5

Tim Treloar

>> Fear of the F word

When did the word feminist become an insult?

>> Wheres Allan?

SRC President missing in action

15

>> Ready? Ok!

Rhodes cheer leading team selected

Edition 4, 31 March 2011

AP

Alumni share experiences of Japanese crisis

Rhodians living in Tokyo speak of the effect the earthquake and tsunami had on the city
Kyla Hazell

An elderly man watches as a queue forms outside a supermarket in Tokyo, Japan.

Ships, buildings, cars and aeroplanes were no match for the power of the recent tsunami.

hodes alumni Jonathan Falconer and Tim Treloar spoke recently with The Oppidan Press, sharing their experiences of living in Tokyo in the aftermath of the triple tragedy that has rocked Japan since an offshore earthquake struck nearly three weeks ago. The 9.0 magnitude quake triggered a tsunami that not only devastated multiple towns and villages along Japans northeastern coast, but also damaged the Fukushima nuclear power plant, sparking international concern over rising radiation levels. Jonathan Falconer was working at his desk in a busy downtown office when the earthquake hit. Tim Treloar was strumming a guitar on the couch of his Yokohama flat. Both have been living and working in Japan for much of the past decade, but both have stayed in the country despite the disaster that is currently unfolding. The first major tremors of the quake were felt

in the capital at 2:46pm on Friday 11 March. We Press via Skype, says that daily life in the city has been disrupted in a number of ways. are used to earthquakes and so in the first seconds when I felt it hit I was not particularly concerned, Panic-buying in the days following the disaster said Falconer, a managing partner at the Beaumont led to shortages of certain items in stores, and Tokyos normally hyper-efficient public transport Groups Tokyo office. But it quickly became clear that this was not a minor tremor. system has experienced problems, leaving many unable to get to work. The detrimental effect of Falconer described how he and his colleagues the disaster on Japans economy has been of major sought cover beneath their desks as tea leaped concern to citizens, as rolling from half empty cups and computer screens shook blackouts and the rising death violently. As the second of the At that point it became toll has left the nation impaired. two initial shocks subsided, clear to us that we were But our biggest concern at this stage is the nuclear crisis, footage of the nine-metre watching an enormous Treloar continued, alluding tsunami that hit began to to the three consecutive emerge just one hour after disaster unfold. warnings were sent out. explosions which took place at We all knew that people the Fukushima nuclear power plant in the days following the Tsunami. elsewhere were likely to be in a lot of trouble, Japans Nuclear Regulatory Commission Falconer said. At that point it became clear to described radiation levels resulting from the us that we were watching an enormous disaster damaging explosions as dangerously high. unfold. Although Tokyo was not directly affected by the tsunami, Treloar, an English instructor at According to Falconer, though, authorities are Waseda University, who spoke to The Oppidan fighting bravely to cool the reactors and prevent Storme Sydow

nuclear disaster. Although the city is not presently at risk of radiation poisoning, residents of Tokyo were initially warned to cover up and close doors and avoid allowing fresh air into their homes to prevent exposure. This was all just precautionary, Falconer said, we have been very well-warned by the Japanese government. Many citizens have fled the northeast of Japan since news of the nuclear crisis was released. However, despite fear and uncertainty, both Falconer and Treloar say the Japanese are relatively calm. They are stoic as a nation, Treloar said, speaking shortly after another in a series of aftershocks hit Tokyo. A few people are still going to restaurants and getting their nails done, though the streets do seem eerily quiet. At this stage, neither of the past Rhodes students is planning to leave the city. We all feel like we have been brushed by a bullet, Falconer explained, However, each day as they (the government) have kept things under control - our confidence has grown and now it seems unlikely we will leave.

Protestors gather outside High Court to hear ANC corruption outcome

ANC party members protest against high ranking officials who allegedly tampered with their list of candidates for the local municipal elections
Lebogang Tlou The struggle will continue, were the words of King Williams Town African National Congress Chairperson Corsby Kolela, late on Thursday 24 March when he addressed party members who had gathered outside the Grahamstown High Court to demonstrate their dismay with the party. The party members allege that provincial ANC members replaced the local wards elected candidate lists with their own for the local municipal elections. The crowd arrived on High Street in droves from 10:30, bearing placards and ANC flags and singing and chanting their dismay at the higher ranking party officials who allegedly ignored elective procedural protocol. The crowd waited outside the court to hear the judgement, however the case had yet to be concluded by the time of going to print. We are here to ask for the courts intervention, as we feel that the current candidate elects were not selected by party members, Kwanele Macakela, a representative for Guquka Location in Alice Town, said, standing outside the court. Further grievances were expressed about the structural coordination within the party. I think that there is a problem within the ANC; and the problem is that the parallel structures did not follow the constitutional procedural processes in electing councillors, said Isaac Qona, the ANCYL Chairperson for Fort Beaufort. The ANC is divided into two factions: that of pure ANC members as well as that of members from the South African Communist Party (SACP). Members of the communist party have an agenda against the ANC; and that agenda is to take senior ANC members positions, he said. SACP members hold a majority in the ANC structure within the province, and they mislead [our] members into believing that they are in charge, Qona said. His view was well received by some of the party members present outside the High Court. At least the law must listen to our demands, an older female member said. We are very unhappy about the situation. We have elected members, but our candidates were not taken into consideration. Commenting on how some of the councillors elected by way of favour were not even ANC party members, she said, They are opportunists! Some of them do not even know a thing about the organisation.

A man protests alleged ANC corruption outside the Grahamstown High Court

News

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SA Campus News
Compiled by Senior Reporter Khangelani Dziba

Action taken by University after food poisoning suspicions

Camilla Wigmore tudents dining at the Oppidan Dining Hall can consider themselves lucky to have avoided the controversy over food poisoning that has recently plagued a few of the hill residences. Many students from the Hilltop and Kimberley Dining Halls fell ill in the week of 20 March in what was assumed by students to have been caused by food poisoning. According to Charlie ODonoghue,

TUT comes out the closet

Recently a new organisation was launched at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) that will help to represent its LGBTI students. President of the organisation, Shawn Jan Malatjie, said Students of TUT felt that they needed an organisation that catered for their specific needs as far as sexual orientation is concerned. When asked what the aims of the organisation would be, Malatjie said, [We want] a university that is accepting of different people of different sexual orientations [and] to have a university where students can tolerate each other, even though they are different. He further elaborated that they hoped to educate the university more about homosexuality. At the time of going to print, the organisation had already signed up more than 150 students and were confident that they would soon attract more.

a first year BSc student and a resident of Hilltop 3, several students came down with symptoms associated with food poisoning, such as stomach pains and diarrhoea. The Head of Campus Food Services, Jay Pillay, and her Assistant Manager, Simon Wright, have been requested to carry out further investigations in this regard. However, Dr Iain L'Ange, Director of Residential Operations, said he thought it highly unlikely that the illness reported by the students was caused by food poisoning. Enquiries at the Health Care

Centre (HCC) indicate that whilst some students did approach the HCC with stomach disorders, which they claimed to have been caused by food poisoning, the Head Sister is of the view that this is unlikely given the large numbers of students who received the same meal on that weekend who did not display any symptoms, he said. Dr L Ange has nonetheless requested for the Food Services Management Team to guarantee that the established food hygiene protocols are followed by all staff at all times. He said a local doctor had

established that due to the humid conditions, there has been a recent explosion of E. coli resulting in an increase in gastro-type ailments. The outbreak is reportedly not isolated to Grahamstown with patients being treated in Port Alfred and Port Elizabeth. Dr L Ange insisted that food safety and hygiene is taken very seriously by the Campus Food Services Department. The hygiene and food safety of each of our kitchens is independently audited on a monthly basis, he said.

Rhodes facilitates German teens rape trial

Testimony of rape victim heard over satellite videoconferencing
Carey Frazer 16-year-old German tourist was raped last year by two Eastern Cape locals whilst on holiday with her family at an Addo bed and breakfast. The trial, which took place in the Barratt Lecture Hall on 14 March, used satellite videoconferencing, allowing the victim to testify from her home in Germany. I dont think a case has ever been conducted over satellite like this before; it was a first in the province, if not in the entire country, said Rudzani Musekwa, one of the two journalists permitted inside the hearing. Recounting the event, the victim described how at 5:00 on the morning of 24 July last year, one of the attackers had climbed through a window to the room she and her 14-year-old cousin Pic supplied

Shelby Williams

Students protest Israeli Apartheid

MSA organizes Palestine solidarity march
Megan Burton A Palestine solidarity march, organised by the Muslim Students Association (MSA), was held on Human Rights Day with the aim of creating awareness about the struggles of the Palestinian people. Students gathered in solidarity with Palestinians on the lawns outside the Bantu Steve Biko Building with posters and signs, which were painted with slogans such as: Students unite to free Palestine, and Never again, not us nor them. We believe that its these types of marches that may start small on a university campus far away, but if every campus did something, it could create hope that we can change the situation, said Jehan Khonat, a second year Journalism student. We tried to make the atmosphere lively and passionate, Naweed Anmed, a first year BPharm student, said. We believe we share something with Palestine as South Africans, he said. According to Khonat, there were roughly 30 students who participated in the march. She added that the numbers were fewer than that of last year. She said MSA had plans to continue the March every year until the controversial wall built in Palestine, was torn down. The students were restricted to protesting around campus, as permission had not been granted from the City Council to march further into town. Former president of MSA, Aslam Seedat, a former Rhodes student, returned to Grahamstown to attend the march in solidarity with the Palestinians. Seedat organized the first Palestine solidarity march held last year. As South Africans, we know about the hardships Jehan Khonat

were sleeping in, and opened the front door for the second to enter. One of the assailants grabbed her younger cousin and held a knife to his head, while the other proceeded to rape her. She said she did not scream for fear of further aggravating the attacker. The first then took the knife, while the second proceeded to rape her.

I dont think a case has ever been conducted over satellite like this before; it was a first in the province, if not in the entire country,
Both assailants have been found guilty. The younger of the two, who cannot be named because he is a minor, entered a plea bargain and has been sentenced to 16 years in jail and 10 years with his name on the sexual of-

UCT recently hosted the Then and Now table discussion where it saw delegates and former graduates discussing the key issue of introducing a policy that would protect the rights of the disabled on their campus. UCT Alumnus Shuaib Chalklen, the United Nations special rapporteur on disability, was reported as saying in opening the discussion, that he was hugely impressed by the tremendous physical changes that had occurred since he graduated in 1990. Though strides had been made from previous years for disadvantaged persons in the university, policy is still needed to back the strong support it has for its disabled students. Chalklen said a major obstacle they face is the deficit model, whereby institutions and individuals respond to the needs of those with disabilities with pity, rather than treating it as a right.

Policy needed for the disabled at UCT

fenders list. The other accused, Thanduxolo January,19, pleaded not guilty to the crime, despite substantial evidence of his being at the scene. January has has been charged with two counts of rape, attempted theft of a vehicle, and housebreaking with intent to commit robbery. According to the technical operator at the trial, Jerry Chigwande, Rhodes was remunerated for lending their equipment to the courts. The technology didnt let us down. The judge and lawyers were happy with the proceedings, Chigwande said. Amongst those present at the trial was Judge Jeremy Pickering, a number of policemen, the accused's lawyer, Chris Schuring , the accused, two interpreters, and State Prosecutor Johan Bezuidenhout. Only two journalists were granted entry to the lecture hall.

Students spending a weekend in Kenton awoke to find their tyres stolen

Wheels stolen from students car

Joshua Oates The wheels of a green Volkswagon Polo were stolen in the early hours of the morning on Sunday 20 March after a group of students had borrowed the car to travel to Kentonon-Sea. Kenton police said the robbery was the first of its kind in a year. A suspect has however been caught and the wheels returned. The vehicle, belonging to Matthew Ferreira, a second year BSocSci student, was lent to Robyn Farmer, a second year BA student. Farmer said they had been warned about the high crime rate in the area and as a result, had emptied the valuables from the three cars the group had travelled in.Farmer said there had been no lock-up garage at the house and all vehicles were forced to park on the grass verge outside. At approximately 06:30 on Sunday, a Hi-Tec security guard woke the students to inform them that the wheels had been removed, and that the car had been left on the grass.The other two vehicles remained untouched. I was very shocked and cross [when I saw the car], I could not believe it, Farmer said. The Polo had been fitted with central locking and an alarm system, but despite evidence that the door had been tampered, with the alarm had not been activated. The students reported the incident at the Kenton Police Station, where a case was opened. At 12:30, fingerprint specialist and a policeman Detective Erasmus, arrived at the scene to collect evidence. Farmer said Detective Erasmus helped locate spare wheels after she and the others had been unsuccessful in contacting a tow-driving company. Ferreira contacted his insurance company and organised to have his car brought back to Grahamstown and to have new wheels fitted. On Tuesday, Detective Erasmu informed Farmer that a suspect had been arrested and that the wheels had been retrieved. An informant told us that the suspect was in possession of four Volkswagen wheels, Detective Erasmus said. Farmer and Ferreira then drove the car back to Kenton to identify the wheels so that the suspect could be charged. I was very impressed with the police at Kenton for acting so quickly, said Ferreira. The case was heard in court on Wednesday 23 March, but at the time of going to press the outcome had not yet been announced.

Approximately 30 people attended the Pro-Palestine march held on Monday 21 March of apartheid, said Anmed. Khonat then added to Anmeds statement saying, We should therefore be more willing to help and support Palestines situation. Khonat said that after the march students discussed Palestine and why events that raise awareness about the situation are important. She said the students present openly shared their thoughts and feelings, which MSA regarded as an important aspect of the march.

Stellies: water to SRC considers compulsory community engagement for societies become scarce resource
Laura Skippers The current Student Representative Council has picked up on a proposal made in 2008, which envisages that community engagement will become mandatory for societies. The 2001 SRC community engagement policy states that, Sports clubs, societies, halls of residence and Oppidans are (only) encouraged to engage in community initiatives. While there is interest from the SRC to approve the proposed change in policy, according to SRC Societies councillor Jean-Michel Gaud, the Council doesnt intend on forcing societies to do community engagement. He said an option the SRC is considering is to ensure that each society has a community engagement position to be filled so as to create the structure needed for community outreach. The Council for Higher Education (CHE) has a firm view that community engagement should form the third pillar of a university, next to teaching and learning. The policy change aims to respect that view by promoting the involvement of the Universitys societies in community development within Grahamstown. SRC Community councillor Boipelo Bonokwane

A blimp floats above Sydney Harbour, Australia to promote Earth hour, which was held on 26 March this year

In light of the recently held World Water Day, The Stellenbosch University Water Institute (SUWI) has been looking at ways in which it can try and alleviate water issues in the country. The organisation says South Africa faces the risk of running out of water by 2020. Researchers at the institute were looking at ways in which water could be reused. Dr Barnes, from SUWI, described the issue with regard to two problems: water quality and water quantity. He said urgent temporary solutions were needed: We actually need to look at an interim step... [where] we can put used water through, in order to get it cleaner, and then use it for public utilities like washing streets and watering sidewalks.

believes that all societies should aim to be involved in the community. Nevertheless, Bonokwane considers the discrepancy between quality and quantity of community engagement a key issue, suggesting that Rhodes University Community Engagement (RUCE) should help to facilitate this process should changes be approved. Community engagement is a two-way process. It is bad to think that you are only giving because you gain from the experience, Bonokwane said. Although the proposal needs official approval from other channels, the SRC are assessing all options to ensure the implementation is a success and that societies community engagement projects are productive.

60 minutes of darkness
SEACC commemorates Earth Hour along with the University
Lebogang Tlou The South East African Climate Consortium Student Forum (SEACC) this year set the stage for Rhodes involvement in Earth Hour, a global event organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) wherein people are asked to switch off their lights for 60 minutes. The worldwide event, held this year on 26 March, aims at spreading awareness across the world about environmental concerns. Globally, close to 5 million people switched off their lights and unused appliances from 20:30 to 21:30, blanketing many parts of the world in darkness. We aim to use Earth Hour in a two-fold manner, said SEACC President, Alexandre Lenferna. Firstly, we are starting a campaign to protect the Karoo from the environmentally harmful process of hydraulic fracturing. Coupled with this, we will be signing petitions to be tables at parliament opposing the hydraulic fracturing of the Karoo. The student organisation screened the Oscar nominated documentary, Gasland, at Eden Grove two hours before Earth Hour was kicked off, where the petition opposing hydraulic fracturing was signed. The SEACC event then moved to the Botanical Gardens where GRASS, Astro Soc, Drum Soc, Bua Poetry Society and Voices of Glory joined in on celebrating the 60 minutes. Earth Hour itself was used as an opportunity to raise awareness on and connection with the earth, Lenferna added. We were planning on getting as many Grahamstonians and Rhodents to attend as possible as the more awareness we could raise and the more people we could get involved, the better it would have been for the cause. Residences, staff and students had all been encouraged by the University to turn off any unnecessary electrical appliances during the hour. I think its a fine initiative, and it will remind us of our precious resources that we all share a responsibility for. We must all be environmentally aware, said Dr Vivian De Klerk before Earth Hour had begun. I shall be switching off my lights and TV too.

Potholes plague campus roads

Shannon Dell Numerous potholes in and around the Rhodes campus, some of which have not been repaired since the beginning of term, have been damaging cars and causing issues for their owners. The road leading to the Rhodes Health Suite (running parallel to the Great Field) is possibly the worst affected area on campus. There are lots of potholes on that road and the other day, when it was raining, I couldnt see them and ended up driving through all of them. This isnt good for my tires, said Candice Gardener, a second year BFA student. While holes have been filled with gravel, permanent repatching has yet to happen. Gardener showed concern that the damage to the roads were not only a hazard for the car itself, but also for other drivers and pedestrians. Its irritating having to go off to the side of the road [to avoid potholes], Gardener said. When asked who students can contact if their car is damaged by a pothole, Mark Hazell, the Grounds and Gardens Section Manager at the University responded, The same as they do for national & provincial roads. However, when contacted, Dave Robertson of the Makana Municipality laid this responsibility elsewhere, We [the Makana Municipality] are not a primary road construction department and are not responsible for road construction. Hazell said he has been made aware of the numerous potholes on Rhodes campus and has plans in place to fix them in the near future, but for the meanwhile he encouraged all car owners at the University to drive with caution.

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Features
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The Oppidan Press 31.03.11 5

THE DOPENESS
Binwe Adebayo

Will we ride the dagga express?

Bakhulule Maluleka n recent years, there has been an increase in the grey area business that is medical marijuana. The question is, with the United States being one of the leading countries in movements for marijuanas legalisation, are any other countries about to board the Dagga Express? Marijuana has been legal in places such as Amsterdam for decades now but not so everywhere else. It was sanctioned a Schedule IV drug according to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs an international treaty signed by 73 countries. According to the treaty, the same restrictions are placed on cannabis cultivation as those for opium cultivation. But, since 1996, it has been legal under Californian state law for authorised patients to

Whats short, green and Irish all over?

Athina Valene May St Patricks Day is the only day of the year that our purple haven turns a leprechaun green. Almost everyone has unwritten permission to indulge in green festivities and partake in the consumption of green alcohol until they reach that pot o gold. Students who are not accustomed to Grahamstowns unconventional calendar may be perturbed by the sudden occurrence of a seemingly new-found religious holiday St Patricks Day has been celebrated for hundreds of years. It initially started in Ireland in the year 436 AD. The entire populace was allowed to over-indulge in food and wine to commemorate St Patrick, a priest who had transformed most of Irelands non-Christians into devoted followers of the religion. He used shamrock, which is commonly known as the three-leafed clover, to teach the gospel of the trinity. The tradition of wearing green was inspired by the green hue of the three-leaf clover. This year, St Patricks Day was celebrated with an array of events in many countries. New York City boasts the largest St Patricks Day celebration, with two million people in attendance. Locally, queues formed early outside Slipstream, Friars and the Rat and Parrot with ardent party-goers taken over by Irish patriotism. Outside Friars, the street was brimming with green bodies and the air was spliced with cream soda with a dash of the Irish spirit. So, wheres the dopeness in all of this? In an ideal world it would be that all these mass-gatherings invoked some sort of supernatural powers that called all the leprechauns forth. But sadly, this is not the case. Two iPhone apps do try: the first is called Beer Counter, and it keeps a tally of all the beers consumed in a night, using the phones camera feature. It logs it into your phones memory so that you can view it later. The second one which is #moredopeness, is the Dont Dial app. With most people being notorious drunk-texters and drunkdialers, this app is a godsend. You can set it up before you go out and it will block you for hours until youre sober enough, or you can choose the option to key in a certain password. The password option is better than the time-lock in case of emergencies, but youd better make sure your friend chooses the password, or else

possess or cultivate the drug, thus bypassing the confused as to the difference between medical marijuana and the traditionally illicit street-sales of sanction of the Single Convention. In fact, drug policy analyst, Jon Gettman, the same drug. To clear things up: there is no basic difference believes that between 1981 and 2006 Americas doin the drug itself. The weed is mestic marijuana production increased tenfold, displacing The weed is still the still the weed, as it always has been. The matter at stake here is corn as the leading cashweed, as it always has the legality of it all. In Canada, crop. The street value of Marijuana Medical Access Californias crop alone may been. The matter at be as high as 14 billion dolRegulations allow people to stake here is the lars. Obviously, growing and fill in two forms along with their doctors support in order selling marijuana is a lucralegality of it all. to be eligible to take medical tive endeavour and it seems marijuana. Eligible people range that many governments may from those suffering severe pain or muscle spasms be treating the American situation as an experiment. If America succeeds in controlling the use of from multiple sclerosis to those suffering seizures medical marijuana, then their success may create from epilepsy. Basically, as long as their doctors approve of their decision to start taking medical a template for other countries to follow suit. But marijuana and the forms are filled, the patients are even if this is possible, much of the public is still

scot-free. Processing time for the application can take several months though, meaning that those people suffering from terminal illnesses would be better off seeking morphine (which is stronger and more addictive) than marijuana. Morphine itself is highly controlled as a result of the high probability of overdosing. There have been no recorded incidents of marijuana overdose anywhere in the world. Within the context of South Africa, can we see our government jumping on the Express or is dagga so much of a taboo that even smoking it medically would be looked upon strangely? For, if ever it is allowed, with the prevalence of terminal illnesses such as cancer, tuberculosis and even AIDS, South Africa has the potential to have at least 60 percent of its population stoned at any one time. The profits could inject some much-needed funds into our economy but at what cost?

Mina Maboja

Fear of the F word

Gloria Steinem and Germaine Greer fought for womens rights to vote and womens freedom to use contraceptives. Lately, young women are calling Serena van der Woodsen, a character in the TV series Gossip Girl, their feminist role model. Its bad enough that she is a fictional character; but her character shows no signs of being openly or even covertly feminist.

While most students think dawnies and exams are taxing exercises, for some studying is much more complicated

The silent struggles of learning disorders

just the tip of the iceberg. Sometimes, there is a genuine inability to even relate the symbol, as it appears on paper, with the sound associated with it. Dyscalculia is similar to dyslexia in that it stems from a weakness in the visual processing of an individual but specifically for numbers. In this case (which is an often neglected aspect of learning disorders) the disorder can expand into other parts of life. People with dyscalculia usually have a poor spatial memory, and may fail to visualise directions and layouts and may often lose things. Losing things is also characteristic of people suffering from ADHD, but in their cases, the most valuable commodity that they lose is their attention. Inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsivity characterise the behaviour of people suffering from ADHD. In reality, many children are misdiagnosed with ADHD, whereas those actually suffering from it are under-diagnosed. What bearing does this have on us, you may ask? Well, the point is that it could just as likely be your future child, your little brother or sister, your nephew or niece, or even one of your friends who suffers from any of these disorders. As students, most of us are quick to complain when things dont go our way. Dreadful tests, exhausting practicals, irritating tutorials imagine having to contend with all of that and the added weight of a learning disorder. In South Africa, learning disorders are not publicised much or else when they are it is usually around exam times, whereas the truth is that for the people with the disorders it is an ongoing process. There is a distinct lack of information or public awareness regarding these disorders. This is not ideal, since we dont know whether the continuing struggles with increasing South Africas numbers of matriculants, or the numerous failures at primary school level could be a result of these disorders. Maybe teachers should be provided with the basic tools to make preliminary diagnoses and be able to refer children to trained specialists? As with most things related to education, it would be best to nip it in the bud.

Bakhulule Maluleka mganie hvanig to raed tihs wolhe atircle lkie tihs... (Imagine having to read this whole article like this) Well, someone somewhere doesnt have to imagine. The likelihood that at least two of the people sitting in the same lecture as you have a learning disorder is quite high yet most of us know very little about them. The three most common learning disorders are developmental reading disorder (dyslexia), developmental arithmetic disorder (dyscalculia) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dyslexia is characterised by the brains inability to properly recognise and process certain symbols. It often runs in families and may be present with the other two disorders. Dyslexia is much broader than confusing or transposing letters such as b and d meaning that my example of a dyslexics possible perception above is

Im Smart. Youre Smart. The test says so

Can IQ and Aptitude tests dictate whether youre the next Nobel Prize Professor or a witless bumpkin?
seriously, considering you are basically assertiveness. Were talking about tests that can determine exactly what you letting a piece of paper dictate the rest of your life. should be when you grow up, in other Most students have positive responswords, career aptitude tests. es to career aptitude These tests tests. Scott Needham, are conducted in many high schools The question remains a Second Year student, career and universities. as to whether the tests tookata school.aptitude test They are also can be taken seriIt told me to do available online business science with type career ously, considering you the option of accountaptitude test into the Google search are basically letting a ing at the University box and more than piece of paper dictate of Cape Town. I ended up doing the closest 1.5 million results come up for free, the rest of your life. thing offered here at quick and easy Rhodes a [Bachelor guidance at the of Commerce], he click of a mouse. They assess your inter- says. Despite the fact that I did not follow exactly what was revealed by the ests and abilities and try to find suitable aptitude test, that does not diminish its career options for you. value and the role it played in helping But the question remains as to whether the tests are particularly me find the right career path for me. helpful and whether they can be taken On the other hand, Second Year Sandra Parmee So picture this: youre in your first year of university, three weeks in. Your parents have paid for the year in full. Youre miles away from home and have invested a lot of time and energy into getting into this particular university. You chose a degree according to what you thought would get you a good job one day. And then the worst happens: you realise that you absolutely hate the subjects youre doing. No one wants that to happen, for obvious reasons. But how can this be prevented? In the midst of the plethora of careers available today, it is easy to become confused and unsure as to what course to study at university, or which career to pursue. But there is a shining light at the end of the tunnel something that can help lead you out of that confusing maze with a comforting Bcom student Sean Bvureres results told him to pursue a career in advertising and marketing. He disregarded these results and felt that they were not helpful at all. The tests vary in length and the depth in which they go to. Heather Prince, studying physics at Rhodes, says hers took the whole day. There were all sorts of different sections to it, and, looking back, the results are very accurate as Im studying exactly what they said I should study, says Prince. On the whole, career aptitude tests appear to be a convenient course of action if you are totally unsure of what to do after school, or even if youre already knee-deep in your studies and are having second thoughts about your chosen degree. They may not always be completely accurate but, if done thoroughly at a reputable organisation, it seems that they can definitely offer a certain level of guidance.

There are different ways to insult both men and women: For a man, direct the insult at his mother. But what about women? Will a well-aimed jibe at her father incite the same reaction? How about calling her a feminist? Afterwards, watch her grind her teeth and look at you with scorn. Nowadays, the F word is possibly one of the most undesirable words you could use when describing a woman. If you ever did call any young female a feminist before, chances are she has either spat in your face, punched you in the mouth or insistently explained why she isnt one. Gone are the days when being called a feminist was akin to being called TIME Magazines person of the year. Use the F word today and be prepared to be marginalised from society, your only female companion being a pot plant named Virginia. Feminism itself expands into various categories and has existed in waves throughout history. Of all the things that feminism is, here are some things it is not: 1. Feminism in not about aiming to wear the pants, refusing to shave your armpits and not showering simply because your male partner asks you to make him a sandwich. 2. Feminism is not about hating men (neither is it about loving them). 3. There are men who support feminism (and are, in fact, heterosexual). Gone are the days when feminists

Feminists were actual activists that fought against rules that treated them as second-class citizens. It is also possible that todays young women have nothing to fight for except sale items.
It seems that the definition of a feminist has been lost in the annals of time. To set it straight: theres radical feminism, liberal feminism and even black feminism. The 1970s black feminist movement was started in America with the belief that black women suffered a marginalisation significantly different from that of white women. Yet today, young women of all races dodge the reference as if its a flaminghot coal. While its difficult to give a precise answer as to when the term began its descent from public esteem, an even

more difficult question is why being a feminist today is uncool. Todays notion of the archetypal feminist is the butch, lumberjack type. With issues such as female genital mutilation and the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in women being rife, there still exists a valid space for the feminist perspective. Instead it is seemingly stuck in modes of hero-worship and maligned gratitude. Yes, you can now wear makeup and you may believe thats your right as a woman. But most of the cosmetics companies are still owned by men who are more interested in the financial bottomline than your petty indulgences. Even worse, within quite liberal institutions such as ours, there lies a gross discrepancy between information written by men and women. The average student knows so many male philosophers and authors that she could create a rap about them. Ask her if she can do the same using female equivalents and the silence is almost comical. Maybe young women today fear being called a feminist because the ones in the past fought for issues that needed more than just a university degree. Feminists were actual activists that fought against rules that treated them as second-class citizens. It is also possible that todays young women have nothing to fight for except sale items. Yet in a world where women are still paid less than their male counterparts simply because of their sex and are abused in more ways than wed like to admit, its clear that our priorities need to be re-worked.

Congratulations to our top creative writers

First year writer Fundiswa Ndlovu and The Oppidan Press intern Siphokazi Notyawe won the creative writing competition held at a recent training workshop. They both chose to write on the topic the saddest day of my life.
Siphokazi Notyawe (matric scholar at Ntsika Secondary School) I was waiting for that day since I was just a little child. A day where I will finally see him. The day where I was finally going to get a hug from him. The day when I was going to finally know his smell. The day that I was finally going to meet my father. The day when I was finally going to say I have a dad or I knew my dad, the day that I would have someone to call a dad. It was a week before I set plans to meet my father, my heart was filled with happiness, my face was glowing and I was smiling. When there was only three days left before that day came I received a phone call and it was from my dads number. I answered it with a smiling face but found out the voice was not his. It was a womans voice. The woman who was calling was my step mother. She wanted to talk to my mother and I gave her the phone, not understanding what was going on. After my mother put down the phone she requested for me to sit down. I sat down and in my mind I had endless thoughts and questionsis he not coming? My mom said to me, My child, there is no other way to say this. Your father died last night, I am sorry. I was shocked I couldnt say anything. Tears were streaming endlessly down my face. I felt as though God was punishing me. I asked myself many questions like what I did to deserve this. I locked myself in my room the whole day accompanied by a broken heart. I told myself that maybe it was not meant to be maybe we were not supposed to meet after all, that it was Gods will and no one can change itthat day never came. Fundiswa Ndlovu (First Year student at Rhodes Unversity) It was the saddest day of my life when I woke up in hospital after swallowing an immense amount of sleeping tablets to end my miserable life I always thought the terms living and existing were uneven, after experiencing the difference when my uncle pulled up my dress. I questioned myself: why would he do this to a young living being? It turned out that in his eyes I was just existing, like a framed portrait of a young beautiful singer. He would drive his scary eyes around my legs, park them on my thighs and stare at them like I would stare at my Barbie dolls hair. He pulled his hand out of his pocket as if he was about to reach for the television remote. I froze to see what he was going to do. My eyes got dry from not blinking. My mind wouldnt allow me to blink because it knew as I did that I was going to get raped. I saw a thunder storm lighteninghe was done. My bodies reaction was still. At least I knew how to reach from the sleeping tablets. The devil accompanied me, two handfuls of sleeping tablets down my throat felt like marshmallows. I lay on the couch with blood coming out of what I thought was a urine-only opening. After my uncle killed himself the case could not be open. All there was for me were the sad ordeals of my life. Psychology made it better, because now I am in Rhodes University starting a new adventure in my life.

Read the top five creative writing stories on our website

www.theoppidanpress.com

Politics
The presidents lifestyle vs. the taxpayer
Catherine Baytopp s future, or perhaps present, taxpayers, it is interesting to look at what some of our tax money is being spent on. Would you be happy knowing that your hard earned Rands are being filtered into expensive upmarket housing for government officials? There have been numerous stories circulating regarding the alleged extravagant spending on revamping President Jacob Zumas residences around the country, along with a proposed guesthouse for political visitors to South Africa. A renovation of the presidents Pretoria house was estimated to cost R177 million. However, this has been put on hold as the minister of Public

6 The Oppidan Press 31.03.11

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Do you have something to add? Email politics@theoppidanpress.com

Politics
Nuclear concerns after earthquake
Matthew Kynaston

The Oppidan Press 31.03.11 7

Works Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, stated, There is no house that is built for R177m and hopes that some drastic saving can take place. As Zuma prepares to marry his sixth wife, Gloria Ngema, a statistic was released by the Democratic Alliance saying that the contribution made by the taxpayer to supporting Zumas family has almost doubled in the past two years, reaching an estimated R15 million. The DAs parliamentary leader Athol Trollip argues that the excess money spent on Zumas family and on his residences should rather have gone towards building the thousands of promised RDP houses. The presidency is also in the process of building a presidential guesthouse with proposed furnishings such as Persian rugs, pure gold cutlery and customised linen. This guesthouse in

the Bryntirion estate in Pretoria is set to host political and royal guests in the future, and has been justified by members of the government as a place where guests can live in the lifestyle and comfort that they are used to. The DA, however, goes on to argue that this sends out a message of skewed priorities, where South Africa is willing to spend millions to ensure that guests can live in comfort while poverty and unemployment are still rife. It is estimated that R71 million of taxpayers money has been spent on maintaining the presidents historic residences in the past five years. Some of the houses, which were built as early as 1674, need constant maintenance. The question then has to be asked whether a country in our economic position can truly appreciate the expensive history these houses have to offer.

Wheres Allan?
Leigh Hermon The Student Representative Council President Allan Magubane, was away recently on a conference. But due to lack of communication and one rumour leading to another, many suspected the president was dead, ill or had resigned. The talk of Magubanes absence all started with an e-mail from SRC Media Councillor and Electoral Officer Martin Forsyth. The e-mail was sent out over the Student News Digest mailing list on 11 March 2011. This e-mail had not explicitly said that the SRC president was ill or that he was away. It just communicated the fact that the president had a Leave of Absence granted and that all queries should be communicated to the SRC Vice-President Internal Masetshaba Mpete. There was little clarification given about the SRC presidents whereabouts during this period. So naturally, people began to assume a number of situations, and in no time the grape vine was littered with rumours and speculation. Many people assumed that Magubane was sick and in some cases, deceased. Other rumours surfaced and people

Pic supplied

Exiled president returns celebration or calamity?

Lucy Holford-Walker Pic supplied The word exile in the South African context is reminiscent of our past; when South African freedom fighters were expelled from the country during apartheid, only to return many years later. However, in Haiti, this is their current reality: the return of exiled priest-turned-President JeanBertrand Aristide. Debate has ensued as to whether or not his return is for the good of Haiti and her people - and it is the locals of Haiti who strongly disagree with the rest of the world. The international community have reservations over Aristides return. American President Obama, according to US National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor, has been relaying the concerns of America with regards to Aristides homecoming. It could be destabilising to Haiti because it is certain that Aristide could influence the result of Haitis upcoming elections by lending his support to one of the candidates. Tony Forest, a Haitian minicab driver sums it up in one sentence with firm assurance: We will vote for the candidate he picks. Therefore, whilst the rest of the world are concerned, it is the local people of Haiti that, in contrast, see great appeal in the return of their former president. Ben Fox and Trenton Daniel, two reporters working for Latin Americas Associated Press, have received firsthand accounts from the citizens of Haiti. To them, Aristide is the only political leader who has ever spoken for the countrys poor majority... his apparent imminent return after seven years of exile in South Africa would be nothing short of rapturous. People in power such as Obama may question his

suspected that he had resigned from his role as SRC president. People then started to question the strength of the Rhodes student government. However, a second e-mail from Forsyth was sent over the Student News Digest dispelling all rumours of a possible deceased or resigned SRC president. The second e-mail sent to the students expressed that Magubane was alive and in good health and that he was attending a conference in Johannesburg. However, the good health part is debatable, as Magubane was initially off sick from the 9 10 March 2011. The SRC president and Vice-President External Mohammad Shabangu, were attending the South African Union of Students (SAUS) conference in Johannesburg during the week of 11 March until 20 March 2011. SAUS is a student run organisation consisting of the various tertiary institutions SRCs. The conference met to discuss the issues of students in South Africa irrespective of their political affiliation, said Forsyth. After spending a week at the conference, Magubane and Shabangu returned to Rhodes University late on Sunday 20 March 2011. The SRC president was unavailable for comment on the matter.

Nationalisation of the mines: fair or foul?

Tarryn de Kock The most controversial aspect of the Freedom Charter has come to the fore recently: The wealth of the country shall be shared among all who live in it! This is the document that formed the basis of our Constitution. Now, almost 17 years since our first democratic election and the handing over of power to a coalition government, South Africa has been placed in the centre of a storm that has erupted surrounding that iconic statement. How would a country founded on foreign investment be able to nationalise mines, our most important resource? South Africa, like many developing countries, is rich in natural resources, resources which are often owned by entities outside the country or by big corporations within the country itself. A prime example would be the AngloAmerican Corporation (AAC), which has a majority share in De Beers. With the profit from local output flowing out of the country and into the coffers of rich multinational corporations, it might be easy to say that nationalisation is the way to go. However, it does present some problems for the economy of the country. Foreign investors rarely, if ever, pump money into a country without receiving anything in return. De Beers, for example, is a sponsor of the English Olympiad, which is run by the Grahamstown Foundation. It promotes literacy education and offers bursaries to top achievers in the competition. The question one should ask is whether this would be in any way possible without its partnership with the AAC? The ANC government has spoken out and stated that nationalisation does not form part of its policy. This has been met with calls of support and approval from the international comFormer Haiti president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide upon his return home presence back in Haiti after so long, but for the majority of Haitians they cannot see this viewpoint. Aristide was one of the few politicians back in the 1980s to build a support base and patronage among the poor, as was evident in his win in the first democratic elections in 1990. Lucien Jean, a 50 year old local resident of Haiti and supporter of Aristide during the 1990 elections, was quoted comparing the return of Aristide to that of the resurrection of Jesus. Other locals carry his photograph around with them or have been purchasing his portrait. The tension between that of locals and the rest of the world is tangible. America feels that Aristide returning will disturb the dynamics in Haiti and the election. This disturbance according to a source of Fox and Daniel, will bring further disarray to a country struggling to emerge from a political crisis, a cholera epidemic and the devastation of the January 2010 earthquake. What makes this tension interesting will be the outcome of the final round of elections, held on 20 March 2011. The provisional results of the first round were announced on 2 February 2011, following the announcement on 3 February that the ruling partys candidate, Jude Celestin, had been pushed from the presidential elections and Michel Martelly has replaced him. The outcome of the final round of the election remains highly uncertain, which gives cause for further tension. Meanwhile the world waits in anticipation. Aristides return will never be met with agreement from both local and international groups, but if locals alone were to judge, it is most certain that Aristides return is received as a celebration rather than a calamity. munity, which is largely run by Western countries who have dominant shares in most multinational corporations. The crux of the matter is that Western countries are in desperate need of large quantities of South African minerals, which are often sold more cheaply than those that are found in more developed countries. Within the tripartite alliance we find the South African Communist Party, whose slogan is build socialism now a loaded slogan considering that their closest ally, the ANC, does not advocate this in the least. The ruling partys conception of nationalisation differs enormously from the socialist agenda, says Dr Clive Kronenberg (PhD University of London), ANC policy suggests collective ownership by both capitalists and ordinary people, whereas socialists advocate collective ownership and control by the working class. I believe in this as many countries dire poverty levels result from foreign expropriation of national assets and resources with Africa being a prime example. Dr Kronenberg is a research fellow at the Cape Peninsula University of technology. He has conducted extensive research in the area of Latin American studies which has a vibrant history of communism and socialism. Nationalisation has key repercussions for all of us. On one side, it entails a more self-dependent South African economy in the long run, innovations in key industries and control over the profit of the nationalised corporation, requiring it to be used for the good of the people. On the other hand, it restricts the flow of foreign capital and if not properly implemented will deepen the divide between rich and poor in the country something that South Africa cannot afford at all. In short: it is not only the responsibility of Julius Malema to raise a topic so crucial to our success as a nation.

Health concerns have been raised about a damaged nuclear reactor in Japan

n 11 March 2011 a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Japan, flattening buildings and destroying homes in the small country. It was the biggest earthquake ever to have hit the country, and was so powerful it set off warnings as far away as South America and the US. The earthquake, caused by two tectonic plates shifting on the ocean floor, resulted in a tsunami that swept many kilometres across the country. Videos have been posted on the Internet showing an unstoppable wave of water, flattening absolutely everything in its path. Houses were transported to new neighbourhoods and cars were sent tumbling and spinning away. These two events left the world reeling. Stock markets in Japan plummeted, with the Nikkei (the main market in Japan) losing over 15% in the first few days after the disaster. Markets are expected to pick up again in several weeks, when the government starts spending on rescue and relief efforts. Until then the currency will continue to lose ground. Just as the situation started looking like it could be controlled, another crisis was announced: one of Japans nuclear reactors had been damaged in the earthquake and had suffered an explosion. While the first two disasters had a local effect, a nuclear meltdown could

have global implications, with radiation seeping into the atmosphere. A nuclear reactor goes into meltdown when the nuclear rods (used to produce massive amounts of energy) are not kept cool enough. In the case of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, three of its reactors are in danger of going into meltdown; at the time of writing the situation was precarious. Some radiation has leaked into the air and people in the surrounding areas have been evacuated. The threat of nuclear meltdown comes just before the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, where a Russian nuclear plant exploded and leaked radiation into the atmosphere. It was the worst nuclear disaster ever, and many are conscious of the fact that Japans own disaster is just as serious, if

not as dangerous. The above issues pertaining to nuclear dangers are matters of serious international relations debates. Surely nuclear disarmament has to be implemented, for we live in a world that is uncertain and it is best to minimise this danger. The International Atomic Energy Agency is playing a crucial role in ensuring that the situation Japan does not get out of hand. On the other hand, such disasters indicate that nuclear energy needs to be managed more carefully for it can have disastrous effects. South African power utility Eskom is considering harnessing nuclear energy for power generation, but as recent events have shown, it is essential that measures are taken to ensure that if a disaster occurs it can be handled well. Pic supplied

The effects of Japans nuclear leak are predicted by some to reach the USA

South Africas own royal family

Leigh Hermon The Gupta family have become the most talked about family in South Africa and theyre not even South African! From the controversy of possibly building a helipad in an upmarket Johannesburg suburb to backing the launch of a new South African daily newspaper, the Guptas have been incredibly busy while settling down in South Africa. For those of you who have been living under a rock for the last couple of months, the Guptas are the owners of the leading company in information technology in South Africa, Sahara Computers. They are also heavily involved in the mining sector with their second company Oakbay Investments. At the end of this last financial year, the Indian familys companies had made a turnover of R1 billion, of which R500 600 million was generated by Sahara Computers. So with one of the largest IT companies in the country and a heavy financial interest in the mining industry, what else could the Guptas get up to in South Africa? President Jacob Zuma and the Gupta family have become close family friends in recent years some might even say that this tight knit friendship began in 2007 when Zuma was elected ANC President. These two families are so close that they are willing to help each other out here or there in their business ventures. The children of the president, Duduzane and Duduzile Zuma, have both held positions as directors in the Gupta familys businesses. This has brought the connection between the two families under the media spotlight over the last year. This has led to a lot of negative press for Sahara Computers which, in turn, has impacted on the companys turn over. The companys profits in 2007 were in the region of R2 billion. However, these profits have dropped over the last few years by 30-40% and the Guptas believe it has nothing to do with the market. One of the Gupta brothers, Ajay, has come out in defense of his family. But the media are not convinced. Suspicions have been circling around the family and the president due to the launching of The New Age in September last year. Some have called it a pro-ANC paper. The Guptas insist that the paper is an independent publication with a progovernment angle. According to The Sunday Times, there is unease growing within the ANC and other alliance members over the

Pic supplied

President Zumas adviser, Sandile Zungu, Ajay Gupta and Duduzane Zuma at the launch of The New Age last year Gupta family and their close relationship with Zuma. Many suspect that the Guptas have too much influence and power over the president and certain cabinet ministers. However, the Guptas have denied such allegations calling them rubbish. Either way you look at it, the Guptas are here to stay. With a R52 million house in Saxonwold in Johannesburg, it is unlikely that the family are going to be chased away by media pressures.

The Rat Pack

Libya: oil or humanitarian concerns?

Pic supplied Johnmark Kajese Libya is a country under siege. Coalition forces made up of the United States of America, Canada, Britain and France have been on a bombing spree. Their justification: preventing the loss of civilian life. What the world is thinking is whether that is really so. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has been at the helm of the Libyan State for 41 years. The situation of civil unrest in the country was spurred by the initial mass protests in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt which have had a spill over effect. The case in Libya has a different angle to it than its Northern African counterparts Libyan rebels celebrate after routing Muammar Gaddafis forces in Brega in that there was a military crackdown by the state and direct Western intervention. "I am totally allergic to foreign, political and military involvement in sovereign countries, especially African countries," Museveni wrote in a statement published in the state-owned New Vision Daily. This quote from President Museveni of Uganda indicates that the involvement of the West in sovereign states has to be problematised. This is not to say that countries violating human rights, like Libya, should not be condemned. But evidence shows that the West takes action when countries are resource rich. Humanitarian intervention has to be based on equality, right to life, education and

by Stephen Mina

dignity. The interests of the people, rather than power and economic interests, should spur intervention. The Libyan situation is further complicated in that the Western Coalition is causing deaths of civilians who get caught in the crossfire. The situation in Libya is composed of rebels fighting the government forces- constituting a civil war. The recognition of the situation in Libya as civil war from the Western perspective can be argued to legitimise the violence as enemy combat hence the current air raids would be deemed as illegitimate under United Nations conventions on warfare. Without oil, one wonders whether the Western coalition forces would have invaded Libya.

Arts & Entertainment

Pic supplied Marleen Bruwer he Rhodes Drama Department has a modern tradition of pursuing experimental theatrical forms, and this years annual departmental production Schmooze is no exception. Presented in the Main Theatre from 23-26 March, Schmooze grapples with the question of fame and the celebrity image and discovers the irony of a lavish lifestyle filled with loneliness, pain and dissatisfaction. In structure, it juxtaposes the impertinence of the celebrity talk-show with the desperation of a squatter camp. We are all so unbelievably different, and yet so strangely the same this was an aspect of human nature that was presented excellently by the characters, coupled with an intelligent and innovative use of music and multimedia. I found myself drawn into the parallel lives of Liv Tyler (portrayed by Maude R. Sandham) and those in the squatter camp, suddenly coming together as one, revealing the weaknesses and flaws that plague humanity. Undoubtedly, one of the most powerful

8 The Oppidan Press 31.03.11

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Do you have something to add? Email artsandentertainment@theoppidanpress.com

Arts & Entertainment

The Oppidan Press 31.03.11 9

You Schmooze, you lose

images of the play was Gs (played by the talented Mathabo Tlali) soliloquy about the horrors of her past. It dug deeply into the so-called perfect lives of the rich and famous, exposing the underlying human factor that touches all of us rich and poor, black and white. However, not everyone agreed with my appraisal. Audience mumblings noted the exaggerated postmodern styles employed in the piece. In all fairness, the play was slightly difficult to understand, but its arguably postmodern views were nonetheless plausibly presented and thought-provoking. The show began with a slow start, judging by the number of throat-clearers and head-scratchers in the crowd. Nevertheless, the piece did manage to pick up momentum as the animated and lively characters proved both entertaining and amusing. Its important to note that the cast was afforded a mere five weeks to decipher and create the script, generate solid characters from scratch, and fully rehearse the show. Karin Reum, the stage manager and a Drama Honours student, described the rehearsals as a unique process that was completely Dianne Jordan

Die Antwoord takes a [s]wipe at Malema

Marleen Bruwer Pic supplied

Only in the Rhodents wardrobe...

Tarryn Gabi de Kock As a scruffy student wanders into the lecture theatre, a few look up, but most spare only a glance before returning to their conversations. He slides into a seat and prepares to take notes. On the other side of the room, a first year leans into his friends ear: Dude, hes wearing his pyjamas to class! One of the biggest shocks for new students is Rhodes students seemingly uncaring attitude towards their clothes. For those students who hail from big cities, to be fashionable constitutes being well put-together from head to toe. Coming to Rhodes is something of an assault on any selfrespecting fashionistas psyche. There is, however, method to the madness. As much as time-management is preached at every turn, the truth is that most students have neither the time nor the energy to spend all morning trying to look like theyve spent an hour getting dressed. Instead, they take the shortcut and spend five minutes getting dressed. The time saved could be better spent catching up on homework. Or sleep. Sleep actually sounds like a much better option. Also, one is likely to amass loose pants while in Gtown. These have a valuable function disguising the effect of first year spread, which has already hit town with a vengeance. BP runs just wouldnt be the same in skinny jeans. And its so much easier to hide new additions to the waistline with organic cotton and happy-faced frogs. The effect doesnt easily wear off on a Friday night, either. On any given occasion there will probably be one person in striped pyjama pants out for the night (often at Friars). At least in Grahamstown, being semi-dressed in a club doesnt mean wearing a short dress and our method is far more comfortable.

Liv Tyler (played by Maude Sandham) and G (played by Mathabo Tlali) dance Pic supplied on the set of the G-Show experimental in its nature, and the cast seemed pleased to be part of a different and challenging process. The director, Ford Evanson, whose style of directing in Schmooze can be likened to that of Athol Fugard in the Township Plays, showed fierce dedication and immersion in his work and effective, open interaction with his cast throughout the rehearsals. The actors themselves worked tirelessly on the production and should be proud of their accomplishment. This is a marvellous example of the collaborative theatre thats fast becoming the Rhodes Drama Departments trademark.

Bua broadens On the couch with genres and minds Ford Evanson
Khutso Tsikene When you walk into a Bua poetry society meeting, dimmed lights and a soulful ambiance lead you to people engaged in intimate conversations. Some pore over loose pages, while others dance to Old School, pennywhistle jazz music. But most are just sharing stories, lyrics, and occasional laughter with a group that prides itself on diverse forms of expression. Bua, the Tswana word for 'speak', is befitting anyone who has a voice and wants to be heard. Third year BSocSci student Phiwokazi Qoza says that, Bua is a place for anyone who has an opinion about something. Open mic sessions are Buas trademark. When attending the sessions, one feels a sense of open mindedness and multiculturalism; certainly, Bua events attract students and artists from all walks of life. The society has been making a greater effort to branch out and create a family of expressionists in the greater Grahamstown community. People from the Makana Arts Forum, which is based in Grahamstowns townships, have come to share their life experiences on several occasions. Simthembile Matyobeni, a Second year BA student, stated unequivocally: Gone are those days when artists lived a reclusive life, down with reclusivity! Xabisa Vukwana, a Third Year student from NMMU in PE, attended a few sessions and commented on the innovative approaches the society has taken to encourage student expression. All forms of verbal expression are encouraged, including poetry, beat-boxing, dramatic monologues and singing. Poetic freedom seems especially prominent; slam, afro pop, beat poetry, and other styles regularly manifest at open mic events. Self-expression is an art that is often taken for granted, as is the opportunity of having a public platform to voice your ideas. Drop into one of Buas open mic nights for an opportunity to really engage with the artistry thats keeping Grahamstown alive. Ananda Paver Director Ford Evanson lived in New York until he fell for an Afrikaans meisie. Schmooze, an original piece, is Evansons directorial debut for the Rhodes Drama Department. Why the name schmooze? Its an American word for the pretence of intimacy. That fake closeness between stars is the idea [for the play]. What is the concept behind Schmooze? What it is to be on a talk show. Looking at the rhythm of the speakers and the way celebrities deflect difficult questions. I got the idea from one interview that went wrong: when Michael Parkinson went after Meg Ryan. It makes you realise how well its done by interviewers; they avoid talking about anything thats actually important. It made me wonder what would occur if something important did happen. The talk show [in Schmooze] takes place above a temporary squatter camp. [The camp] is a patina of daily life, it considers the issue: what is humane? It looks at peoples ability to relate to each other as they try to get along in small spaces. The play is a gesture of the mundane. Is Schmooze sending out a particular message? You get a bunch of people on stage, banging around, and people will interpret it. [I want the audience] to enjoy watching people speaking lines and moving. The play is devised by the cast you find meaning as you go along. Then theres another meaning the one the audience makes of it. All that is miraculous in life is right here, what you can see. Its an idea of what it is to live. Your life is either mundane or its fake rather choose mundane because theres a beauty in that. What has it been like to work with the Drama students? The students have been amazing very committed and incredibly energetic. They have talent, drive and discipline. Its surprising what you can do at 20. Whats next? Any further plans to work with the Drama Department? I dont know. I think that one of the greatest blessings people have is the ability to choose. I choose Schmooze.

ie Antwoord has refined a unique talent for being provocative and controversial. First it was their revival and glamorisation of the white trash, wife-beater, and rat pet Zef lifestyle. Then it was their dirty-tongued lyrics peppered with swear words. Now its the political satire that can be found in their new music video Rich Bitch. In a golden bathroom sitting on a golden toilet with her golden shorts around her ankles, Yo-Landi Vi$$er raps in her heavy Afrikaans accent about her own rags to riches story. She then nonchalantly goes about her cleaning business with toilet paper that has Julius Malemas face printed on it. The satire here is rather self-explanatory. Fans of Die Antwoord have loved it; some of them feel that this is the bands first explicitly political statement to date. At fans requests, Malema toilet rolls, as seen in the music video, are even for sale on certain websites. Critics believe that this is yet another publicity stunt, but to their dismay its been quite effective. Internationally, the video has had a positive response. In general, online commentators have made it very clear that they love it. A blogger named Savage went as far as to say, The next time someone asks me what the answer to life is thats so what Im saying: Die Antwoord! Strangely, South African viewers have difficulty accessing the video online, despite the fact that its been published on YouTube. When attempting to view it a message appears stating that it is: blocked for territories outside of the US and Canada. Nevertheless, fans can sidestep the blocks by accessing international sites or find it on the website of the local News24.

Main photo: Yo-Landi Vi$$er of Die Antword performing live. Insert: the toilet paper printed with the face of Julius Malema from the music video for Rich Bitch.

MyOwnMusic: not your average music scene

something surprising, says DJ Gorgeous, who feels able to play underrated or unknown music at MYOM. Straight after playing a two hour With so many clubs scattered around Grahaset, he said he felt exhilarated that people had mstown, it may seem as if we already have all flooded the dance floor. there is to offer in terms of music. MyOwnJudging by the crowds reaction, an alternaMusic, however, is an attempt at a completely tive to mainstream music is exactly what some different dance event, bringing variety to the students are looking for. DJ Power and DJ local music scene and breaking boundaries Gorgeous gave me my fix, said Ben Fogel, a by pairing contemporary music with lesser third year student. Satisfied music lover Tomas known sounds. Knoetze described the set played by DJ GorCreated by Nicola Thackwell and Matthew geous as sicker than sin. Muir, MyOwnMusic is a DJs are selected from fairly new initiative tentathe student community and tively taking place once a anyone can submit a sample, This is music I love term at Slipstream Sportsbar. provided the music is fresh, and Im playing it MYOM was conceived out original and good to dance of necessity. I simply wasnt - DJ Gorgeous to, says Thackwell. Not only seeing a variety of good does this give individuals music being played on the the chance to have a say in Grahamstown dance floors the music they would like on a regular basis, so we decided to get together to hear played at a club, but it gives aspiring a few people who love music and put them out DJs the platform to have their music heard. there, said Thackwell. This is music I love and Im playing it, said DJ This terms MYOM, held on Friday 18 Gorgeous. People really respond because its March, featured four student DJs: Showpony, different, he added. DJ Gorgeous, DJ Power and Gambit. Vastly DJs who can play old school hip-hop, 90s different sounds were played to quite an eclectic dance or electro are encouraged to apply for the crowd. The type of music changes at each next MYOM. Those with a passion for music MYOM event and is never fully advertised. Its can contact Thackwell on Facebook or join the a gamble, yet it fulfils the purpose of exposing MYOM Facebook group. people to music outside their usual preferences. Have the DJs managed to fulfil the aim of People come because they want to hear MYOM? Unequivocally! is DJ Powers reply. Carissa Govender and Joshua White

we recommend listening to...

Adele - 21 Columbia records.
Amy Winehouses antithesis makes further home town glory with 21, Adeles sophomore soul release. In a vocal style reminiscent of Aretha Franklin, this one has emotions ranging from a wrathful confrontation with an ex-lover in the righteous Rolling in the Deep to finding the resilience to move on in Someone Like You. Its a perfect listen after a long night out or after having trouble with your partner. Inspired by Adeles last break up and Mumford & Sons Sigh No More, its enough to have you craving more.

Radiohead The King of Limbs Self-released. Beatlesque psychedelic trance has finally met an alternative rock band in the 21st Century. It all starts off with echoing piano and Phil Selways cyclical drumming in Bloom. The album gently evolves as Jonny Greenwoods shamanistic and mind-boggling guitar and drum rhythms accompany hypnotic lyrics from Thom Yorke in Morning Mr. Magpie. Its clear that Radiohead have changed their sound with each new track. King of Limbs delves into a more chilled style than known favourites from OK Computer. Its an album that will leave you high and dry.

Lupe Fiasco Lasers Atlantic Records. Its an optimistic approach for Lupe since his last anti-stardom disc, The Cool. But after suffering a three year delayed release under a production team of 25 composers and 15 producers, has Lupes Lasers maintained its artistic integrity? With collaborations with the likes of John Legend, fresh sampling, and Lupes hip hop influenced lyrical delivery, its still a worthwhile fiasco to listen to. Even though the album has sounds that are overly synthesized and over-the-top Pop, its a sound collaboration that everyone should be obliged to hear.

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Opinion

10 The Oppidan Press 31.03.11

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Michelle Cunliffe

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Opinion
Future Journalism Programme race controversy
Matthew de Klerk n our Journalism and Media Studies 2 lecture last week, Nqobile Buthelezi, Assistant Coordinator of the Future Journalism Programme (which is run by Highway Africa) gave a presentation on the upcoming journalist training schools that are to be held over the course of the year. The presentation, which lasted about 10 minutes, boasted life-changing camps, seminars and lectures by some of Africas leading journalists. The Programme has also previously held pan-African camps, with students coming from as far away as BurkinaFaso. However, at the very end of the presentation Buthelezi stated that due to funding restrictions, only Constitutionally black students can apply. First of all, the term Constitutionally black is nothing more than a contradictory spit-in-the-face to our constitution. Nowhere in the constitution does it specify what exactly the criteria are for being black, or any skin colour for that matter. It would have been entirely acceptable, in my opinion, to limit the programme to those that need it most: those individuals whose circumstances are so poor that they do not have access to a decent education. However, the FJP cannot even hide behind this because its programme requires that applicants be at a second year level of Journalism, Communication or Media Studies at an accredited media school. How many disadvantaged people do you know who fit this criterion? This is further compounded by the fact that they have had a pan-African camp, and trained foreign individuals from across Africa. This is nothing short of racist and discriminatory treatment. Had the FJP restricted the number of attendees and not the skin colour, I would have understood. But skin colour? How does my being white make me more expensive to send on camp? There exists absolutely

The Oppidan Press 31.03.11 11

Useless news where theres real news

Matthew de Klerk The tragic tsunami that struck Japan has seen a wave of support and solidarity spread across the globe. The terrible event is among the mosttelevised in human history. All major news networks having had a constant 24-hour watch over the events unfolding in Japan, with up-to-the-minute reports streaming in almost non-stop. Even Google featured a direct feed for Japan-related news at the top of its searches. The five minute quake was the 5th largest in recorded history. The earthquake occurred as the Earth's crust ruptured along an area about 400 kilometers long by 160 kilometers wide, as tectonic plates slipped more than 18 meters. However, as pertinent as this news may be, the event has also shown the power for the media moguls to release news stories that have no practical bearing on humankind, beyond the fact that they are sort of interesting and perhaps fun to tell your friends. Firstly, there is the idea that Japan has moved 2.4 metres. Where? Upwards? Across? The fact that Japan moved a mere 240 centimetres on a Pics supplied planet that has a 510 million squarekilometre surface area holds barely any meaning, even to the Japanese victims and surviors. Then, there were reports that the Earths axis has moved by about ten centimetres. Again, this has no practical bearing on humanity. Scientists from NASA claim that this movement of the axis has apparently shortened our day by 1.8 microseconds (thats millionths of a second in laymans terms). How does this really affect us? One millionth of a second shaved off your day has no measurable effect on us. Even after 2 million days (about 5475 years) you would only lose a second of your time. I think we can all agree that one second lost over 5475 years is not at all worthy of consideration. As a further point, how was this figure even measurable? Just because a scientist from NASA said it, we take it to be more credible and meaningful than it really is. All of these facts and figures, as interesting as they may seem, are at best a light-hearted distraction from a terrible tragedy. I hardly think that the Japanese survivors are worrying about the single 1.8 milliseconds of their day that they lost, in comparison to the sheer trauma and loss they have faced.

How (not) to be a Rhodes driver

Amy Davidson Something that stands out at Rhodes are the drivers. It appears that everyone has learnt the skills of driving at some point, but have then come down to Rhodes and choose to abandon all that was learnt. Rhodes has its own kind of drivers. Lets start with the Rhodes students way to approach speed humps. Slowing down is essential only at the very last second, and the louder the noise your bumper makes as it scrapes against the tarmac, the better. Secondly, there is the drag racing trend. If there are two cars of relatively the same price range on the same long stretch of road, it is of utmost importance that they race each other to the end of it. Speed humps are minor obstacles, and can sometimes be used as ramps. And lastly comes the very important issue of pedestrians. Cars always have right of way. Always. Zebra crossings were designed to add a bit of variety to the scenery of the road and to occasionally allow pedestrians to cross the street, providing that there are no cars approaching. Pedestrians on a zebra crossing are often forced to wait for several cars to pass before it is really safe to finish the treacherous journey to the other side of the road. In all seriousness, drivers in Grahamstown have little consideration for pedestrians. Granted, jaywalking is the wrong way to cross a road and therefore cars will get right of way, but when it comes to a zebra crossing, pedestrians should have right of way. It is dangerous for a pedestrian to be waiting in the middle of the road for several cars to pass before they can continue crossing. Rhodes is supposed to be one of those so-called pedestrianised universities. The road by the library has been successfully blocked off, helping pedestrians to get around more easily, without having to worry about a car dangerously speeding down the road towards them. However, there are a number of other roads where pedestrians are still in danger from careless drivers. A prime example of this is Prince Alfred Street, which is also sometimes jokingly referred to as Death Street by students crossing from the Rat & Parrot to Friar Tucks. Prince Alfred Street has seen a number of horrible hit-and-runs in previous years - a rather distressing thought. It would be nice to know that you can safely cross a road without having to put your life at risk. Its about time Rhodes drivers reverted to acceptable driving.

The health centres Sister Douglas, Sister Kivitts and Sister Ferreira are extremely helpful, but the system of appointment making seems to need improvement.

Rhodes healthcare: in a sickly state?

Jessica Trappe hether its an annoying little cold or something serious like a broken leg, we can all rest easy with the fact that the Universitys health care is there for us to relieve our pain. Or can we? Well, that really depends on your point of view and your experience of it an experience that can vary between the two extremes of horrible and great. One student, Adrian Estment, visited the Healthcare Centre on several occasions and has only praise for the centre. He only had to make an appointment on one occasion, when the problem was a sprained ankle and he saw the doctor the very next day. His overall view was that the service was

good and that his treatment was fast and effective. Other experiences are not so positive. Marcelle van Hees went to the Healthcare Centre with a skin condition. She had to make an appointment for three days later. Here is where the problem of being required to book an appointment arises. This is especially difficult considering the centre caters for more than 5000 students. It is completely impractical because at the end of the day, you cannot predict when illness will strike. You also cannot predict if the ailment will worsen or improve. This makes it very difficult to book appointments. The question is: how does the appointment system work and is it really effective if students sometimes need to book three days in advance? And are

the restricted doctors times really appropriate for Rhodes, which has such a large number of students? The Healthcare Centre also caters for emergencies at all times. However, their definition of an emergency states that the problem has to be life threatening. Even if some illnesses arent exactly life threatening, they can be extremely uncomfortable. Are we supposed to simply face those discomforts in quiet resignation? There are some definite issues that need to be considered. At the end of the day, my advice is to book an appointment the very minute you dont feel well. Better safe than sorry, as they say. The Rhodes Health Care Centre has a Sister on call 24hrs a day for emergencies, and can be reached on 046 603 8523 or by emailing healthcarecentre@ru.ac.za.

no correlation whatsoever between skin colour and how much one must pay on a training camp. It was also grossly insensitive to use up students valuable lecture time only to tell them at the very end that the course is not available to them. In a nutshell, FJPs decision is nothing short of critically racist and anti-Constitutional. Chapter Nine, subsection three of South Africas Bill of Rights states: The state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone on one or more grounds, including race, gender, sex, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic or social origin, colour, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, language and birth. After the presentation I felt how I imagine the marginalised black students of the apartheid to have felt: completely and unjustly wronged. I suppose FJP thought that I would have felt consoled by the free travel bag I got at the end of the presentation.

Rhodes: The eternal weekend

Marleen Bruwer Everyone knows that weekends at Rhodes start on Wednesdays and end on Tuesdays. From O-week and St. Patricks day to the celebration of birthdays and digs-warmings, or to relieve stress and to recover from lectures, any reason is a reason enough for most Rhodents to hit the pubs, digs parties and house parties of Grahamstown. From Monday to Wednesday the question that will be mentioned at least once in a conversation will be: Did you go out this weekend?, whereas from Wednesday onwards you will be sure to hear the speculations and debates starting with Are you going out tonight?- always in the same fresh tone of voice. During these accounts of the hectic nights out, you will also be sure to hear at least one individual not being able to recall what happened at all during the night in question, whilst another recollects in minute detail what he or she had to drink, in what order, how much they had, and where it was drank. This can be understood to some extent, as there are only so many things to do on a Friday night in Grahamstown. However, it seems a mortal sin to forget Cougar Monday, or Two for one Pizza on Tuesday, Dubstep Wednesday (or just going out because it is Wednesday), Almost-Friday-Thursday, the big Friday night out, dancing at Friars on Saturday to recover from Friday, then a few drinks on Sunday to recuperate from the weekend and, of course, to muster up the courage for the long week (or is that extended weekend?) ahead. There is, however one, small thing that tends to come to attention: this ritual becomes rather repetitive. Imagine having the same conversation over and over again for four years with the same enthusiasm as the first time. Things might tend to get a bitmonotonous. These eternal weekends might be wonderful, but eventually all good things come to an end. You enter your room and to your surprise, discover a gigantic, intimidating mountain of work. A sudden realisation that there is no time might lead to an apathetic shrug, a hopeless smile, a spin of the heel and another round for the mates on you of course! When it comes to moderation, the choice is all up to the individual. There is, however, one thing to consider: would you like to remember your university experience? If so, do you really want it to be account after account of nights of drunken debauchery? The endless weekend may sound on paper to be a good idea, but it has to come to end sometime. An end usually brought about by bankruptcy or loss of your DP.

Tigers blood and torpedoes of truth

in relation to the show. After his dismissal, Sheen vented his feelings (which he claimed as being pure passion) by wielding a machete and drinking his new token drink, tiger blood, How many drugs did Charlie Sheen take? Enough to kill whilst on the balcony of a production company. Two and a Half Men. In the ensuing media frenzy, Jokes like this are just Sheen has rocketed to a new level one of the many ways of fame and started airing his own in which people have online show, Sheens Corner, using been approaching the it as a platform to show his enjoylatest Charlie Sheen ment of his current debauched debacle, and we have situation and coin new catchto ask ourselves: why phrases and spawn countless Indo we find the latest ternet memes like winning and Hollywood dramas dyings for fools. The show has to be one of the most proven to be successful enough newsworthy topics of in his eyes to warrant a live tour our day? of the show across America titled We were all there Violent Torpedo of Truth/Death is for Britney and LindNot an Option. say, whether it was to When the topic of Hollywood offer our support, celebrity breakdowns is raised, or ridicule, and we all there are those who (considering watched as David Hasthemselves older and wiser) shake selhof and Mel Gibson their heads knowingly and make drank themselves into reference to how the latest celebarrests or anti-Semitic rity has succumbed to the Holshame respectively. lywood lifestyle. I, on the other Once again, we have hand, cannot help but feel that been provided with a they have rather succumbed to a hot topic for conversalifestyle of their own choosing. tion and new a destinaSheen clearly sees himself as a Charlie Sheen has dominated Hollywood headlines in tion on YouTube and winner: with his family of godrecent weeks Twitter in the everdesses (Bree Olson, and Natalie increasing wonder that is Charlie Sheen. Kenly, both 24), avid support for his upcoming Torpedoes The actor, best known for his role as Charlie Harper on the of Truth tour and an ample supply of tigers blood, he seems television series Two and a Half Men, was recently fired from to be having the time of his life. However, I cannot help but the show, causing any further filming to be put on hold. Sheen wonder how losing your 2 million-dollar-per-episode job on was fired because of his repeated actions involving drug one of the most successful television shows of all time can be abuse, prostitutes and the statements he has been releasing classified as winning. Bronwyn Peter

Whether youre an average Joe, or an A-list celebrity, mullets remain popular

Mulling over the mullet

Ananda Paver The mullet appears to be the South African answer to the Guido. All too often paired with teeny tiny rugby shorts, an over-tight wife-beater and the essential sunnies, the mullet is fast making a comeback. Once a hairstyle reserved solely for janitors, it seems this business at the front, party at the back do is really growing on the South African youth. Mullets first hit the celebrity limelight in the late 60s and early 70s worn by the likes of Tom Jones and David Bowie. In this time of social rebellion, its unsurprising that a style as different as the mullet caught on. By the 80s, they were as big as, well, hair in the 80s. Recent popularity aside, mullets have been around for centuries and, while it is unsure where the term originated, its most likely a derivation of the 19th century insult, mullethead meaning dull or stupid. The word was first introduced into popular culture with the Beastie Boys 1994 rap Mullet Head, in which the artists sang about the hairstyle: Number one on the side and don't touch the back/ Number six on the top and don't cut it wack, Jack. There has been a significant movement to change the mullets previously negative connotations. Websites have been created where you can rate mullets (www.ratemymullet.com) and even some dedicated to publishing numerous poems about mullets (www.ilovemullets. com) because, as the website says, it is hard to express one's feelings for such an iconic look in only one poem. However, many feel that the mullet is one hair fad that should have been left to rot in the 80s, along with poufy perms and parachute pants: Any hairstyle that has its own name and catchphrase is just wrong, says Justine Kerford, a Second Year BA student. Personally, if your hair resembles a small dead animal, it is probably not giving out the impression you want it to. In July last year, Iran took definitive action against the mullet (as well as various other decadent Western hairstyles) by making them illegal. Yes, peacocking a mullet in Iran will now get you a criminal record (although, ironically enough, they dont appear to have a problem with the Bieber fringe). The mullet battle is far from over. As opinions rage over whether this is just a returning temporary fad or a real social movement, time will only tell what the mullets fate will be. Until then, it will just remain business in the front as usual.

Letters
Editor: Lauren Granger Deputy Editor: Mikaila Thurgood Managing Editor: Lwandlekazi Gaga Marketing Managers: Jamie Bezuidenhout and Sin Rees Financial Manager: Munyaradzi Chapereka Distribution Managers: Ntombifuthi Phakathi Community Engagement Managers: Enathi Mqokeli Chief Designer: Tselane Moiloa Assistant Chief Designers: Stephanie Pretorius and Motlagae Konyana Marketing and Advertising Designer: Amy Slatem Designers: Shavaughn Haack, Samkelisiwe Dlalisa and Chevawn Blum Cheif Sub-Editor: Nadia Moore Sub-Editors: Sarita Pillay, and Wilhelmina Maboja Online Editors: Katherine Kirk and Maricelle Gouws Arts and Entertainment Editor: Benjamin Greaves Environment Editor: Carina Truyts Features Editor: Bakhulule Maluleka News Editor: Benjamin Katz Assistant News Editor: Relebone Myambo Business Editor: Neo Khanyile Sci-Tech Editor: Muhammed Bemath Opinion Editor: Matthew de Klerk Pictures Editors: Chelsea Nelson,Storme Sydow and Binwe Adebayo Politics Editor: Leigh Hermon Politics Assistant Editor: Tanaka Johnmark Kajese Sports Editor: Fabio De Dominicis Printers: Dupli-Print www.theoppidanpress.com www.facebook.com/theoppidanpress www.twitter.com/theoppidanpress

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Environment
Green Eggs and Ham
Kate Janse van Rensburg Patrick Curran

12 The Oppidan Press 31.03.11

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Natural gas pusuit is fracking risky

he Karoo is under threat. One of our countrys most unique and prized ecosystems, which covers 200 000 km2 (or 15% of South Africas landmass), is in danger of being significantly damaged in the pursuit of natural gas. While the search for oil and natural gas in the Karoo began in the 1960s, the signs they found were deemed insignificant and financially unfeasible. The development of a drilling technique called Hydraulic Fracturing, or fracking, has changed all this. It has prompted a renewed search for these hydrocarbon deposits deep underneath the Karoo. Currently five companies, Sasol (in partnership with Statoil and Chesapeake), Shell, Anglo American, Falcon Gas and Oil, and Bundu Gas and Oil, are applying for the rights to begin the search. Grahamstown will not be unaffected by this project as the prospecting application stops, in its Southerly extent, between Bedford and Grahamstown. Shell state that they do not expect to begin any physical exploration until late 2012, with exploratory fracking beginning in early 2013. The hydraulic fracturing process (see picture) involves drilling deep underground, in the Karoos case between 2.5 to 4 km down. Once a well is bored, explosions are detonated along the length of the bore in order to fracture the shale. Water, chemicals and sand are then injected at high pressures into the well in order to shore up the shale and release the gas. The gas is then pumped out along the bore, along with the water. The lack of understanding around the true social and environmental impacts of this technique has caused a study to be commissioned by the US Environmental Protection Agency into the true, long term, environmental and social impacts of fracking on drinking water, which should be completed by the year 2014. In order to access the requisite

Business Japanese economy left standing on shaky ground

Lee Crisp

The Oppidan Press 31.03.11 13

Carina Truyts

Escaping the Third World rut

You know when you say World of Warcraft to some people: you get that particular reaction. Their square eyes start to glisten, they smile, clutch their hands together and start debunking armour codes. Well, I am not one of those people. I feel no attraction to the virtual realm. But, after attending an unusual geography prac, I recently found a computer game that led me to ignore the siren of the Rat and a good stomp at SSS. Its called Third World Farmer and I played it all night. Its a bit patronising when you first come across it, emblazoned on the opening page are the words: endure the hardships of third world farming - but it does make one think. The concept (find the game at http:// www.3rdworldfarmer.com/) is that you start out with a tiny bit of capital, you plant your crops, and click for a year to pass. The first time I played I was bankrupt in two years, due to rebel troops stealing all my tools and a nasty drought. Other obstacles include health issues, lack of education and corrupt officials. You end up realising that there are so many hurdles to third world farming that any runner would be bruised purple at the shins. The game left me feeling a bit feeble and useless. It felt as if Africa is stuck in an environmental and developmental rut, and trying to fix it now is like suggesting a band- aid for the hole in the ozone layer. I attended the first South East African Climate Consortium (SEACC) meeting hoping to cheer myself up, and it worked. I came upon a society that is doing big things. Plus, they have already sealed the deal on many of their projects. It helps that they have a committee population the size of Indias, peppered with some serious Honours and Masters degree candidates. They have already organised for sponsorship from Eskom, where the most energy efficient res wins a prize. Theyve joined with the Sustainable Seas Trust to get people to make monetary or moral pledges to look after our oceans. They actually offer students opportunities to travel up and down the coast gathering pledges. They have already met with other universities to discuss who is contributing what to the SEAS centres. Furthermore, theyre getting involved in Coega (which must be daunting) and are promoting conservation through their project Wildreach. Thats just touching on the projects they are running. E-mail them at seaccsf@gmail. com to get involved. The point is, theres no use in feeling feeble when faced by the dire environmental and developmental news we so often hear. There are things to be done, great and useful things at that. Im just ashamed that it took a condescending computer game to make me start thinking about it.

Hydraulic Fracturing or fracking is being proposed to mine natural gas in the Karoo. amount of gas to make a project viable, it has to be done on a massive scale. The process uses upwards of 20 million litres of water in order to drill one well and there could be multiple wells (up to 16 in some cases) drilled from one site. To put this into context, one hydraulic fracture (or well) uses the same amount of water as the entire town of Graaff-Reinet would use in three days. If this process gets the go ahead, there will thousands of wells all over the Karoo. There is not just water that is getting thrust into the geological formations of the Karoo. The chemicals used in the fracking process are also highly toxic and not all of them can be safely disposed of. While the exact chemicals that are used are an industry secret, some studies have shown that some include known carcinogens and heavy metals. The probability of contamination of both the ground water and surface water is therefore extremely high. The people of the Karoo rely on its groundwater and this project not only risks the water security of the farmers in the Karoo, but those of the towns as well. In order to allay fears of competition of water resources, Shell has proposed to utilise sea water or brackish water in the drilling process which brings with it its own risks and challenges to the water security in the Karoo region. With a lack of regulation and no clear signals from our government, there has been a massive response from the communities of the Karoo, who are being coordinated by the Treasure the Karoo Action Group. While a moratorium has been placed on all new prospecting applications in the Karoo, the current ones are at an advanced stage in the EIA process. It is not only the responsibility of the communities of the Karoo to fight for what is theirs, there needs to be a concerted, joint mass effort to force the government to reconsider and examine the long term effects of drilling activities on the Karoo before the process begins and cannot be reversed. We cannot risk the contamination of our water supplies and destruction of our ecosystems and social systems, without knowing the true risks. Now that you know the realities of fracking what will you do?

officials have already begun in their attempt to prepare the Japanese for what looks to be a more severe economic he nation of Japan has experisituation than it was already experiencenced exponential economic ing. The suggested possibility of rolling growth in recent years and as blackouts and increases in tax are likely a result, become a global power house to hurt companies and households significantly. boasting the worlds third largest economy. On 11 March 2011, in a The general welfare of the populaseries of events tion has also been imthat no-one pacted, with more than had foreseen, it 1 million people already The quake has put was rocked to without water or power strain on what was its core by an and entire towns having 8.9 magnitude been wiped off the map. already a grim outearthquake Even though most of followed by a 6 look for its economy industrial Japan has metre tsunami. been largely unaffected, the extent of the The gravity of these events can be seen in the fact infrastructural damage will be severe. In addition, at more than double its $5 that many are calling it the worst disaster in Japan since World War II. trillion economy, Japan also has one Much like that event, the effects will of the largest budget and trade deficits not be merely social but have potenin the world. This, together with the threat of credit downgrades has lead tially grave results for the Japanese economy. to the discussion of implementing a temporary tax rise to fund relief work. The quake has put strain on what was already a grim outlook for its econThe Japanese are not the only ones who omy. Their Gross Domestic Product will be affected by the quake, but the (GDP) shrank 1.3% in the final quarter world at large as well. Having little to no natural resources, Japan is a major of 2010, forcing the Bank of Japan to importer in the international market. pump 28 trillion yen ($ 346 billion) into the financial system. Government Oil prices in particular increased as the

Pic Supplied news of the disaster was heard around the globe, and the demand it created for oil was affected. The road which lies ahead for the Japanese is likely to be long and winding, but there is indeed a glimmer of hope if history has anything to do with it. The Japanese are a resilient nation of people and having overcome many other similar circumstances, all the world need give them is time.

Libyan oil output reduction The beginners guide threatens economic stability to: the united
Zinathi Gquma Middle Eastern and North African countries have been exposed to severe political and civil unrest that will undoubtedly be marked as a significant part in shaping the future of global political and economic systems. There has been one attempted coupd etat that has gripped the attention of the whole world, and it is that of Libya. General Muammar Gaddafi has been in power as the President of Libya for 42 years and the people of Libya have been in battle to overthrow one of the longest ruling dictators in history. Western countries such as the UK, the US and France have expressed deep condemnation of Gaddafis regime and current political turbulence. As a result, Western companies that have been operating in Libya to produce oil have shut down oil production. On 2 March 2011, Libyan oil production hit a historPic Supplied ic low and Gaddafi has now thrown out the rebelling Western oil companies. Total, Shell, BP and Suncor are some of the Western oil producing companies that were forced to shut down their operations and evacuate their employees from Libya. Gaddafi has since taken

Plumbing the Sahara: Libya lacks water-sense

Jai Clifford-Holmes The medical condition Hydrocephalis, more commonly known as water on the brain, is generally found in infants, but apparently tyrants are afflicted by it as well. Since 1983, Colonel Gaddafi has been converting petrodollars into pipes, in a monumental attempt to plumb the Sahara (as The Economist recently put it) and to turn dusty desert into green farms. Through sinking thousands of boreholes into the Nubian aquifer and creating a network of pipes, Libya now transports 6.5 million cubic metres of water a day from inland to the coast. The most obvious sense in which Libya won the geological lottery was with the discovery of oil. It was in the course of prospecting for oil that geologists discovered a further bounty: the worlds largest deposit of underground water in the Nubian Aquifer. Unlike many other underground aquifers that can recharge, this was fossil water trapped underground, which, once extracted, is exhausted. The coastal cities and farms demand for fresh water had long outstripped the readily available supply, and desalination was expensive. Libya then chose to cash in on its fossil water; giving birth to the humblynamed Great Man-made River project (GMR). For many years, this was one of the largest civil engineering projects on earth. Hailed by Gaddafi as the 8th Wonder Of The World, its statistics are undeniably impressive: by the 4th and second-last phase, 5 million tonnes of cement had been poured and thousands of pipes laid, creating a network over 5,000 kilometres long that delivered water from the inland aquifers to the thirsty coastal cities and crops. This is all for a tenth of the cost of desalinated water. Yet there is much to be sceptical about. Independent studies of the Nubian aquifer suggest that at the quantity demanded by the Libyan coastal regions, the aquifer will likely only supply 60 to 100 years worth of water (not the 4,000 years promised by the Libyan government). The lifeline of the pipes themselves is said to be around 50 years, and the oil revenue currently paying for the project might not support the reinvestment. Most of all, many water managers cringe at the thought of using a finite supply of water to irrigate crops in a desert environment. But the GMR has always had a strategic importance that trumps the environmental prerogatives: at the projects opening ceremony, Gaddafi spoke of everlasting prosperity for Libya, to be achieved via agricultural self-sustainability, and of the triumph over the tyranny of the global economy controlled by the USA and Britain. The pipes have always had a political use. The current revountionary conflict is no exception: there have been reports of Libyan forces loyal to Gaddafi bombing the pipelines that lead to sites held by the rebel forces. There is also a potential for future regional conflict if the project continues, given that the Nubian aquifer additionally lies under Chad, Sudan and Egypt but water is only being expropriated by Libya. As the uncertainty about Libya mounts, so does the concern that billions of dollars worth of pipes will be left to rust in the desert, without water in them, and as a testament to the general who saw strategy before water-sense.

Oil output in Libya amounted to 1.6 million barrels a day. Since the civil outbreak, Libya has been producing less than 300 000 barrels of oil a day
action to replace these Western companies with oil producing companies from China, India and Russia. Prior to the unrest, oil output in Libya amounted to 1.6 million barrels a day. Since the civil outbreak, Libya has been producing less than 300 000 bar-

Getting blue on World Water Day

Fiona Christensen

The Library quad was a hub of activity on 22 March as students raised an awareness about water scarcity on World Water Day

Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, gives a speech to his supporters in Tripoli

rels of oil a day, decreasing oil output by 1.4 million barrels a day. Since Libya is the biggest oil producing region in the world, the geopolitical tensions sent the prices of oil and petrol soaring after military action against Gaddafi was approved by the United Nations. On 18 December 2010, Brent crude oil was trading at $91.67 per barrel. During the unrest, the cost of crude has gone up to $117, but when Gaddafi announced a ceasefire, the price fell to $114.50. Italy is the country mostly affected by the major reduction of oil supply; in 2009 24% of oil imports in Italy were supplied by Libya. The cut off of oil supply in Libya and heavily rising oil prices has induced speculation about a potential global recession. Ali Naimi, who is the oil minister in Saudi Arabia, has stated that the supply of crude oil in the world is sufficient and that his country stands ready to boost production to prevent a spike in world oil prices such as happened in 2008. Naimi acknowledged that the price of oil will continue to experience volatility for a short while, but would fade as market participants recognise the large amount of surplus production capacity available to offset any supply shortfall coming from the problems of Libyas oil industry. Despite the above statements made by Naimi, fear of global economic instability still rises, because market participants recognise that the conflict in Libya is far from settled. This is especially concerning, since Gaddafis son Saif al-Isam announced that they would fight until the last man. At present, the people of Libya and the rest of the world can only hope for a miracle.

states of China
When one brings up the topic of China in a conversation, there are a great many things that may come to mind. One could make mention of the fact that China is one of only two nations in the world that can be defined as a Communist state, a title that has gained it much notoriety over the many years since the revolution took place . The other nation is that of Cuba. Another might instead make mention of the Great Wall of China, a bona fide member of the Seven Wonders of the World. In modern times, however, the phrases economic superpower and financial juggernaut now regularly come to mind when discussing China. Since the 1990s, China has experienced levels of economic expansion and growth that, for almost every other nation in the world, will remain an unattainable pipe-dream. This has been driven by the interaction of a labour force that is several hundred million strong, a huge level of foreign investment, and deliberate reform by the Chinese authorities to enable the entrance of foreign capital

Tapuwa Sunga

and investment. The combined effect of these factors is directly linked to China averaging an annual growth rate of 10% for the period 1990 2006. To put this into perspective, a typical developed nation would target an annual growth rate that averages around 4 6%, and such a target is generally seen as a sign of a healthy economy. As of June 2010, China had accumulated in excess of $1,4 trillion of US currency through its export regime. Allegations of artificial exchange-rate fixing notwithstanding, this nonetheless contributed to its rapidly growing economic might, fuelled by the export of cheap manufactures at low prices globally. The fact of the matter is that China has become a pivotal player in the international market and is likely to stay so for many years to come, given the financial, political and military resources it has accumulated over the past two decades. The fact that China is capable of standing toe-to-toe with the United States in almost every aspect is a clear indication that the makeup of the world has changed. Whether this is for better or worse, only time will tell.

Sci-tech
Pic supplied

14 The Oppidan Press 31.03.11

The Oppidan Press 31.03.11 15

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Sports

Rhodes cheerleaders ready! Okay!

Christina De Gouveia rmed with pom-poms and cheers, cheer captain Bongiwe Ngubane (aka Captain B) and the cheer crew took up the challenge to search for more spirit at the try-outs for the cheerleading teams of 2011. This year the cheerleaders have ample time to create routines, obtain uniforms and establish a passionate team. Many resources go into looking so fabulous and keeping the spirit of Rhodes sport up, Ngubane stated. The cheerleaders hope to raise funds to acquire what is needed for team gear as the team does not currently receive funding. The team is relying on fundraising events and the support of fellow students in order to raise money for their kits. The instruction that the prospective cheerleaders were given for try-outs was to bring out their inner cheerleader. They were taught various cheers and routines and then had to perform them to determine whether they would

Yuris Night launches at Rhodes

Jonathan Smith he worlds space race officially began 50 years ago with the launch of Russian Yuri Gagarin. Fifty years later, this historic event is still globally recognised and commemorated. For the first time, Rhodents will have the chance to celebrate this and another historic space anniversary during Yuris Night, hosted by Rhodes University Astronomical Society (Astrosoc). Yuris Night this year, marking the 50th anniversary of Yuri Gagarins first flight into space, hosted by Rhodes University Astronomical Society (Astrosoc) will start at 20:00 on 12 April at the

Botanical Gardens. Astrosoc promises a fun-filled night of relaxation, wonder and stargazing in search of shooting stars all compacted into a party; depending on a clear, storm-free night of course. Yuris Night is an international celebration held on 12 April every year to commemorate space exploration milestones, especially the launch of the first human into space as well as the inaugural launch of the first space shuttle. Yuris Night was first held in 2001 and has grown in popularity since. On 12 April 1961, Gagarin became the first human to be launched into outer space on the Vostok-1 spaceship. Twenty years later, 12 April 1981 marked the launch of the first U.S. space

shuttle. To celebrate these milestones of exploration, Yuris Night combines an evening of entertainment and fun designed to appeal to space enthusiasts. Last year, Yuris Night had events in

Yuris Night draws tens of thousands of space explorers, artists, engineers, musicians, scientists and partygoers from around the world each year.

222 cities in 67 countries on all seven continents. Events have been hosted in New York, Moscow, Tokyo, Sydney, the South Pole and many other locations. Many notable figures have attended previous events, like Buzz Aldrin. According to Yuris Night official website www.yurisnight.net, the goal of Yuris Night is to increase public interest in space exploration and to inspire a new generation of explorers. Driven by space-inspired artistic expression and culminating in a worldwide network of annual celebrations, Yuris Night aims to create a global community of young people committed to shaping the future of space exploration while developing responsible leaders and innovators with a global

perspective. Yuris Night draws tens of thousands of space explorers, artists, engineers, musicians, scientists and partygoers from around the world each year. According to Yuris Night official website, over 12 000 space fans and students attended last years event hosted by the NASA Ames Research Center. Although such numbers are not likely in Grahamstown, the spirit and commitment behind the organisation of this event is sure to make public interest skyrocket. Yuris Night is a Space Generation Advisory Council event and like any space-worthy event, it is preceded by a countdown. Two weeks to go...

RU cheerleaders perfecting their dance moves before the cheer launch taking place in the second academic term

be placed in the 1st or 2nd team. One of the cheers learnt on the day described how the cheerleaders drive the sports teams of Rhodes University like a purple jaguar. The try-outs were very impressive, evoking a spirited display from the young women present. After both try-outs were held, Ngubane commented, My teams are fabulous, the girls are excited to learn new things and the energy is incredible. We aim to break the American stereotype of cheerleaders and just have fun. The Cheer Launch will take place at the beginning of the second term at a rugby and basketball game (still to be confirmed). This is where all the cheer spirit that has been practiced behind closed doors will explode into the Rhodes community. Ngubane asks that Rhodes students watch out for the launch. It will be exciting and worthwhile. I have an extremely competent committee this year and we have a lot planned for the year ahead. It may be a while until the Cheer Launch, but according to the cheer captain, The cheerleaders of 2011 are sure to blow your socks off.

Rhodes at Pineapple Week Coffee good or bad?

Victory has never been tasted by Rhodes at Pineapple Week, the oldest cricket tournament in the country
Stefan Ploos van Amstel Sheldon Fairfoot Coffee may give us that daily blast of energy we need to get through the day or a strenuous sports practice, but what all that Joe is doing to our bodies is a question few know the answer to. In truth, there have been few official studies on coffees effects on the body, and so little is known for sure. Like many other things, coffee is a substitute for that drink you have with a smoke on a Saturday night. Except its on a Sunday morning, reflected Charlene Donalds of Ruth First. Most of what we know about coffee is based on observations and census studies. However, the consistencies of the results are acknowledged by many health professionals world wide. Coffee seems to reduce the risk factor of many diseases common in people today. For example, people drinking seven or more cups of coffee daily will enjoy a 35% risk decrease in getting type 2 diabetes, or a 28% risk decrease for a person drinking four to six cups per day. This also applies to decaf coffee drinkers as caffeine is not believed to be the source of these benefits. There is also a possibility that high coffee consumption reduces the risk of cancer, in particular, the risk of liver cancer, which is commonly caused by excessive drinking. Interested now? Last but not least, on the plus side of things, black coffee is virtually calorie free, and coffee drinkers can expect a grand total of between four to runs. The next game saw Rhodes face a Manley Flats side who kept Rhodes down to a score of 180. Manley Flats were unable to chase the total successfully, and Rhodes saw the game out to complete a victory of three wickets. The fifth and final The highlight of Rhodes cricketing calendar has drawn to a close, and this years edition of Pineapple Week was as en- game of the tournament for the Rhodents was the Plate final against the same Port Alfred side they lost to in their opener. thralling as ever. The Rhodes second side ended up losing A horrendous day in the field saw Rhodes drop a total in the final of the Plate competition to an experienced Port of nine catches, allowing Port Alfred to post a score of 188. Alfred side by two runs, leaving the Rhodents to finish the overall competition in sixth place out of eight teams. The Rhodes boys chased valiantly, but fell just two runs short In the tournment held between various local sides, Rhodes of victory. Impressive individual performances included D.McLuckies 6-35 , P.Bates 6-22, as well as J.Hitchkocks 5-35, played five games,winning two and losing three. After losall after 8 overs. ing their first game to Port Alfred, Rhodes came up against The tournament is about more than just cricket, however. Southwell and had them on the ropes towards the beginning The Eastern Cape farming sides were very of the match at six wickets down for just thirteen runs. In the end, it was still a nail- Pineapple Week welcoming towards the Rhodes boys, and biting finish, with Rhodes number eight have always enjoyed hosting them for the is now 106 years week. Students and farmers alike revel in the and eleven batsmen left to bring their after team home. They managed to do the job, old, yet Rhodes has camaraderieover athe game, discussing the days events cold beer. Pineapple Week but only after blocking out six consecutive is now 106 years old, yet Rhodes has never overs before hitting the final run needed never won. for victory. won. Playing against some farm teams who Chairman of Rhodes cricket and sechave been playing together for 20 years, the Rhodes teams, ond team player Glynn Kent called it the most exciting game who change every year, have struggled to go all the way. In his Ive ever played. In the third game, the boys from Grahamfinal year next year, Kent hopes his side can do what no other stown needed a win to make it through to the semi-finals of Rhodes side has done, and finally bring the trophy home to the competition. Unfortunately, the task was too much for them on the day, and they proceeded to lose to Salem by ten Grahamstown.

Game review: TRON Evolution

The neon clothed characters jump into the world of gaming
Andrew Solomon One of the best things about TRON: Evolution is that its not based on the story of the movie. Dont get me wrong: theres nothing wrong with the story in TRON: Legacy (the movie). I just dont really like the safe move by game developers to carbon copy a movie script and cobble a game from it. The story of TRON: Evolution actually runs as a prequel to the movie and covers the interesting story leap between the original movie and the current one. From a story point of view I think its clever. You play the game as Anon, which like anyone else in this TRON world, is dressed up in an impressively gleaming outfit with a neon glow usually reserved for rave parties. In terms of game play, the basic movement style is very similar to Prince of Persia, except drenched in neon. The neon-flavoured scenery and the awesome electronic soundtrack go a long way to bring the experience alive and really make the player feel like part of the TRON world. My only complaint in this regard would be that the surroundings are in fact almost identical throughout the game, a change of scenery would have been nice. Of course, I understand that its a computer landscape and everything should look the same so perhaps its something that I shouldnt dwell on. The action within the game is unfortunately very repetitive. Lets face it: how many ways can you throw a frisbee-like weapon? Yes, they have incorporated some of the acrobatic moves displayed in the movie, but other than providing a bit of a spectacle, its really nothing too impressive. Add to this the almost non-existent challenge when it comes to getting past your enemies, and youll find yourself putting up with some very hum drum fight sequences. Maybe its because of Disney. The sameness of the game does get broken every now and then as you will find yourself in game sequences involving riding in a light tank or a light cycle. Ive always been a fan of the light cycle so I really enjoyed the chance to get behind the wheel (so to speak). Within the game itself the light cycle experience is fairly limited. If like me, youre a light cycle fan, then you should head straight into multiplayer mode where you can battle it out with many light cycle maniacs like yourself. The multiplayer modes offer hours of fun and, as with many games on the market now, this is where youll spend most of your time. The game overall is very well designed - the character models and scenery are undeed beautiful. So if players can get over the repetitive nature of it all, then I think most would enjoy it. The multiplayer mode is certainly worthwhile especially the light cycles. Available on most popular platforms such as PC, Xbox, PS3, PSP and Wii.

LPs to CDsa technological revolution

Sithandwa Ngwetsheni Today we are using Compact Discs and they are everywhere; but where did they originate from? Back in the 1940s there was an abundance of what is known as the LP, which is short for Long-play record. The LP Record was invented in 1948 by Peter Carl Goldmark, a GermanHungarian engineer. Made of vinyl plastic, the LP was able to hold 24 to 26 minutes of audio on each side. The LP was used to release recorded music and was used in the music industry for almost 40 years. In the late 1980s, the compact disc was used as the primary release format for releasing music. By 1991 the LP was long gone. Salute to the LP and a warm

welcome to the CD. The Compact Disc or CD is a disc with a metalised surface that is used for digital audio storage. The CD was first used in 1982 under Philips Electronics and Sony Corporation. The compact disc might appear simple but it consists of multiple layers: The base layer is polycarbonate plastic which holds the digital data; the information is read by a laser through the usage of aluminium in the second layer, and converted into sound that represents an original audio. The Compact Disc is very different from the LP record and is more technologically advanced. This shows that everything that we use today is bound to change as technology advances and indirectly changes the way we live. The present revolution? IPods and MP3 players.

seven calories per cup, which will by no means make you fat or break your fitness levels. Unfortunately, (like all too good to be true things) coffee does have its downside. It contains caffeine which our bodies can become addicted to on a routine of just one cup of coffee per day. Caffeine is that part of coffee that keeps coffee drinkers energetic and alert by forcing the production of adrenaline. Excessive consumption results in adrenal exhaustion, which ends in those addicted coffee drinkers ultimately crashing. Withdrawal symptoms of caffeine include a nasty two day long headache. However, total addiction recovery is achieved in nine days, making caffeine a relatively easy addiction to break. And so, perhaps Frank Hu, MD, MPH, PHD, nutrition and epidemiology professor at the Harvard school of Public Health was right when he said, There is certainly much more good news than bad news, in terms of coffee and health.

Learning curve for Tigers

Andrew Tombs On the 12 March, 10 members of the Rhodes Table Tennis Team played their first match of the year against Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth. The day included four different tournaments, with both doubles and singles knockouts, a mens singles and a womens round robin-style competition. After a fine display of skill, composure and talent, Rhodes players Matthew Coombes and Horst Kaiser took gold in the doubles knockout tournament. In the mens singles matches, both the Rhodes A and B sides lost, the A side going down 4-1, while the B side narrowly lost 3-2. A special mention must be made of Cyril Makwembere and Candice Coombes for coming third and fourth respectively. Rhodes quartet Miles Barnett, Desmond Gambiza, Horst Kaizer and Matthew Coombes all won their singles matches, with Horst being placed second overall in the singles knockout section. NMMU proved to be a tough opponent on the day and gave an impressive performance against a Rhodes outfit still lacking match-practise, but eager to improve on their overall performance. Despite this, the Rhodes Table Tennis Tigers were content with the days proceedings, and look forward to a successful year ahead.

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Now everyone can experience the light cycle with TRON Evolution

Pic Supplied

Sports
Soccer Sunday at Rhodes
Denzil de Klerk rospect and King Fields were the venues for an exhilarating day of football on Sunday 20 March. The likes of NMMU, Fort Cox, Fort Hare and Walter Sisulu University (WSU) all travelled to the grounds of hosts Rhodes to battle it out against one another. This fixture catered for both mens and womens matches, enabling all students to showcase their skills. While there was much cheering and support shown from most spectators, the Rhodes faithful were left with little to cheer about. Prior to this fixture, the Rhodes mens team had played only one match, against NMMU on Wednesday 16 March, where they lost 0-3. The players were keen to correct their faults and gain wins on home soil. Taking on UFH-Alice, the boys played good football in the first half Michelle Cunliffe Lindsey May

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with promising moments of combined interplay that led to half chances. A slip of concentration saw Rhodes concede a goal, going into the half-time break 0-1 down. During the breather, the Rhodents were given much-needed encouragement, even though they were playing better football than their opponents. This was all in vain as the second half saw the flood gates open for Fort Hare. They dominated possession and looked dangerous on attack. They added another four goals to make the final score a telling 0-5. Rhodes next match-up was against WSU. Rhodes put up a better fight in this game, and brought the WSU keeper into action on two occasions. Another spirited first half performance saw the half-time score at 0-1 to WSU. As seems accustomed to the current Rhodes team, the second half performance left much to be desired, despite a consolation goal by Makanaka Nyamakura, who scored with a fine strike from the edge of the penalty area. Final

score 1-4 to WSU. Rhodess right back in the first match, Siviwe Mnqovu, felt his teams unity had improved from their weeks earlier fixture, but that a lack of fitness was their downfall. That is why our first half performances are so much better than our second, he said. The Rhodes womens team also suffered two losses on the day, but they seemed a lot more positive about their quality of play and salvaged many positives from their games. Their first match against UFH-Alice saw them losing 0-4, but the second game against WSU ended in a narrow 1-2 defeat. Rhodes captain Yanga Tongo was very happy with her teams performance. The girls showed great commitment, gave it their all and had a very good fighting spirit, said Tongo. Although Rhodes might not be producing winning football, the spirit of the beautiful game is strong, played and supported with an equal amount of enthusiasm. The South African Triathlon Championships took place on Sunday, 20 March, at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth. Over 500 athletes took part in the event, which saw the top triathletes from all nine provinces battle it out for national glory. Among them were five Rhodents who performed exceptionally well against stiff competition. The best-placed Rhodes triathlete was Leah Sloman (pictured above), who finished an impressive second place in her age-group (womans 20-24 age category), completing the gruelling 1,5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run in a time of 2:36:06.

2011 Digs Olympics

Binwe Adebayo

Rhodes soccer member Thanduxolo Mize in action

Champions league quarters beckon

Zintle Ngubeni The UEFA Champions League draw threw up some tantalizing quarterfinal clashes as this seasons instalment reaches the business end. Club footballs premier competition took centre stage on Friday 19 March as the remaining eight sides awaited their fate. The first of the thrilling clashes comes in the form of the revived Real Madrid, under the sterling stewardship of Jose Mourinho, who will face Tottenham Hotspur. In what should prove a dazzling display of tactical tenacity littered with individual battles, Harry Redknapp will hope Spurs rise to the occasion as their fairytale European quest confronts a massive hurdle. The Englishman has yet to defeat a team managed by Mourinho after numerous clashes while manager of Portsmouth and Southampton. The first leg will take place at the home of the Spanish giants. Reports from Spain suggest star midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to be ruled out through injury. Spurs will hope their attacking verve is not stifled by Madrids tactical acumen. Chelsea and Manchester United make up the second mouth-watering fixture in this series of collisions. The Premier League rivals square up once more after a recent fiery encounter at Stamford Bridge left United reeling at the 2-1 score line in favour of the Blues. This will be the first time the sides meet in the Champions League since the memorable final left the Chelsea squad inconsolable in the Moscow rain in 2008. Carlo Ancelotti has already played down talk of revenge as he insisted his charges will be driven by other motives. Chelsea have endured an inconsistent season so far, while the Red Devils have managed favourable results in most of the seasons second half.David Luiz, so influential in the league, is cuptied for the tournament after representing Benfica. Fernando Torres is eligible to play after his transfer from Liverpool has seen him off to a slow start at the Bridge. Whoever wins this clash will face either Inter Milan, who fought back impressively against Bayern Munich in the previous round, or Schalke. The Italian outfit are the only side in the quarterfinals to have suffered three defeats and will square off against the Germans whose last defeat came at the hands of Lyon in the group stages. Schalke boast experience up front with Raul among the occasional scorers. Barcelona are the perennial favourites for the crown after their commanding display against Arsenal in the round of 16 complimented their dominance of La Liga this season. The Catalan powerhouse was once again the team to avoid before this draw and Shaktar Donetsk are the latest to incur the incisive passing game so familiar to Barcas play. Shaktar have done considerably well to reach this stage, having previously stumbled at the group stages on other occasions. Eduardo has been the standout performer for the Ukrainian side with assured performances at the summit of the formations. Shaktar will have their work cut out to contain arguably the most potent attacking trident of Xavi, Iniesta and Lionel Messi. The semi-finals are likely to be fiery affairs with the possibility of an El Clasico square-off seemingly likely. The focus now, however, is very much on this enthralling quartet of duels. The Oppidan Committe recently hosted the 2011 Digs Olympics where teams of oppidans competed in events like paintball, trolley-races, inflatable gladiator course, blind mans water toss and a carnival relay Binwe Adebayo