The Oppidan Press - Edition 5 - August 2017

UCKAR event against sexual violence

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ANC fifth national policy conference

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SA government insures your health

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The Oppidan Press Edition 5, 2 August 2017

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Low dam levels have Grahamstown's water up in the air

Photo: Illustration ELLEN byHEYDENRYCH. Brendon Reyneke Photograph: Sourced

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The Oppidan Press 2 August 2017

News Features

Clean drinking water is vital for life, and it is running out. Photo: SOURCED.

State of emergency called but bears no improvement Luc Haasbroek

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rahamstown has had a problem with water for many years, and this has only worsened in the last few months.

Due to lower than average rainfall Makana Municipality's main water source, Settlers Dam, is down to 22%.

Howieson’s Poort Dam, a backup water source, plummeted from 90% in April to 56% in mid-July. A report in April concluded that at current water usage rates, the dams would probably be able to provide three months’ supply of water. However, that was three months ago.

The dire state of the water reserves prompted the Makana Municipal Council to declare a state of emergency in May. If the situation is not under control soon, it seems likely that the

municipality will implement water shedding. In a public statement, the municipality said that this rationing would most likely come in the form of “water shedding for at least two days per zone”.

In the hopes of avoiding the need for further rationing, the Makana community has taken some steps to address these issues. On 12 July divers inspected Settlers Dam to determine how much water can be pumped and used if special measures are implemented. According to the results, the deepest supply inlet to Howieson’s Poort Dam is blocked with silt and another is above the water level. However, the other two outlets are clear and operating to allow water into the dam, supplementing Grahamstown’s water treatment works.

UCKAR has slowly lent a hand as

well. In response to the water shortage, the University set up a Water Crisis Committee and launched a publicity campaign to raise awareness about water conservation. However, the progress of this is uncertain.

The Makana Municipality has also imposed water restrictions since April, only reiterating their importance during the National Arts Festival. These include prohibiting the use of potable water to wash cars and property or water gardens and fields. Total water use is limited to a maximum of 100 litres of water per person per day.

The reservoirs were throttled each evening in order for water storage levels to recover, which resulted in lower water pressure daily between 21:00 and 5:00. However, these restrictions do not appear to have made much of

announced. It remains to be decided whether the performance will take place in the space of an evening or over a couple of days.

According to co-organiser Dominique McFall, “We would like it to encourage people to express themselves in their own way. The Silent Protest puts people into only two categories – ­ survivor and supporter – which is impossible.” The performance also aims to move away from the binary that sexual violence only happens to womxn, an issue that has been made increasingly visible and problematised. McFall described it as not being a performance for or about womxn, but an all-inclusive performance. The will also seek to encourage people to see the agency they have in their own bodies.

The Vagina Monologues have been performed at university campuses across the world and many of the

proceeds going toward the V-Day Organisation, which hosts thousands of benefit events each year. It seeks to end violence against womxn and girls and to ‘revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations’.

However, McFall stated that they are investigating whether or not they need to work with the V-Day Organisation and are looking at rather involving the Raphael Centre in Grahamstown which offers HIV testing, counselling, and education, and aims to encourage the prevention of HIV. The event is also in need of fundraising, marketing, and workshopping assistance and volunteers.

The date of the event is still pending but ideally it will take place during the week of 2 August. It will also function to increase awareness before the Silent Protest, which will take place on 11 August.

an impact. In June, a public notice from the office of the municipal manager concluded that “consumption patterns indicate that residents are not adhering to these restrictions”.

Since then, in an effort to improve public awareness of the issue, Makana Municipality has issued press releases and water restriction notices. However Nikki Kohly, the UCKAR Safety, Health and Environmental Officer, feels the municipality could do more to address the situation.

“I am amazed that the authorities did not take action to impose restrictions and water saving measures sooner,” Kohly says. “Makana have huge water signs which could be put up at the entrance points into town, but these have not been visible at all.”

Kohly believes that most people are not taking the water crisis seriously

enough. She said, “This is partly the fault of the authorities for not issuing authoritative statements sooner, or role-modelling the necessary watersaving behaviour themselves.”

There appears to have been some improvement in the community’s response to the water shortage in recent weeks, but a lot of work still needs to be done to alleviate the crisis. Students can help out by using water sparingly, flushing toilets only when necessary, limiting laundry to one load a week, collecting and using rainwater, and showering rather than bathing.

There may be posters around Grahamstown advocating for water conservation, but these are not enough.

As Kohly explained, “We need to see actions that reflect the words.”

Vocalising agency in Inclusive Vagina Monologues event Holly Allison Due to the #RUReferenceList protests, the 2016 Silent Protest was cancelled as it was felt the issue had surpassed an act of silence. However, the protest will be taking place in 2017 as it is believed to maintain a vital space in Grahamstown. It was recently announced that there will also be a more ‘vocal’ event, the Inclusive Vagina Monologues at UCKAR, although the name is subject to change.

The co-ordinators hope that the event will raise awareness about the reality of rape culture and social violence. The event will incorporate a workshopped performance that will include monologues and choreographed pieces and may feature poetry as well. Individuals are encouraged to write their own pieces but the authors’ names will not be

The Inclusive Vagina Monologues, set to take place in August, aims to increase awareness of the Silent Protest through a workshopped performance.

Illustration: ELLEN HEYDENRYCH.

2 August 2017 The Oppidan Press

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News Features Giving and receiving at the centre of Trading Live The annual Trading Live Week took place from 24 to 28 July in commemoration of Mandela Day. During this time, students, University staff, schools, businesses, and Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) community partners connected and traded skills or talents. A wide range of trades took place including the involvement of many UCKAR students so The Oppidan Press gathered some answers to the question, “What does Trading Live mean to you?”

The Provost Café was originally a military prison built in 1838. Photo: BENJAMIN DE LA FONTAINE.

Grahamstown

The beauty in our buildings Aaliyah Aboobaker

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he City of Saints is known for its antique architecture reflecting its history. Be it the Drostdy Arch at the entrance to the University Currently Known as Rhodes (UCKAR) or the National English Literary Museum (NELM), each structure tells a different story about Grahamstown – both past and present. The blend of British and South African architecture makes this quaint town interesting.

The 1820 Settlers National Monument was built to commemorate the arrival of the British to Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth. The massive structure erected in 1974 was intended to be a hub for open discussion. The history of the Drostdy Arch followed a more violent path. It once served as a guard house and entrance to what was the military parade ground.

Both these buildings were once seen as celebratory or beneficial to the community. Now they represent a time of colonisation and subjugation for many.

The spire of the Cathedral of St Michael and St George was completed in 1879 and was the tallest building in the country for many years. As one of the first places of worship for the English in Grahamstown, the Cathedral itself (completed in 1952) grew out of a much simpler design after the decision of the first Bishop of Grahamstown,

John Armstrong. The stained-glass windows have been in place for over 100 years and are estimated to be worth R20 million.

Not all of Grahamstown’s noteworthy buildings were built in past centuries. Newer buildings such as the NELM reflect a more contemporary architectural style. The building has a sleek, geometric outer design with floor-to-ceiling windows and shimmering steps leading to the entrance. Housing creative writing works by South African authors, the NELM collects and conserves material evidence pertaining to this literature. Appealing to the newer generation of literary aficionados, this building is a must-see.

Older buildings have also been given a ‘facelift’ in April 2017 by UCKAR’s Community Engagement and Makana Tourism. Buildings around Grahamstown have been painted to inspire residents with art including a mural of O. R. Tambo. Not only does this initiative embrace the creativity of the people, but also allows for more recent history to be honoured.

Modern South African designs blend beautifully in Grahamstown. Not only is it a tourist attraction, it also reminds us as South Africans of our diverse art history.

No matter what time period our architecture is influenced by, each building reflects a part of the people and their history.

“Trading Live is a project where people get to work together and get to know each other in Grahamstown.”

Nosipho ‘Nosi’ Nkwinti

“It is inspired by Nelson Mandela (and his birthday) as a mass community engagement project through UCKAR. I have not been involved this year, but find the variety of projects for students and staff alike to get involved in brilliant, and taking the time (more than 67 minutes when you think about it) to do something constructively positive for others in their community - beyond the Rhodes bubble!”

Christina Schild

“It’s for Nelson Mandela Week.

Giving back to the community and vice versa.”

Malik Musumba

“The point [of Trading Live] is to realise that even when you are in a different situation you can definitely learn something from it. Everyone always thinks that when doing that kind of work they have nothing to learn from those they are helping, but actually it is supposed to be a give and take situation. We learn something and also give something.”

Matiparuva Hwacha

“It’s a platform for people to come together. Even if it is you as a solo person, to help someone, to make them smile. It should just be an everyday thing.”

Danielle van der Merwe

The 1820 Settler's National Monument was built in 1974 to commemorate British settlers. Photo: BENJAMIN DE LA FONTAINE.

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The Oppidan Press

2 August 2017

Opinion

The Oppidan Press UCKAR opened on 17 July after an all-too-short mid-year vacation, during which Uncle ROSS visited students following June’s exam period.

Exam results are not final – there is time to ask for help if you need from lecturers and tutors.

We continue to use the term ‘UCKAR’ in this edition to illustrate our support for the change of our institution’s name. Our reporters covered the name change debate held on 17 July, with UCKAR alumni and professors on the panel. We also use the term ‘womxn’ as it is more inclusive.

The Makana Municipality declared a state of emergency in May due to Grahamstown’s ongoing water crisis. With Settlers Dam and Howieson’s Poort Dam both far below capacity, Grahamstown is facing water restrictions and the possibility of water shedding. Find out more in our News Features section.

Preparation is underway for the Silent Protest, set to take place on 11 August. The organising committee is planning an event to take place beforehand: The Inclusive Vagina Monologues, although this name is subject to change. Our reporters spoke to the organisers to find out more about this event.

Our Arts and Entertainment reporters visited the District Six 50th Commemorative Print Exhibition, commemorating the forced removals of residents of District Six during apartheid. The artworks depicted the community that was evicted so District Six could be reassigned as a white area.

South Africa is preparing to implement a health care system compulsory for all citizens: the National Health Insurance (NHI). Having been approved by the Cabinet, the system is set to be in place by 2025. It aims to allow all citizens to access health care.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) mixed martial artist Conor McGregor will challenge boxing legend Floyd Mayweather’s unbeaten record on 26 August. Mayweather is known for physically assaulting womxn and using homophobic slurs, while Mcgregor is known for racist comments and misogynoir. Despite this, both men have a net worth of millions of dollars, with the upcoming clash been dubbed as “The Money Fight”.

With the sun still shining at 18:00, it is clear that winter is on its way out.

If you are still resentful of the cold, worry not – we have some tips to stay warm and healthy during winter.

The Oppidan Press wishes students the best of luck as they continue their work. We remind students to focus on their mental, emotional, and physical health to continue with a successful academic year.

Chester Bennington and mental health Ashleigh Dean Chester Bennington, an American singer and songwriter, committed suicide on 20 July 2017. He was Linkin Park’s frontman, often addressing mental health issues and fractures in relationships in his lyrics and interviews.

Bennington exercised daily, followed a healthy diet, maintained a regular sleep schedule, and openly spoke about his experiences with his mental health - all recommended to aid depression. He still battled, and said “The place between my ears, that’s a bad neighbourhood, I should not be in there alone.”

Linkin Park is famed for their hip hop-infused modern rock with angry vocals and screaming guitar riffs. Their music is aimed at a fairly niche market, yet they remain one of the best-selling bands in the world. Following Bennington’s death, discussions about mental health issues were prevalent. Awareness peaked before dwindling back to occasional mentions on timelines. It is important not to forget or neglect mental health care in South Africa. Mental health stigmas need to be dismantled, and giving people a platform to discuss these issues can help to ensure this.

The World Bank and The World Health Organisation (WHO) published a study in 2016 stating that mental illnesses are responsible for 30% of global non-fatal disease burden. According to IOL, there are 20 suicide attempts and one suicide every hour. Health24 asserted that suicide

accounts for 10% of non-natural adult deaths and 9.5% of adolescent deaths. 75% of people will not receive adequate care.

The American Psychological Association published a study about mental health illnesses and their prevalence on university campuses. According to the study, “For students to be able to learn at their peak capacity, they need to be physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually well.

Students who struggle are more likely to drop out of school, but by providing services for their anxiety, depression and relationship issues, we can help them manage these issues."

At UCKAR, students have access to the Counselling Centre and to the Psychology Clinic. There is no additional cost for the Counselling Centre, while the Psychology Clinic’s costs are determined by a sliding-scale system. Support communities and therapy services are available online, but costs vary.

Struggles with mental health often impact how students handle university. Support structures are available at UCKAR and in online communities. Ensuring accessibility to and destigmatising mental health care are important in taking steps to address this crisis.

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details Editor-in-Chief: Ashleigh Dean. Executive Consultant: Kathryn Cleary.

Finance and Advertising Manager: Shannice Nandhoo. Print Editor: Sboniso Thombeni. Community Curator: Rufaro Joylyn Kanganga. News Features Editor: Holly Allison. Politics Editor: Zoe Mafoko. Assistant Politics Editor: Thabo Matsaba. Arts & Entertainment Editor: Andrea Le Goabe. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Andrea Green-Thompson.

Environment Editor: Shannon Herd-Hoare. Assistant Environment Editor: Katie Matooane. Sports & Health Editor: Hayley Skerritt. Assistant Sports & Health Editor: Asavela Mhlanga. Chief Photo Editor: Joshua Stein. Assistant Chief Photo Editor: James Fowler. Chief Designer: Ellen Heydenrych. Online Editor: Shannon Lorimer. OppiTV Editor: Nndivhaleni Netshiavhela. OppiTV Deputy Editor: Zondelela Njaba. OppiFM Chief Editor: Paige Muller. OppiFM Deputy Editor: Stuart Wilson. OppiFM Managing Editor: Collette Prince. OppiFM Content Editor: Lebogang Mashego. Ombudsperson: Professor Anthea Garman.

Letters to the Editor: editor@oppidanpress.com Advertising details: financeadvertisingteam@oppidanpress.com www.oppidanpress.co.za www.facebook.com/theoppidanpress www.twitter.com/oppidanpress @oppidanpress The Oppidan Press publishes letters which are bona fide expressions of opinion provided that they are not clearly libellous, defamatory, racist or sexist. We publish anonymous letters, but as an act of good faith on your part, we require your full name. We reserve the right to shorten letters due to space constraints and to edit them for grammatical inaccuracies. Letters that do not make it into our print edition will be published on our website.

Chester Bennington, Linkin Park's vocalist, died on 20 July.

He spoke openly of his struggles with his mental health. illustration: BRENDON REYNEKE.

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Community Our new Community section

Our Community Curator, Rufaro Kanganga, works to communicate with local organisations to compile a section that is not only for the community, but by the community. The section features information about organisations, upcoming community events, as well as ways to get involved. We hope that by featuring this section both students and staff can work to build better relationships with people outside of the University space. If you know of a local organisation that would like to be featured, let us know by sending us an email at community@oppidanpress.com.

Grahamstown hospice caring for patients since 1984 Angela Hibbert

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Grahamstown's Hospice cares for patients all over the Eastern Cape. Photo: SOURCED.

BEST WIFI DEALS

rahamstown Hospice was established in 1984 in response to a need for the care of terminally-ill patients who were mostly cancer patients at the time. The objective is to offer holistic care to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of people with life-threatening illnesses. The focus is on preventing, treating, or eliminating discomfort and managing symptoms to promote quality of life for patients and support for their families.

This has been achieved over the past 33 years.

Grahamstown Hospice subsequently established a satellite hospice in Port Alfred in 1997 to cover the Ndlambe Municipality.

With the advent of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, Hospice received many referrals from clinics, doctors, medical centres, and specialists and expanded the services to meet these needs.

Hospice also partnered with the national body and the Department of Health in support of the Hospice Palliative Care Association of South Africa (HPCA) DR TB Care programme. Grahamstown Hospice is affiliated to the national hospice body HPCA and is also accredited with Council of Health Services Accreditation South Africa (COHSASA), with whom it enjoys a five star rating. Together with the local government hospital, Hospice ran a very successful Palliative Care Unit for 10 years until the Department of Health was no longer able to fund it and it closed in 2015.

Our Hospices care for approximately 320 patients and their families per month in the communities we serve, which include Grahamstown, Riebeek East, Alicedale, Bathurst, Port Alfred, Kleinemonde,

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Our free services are provided by a professional team of committed and dedicated workers. The Hospice team works together to ensure that the care of each patient referred to Hospice is planned and coordinated to ensure quality of life, dignity in death, and support in bereavement. This care is provided by a multidisciplinary team including a palliative care specialist, the clinical services manager, professional nurses trained in palliative care, home-based community care workers who are supervised by a professional nurse, and auxiliary social workers.

After the initial assessment, an integrated care plan is drawn up and family members are trained to care for their loved one in the privacy of their own home. The necessary equipment is made available on a loan basis where possible to facilitate home-based care. Hospice networks extensively with other organisations to access the resources needed for the care of all patients. For information on how to access Hospice Care, contact the Grahamstown and Sunshine Coast offices.

Volunteers are the backbone of Hospices throughout the country and community members are invited to contact their local Hospice to consider various ways in which they may get involved. We appreciate support of our ongoing fundraising activities and are grateful if clubs and societies are prepared to arrange fundraising ventures on our behalf. We also manage two Hospice shops and appreciate the generous donations we receive of household goods, furniture, clothing, and books.

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The Oppidan Press

2 August 2017

Politics

For or against the name change?

Zoe Mafoko

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The issue of the name change is a question that remains in the minds of many students at UCKAR. (Photo: JAMES FOWLER)

he Transformation Summit, held from 28 July to 30 July 2017 aims to promote consciousness and raise awareness regarding issues of transformation through debate and conversation.

The summit was preceded by a week of debate and discussion on issues of transformation. These included a discussion held on 17 July 2017 regarding the future of the name of the University Currently Known as Rhodes (UCKAR).

The discussion began with an explanation of why the University is named Rhodes by Professor Paul Maylam, a staff member of UCKAR’s History Department. According to Maylam, “the name was all about money”. Furthermore, Maylam discussed a 20-year period of the University’s name being under debate but motions to change the name were consistently defeated because of “brand value”. An argument with which Maylam does not agree is that heightened protest activity with the #RhodesMustFall campaign has made the ‘brand’ toxic. He also argued that while he was in favour of the name change, the financial cost must be weighed too. According to Maylam, when the University of Johannesburg changed its name 12 years ago it cost the institution R50 million. Maylam is not certain this is a cost that UCKAR can afford and absorb in its current financial situation.

UCKAR alumnus Rich Mkhondo, one of the first black people to come to the University in 1981, argued against the name change: “Rhodes’ views of black people have been defeated.”

He argued that because names hold memories, it must be remembered where the institution came from in order for the institution to be modelled better than its past.

Songezile Madikida, another panelist, made use of Mkhondo’s argument regarding names and their memories to justify his stance regarding the need for the name change. According to Madikida, the 2015 #RhodesMustFall

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“#RhodesMustFall campaign has made the brand toxic.”

- Professor Paul Maylam

movement successfully captured the political and emotional turmoil which confronts black South Africans when they are confronted with the name Rhodes. Madikida concludes that if UCKAR wants to be a home to all South Africans, it needs to consider changing its identity.

Leeroy Maisiri, a Rhodes Industrial Economics and Sociology PHD candidate and the final panelist, also defended why the name should not change.

According to Maisiri, “The alumni of Rhodes University, the big donors, the people who put in the money, who continuously fund students, don’t want

the name to change.” Maisiri attested that “over the last two years they have become very aggressive with their approach. If the name changes they’re going to spend their money buying sheep and cattle and anything other than funding this institution”. Maisiri said that by the end of the debate, a moral decision needs to be made based on the hierarchy of importance, citing the fact that it is more cost-effective to hire black, female deans in the University than to change the name of the institution.

When the question and answer session began, the floor was quick to jump to the argument of the financial cost of the name change, particularly if it is just a cosmetic change which does not adequately address the University’s systematic class and race issues. Some audience members levelled the name change as “window dressing”, as some panellists had referred to the change.

The outgoing SRC President Rolihlahla Mabaso argued that the SRC “believes that the name should change, that is a very clear one”. However, they are not asking for the University to make the money available today in order to change the name tomorrow. Instead, the SRC has said “we want a commitment from the University in saying that (they) are committed to changing the name of the institution while addressing the micro-issues that are happening in our University”.

The discussion around changing the University’s name is one that remains contentious and, in the words of Maylam, the reason the University was named Rhodes is because of money and it will not or cannot be changed for the same reason.

The ANC policy conference and how it affects you Zoe Mafoko The ANC held their fifth national policy conference from 30 June to 5 July 2017. Numerous issues of public interest were discussed and recommendations to solve the issues were put forward.

The Department of Higher Education and Training will be working in conjunction with the Department of Human Settlements to deal with the issue of student housing. This proposal comes after eNCA published an exposé covering students at various universities who did not have accommodation and were sleeping in university libraries and abandoned buildings around the universities.

The Minister of Human Settlements Lindiwe Sisulu said in 2016, “As government, we believe that some of the rundown buildings in our inner cities can be used for accommodating students. We believe this can be a chance for young developers to enter the property market. We are working on this as an urgent project. I have asked the Director General to work with the Director General of Higher Education and Training on how we can do this.”

This call was fervently reiterated at the conference as the ruling party tried to establish a solution for the rise in numbers of university students who do not have accommodation.

Further issues of higher education – such as free education – arose at the conference. The government has proposed that a new model of the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is currently being tested to accommodate a fee-free education for the country’s poor and those currently classified as the “missing middle”.

Currently the missing middle are the students from families who earn less than R600 000 per annum. However the government is looking to reduce that figure to R120 000 in order to accommodate only the poorest of students without putting strain on the country’s fiscal. Should the new model be a success, the government is prepared to refine and commit to it as the new financial aid scheme which will be adopted immediately.

In terms of Science and Technology, Minister Naledi Pandor briefed delegates on the government’s proposal to provide free Wi-Fi to some of the country’s disadvantaged areas. By

doing so, Pandor states that those left behind in the fourth industrial revolution will be left behind no longer.

Furthermore, providing free Wi-Fi access to disadvantaged persons and communities empowers them with access to information so that they may be knowledgeable regarding the country’s events and able to exercise their democratic right to actively participate in the politics of the country. The Department of Science and Technology is committed to placing emphasis on the growth of the country’s technological progress. Pandor states that providing free Wi-Fi access to the country’s citizens allows people to unlock and explore avenues of technology which they have not before.

The proposed adjustments on issues within the Department of Higher Education, should they be successful, will change the way in which people in the country can further their education and do so in an environment in which they are comfortably accommodated.

Careful attention should be given to the implementation and maintenance of these plans.

The African National Congress , the current ruling party, held their fifth national policy conference between 30 June and 5 July 2017. Photo: SOURCED.

2 August 2017

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Environment

UCKAR honours those who strive to help our environment. Illustration: ELLEN HEYDENRYCH.

Recognition for environmental stewards Shannon Herd-Hoare

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eginning in 2009, The Rhodes University Environmental Awards were developed with a view to reward those involved in activities that promote sustainability on campus and within the greater Grahamstown community, as well as raising environmental concerns.

Nikki Kohly, member of the Rhodes University Environmental Committee which facilitates the award, said that the award serves “to be a source of encouragement and inspiration of the works that ordinary people in all sectors of the University and greater Grahamstown community are participating in”. These annual awards are wide-reaching as they recognise efforts from diverse groups: a UCKAR department or section, a student society or residence, a member of staff or current student, or a Makana community individual or organisation.

Nominations for these awards are based on evidence of meeting various criteria, including the development and implementation of innovative, sustainable practices which have been in place for longer than 18 months, evidence that these said practices will continue being implemented after receiving the award, and demonstrating the ability for greater involvement of peers and the community.

In the past, student societies such as Galela Amanzi have won the society award for not only raising funds and buying and installing water tanks in disadvantaged areas of Grahamstown including schools, community centres, and clinics, but also ensured the long-term sustainability of projects through education and training.

Other section awards have been won by residences and their initiatives such as Amina Cachalia and their ‘Rethink the Bag’ project which sought to educate members of the residence about the overconsumption of single-use plastic bags and made reusable plastic bags available to be shared.

Recipients of the awards clearly illustrate the incorporation of the core pillars that UCKAR is committed to: knowledge creation, knowledge dissemination, and community engagement. It is hoped that these awards appeal to people’s self-interest and the urgent need to be conscious citizens and invest in the wellbeing of the environment that ultimately provides the resources that underpin human wellbeing. 2017 nominations for these awards should be submitted by 28 August 2017. For more information visit: www.ru.ac.za/environment/awards/about

Food waste in UCKAR dining halls amounts to approximately 705 882 plates of food annually. Photo: SOURCED.

Severe food waste in Rhodes dining halls Shannon Herd-Hoare It is estimated that approximately one third (1.3 billion tonnes) of all food produced globally is wasted annually, amounting to over R12.9 billion.

Research conducted by Dr. Gladman Thlondhlana and Kathleen Painter in the Environmental Science Department on food waste in UCKAR dining halls shows that these are not isolated figures. It was found that the average amount of food waste across all three meals was approximately 555g per student per day. When extended across all students in residence and all dining halls, food waste was estimated to be about 1.9 tonnes per day. Generally, more food was wasted at breakfast and dinner than at lunch, and more food was wasted in female dining halls than in co-ed or male dining halls. In total, approximately 450 tonnes of food waste was produced during the academic year (236 days), which can be compared to

roughly 705 882 plates of food.

High levels of food waste were related to various factors, such as students not taking booked meals and students leaving food on their plates.

Such severe levels of food waste require interventions at multiple levels, which may also yield benefits for a cash-strapped university. Painter and Thlondhlana believe that “a 10% reduction in the amount of food waste per year would result in a yearly conservative saving for the University of over US$80 000”, which amounts to just over R1 million. These financial savings are roughly equivalent to the annual tuition and residence fees for about 10 students at the University.

The role of students in food waste reduction strategies is significant. For example, they may request portions of food suitable for their appetite, or only request preferred parts of the meal.

Another more technical measure may be the introduction of a trayless system,

which may mean that students are more aware of the food and quantities they eat. Education about the social and environmental costs attached to food waste is also a key strategy as it is hoped that an increased awareness will persuade students to unbook meals if they are unable to take them. The incorporation of programmes to engage with students on the value of food waste minimisation into the Orientation Week programme may provide the perfect platform to achieve this. Other more administrative interventions, which involve restructuring systems within the University, are also an important element.

Combining these interventions may yield significant food waste reduction, which not only provides positive environmental, social, and ethical effects, but may also provide economic benefits to the University. The ball is now in our court, and the time to be conscious consumers is now.

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2 August 2017

Arts & Entertainment Local business forms pillars of the Arch for two decades Esihle Faltein

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Vuyiswa Antoni’s craftwork has become a standard feature at The Arch. (Photo: JAMES FOWLER)

he first thing one is drawn to when walking past the Arch is the colourful beaded embroidery that shimmers in the sunlight.

For the past 26 years, Vuyiswa Antoni has been selling beadwork to Grahamstown locals to support her family. After moving from one place to another to set up her business, The Arch has become her home with the help from UCKAR (University Current Known As Rhodes) students. Antoni’s designs range from traditional patterns to casual looks to accessorise a summer dress.

It is rare to find people who make craftwork from scratch without the help of machinery. The world is becoming fast, digitised, and futuristic. Antoni is one of the few people who chooses her hands, thread, and beads to create something beautiful.

She wakes up at 7:00 everyday and arrives at her stall at 10:00, ready to meet new customers. “Ndilapha nje ngumama,” Antoni said as she beaded a necklace. (I am here because of my mother; she taught me how to do bead work.) She lives with her 80-year-old mother and her younger sister who stays at home taking care of their ill mother. “After losing my

job in 1991 I decided it is time I did something new,” she said, smiling as she mixed different colour beads on thread. Since then she has been selling beads while trying to make ends meet for her family.

Antoni is the sole breadwinner at home, which has put a lot of stress on her. When she started her business with three other womxn at the Arch, it was not always successful. When they started, they were asked to remove their stalls and sell their goods elsewhere. From selling outside Checkers on High Street and the Grocott’s Mail building, Antoni’s business had a decrease in customers and started to deteriorate.

There was no substantial reason for removing Antoni and the other womxn from The Arch. UCKAR students negotiated with management and the womxn were allowed to sell their merchandise at the Arch. “I am thankful for the students’ support towards my business – without them I wouldn’t be here,” she said.

Their passion is reflected in the craft that they produce. Antoni makes her beadwork out of love and joy. She is inspired by anything colourful. “I try new innovative ways to make money and whenever I get the chance, I go for it,” she said.

Poets, creatives, artists in Grahamstown Andrea Le Goabe Grahamstown and UCKAR are known for their prevalent talent in art and creativity. Writer’s Bloc, an open-mic event with poetry and live music, has been part of the community of students that take part in the freedom of the arts.

On 27 July 2017, Writer’s Bloc took place at Slipstream Sports Bar. Most of the acts included personal poetry by various students. The only live musical performance was performed by 19-year-old Tameez Boorany, originally from Johannesburg, Gauteng.

He began playing guitar at the age of 14 and recently experienced some difficult times in his personal life. “I heard about the event through a friend – she was the coordinator for this event and convinced me to perform.” Boorany, who was nine days clean from substance abuse at the time, decided to come to Grahamstown to work on his creativity and music. “This was my first time performing in front of people,” he said.

During his performance, Boorany played different improvisations with his electric guitar whilst altering the amp.

This created an amplitude of electrical signals between his sets. The audience experienced the passion in his music and applauded him on his performance.

He mentions his biggest inspirations to take up electric guitar, including hard rock bands like Metallica. He is thankful for music for helping him with his substance abuse and changing his life for the better.

Writer’s Bloc is a space for the creative and free. Not only does the UCKAR community appreciate and support the space for the arts, but provides a platform for other young artists too. To find out more, find the Writer’s Bloc page on Facebook.

Tameez Boorany,(left) was joined by other talented performers who took the stage on the night, Esihle Lupindo (top right) and Jonah Schild (bottom right) for the Writer's Bloc event. Photos: JAMES FOWLER.

2 August 2017

The Oppidan Press

With winter here it is important to find a way to stay warm and beat the cold. Photo: JOSHUA STEIN.

Surviving winter in G-town

Caitlin De Souza Grab a cup of coffee and your favourite fluffy blanket because we are going to discuss tips to stay cosy and healthy this Grahamstown winter.

Simple and affordable, there are various ways not only to endure but enjoy this winter. Your student budget will remain cosy too.

The National Health Insurance is a medical aid program which aims to bring better health care to more South Africans Photo: SOURCED.

Will SA health care improve?

Hayley Skerritt

T

he National Health Insurance (NHI) is a compulsory scheme soon to be introduced into the South African health care system that enables all citizens to receive the healthcare they need. Both taxpayers and medical aid rebates will contribute to the funding of the system. People who are unable to contribute through tax will be subsidised by the government.

The project began in 2012 and is planned to roll out in phases over 14 years. There are three main phases of the project. The phases include contacting various health care professionals depending on their necessity and complexity – the more basic the need, the sooner the health care will be implemented in the phases. The system will then focus on attending to urgent patients. It will also focus on children, mothers, and the elderly.

There has been a universal trend where healthcare is becoming a stronger priority for countries and does not only benefit those who have a strong socio-economic status.

The NHI “will be compulsory for all South Africans”, said Health Minister Aaron Motsaledi. Motsaledi further said that due to the NHI white paper being approved, the NHI will be fully operational by 2025. There is much enthusiasm

from people implementing the scheme that the NHI will be successful. If the project is successful, it will help more individuals and will improve the economy’s stability.

There are many sceptics of the scheme, especially considering the state of some major government hospitals. There is a dire lack of resources at many hospitals across the country; one major issue being the lack of nurses and surgeons.

The NHI jeopardises medical aid companies as they will be largely redundant once the project is operational.

However, private medical aids differ. This is a topic that is being assessed so they can assimilate appropriately into the scheme. The NHI scheme proposes to benefit the majority of the population. However, following the trend of other countries with similar health care schemes, this could put South Africa’s health care system in a downward spiral.

There is already a backlog of patients to see doctors. The system will only prioritise those who are in urgent need, leaving others to worsen while waiting.

The NHI promises to be successful. Although it is a long process, if implemented properly, it could benefit the country in numerous ways. South Africa has a long history of service delivery issues. Until fully implemented the results will remain unknown. However, it is something to watch out for.

1

Layering

Often winter clothing is about struggling between warmth and trend. The most common error is switching between warm and cold, but layering and remaining warm is key. With an on-trend beanie or hat, you can walk to lectures in style and comfort. A must buy is a sturdy pair of shoes. A solution could be to try sneakers or a wellinsulated pair of boots. The classic Wellington boot is a fantastic investment – they are durable, comfortable, warm, and weatherproof. Surviving your Grahamstown winter will be easier with this standard boot.

2

Comfort food conscious

Whilst a tantalising Spar or Pick ‘n Pay run may be appealing for the vast majority of students, it adds up to a not-so-appealing bill.

Comfort and cost do not have to be compromised: there are plenty of nutritious meals that will help you keep warm and healthy this winter. Pick ‘n Pay offers a 350ml cup of soup for R10.99 in a variety of flavours, notably the cold-curing chicken soup. Add a roll at R1.99 and you have a meal even mum would be proud of.

3

Escaping the flu frenzy

Medication. Antibiotics. A controversial topic.

On a student budget and for those without medical aid, medication can be expensive. An affordable way of keeping healthy and flu-free is to invest in vitamins and natural immune boosters such as ginger, elderberry, and sage. This helps with a variety of symptoms such as coughing, build-up of mucus, and digestive issues. Wallace’s ‘Flu Attack Pack’ helps keep a healthy body too for a mere R29.99. You can remain budget conscious while maintaining peak health.

9

Trading Live, sharing skills

3

RU wasting food?

Sport

7

Grahamstown Hospice caring for Eastern Cape patients

5

Rhodes womxn’s soccer in shambles Asavela Mhlanga

S

occer. It is typically seen as a man’s game, and is sometimes called the game that hates change. It is a centuries-old sport, with the first international game dating back to the 19th century.

Surprisingly, womxn’s soccer has developed much slower compared to men’s soccer. The Oppidan Press spoke to members and former members of the Rhodes Women’s soccer team.

Tess Miles joined the Rhodes Women’s Football team in 2014. She said, “I joined in my first year because

I love playing soccer.” She was eager to play, but Miles is no longer part of the team.

Supporters and investors have become an integral part of the game.

The Rhodes Women’s team is in dire need of these reinforcements. When asked about the team’s support, Miles mentions poor crowd attendance at matches and general “disinterest” in the team. Miles said, “I never felt bad about the Vice-Chancellor not coming to watch us sometimes, but I never felt like people cared about us.”

Happiness Mtolo, current captain and club veteran, said that the team received sponsorship in the form of

tracksuits from Cape Town in 2016.

She said that the team does things by themselves and that the Rhodes Sports Administration Office has not tried to assist them in any way.

The team still lacks support, but the players are hopeful and optimistic. When contacted, the Rhodes Sports Administration Office did not comment.

With countries like the United States of America investing huge amounts of money in developing womxn’s soccer, we can hope that the University takes action to address the problems facing this team.

Womxn’s soccer around the world and at UCKAR tends to get less attention than mens. Photo: SOURCED.

Mayweather vs McGregor: the new Rumble in the JWungle Francis Makkink In what has quickly been dubbed the 'Money Fight', Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather has come out of retirement from a record career of 49 wins to zero losses to fight the notorious Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) lightweight champion Conor McGregor in an epic boxing clash.

The build – up

Mixed martial artists typically use lighter gloves than boxers. Illustration: BRENDON REYNEKE

to the fight has become a dramatic rivalry of insults, profanities, and alleged racist and sexist remarks erupting at multiple press conferences.

Mayweather boasts an undefeated record and is one victory shy of beating the record of heavyweight great Rocky Marciano, who also retired with a 49 to zero history. Infamous for his almost untouchable defensive skill-set and offensive expertise, Mayweather’s record appears destined to reach 50 to zero at the defeat of McGregor.

Mayweather’s defensive skill-set secured victory after victory against various opponents. It appears that anti-Mayweather supporters have put their last hopes on the shoulders of an unlikely candidate.

In a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) octagon, McGregor rules with an iron fist. If you have ever seen the current UFC lightweight champion compete, you will know that he is a different breed of fighter – ferocious, dextrous, and just as rough. But the fight is still heavily weighted in Mayweather’s favour, for obvious reasons.

Firstly, boxing and MMA are

different contact sports. In boxing, you use two limbs as opposed to four in MMA. Although MMA fighters usually have a strong and reliable boxing skill set, they do not only practise boxing. MMA fighters must have sound expertise in jiu jitsu, muay thai, wrestling, judo, and more.

This means their training time is split between various martial arts which is not the case for boxers, arguably putting McGregor at a distinct disadvantage against Mayweather.

This is McGregor’s first professional boxing fight. He only recently secured his professional boxing licence in Las Vegas, which again seems to drastically reduce his chances of blemishing Mayweather’s perfect record.

The Las Vegas match has caused a disturbance in the boxing world, with former undisputed world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis lambasting the match as “ridiculous”.

Lewis explained that the sports are very different, meaning McGregor doesn’t have a hope of winning against Mayweather in a boxing ring. Various boxing promoters have also labelled the upcoming clash as

a mockery of the two sports, stating that it will be uncontested for the undefeated boxing great. However, the MMA community appear to have different ideas and are confident that McGregor’s tenacity and youth will shatter the defensive skill of 40-yearold Mayweather.

With that being said, the fight is not just about two of the world’s greatest champions squaring off in a spectacular showdown. It is a faceoff of sports: boxing versus MMA. Traditionally, boxing has been the favourite of the two contact sports.

Only recently has MMA begun to gain popularity. The sports have been pitted against one another for years with the fundamental question, ‘Who would win between a boxer and an MMA fighter?’

If McGregor manages to crack Mayweather’s defensive code and defy the odds by claiming a victory, the boxing universe may well be brought to its knees because of an undoubtedly severe blow. With heavier gloves, two limbs, and on Mayweather’s turf, it is tough to say whether the UFC champ will pull it off or become number 50.