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T
H
E

O
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W
E
E
K

E
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A fresh
start for
Rhodes
societies
(or else)
Whats
your
situation?
DIGS VS.
RES
2
3
8
SEX,
DRUGS
AND
UBOM!
SRC O-Week
schedule
INSIDE 3
see page 4 see page 11
see page 6 and 7
Stop and see the sights Navigate student politics Keep out of the red this O-week
News Features
2 Te Oppidan Press 1 February 2013
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One last chance for student societies
By Amanda Xulu
N
ewcomers to Grahamstown, anxious that
there may not be much to do in a town
as small as this, may be comforted by the
presence of over 80 active student societies on
campus. However, there have been consistent com-
plaints from students with regard to these societies
not fulflling their promises.
Once persuaded to sign up for a student society,
many students expressed frustration at their not
receiving their moneys worth. Tese societies are
accused of providing punch and a t-shirt, or focusing
their resources on hosting a memorable, and at times
alcohol-fuelled, Annual General Meeting.
Disappointed students noted that this was not
what they had been led to expect from a typical
society and is certainly not what the society has
mandated itself to do.
Failing to communicate with society members
and misusing funds for things that do not beneft
them constitutes seriously poor management, said
2012 Rhodes Debating Chairman, Afka Nqeto.
In response to such criticisms the Students Repre-
sentative Council (SRC) promised to tackle the issue.
Societies that are not performing at their admin-
istrative, fnancial and social best will soon fnd
themselves becoming a part of the Rhodes University
society archives.
However, considering the SRCs previous mis-
management of funds and failure to provide grants
to certain societies, societies which have been able
to perform well hope that this issue of mismanage-
ment will be handled within the ranks of the SRC
before measures are imposed on other organizations.
We have helped people draf wills and sort out is-
sues with micro-lenders. I feel that we have proven
ourselves, said Legal Activism committee member,
Meghan Eurelle.
Te poor management of largely inactive societies
was discussed extensively at last years SRC electoral
debate. Both of the candidates running for the posi-
tion of Societies Councillor promised to implement
swif and radical changes in order to do away with
these lacklustre societies.
Te decision was therefore made by 2013 Socie-
ties Councillor Amanda Green to put all student
societies on a year-long probation, efective imme-
diately. Speaking of her attempts to transform the
Universities societies, Green stated, Administra-
tively, managing over 80 societies has not been ideal.
Trough the newly amended policy, which will be
enforced this year, societies will be under a year-long
probation period, whereby their ability to function as
fully active and efective societies will be put under
question.
Te enforcement of a probation period provides
inadequate and barely active societies with a fnal
chance to get their afairs in order.
Te main goal for this year is maximising the
potential of current societies before taking the step
of creating new ones, said Green. She went on to ex-
press her hopes and expectations that society grants
will be allocated to deserving projects, that will be
successfully carried out by cohesively performing
societies. Green echoed the sentiments of many
disillusioned society members by also noting the
necessity of, Having societies that are accountable
to their members and for students to have a fulflling
experience with that society by getting what was
promised.
By being entirely accountable to society members,
Green hopes that society committees will be more
prudent in the running of their respective societies,
so as to ensure an enjoyable experience for all. Te
efective management of fnances is also a crucial
requirement during the period of probation, since
this is something many societies have failed to do
in the past. If a society fails to meet any of these
requirements, it may mean the end for that society,
Green warned.
With such a vibrant range of societies on ofer, it
would be a shame to see the demise of beloved and
established societies, due to the poor leadership of
a few. It is hoped that these societies will be steered
back onto the right path.
SRC Societies Councillor Amanda Green speaks about probation plan at the 2012 Grazzle held in the General Lecture Theatre. Photo: IVAN BLAZIC
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A warm welcome to all our new
frst year students and an equally
warm welcome back to all our
returning students as well. You
have registered at an excellent
university and our ofce aims to
help you make the best of your
time with us. First years, please
take a close look at our new
orientation page at http://www.
ru.ac.za/orientationgateway/.
As you embark on a new year
of studies at Rhodes, Id like to
remind all of you that the main
reason you are at Rhodes is aca-
demic: you are here to get a degree.
So please do make your academic
courses the very centre of your
lives and then add the extras on
the edges of the circle, taking on
only those extramural activities
which you really can manage.
Te range of choices is enor-
mous, the leadership opportunities
are amazing and its all up to you:
work hard, play hard, live smart
and care about each other.
When things go wrong, please
come to our ofce for help and
advice in relation to any issues
that are causing undue stress and
negatively afecting your life. In
particular we will support you
if you have been afected, either
directly or indirectly, by violence
or assault, harassment of any kind,
family crises, disability or issues
relating to substance abuse. We do
not handle university discipline,
but will ofer advice if you fnd
yourself in trouble. Academic mat-
ters are handled by the academic
deans.
Make an appointment with
someone at the Ofce of the Dean
of Students and share the problem,
or email dean.students@ru.ac.za .
We will explore options with you
and do our best to ensure that you
are treated fairly and justly.
I also invite all students to
become my Facebook friend
simply ask and I will accept you,
I promise! I write a daily tweet,
commenting on issues of current
importance at Rhodes and an-
nouncing recent Rhodes news or
forthcoming events.
Follow me on Twitter @Vivian-
DeKlerk or http://www.facebook.
com/vivian.deklerk.
Good luck to each of you for
2013 I hope you enjoy the year
and make the most of this precious
opportunity.

Vivian de Klerk
Dean of Students
WELCOME FROM THE
DEAN OF STUDENTS
News Features
1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 3
Date Time Venue Task/Function
Sunday 3 Feb 20h00 Great Field Jazz Evening
Monday 4 Feb
Tuesday 5 Feb 19h30 Great Hall RU Jamming Upper
Campus
Wednesday 6 Feb 19h30 Great Hall RU Jamming Lower
Campus
Thursday 7 Feb 21h30 Great Hall RU Jamming Finale
Friday 8 Feb 19h30 onwards Alec Mullins & Great
Hall
Sports & Societies
Extravaganza
Saturday 9 Feb
Friday 15 Feb 17h00-01h00 Great Field SRC Party
Upper Campus
NGOYI/ MANDELA/ OPPIES
KIM EAST/ KIM WEST
TUTU/ HOBSON
Lower Campus
C-LATIMER/ST MARY/ FOUNDERS
DROSTDY/ A. WEBB/ SMUTS
SRC O-Week Event
Schedule 2013
Digs or Res? Independence or Convenience?
In light of rising costs, safety issues, transportation and individual maturity, make the best decision with student accommodation
By Teigue Blokpoel & Tim Rangongo
T
he Rhodes University
Residence Division stated that
there were dwindling num-
bers of students in residence during
2012, resulting in some residences
being lef with unoccupied rooms.
However, the decision made by
students to move from res to digs (of
campus living) is one which requires
careful consideration. While digs life
ofen promises freedom and independ-
ence the lived reality does not match
up to the ideal and as such, a weigh up
of several factors must be considered
in order to make the most benefcial
decision.
Firstly and most importantly, there
is the fnancial perspective. One of
the principal reasons students choose
to live of campus are the incredibly
high prices of residence. Class B reses-
which generally have smaller rooms,
ofen do not have in-room basins and
have high numbers of students cost
R41 300 per year, according to the
2013 fees booklet. Even more than this
is the R43 400 price tag that comes
with Class A residences, which gener-
ally have bigger rooms and fewer stu-
dents. Post-graduate residences, which
are certainly more intimate are still
incredibly expensive at an annual cost
of R48 900. Considering that students
have to pay extra to stay during the va-
cation and still require pocket money
to add a few comforts to residence, the
end cost is quite substantial, especially
on top of tuition fees.
Te rental fee of a digs is associated
with a number of factors, such as the
location of the digs. Generally, the
closer to campus, the more expensive
the digs. Other factors include the
number of people sharing the digs, the
provision of water and/or electricity,
Hi-Tec security services, furnish-
ings and appliances such as washing
machines, microwaves, refrigerators
and other essential items. On average,
however, monthly rent ranges between
R 1 500 - R 2 900 per person sharing.
Bear in mind that the cost of rent
allows one to stay in a full 12 months.
Hypothetically speaking, the aver-
age cost of staying in digs could be
calculated at close to R 38 400 a year.
Tis fgure includes a lease of R 2 000
p/m for rent, R 200 per week for pre-
paid electricity and about R 1 000 p/m
for groceries, depending on how much
the person(s) consume. Tese amounts
will vary depending on the specifc
situation of the student.
Most people have the opinion that
living in digs is better than res. Well
thats true, provided your pocket can
handle the better lifestyle, said student
Tapiwa Nhari, who lives in digs.
On-campus living is certainly ben-
efcial to students needing to make a
mad dash to their department to hand
in an essay or tutorial just in time to
meet the deadline. Furthermore, being
surrounded by people, having set meal
times and rules is good for providing
structure and convenience in the lives
of students. While food in residence is
by no means gourmet, it is undeniably
cheap and convenient. It is all paid for
and no time is used in preparation and
cleaning, as this is all done for you.
Alongside the aspect of convenience
Jaqueline Pinto, who is in her penulti-
mate year of her LLB and a sub warden
of Helen Joseph Residence, stresses
that Safety is a major aspect of res
life that is defnitely a positive, this is
because crime is a signifcant problem
in Grahamstown, especially for girls
when coming home in the evenings.
Foregoing the fnancial and practi-
cal aspects, both res and digs living
have something diferent to ofer with
regards to emotional education.
Vice-Chancellor (VC) Saleem Badat
said, frst years in residences are likely
to settle down quicker and attend to
academic work without the distrac-
tions of digs chores. He added that,
frst year students in residences tend
to perform academically better than
those in digs.
Tat being said, student Miriam
Maulana noted that, Staying in digs
for me has been a learning experience.
Ive learnt to take care of myself, to be
responsible. I was a boarder all my life.
Living with other people was some-
thing I was privileged to learn at an
early stage in life. Comparing the two
ways of living, Maulana stated that,
Digs has been an experience I needed
and was way more benefcial to me.
Masters student Lowell Scarr has had
the best of both worlds. He spent his
frst three years at Graham Residence
and moved to digs upon starting
his Honours degree. I thought res
was great, especially in my frst year.
Te vibe was awesome, I made lots
of mates and still had the luxury of
being super close to town, with all
the conveniences of res, like food and
not paying for electricity, said Scarr.
However the allure of digs does tend
to become increasingly great over the
years. Tere comes a point when the
independence and general freedom
of digs life outweighs the convenience
of res, but I think this is probably the
norm for most people, stated Scarr.
Tere are numerous reasons why
one should apply to live in residence,
ranging from social to academic,
all of which indicate that it is the
structure that will generate the most
support and convenience for students
beginning their university careers.
It is clear that despite the numerous
pros of living in residence, it can be
argued that it would be benefcial for
students to try living in a digs since it
ofers something completely diferent
to students and completes ones overall
university experience.
Residence fees per year range from
R41300- R48900
Digs costs per year are estimated at
+/- R38400
These costs will vary from
student to student.

Politics
4 Te Oppidan Press 1 February 2013
By Bongani Dzeya
O-Week is one of the most fun-flled
times for frst years and is flled with
interesting events that will introduce
new students to the university and its
functions. Consequently, a number
of awareness programmes are held
in student residences and around
campus. Te Dean of Students
Alcohol Awareness programme is one
such initiative.
In response to the growing concern
about alcohol consumption by Rhodes
University students, the negative im-
pact it may have on academics, student
safety and the chances of consequence
substance abuse, the policy for the re-
sponsible use of alcohol was approved
by the Student Representative Council
(SRC) in 2007.
With the work of the SRC and the
Dean of Students Ofce, this policy
aims to regulate the use and promotion
of alcohol at any event held on campus.
Sporting events have designated
drinking areas and hall events need a
hall wardens approval in order to have
alcohol allowed in the venue.
No alcoholic events are held in
dining halls throughout Orienta-
tion Week. Furthermore, the Dean of
Students challenge is held annually
to promote camaraderie amongst
students at alcohol-free events such as
Vivs Variety Show.
When implementing the policy, the
university did consider the fact that
students are adults and they can make
their own choices when it comes to
alcohol consumption. However, the
university tries to foster an environ-
ment that is safe for students and
promote healthy living lifestyles.
Tis does not necessarily mean
that alcohol is strictly prohibited on
campus, but only certain alcoholic bev-
erages like wine and beer are allowed
in residences. Furthermore, public
drinking is strictly prohibited, as per
South African law.
Should students fnd themselves in a
compromising situation, there are ser-
vices available. Te Dean of Students
Get Home Safe transport service is
geared towards safely transporting
intoxicated students back to their
respective residence or digs.
Should students use this service one
too many times, however, they will
be referred to the Student Counseling
Center to try and help them to regulate
their alcohol use. Te Health Care
Centre also provides support services
relating to alcohol issues.
DASO: poorly supported or
simply badly run?
By Emily Corke
Rhodes is home to two of the larg-
est student political organisations
in South Africa: the Democratic
Alliance Student Organisation
(DASO) and the African National
Congress afliated, South African
Student Congress (SASCO), both
of which are registered with the
universitys Societies Council.
Notwithstanding a year of apparent
success in the few endeavours that
DASO has taken on, there has been
little evidence of the organisations
activity around campus.
DASO chairperson Luyanda Mfeka
felt that the organisation had not
been as efective as it had originally
intended in creating a real space for
itself in the student body. Despite
being envisioned as a mouthpiece for
the party on campus, Te Oppidan
Press reported on DASOs inactivity
near the end of 2012. Mfeka com-
mented in the report, stating that it
was largely due to issues faced within
the society itself. However, larger
debates facing DASO afliates also
had an impact on the organisations
operation.
DASO is a small society of just 68
members and it is looking to increase
its membership in 2013 in order to
become more visible on campus.
In 2012, the events and meetings
held to get members involved were
poorly attended. It was hard to run
a society when there is hardly anyone
to run it, explained Mfeka.
Furthermore, it was asserted that
communication errors and bad tim-
ing of the communications between
the committee and the society mem-
bers added to their shortcomings.
2012: a year of budget blunders and
inter-varsity success for the SRC
By Emily Corke
T
he Student Representative Council (SRC) is the
link between the student body and the university
administration. If you were to ask many students
around campus what their opinion is of their SRC, the
responses are likely to be a mixture of the following:
great parties, budget and money issues, useless and
inefective and, most frequently, you would hear about
the spats on the SRC Facebook page. Such a standpoint
is likely to be well entrenched before new students have
even met the 2013 SRC.
During Orientation Week, new students may become
more closely acquainted with the 2013 SRC, led by Presi-
dent Sakhe Badi. A number of events are co-ordinated by
the SRC during the week and it is here where students will
begin to form their opinion of the Council. What is un-
known to the new Rhodes Students however, is the story of
how this group of students was elected and the efectiveness
of the SRC during 2012.
Following a lengthy election process, that elicited contro-
versy and outrage from students and candidates alike, the
2012 SRC elections fnally drew to a close at the end of the
third term. Tis was afer the frst round of the elections
failed to reach quorum, despite high hopes for the par-
ticipation of the student body. SRC Liaison and Electoral
Ofcer for 2012 Eric Ofei attributed the troubles faced by
the electoral team to the Inter-Varsity weekends overshad-
owing of the elections as well as poor campaigning.
Another matter of contestation was the decision to
involve the Independent Electoral Committee (IEC) in the
frst round of the SRC elections. Tis costly involvement
was unbudgeted for by the Council, which was attempting
to surmount the defcit lef behind by previous Councils.
According to Vice-President Internal for 2013 Brad
Bense, the IECs involvement would have been incred-
ibly useful, but since we didnt reach quorum while they
facilitated the election, it does seem like an awful waste of
money.
Te substantial defcit lef behind by previous SRCs chal-
lenged the 2012 Council signifcantly. Te debt of the SRC
was due to poor management of funds by previous council-
lors. When a new Council is elected, these debts are carried
into their term.
Te 2012 SRC claimed to have paid of this debt in Oc-
tober 2012. A feat which Deputy Dean of Students, Rodger
Adams attributed to the 2012 Councils rational manage-
ment of expenses. Each portfolio was put under a tight
budget, for which they had to submit a budget request.
In order to get rid of the SRC defcit the 2012 Council
underspent by R250000. Tey also introduced the position
of Admin and Finance Assistant to the 2013 SRC, to man-
age fnances and assist the SRC in understanding how the
university funds ought to be spent in 2013.
However, due to its administrative shortcomings, the
SRC was the target of much criticism during 2012. Many
of the student societies received their society grants very
late in the year, inhibiting their ability to function to a great
extent.
Tis dissatisfaction was refected in the controversial and
oftimes uniformed statements made by various student
contributors on the SRC Facebook page. Tis resulted in
a consistently sensationalist commentary on all matters
related to the SRC. Tere were also a number of personal
spats on the page, relating to or directed at current coun-
cillors and 2013 SRC candidates. Tis served as a major
digression from the pages original purpose, as a tool for ef-
fective communication with the student body. Humorous as
the student body found these interactions to be, they served
no real purpose for the SRC and student body alike.
Despite the frustration of the 2012 election process,
Bense was confdent that the restructuring of the Council
and the lengthly training process for the incoming Council,
made for a successful handover to the 2013 SRC.
Te training process included a training camp for the
new SRC in September 2012 to kick-start the shadow term.
As per the changes made to the SRC constitution earlier
in 2012, the new handover processs extensive programme
involved team building exercises, vision discussions and
plan implementation for 2013.
A highlight for the SRC in 2012 was the success of Inter-
Varsity, which according to the Dean of Students Ofce,
had a scarce number of incidents and very few complaints
were fled against Rhodes students. Consequently, Rhodes
University will continue to participate in it.
Despite the budgeting issues of the SRC and the concerns
raised about the cost of the afer-parties held on the Great
Field on the Friday and Saturday of Inter-Varsity, the SRC
managed to make a proft from the event.
Going forward into 2013 the SRC, are aware that there
is much to be done, and that there is a need for a change in
mindset on both the part of the SRC and the student body.
According to Badi, the SRC as a student governing body
needs to look to developmental goals - one of which is
relevance. Te SRC is hopeful that students understand
what the SRC stands for, and know how each councillor is
positioned to aid students and work towards their beneft.
SASCO 2012: issues of visibility and low memberships pepper societies successes
By Amanda Xulu
Te South African Students Congress
(SASCO) is one of the few vocal
societies on campus. SASCO is
a student movement focused on
bringing about transformation not
only in society but also within the
university environment. Its aim is
to promote a non-racial, non-sexist
and non-classist environment by
encouraging a more politicised in
their thinking.
In 2012, SASCO made extensive
strides towards politicising society,
despite allegations of what the societys
committee has named sweeping
statements about the inefectiveness
of the student political society.
SASCO members reportedly went
into the township high schools
in Grahamstown and informed
matriculants about their democratic
right to attend university.
Tey also had discussions with
matriculants about the problems that
they may encounter. According to
SASCO Secretary, Malaika Mahlatsi,
the aim of this endeavour was to raise
awareness within the Grahamstown
community about the possibilities
of higher learning. Tis was in
addition to discussions held about
the economic and social challenges
that might face students who were not
accustomed to this new environment.
According to Malatsi, the responses
from the local pupils and teachers were
overwhelmingly positive.
SASCO Chairperson Bulumko
Dukada acknowledged that there were
issues with visibility on campus during
2012. Tis was said to be mostly due
to the fact that not as many students
signed up as were anticipated.
Dukada stressed the political
societys involvement in events
on campus such as the Sexual
Violence=Silence Protest and the
Muslim Student Associations Israeli
Apartheid week.
SASCOs lowpoint arguably
occurred at the annual AGM, where
it was reported that the student body,
along with members of SASCO, were
subjected to drunken verbal abuse
and intimidation by the outgoing
Branch Secretary of the organisation.
Te election process was reportedly
disrupted by the rants against the
newly elected society leaders.
Reportedly, the outgoing Branch
Secretary also swore at the incoming
Deputy Secretary and attempted to
intimidate and assault the ofcial
from the SASCO Regional Executive
Committee, who had been invited to
ofciate over the AGM.
SASCOs aims for 2013 are to
strengthen their ties with the local
township high schools and to continue
to inform the pupils about their
democratic rights. Tey also aim
to take steps towards infuencing
Rhodes University into admitting
more students from disadvantaged
environments, in the hope of relieving
economic and social disparities that
are prevalent in Grahamstown.
By B
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From missing funds to
community voter education;
The Oppidan Press
introduces you to the world
of student politics
Dean of Students Ofce take a stand
Features
1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 5
By Jordan du Toit
Environment
While most societies are about what
the organisations can do for students,
the environmental societies rely on
what students can do to preserve and
protect our planet. Considering the
wide range of cases, here is a short
guide for going green at university.
Galela Amanzi
Meaning pour the water, Galela
Amanzi was established in 2007. Tey
aim to install rainwater tanks in cer-
tain areas around Grahamstown, espe-
cially in schools and other vulnerable
areas. Trough education, the society
hopes to teach people about how to
use water efciently. Tey were not a
very visible society at Rhodes in 2012,
but SRC Environmental Councillor for
2012 Ruth Kruger, commended them
for a very successful Water Week. For
any student interested in working with
water issues and hoping to play an
active role in the community, this is a
society to consider.
Common Ground
Common Grounds focus is on sustain-
able gardening and organic farming.
Tey have a vegetable garden on cam-
pus which is free for students to use
to supplement their own needs. Tis
society was especially quiet in 2012,
until the end of the year when the
new committee was announced. Teir
events were quite limited, with one
gardening session in late 2012 to end
of the year. Kruger confrmed this. It
remains to be seen if they will pick up
their game for 2013.
ROAR
Te Rhodes Organisation for Animal

Rights is always one of the most active
and vocal environmental societies on
campus. Many people shy away from
expecting to be told that veganism is
the only acceptable option. However,
this is not the case with ROAR. ROAR
does encourage a vegan or vegetarian
diet, but also supports people who
aim to be informed and make humane
choices about what they eat. Tey
ran numerous events throughout the
last year, including a very successful
Animal Rights Week during 2012. For
anyone wishing to work with and help
animals, they are a useful group to
join, with some highlights including
SPCA visits and trips to the township.
RU Green
By far the largest environmental soci-
ety on campus, RU Green is also the
busiest. It was created by combining
the South East African Climate Con-
sortium Student Forum (SEACC SF)
and the Gaian Revolutions and Social
Solutions (GRASS) in 2012. Tey focus
on issues of sustainability and climate
change. Tey have implemented com-
posters and vegetable gardens through
the Cleaning, Greening and Saving
project that has been established in
several households in eHlaleni, in
Grahamstown East. Tey also helped
to run the Environmental and Rhino
Weeks in 2012.

Tere are many smaller societies and
projects that function at Rhodes but
these are the main environmental socie-
ties who will be at the Societies Extrava-
ganza. All committee members are open
to questions and will provide anyone
with more information should they need
it. All the societies can be found on the
Rhodes University Environment page,
www.ru.ac.za/environment.
Want to go green at Rhodes?
By Lethabo Ntshudisane
SciTech
F
irst years entering the City of
Saints will not have an easy
time adjusting to the infamous
weather patterns of Grahamstown.
In fact, the towns weather has, and
continues to, elude those who reside
in it all year round. Even with all the
tools and science involved in weather
forecasting, the weatherman still
struggles to predict Grahamstowns
temperamental weather accurately.
Sure, it may be 25 degrees out. Pack
a jersey and umbrella. Dont let that
early morning mist fool you, it is a sure
sign of a scorcher. Pile on the layers.
Student Zanele Mokhari noted, My
cousin told me about the weather here
but I thought she was exaggerating, till
I got here. It takes awhile to get used
to it.
Te reason Grahamstown weather
is so unpredictable is because it is
positioned in such a way that we are
both a low pressure and high pressure
area, said Geography Department
Research Assistant, Benjamin van
der Waal. Low pressure areas are
usually associated with cloudy and
rainy weather. High pressure areas,
on the other hand, usually have clear
and sunny weather. Te combination
of low and high pressures is why
Grahamstown weather is even
too unpredictable even for the
weatherman.
Van der Waal explained that,
Tere is a lot of science that goes
into weather forecasting. A few of the
methods used in weather forecasting
are: synoptic weather forecasting,
numerical methods and statistical
methods.
Te approach traditionally used in
weather prediction is synoptic weather
forecasting. Tis method makes
observations of diferent weather
elements, referring to the specifc time
of observation, so that one is able to
glean an overall view of the changing
weather patterns.
Tere are numerous weather
services available to students,
some more reliable than others.
Synoptic weather forecasting is
used by the South African Weather
Service, available at weathersa.
co.za. In addition to normal weather
predictions, Weathersa.co.za provides
users with access to information about
storms. Users can also opt in for alerts
on storms coming towards the town.
AccuWeather is another prevalent
weather services, especially on
mobile platforms. Its headquarters
in Pennsylvania are believed to be
home to the greatest amount of
meteorologists in any single location
in the world. Innovative and noted
for their brilliant weather services,
students should feel relatively secure
trusting in their ability to predict the
mood of this enigmatic town.
Another tried and trusted source
for Grahamstown weather is yr.no.
Te Internet service is provided
by the Norwegian Meteorological
Institute. With an hourly account of
Grahamstown weather, a students life
is certainly to be enhanced by a quick
consultation of these Norwegians.
Caution:
Moody Grahamstown
-
e
O-week Tweets
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READ!! @oppidanpress: Tips
from Rhodes students on
what frst years would do well
to avoid http://oppidanpress.
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Activism) 16 January
Rhodes for Dummies by
@oppidanpress http://
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Features
2 Te Oppidan Press 28 August 2012 6 s y 3333 6 TTTe TTTTTTTTTTTTT Opp pp pp pp pp pp pp ppppppppppppppida da da da da ddda da dddaaaaan P n P n P n P n P n PP n P n PPPP nn PPPP n Pre re re res rrrrrrrrrrr s 1111 Fe FFe Fe FFF bru bru ru bru bru ru bru bru bru bbru bru bru br bru br bru r bbr br bbb aryyyyyyyyyyyyyy 200000013 13 13 13 6 TTTe TTTTTTTTT Opp ppppppppppppppppppida aa da daaaaaaan PP n P n P n PP n PPPP nn PPP n rres rrrrrrrrrrr s 1111 Fe Fe Fe FFF br br r br bru bbbbbbr r bbr bbr bbb aryyy 2000000113 13

The Oxford English Dictionary
defnes the word Oppidan as an
inhabitant of a university town as
distinguished from a member of
the university itself. i.e. as student
living of campus, in accommodation
rented independently of Rhodes, is an
Oppidan-or Oppi, for short. We also
call ourselves Digs students.
THE OPPIDAN COMMUNITY
is the single largest student body at
Rhodes. Oppis enjoy the benefts of
increased independence and freedom from
some of the structures of life in residence,
but of-campus living also provides its
challenges. As the Oppi committee, we are
here to assist Oppis, present and future, in
overcoming these challenges.
The Oppidan Committee is comprised
of Oppidans elected by fellow students.
Their mandate is to look after the interest
of all students living of-campus and they
achieve this by maintaining channels of
communication between Rhodes and
Oppidans. They are also responsible for
organising events and functions to get
Oppidans together and interacting, thus
facilitating the creation of a healthy,
vibrant Oppi society.
The committee reports to the Oppidan
Hall Warden who attends Oppidan
Committee meetings and is responsible
for Oppidan afairs at Rhodes. The Warden
also ensures that Oppidan students receive
support and advice if they experience any
problems while living in digs.
The Hall Warden is given substantial
assistance from the Oppidan Hall
Administrator who is based in the Oppidan
Ofce in the Eden Grove Building.
The Administrator is responsible for
the efective and efcient administration
of the Hall and provides organisational
support to the Hall, which includes the Hall
Warden, the students of the Hall and other
individuals/groups who interact with the
Hall. W
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MEET YOUR OPPIDAN COMMITTEE
WHAT IS AN OPPIDAN
HOW YOUR R155.00
OPPIDAN LEVY IS SPENT?
The Oppidan Dining Hall serves afordable lunches everyday and for further information on
how to book meals and register for meals they should contact me on k.vanheerden@ru.ac.za
G
rahamstown is small and,
while there may be loads to
do, there will come a time
in the life of any Rhodes student
when the desire to fy the nest and
see the world beyond can no longer
be ignored. Luckily for those of an
adventurous spirit, the Cacadu Dis-
trict in which we fnd ourselves is
full of interesting places to explore.
Grab some friends, clear your day
and fnd a car to set out on one of
the following day trips.
Kenton-on-Sea has more of a vil-
lage atmosphere than other nearby
coastal towns, according to Erica
McNulty of their tourism ofce. Lying
between the Kariega and Bushmans
Rivers at the heart of the Sunshine
Coast, Kenton is favoured by those
who love the outdoors, ofering
nature reserves, canoeing, hiking,
swimming, and kite-surfng. Origi-
nally a farm, the area was named afer
Kenton in the United Kingdom, a
town that had been the home of the
British settler who owned the land.
Upon its later sale, Kenton-on-Sea
was divided up into smaller plots,
eventually becoming the town we
know today.
According to McNulty, the small
town is always happy to receive the
many Grahamstown students who
fock to her beaches over the weekend
or during exams. McNulty recom-
mended Kariega Beach which, with
its warm, clean waters and life-guard
facilities throughout the season, has
internationally recognised Blue Flag
accreditation. South Africa was the
frst country outside of Europe to
have beaches granted Blue Flag status
and the Eastern Cape is lucky enough
to boast several of these. However,
McNulty maintains that Kariega is
the best of the lot. Tere are also the
Joan Murihead Nature Reserve Trails.
Te trails are located on a 30 hectare
reserve between the Bushmans and
Kariega Rivers. Pull through for a day
in the sun followed by drinks or din-
ner at popular and reasonably priced
beachfront restaurant, Homewoods.
If you are looking for a slightly less
sleepy seaside town, Port Alfred may
be the place to spend a day. Divided
in two by the fowing Kowie River,
the town was established by a group
of British settlers and originally
known as Port-O-Grahamstown
because, being the main thoroughfare
into the Eastern Cape at the time, the
Kowie River allowed settlers to trans-
port stock into Grahamstown.
According to Natasha Haller, man-
ager of the Port Alfred Royal Guest
House, the town has since under-
gone a number of name changes and
retains the name chosen by excited
townspeople in anticipation of a
visit by Prince Alfred in the 1800s
which, ironically, never came to pass
afer the then royal was distracted by
elephant hunting up-country.
Port Alfred, which was once a lit-
tle fshing village, is now a busy, yet
charming, commercial and residen-
tial area. Port Alfred ofers similar
recreational activities to Kenton, be-
ing particularly ideal for water sports,
but is also a well-known for its many
bars and restaurants. Haller recom-
mends taking a boat cruise complete
with cash bar up the Kowie River.
If youre heading through to Port
Alfred on the R67, you might fnd
yourself distracted along the way
by the giant fg trees and quaint old
buildings of Bathurst. Seemingly little
more than a T-Junction, Bathurst is
the perfect place to stop and explore
old curio shops, charming art galler-
ies, and gorgeous gardens.
Situated on the fringe of the Sun-
shine Coast and Frontier Country,
this little town has the feel of rural
England in Africa, just as the coloniz-
ers would have liked it.
A great place to stop and eat or
participate in a bit of karaoke, the Pig
and Whistle Pub and Inn was built in
1831 by British Settler Tomas Hart-
ley and is believed by some to be the
oldest existing inn in South Africa.
Another option is the neighbouring
Bathurst Arms Pub and Grill which
doubles up as a curiosity shop and
backpackers. Tis pub boasts a deli-
cious menu, from lightly grilled sea
bass fllet to Chargrilled sirloin steak.
Sunday mornings also see Bathurst
host the weekly farmers market,
where one can buy crafs, jams,
cheese, and fresh produce.
Bathurst is well known for its
annual agricultural show, but many
head through to the town to see the
famous giant pineapple. Over 16
meters high, the steel, concrete and
fberglass fruit is found on a farm
just outside Bathurst and sports a
restaurant, a small gif shop, informa-
tive displays about agriculture in the
area, and views across vast stretches
of farmland all the way to the sea.
One can also take the time to see
the Toposcope, a spot from which the
1820s settlers locations were ofen
surveyed. Te stones in the wall were
taken from the ruins of old settler
homes and 57 bronze plaques give
visitors details about the settlements.
In good weather, it is possible to see
from the Fish River to Kwaaihoek.
Take the time out to do one of
these day trips and learn a bit more
about the Eastern Cape. Enjoy the
drive as well, which will ofen take
you past game farms where members
of the big fve and other animals can
be viewed for free. You never know
where a spontaneous road trip might
take you, said Nina Joubert, alumnus
of the School of Journalism and Me-
dia Studies, Once I decided to take a
turn down a dirt road on my way to
Port Alfred and I landed up fnding
a railway bridge, a waterfall and a
fascinating history lesson.
Make an out of town adventure
Words by Kyla Hazell
Travel
1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 7
Features
28 August 2012 Te Oppidan Press 3 1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 7 1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 7 1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 7
D
riving into Grahamstown now, it is
difcult to remember a time when
the particular arced turn-of of the
N2 and the leafy tree-lined streets leading
into the town werent completely familiar
to me. Yet, it was only a few short years ago
that I frst drove into this new and then
entirely foreign place. Now faced with only
a few months lef here, I am struck by how
important it was for me to learn the story
of this Eastern Cape town in those initial
unsettled months. I am struck, too, by how
much of that story I have not yet heard.
Speaking to retired historian and curator
emeritus of the Albany Museum complex,
Sleur Way-Jones, I realise that I have fallen
into the youthful trap of work and play which
she says keeps Rhodes University students
from engaging with Grahamstown itself. Most
students sail through their years here and
have no idea where they are, Way-Jones says.
Ofen they come back only years later and say
that they had never realised there was a church
here or a jail there.
It is not for lack of opportunity that we
remain oblivious to the turbulent past of
the town we, for a short time, call home.
Lining Somerset Street, at the feet of our own
university campus, stand the imposing white
buildings of the Albany Museum complex.
Established in 1855, the museum is the second
oldest in South Africa and comprises several
sites, including the Natural Science Museum,
the History Museum, and the Observatory
Museum. Te museum invites members of
the public to come in and browse or dig as
deeply as they desire, ofering opportunities
for further historical or genealogical research
upon request.
Way-Jones encourages students to make an
appointment to come trace their family history
together with museum historians or join her
on a historic walking tour of the town itself.
Nestled in the heart of Frontier Country,
Grahamstown has a past steeped in struggle.
We study upon the site of numerous
confrontations between diferent groups,
both those who existed in the area prior to
colonialism and those who arrived from
Britain. Te areas bloody tale is told in the
History Museums Contact and Confict
gallery. Tis part of the museum complex
focuses on both the colonial and indigenous
human history of the Eastern Cape, an area
which Makana Tourism director, Sue Waugh,
believes to be extremely interesting historically.
We can see this as the beginning of our
multicultural society, with people learning
to get along, she said. Tis is where it all
started.
Waugh explained that much of
Grahamstowns tourism industry is driven by
interest in its stormy past, with people coming
from countries like Britain and Germany, as
well as from other African countries, to trace
the areas cultural and traditional history. It
is important for students to learn about the
beginnings of South Africa, from its name to
the difculties it has faced, Waugh said. Way-
Jones agrees. It is important for students to
know something about where they are staying
and to feel part of the community, she said.
A further interesting feature of the Albany
Museum complex is the Observatory Museum.
A brief walk down High Street to Bathurst
Street will lead one to the pretty blue and white
Victorian building, which houses a camera
obscura in its observatory tower. Te obscura
is an optical relic of the Victorian era which
preceded the camera and is said to have led
directly to its invention. Te obscura, which
is operated by rope from inside the tower,
refects an exact replica of Grahamstown
onto a domed white table. With accurate
proportions, full colour, and all movement
included, the image one sees seems something
like a forerunner to Google maps, except with
tiny Grahamstownians moving about their
business.
Climbing up narrow fights of stairs, one is
able to wonder at the scenes of Victorian life
which have been captured and immortalized
in the furnishings of the old buildings many
rooms. Upon the fnal foor, one fnds the
obscura and a helpful museum employee
who demonstrates how it works and explains
the story behind it. Te interesting device
was built by a former owner of the stately old
home who was a doctor in the town. My guide
informed me that the perfect 360 degree image
produced by the obscura allowed staf at the
house to locate the good doctors horse drawn
carriage in the town if an emergency call came
in while he was out on business.
Getting to grips with the history of
Grahamstown provides a great sense of
grounding and is important in understanding
the story of South Africa as a whole. Take a
bored afernoon or two to fnd out some more
about your home away from home.
Words by Kyla Hazell
There are many sights to see around Grahamstown including museums, the botanical gardens and
quirky shops. Photo: MICHELLE CUNCLIFFE
Get to know Grahamstown
The Albany Museum on Somerset Street hosts much of Grahamstowns historical
memorabilia. Photo: IVAN BLAZIC
Photo: KIRSTEN MAKIN
Arts & Entertainment
8 Te Oppidan Press 1 February 2013
By Sitha Kentane and Dirk Steynberg
D
espite its size, Grahamstowns
night (and sometimes day) life
ofers a little something to cater
to everyones tastes. Whether you are in
the mood for the efortless chords of the
acoustic or are simply in search of a bit of
dirty dub a walk into town will assure you
fnd, or perhaps even discover your vibe.
Prime
Afer extensive renovations, Prime is a
notable club in Grahamstown, if simply
for its gleaming all white decor. With shiny
foors, vivid lighting and wall-mounted fat
screens featuring popular music videos,
Primes decor is akin to that of nightclubs in
South Africas larger cities.
Te typical Prime patron arrives dressed
to impress and ready to spend. Although
drink prices are reasonable enough for a
student budget, there is ofen an entrance
fee, one which is at least R10 or R20 more
than other establishments.
Te club caters for a wide audience and a
typical night out includes a lineup of some
of Grahamstowns well-known DJs, playing
a range of dancehall, hip hop, electro and
house. DJs start their sets from as early as
8pm and rotate throughout the evening.
Prime has also hosted popular South Afri-
can acts such as Mi Casa and Big Nuz and
these performances guarantee a large crowd
of fans.
Prime has three dance foors - two
downstairs and one upstairs. Te upper
dance area is a smaller, more intimate space.
Equipped with its own bar, it provides a
suitable venue for private parties.

Te Monastery
Located on New Street, this infectious space
is a dubstep delight. With a thundering
dance foor and high quality sound, Mon,
as it is afectionately known, is a regular
venue for those who enjoy heavy bass and
an intimate setting.
Monastery has provided Grahamstown
party goers with a space reminiscent of
underground clubs such as those found in
Europe and the United States. Te iconic
hooded monk image which is painted on
the dark green wall, was created by a former
Fine Arts student and the design and art-
work speaks to the genres of music which
Monastery plays.
Dubstep may be the most familiar sound
at Mon, but a variety of trance, drum and
bass and dance music is also on ofer. On
a typical night, one can fnd fellow student
DJs entertaining the crowd from the decks.
On certain nights there may also be a live
act or two strung into the mix. Monastery
also dedicates evenings to female DJs only
and the New Bloods series opened up a space
for up and coming DJs to gain recognition.
Not a bass enthusiast? Trough the
sound-proof doors there is a back garden,
a relaxed atmosphere around the bamboo
island style bar and a circle of stones around
a bonfre.
Mon charges an occasional entrance
fee, but it wont break the bank. Te fee is
considered to be worth it, since the party
at Mon is guaranteed to run into the early
hours of the morning, with a great deal of
the crowd trickling in way afer midnight.
With a somewhat hidden entrance, some
might fnd themselves going round in circles
before fnding the near-invisible door. For
this reason, one should not make ones frst
rodeo to Te Monastery unaccompanied.
Keep an eye out for the green light.

Champs Action Bar
Grahamstown harbours many varieties of
music, from modern age pop and dance,
to the acoustic sounds and crooning vocals
for live music lovers. Whilst walking the
streets, one is certain to hear some raw
underground sounds reverberating from
a small bar just of High Street, known as
Champs Action Bar.
Generally appealing to a select group of
the towns students, the bar has its own par-
ticular style and the doorway is a threshold
to a diferent dimension altogether. Tose
who are quick to dismiss it as a dingy and
dark gathering place in an obscure alley
are sure to miss out on many an enjoyable
evening in a vibrant and musically cultured
environment.
With acts that range from metal to punk,
funk to blues, as well as various acoustic
performances, this is the ideal spot to hang
out with friends, play a game of pool and
listen to good music on a weekly basis.
Youre guaranteed to fnd a friendly face at
Champs, even if it comes in the form of the
owner, Dirty Mike. He is always sure to be
around.

Te Rat & Parrot
Pizza is the most common order on this
pubs menu, at least as far as the student
clientele is concerned and they are dedicated
patrons indeed. Tis pub, located on New
Street, doubles as an excellent place to go
out for some hearty pub grub and catch the
latest game, or to go out and enjoy a drink
or two with friends.
As night falls, Te Rat, as it is commonly
known to students, turns from a relaxed res-
taurant to a boisterous bar as the festivities
begin. Te night is kept alive by the sounds
of punk rock, pop, dance and more than a
few classic golden oldies.
In addition to the always entertaining
facilities inside the pub, customers can move
outside to enjoy the beer garden. One is
also able to settle down in Te Mouse and
Budgie, a small and seated sidelong bar area,
which is attached to the ground foor of the
main pub. Te Mouse and Budgie can be
rented out and closed of for private func-
tions and parties.
By Alex Maggs
Tis week, Ubom!, the 11-year-old,
award-winning Eastern Cape drama
company brings you STDiesel, a
theatre production devised and
directed by Jessica Harrison.
Te piece was workshopped by
the director and cast and is based on
research conducted amongst Rhodes
students. It follows last years Hush, a
play dealing with stigma and other is-
sues surrounding HIV. STDiesel deals
with issues facing students today.
According to Sifso Sikhakhane, the
Projects and Marketing Manager of
Ubom!, Te play reveals an honest,
funny and controversial exploration of

drug users and abusers, the dynamics
of sex and alcohol culture at Rhodes
and the ofen tumultuous nature of
navigating relationships through
unfamiliar terrain.
Despite its involvement in previous
years productions, the Student HIV
and AIDS Resistance Campaign
(SHARC) is not involved this year.
However, 2013 SHARC President,
Khanyisa Nomoyi, emphasised the
importance of theatre in spreading
an important message. Te show
encourages students to engage
with issues associated with HIV/
AIDS, especially in a small town
like Grahamstown where people
sometimes have the misconception
that it doesnt happen here, said

Nomoyi.
It is a great way of eradicating the
harsh stigma surrounding these issues
and it sparks conversation, Nomoyi
explained. It also goes further to
extend the message that when it comes
to health awareness, more especially
HIV/AIDS. Its a matter of us caring,
not judging.
Sikhakhane agreed with this per-
spective. Te piece will let frst years
know exactly what to expect from the
University lifestyle. It will help them
to make the right choices, which they
will abide by for the next 3- 4 years,
he said.
Te production promises to be a
thought-provoking, inspiring and
educational experience.
A rehearsal of Sharc and Ubom!s HIV/AIDS production. Photo: SUPPLED BY
UBOM!
Grahamstown nightlife: whats your vibe?
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The pros and cons of
student shuttle service
Zuma sustains populist
support
Bird species aggressive
towards students
>>Rhode Trip >>Mangaung >>Starlings
Photos: IVAN BLAZIC
Exploring sex dynamics and Rhodes alcohol culture
Arts & Entertainment
1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 9
Rhodes graduate makes her mark
By Joni Lindes
R
hodes University was the
creative inspiration for the hot,
new talent that is Lucy Kruger,
whose fresh lyrical style has cemented
her spot as an up-and-coming musi-
cian in the South African music scene.
At Rhodes she could ofen be seen
outside the drama department, but
since the release of her frst album
Cut Tose Strings, she has been seen
performing to large crowds across the
country.
Kruger, 23, has been writing music
since the age of 16 and said that even if
she had not thrived in the tough music
industry, she would still be writing mu-
sic every day. Music and the making of
it ,is the one thing that makes absolute
sense to me, she said.
In 2012, Kruger launched her album
in Cape Town and Johannesburg. Te
album features well-known South
African artists such as Larks lead
vocalist Inge Beckmann, Schalk Joubert,
Kevin Gibson, Melissa Van Der Spuy
and Albert Frost. It is dubbed as a
mixture of alternative pop and blues.
Te single Four White Walls is a lyrical
tribute to the experience of moving
house that Kruger had during her time
at Rhodes.
Kruger studied music as part of
her undergraduate degree at Rhodes
University and completed an honours
degree in Drama in 2011. Kruger
said that the Drama Department had
a particularly strong
infuence on her writing
and performance of
music. Tere are such
creatively brilliant and
exciting people working
in that space. My love
for performance and
creation defnitely stems
from them and that is
the thing that is keeping
me sane, Kruger said.
Krugers experiences at Rhodes
helped her to grow as a person and
infuenced her creatively. I would have
been a very diferent person creating
very diferent music if I had not had the
space to play and explore in that little
town, she said.
Since the release of her album,
Kruger has performed at a variety of
gigs. She formed part of the line-up of
the Rolling Stones Weekend, a festival
which showcases emerging musical
talent. It was lovely, afer having been
gigging quite a lot in smaller venues
throughout the year, to be acknowl-
edged as an up-and-coming artist,
Kruger said. She has also performed at
the Grahamstown National Arts Festi-
val, the White Mountain
Festival, Rocking the
Daisies (alongside Te
Very Wicked) and Rock
the River SA 2012 and is
set to perform at Up the
Creek later this year.
In addition to her
extensive touring,
Kruger also placed third
in the 2012 Barleycorn
songwriting competition
and was among the top twelve selected
in the 2012 Bushmills Band Search.
Although Kruger has done exceed-
ingly well, she noted that the music
industry is tough to handle for any
young musician such as herself. Her one
piece of advice to aspiring musicians is:
Just play. Play as much as you can with
whoever you can.
We sing, we dance, we write, we play
By Jenna Lillie
In an attempt to cater for the plethora of
passtimes present in a university environ-
ment, there is an endless store of societies
to join. For those looking to soothe their
soul, there are a number of societies that
are tailored to enable students to express
their creative side.
Music, Arts, Drama and Entertainment
(MADE) is a society which provides a stu-
dent volunteer programme, the creative arts
of music, art, drama and dance to children
involved in a project called Sakhuluntu,
based in Joza, explained 2012 Chairper-
son, Jack Kaminski. Sakhuluntu, formed
in 1998 by cultural activist and performer
Vuyo Booi, aims to help marginalised
youth, using the arts to promote a future
free of crime, drugs and alcohol. If you
enjoy working with children, if you enjoy
being silly and sharing your creativity, then
MADE is for you, said Vice Chairperson of
2012, Robyn Perros.
Its a great way to empower perform-
ers from Joza and creates a support system
for them on the Rhodes campus, said
Kaminski.
If words are more your forte and writing
your pastime of choice, then Bua Poetry So-
ciety will appeal to you. Bua, which means
speak in Sesotho, encourages its members
to voice their minds and ideas. We ofer
people a space to socialise as well as a plat-
form to express their inner thoughts and
share their ideas on the world, explained
2012 Vice Chairperson, Tobile Dlamini.
Bua hopes to grow in numbers and help
frst years enjoy the social scene that poetry
has to ofer.
Grahamstown also ofers a wide variety of
music and if you like playing it, or even just
listening to it, Live Music Society (LMS) is
the society for you. With over 300 members,
LMS is one of Rhodes most active societies.
It strives to promote and sustain emerging
talent within the local music scene. Te
society also has band room facilities that
members can make use of.
We provide alternative entertainment
for the Rhodes students, while encouraging
arts and entertainment to develop within
the Grahamstown community, explained
Tamryn-leigh Dickson, 2012s Live Music
Society Chairperson. LMS is involved in
many events and collaborations with the
SRC as well as national bands from all over
South Africa, she said.
In 2013, LMS plans to facilitate more
exciting entertainment projects like
hosting more national bands, as well as
the introduction of an acoustic Battle
of the Bands in addition to the electric
competition that it currently runs.
Another music-oriented society is the
Rhodes University Chamber Choir
(RUCC), founded in 1953. It is one of South
Africas frst university choral ensembles.
In order to maintain the high standards
set by the choir, auditions take place and
only the best make it into the ensemble,
explained 2012 Chairperson of RUCC,
Elethu Mambo.
Apart from the experience one will gain
in learning new languages, singing various
genres and touring South Africa, more ex-
citing plans await the RUCC in 2013. Next
year will mark its frst European tour since
1960 as the RUCC embarks on its tour as
part of the South African Season in France.
Societies like DanceSport provide a
platform for anyone interested in a range of
dance. Tis society encourages expression
through movement and it ofers a variety
of classes, from latin to contemporary. If
you are a beginner or do not know how to
quickstep, there are workshops that cater for
you. For those interested in more special-
ised genres of dance, Latin and Ballroom
Dancing Soc, alongside Hip Hop Soc are
also on ofer.
Wherever your interests lie, Rhodes will
have a society to keep you occupied. Be ad-
venturous and get involved, these societies
are here for you.
Photo: FRANCOIS VISSER
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A range to satisfy the student palate
By Tarryn de Kock and Kate-Lyn Moore
Be it out of pure laziness, a lack of culinary
skills or because dinner in residence is served
so incredibly early, the average student spends a
signifcant sum ordering take-out meals. Tat is,
of course, unless they opt rather to indulge in the
afordable and simply delectable range of two-
minute noodles ofered at PicknPay.
Whether you are still feeling hungry afer a dining
hall meal or just not feeling too eager for res food,
here is a guide to eating out (or in) in Grahamstown.

Caf DVine, Caf Delizzia, Revelations, Yellow
House, Red Caf: these caf-style eateries ofer the
usual sandwich or light meal, but each also has its
own exciting specialty - such as Red Cafs peanut
butter milkshake, Caf Delizzias wide breakfast
menu and the infamous cocktails at Yellow House.

Twing Sushi/Wok, Spur, Ruanthai, Casa de Loco,
Ginos, La Trattoria: Perfect for sit-down dinners,
these restaurants tend to be a bit more expensive
than the others, but ofer specials frequently. La
Trattoria Tuesday night 2-for-1 pasta special is a
frm favourite - so be sure to book a table to avoid
disappointment. If your family is visiting, these
restaurants would be the perfect spots to take them
out for dinner.

Pirates, Te Rat & Parrot, Champs, Olde65: If you
just want to grab food with your friends and make
a little noise - the pubs are the ideal place for you. A
frm favourite with students, the meals are well worth
the cost and the atmosphere is infectious.
KFC, Steers, FishAways, Debonairs, Scooters,
Wimpy, Nandos: Students should be familiar with
what to expect from these franchises. For the most
part they are quite afordable, cater to a variety
of tastes and have extensive menus, including
breakfasts, burgers, pizzas, grills and desserts.
Happily for students, they (with the exception of
Wimpy) will all deliver and in good time.
Haricots: If there is a special occasion coming up or
you are looking to spoil yourself, pay a visit to this
courtyard-style bistro. Forming part of the French
Quarter, Haricots refned style and ambience is
similar to that of a European dining experience.
Haricots serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Juice Bar Diner: Te Juice Bar Diner is only open
during the day and caters to a bustling lunch crowd
every day. Te menu and kitchen are entirely halaal
and ofer a wide selection of sandwiches and rolls,
as well as curry options. Catering for students on a
budget, Juice Bar Diner it is a frm favourite for the
student wallet. All meals are made as the order is
placed.
Editor: Kirsten Makin. Deputy Editor: Binwe Adebayo. Managing Edi-
tor: Jamie Bezuidenhout. Assistant Managing Editor: Matthew Barbosa.
Advertising Manager: Ororiseng Mulaudzi. Online Editor: Tyson Ngubeni.
Assistant Online Editor: Stuart Lewis. Webmaster: Thandile Pambuka.
News Features Editor: Tegan Scales. Environment Editor: Jordan du Toit.
Politics Editor: Tarryn de Kock. Assistant Politics Editor: Emily Corke. Arts
& Entertainment Editor: Thobani Mesani. Assistant Arts & Entertain-
ment Editors: Jessica van Tonder, Dirk Steynberg. SciTech Editor: Lethabo
Ntshudisane. Business Editor: Mudiwa Gavaza Sports Editor: Andrew
Tombs. Chief Photo Editors: Josh Oates, Robynne Peatfeld. Assistant Chief
Photo Editor: Michelle Cunlife. Chief Sub-Editors: Kate-Lyn Moore, Mat-
thew de Klerk, Lucy Holford-Walker. Sub-Editor: Kaitlin Cunningham. Chief
Designer: Chevawn Blum. Senior Designers: Aimee de la Harpe, Jehan Ara
Khonat. Illustrator: Amy Slatem.
Letters to the Editor: editor@oppidanpress.com
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The Oppidan Press publishes letter that are bona fde expressions
of opinion as long as they are not clearly libellous, defamatory, rac-
ist or sexist. We publish anonymous letters, but as an act of good
faith in 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.
The Oppidan Press staf and contact details
Opinion
10 Te Oppidan Press 1 February 2013
Te Oppidan Press has come quite a way since its founding in 2007.
Its trail is one papered with challenges, accomplishments and
copious amounts of cafeine. Te start of the papers sixth year is
one that aims to embrace, and by doing so, learn from its past.
2012 was a challenging year for Te Oppidan Press in many ways.
Te difcult economic climate saw student media struggling to gain
sustained advertising. Tis, along with a delay in the SRC grant,
resulted in the paper being temporarily unable to print.
Traditionalists at heart, the idea of moving the paper completely
online was contested amongst the team and the more cynically-
minded of us regarded this as a huge loss for Te Oppidan Press.
Refection provided the ability to see how inaccurate these
assumptions were and in fact, the move to online resulted in a
branching out that would signifcantly change Te Oppidan Press for
the better.
In addition to a widespread online campaign, Oppipress Online
produced a weekend of live, up-to-date coverage over the Inter-Varsity
weekend. Tese advancements created the development of a platform
that would, contrary to our initial fears, keep the paper above water.
A few months afer moving online the paper managed to regain its
fnancial footing and publication of the print edition resumed.
Hosting both a print and an online edition, Te Oppidan Press made
signifcant eforts to move forward by renovating its editorial and
executive systems and widening its reach to new markets of online
and print.
Placing both the print and online edition on equal footing, the
paper set forth to do what it does best: investigate and inform.
Realising the signifcance of social media Te Oppidan Press has,
and continues to make its online presence well known, through both
Facebook and Twitter. In so doing, Te Oppidan Press maintains
the interest of readers both locally and far beyond the reaches of
Grahamstown.
As the year progressed, readers witnesses a substantial leap in the
content of Te Oppidan Press. Since moving the news section online,
the paper had the opportunity to explore longer, more in-depth
pieces. Focusing its energies on topical issues such as Rhino poaching,
gender-based violence and student governance, Te Oppidan Press
ftted frmly into the culture of activism at Rhodes, while upholding
its primary journalistic responsibilities. Articles were ofen met with
resistance and difculties, particularly when tackling controversial
issues, however, challenges faced by the team had the reverse efect,
resulting in a more determined, resilient approach to producing the
stories which the paper needs to produce.
With the introduction of the campus Media Council imminent Te
Oppidan Press is confdent in its ability to produce responsible and in-
depth journalism and to maintain a standard on which to be modelled
and appreciated, while assessing whether or not the same standard is
respected by others.
Of The Rat and Rhodents
The refections of a fourth year student on university life, friendships formed and frivolity
By Andrew Tudhope
E
veryone says that the friends you make at univer-
sity will be like no others you will ever fnd and will
ofen become friends for life.
Refecting on what I heard in my frst year, I wish that
someone had told me more about the type of people I
would meet when I came here and the relationships I would
form with them.
Students are told so many things upon entering univer-
sity: where to go, what to study, what sort of people to look
out for and what sort of people to stay away from. We are
inundated with more information than we can handle, and
so we swoon around during O-Week, in awe of the freedom
of student life and drunk on the lack of responsibility, mixed
in with Autumn Harvests fnest blend.
Te friends one makes at university are worlds apart from
the friends one had at school. As we learn how to live our
own lives and seek to defne ourselves, friends take on an
entirely diferent role. Gone are the relatively easy days of
school where usually, everyone thought and acted in a simi-
lar and predictable fashion. We become more complicated
and people can no longer be ftted comfortably into the
narrow and neatly-defned vision of life that most of us have
as we navely exit high school.
Experience has taught me that university is full of in-
teresting people who can quite literally change the course
of ones life in an instant. However, what nobody ever told
me is how much work friendships afer high school take.
Ofen the links we form with people here are dictated much
by chance meetings and half-incoherent ramblings, which
never quite seem to satisfy the ideal picture of meaningful
connections we hold in our minds.
Friendship is much more complicated here, with so much
more nuance, respect and understanding required. Univer-
sity can be one long, awesome party with good friends about
whom you know relatively little or it can be an intellectual
awakening with people who you share your life outside of
the bar.
Either way, whether or not you stay in contact afer uni-
versity, these friends come to form a major part of your life.
At the risk pursuing one to the exclusion of the other, most
of our time should be spent on fnding a balance between
the two.
Rhodes wouldnt be Rhodes without a few parties that
you dont remember. However, try to bear in mind that
it wont be a university for you either if you think that the
only people worth knowing are the ones who seem most
comfortable on New Street on a Friday night.
ANC outrage challenges freedom of speech
By Andrew Tudhope
In a live advert released by First
National Bank (FNB) during January
schoolchildren voiced their hopes
for the future, and the challenges
they sees facing the country in their
lifetime. Te ANC, in what can only
be described as a knee-jerk reaction,
labelled the advert, which was criti-
cal of government and some of its
members, including Basic Education
Minister Angie Motsheka, as trea-
sonous. Tey went on to claim that
the bank was encouraging youngsters
to disrespect their elders and defame
key members of government and the
ruling party.
Sanctimoniously outraged, ANC
spokesman Keith Khoza, appearing
on ENCA the Monday afer the advert
was released, said that the ad was of-
fensive and that it should be removed
permanently from the banks website.
Such a response makes clear that the
ANCs reaction entirely disregards the
notion of freedom of speech, which is
so intrinsic to South African society.
Khoza went on to say that most of
the children featured had not even
been alive in 1994 so they could
not possibly know what life was like
before the end of apartheid. It must be
remembered however, that a vital role
was played by the youth that during
apartheid, on the very site where the
advert was broadcast from Naledi
High School in Soweto.
It is particularly worrying to hear
words as treasonous being bandied
about by leaders of a once-great resist-
ance movement possibly the most
successful one in history. Treason is
defned as the ofense of attempting to
overthrow the government of the state
to which the ofender owes allegiance;
or of betraying the state into the hands
of a foreign power. It is ludicrous that
such a term be applied to an advert
voicing the opinions of children;
opinions that were gathered from an
extensive (including the responses of
13000 students between the ages of ten
and twenty-two) and independently
run survey.
FNB denounced the statement of
Khoza, asserting that, Te allegations
of treason are particularly tasteless and
we strongly deny that FNB has acted
in any manner which gives rise to such
malicious allegations. Its intentions
were to provide a platform, through
which we believe, as South Africans,
we can use the power of help to make
a positive diference in building a
stronger, unifed, values based nation.
FNB maintains the belief that the
countrys children have an important
voice (just as they did in 1976) and are
critical to the countrys success. Not to
be outdone, the Democratic Alliance
commented, stating, It is most ironic
that the ANC would brand this com-
mercial an attack on anyone, since the
advert actually calls on South Africans
to unite for a better future.
In light of recent debates around
freedom of speech, the ability for
private entities to make political state-
ments and the tendency of the ANC
to jump to litigation in the face of
criticism, the FNB saga only speaks to
already fermenting tensions in South
African society.
View the video at:
www.youtube.com/user/FNBTV
FNB advertisement causes stir among ANC members. Photo: SOURCED

Friendship is much
more complicated
here, with so much
more nuance,
respect and
understanding
required
- Andrew Tudhope
Features
1 February 2013 Te Oppidan Press 11
Recreational budgeting 101
How to party smartly and cost efectively during Orientation Week
By Raymond Ndhlovu
Business
Arriving as a new student in O-Week,
one may be eager to experience an
entirely diferent nightlife. Should
that be the case, here is how to do
so smartly and to spend money
carefully along the way.
As a frst year it is very important
that you learn how to budget and use
your money wisely. A number of frst
years spend their money thoughtlessly
on nights out and before they know it,
are lef entirely out of pocket money.
When calculating expenses, one might
discover that they have carelessly spent
their entire monthly budget, well be-
fore textbooks have been purchased.
Second year student Matthew Parry
noted how he made such an error
during his frst year. I spent almost
R2 500 in O-Week just on alcohol! he
said. At that time I was not even aware
of the idea of pre-drinks or any such
thing. Looking back, I regret spending
all that money, he continued. He went
on to encourage frst years to be wise
about their O-Week spending. Tats
just one week, and aferwards you still
have about three more months to go
before the frst vac, he said.
One essential part of recreational-
budgeting, so as to avoid
overspending, is knowing the relative
prices of entrance, drinks and specials
at various places.
Well-known partying spots in
Grahamstown include the Rat and
Parrot (normally referred to as Te
Rat), Friar Tucks Pub and Grill
(Friars), Te Monastery (Mon),
Pirates and Prime.
Tese are usually the places that new
students hear about frst. However,
others include Olde65, SlipStream
Sports Bar, Champs Action Bar and
Yellow House.
Rhodes University also has its own
Rhodes Club, which is situated in the
Bantu Stephen Biko Building (Union
Building), as well as the Sports Bar,
which is located at the astro turf.
In Stock:
Hooka Pipes, Flavours, Coals.
Smoking papers, Zippo lighters, Water
pipes.
Silver, Gold and Costume Jewelery.
Fancy Dress, Wigs and Stockings.
And much more...
Ultimate Toys and Gifts
Contact: 046 622 7131 (next to Edgars)
A few rules that need to be acknowledged in compliance with the Universitys code:
In order to maximise satisfaction at little cost, here are a
few rules to partying smart in Grahamstown:
t Only take a limited amount of money with you when going out.
There is no danger of you over-spending this way.
t Certain places charge entrance fees. Work this into your budget.
t Take advantage of specials. Many establishments ofer O-Week
specials. Those will most certainly add to your entertainment
while helping to protect your bank balance.
P
A
R
T
Y

T
I
P
S
By Tsungai Makoni
SciTech
I
n an age where applications are
being developed almost everyday,
a number of applications are
currently being designed by Rhodes
University in order to make its
students lives more convenient.
Call centre administrator at Rhodes
IT department, Elethu Pambo said
that, Apps developed by their depart-
ment are there to provide services to
academic and non-academic depart-
ments that need them.
Te apps that they will be develop-
ing will be department specifc and
these apps will help aid the lecturers
and students by making the process
of learning more hassle free. Te im-
provement of learning will be done by
having apps that provide departments
with the necessary functions to ease
the load.
Te number of apps being developed
is expected to increase with time as the
department becomes better equipped
and has more services to ofer.
Perhaps one of the most interest-
ing and relevant apps for university
students are timetable apps. Tese
apps allow users to save their lecture
timetable on their mobile devices. Te
app alerts students when it is time to
go to certain lectures. A very handy
feature in one of these timetable apps,
Schedule Deluxe, is its ability to auto-
matically turn on and of your phones
silent mode at the beginning and the
end of the lectures.
Common timetable apps that one
might come across include A+ Time-
table, TimeSpread Timetable, Quick
Timetable, Smart Timetable and, of
course, Schedule Deluxe
Ofce Web Apps allows you to have
your entire ofce tools at the tip of
your fngers.
Te Ofce Web Apps browser
allows you to perform the normal ac-
tivities that can be performed on your
personal computers ofce apps. Tese
can be used in conjunction with online
storage apps.
Online storage services/apps can
be used to store, share, backup or
transfer fles via the internet (part of
cloud computing). Cloud computing
in a nutshell is performing computer
functions with hardware and sofware
through the internet.
Google has become a dominant
player in this regard, with its mobile
Google Drive app. Tis app ofers
standard fle storage as well as other
useful features such as sharing fles
with your contacts online.
Another key player in the cloud
storage services and apps is Drop-
Box. DropBox has similar features to
Google Drive. Ones fles are available
anytime and one can work on docu-
ments simultaneously with other users.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
refers to various tools that facilitate the
delivery of voice communications and

multimedia sessions over the internet.

VoIP is not a new concept. Examples
of VoIP include Skype and Gtalk for
mobile devices. An advantage of VoIP
is the convenience of being able to
video talk as well as voice call friends
and family, especially when you get
homesick.
Tere are plenty more apps out there
that can make life at university easier
to navigate. If you want to fnd out
more, check out your mobile app store.
Applications designed for student convenience
Here are a few apps that you
might fnd useful during your
time at university:
Dictionary.com
Ever Note
TED
Any.DO
Kingsoft Ofce
Schedule
Deluxe
Apps developed by
their department
are there to provide
services to academic
and non-academic
departments that
need them
Elethu Pambo
Rhodes IT Department
Alcohol may not be brought onto University premises
in the frst 10 days of term (including O-Week). This
means that no function involving the consumption of liquor may
be held during Orientation Week and the frst ten days of the frst
term without the Vice-Chancellors permission.
Throughout the rest of the year,
only beers, ciders and wines may
be consumed in residences. Spirits such as gin,
brandy and vodka are strictly prohibited.
Public drinking on campus is
prohibited.
Drinking clubs of any kind involving students on
or of campus are prohibited.
Sports
Rhodes University sportsmen and women disappoint at vacation tournaments
By Andrew Tombs
Te December vacation was not wasted by the sportsmen and
women of Rhodes University, who participated in a number of
the tournaments organised by University Sport South Africa
(USSA) during the break. Rhodes University students partici-
pated in fve of the December tournaments, namely: Supa-Pool,
sailing, aquatics, tennis and chess.
Te Supa-Pool tournament was hosted by Rhodes Univer-
sity from 2-7

December. Tis tournament was open to over 150
students from universities across the country. Out of the ten teams
that participated, Rhodes came third.
Te sailing tournament was hosted by the University of Cape
Town from 3-7 December. Te teams raced as per the 2009-2012
International Sailing Federation racing rules. Te teams consisted
of three double-handed crews. Out of the 4 universities which
participated, Rhodes University placed fourth.
Te water polo tournament was hosted at the University of the
Western Cape in Bellville from3-5 December. Te tournament was
of a round robin style with four periods of seven minutes each and
followed the standard Fdration Internationale de Natation rules.
Out of the ten universities which participated for the men, Rhodes
came seventh. Out of the eight universities which participated for
the womens, Rhodes came seventh.
Te tennis tournament was hosted by the University of Pretoria
from 3-7 December. Out of the ten universities that participated
Rhodes University placed eighth. Te chess tournament was hosted
by the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan University in Port Eliza-
beth between 2 and 6 December. Out of the 22 universities that
participated, Rhodes placed 18th.
Plans to redeem Inter-Res sport in 2013
By Denzil de Klerk
T
hroughout the year, students
in residence and digs settle
their diferences on the
university sports felds. Te residence
sporting schedule allows students to
become involved in their residences
and to participate in sports they
may never have been exposed to
otherwise. However, Inter-Residence
sports was described by many as
being massively disappointing during
2012.
Te Rhodes Sports Admin set forth
an Inter-Res proposal at the start
of 2012. Te proposal allowed for
fewer sporting codes to be included.
Furthermore, the sporting events were
to take place over a single weekend
per term, rather than being spread out
across the term as before. Tis move
decreased the number of sporting
codes included in the Inter-Res
competition signifcantly from 26 to
15 codes. Tis decision resulted in less
popular sports such as archery and
water polo being done away with.
Tese changes were met with much
contempt by some of the sports clubs,
such as squash, which refused to let
there sport be eliminated from the
Inter-Res calendar. However most
sports representatives seemed happy
with the changes, however. Although
a number of them admitted that
this was simply because it meant
that they would have to do less work
in organising participants for the
sporting events.
Tese changes were made in order to
encourage more support and spectator
participation, explained 2012 Inter-Res
co-ordinator Andrew Matatu. Tis was
to be an important factor, said Matatu,
since more points would be granted to
residences with better support. Points
for results and participation in the
actual sports would be less signifcant
in comparison.
Te frst two terms saw the new
Inter-Res model being implemented,
with one weekend in each term
dedicated to Inter-Res sporting events.
Te result of this new model was
that some sports took place at the
same time, meaning that in addition
to there being a far more limited
opportunity for participation in Inter-
Res sport, interested students could
not participate in all of the activities
on ofer. Other concerns expressed
included the fact that sporting events
were taking place too seldom and that
students were no longer given the
opportunity to attempt some of the
lesser known sports.
In light of such criticisms, drastic
changes were implemented in the
second half of 2012, where aspects of
the old system were reintroduced.
Contrary to the plans initially made
by sporting clubs, a total of 21 sports
were scheduled for term 3 and term
4. As a result of this substantial shif,
many sport clubs battled to make the
necessary adjustments on time.
According to sports representatives,
the situation was further aggravated by
inefcient communication to Sports
Representatives and clubs by Sports
Administration.
Te sports representative of Botha
House, Uvatera Ngatjizeko, felt that
he was not informed soon enough
about events as well as their times and
requirements. I couldnt organise
enough players because we were
sometimes told only a day or two
before about what time the sport was
and how many players were needed,
he said.
Following the difculties
encountered during 2012, Head of
Sports at Rhodes Mandla Gagayi,
sent out an altered proposal for
Inter-Res during 2013. In it certain
organisational adjustments have
been made in the hope that Inter-Res
will run more smoothly this year.
Events are now to be organised by
a committee consisting of wardens,
Sports Admin staf and sports
representatives. Furthermore, Inter-
Res will be divided into two streams
competitive and recreational.
Events are to take place irrespective
of whether or not sport clubs are
involved.
With some of the sports kicking of
in just a few weeks time, we will have
to wait and see if Inter-Res 2013 is the
fun, competitive, sociable and learning
experience it is designed to be for all
those who participate in it. Time will
also tell whether or not residences will
turn up at sporting events because of
an enthusiastic desire to participate
and represent their houses, or because
of an undesired obligation to do so.
With some of the
sports kicking of
in just a few weeks
time, we will have
to wait and see if
Inter-Res 2013 is the
fun, competitive,
sociable and
learning experience
it is designed to be

How to brave Gtown weather

see page 5
ANC outraged at FNB advert
see page 10
The right party scene?
see page 10