“I’m telling you now, Mugabe is going to
hell. I’ll make sure of it personally.”
Demonstrators gathered
to put pressure on the
South African government
concerning their response to
the lack of transparency in the
recent Zimbabwean elections.
Harriet McLea & Paul Harris
On the 28th anniversary of Zimbabwe’s
independence, students and others
gathered outside the Department of
Home Affairs in Bathurst Street to
demonstrate their concern for the
political situation in the country and
show disgust for the hands-off way in
which President Thabo Mbeki has been
dealing with it.
“Give back independence to Zim”,
“Ban the Bob”, “Zanu is chicken” and
a reference to Mugabe as “BeelzeBob”,
were some of the slogans on placards
held up by demonstrators.
At a special UN Security Council
session in New York last Thursday,
where African leaders were pressed to
address Zimbabwe, Mbeki defended his
“quiet diplomacy” towards Zimbabwe’s
situation: “What is loud diplomacy?
Well, it is not diplomacy, it can’t be.”
Students painted their hands red
to symbolise the ‘blood’ on Mbeki’s
hands. “He’s killing us by saying nothing
[in Zimbabwe] is wrong,” said Felicity
Sibindi, an organiser of the protest.
Kwezilomso Mbandazayo, SRC Activism
and Transformation Councillor, added
that the aim of the protest was to
provide, “a voice from Rhodes University
to say that the situation within
Zimbabwe is unacceptable”.
Results of the election held more
than three weeks ago have yet to be
released. “It is time for the South African
Development Community (SADC)
leaders to make a firm stand against the
oppressive regime in the country and let
go of their ‘liberation-hero-camaraderie’
that is crippling Southern Africa,” said
Sibindi as she addressed the crowd.
She described the SADC heads of state
as having “turned a blind eye on the
situation in Zimbabwe”.
Many passionate demonstrators
addressed the crowd, showing their
solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe.
Speakers encouraged those present
to speak out and put pressure on the
international community to take action
in resolving the crisis surrounding
election results.
Allan Nyakotyo, manager of
Equilibrium and a Zimbabwean, said
that it was time that people take a stand:
“The more that each one of us says
something, the better. Just being here to-
day does something. Let’s not be scared.”
“Hope it was a good Scifest, and
continues to be so.”
- Enoch Chifamba, third year student.
“It’s very clear Mbeki is taking a side,
he’s supporting Robert Mugabe and it’s
such a shame and it’s so wrong.”
- Anonymous Zimbabwean Honours
student, afraid to give his name for fear
that his family will be victimised.
“It is enough for evil to thrive if good
people stay silent; if we do not speak
loudly South Africa destroys itself. None
of us are free until we are all free.”
- Paul Hjul, non-activist student, having
emphasised that even non-activists need
to speak out.
“If your neighbour is beating his wife
and you do nothing about it, you’ll be
doing the same the next day.”
- Felicity Sibindi, Honours student in
Politics and History.
“I’m appalled. Thabo Mbeki is sup-
posed to be the leader of the region…
The area I was in voted MDC and people
there are getting persecuted.”
- Duncan Potts, first year BCom student.
“You cannot suppress the will of the
people. We want change, and that’s what
should happen.”
- Ronald Chindeka, third year BCom
student.
“Today is their 28th anniversary of
If you couldn’t make it independence, they should be celebrat-
to the demonstration, ing. They’re actually mourning. What
watch a video of it on
the few Zimbabweans have done [at the
our website.
protest] today is really courageous.”
- Anonymous Zambian Honours student.
2 The Oppidan Press 23.04.08
Rape and sexual violence is a prominent
feature of South Africa’s reality and
Rhodes is no exception.
The Dean of Students Division has
reported that a female student was
sexually assaulted by a male student at
a digs party on 6 April. The survivor
knows the perpetrator, and according to
Dean of Students Dr Vivian de Klerk this
is not unusual: “the majority of sexual
assaults occur between people known to
each other.”
The survivor chose not to inform
the university, but rather reported the
incident directly to the SAPS. Dr de
Klerk said that the police unfortunately
do not inform the university. “Once
again, shame and fear of being judged
Do you want to be part of something
new and forward-thinking? Are
you a budding journalist who
wants to gain skills and knowledge
in multimedia and new media?
Whether your skills are with a camera
or a pen, our website and multimedia
team could be the perfect place for
you to further these talents. Check
out www.TheOppidanPress.com
and send a motivation letter to the
Multimedia Editor at
multimedia@theoppidanpress.com.
www.TheOppidanPress.com
has led the survivor to avoid reporting
this violent incident to the office of the
Dean of Students, and she was therefore
not provided with the extensive and
confidential support that is available at
Rhodes.”
The survivor is receiving appropriate
medical attention as well as trauma
counselling.
“We urge all students to report
such incidents immediately, so that we
can assist and we reaffirm that there is
absolutely no shame or blame attached
to being violently assaulted, whether by
another student, a partner, a friend, or a
stranger,” says Dr de Klerk.
>> Oppidan Press reporter
The Zimbabwean elections occurred
three weeks ago, but the results have
still not been officially released.
A protest against this lack of
transparency and the gross human
rights violations in Zimbabwe took
place in Grahamstown on Friday
outside Home Affairs. Visit our
website to watch our multimedia
package of the demonstration and
witness the solidarity of people
coming together on Zimbabwe’s
Independence Day.
www.TheOppidanPress.com/news
Mocktails, water slides, volleyball and
alcohol-free fun were the order of the
day at the St Mary’s Hall beach party
held on the St Mary lawns on 12 April.
This event, aimed at promoting
alcohol-free fun at Rhodes, is the first
of more to come. Dean of Students Dr
Vivian de Klerk said R2,000 is to be won
by the hall that “most effectively spreads
the message to the widest number of
students that one can have plenty of fun
without alcohol”.
Amanda Shude, a student who
attended the party, thinks this was a
good initiative by the university because
“sometimes you just want to have good,
childish, innocent fun”. Zimkhita Sulelo,
on the other hand, thinks that the
university is going too far as she found
POLITICS >>
Ex-Rhodent Dominique Schäfer
moved to the West Bank two months
ago to volunteer at the An-Najah
University in Nablus, Palestine. We
have exclusive access to her own
photographs and thoughts about
living in this war-torn area. Witness
first hand what it is like to be living in
Palestine. Visit our website at www.
TheOppidanPress.com and watch
a slide show that gives an insight
into the humanity of Palestine often
ignored by international media.
www.TheOppidanPress.com/politics
the event boring. “They are treating us
like children yet we are supposed to be
post-grad students,” she said.
Jacyn Mitchley, the Oppidan Com-
mittee Entertainment Representative
said: “The Oppidan Committee supports
initiatives to make students safer and
increase the quality of life at Rhodes. I
don’t think that the Dean of Students
is trying to police students, rather than
trying to create a safe and fun environ-
ment.”
The next event is The Weakest Link
The increasing demand for
accommodation in Grahamstown has
raised concerns over congestion and
strain on the available services.
Oppidan Warden Gordon Barker
hopes that Oppi students would not be
“singled out” by such an issue, as he felt
that the 3,000 students living in digs
contribute a great deal to the economy
of Grahamstown. He stressed that “it’s
not in anyone’s interest to destroy the
Oppi situation,” and that there should be
no difference between students and any
other tenant.
Although Ranier van der Merwe,
the town planner for Grahamstown,
confirmed this and added that all
problems around this issue fell under the
responsibility of the landlord, Oppidans
are still concerned. “I think students
aren’t taken seriously; estate agents are
ineffectual and landlords act as they
please,” said IS student Kate Martin.
Thandy Matebese, Media and
Communications Officer for Makana
Municipality, stressed that, “the
municipality is concerned with
the overloading of the existing
infrastructure”. He provided the example
of residential owners converting their
houses into flat-lets to house
ENTERTAINMENT >>
For the past 18 months a selection
of “party pills” has been on sale in
South Africa. Until recently, they
could be ordered online or bought
over the counter in bottle stores and
pharmacies. The pills are currently
under review by the Medical
Controls Council of South Africa.
Watch our online video produced
by fourth year television journalists
as they investigate what exactly this
means and how legal pill-popping
stands in Grahamstown.
www.TheOppidanPress.com/entertainment
quiz competition hosted by Nelson
Mandela hall on 22 April and Oppidans
can look forward to the Digs Olympics
on 10 May at Prospect Field. Registration
for the Olympics starts at 13:30 and the
cost is R5 per person with four people in
a team. The events will last from 14:00
until 17:00. There will be non-alcoholic
refreshments, paintball, a gladiator park,
and great prizes. Spirit prizes are also up
for grabs for supporters.
>> Nolulamo Matutu
more people.
However, Matebese maintained that
the issue was still subject to “preliminary
discussions” and that any plans still
have to go through the mayor’s
Committee and Council before they can
be approved.
He said that the extra demand for
accommodation in Grahamstown had
always been a problem caused “not just
by students but also by people from
outside Grahamstown.” Matebese felt
that the two possible solutions would
be to “strengthen the infrastructure, or
create an area exclusively for this type of
residential development”.
Van der Merwe provided more
clarity on the issue. He mentioned
that Grahamstown was divided into
30 zonings of which four zones were
residential. He stressed that the issue
did not involve the ‘re-zoning’ of any
part of the town but rather a check-up
on whether or not the existing zones
were being utilised properly. He also
said that the municipality’s job was to
draw up a 15 to 20 year development
plan taking into account, “the predicted
growth of the population in correlation
with the amount of space available for
housing”.
If the space granted to individual
landlords was used incorrectly, this
creates a problem for the electrical
services and sewage systems. Fourth year
Oppidan student Robyn Cox echoed
van der Merwe’s concern: “Our digs
currently houses seven people with a
two man flat attached, and our
landlady is currently building another
flat – where are we all going to fit?”
>> Paul Harris
Last week a gruelling triathlon
took place in Nelson Mandela Bay.
The Ironman competition is not
for the fainthearted: it consists of
a 3.8km swim, a 180km cycle and
a 42.4km run. Rhodes Oppidan
Russel Cranswick finished the event
successfully. Go online to watch
our interview with him as he shares
his experience of one of the most
adrenaline pumping events that
tested his strength both mentally and
physically.
www.TheOppidanPress.com/sport

With the support of the Dean of
Students Division, OUTRhodes
celebrated its third annual Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & intersex
(LGBTi) Pride Week from 7 to 11 April.
Rhodes students, administrators, and the
greater Grahamstown community united
in celebration of the ‘queer identity’.
Pride Week marked the launch of the
new OUTRhodes Hall Representative
Programme, a volunteer-based
endeavour established to provide a
support structure for students dealing
with issues of sexual identity and
discrimination.
“We care.” The Dean of Students
Division’s slogan is the reason behind
a newly-proposed ‘buddy system’ for
students.
This system aims to act as a safety
mechanism to ensure that students
get home safely and is currently under
evaluation by the Communications and
Development Division and the SRC.
The plan is for student volunteers,
stationed in pubs and clubs around town
and wearing recognisable ‘buddy shirts’,
to be available to walk or drive students
back to their residences. Since the system
will operate off-campus, CPU will not be
A number of workshops took place
throughout the week, including a
seminar on LGBTi Activism and the
broader Liberation Struggle presented
by Mazibuko Jara, a member of the
National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian
Equality. The week ended with a Pride
Picnic on the Drostdy Lawns and the
much anticipated ‘Alter-Ego’ Pride Party
which was held at the Old Gaol.
According to OUTRhodes Vice
President Gaby Sanchez, the week was
a huge success. A local woman who
attended Pride Week expressed gratitude
to OUTRhodes for welcoming her and
other LGBTi members from the local
community, thanking them for their
warm hospitality. She emphasised the
involved. So far, the university has two
vehicles available.
Negotiations surrounding issues
such as salaries and free non-alcoholic
beverages for ‘buddies’ are underway but
the SRC is not certain of its stance on the
matter: “[We have] not taken a decision
whether or not to support the system
and still need to look into logistics,” said
SRC Media Representative Hanna Barry.
Some students are questioning the
effectiveness of such a system. “I
personally think that it’s not a good idea
because it will just encourage students
to get totally plastered and put the
responsibility on somebody else to get
them home,” said Oppidan Thorsten
Schier.
The Oppidan Press 23.04.08 3
impact that Pride Week has made on
her life.
Sanchez said: “The true success of
Pride Week can only be measured in
these kinds of emotional responses
that were received. Just knowing that
a difference was made in someone’s
life, especially someone not directly
connected to Rhodes University,
is overwhelmingly rewarding and
it remains the sole motivation for
OUTRhodes to continue advocating
social change.”
Oppidan student Matthew Lowe says
that: “It could be a good idea, because it
gives the people who don’t really want to
The Dean of Students Division has pro- hang out in bars the option of still doing
posed the opening of a late night coffee something social.”
shop in order to provide an alcohol-free The coffee shop survey will be avail-
alternative to pubs and clubs, said Dean able on StudentZone on Friday.
of Students Dr Vivien de Klerk.
The coffee shop would be situated on
the bottom floor of the Union building,
close to the Oppidan common room.
“We have a venue,” confirmed Dr de
Klerk, although, “this project will only
go forward if students show interest.”
A survey has been drawn-up ask-
ing students if there is a need for this
venture, what time it should stay open
until, as well as music preferences. SRC
Media Representative, Hanna Barry,
said that the coffee shop will “cater for
a greater variety of students, especially
on occasions when students just feel like
relaxing and spending less money”.
protest as you may, this is completely If the situation has escalated to this
legal. level, it is important to remember that
You can insist to see the police search only policemen can search men, and
Rhodes students are no strangers to warrant before the police search you, policewomen can search women.
the Grahamstown police force. Most of unless the police have good grounds We hope that you are better prepared
these encounters are alcohol-related, to believe you are hiding evidence, for the next time you shake hands with
according to Dean of Students Dr Vivian or you have already been arrested. the long arm of the law.
de Klerk. But whatever the nature, it’s
important for students to know their
If you are arrested: first court day thereafter if the 48
rights; not only to ensure that they are
1. You must be informed why you are hours expires after normal court
not violated, but also to prevent rubbing
being detained. hours or over a weekend/public
salt in a self-inflicted wound.
2. No undue force should be used holiday.
The powers of the police are
against you (unless you resist or
legitimate and the heavy hand of the law
struggle). What to do if you are arrested:
is not to be laughed at. If a policeman
3. You must be taken straight to the 1. Do not struggle or swear at the
stops you and asks for your name,
police station. police.
driver’s license or address, you are
4. You have the right to communicate 2. Show your ID book and give your
required by law to obey. Although you
with a person of your choosing (e.g. name.
are entitled to ask the police for their
warden, parent, legal practitioner). 3. Do not discuss your case with anyone
name and ID document before you give
5. You do not have to answer any ques- or sign any statements.
out your address, you must provide
tions except to give your name and 4. Request to see a lawyer as soon as
your details once they show you theirs.
address. possible: you have a right to a legal
You can, of course, refuse to go to the
6. You should be brought to court representative to consult with and
police station to make a statement, but
within 48 hours after arrest, or the represent you if you go on trial.
then they may decide to arrest you. And,

Here at The Oppidan Press, it is a com-
mon scenario for the politics writers to
sit around pondering what’s next for the
South African political scene. Usually we
don’t get very far because, alas, noth-
ing can tell us for sure what to expect…
or can it? In our latest quest to bring
you the ultimate in political reporting,
The Oppidan Press goes alternative and
asks a clairvoyant and a sangoma for
their predictions for the future of South
African politics.
The first stop on our journey of pre-
dictions is Trish, a psychic medium who
receives messages from guides (people
who have passed on) and angels. Sitting
outside on one of the last lazy summer
afternoons, Trish seems like any other
person, and certainly not someone who
can read into the future through spiritual
means. But once we begin asking her our
questions, we are mesmerised. She an-
swers us calmly and clearly, all the while
looking straight through us, as if she can
see something that we can’t.
Our next physic source, sangoma
Nozihlwele, seems just as ordinary when
we first meet her in her dressing gown
in Egazini. A few minutes later, however,
she reappears looking every bit the part,
from her made-up face to her intricate
beading. She tells us that she became
a sangoma after falling ill as a child, at
which point her ancestors contacted her
for the first time. We kneel before her as
she explains the functions of her various
sticks and how she receives messages
from her ancestors. As she answers our
questions, she looks thoughtful and hur-
ries to convey the messages her ancestors
have sent her.
The Zuma Question
We start with the obvious: what is going
to happen with regards to Jacob Zuma?
Trish tells us that while he will be held
accountable for some of his actions,
Zuma will not be incarcerated. The
guides also show that although he has
been a “naughty boy”, Zuma will not
misuse his power if he comes to office,
and indeed is “too wise to give us a
Zimbabwe”. However, unfortunately for
Mr Zuma, the spirits do tell Trish that he
will have to leave politics further down
the line for his own safety as there is “too
much to know about him”.
Nozihlwele suggests a different
take. Her immediate reaction when
questioned on the subject is that he is
“not the right one”. She says that he has
too many charges against him and is
“full of wrong things”, making a win
for him difficult in the long run. The
ancestors tell her that while Zuma is full
of ambition, he bases everything “on
himself, his traditions and his race”, and
therefore does not have the capability to
rule effectively.
The Next Big Boss
This brings us to the next question: who
is South Africa’s next president going
to be? Trish cannot give us a certain
answer because the spirits tell her that
something important is going to happen
very close to the election next year which
will affect the mood of the entire nation.
As a result of this, she tells us that the
election will practically be decided “by
the flip of a coin”.
Nozihlwele, on the other hand, gives
a very clear answer to this question:
Jacob Zuma, without a doubt, will be the
next president. She does add, however,
that she has been told that although he
will be the next president, this doesn’t
necessarily mean that he will win the
majority of the votes.
What about Mbeki?
Interestingly, this is one point that our
two consultants agree on: Mbeki will be
more useful outside of his presidency
than he ever was in it. Nozihlwele says
that Mbeki has only been forced to leave
by those who are jealous of him but that
he will not lose hope and will go further
in politics by helping others involved
in political organisations. Trish’s spirits
agree; she is told that Mbeki will become
a mentor to younger politicians because
of his wisdom and experience.
The Big Picture
Nozihlwele does not see a bright future
for South Africa. She tells us that the
youth of South Africa don’t care about
what happens. “They have no manners
and they don’t listen to their parents,” she
says. This means that this ill-disciplined
generation will only bring bad things to
politics. Nozihlwele also says that she
sees that the only way for South Africa to
improve is for the government to “stop
being frauds and start feeling mercy for
the people”.
On the other hand, Trish predicts
a very different future. She is told that
political matters will become more tense
before they improve, but that the “winds
of change are coming and they are all
positive changes”. She does qualify that
it is going to take at least ten years, but
when the change does come South Af-
rica will finally become “a true rainbow
nation”.
To this effect, she uses a set of cards
known as Soul Lessons and draws a card
that reads ‘Be Patient’, a message for all
South Africans in this time of uncer-
tainty.
The White Female President…or not
Perhaps the most surprising prediction
of the day, Trish receives a message from
the guides that “there will be a white,
female president in South Africa, who
will bring calm and peace and be the
forerunner for women in politics within
the next ten years”. We then ask about
Helen Zille, and receive the immediate
response that not only is she “stunning”
but that she is not afraid to stand out and
that she speaks with knowledge.
We pass this prediction onto
Nozihlwele. She (and her ancestors
presumably) scoffs at the thought. “No
white person will ever rule South Africa
again,” she tells us, before laughing and
continuing, “it was very difficult to get
Our sangoma says:
• Jacob Zuma will be the next presi-
dent. But this isn’t necessarily the
best thing for South Africa.
• The current youth will bring nothing
good to government.
• South Africa will not be ruled by a
white person ever again.
• Thabo Mbeki will be a good
influence once out of power. ANC
supporters will become even more
confused about who to support in
ever-increasing leadership rifts.
70 High Street, Grahamstown 6139
Telephone & Fax: (046) 622 3115
Engraving, Watch
& Jewellery Repairs
democracy for black people, and it must
not be lost”.
So, no clearer on what the next few
years will bring, we head home. One
thing is for sure, however; these two wise
ladies have most certainly provided food
for thought. If any of these predictions
ever come true, you read it in The
Oppidan Press first!
Our clairvoyant says:
• The next presidency belongs to
anyone.
• Jacob Zuma will not go to jail.
• The current youth bring much hope
and potential to the country.
• There will be a white female
president in the next ten years.
• Thabo Mbeki will take on the role of
mentor to future leaders.
• South Africa will experience a
renaissance in the next ten years.
An ex-Rhodent is I think it’s safe to say that I am a para-
noid person. If I hear a strange noise at
volunteering in the town night, I don’t assume that it’s a burglar.
of Nablus in Palestine at That sort of villainy is not dramatic
the An-Najah University. enough for me. Instead, I imagine that it
is a CIA rendition team waiting to put a
She shares her experiences black bag over my head and send me to a
with The Oppidan Press. torture centre in Kazakhstan.
Anyway, my original column was in-
tended to focus on the world food crisis.
For the first time in my life, however, I
Would you believe someone if they was unable to finish and, even worse, I
told you that there is a place where was unable to attribute this to laziness.
citizens are restricted by pass laws In amongst all the facts about drought
in their own country, and controlled caused by global warming and bread ri-
and contained by an eight metre tall ots in Egypt, I just got totally depressed.
cement wall manned by checkpoints and And it hasn’t stopped: I’ve been losing
watchtowers? A place where 19 day-old weight, losing sleep, and drinking myself
babies are killed with no punishment insensible every night. It is bad news and
for the perpetrator, where families are every day some new fact comes to light
arbitrarily evicted from their homes pointing to humanity’s downward spiral.
on a daily basis, where people have no Here are two I learnt the other day: by
concept of freedom, or what it is like to 2025, 3.6 billion people - half of the
travel into neighbouring towns without world’s population - will not have access
special permits? This is not a description to clean water; and up to 60 percent of
of apartheid South Africa, or a scenario South Africa’s land mammals are threat-
from the Second World War. This place ened with extinction.
exists right now, in April 2008. It is Human technology and our
called Palestine. crack whore-like dependence on fossil
the twitch of a finger one sniper can kill and staff at the An-Najah University in
I arrived on the West Bank two fuels has left our species in a historically
everyone on my bus. We pass through Nablus have to pass through the check-
months ago, not quite knowing what to unique position. Unlike other climate
three more checkpoints on the 50 kilo- points surrounding the city just to attend
expect. In the weeks leading up to my changes in earth’s history, this is not the
metre journey to Nablus, affectionately their lectures. Sometimes they pass
departure, media coverage provided result of natural processes. Instead, we
known as the “breeding ground of ter- in 15 minutes, sometimes it takes two militant Palestinians out there. Just as
me with little comfort and my head have actively altered the balance of a liv-
ror” – the town that is to be my home for hours – it depends on the mood of the there are many conscientious, critical
was filled with stereotypical images of ing planet, threatening to turn it into an
the next three months. Israeli soldier. Earlier this year, on a day and sympathetic Israelis. Unfortunately,
militant kheffiya-clad Arabs as I arrived inhospitable desert. The thing that truly
Nothing could have prepared me when men were not allowed to pass into it is often the minority that becomes the
at the Calandia checkpoint – the official scares me about all this is not so much
for the sheer beauty of Palestine – the Nablus, a group of students skirted the global stereotype. As someone who has
entrance to the West Bank. This check- the natural changes that are taking place,
landscapes, the architecture, the culture checkpoint and attempted to reach the been touched by the integrity, dignity
point is a huge barbed-wire gate set in but the human reactions to them. Global
and the people. At the same time, not university by walking over the nearby and hospitality of so many Palestinians, I
the middle of the wall (euphemistically warming and its attendant catastrophes
even my years of growing up in South mountain. They were shot by a sniper would like to challenge all who read this
known as the “separation barrier” or the have the potential to render millions of
Africa could have prepared me for the watching from the army base. to acquaint themselves with the facts of
“security fence”) that separates Israel people homeless, causing unimaginable
tragedy that seeps into every pore of I wrote this article because I believe the situation. Don’t be fooled by what
and Palestine, and encircles and controls refugee crises. If the post 9/11 world has
every person, every building and every that both sides of the story deserve to be you read or watch. Don’t be lulled into a
the entire West Bank. On either side of shown us anything, it’s that developed
encounter. Each part tells stories of fami- heard. Too often, the only story reaching false sense of security by media stations
the gate, and at random intervals along countries have no problem with turning
lies separated, or of brothers, fathers, the media reflects the Israeli constitu- that function purely to make a profit.
the wall, are watchtowers manned by themselves into security camps to keep
and husbands being held in prisons ent of an altogether horrific whole. I Equip yourself with knowledge and
snipers, their AK47s constantly trained out the third world.
for no official reason, detained without am under no illusion about the fact that whether or not you feel inspired to take
on the wall. I am acutely aware that with And what’s to keep this external
trial. Every day thousands of students there are many crazy, fundamentalist, action afterwards is up to you.
oppression from turning on its own
citizens? Our daily environment is
becoming ever-more securitised. Even
in Grahamstown we are surrounded by
A photo published of Vice President barbed wire fences and heavily armed
Dick Cheney on the Whitehouse private security companies. It’s as if
website last week has caused a Executive Committee. society is being fitted for a war that has
furore. Why? Because of the naked As a result, the youth of South Africa yet to take place. If our everyday world
woman reflected in one of the lenses has been left disappointed with the is looking more like a prison, what does
of his sunglasses! Mr Cheney, who South Africa was left appalled by behaviour of the league delegates that are that make us? When people are scared,
had told his wife he was off on an the behaviour of the delegates at the supposed to be representing the larger when the world seems to be spinning
innocent fishing trip with some recent ANC Youth League (ANCYL) youth population of the organisation. “If out of control, they are ready to turn to
mates, now has to face the music conference in Bloemfontein/Manaung. we look at the founding members of this any belief system or leader who offers
because of those pesky mirrored The conference ended without having organisation we see a clear representa- some sense of stability, no matter how
aviators he was wearing at the time resolved any of the issues concerning tion of youth values - a league that was false. Without the collapse of Germany’s
of his digression. Maybe next time South African youth. Instead, members led by visionaries - the post liberation economy, there would have been no
he’ll remember to take the glasses resorted to physical blows over small youth league has lost its momentum,” Hitler. Why do we think that this can’t
off…or, even better, the White issues, disgracing those who founded the said Siyabonga ka-Phindile, SASCO happen again? History is not some set of
House won’t be stupid enough to organisation in 1944. Chairperson at Rhodes University. events which no longer affect us. It is a
publish the picture! Former Youth League secretary, “The South African youth is not only latent presence, a warning.
Rapu Molekane said he felt “shocked unsatisfied with the proceedings of the Does writing this mean anything?
and betrayed” by the conference, as the conference but they also don’t see a very It’s all too easy for me to sit here
entire event was a failure from the outset. good future for youth politics, as del- and complain from my ivory perch
Delegates fought physically over the egates elected to represent the interest of in academia. People need dramatic
proceedings of the voting process after it the youth are looking out for themselves examples to shake them out of apathy.
was announced that not all of them had without even considering the larger As a man, I’m flesh and blood; I can be
registered properly and therefore would population of South African youth,” ka- ignored, and I can be
not be allowed to vote. Phindile added. destroyed. But
Even after voting finally took place, Indeed, along with the present divide as a symbol,
I can be

SUPER DEAL
the conference resembled little more
than a battlefield. Intensive drinking,
physical violence and ill-discipline
constituted the remainder of the event.
Although it was announced that Julius
Malema had won the contest for the
Traditional pie plus chips only R12.90 youth league presidency, the conference
was aborted without the conclusion of
Just munch pies only R6.90 the necessary election of 30 members to
sit on the ANCYL’ s National
in support for the ANCYL leaders, the
organisation (or lack thereof) has proved incorruptible,
that South African politics is a far cry I can be
from the visions of the Mandelas, Lem- everlasting.
bedes and Sisulus of the struggle days. What am I
Since the last national conference, talking about?
membership has dropped from 5,000 to
3,000 members, a trend that is likely to
Flip straight to
my column in the
continue following the performance the
country has just witnessed.
next edition to find
out.
6 The Oppidan Press 23.04.08
Vagina Monologues • 23&25 April
After a four year absence the Vaginas are
back! As part of Rape Awareness Week,
Amnesty International and director
Christine Balt present The Vagina
Monologues, a production that aims to
challenge the stereotypes about women
and raise awareness about threats to
women’s safety. The show will take place
at the Nuns’ Chapel next to Salisbury
House at 19:00. Tickets will be available
at the door.
Gay Gene • 24 April
The Young Royals are hosting a debate
on the search for the gay gene. The
debate will address the genetic, psy-
chological, philosophical, political and
humanist perspectives on the topic.
Speakers will include lecturers, students
and geneticists. It will take place in Arts
Minor at 19:00.
Lady Lea • 24 April
Lady Lea, one of SA’s most sought-after
female DJs, will be dominating the turn-
able at Equilibrium on Thursday. Doors
open at 21:00 and entrance fee is R30.
Filmfest • 29 April
The International Office’s Filmfest
continues with a screening of Death and
the Maiden in Eden Grove Red at 20:00.
This forms part of the festival’s running
theme of “Seven Women”.
1 in 9 • 30 April
Sexual Violence = Silence protest will
take place from 7:00 until 18:00, ending
with an address entitled “Breaking
the Silence” by Ms Carrie Shelver, a
Campaign spokesperson in Eden Grove.
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741.5 MIL is the call number in the
Rhodes library for a series of unique
novels by an extremely gifted artist. The
concept of a novel-writing artist refers
to the genius that is Frank Miller. He
is the author of hundreds of graphic
novels, many of which have been made
into successful films over the past few
years. Think: 300, Batman: The Dark
Knight Returns, and Sin City, all of which
are his works, and you’ll have a window
into Miller’s labyrinth-like mind.
Graphic novels have been around
since the 1960s and have grown in popu-
larity since then, gaining somewhat of
a cult following. They must however, be
distinguished from comic books, which
are usually very different in structure.
A graphic novel is a self-contained unit
in which the plot unfolds completely
in a single installment, which tends to
be much longer than the average comic
book. On the other hand, comic books
are usually produced in a series, with the
plot never being fully resolved in a single
installment.
Another contrast is that graphic
novels are gleaning respect in the literary
world, with the odd Pulitzer, World
Fantasy and Hugo awards for the authors
supporting this idea. And readers
appreciate this generically unstable form.
Belinda Walton, fourth year Pharmacy
student, describing them as “the golden
mean between comic book and novel”.
In addition to literary distinctions,
graphic novels are enjoying increased
popularity among scholars studying and
interpreting social trends and tracking
them historically. They are becoming the
This song from The Lion King was first
recorded by its writer, Solomon Linda,
and his group, The Evening Birds, in
1939. Gallo Record Company paid
Linda a single fee for the recording.
“Mbube” became a national hit and sold
about 100,000 copies. In 2000, journal-
ist Rian Malan estimated that the song
had earned US$15 million for its use in
the movie alone. In July 2004, the song
became the subject of a lawsuit between
the writer’s family and Disney, claiming
that Disney owed US $1.6 million in
royalties.
Peppergrove Mall
Tel: 046 622 7373
Email: wallace@intekom.co.za
subject of university-level theses, and
are being used as a teaching resource
in schools. Significantly, graphic novels
are far more mature than their comic
counterparts. Graphic novels explore
sophisticated socio-political themes,
usually with a symbolic element.
Many people are jumping on the
graphic novel bandwagon, with websites
such as www.artbomb.net being devoted
to tracking this phenomenon, and
numerous online graphic novel publica-
tions. The television industry is milking
this medium as well. At least five televi-
sion networks are dedicated to graphic
novel cartoon series, while series such
as Heroes have graphic novel versions of
their episodes online.
Miller’s wide selection of stories. Sin City explains that “the nature of graphic
2 will bring back the cast of the first film novels, with their particular writing
There is good news for those already and continue its plot, and is rumoured to techniques and memorable graphics
acquainted with Miller: fans of the Sin star Johnny Depp. become difficult when they are adapted
City graphic novel series will be able to A poignant moment occurs when because one’s own imaginative ideas are
satiate their thirst for gratuitous violence screenplays are written for graphic shattered”. However, she maintains that
and memorable one-liners because Sin novels. This is the moment in which Miller and Rodriguez, the directors of
City 2 and 3 are currently in two genres are straddled, creating Sin City, have done an admirable job so
production and pre-production, to be a completely original and exciting far in translating the novels into film.
released in 2009 and 2010. product. Art becomes cinema and vice Academics and the art world are
The original Sin City interwove four versa. The outcome is not only beautiful, acknowledging the potential of this art
of Miller’s graphic short stories, namely, but inherent of all the meanings that form, and appreciating its literary and
The Customer is Always Right, That were initially inked out onto the paper aesthetic merit. So if you’d like to check
Yellow Bastard, The Hard Goodbye, and before the shortcut of moving pictures. out some sequential art yourself, take a
The Big Fat Kill into a dark depiction Xoli Matomela, a fourth year look in to the Rhodes library to discover
of life in Sin City. Now, following the Journalism student and enthusiastic its true roots, or do a quick Google
critical acclaim and success of this film, graphic novel fan, says that this search and you’ll discover where more
the sequels will delve further into Frank transition can sometimes be tricky. She graphic novels can be found online.
This song is a ballad between the This dreadful offering from a clan
primary characters Aladdin and of seven vertically-challenged mine
Jasmine (whilst they sit on a freakishly workers from Snow White tops our list
aviation-enabled carpet). “A Whole as the worst Disney song of all time. The
New World”, composed by Alan music and lyrics (think repetitive “we
Menken with lyrics by Tim Rice, digs” and “heigh-hos”) can be blamed
won the 1992 Academy Award for on Frank Churchill and Leigh Harline.
Best Original Song. “A Whole New However, Snow White became the first
World” is also the only Disney song American film to have a soundtrack
to hit number one on the US charts. album released in conjunction with the
The song reached number one on the feature film. The movie was the first full
Billboard Hot 100 in 1993, ending the length animated feature to be produced
14-week run of Whitney Houston’s “I by Walt Disney, and one of the first
Will Always Love You”. worldwide.
Chicky Fish
Fish combos (served with rice/chips/salad) R24,90
Battered fish & calamari R39,60
Battered fish & prawns R49,90
Buffalo wings (served with rice/chips) R19,95
Double portion of buffalo wings R34,95
Calamari combos (served with rice/chips/salad)
Calamari strips R25,90
Prawn combos (served with rice/chips/salad)
Prawn special (10x) R49,90
6 Creamy mussels R19,90
Dagwood R28,90
Just opposite Buddy’s Liquor Store
 The Oppidan Press 23.04.08 7

There is a new drug in town with
powerful mind-altering effects that can
last up to eight hours. This party pill is
perfectly legal and available over the
counter at pharmacies and liquor stores
across the country. In Grahamstown, the
party pills can only be purchased from
individual sellers.
The pills are marketed under various
names, such as Ice Diamonds, Red
Hearts and Push. According to a report
published by the Independent Online,
the party pills have been available in the
Eastern Cape since last year.
The report further explains that some
of the pills contain 17.5 percent of a
substance called ‘piperazine blend’
and 82.5 percent of tableting aids.
The journalist in the report spoke to
Deon Meintjies, a director of the SAPS
forensic laboratory, who warned that
the pills could contain Benzylpiperazine
(BZP). This substance, banned in some
countries, can result in severe toxic
effects if taken in high doses. The side
effects of BZP include nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea and headaches.
Despite the drug being legal game,
writers at The Oppidan Press were hard
pressed to find people who were willing
to openly speak about buying or selling
the party pills. One student, who
wished to remain anonymous said, “I
don’t really see what the big deal is.
The pills contain lots of vitamins, that’s
all”.
The party pills are marketed as a safe
alternative to drinking because they are
supposedly ‘natural’ due to their high
vitamin content. However, the same
student said that on one occasion he had
taken too many of these party pills and
was “totally out of it”.
In the Independent Online report,
Hard Out Distributors (the marketers
of the party pills) said that the drugs are
legal, safe, and have been well received
by people across the country.
Whoever came up with “what you don’t
know won’t hurt you” is a blatant liar.
There is nothing more infuriating than
finding out that the great love of your
life has been monkeying around right
under your nose.
Men and infidelity have become
synonymous in my book, but it’s unfair
to say that all men and only men cheat;
women do it too.
From discussions with friends, both
male and female, it would appear that
the two sexes stray from their partners
for a variety of gendered reasons. My
inquisitions concluded that men do it
because their physical desires need to be
fulfilled, and women do it because their
emotional needs are not being met.
If your partner cheats on you once,
chances are he will do it again if you
take him back and pretend that all is
well. A lack of repercussions from the
first incident conditions him to believe
that he can repeat his actions. When you
choose to bury your head in the sand,
Entertainment
the infidelity will continue, because
you’re sending a message to him that it’s
okay to be unfaithful.
If he turns around and blames his
actions on you, don’t believe one word
of it. You can twist and contort yourself
into a pretzel in the bedroom to satisfy
his needs; you can buy all the lingerie
you can afford, but if the relationship has
run its course and he’s just not that into
you anymore, nothing you can do or say
will make the shenanigans stop.
Cheating, no matter who does it or why
they do it, is selfish. What you know
will hurt you, but it’ll also give you a fair
chance to make the decision about what
your next step will be.
Throughout the ages it has been both
socially and culturally accepted for a
man to have more than one woman in
his life. So why should things change
now? You could almost say it is part of
our nature.
What counts as cheating anyway?
If you have deep and meaningful chats
with a lovely female friend, you can be
accused of “emotionally cheating” on
your girlfriend. Even watching a movie
with another lady (hands off, I promise)
can get you in trouble. And if you have a
once-off kiss with someone while you’re
out, does that count as cheating even if it
doesn’t mean anything?
Whilst women may feel the urge
to cheat due to inadequate emotional
attention from their significant other,
men are sensual creatures driven by lust
to touch and hold, rather than to feel and
experience emotional flushes. Men cheat
for all sorts of reasons, mainly because
they can. We cheat for sex: hot sex; new
sex; more sex. If we are engaging in an
emotional affair, we’re probably hoping
that it will eventually lead to some kind
of physical encounter.
It’s all about the adrenaline rush that
from the challenge of having to sneak
around. It’s not a nice feeling, but after
a while you learn to ignore the nudging
feelings of guilt.
There are some wonderful men out
there who can stay true and faithful.
Good for them. I love all women
and although I should be loyal to
one person, it’s hard when there is so
much temptation around. Take it as a
compliment ladies.

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Vino
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8 The Oppidan Press 23.04.08

This edition, we report that the SRC

is considering a new ‘buddy system’,
proposed by the Dean of Students
Division (“A friend in need…”, page 3).
If the SRC backs the initiative, drunk
students may soon be escorted home
by sober students, which will have all
sorts of interesting ramifications.
In principle, the buddy system is a
great idea and I applaud the Dean of
Students for taking proactive steps to
ensure student safety and address the
drinking problem. However, there are
some concerns with the system that
need to be addressed before it becomes
a reality.
Is the student body going to buy
into this system? What weight does
the support of the SRC have if the
student body is not consulted about
the project? Just as with the proposed
night-time coffee shop (“Have a shot…
of espresso”, page 3), the SRC must
gauge the feelings of the students.
Otherwise, the buddy system runs the
risk of failing miserably in its trial run.
I can just imagine a male student
– let’s call him Jock – stumbling out
of the Rat in the early hours of the
morning being eyed up and down
by another male student in a bright
yellow t-shirt. “Can I take you home?”
might just be the cheesiest pick-up line
Jock has ever heard. Plus, Jock might
be suspicious of the SRC and Dean
of Students’ intentions – are these
buddies meant to be policing him and It is with regret that I have to write this “Unfortunately, the record was not
taking his student number? Excellent edition! Oppi Press goes from units and will still be worth 50 units of letter to you, but unfortunately there approved by Guiness World Records as
Also, what guarantees the safety strength to strength! electricity - no matter what the price were a number of inaccuracies in the ar- the witnessing and documentation did
of the “buddies” themselves? What if I have one problem with the “Cling to is. In short, the actual electrical current ticle written about me in your publica- not meet the finicky standards set by the
the only buddy left for Jock is a petite your coppers” article - not so much with does not magically get more expensive, tion which I simply could not ignore. institution.” This statement is highly in-
young female who must now lug this how the article was written, but how one merely the right to use it does. To begin with the most obvious, I accurate. For reasons which I explained
rather heavy oke up the hill? And then Oppidan was quoted as saying that: “The What Luti may be experiencing is have no idea where Ms Karssing got this to Ms Karssing, I never did submit the
walk back to the Rat alone. Or worse, value of electricity units has decreased something we will all have to get used from but my first name is Robin and not attempt’s material to Guiness World
not be able to go back at all. Mobile rapidly. Units on my pre-paid electricity to: you usually budget, say, R40 towards Robert. To simplify things even more, Records for verification, ergo they could
panic buttons or pepper sprays for the meter get used up quicker than before.” electricity per week but now that the I am known to my friends, family and not have “not approved it”.
buddies might be the solution to this This statement reveals a misnomer about price has gone up you get less units acquaintances as Rob. As far as my so- Let me state at this point that I
problem. our Cashpower electricity meters. These for that R40. Hence, having less units called public persona is concerned I am am aware that I could potentially be
One Oppi we interviewed hit the meters measure the volume of electricity means that you run out of electricity Rob Vember. coming across as unnecessarily anally
nail on the head: will students not and allow you to have a set amount of quicker due to the diminished volume Other minor technicalities include retentive, but I am also aware that your
drink themselves even more recklessly electricity based on the amount of of units you get for R40 - it has nothing the fact that my show is three hours publication potentially reaches 5fm’s
into a stupor if they know they have units you buy. Contrary to Luti’s to do with the meter at all unless your long on a Saturday and Sunday and core market and for that reason I felt it
someone to walk them home at the statement, one unit of electricity is still electricity usage has somehow increased. not four hours long. I could continue imperative to point out these errors.
end of the night? I realise the buddy worth one unit of electricity. However, Eskom increases the prices of the units on about how I am technically not
system is not intended solely for drunk due to price increases these units and cannot change their values as read regulated by the BCCSA, or how other Rob Vember, by email
students, but I foresee more drunk are more expensive. So, unless Luti’s by the meters. ‘editorial-type’ comments made are
than sober people being escorted appliances have also been informed I just thought I would clear that up, just bad journalism but I think I’ll stop Editor’s response: Our writer has apolo-
home. Will this ‘surety’ make students of the price increase and have thus if this is what Luti was actually saying, I there. gised to Rob for her lack of research and
more reckless and lead to even more collectively decided to start using more apologise - I just found this quote a bit What did annoy and upset me accuracy and he has accepted our sincere
alcohol poisonings, buddy safety issues electricity, 50 units of electricity will ambiguous. more than any of the aforementioned, apology. We wish him all the best for the
and bunked lectures? be given to a person if they buy 50 Peter Barlow, by email was the paragraph which claims that: future!
We await the results of the student
survey with anticipation, and urge the
SRC to consult widely on the proposal
as well.
Among one of the many high profile campus-based student newspaper, The not been hosted in Fort Hare for some our education if we are unable to use it?
stories and incidences that other univer- Oppidan Press, summed up, or rather time, one should not want this to remain Thapelo Tselapedi (Former SASCO
sities have had to grapple with, Rhodes uncritically reported, the debate under so, thus preserving the dominance of Chairperson), by email
has had to deal with the infamous the headline “Fort Hare wins TriVar- already established cultural practices.
“TriVarsity debate”. Although TriVarsity sity (for now)”. The problem with this The focus should rather be centred on Editor’s response: The headline in question
was initially an event that offered three phrasing reveals an inability to locate the an understanding of transformation and lends itself to misinterpretation. The “(for
universities an opportunity for cultural event within post-apartheid South Africa the measures that ought to be taken to now)”is meant to suggest that although
exchange through sports, one could and the problems experienced by higher tackle some of the problems faced by our Fort Hare has won the hosting rights for
Ines Schumacher argue that the debate over TriVarsity education institutions. close campuses. And as a result, student TriVarsity, Rhodes or NMMU may still
072 461 3174 demonstrated a shift from that under- The focus of the debate should not media groups should take their cue from win the sporting competition itself. The
editor@theoppidanpress.com standing. Just recently, our very own be Fort Hare. Although TriVarsity has this. After all, what would be the use of ambiguity was made in jest.

Editor: Ines Schumacher
Managing Editor: Lionel Faull
Advertising Manager: Masixole Mdingane
Advertising Manager: Meike Mann
Marketing Manager: Andrew Lynch
Financial Manager: Solomon Moyo
Distribution Manager: Douglas Mbululu
Assistant Distribution Manager: Phillip Hurusa
Community Engagement: Barry Sierra
Content Editor: Jade Fernley
Arts Editor: Amanda Strydom
Assistant Chief Designer: Ashleigh Swaile
Business Editor: Mbali Sikakana
Chief Designer: Stefania Origgi
Chief Sub-Editor: Emilie Gilbert
Chief Sub-Editor: Shea Karssing
Entertainment Editor: Takondwa Nyasulu
Features Editor: Nimi Hoffman
Multimedia Editor: Daniel Calderwood
News Editor: Anja Müller-Deibicht
News Editor: Kelly Adami
Opinion Editor: Sivuziwe Mzamo
Pictures Editor: Geoffrey Wakefield
Pictures Editor: Sarah Schäfer
Political Editor: Claire Waterhouse
Sports Editor: Siphosethu Stuurman
Printers: Grocott’s Publishers and Printers
Letters to the Editor:
letters@theoppidanpress.com
Editorial complaints: r.brand@ru.ac.za
Advertising details:
advertising@theoppidanpress.com
Distribution queries:
distribution@theoppidanpress.com

You have to hand it to them. The Dean
of Students Division and Senior Admin
certainly know how to spoil a good
party. Not only have they stripped the al-
cohol from societies’ functions, but now
they’re trying out a little mind control by
changing the names we give our events.
Again, this writer is fed up.
Unless you’ve attempted using The
Alcohol Misuse Policy (TAMP-er)
as a cure for insomnia, you would be
forgiven for missing out on Clause 3.1 (E
11). The long and the short of it is that
the phrase “Cheese and Wine” may now
only be used for events which “genuinely
serve a range of cheeses, biscuits and
wine”. You would again be forgiven for
thinking that the drafters of TAMP-er
were merely having a bit of a laugh. Un-
fortunately for us, they’re not. Already
all societies have been forced to drop the
name “Cheese and Wine” from events,
putting an end to one of Rhodes’ most
Let us begin with a question of clarifica-
tion: who was Colonel John Graham? By
all accounts, he wouldn’t make anyone’s
celebrity dinner party guest list. His
“scorched earth” military tactics forcibly
removed almost 20,000 Xhosa people
from their homes and killed hundreds
(if not thousands) of Xhosa men and
women. Aside from forced removals
(sound familiar?) across the Fish River,
Graham had nothing more to do with
the Eastern Cape. In summary, his only
foray into the Eastern Cape involved
driving local people from their homes.
The arguments for maintaining
‘Grahamstown’ as the city’s name
can be categorised into two general
groups: those who emphasise the cost
of renaming the city; and those who
claim that the name is not synonymous
with Colonel John Graham, and hence
it is not offensive. For me, the former
claim misses the point that this debate
is about challenging norms. Nobody
is arguing that the state shouldn’t
spend more on service provision (yes
it should), and less on labour disputes
involving its Municipal Managers (we
can only hope). The resources argument
The Peppergrove Mall
enduring traditions.
Before you fly into a fit of rage and
spill your drink, listen to the brilliant
justification for this nugget of policy-
drafting wizardry. The Dean of Students
Division believes that our doe-eyed
first years, fresh from the cloistered
confines of high school, will wander
blindly into events labelled “Cheese and
Wines” expecting refinement, Bordeaux
and Salti-Crax. Instead, they will find
themselves in a maelstrom of boozing
and excess (with no Camembert in
sight) that will transform their young,
impressionable selves into hardened
drinkers. Don’t laugh. Again, they
weren’t joking.
Jokes (or lack thereof) aside, there are
strong reasons why this piece of pater-
nalism should be ditched.
Firstly, the logic of the DoS is just
plain skewed. Any first year with a
modicum of sense would: a) not be so
naïve as to believe that a Cheese and
Wine could be anything but an events
where students ‘do what they do’; and
b) at least have the ability to walk away
if he or she found the event to be so
repugnant. To think that first years
lack such savvy is insulting to their
intelligence as young adults.
Secondly, societies have had their
backchat, rendering the ban on the
name somewhat ineffectual. Already the
replacement names have popped up:
“Munch ‘n Punches”, “Nosh & Guzzles”,
“Graze ‘n Greets”... the list of possibilities
is endless. If helpless, doe-eyed first years
was rightly rejected when Verwoedburg
was renamed Centurion. The rationale
for this is obvious: Verwoedburg is
patently offensive and ought to have
been removed whatever the cost. To look
at the costs of renaming obscures the
real issue: is Grahamstown an offensive
name?
At this stage, the latter argument
comes in to play, claiming that
Grahamstown no longer has any
association with Colonel Graham.
I cannot help but disagree. Keeping
Grahamstown ‘Grahamstown’ ignores
the fact that names have an impact on
the institutional identity of a city or
province (and indeed, an institution
of higher learning). A name which
tacitly condones (and even celebrates)
an individual who has on occasion
been called a ‘butcher’ normalises
the dominant discourses of these
institutions, making Graham’s oppressive
actions both palatable and acceptable
to those that use his name frequently
without consideration. The influence
of names on institutional identity and
dignity cannot be underestimated or
downplayed.
People visit Grahamstown because
of its vibrant academic, cultural and
scientific life. Changing the name of this
Tel: (046) 622 5579
were confused with one name, there’s no
telling how confused they must be now.
As we speak, hordes of young first years
are streaming into innocuously named
society events only to be greeted by
debauchery and drunkenness. It all goes
to show that just as a rose by another
name would smell just as sweet, a Cheese
and Wine by any other name would be...
well, a Cheese and Wine.
Snipes and sarcasm aside, this writer
fully supports efforts to promote the
responsible use of alcohol on campus.
However, changing the drinking
behaviour of Rhodes students will not
emerge through fiddling with semantics.
Real change can only be achieved by
engaging with students in constructive
campaigns, not by alienating and
enraging the student body by robbing us
city will not undermine the existence
of the institutions which promote these
activities. Our Constitution exhorts us
to make a dramatic break from our past,
maintaining only that which is defensible
and equitable. The name Grahamstown,
I am afraid, is neither.
In our next edition, Jock McConnachie, of
the Keep Grahamstown ‘Grahamstown’
organisation, presents his case.
The Oppidan Press 23.04.08 9
Question: “Why is sport at Rhodes
such a joke?” - Anonymous, by email
Response: Who is laughing?
Rhodes boasts some of SA’s top
shottists: including the 2007 standard
and recurve archers British Open
Champion and the EP Championships’
gold medalist, holder of seven SA
national records. The university also
can claim to host the country’s best
student rowing crews. Rhodes is
proud to call itself alma mater to an
internationally renowned Tae Kwondo
expert and SA men’s national hockey
squad members. Additionally, Rhodes
players make up the entirety of the
Eastern Province Underwater Hockey
team. Rhodes is also home to the
number four squash player in the EP
women’s division, the 2007 EP number
one ladies tennis player, and a member
of the All African Stars basketball team.
Those statistics are but the icing on the
of our traditions and our right to name
cake – I don’t agree that sport is a joke!
our social events as we see fit.
As Dr Badat has stated publicly,
Senior Admin, give us our Cheese
our University’s primary focus is on
and Wine’s and we may well give you
academic and research concerns, and
an invite (although we can’t promise an
sport must play a secondary role.
assortment of biscuits).
Nevertheless, sport is acknowledged
Next edition: The SRC and Senior
as a vital component of the student
Admin getting a little too cosy...
experience at Rhodes. This is reflected
in the annual budgetary allocation
The writer wishes to remain anonymous
granted by Council to sport, the
as he is on the committee of a Rhodes
financial support provided for our
society. He does not want this society to
national and international competitors,
be targeted by Rhodes administration,
and the funding which pays the salaries
but does hope to mobilise discussion
of the 15 staff members who contribute
regarding the topic of censorship.
to the smooth running of the Sports
Administration in various way (and
this does not include coaching staff). In
fact, Rhodes Sport has turned a corner,
evident in the ABSA sponsorship,
which has afforded three clubs a total of
R150,000 over the course of three years,
and in the founding of the Sports Trust.
As Dean of Students, I recently
assisted financially as an event partner
in bringing pan-African cyclist Riaan
Manser to Rhodes, an event hosted
by Rhodes Sport. Since assuming
the position, I have attended major
sporting events such as TriVarsity
(which my predecessors did not do),
and I recently travelled to Fort Hare
to support Rhodes Sport in taking the
decision to keep TriVarsity, despite
the obstacles. I meet weekly with the
Head of Sport to keep updated, and
attend the monthly Sports Council and
Exec meetings, and I have supported
efforts to professionalize Rhodes sport,
and to upgrade facilities, ensuring
that requests for such facilities are on
the agenda and compete with other
budgetary requests. At the next meeting
of Sports Council we will be discussing
a new Sports Constitution which
reflects my ongoing efforts to improve
efficiency in the administration of
sport. I will continue to do all I can to
enhance sporting facilities at Rhodes
and to encourage student participation.
Got a question for the DoS? Email
letters@theoppidanpress.com.
- Great 21st gifts:
bracelets, chains, ID discs etc.
- Engraving
- Brands on Offer:
CK, Seiko,Citizen, Swatch, Police, Elle
10 The Oppidan Press 23.04.08

Lifestyle
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INGREDIENTS:
Complete 4-5 tbsp. butter
Buck-toothed, afro-adorning, loud- 2 eggs
the grid mouthed rapper Pitch Black Afro is back
by placing 2-3 ripe bananas
with a new album, and he is BIGGER, 2/3 cups sugar
digits one BLACKER, BETTER. In this release he
through 1 cup flour
features Lungelo Verd Musa and many 3/4 tsp salt
nine in other South African musicians. Be
each cell 1/2 tsp baking soda
prepared to be dazzled by Pitch Black’s 1/4 tsp baking powder
in such a ever-so-rhyming lyrics. His track “I want
way that 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)
people to know” seems to be his follow-
only one of up to “Never let you go”, but in many
each digit is

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ways fails to be an upgrade of his first
present in ‘love song’. Thus, it is certainly an album
every row, that will get your feet moving, and soon
column and METHOD:
you will be rapping along to Pitch Black’s Preheat the oven to 160°C.
box. lyrics, if you can keep up. Combine the butter, eggs, bananas and sugar in a bowl. Use a fork to squish the
banana and mix the ingredients together.
In another bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder and cinna-
mon. Mix all the ingredients together.
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77 44 8 or call 046 603 88 47.
Pour the dough into a greased baking pan and bake for 50 minutes (or until a
toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the loaf).
Remove from the oven. This bread is delicious warm or cold.

“The Vaginas are coming,” says the bold
advertisement on the white wall outside the
library. Now they are finally here. After a
four year break since the production was last
staged in Grahamstown, Amnesty Interna-
tional, together with director Christine Balt,
are proud to present The Vagina Monologues.
“The Vagina Monologues deals with
a number of serious issues which affect
women. However the message of the play
is told in a humorous way, which makes it
easier to address these issues, which people
might feel uncomfortable to talk about,” said
Alinka Brutsch, the chairperson of Amnesty
International at Rhodes University.
The cast is a team of charismatic and
vivacious young women. Melissa Radebe,
performer of the monologue entitled “My
Short Skirt”, said that it was important for
her to be a part of this production so she
could change some of the misconceptions
and stereotypes that people may have about
women. “The monologue reminds me of
my friend who enjoys wearing really short
skirts. People sometimes look at her funny
and think that she has loose morals just
because of the kind of clothes she wears, and
that’s not even the case.”
Although some of the titles of the
monologues, such as “My Kutchi Snorcher”,
may make you cringe, The Vagina Mono-
logues are performed in a sensitive manner.
Brutsch insisted that production is meant
to be a learning experience for both men
and women: “Men should definitely come
and see The Vagina Monologues but I would
encourage more women to come as well,
where they can learn to be more open about
their experiences and comfortable with their
own bodies. It is a discovery process for
everyone.”
The message of monologues is simple:
“Love women and respect them,” said
Brutsch.

Five things you didn’t know...

n The controversial production, The Va-
gina Monologues, is the brainchild of poet,
screenwriter, activist and author Eve Ensler.
n Some critics of The Vagina Monologues
have called the production, “the degrada-
tion of women by feminist extremists”, and
a production of propaganda that assaults
the dignity of women and is demeaning
and offensive.
n While American universities, such as
Florida State University, Arizona State Uni-
versity and Boise State University, chose
to advertise the production by distribut-
ing lollipops shaped like vaginas, holding
orgasm workshops, and constructing a
40-foot vagina, Amnesty International has
chosen a more subtle approach to advertis-
ing with a simple
announcement: “The Vaginas are Coming.”
n The aims of the production are to
empower and liberate women by providing
a forum in which to discuss taboo topics
surrounding the concepts and ideas about
sexuality. The production also attempts to
raise awareness about serious issues such as
rape and the abuse of women.
n In 1997, The Vagina Monologues won
an Obie Award and was nominated for
both the Drama Desk and Helen Hayes
awards. To see what all the fuss and fanny
is about, go and see Rhodes’ version of The
Vagina Monologues. The production will be
showing at the Nuns’ Chapel, which is on
Rhodes Campus near Salisbury House, on
the 23 and 25 April at 19:00. Tickets will be
available at the door.

Kelebetseng Scheppers
Two Rhodes Pharmacy fourth students
joined a large number of medics, includ-
ing optometrists, dentists, pharmacists
and other health professionals, on a
train journey through rural areas, giving
medical care to those who do not have
access to it.
Earlier this month, Nomvula Mabuza
and Tinashe Masaka, headed out of
Grahamstown to Bityi, a small Eastern
Cape village. There they boarded the
Phelophela Health Train, the first of its
kind in the world.
Here are some excerpts from Nom-
vula’s diary, documenting her experi-
ence:
Sunday 6 April
When I saw the train for the first time it
took my breath away. It’s got 18 coaches
and each one serves as either a clinic
or a residential area. The pharmacy
manager gave us a tour of the train. The
dentist clinic is the cleanest I have ever
seen (I have seen a lot, trust me).
Monday 7 April
I woke up at 5:45 today. I am still not
used to the place so sleeping in is not so
easy. The train is stationed next to a hill
on the east and the view of the sunrise
is amazing.
I saw a baby with terrible ringworm
on his head. I know we are meant to be
used to this, but I am not and it freaked
me out. The pharmacist handled it well,
counselling the mother without flinch-
ing.
I hope I will be that good by the time
I graduate. I spent the day going over
the cabins familiarising myself with the
different medicines. I know most of
them so I do not feel too overwhelmed.
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Tuesday 8 April
I saw a group of young girls who had
come to the train with symptoms of
sexually transmitted infections. I could
not help but feel helpless because in the
back of my head I was wondering if they
knew the risks they were getting them-
selves into. On their script it was noted
that they had been given an educational
talk and I hope that they will listen and
change their sexual practices.
Wednesday 9 April
Today was long. I am so depressed about
all the children with skin infections.
A four month old child came in today
and had this weird lesion on her lower
abdomen. I could imagine the pain she
was going through. I had to go to the
bathroom to mop my face so I wouldn’t
cry. This is so depressing.
Thursday 10 April
Last night I prayed just before bed telling
God how I feel. Now I feel so much bet-
ter - infused with energy.
I unpacked the new medicine that
came in today to dispense. I seem to be
getting the hang of things. I didn’t run
out today when a 12 year old arrived
with a lower lip that had sepsis. I actually
sat in when the pharmacist was counsel-
ling the mother on how to apply the
ointment she was giving the boy.
Friday 11 April
Part of me would like to stay on the
train for another week, but part of me is
happy to go. I learnt so much onboard. I
also grew emotionally and have come to
For the widest selection of DVD’s in
appreciate my life.
The Phelophepa Train, sponsored
primarily by Transnet, brings health spe-
cialists to South Africa’s rural communi-
ties, treating patients around the country
over 36 weeks.
For three years, Rhodes pharmacy
students have volunteered to work on
the Phelophepa Health Train. Phar-
macy students from several universities,
including the University of Kwa-Zulu
Natal and Wits, also work on the train
for several weeks during the year. “I get
The Oppidan Press 23.04.08
a lot of satisfaction from helping people
and caring for people, and I wanted my
students to have that opportunity as
well,” said Wendy Wrench, a lecturer in
Pharmacy Administration and Practice.
Mabuza believes that the only way
Africa’s health sector will improve is if
students take personal accountability:
“We should stop the attitude that gov-
ernment has to solve all our problems.
When you think about it, government is
actually just a bunch of human beings.”
“I really hope there can be more of
such initiatives,” Mabuza said. There is
only one health train in Africa which
goes to underprivileged communities.
Even then, there are some places where
it just can’t reach because it needs tracks
to do so.
Wrench hopes that students learn
more about the practical side of being
a pharmacist: “It’s like a welcome to
the real world. Students may only leave
the pharmacy at 9:30 at night. Often
they have to communicate with people
who speak another language, and who
have had very little education, so it’s a
lot more than just medicine. They also
develop an appreciation of different
income levels. A pharmacist has to think
on their feet.”
“Transnet is looking into the pos-
sibility of building another health train
which should be active by 2009.” This
Video Spot
will allow more fourth year and post-
graduate pharmacy students to volunteer
on the train and more patients will gain
access to healthcare.
Nomvula said the trip has changed
the way she sees South Africa’s health
Town. Including Series’ such as
sector: “Now, I walk with hope. I applied
so many theories, specifically those
Heroes, Lost, Prison Break,
about pharmaceutical care. It’s shown me
how we could make this an ideal world.”
>>
and The OC.The Phelophepa Train is about 360 meters long and weighs just over 600 tons.
For Nomvula’s complete diary entries,
check out www.TheOppidanPress.com.
More than 40,000 patients, in the most remote and rural areas in the country,
Specials every day of the week
register at the train for treatment in the various clinics.
The train covers more than 15,000 kilometres of railway tracks.
The Phelophepa uses about 117,000 litres of diesel fuel– even when the train is
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 The Oppidan Press 23.04.08

make a high-yielding foodstuff suited to

Recent research has revealed that
washing fruit and vegetables prior to
eating them may not be sufficient to
prevent food poisoning. Even using a
chlorine disinfectant may not eliminate
Salmonella and E.coli bacteria.
Food grown in open fields is exposed
to these bacteria through the soil,
irrigation water, manure or wildlife.
Bacteria can be drawn into fruit after
they’ve formed, or even during fruit
growth and maturation.
“Africa is a very rich continent,” says
Dr Monty Jones, Executive Director of
the Forum for Agricultural Research in
Africa, “rich in human resources, rich in
natural resources”. However, 40 percent
of Africans survive on less than a dollar
a day, and a third of our children are
stunted due to poor nutrition and
healthcare.
Dr Jones addressed a Scifest audience
about the achievement that won him the
2004 World Food Prize: New Rice For
Africa (Nerica).
There are only two domesticated
species of rice: Asian rice and African
growth in an African climate. This was
achieved by Jones’ Nerica project. After
many years of crossing the two rice spe-
cies, Dr Jones developed what he calls
“wonder rice”, a rice variety that tolerates
drought, resists weeds, produces much
bigger crops than the original African
rice, and even has a higher protein con-
tent than both African and Asian rice.
Although attractive to commercial
farmers, Nerica has been billed as a rice
variety for the poor. Early Nerica tests
were undertaken by many small-time
subsistence farmers using their own
local agricultural methods. Already,
20 million farmers, many of whom
are women, are benefiting from the

It is possible for these harmful
little buggers to sneak out of simpler
sanitation measures (such as rinsing),
as they are able to move into the inner
reaches of the leaves of vegetables or
hide inside fruit. They may also organise
themselves into protective biofilms that
coat the foodstuffs.
Current research shows that the best
way to get rid of these unwelcome guests
is to irradiate the food by exposing it to
a source of electron beams. These beams
disrupt the genetic material of living
cells, but are not exactly accessible to the
hungry Oppi.
rice. Asian rice is the more familiar rice
we eat at dinner. It is the most widely-
farmed rice species worldwide because
its crops produce the highest yield of
rice per hectare of seeds sown. However,
African rice is better suited to conditions
on the continent. It is a hardier species,
more resilient to drought, weeds and
African pests.
The challenge for scientists was to
combine the high yield of Asian rice
with the hardiness of African rice to
increased yields of wonder rice.
In Uganda, for example, Nerica forms
a part of the Vice President’s poverty
eradication campaign. In some parts of
Uganda Nerica rice is now being grown
in favour of tobacco, which is their
second largest cash crop. Studies have
shown that where Ugandan farmers
have started using Nerica, with proper
crop rotation methods, their income has
increased by between US$ 273 and
US$ 481 per hectare.
The day may come when South
Africa, too, produces it own rice, rather
than importing it. Nerica rice is resilient
enough to be grown in regions of the
Sahara, so it can certainly be grown in
the South African climate.
This development is thanks to the
steadfast efforts of African scientists who
have proved that Africa is rich.
Pic: Supplied
Eureka
Most of the 20 million rice farmer in West Africa
are bound to an environmentally degrading
slach-and-burn farming system. Nerica is a
new grain of rice set to improve the lot of West
African farmers. It’s good news for South Africa
too - we are the world’s fourth biggest rice
importer.

able is the study that shows that a sheep

Up to 90 percent of the scent molecules
emitted by flowers are destroyed by
air pollutants. Air pollution has such
a detrimental effect on the fragrance
of flowers that it can inhibit the ability
of pollinating insects to find them.
Animals “eat without pleasure, cry
without pain, grow without knowing
it; they desire nothing, fear nothing,
know nothing,” said French philosopher
Nicolas Malebranche. Malebranche
was influenced by the philosopher
René Descarte, who believed that
animals were no more than complicated
can tell a happy (well-fed) sheep from an
unhappy (under-fed) sheep, even when
scientists can’t physically see a difference
between the two. Roosters have been
caught tricking hens, calling them over
by boasting that they have caught an
insect when in actual fact they haven’t.
Studies have been conducted which
show that rodents like variety in their
food, and individual mice and rats have

plied
Populations of pollinating insects that machines. individual food preferences. All of this

depend on nectar for food have been
declining around the world. In less
polluted times (prior to the widespread
use of cars), the scent molecules from
flowers could travel up to 1,200 metres.
In today’s environment (especially
downwind of major cities) they may only
travel 300 metres.
The chemical pollutants in the air
interact with and alter scent molecules,
effectively meaning that flowers no
longer smell like flowers. In turn, the
inability of pollinators to find their
food source leads to a drastic decline in
the population levels of plants needing
insects to pollinate them. Ten more
points to man’s destructiveness.
Today things are slowly changing,
with animal behaviourists such as Dr
Jonathan Balcombe exploring if and
how animals experience pleasure. Dr
Balcombe spoke at Scifest about such
studies documented in his book The
Pleasure Kingdom.
Pleasure and other emotions are ulti-
mately private experiences, so scientists
have to use roundabout means to study
these feelings in animals. Scientists have
observed mice feeling empathy for other
mice in pain and they have discovered
that sheep, supposedly the dumbest of all
animals, can recognise members of their
original herds after being separated from
them for two years. Even more remark-
evidence, and more, seems to indicate
that animals have emotions and some
level of individuality.
Dr Balcombe’s talk was replete with
anecdotes about both animal emotion
and animal abuse. He concluded with
an appeal to his audience that if animals
can feel happiness and sadness, then
surely we must try to spare them pain.
Worldwide, animals are kept and killed
in the most horrifying conditions. When
we realise that those animals have real
emotions, it should change the way we
treat them. It may not mean all of us will
become vegetarians, but we should all
insist that animals are treated in a more
humane way.
Stuck out in the wild with no access
to electricity and your iPod is running
out of juice? Or, more realistically, just
at home during load shedding? Well,
if you have a bottle of Energade or
Powerade, there is still hope to recharge
the Apple: with an onion! Poke a hole
into each side of the onion using a
screwdriver. Let the onion soak in two
cups of energy drink for 30 minutes,
until it has soaked up about one cup
of the fluid. Then, dry the onion off
and stick the USB adapter of your iPod
p
Pics: Su
charger into the flesh. Eureka! Your
iPod should start charging. The charge
should hold for about 15 to 20 minutes.
If you plan to take your iPod on a jog
(and have no tastebuds whatsoever),
take a bite yourself for added energy.
Where did I get this fantastic
information from? The YouTube 2007
awards of course! http://www.youtube.
com/ytawards07.
>> Andrew Slaughter

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The role of Black Economic
Empowerment (BEE) in South Africa
is a contentious issue. The recent R7.5
billion Vodacom empowerment deal, a
pander to political affiliation, has shown
just how blurry the line between politics
and business has become.
The companies bidding for the
deal stand to acquire 6.5 percent of
Vodacom if they are successful. One
of the leading consortiums bidding for
the deal has reportedly cut out Bulelani
Ngcuka: apparently his leading role
in the indictment of current ANC
president Jacob Zuma would prejudice
governmental players against him. As
former head of the National Prosecuting
Authority, he investigated Jacob Zuma’s
involvement in the arms deal and thus
began his woes with the law.
This brings to light the usual BEE debate
of its moral implications and political
connections.
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BEE is a reality that we, as students, will
soon encounter. Whether you decide
to start your own business or work for
someone else, your business entity will
have to comply with BEE codes in order
to qualify for lucrative government
tenders or certain tax exemptions. This
has also added a new dimension to job
hunting. Most of us have encountered
job advertisements open to BEE candi-
dates only.
The aim of BEE is to redistribute
income equally, and redress imbalances
caused by South Africa’s past. In most
cases, the actual result of BEE has seen
major players such as Patrice Motsepe,
Cyril Ramaphosa and Tokyo Sexwale
amass significant wealth in a relatively
short space of time.
The political links to these major
players are obvious. Motsepe’s sister is
Bridgette Radebe, wife of Jeff Radebe,
the Minister of Public Enterprises. Cyril
Ramaphosa is a former Secretary-Gen-
eral of the ANC and celebrated politi-
cal leader. Tokyo Sexwale is a former
political activist and premier of Gauteng.
What is seldom examined is what
companies are really gaining from being
linked to BEE transactions involving
prominent black business people with
strong political links.
Businesses operate in environments
influenced by the decisions of the ruling
party. For a business to survive, it must
mitigate risk as much as possible when
making long-term decisions. When
influential politicians change fields from
politics to business, the business world
floods them with opportunities in the
hope of securing perceived access to the
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political networks. The aim is to have
access to, and use of, those networks,
resulting in tangible business. The more
influential the politician, the greater the
attraction he or she holds for the big
businesses; the more deals the former
politician can conclude, the more bank-
able he or she becomes and the higher
the stakes become.
The same principle has occured
in America.The US Corporate Politi-
cal Contributions and Stock Returns
study found that companies who have
generously contributed to US political
party coffers have beaten the market
by 2.5 percent a year over the past 25
years, with the average firm increasing
its shareholder wealth by more than
US$150 million per year.
In South Africa, it seems you would
be hard pressed to find a prominent
black business person without political
connections. The ultimate decision-
makers remain the management and
shareholders of the businesses. But as
government withholds incentives from
companies that are not BEE compliant,
businesses are forced to adapt. Their
response has been to strike deals with
the most profits.
each
each
The Oppidan Press 23.04.08 13
Business
In a new feature, The Oppidan Press is
recognising and commending creative
student entrepreneurs.
Takondwa Nyasulu, our very own
Entertainment Editor, takes the spotlight
this week. Stylish, well-groomed and
with a smile suggesting a naughty streak
(*cough*, the sex column), TK is a third
year Oppi with her own business.
She recently launched “House
of Monroe”, a shoes and accessories
business earlier this year. The name was
inspired by Marilyn Monroe’s legendary
glamour and style.
TK sells beaded jewelry she has
made, such as earrings, charm bracelets
and necklaces, along with handbags and
men’s shoes.
Starting out with a capital grant
of R1,000, she is now able to produce
enough beadwork for her sister and
niece to sell in East London and King
Williams Town.
TK recently held a cheese and wine at
her digs to display her work and test the
market for her products.
Asked about the future of her
business, TK is optimistic and plans to
increase her advertising on campus. She
sees herself including hair extensions
and women’s shoes to her product range.
“Richard Branson inspires me as an
entrepreneur. People tell him he’s crazy,
but he goes on with his ideas and they
succeed in the end,” she says.
 NEWS!!
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Inspired by the Springboks’ World Cup
victory last year, rugby is becoming the
pastime of choice amongst young people
(ages 16-22) in Grahamstown East.
Extensions Six and Seven, as well as Joza,
have established new rugby clubs, such
as Bye, Blues, and Young Tigers, that
are competing against opponents from
all over the Eastern Cape - and they are
doing well.
The new rugby craze in the
township has been fuelled
by the Eastern Province
Rugby Union (EPRU), in an
attempt to get rid of the
stereotype that rugby is for
white people.
The new rugby craze in the township
has been fuelled by the Eastern Province
Rugby Union (EPRU), in an attempt to
get rid of the stereotype that rugby is for
white people. EPRU has selected the best
two players from each local club sides to
form an Under 19 squad to play at the
provincial trials in May. The team’s kit is
sponsored by British Airways.
The clubs have competed in local
competitions like the Grand Slam
Challenge, a second-tier competition
that took place earlier this year. Top-tier
teams are currently competing for pole
position in the Rugby Super League.
Winterose, Wanderers and Brumbies
are three of the established local teams
competing in this league. They have been
joined by new boys Young Tigers, who
were formed less than a year ago.
Winterose holds the top spot partly
thanks to their forward line that works
hard to secure the ball. The team won
the recent Rugby Easter Challenge which
was sponsored by SARU and included
teams from rugby centres such as Port
Elizabeth, King Williams Town and
Sports
The Ironman Competition
is definitely not one for the
faint-hearted – or anybody
intimidated in any way by the
demands of the triathlon: it
starts off with a 3.8km swim,
What is it about sport that has the
followed by a 180km cycle and,
to top it off, a 42.4km run. And, masses enthralled? The answer is simple:
if that isn’t enough of a challenge sport is the opiate of the masses. Like a
already, it has to be finished in drug, it gets us hooked and then we need
East London.
less than 17 hours! Fourth year more and more of it to get our “fix”. We
What is significant about this new
Rhodes Oppidan Russel Crans- can’t wait to see more records tumble, for
rugby craze is that the big clubs, such as wick successfully completed the
man to run faster, jump higher, throw
Winterose, Wanderers and Eastern now competition which took place in
further. That is what keeps us so enter-
have both male and female rugby teams Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday
tained: seeing the undoable done and
who train together. 13 April. Cranswick crossed the
finish line after a gruelling 12 man’s body exceeding its most extreme
An old favourite, soccer, is also
hours and 50 minutes. In retro- limits.
receiving a boost with the support of
spect he says his performance So in the name of sport being the
NGOs as part of the build-up to the
was “longer than I aimed for, opiate of the masses, I say let us fulfill
2010 Fifa World Cup. The Dreamfields
but my cycle was terrible. Awe- the masses’ desire and advocate for the
Project has supplied a number of local some experience though!” Log
use of performance enhancing drugs!
teams with DreamBags: soccer kitbags on to www.TheOppidanPress.
Long gone are the Athenian days when
which contain absolutely everything that com to watch our very own
men indulged in little more than healthy
an 11-man team and four reserves need interview with him as he shares
his insights into the adrenaline- outdoor pursuits in order to qualify for
to play.
pumping event that tested him the Olympics. Today we want to see su-
At the moment, local teams are
both mentally and physically. per-humans – in all their performance-
preparing for the Graph Soccer League.
enhancing glory – taking to the field.
City Pirates won the recent Easter Soc-
cer Challenge, sponsored by Cacadu
I have abandoned the lofty ideal of
authenticity in sport. We ban perfor-
District. The more established clubs
mance-enhancing drugs, yet forget that
such as Seven Masters, Shades and City
spikes, bodysuits, physiotherapy, muscle
Pirates have been drawing the most sup-
port, with up to 200 fans attending their
relaxants, nutri-shakes and such are also
performance-enhancers.
matches.
If we are to hold true to the idea of
Kholisile Kontso, the coach of Seven
sport authenticity, then we may as well
Masters, says that “the team has come
regress back in time and find ourselves
a long way since I took over as coach
in the company of butt-naked Grecian
in 2002. The players and I have a great
athletes engaged in a greasy, sweaty
working relationship”. This year Kontso
wrestling match (yes please, the ladies
has been impressed with the response he
urge!).
has received from Grahamstown’s youth:
A performance enhancer is a perfor-
“A lot of young people from the sur-
mance enhancer. In actual fact, I want to
rounding townships have shown a lot of
abandon the use of the word “drug” due
interest. I now have more players at my
to its unfairly negative connotations.
disposal. This is great because it makes
Speedo’s controversial LZR Racer
my job a lot easier.”
Swimsuit, has caused ripples (no pun
Despite these successes, Andile
intended) in the international competi-
Fulani, a Seven Masters player, expressed
tive swimming arena. The “seamless, ul-
his disappointment at the slow pace of
trasonically bonded suit” was said to be
soccer development: “It’s unfair that guys
performance enhancing and responsible
from the Eastern Cape never make it to
soccer’s web of inadequacy. Parreira has for some record-breaking performances.
PSL clubs.”
refrained from commenting until he has This suit was given the green light for
There has not been as much inter-
The future of Bafana Bafana coach liaised further with the South African use at the recently-concluded Telkom
est shown in other sports like cricket,
Carlos Alberto Parreira is under a cloud Football Association (SAFA) President South African Aquatic Champion-
hockey and tennis. Without any outside
of uncertainty as reports claim that the Molefi Oliphant and CEO Raymond ships which resulted in more records
support young people cannot afford the
Brazilian will be returning to his home Hack. tumbling. I feel that this is the right
necessary equipment, which is often
country. Speculations were sparked It is expected that Parreira will leave direction for sport to be headed! The
expensive.
when Parreira’s wife stated in Brazilian his assistant Jairo Leal in charge as he lightbulb finally flickered in Swimming
But for now, rugby is enjoying a mini-
media last Friday that her husband attends to family matters. Parreira’s wife South Africa CEO Jace Naidoo’s head, as
revival. Let’s see which direction the ball
would be resigning from his post. was quoted as saying: “He has already he realised that authenticity won’t bring
will bounce in the long-term.
For more information about Grahamstown’s
It seems likely that Parreira will be made the decision,” adding that his rea- the masses to the poolside; but rather a
township rugby scene, contact Jack Nkwinti on cell:
untangling himself from South African sons for resigning were personal. fancy bit of synthetic material wrapped
072 174 8972.
tightly around swimmers’ bodies.
A more exciting national swimming
event equals bigger crowds, which equals
a fat pay cheque for Jace; even he won’t
be arguing for authenticity much longer.
Sport needs to start recognising that
it is a fully-fledged
consumer market
with a responsibility
to meet the target
market’s wants and
needs. Only then
can we supporters
expect to be
perma-
nently
high.
Nike clothing in stock
Tracksuits Running The staff at The Oppidan
Press need a break too! Due
to all the public holidays
Tennis Football (yay!), our next edition will
only get to you in three
weeks time. Hold on until
Backpacks and Tog bags then and we promise to
make it up to you!
 Grahamstown’s very own All An ex-Rhodent shares her
Black rugby teams. experience in Palestine.
Page 5

the venture.
Many players are retiring early from
their local sides to earn more lucrative
World cricket is experiencing a contracts in India. Recently, Australian
revolution. Gone are the days when you skipper Ricky Ponting spoke out against
take your sunscreen to the cricket, sit the IPL for ruining the spirit of cricket
down and read a book whilst two teams as players forget the passion and honour
battle to outclass each other over five associated with representing their coun-
long days in a partially-filled stadium. tries in chase of lucrative contracts. But a
The Twenty20 format has changed all quick scan of the Kolkata Night Raiders
this. Cricket has gone from being tedious team sheet reveals none other than Ricky
and lengthy to being explosive, action- Ponting cashing in on proceedings.
packed and exciting. And nothing has International Cricket Boards have
been greeted with more anticipation also taken a hard line on players who
than the newly formed Indian Premier join the IPL. Cricket South Africa CEO
League (IPL). Gerald Majola stated that South African
Cricket has always been a low-paying players who play a game in the IPL will
sport in comparison to other sports such never be allowed to play for South Africa and according to Rhodes soccer coach year,” he said.
as soccer, rugby and golf. No cricketer again. This has not stopped Graeme Luyanda Papu, teams to watch out for This year also sees the start of the
got anywhere near the Top 25 highest- Smith, Makhaya Ntini, Herschelle Gibbs, include Cory Matthews, Fantastic 11, Women’s Internal League, beginning on
paid sports stars, according to the most Jacques Kallis, Mark Boucher, and AB de The first match of the Rhodes Internal Ogdean, and the ever potent Black Gold. 6 May. So far, a total of ten residences
recent figures released by authoritative Villiers from cutting themselves a slice Soccer League saw eight goals being Despite the formation of many new have registered to take part in this
business magazine Forbes. But this is all of the pie. scored, setting the scene for the season teams, popular teams that have played in year’s competition and, unlike the
about to change. Teams in the IPL have Although many see the IPL as a of competitive hometown football. past years, such as Piet Retief, have not men’s league, there are prizes for the
been bought and bankrolled by Indian blessing for cricket, it is actually having Current champions, Black Gold, been registered, leaving them ineligible champions and runners-up. Rhodes
business moguls and Bollywood stars for an adverse effect on local cricket leagues, virtually brushed every team aside to to compete in this year’s tournament. Soccer Chairperson Matreki Mabizela
hundreds of millions of dollars, whilst not least in host country India. Many of claim the league crown last year, but Mandla Gagayi, the Development feels that women’s soccer must be
players were auctioned off to the highest the top local players have been snapped their first match this year pitted them Officer of Rhodes soccer, praised the encouraged to build on the women’s
bidder for millions more. Some of the up by the IPL, although the local league against the newly formed team, Raw Internal League as he believes that qualification to go to SASSU for the first
international array of stars plying their puts on a brave face by saying that young Materials, and provided them with more the standard of soccer at Rhodes has time in many years in 2007. Women’s
trade in the IPL include Brian Lara, players will now have a chance. But the of a challenge. This match epitomised improved greatly over the years. “This League matches have been scheduled
Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan and loss of experienced and talented interna- striking football; defence was non- high standard has enabled Rhodes for Tuesday and Thursday evenings on
Stephen Fleming. tional cricketers to the rebel league will existent and attack flourished, with the soccer personnel to scout potential Prospect Field.
n create seismic shock-waves throughout match finishing in a surprising 4-4 draw. players who will be able to represent the This year’s Internal League should be
the jolly good old game of cricket. Rhodes Music Radio will be Rhodes Soccer first team at higher level an exciting and challenging competition
The first match of the tournament organising and running the tournament competitions such as SASSU [South for all who are involved. Here’s looking
began in spectacular fashion last for the second year in a row. This year’s African Students Sports Union], which forward to grand goals, good
Friday as New Zealand wicket keeper, internal league has 18 competitive teams, takes place in Durban at the end of the sportsmanship and great entertainment.
Brendon McCullum, smashed the
highest score recorded in international
list A Twenty20 cricket. He blasted
an unbeaten 158 to lead the Kolkata
Knight Riders to an extraordinary 140
run victory against the Bangalore Royal with a penalty in the last minute of extra to pull a white card, allowing him to
Challengers in the inaugural match of time by right-wing Henoe Stoffberg, challenge the referee’s decision. In an
the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the giving the team a 47-44 victory over unexpected blow the referee reversed
The IPL is the brainchild of Indian R. Channaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The FNB Rugby Varsity Cup culminated Tukkies. Ikeys staged a phenomenal his decision and disallowed Maties’
business tycoon Lalit Modi, one of McCullum faced 73 deliveries and in a battle between historic rivals as comeback against Pukke-NWU to grab try.
the richest and most powerful people managed to hit 13 sixes as well as nine Stellenbosch’s Maties and UCT’s Ikey a 32-31 win in the dying seconds of their After a gruelling 80 minutes, Maties
in India. Modi has secured television fours, setting another record. Tigers met in the final in the Western match in Cape Town. were crowned winners of the inaugural
rights worth some US$1 billion from The Royal Challengers, who have two Cape on Monday 7 April. The final had its fair share of FNB Varsity Cup, thanks to a last minute
sports broadcaster Sony Max, as well South Africans on their team (Kallis and The teams’ respective games leading controversy as Maties appeared to have try which sealed their hometown 16-10
as millions of dollars in revenue, Boucher), looked out of sorts as every up to the final also provided top-quality scored a legitimate intercept try in the victory over Ikey Tigers at the Danie
advertising and sponsorship to finance ball went for a boundary. entertainment. Maties made it through 66th minute, only for the UCT captain Craven stadium.

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