjoyment. interested.

Apps, unlike other mediums, have little The reoccurring trend is that it is students in terms of barriers of entry, apart from a Smartphone and a free email. First gaining and the youth in general who are earning vast amounts of money charging for interest 30 years ago with the expansion sponsorship and advertising. By starting of companies like Microsoft, apps have with a bit of research, an innovative idea earned a place in popular culture through and some due diligence, it is possible modern Smartphones. for any student to earn money from app Hubs like Google Play and the Apple development. Students at the University App Store have given lucrative income strategies to technology based companies of Alabama in the United States recently created the app called Red Cup which like Apple and Samsung, creating market locates and displays the top five drink places for potential developers to create and sell apps. In 2008, Apple was the first specials in the vicinity. The popularity and daily increase in downloads and to launch such a hub, acting as a closed sponsorship requests have earned them community and providing trusted and huge amounts of money. tested app platforms to its users. Their The truth is that apps are addictive and credibility in conjunction with a successful students can either benefit from their use marketing strategy has resulted in Apple having one of the most loyal consumer and or put themselves at a disadvantage by downloading wrong ones. The problem brand fan bases to date. Apps today have with free open app stores such as Google radically changed the way we think, work Play is that anyone can upload an app, with and interact by incorporating themselves little testing to ensure if it is safe enough into our branding and popular media for public use. Users often fall for the trap culture today. Apps such as Angry Birds of a badly made app with a vast amount have commercialised outside the app of advertising and pop ups attached to markets and into everyday life in the form it. One cannot escape the fact that apps of T-shirts and children’s soft toys. are everywhere and they’re constantly Apps have changed the way people, evolving into new, more exciting paths for students in particular, view entertainment the future of the students today. and education. It is through apps, that smartphone users can view a film from the

By Tayla Sellschop

Telltale Game’s Latest Adventures for an interactive medium is a very different mind-set that takes a little getting used to, something that, unfortunately, most writers for gaming miss.” We are Telltale Games (TTG) are the rare exception in modern always concerned about player agency and making the gaming. Independent and low-budget, the company player feel like they are in control of the story, and that has managed to break all records and expectations often constrains what characters can say and do,” he single-handedly, revitalising the once-thought extinct continued genre of Adventure Games.

Telltale uses its own signature game mechanics to Telltale Games is run by Dan Connors and Kevin tell narratives. “It’s the exact opposite of First Person Bruner. “We set out, 8 years ago, to make ‘episodic’ Shooters (FPS), etc. I feel like each new FPS is the same “television style” games, and built the studio story printed in a new, fancier font, where a Telltale specifically to do this.” says Bruner, “It’s not an easy game might be using the same font from book to book, task. It’d be hard for a traditional AAA studio to do but that allows us to focus on the story and role playing, what we do.” In 2012, Telltale had its biggest success which is where we think the real fun is,” say Connors yet with its adaptation of the comic book series: The and Bruner.

Walking Dead. Selling a million copies in 20 days, The Telltale Games has recently announced a new series Walking Dead topped all major gaming charts.

Telltale Games wasn’t always as successful, even with of game based on the TV adaptation of the best-selling novel series Game of Thrones, using very similar, but bigger licences such as Jurassic Park and Back to The refined game mechanics to its other releases. “I think Future. “I think gamers responded differently to our past games because they were more traditional in their adventure games work best when you really feel like approach to gameplay verse Walking Dead which really you’re spending time in a different world with really evolved the mechanics, making gameplay more intense interesting characters. I think the word ‘adventure’ implies a grand scale,” say the creators. “Adventure and more accessible,” says Brunner.

Telltale Games’ strategy involves episodic releases of games get me emotionally invested in the world and characters far more than other types of games.” games in “seasons”, much like a television series. “We Adventure Games had been lost and forgotten in work on the season “live”, which means we write and mainstream gaming, however now they appear to be design the games as they come out,” says Connors. making a come-back “Expect that sooner or later you’ll Allowing Telltale Games to shape and adapt the series see other TTG style games, but I hope that we always to the things players are finding interesting. “We have have our own “feel”,” says Bruner. a lot of very talented writers.” says Brunner, “Writing

By Dimpho Moletsane

14 Environment

25 March 2014

Khulumani, reviving our rivers

By Jane Berg

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The group was then taken to Grahamstown’s natural spring at Coldstream Farm by the N2 and then concluded the excursion by collecting litter.

The ‘Water for Dignity Project’ is a product of the IWR and the national Khulumani Support Group, a branch of which was initiated in Grahamstown after the water crisis in June last year. The support group is made up of five local water activists and advocates communication within the Grahamstown community on water issues and opportunities to conserve water in the town.

“It comes out of the realisation by the Water Research Commission that the problems with water access, quality and treatment, will not be solved in isolation of participation by the community,” stated the Khulumani Project.

n celebration of International Rivers Day on 14 March, the Khulumani ‘Water for Dignity’ Project launched an initiative to help school students take ownership of Grahamstown rivers.

Representatives from local high schools were taught to use a Mini Stream Assessment Scoring System (Mini SASS) a bio-monitoring testing method to evaluate the quality of water sources. Wading into a river in Belmont Valley, the young teens gathered water samples and looked for different creepycrawlies found within.

The Mini SASS method rates a river’s cleanliness based on the different species living in it. In this case, the students found crabs, damselflies and minnows, giving the river a high average of 6.2.

“Making bio-monitoring accessible to everyone like this will hopefully bring about a sense of ownership at a grassroots level, changing attitudes about how we affect our water,” said Matt Weaver, a member of the Institute for Water Research (IWR) which helped facilitate the activity.

Once the river has been graded the results can be sent to the Mini SASS website in order to help compile data on the water quality of the region as a whole.

“I like this because it teaches us how to take care of our water,” said student Sibahle Plaatjie, “which is important because Grahamstown is a place where you can’t get water all the time.”

After the water testing, Khulumani took the school group on a tour of the Belmont Valley waste treatment works, where they were shown how polluted water is Facilitators Matt Weaver (IWR) and Mbulelo Lipile (Khulumani Support Group) collect water samples treated before being let run into rivers again. from Belmont valley river with students Siyolisa James and Siyanda Shwempe. Photo: Jane Berg

The secret behind Grahamstown’s skies

By Sarah de Villiers The morning sky is swamped with ominous clouds and the promise of rain, but by afternoon the sun is beating down mercilessly and you’ve peeled off at least two layers of clothing. This is Grahamstown weather, and it’s the definition of unpredictable.

There are two major factors behind the ever-changing sky and rapid changing temperatures in Grahamstown, according to Professor Ian Meiklejohn, Head of Rhodes University’s Department of Geography.

The primary determining factor is that Grahamstown is situated between two different climate systems. “We’re on the fringes of a summer rainfall area and we’re also on the fringes of a winter rainfall area,” said Meiklejohn.

As a result, Grahamstown is vulnerable to the slightest change in either system, which accounts for much of our peculiar weather.

Being situated on the fringes of rainfall areas is not the only influencing factor.

Grahamstown’s proximity to

the coast also has a significant impact on the weather. “Because we’re so far south and so close to the sea we get very rapid temperature changes,” said Meiklejohn.

One of the consequences of being so close to the sea is the vast amount of wind that pumps in. “Wind speed drops because of friction, like blowing over a surface,” explained Meiklejohn, “Between us and Antarctica there is nothing, because of that, we’re very windy”.

In addition to the sea-land interface, Grahamstown is affected by the synoptic scale events because of it being so far south. These events are the bigger, larger scale events that affect regional weather patterns.

Considering the rainfall fringes and coastal weather system, it is not surprising that Grahamstown is subject to such sporadic weather.

“We have all these weather systems that all interact together, so the chances of the weather changing in Grahamstown in one day are very good- it’s to be expected,” said Meiklejohn.

Are we shooting in the dark?

By Gladman Thondhlana

Higher education institutions such as Rhodes University are increasingly becoming major consumers of energy as university residences, offices and labs buzz with electronic devices of all sorts.

Concerns about and efforts for ‘sustainable’ energy consumption are informing various strategies aimed at reducing energy use in universities worldwide. Rhodes University is a signatory to the Talloires Declaration and therefore commits itself to minimising its ecological footprints through sustainable practices both within the university and in the surrounding communities.

As the University gets its electricity supply as a ‘large customer’, the amount Rhodes pays is based on its peak usage, as opposed to being billed for each KWh at a particular rate. This implies that the major driving economic incentive is for Rhodes to cut down its peak consumption.

Based on ongoing discussions with academic and non-academic staff, students and other people with an interest on energy issues, there seems to be huge opportunities for saving money. For example, a 5% reduction in energy use could save up to approximately R1 million annually.

Despite the clear economic incentive for reducing energy use, the University should be actively seen to be engaging in and promoting energy reduction strategies on moral and environmental grounds.

However, without knowledge on current energy use practices and historical data on electricity use, discussions about ‘efficient energy use’ or pro-environmental behaviour may be shooting in the dark. Debates underlain by a deficit of information on consumption status are likely to result in off the beam interventions and ultimate failure.

In light of this background, some of the issues that need to be on the debate agenda might include but are not limited to: 1.

The implications of the current billing approach on energy use and attempts aimed at fostering pro-environmental behaviour in the University.

2.

The attitudes and practices of energy use by staff and students (in offices, labs and residences) as a basis for identifying areas to reduce electricity consumption.

3.

How best to track energy use at departmental and residence/hall level? E.g. is installation of departmental or residence meters where there are no meters a possible option. With data on energy usage, research can show whether or not behaviour and practices can substantially be steered towards reducing electricity consumption.

4.

The role of environmental representatives in halls of residences. With respect to halls of residence, an increasingly diverse student population may bring a diverse baggage of cultural, economic and personal differences which is likely to have an influence on energy use practices.

This piece is not meant to discredit Rhodes’ ongoing efforts aimed at protecting the environment, but hopes to provoke some thought and discussions on how everyone in the Rhodes constituency can contribute to active debates around ‘sustainable’ energy use. In view, Rhodes should be leading efforts for energy use reduction because universities are centres for knowledge creation and dissemination, they are key to the fight for environmental sustainability.

Thondhlana lectures in the Department of Environmental Sciences at Rhodes.

Sport 15

Edition 3

Pineapple week: More than just a funny name student I most probably would never have met him,” said Leaver.

The spectators at a Rhodes versus Rats game, he Albany triangle is kind of known for its played on Tuesday, 18 March were not your spiky fruit. It does help that a town just down the road has erected a giant homage to the juicy average assortment of passers-by. A local retired farmer brought his camping chair and happily yellow produce. Though if your first thought when hearing the word pineapple is cricket, you spent his afternoon watching varsity cricket from are one of the lucky few to have been introduced under a tree. He waits all year for Pineapple, and to one of the most entertaining weeks the district was glad for some entertainment regardless of never hearing about the squads involved. has to offer.

Every day ends with the teams meeting back The annual farmer’s league cricket tournament, for a prize giving under a massive marquee. War called Pineapple Week, celebrated its 110th stories are swopped and grass burns revealed edition this year. Rhodes has three sides lucky enough to compete- the Rhodent’s, the Rats and while friendships are made to be rehashed at next year’s tournament. the Shrews. All teams travel to Port Alfred and This is a sports story. There are no scores or play on pitches around the town, with most of play by play match reports. That is because the Rhodes squad’s games taking place at the Pineapple Week shows us why we love the local Port Alfred School. games we play. Yes, sometimes it is about The atmosphere is professional, but the most winning, but mostly sport is about what it makes important thing about Pineapple Week, from us feel. Pineapple Week is more than just a funny the spectator’s perspective, actually seems to name and a legacy of cricket games - it is about take place off the field. When asked what was so amazing about the competition, Rats captain why we play in the first place.

Those who have been privileged enough to Craig Leaver had lists of reasons on hand. “I participate in the past happily gave up their St was in the Grahamstown Pick ‘n Pay and I hear Patricks Day weekend to travel back and forth to someone calling my name. I turn around and Port Alfred, and I guarantee they would willingly one of the guys I had played against a few do it again. Pineapple Week is for those who months earlier [in Pineapple week] was packing Batsman from the Rhodes Rats facing the Rhodents in Port Alfred during Pineapple week. Photo: Julia Fish don’t like cricket. They love it. the shelves. He is such a great guy and as a

By Julia Fish

T

Scoring big, soccer plans for the New Year

By Staff Reporter Rhodes football is one of the busiest clubs on campus. There are men’s and women’s first teams, an internal league, internal Futsal and annual friendlies such as the SA vs Zimbabwe and St Patricks Day Cup games.

The sheer overwhelming amount of organisation needed to run the club though hasn’t deterred them from taking a step up. This year the first men’s team will be playing in the Cacadu league, a long pass up to more professional soccer. Playing against larger outfits and more experienced players outside of local schools and colleges will be a big challenge for the squad, but they seem up to the task. This is evident since the club is not happy with making advancements on the pitch, but off it too.

The Rhodes soccer club house is due an upgrade, and seeing as the club does so many different things with different teams, the clubhouse next to Kings Field will serve as the meeting point for all these groups to come together. “We are hoping to put up posters and even get DSTV. This will be the base for all teams including the internal league and will be an exciting next chapter in promoting the club,” said Rhodes Soccer President, Sbonelo Dube. The new clubhouse will be launched in second term and the event will coincide with the soccer meet and greet and the annual highly anticipated SA versus Zimbabwe game.

Though a friendly game, the SA v Zim match attracts big crowds and has a long tradition at the university. Sides get quite riled up and the game sets the scene well as a season opener. The internal

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league shall begin in the second week of second term. 20 teams took part in last year’s edition and more are anticipated this year as a local high school side is interested in joining in the highly competitive league. The Futsal league will run concurrently to the internal league but the night time games, played in the hockey astro warm-up ring will run into fourth term when internal league ends at the end of third term.

As I sit and listen to the screams of my upstairs neighbours egging on Chelsea and Arsenal, it is evident that football has a strong following.

But let’s get behind the incredible efforts of our local squads, who are pulling out all the stops to produce an amazing year of fixtures and events.

The purple are governing

By Julia Fish Someone seems to have sent out a memo saying that if you want referees, international coaches or sports administrators, Rhodes is the place to find them.

Head of Sports Admin, Mandla Gagayi jetted off to South Korea last week. Gagayi is part of a fourman International University Sports Federation delegation representing South Africa in the town of Gwangju.

South Korea will host next year’s World Student Games and Gagayi has been trusted to advise if the country has done enough to warrant sending South African teams. Gagayi was the Deputy Chef de Mission of University Sports South Africa (USSA) to the World Student Games held in Kazan, Russia last year.

Gagayi isn’t the only Rhodes sports member who does big international duty. Gagayi’s colleagues Melissa

Awu and Siyanda Magopeni serve on the USSA squash NEC and USSA Supa Pool NEC respectively.

Dave Martin presided over archery at the World FITA games last year and was a judge at the World ParaArchery Championships in Thailand.

Martin had previously been called up to judge the finals of the World Archery Championships in France.

Candice Ryan did duty at the Eastern Cape Championships for dance sport and Sanelisiwe Sobahle refereed netball at USSA. Wayne Rathbone, the voluntary Rhodes Underwater Hockey coach for more than 10 years, is the chief referee in the country for the sport. Rathbone refereed at the 2013 Underwater Hockey World Championships in Eger Hungary.

Rhodes Sport and the coaches or staff seem to be in high demand for their skills. The purple are truly governing.

So much admin

By Julia Fish So you have handed over your subscription to some random club, and it is too late to turn back now. However, what kind of accountability do the clubs have when it comes to spending your money? Well, actually a lot more than you think.

The sports clubs that fail to play in tournaments or attract members get shown the door by Sports Admin.

One of the martial arts sides as well as badminton no longer exists for this exact reason. Badminton no longer played in an official league due to falling numbers and had a lack of activities for the players they did have.

In my first year I was in a club, that will remain nameless though I should shame them, and I didn’t hear from them once all year. They used and abused my subs money to get themselves weekend trips to the beach. So many promises were made on sign-up night, only to be forgotten the second the ink of my signature had dried. Unfortunately, this could happen to you, as although there are very strict rules about how the grants from Rhodes are spent, the subscription money is less policed.

Each club has to submit a budget to sports admin in order to justify what they need from the university. According to the Head of Sports Admin, Mandla Gagayi, “clubs are treated equitably but not equally”. Not all clubs need the same things and equipment. Something like rowing is going to cost a lot more than tennis equipment. Gagayi also says Sports Admin doesn’t just hand out cash, but rather follow strict negotiation processes around budgets. “There are things we call ‘nice to have’s’ that we tell clubs they can survive without,” he stated. The money from the university has to be accounted for or money won’t be given the following year or the club will be placed under administration.

Though this happens with grants, the money from subs seems to go to the ‘nice to have’ stuff like cheese and wines or additional training sessions.

Apparently it has been a problem in the past that higher up coaches or committee members use the money to go to tournaments to improve their standing. They manage this by having a committee made of friends or by levelling sessions at people who only have the experience level that the seniors can attain. Once the teams know how many people they suckered into joining, they tell Sports Admin how much they have raised and what they intend to spend it on. The onus is then on the team to do that- sports admin doesn’t make them.

So yes, clubs are accountable, but not 100%, especially if you can’t find them to shout at them. So I offer my services in this. I have the contact number of every club chairman or media rep. If nobody is calling you, call me and we will go forth and find your subs money. Beware sports clubs- we know where you live…

A fruit basket of cricket

Edition 3, 25 March 2014

Page 15

RU caring about rugby? You should ‘cause it’s about to get real

By Julia Fish uses clogged African Street, the stands of Great Field groaned under the travelling crowds, Activate made a big deal, and I got very excited. Sometimes I feel like I am alone in my love for Rhodes sport but trust me- this was a big deal! So here is the low-down on what hosting a Vodacom Cup game means to you.

The EP Kings and the Border Bulldogs (the feeder teams to the Southern Kings or the guys

B

who were cool enough to play Super Rugby last year) clashed on 15 March. Instead of the derby being played at a flashy stadium in Port Elizabeth or East London the match was played on our humble Great Field.

The game was part of the ‘taking rugby to the people’ EP initiative. Fans don’t only exist in metropolitan areas, so bringing the game to a friendly halfway point made sense. Rhodes in particular was chosen as the venue over two

other possible stadiums in Grahamstown, as there is a rugby administration structure. A fulltime position at Sports Admin exists to look after our rugby, where someone would have had to be brought in to oversee the event for the other possibilities. The coach of RU rugby also comes from within the EP structures so a relationship exists between the big leagues and our little club.

Rhodes rugby has had a little bit of a rocky time

Kings vs. Border at the Vodacom Rugby Cup which was held at Rhodes University, 15 March 2014. Photo: Ashleigh Morris

as of late. We aren’t known for our winning ways.

Morale has been low since Rhodes missed out on promotion to the B-section by just one point in 2012 and thus the downhill slide continued.

Unable to field a team for USSA 2013, Rhodes now plays in the D-league. However, there have been highlights, such as the win at last year’s Intervarsity against Fort Hare’s Varsity Shield team. One of the incentives to host the Vodacom Cup is the EP Kings academy will now play a game against either the U21 side or the First X1 later in the year, given the opportunity to sharpen skills against top notch opposition. EP Kings head coach Mzwandile Stick said scouts for the academy would be present, and Rhodes players could go on to be drafted into EP ranks. This massive opportunity of experience and exposure is a vital element missing for our squads who are not given the benefit or audiences of Varsity Shield or Varsity Cup games.

Hosting the Vodacom Cup game is a hope to extend the promise RU Rugby has shown of late. There was no infrastructure investment for the game, apart from checking a few lights and lick of paint on the stairs of the grand stand. The Great Filed can host a mean party, but 15 March proved this small molehill riddled space can do so much more. Head of Sports Admin, Mandla Gagayi, said maybe someone in the crowd or some kind soul from EP might look at our set up and be enticed to invest; it is the perfect platform to appeal for charity.

The game was also a warm-up for the USSA tournament that will be hosted by Rhodes between 30 June and 4 July. Rhodes hasn’t had to fork out any money personally to host these prestigious tournaments, but gains massively from the profile.

The Vodacom Cup game was a privilege to watch _such competitive rugby on my doorstep.

However the excitement goes beyond the day, as the heritage of hosting tournaments of this scale means a lasting boost to Rhodes sport.

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