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Mobile giants collapse

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Learning to teach
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The Oppidan Press

Edition 9, 4 October 2013

Photo: IVAN BLAZIC

Photo: IVAN BLAZIC

Photo: TAURIQ DOLLEY

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Photo: MICHELLE CUNLIFFE

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Nine editions later...

Writing with Rian Malan Break out of the box
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10

Remembering the place of blood

By Mila Kakaza and Sisipho Skweyiya nown for its definitive place in Eastern Cape history, the place of blood is receiving well-deserved commemoration in the form of a national monument. The Oppidan Press intern Andiswa Cibi noticed this development and drew it to our attention. The place of blood, translated in isiXhosa to Egazini, will be celebrated with the proposed Egazini Monument in Grahamstown. According to Project Manager Ashwell Adriaan, Makana Municipality wanted to create a national monument in remembrance of the battle led by Chief Makana between the amaXhosa and the British Settlers in April 1819. Municipal Spokesperson Mncedisi Boma stated that the monument has been under construction since May 2013 but, due to budget limitations, there is currently a delay in the construction process. We have lobbied Mr Macozoma of the National Heritage Board for funding, Boma explained. Adriaan added that the Municipality has requested funding from a number of companies as well as the government. In 2002 the Makana Municipality nominated Egazini as a national heritage site and in 2004 the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) declared the site to be of national significance. The Egazini Monument will be divided into two structures: a

The most important aspect is that the community should be involved in this project.
- Project Liaison, Lizo Zakhe

Foreign military intervention: the new band aid

Chelsea Haith and Emily Corke Politics Ever since videos of children killed by chemical weapons in Syria were leaked to the media in August, debates around Americas possible intervention in the region have taken centre stage. The crisis mirrors the problems that erupted after the South African armys intervention in the Central African Republic (CAR) earlier this year. Dr Paul-Simon Handy, Research Director at the Institute for Security Studies, made this comparison at a public lecture on South African foreign policy on 19 September. Handy described South Africas foreign policy as unstructured and lacking strategic objectives. Americas aggressive behaviour in the international sphere was likened to South Africas involvement in African affairs. Handy suggested that due to South Africas position of power on the continent, it is using its weight in much the same way America has done in the Syrian conflict, though there are differences in relations between the nations. The Assad regime has been criticised for human rights abuses and clandestine military activity in the past. Barack Obama accused them of using chemical weapons against their citizens and called for a military strike on Syria by the US army. Although it

memorial garden depicting the battle of Grahamstown and a monument site where the amaXhosa warriors stood to launch their attack on the British settlement. The memorial garden will be planted with indigenous and traditional medicinal plants. The monument will include an interpretation centre that will tell the history of the battle. The most important aspect is that the community should be involved in this project, commented Project Liaison Lizo Zakhe. Adriaan added that the monument, which overlooks the Fingo Village, may bring in more income for the township as local entrepreneurs will be able to sell items to visitors as they walk through the township. In addition to the monument, there will be a place where upcoming artists of all genres will be able to showcase their talents, especially during the prestigious National Arts Festival, said Zakhe. The Executive Director of the Grahamstown Foundation Louisa Clayton stated, in a letter to Adriaan in 2010, that the Egazini Monument will not duplicate the role of the Grahamstown Foundation and the 1820 Settlers National Monument. It will rather

Dr Paul-Simon Handy gives a lecture about South African foreign policy. Photo: CHELSEA HAITH is not widely reported in mainstream media, America has direct interests in the strategic stability of Syria, arguably leading to Obamas call for military intervention. It [Syria] borders at least three of Americas strategic allies: Israel, Turkey and Jordan, said guest lecturer on collective security in the School of Political and International Studies Dr Geoff Pigman. Pigman explained that because Syria also borders the only stable region of Iraq, an extremist opposition government there would be a direct threat to American security. The strong opposition to military intervention communicated by British, French and American public opinion was aided by the involvement of Russian president Vladimir Putin. He emerged as a strong contender in the debate, blocking Obamas way to military intervention. Pigman explained that if Putin had not gotten involved and the US Congress had voted against Obamas proposal to attack Syria, Obamas political credibility would have been severely damaged. Putin also secured more time for Assads political future by convincing him to give up Syrias chemical weapons. Putin saved both Obama and Assad politically in the same stroke, which is quite fascinating, explained Pigman. In a time where public opinion views collective security as a primary concern, South Africas role in foreign conflict has been questionable as of late according to reports on the intervention in the CAR in March by the Mail & Guardian. The intervention was allegedly motivated by diamond mining investments by South African government officials in the CARowned private-public partnership mining company Inala Centrafique. Handy noted that South Africas biggest failure in terms of foreign policy was the role the South African army

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The Oppidan Press 4 October 2013

The construction site of the Egazini Monument near the Joza location. Photo: JOSHUA OATES complement that role, leveraging the competitive edge already well-established in this area. This will be done through education, the arts, science and technology by providing Grahamstown with a desperately needed multipurpose facility that is geographically accessible to the vast majority of local youth. Although this monument will be of great significance to the community of Grahamstown, it faces many challenges. Infrastructural maintenance of plants and exhibits still needs to be secured. Makana Municipality acknowledges that they have to plan and budget for counter-measures so that the structure remains. At present, the proposed site has no water points, which will be a requirement for the irrigation of the lawns. A reported sewerage leak near the site will also be a potential health risk. These are challenges that have to be tackled in order to make the project a success. The site is an important commemoration symbol for those who lost their lives, Zakhe said. The Egazini garden memorial site will hopefully be launched on the anniversary of the battle of Grahamstown on 22 May 2014. The launch date for the monument is yet to be released however.

played in the CAR. This intervention was tragic not only because soldiers died but because people dont know what South Africa was doing there, he explained. Handy mentioned that despite both interventions being related to economic interests, they were not governed by goals reflective of sound foreign policy. It was this lack of strategic objectives that resulted in a badly planned intervention and poor public opinion. So far we have seen a foreign policy characterised by pragmatism, a will to maximise economic gains, he elaborated. This is similar to Americas role in Syria, Handy acknowledged. As powers in their respective areas of influence, South Africa and Americas positions are characterised by ability: They can do what they like, Handy continued. This is the problem with big powers. South Africa just went to the CAR because they can. America is just going to go to Syria because they can. Although the Syrians did not request Americas intervention, South Africa has a bilateral agreement that means that the South African army was invited to intervene in the CAR. With current tensions existing in key regions, both in Africa and the Middle East, it is imperative to question the motives behind interventions that often result in further unrest and unnecessary loss of human life.

First Transformation Director resigns

By Emma Atkinson dvocate Tshidi Hashatse is no longer the Director of Equity and Institutional Culture, having left at the end of June and announcing her departure from Higher Education. She was the first person to receive the appointment and only held it for two years. Her departure, made official on the 5th of August, raises a number of questions with regard to Rhodes attitude towards transformation and equity in its student and management body. I would have continued doing the job for longer if I believed there was room to make a significant impact and achieve the mandate. This would require a certain state of readiness on the part of the institution, different power relations, and other conditions precedent for it to work, Hashatse stated. As an individual, I wanted an environment where I could be fully engaged and have room to deliver my best work to one of the most challenging and complex of problems. Whilst I had great support from some individuals and forums, the institutional power arrangements did not provide the space and conditions that would, in my mind, result in me doing the most meaningful, impactful work. This statement coincides with concerns voiced for several years about Rhodes Universitys transformation. In an interview with Grocotts Mail in 2011, the then-new Director was quoted as saying that the time had now arrived to put greater effort into [Rhodes equity-related policy and procedure] implementation and to show in demonstrable ways that we have the will and conviction to do what the policies say. She spoke of hoping that in the university there was a will to engage, without which, she claimed, she would achieve nothing. Hashatses relationship with Rhodes spanned many years she served as the Deputy Dean of Students from 2009 until 2011, and in May 2011 she became the first director of the Department of Equity and Institutional Culture in Rhodes history. In her short run as Transformation Director Hashatse was the supporter and instigator of a number of forums, colloquiums and events. She published numerous reviews concerning the practices of the institution and whether Rhodes complies with legislation and higher education policies. Hashatse also started the Disability Task Team to look at the needs and interests of staff and students with disabilities. Noticeably, the new residences in construction at present still lack infrastructure for disabled Rhodes students. When asked for his response to Hashatses departure Vice-Chancellor Dr Saleem Badat lamented the loss of an academic and professional of her calibre: It is always saddening when a person of such quality leaves Rhodes. We are a prestigious university, but our capacity to provide salaries to the extent of other universities is smaller. In some instances, this difference can be up to 150%. Staff members leaving is unfortunately a part of this. Yet I am sure that is only one of many personal reasons behind her decision we wish Advocate Hashatse all the best in her future endeavors. Hashatse denied this implication in her statement to The Oppidan Press, stating that money was in no way a driving factor. When I joined Rhodes I took a pay cut, consciously, believing in the possibility of making a worthwhile contribution to a deserving project. I was happy to redefine success for myself and not attach too much material gain to such a definition and had set myself a five-to seven-year goal going into the Director post. Through Hashatses efforts, a programme was started for a series of engagements and conversations with middle management on the role they play in equity and institutional culture matters. I could have continued going through the motions but that was not enough for me. It was not a proposition I could live with, it would simply legitimate the status quo, I would lose credibility and the people who have expectations of the office meeting the real and critical transformation imperatives would be let down. See the next edition of The Oppidan Press for a follow up discussion on the state of transformation at Rhodes.

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4 October 2013

The Oppidan Press

Landlords and leases: what you need to know

By Mitchell Shaun Parker With a large part of the Rhodes student body living off-campus, firsttime renters may find the intricacies of lease agreements and property rules daunting or confusing. The Oppidan Press investigated the politics behind lease agreements and the landlord-tenant dynamic for the benefit of first-time or even secondtime renters. First-time renter Andrew Parkes was faced with a problem when the landlord of the house he was in the process of signing a lease for made an unexpected increase in the price of the monthly rent. Parkes said he is not alone in this experience and if it were not for there being a similar unit in the same complex, he would have lost out. Dr Pauline Adebayo, who works on the Kwa-Zulu Natal Rental Housing Tribunal and other forums for housing in the province, noted that the renterlandlord dynamic is generally a tense one. She attributed this to a lack of awareness of the Rental Housing Act No. 50 of 1999. With regards to deposits, for example, Adebayo said, It is not to be spent by the landlord, but rather placed in an interest-bearing account, and refunded in full, plus interest born if the tenant has not caused any damages to the premises. Damage to property or when inadequate notice has been given to the landlord about a tenants relocation, are occasions that may call for a justified withdrawal of the deposit from the landlord. It is common, however, that landlords simply never intend to return the deposit at all, according to Adebayo. Its therefore very important that the lease agreement has more rather than fewer clauses covering some of the sticky/potentially hazardous situations, concluded Adebayo. Other tips to help prevent issues with lease agreements are to conduct a legally mandated joint inspection of the property with the landlord to clarify the conditions of the premises before moving in. Adebayo stated that this establishes a clear, mutually agreed-upon set of what the initial living conditions were before the beginning of occupation. This inspection must be repeated at the end of the lease period to make a comparison again mutually about the change of condition in the property. If one is wanting to renew the lease, ensure that there is, firstly, the ability to renew in the original lease and, secondly, that a dated notice for renewal is received by the landlord by the deadline. Awareness of the lease rules is crucial, said Real Estate Agent for Pam Golding International Daphne Timm. Mostly we have noise issues, breakages and a certain percentage of late payments these are all issues which are deemed to be not complying [with lease rules]. Additionally, knowing the

The resignation of the Director of Equity and Institutional Culture has raised questions about Rhodes Universitys attitude to transformation. Photo: JOSHUA OATES

Students must be fully aware of the rules outlined in the lease before moving into digs. Photo: IVAN BLAZIC rights that are attached to the tenant is important. The Consumer Protection Act is greatly supportive of the tenant in most cases. However, things do go wrong. In such cases, students would be forced to seek legal assistance. Sadly, many people lose their deposits or overlook major infractions by landlords because the time, effort and money to bring in legal expertise to pursue ones case is often not worth the amount of the deposit or complaint being pursued, especially given that, as in all legal cases, a favourable outcome is not guaranteed, noted Adebayo. There are other, less demanding options though. There is the small claims court, which would allow a student to present their case if they have evidence to prove they are owed their deposit. Alternatively, the Provincial Rental Housing Tribunal can offer free legal advice to students and would deal with their case hands on. If students wish to seek such legal advice, the Eastern Cape office is located in Bisho.

News Features
Rian Malan shares his wisdom with aspiring writers
By Matthew de Klerk very career is defined by ones monolithic figures of inspiration: the apogee of that field of expertise, personified into single examples who not only set the bar, but inspire the dreams of all those under them. And so having acclaimed author and journalist (and, as I discovered, musician and songwriter) Rian Malan come in to oversee our class of Writing and Editing dreamers for two weeks was a strange and wonderful experience. Malan is the author of the bestselling My Traitors Heart, a memoir of his growing up in and rebelling against apartheid South Africa. The book has since been translated into 11 different languages. He has also written for Esquire, Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal and Noseweek. For any aspiring journalist-cum-writer, meeting a Real Author is daunting. Id heard about Rian Malan we all had. I had read his acclaimed memoir and here and there I would see letters penned between this fiery figure and the Mail & Guardian or Rolling Stone Magazine. I still remember the news controversy when he reported that Aids statistics were exaggerated by non-governmental organisations. When our class was told he would be coming to oversee and guide us in writing our 5000-word long-form journalism piece, I was excited. Its funny how someones name and appearance can be so at odds. Before meeting him, the admitedly stereotyped image I had in my mind was somehow more Afrikaans: a larger, sterner man, perhaps the kind who wears glasses that give him the air of a cutting-edge wit and deft criticality. So when I met him shortly before our first lecture a grey-haired and beret-sporting man whose passion burns bright when he gets going about politics and history he was certainly not what I had originally expected. I do not mean this in a bad way. Somehow I have this preconceived notion that infamous authors who regularly tackle the media on their flaws are full of their own importance - that they are only there to flash their brilliance and compound your own feelings of inadequacy. I have never been so pleasantly surprised. Whether it was early afternoon meetings discussing my jumbled idea for a long-form story, drinking beer at the Rat and Parrot, or just skipping stones outside the site of the terrible 1911 Blaauwkrantz bridge disaster, Malan was in every way the opposite of the image that many of us writers might have about the defining examples of our desired craft. When it came to our actual stories, he wasnt just motivated and interested about what we had to say, but actually went out of his way to learn more about the field and share his discoveries. For my own story (about the land reform programme in Zimbabwe), we would get into fiery debates about recent academics (such as Joseph Hanlon, of the London School of Economics) who wrote about what a wonderful, progressive thing the destruction of my life and family in Zimbabwe was. Malans advice for my story and his frank yet positive attitude to meeting and teaching us would-be writers and journalists made me realise that those media-hyped heights, those unreachable pedestals upon which we place anyone we aspire to be like, are just myths. Having such a magnificent writer come in and help us fledgling journalists is proof that our professionals of tomorrow are in very capable hands. One day, we might be monoliths of our own, going around and showing those daunted individuals who look up to us that no height is unattainable.

The Oppidan Press 4 October 2013

Rian Malan spent some time with the Journalism and Media Studies 4 Writing and Editing students recently. Photo: GILLIAN RENNIE

Depoliticised: by choice or design?

By Mitchell Shaun Parker Politics For the first time in recent years, quorum was reached in the first round of Student Representative Council (SRC) elections. The results released on 28 August showed that roughly 10% more than the required number of students voted in these elections (2373 votes cast, with only 2114 needed) whereas in the last two years quorum has been far from reached. Importantly, this quorum is only a third of the total student population. Essentially, this means that a large majority of students are not engaged at all within the realm of student politics. Despite this years success, students general disinterest in politics and political affairs still remains an issue. Arguably the most debated problem of the current SRC is that it is not politicised. Although there are political parties on campus such as the South African Students Congress (SASCO) and the Democratic Alliance Students Organisation (DASO) no candidates ran directly under their banner during elections. When asked whether or not the SRC should be politicised, newly elected Secretary-General Grace Moyo, responded with a firm no. If the SRC is to remain representative of all students, including those who are not South African or are non-aligned then they need to remain depoliticised, she said. Although it might not be prohibited to run for SRC office under a direct political allegiance, the trend seems to be that to do so is unwise. SRC alumnus, Martin Forsyth, ran a campaign for office under the DASO banner and was met with wide criticism. The issue remains though, that a significant amount of students are not interested in politics on a greater scale. Students are therefore not interested in candidates who propose a party political mandate. But still the SRC and political parties cannot be entirely separated. SASCO, which is the most prominent party on campus, has been notably militant in its expressions on the SRC Facebook page and in meetings. However, this militancy is something that puts many

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4 October 2013 The Oppidan Press

The Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) did not take part in the drafting and planning of the South African Charter of Students Rights. This was due to concerns raised against the South African Union of Students (SAUS). Photo: JOSHUA OATES

No representation for Rhodes students

By Jordan Stier Politics he Rhodes Student Representative Council (SRC) received criticism for not sending any representatives to the drafting and planning conference for the South African Charter of Students Rights, held at the University of Cape Town (UCT) from 13 to 15 September. The Charter is an initiative organised by the South African Union of Students (SAUS) and the UCT SRC. According to the press release, The idea [of the Charter] is to articulate, in one document, the will of the students of South Africa when it comes to their rights on any issue related to higher education and training. 14 of South Africas 23 tertiary education institutions were represented at the conference. UCT SRC President Lorne Hallendorff said, We wanted as many SRCs as possible to attend as this is the only way we can ensure the Charter has legitimacy. Outgoing Rhodes SRC President Sakhusomeleze Badi explained that the Rhodes SRC declined their invitation to the conference because of their non-affiliation to SAUS. Badi explained that SAUS has on numerous occasions not kept its end of the deal. Currently, 16 of the 23 universities invited to the conference are not affiliated to SAUS, including UCT, the co-hosts. Incoming President Bradley Bense echoed Badis concerns about the leadership of SAUS. We are not affiliated with SAUS because we feel that their policy is outdated, the registration fee is very high and they are not very transparent with how they use this fee, said Bense. This is not the first time the Rhodes SRC has expressed concerns about the legitimacy of SAUS. In an open letter to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the SRC disputed the legitimacy of the SAUS president, Thabo Moloja, who, while representing SRCs around the country, is not a student. The letter also raised concerns about the nature of the voting process that elected the SAUS president, calling it unconstitutional. The open letter ended by questioning the ethical, moral and financial standards and practices of SAUS as potentially damaging to the calibre of leaders South Africa could expect in the future.The decision for nonattendance also had financial considerations. Badi again cited the R10 000 fee needed to become a SAUS affiliate, which did not include the expense of travelling to events such as the conference. Instead Badi said that the Rhodes SRC would rather preserve [their] resources for internal projects. Bense also said, In my opinion it would have been great for us to go but to be frank it was just not possible for us budget-wise. This conference focused on planning a framework for the Charter. The main event for its formulation will be a major conference held in July 2014. Issues regarding the preparation and research needed before this final formulation were discussed at the conference at length, along with procedures to achieve consensus and methods to gather country-wide student opinion when the main conference takes place. A draft charter was also drawn up, which will be circulated once it has undergone sufficient editing and is fit for presentation. In a report released in the week after the planning and drafting conference, Hallendorff and SAUS President Thabo Moloja stated, [A] legitimate charter has the potential to have considerable weight when lobbying the DHET and the different University Councils to ensure that these rights are provided. It is an exciting project that has the potential to change the landscape of how student leaders ensure that tertiary institutions uphold a certain level of students rights, said Moloja.

students off. With most students at Rhodes being born after 1990, most have not experienced the large-scale political struggles that characterised the university careers of their parents, peers parents or lecturers. On the other hand, the newer DASO is not seen to be doing too much on campus and thus does not provide an alternative to the very vocal SASCO. Ideally, having two equally-opposed parties would allow for heated competition and debate which might spur on interest amongst the students, but DASO fails to stand as a viable opposition. Students of today find themselves in Generation Y, which in a recent, and controversial, Huffington Post article was hailed as the most demanding and, by extension, most unsatisfied generation of all time. We want things and we want them now. However, if the expectations proposed by the article are to be believed, they place this responsibility on others rather than on personal initiative. Because of this mentality, students are arguably less inclined to get involved in SRC politics and issues as there is a sense that, through the voting process, SRC councillors owe those who voted for them something in return and need to resolve the issues they face on their own. One example of students getting involved was during the recent transport crisis following the discontinuation of Rhodes Transport. Students marched to the administration building in protest on the matter and later also marched to City Hall to protest during the water crisis that lasted 14 days. In neither case were these protests SRC supported, signifying the lack of communication and engagement with the appropriate structures. The nature of the SRC is that the students elect the people who represent them. Be it in a system where the SRC is based on political parties, or with candidates that run independently, there is a lot to be desired in terms of structural availability on both ends from the SRC and students in terms of open engagement. Were this to be remedied, it is possible that the adage of The SRC does nothing would perhaps be rectified and strong student governance could dominate.

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Features

The Oppidan Press 4 October 2013

Augmented reality opens up the virtual world

fast enough to produce real time output, a portable display, GPS capabilities and a way to interact with the program. Thinyane said that mobile phones and tablets have the required hardware - all thats needed now is an application that can fully encompass the technology that augmented reality has to offer. The possibilities of augmented reality are already being seen in the applications that have been released on the iOS, Android and BlackBerry platforms. Examples of these include Google Goggles, Layar and AR Invaders. Google Goggles utilises your camera to search Google, using visual recognition software to deliver information about logos, landmarks, titles and DVDs that you have captured. Layar overlays a layer of digital information onto the building or street corner currently being scanned. AR Invaders turns the world around you into a real-time alien invasion experience. By launching the application and looking through your camera, you can find and shoot alien warships as they seem to appear all around you. One application that could be of particular benefit to Rhodes University students would be navigation. Coming to Rhodes for the first time can be daunting for new students. They need to find specific departments that are strewn between buildings which all look the same. A Layar hybrid would be the perfect application for this, allowing students to simply lift their phones up, scan the

By Chad Keates Scitech

magine a world where the blind can see, where your camera can overlay maps with your pictures, or recognise images and instantly display any relevant information. With the advent of augmented reality, this future may soon be more science than science fiction. Augmented reality is an interactive system that works in real time to align the real and virtual worlds. It takes the real world as seen through a lens and projects virtual information onto this image, merging virtual with reality. The potential application of such a system is promising and incredible. Since its inception, augmented reality has been slow to take off. But interesting projects are beginning to emerge. While doing her PhD at the University of Washington, Professor Hannah Thinyane of the Computer Science Department at Rhodes University witnessed the development of displays that projected images directly onto the retina with the use of a laser. In bypassing the eyes natural lens, people who are unable to see could possibly stand a chance to gain a degree of sight back. According to Professor Thinyane, some of the precursors to augmented reality technology include mobile machines that are

buildings that surround them and watch as a virtual world pops up on their display telling them exactly what building they are looking at and where they are. Student Darren Sussman thinks that augmented reality technology is an impressive advancement and has expressed a particular liking for an application called Augment, which takes an empty room and allows you to mix and match different pieces of virtual furniture without moving a muscle. With cameras, GPS, accelerometers, gyroscopes and high-end CPUs inherent in almost all new smartphones and tablets, augmented reality already has the necessary hardware to function in the modern Rhodes community. Professor Thinyane believes that all that is needed is an on-campus application that can combine and display complex information in a productive way. One of the only problems with augmented reality at present is its lack of exposure and its complexity. People who do not understand it do not believe in it. Student Leslie Ball thinks that even though he finds the technology amazing, most applications of augmented reality are redundant. For now, augmented reality technology is still in its infancy, but the constantly changing world of digital technology will not be able to ignore it for much longer. It is more of a dream than reality, but it is developing into a stable foundation on which newer and better technologies can be built.

Costa Rica bans zoos: What does this mean for South Africa?
By Sibella Louw Environment The August 2013 decision by the Costa Rican government to close down its zoos and ban the keeping of animals in captivity has been celebrated by many in the animal welfare community, who believe there is little or no justification for keeping animals in captivity purely for human entertainment. Humans have long since held a fascination with animals, particularly those they deem exotic. Zoos date back to the ancient Egyptians in 3500 BC, when the initial fascination developed into the desire to control animals and their movements. This developed into the zoo culture that can be seen today. There is a commonly-held belief that zoos provide people, especially children, with education about animals through which they can be taught to love and respect animals. General scientific opinion has concluded now that this is not true. A study conducted by Oxford University found that the experience of being in captivity is often difficult for animals so much so that some stop displaying their characteristic behaviour because they feel disconnected from their natural environment. Speculating as to the possible intentions of zoos, which simply do not seem to meet reality, esteemed South African animal rights activist Les Mitchell agreed: I am sure many zoos make a real effort to educate people about animals, although I think research suggests this might not be very successful. He suggested that this is implied by the destructive and anthropocentric message zoos send, that humans are the master species and we are free to use other ecological communities for our interest and entertainment as we wish. The practice instead sends a message about the unequal relationship between humans and animals. Mitchell explained that, Zoos are made for humans, not nonhuman animals, and they are essentially a form of entertainment. For the animals, zoos are a place where they are incarcerated the very phrase in captivity makes this clear. Jenny Copley-Forster, director of the Farm Animal Centre for Education (F.A.C.E.) in Grahamstown, was unequivocal in her opinion on the subject. Animals used in entertainment rarely have either their behavioural or physical needs addressed correctly, she said. There is no justification to keep wild animals in captivity for any reason other than temporary rehabilitation or veterinary care. Copley-Forster continued: It is almost impossible to recreate an animals natural environment in a zoo except on a very limited basis. Zoos also send out a message that its okay to confine wild creatures. These views are echoed by Mitchell, who said, you do not put somebody you respect behind bars. The only zoo which displays respect for animals is one where all the cages are empty. Carol Harnwell, a volunteer worker at the Chimpembere Rhino Foundation agreed with this sentiment. We have such wonderful programmes on Animal Planet and National Geographic [that allow us] to see the animals filmed in their own environment, she said. I do not feel that zoos are a reflection of the animals in their natural habitat, nor does it reflect the true circle of life. The animals who are currently in Costa Ricas zoos will either be rehabilitated and released back into the wild or kept in sanctuaries. There are many sanctuaries in Costa Rica, although they might not have very much funding. Perhaps the government, in supporting the closing of zoos, will need to make supplementary payments to those sanctuaries receiving animals, said Mitchell. However, in the time since the ban was implemented, zoo owners have won a court injunction to halt the conversion process, rendering the situation a stalemate. While the ban remains in place, actually shutting down the zoos is halted for the moment as legal parties bicker over whether the state or private enterprises control the zoos. In the meantime, the zoo animals fate hangs in the judicial balance between economy and equality. The Environmental Ministry of Costa Rica is not perturbed by the development however. Even in the improbable case that FUNDAZOO[one of the two main zoos in Costa Rica] wins this case and does not turn the zoo over to the state, the truth is that they will not be able to have caged animals or replace any of their animals that die, and they will have to reintroduce any animals to the wild that are capable of living in the wild. The debate sparked by Costa Ricas actions may help inspire even more awareness than any zoo could on its own. Only good can come from it, provided that the animals needs are correctly catered for in transition and relocation, said Copley-Foster. Harnwell agreed, saying it might educate the rest of the world that zoos are not needed in this digital age. Mitchell expressed hopes that ending zoos will stimulate serious debate in other countries and persuade people in those places to ask if they really want to have zoos at all. As far as South Africa is concerned, it seems possible and many believe it to be necessary to end the practice of keeping animals in captivity. It is however not very likely. There is evidence that many South Africans regard the keeping of animals in captivity as an acceptable practice, observed Copley-Foster. This is indicated by the numbers of people who still regard zoos (and circuses) as an appropriate outing for children. I think that there would be vocal opposition to the phasing out of zoos in South Africa. Until South Africans change their attitude towards wild creatures the captivity and appalling exploitation is likely to continue. After Catalonias ban on bullfighting, the European Unions ban on animal-tested cosmetics and Costa Ricas ban on zoos, to name a few, things certainly seem to be looking up for animals everywhere.

South African zoos are not likely to be banned in the near future despite recent closures in Costa Rica. Photo: FLICKR

4 October 2013

Features

The Oppidan Press

How the mighty have fallen: the story of Nokia and BlackBerry
By Lethabo Ntshudisane Scitech okia was once the giant of the mobile phone industry. The notoriously indestructible 3310 was in everyones hands and the companys market share was envied by everyone, from Siemens to Sony Ericsson. However, since being bought by computing powerhouse Microsoft, the phone company has virtually disappeared off the radar, leaving many wondering what happened to the once-rising star of the mobile phone industry. Nokia has been at the forefront of the mobile industry since its emergence. Its once undisputed position at the top of the group has become unstable lately, with other companies taking advantage of the exponential growth of innovation and technological advancements in the past few years. Whether Nokia has significantly contributed to the mobile industry in recent years or not, all mobile phone manufacturers definitely need to give thanks or at least pay homage to the contributions made by the company. Many of the basic features we now take for granted were developed by Nokia. For example, in 1994 Nokia had a hand in developing Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Used by mobile phone networks, this is a standard set developed for digital networks, which allows for text messaging and voice calls of higher quality on mobile phones. The first 3G call was also made from a Nokia phone. Nokias first 3G phone, the 6650, was released in the year 2002. 3G technology is now used to browse the web, download documents, live stream music and make video calls. Speaking of browsing the web, Nokia was the first mobile phone maker to have web browsing on one of their devices. They helped develop the technology to make mobile web browsing possible in 1997, with the Nokia 7110 being their first phone to have Wireless Application Protocol (WAP). Even though Nokia took a comparatively long time to start producing touch screen phones, they had already patented touch technology as early as 1996. The Nokia 9000 pushed boundaries and became one of the first mobile phones to move beyond the functions of just texting and making calls. It was the start of the smartphone generation. Nokia has developed a lot of the technology that we use today in mobile phones and so it only makes sense that they dominated the mobile industry. In 2000 and 2001, the Finnish company controlled 35% of the worlds mobile phone market, making it the largest mobile phone company in the world. During Nokias domination of the mobile industry it seems that the focus was on what the hardware of ones phone could do. It was this dedication to hardware innovation that won Nokia their huge customer base. However, after the introduction of the first Apple iPhone in 2007, things in the industry started changing. Nokia had stuck to what it knew best - making brilliant hardware - but that was no longer enough to stay ahead. With the advent of the smartphone era, the focus shifted from hardware to a software-based user experience. Failing to recognise this paradigm shift, Nokias market dominance started slipping. The company quickly lost its majority market share and new key players in the industry emerged, with Apple being crowned the new mobile industry king thanks to its touch-based iPhone and remarkable (and possibly the worlds friendliest) user interfaces. Alongside this was the rise of Android OS (Googles mobile operating system) devices from Samsung, LG, HTC and many other companies. The new dominance of the Android OS is more proof that users not only care about hardware on their phones but also about the software. Nokias response to Apple and Googles mobile efforts was to partner up with Microsoft and produce smartphones that run Windows Mobile. These efforts, however, have proven to be futile and the phone giant has lost any chance to once again dominate a mobile industry that has moved towards software development. In order to fully understand the industry in its present state and perhaps its future, Nokia will be a good case study. Let us hope that the brand that connected the 90s generation will not be forgotten. After all, Nokia was once synonymous with the phrase mobile phone.

Nokia and BlackBerry through the years

By Mudiwa Gavaza and Nyasha Manyumwa Business

Nokia launches its first handheld device First phone with signature Nokia ringtone Nokia patents touch technology; first Nokia smartphone is released Nokia becomes the worlds largest mobile phone manufacturer

1987

1994

1996

Research In Motion makes the first two-way messenger

1998
Research in Motion launches BlackBerry

1999

Nokia releases iconic 3310

2000

First BlackBerry phone and PDA devices are made

Nokia rolls out their first 3G phone

2002
First colour screen phone is made

2003
Nokia introduces its N-series smartphones

2005
BlackBerry Pearl is the first phone with iconic navigation ball Launch of BlackBerry Curve

2006

2007

2008
Nokia posts first quarterly loss in more than a decade

Launch of BlackBerry Bold

2009
Storm is the first all touch BlackBerry phone. Launch of BlackBerry Torch

2010
Strategic partnership with Windows is established; Nokia runs Windows Mobile Samsung overtakes Nokia as the largest maker of mobile phones after 14 years Microsoft announces acquisition of Nokias phone business

2011
January: Launch of BlackBerry Z10 and Q10. February: Research in Motion changes its name to BlackBerry. August: BlackBerry deregisters from New York Stock Exchange. September: Fairfax Financials buys company for $4.7billion.

2012

2013

A hot topic of conversation for geeks, students and financial gurus alike is the question of whether BlackBerry has what it takes to survive another year of operation. Even with the BlackBerry Z10 making its debut earlier this year, the once thriving BlackBerry business is not what it used to be. Pioneered in 1999, BlackBerry was the dominant smartphone maker until 2007, when the iPhone was first introduced by Apple. One of the main reasons for its success was old corporate policy which chose BlackBerry as the preferred and sometimes prescribed phone for businesses and their communication platforms. This preference has since fallen away as many companies now allow employees to bring their phone of choice to work. As it stands, the company has lost more than 70% of its value. Having once been worth US$80 billion, it is now considered to be worth about US$5 billion. This no doubt resulted in the recent announcement on Friday 20 September that it plans to lay off about 40% of its workforce, 4500 employees globally and the posting of a quarterly loss of US$1 billion. This loss is mainly due to a large build up of unsold phone stocks around the world. Fairfax Financial, a powerful Canadian firm which has always been one of the main shareholders of the company, recently bid to buy out the company for an estimated US$4.7 billion on 23 September, a far cry from its worth just a few years ago. Regardless of this bleak outlook, senior lecturer in the Rhodes Economics Department Professor Gavin Keeton is hopeful about BlackBerry and its prospects going forward. People said the same thing about Apple years ago when they fired Steve Jobs and they recovered. It will be very difficult in a competitive market but it can be done. The situation in the South African market seems to be somewhat more optimistic. BlackBerry still remains the dominant and preferred smartphone choice locally. It has been able to capture the market on two points. The first is its famous data plan across all networks called BlackBerry Internet Service (BIS). At its inception, this service provides users with unlimited access to Internet services for about R60 a month. The second point in BlackBerry's success has been its popular messaging service called BlackBerry Messenger (BBM). The service allows subscribed users to send and receive an unlimited number of encrypted text messages. This has proved to be a cheaper alternative to the somewhat more restrictive traditional SMS system. Despite these facts, international events and trends seem to slowly be affecting BlackBerrys business on this side of the Atlantic as well. The BIS which made the phones popular previously is becoming vastly unsustainable for local telecommunications operators such as Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and 8ta. The service has become the subject of much debate as the main cellphone carriers have started rethinking their policies regarding it. Vodacom is the only carrier still offering the unlimited data option to its customers, with both MTN and Cell C having recently imposed a new quota system. This change in policy on BIS has led to some customers changing network providers. MTN recently reported that it has lost more than 600 000 customers to other carriers such as Vodacom as a result of its new quota system for BIS. Rhodes student Vimbai Midzi is one such person. Two-hundred megabytes of data was just not enough, she said. I wanted the BIS I was used to and Vodacom was offering that. In the end, I just switched to Android. This brings to light an emerging trend where people are leaving BlackBerry altogether. Vinia Mabika recently switched from BlackBerry to the more popular iPhone. BIS is the main thing I miss, otherwise my old phone used to be so unreliable at times. I still have access to the same social networks and BBM is coming to Android and iOS so I don't think Im missing out on much, she explained. There are still some who think there is a chance for the Canadian phone maker to rise again. Owner of Albany Computers in Grahamstown Vijay Sonne, was adamant that BlackBerry is still far from the grave. They are releasing the new Z30 phone soon, he said. This will also come with an updated Version 10 Software. Let us wait and see. Student Rumbi Shoniwa is an ongoing BlackBerry user. I love my BlackBerry. Its affordable and BIS is so convenient for me, she said. Despite some praise for her beloved device, however, she did raise some concerns. It does tend to be slow and quite frustrating at times, especially now that I've had it for a while. I can safely say that BlackBerrys have a definite lifespan. BlackBerrys future is still very uncertain at this stage. A lot rides on the release of the Z30, but the company may need to reinvent itself and its image entirely if it hopes to regain a secure foothold in the market.

Opinion

8 The Oppidan Press 4 October 2013

The Oppidan Press

The recent attack on Nairobis Westgate Mall has created a storm of speculation and controversy. Among some of the most recurring themes are those of security, terrorism, religion and of course the ever looming questions of why did this happen? and where do we go from here? The incident, which at a most recent toll, claimed the lives of 72 people, was a tragic incident for Kenyans everywhere. As a Kenyan citizen myself, born in the Aga Khan University Hospital where so many people lay injured and dead, this massacre has specific meaning to me. Im sure this is also the case for other Kenyan students at Rhodes, some of whom have lost family and friends. As a Rhodes Journalism student, the death of Radio Africa personality and BJourn 2005 alumnus Ruhila Adatia also holds significance for this context. While I mourn with the rest of my home country, I recognise also that Kenya is a resilient, peace-loving country. These attributes come to the fore most during times of turmoil and this is because they are stitched into the very fabric of what it means to be a Kenyan. However, this tragedy will only have value if it helps us all learn about ourselves and the way we relate to the world around us. While all voices unanimously condemn the actions of the attackers, who are suspected to be related to fundamentalist rebel group Al-Shabab, there has been an array of responses regarding where the blame should be placed. While some argue that the Kenyan governments tense relations with Somalia acted as a match point for this action, other individuals have simply resorted to problematic generic statements. For example, The Daily Mail identified the attackers as Muslim terrorists without mentioning the name Al-Shabab or explaining the necessary political context. Considering the amount of grief and fear surrounding this issue, this is absolutely not the time to employ old narratives to increase readership. The current situation requires efforts by all people to respect the loss of life that occurred and to work towards solutions. Countless Nairobi residents have waited in queues across the city to donate blood to those injured or in need of surgery. While this will not undo the bloodshed, this kind of action reinforces the unity of the Kenyan spirit. Across social media platforms and particularly on Twitter, Kenyan camaraderie has been immense with the hashtag weareone having trended internationally for several days. While there are certainly some Kenyans who have not been personally affected or moved by this story, the majority who have been shattered have gained the sympathy and solidarity of individuals across the globe. The Oppidan Press stands in solidarity and mourning with the victims and families affected by the Westgate attack. As a media organisation, we reject vagueries and speculation by news media around who is to blame and urge a speedy resolution to the situation.

Illustration: KATE-LYN MOORE

Why dont we care about Walter Sisulu University?

By Andrew Tudhope part from a brief brush with some news reports and YouTube videos, very little has been said about the (temporary) closure of our fellow Eastern Cape institution Walter Sisulu University (WSU). This leaves one truly troubling, but seemingly unanswerable question up in the air: why are we at Rhodes not outraged at the fate of our fellow students? The Unemployed Peoples Movement recently held a talk entitled Marx, Fanon & Biko: Touchstones in a Time of Crisis? which was facilitated by Dr Nigel Gibson, Dr Aubrey Mokoape and Richard Pithouse. The cornerstone of the talk was the radical humanism of all three thinkers, beyond racial or class boundaries. Pithouse made the point that Fanon in particular, although he was closely followed by Biko, was interested in consciousness as a starting point from which we must all continuously strive to recognise other people as sovereign and conscious entities in and of their own right. What this really means is that the so-called masses to whom political discourse so often refers are not the blunt implement we, in our ivory towers, too often suppose them to be.

The Oppidan Press staff and contact details

Editor: Binwe Adebayo. Deputy Editor: Kyla Hazell. Managing Editor: Jamie Bezuidenhout. Advertising Manager: Matthew Barbosa. Marketing Manager: Tariro Mhiti. Executive Consultant: Kirsten Makin. Online Editor: Stuart Lewis. Assistant Online Editor: Chelsea Haith. Multimedia Manager: Charles Mackenzie. Webmaster: Thandile Pambuka. News Features Editor: Tegan Scales. Assistant News Features Editor: Amanda Xulu. Environment Editor: Jordan du Toit. Politics Editor: Tarryn de Kock. Assistant Politics Editor: Emily Corke. Opinion Editor: Andrew Tudhope. Arts & Entertainment Editor: Jessica van Tonder. Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor: Dirk Steynberg. SciTech Editor: Lethabo Ntshudisane. Business Editor: Mudiwa Gavaza Sports Editor: Andrew Tombs. Chief Photo Editor: Josh Oates. Assistant Chief Photo Editor: Michelle Cunliffe. Chief Sub-Editors: Kate-Lyn Moore, Matthew de Klerk, Lucy HolfordWalker. Sub-Editors: Kaitlin Cunningham, Fabio De Dominicis, Alexa Sedgwick. Chief Designer: Chevawn Blum. Senior Designer: Jehan Ara Khonat. Junior Designers: Lucy Holford-Walker, Madien van der Merwe, Hannah McDonald, Amy Davidson, Amy Ebdon. Community Engagement Officer: Mitchell Parker. Letters to the Editor: editor@oppidanpress.com Advertising details: advertising@oppidanpress.com www.oppidanpress.com www.facebook.com/theoppidanpress www.twitter.com/oppidanpress

They are not a tool to be manipulated by clever people for their own nefarious purposes. However, as some know all too well and as the closure of WSU proves, marginalised elements of our community are constantly misused by people in power and always, if unconsciously, oppressed by those in positions of privilege. Mokoape talked at length about Marikana. Have we forgotten that yet? Or is anyone asking why, after more than a year, no formal conclusion, report, trial, arrest, prosecution, confession or apology has yet materialised? Do we remember the 13 dead soldiers in the CAR (fighting for a stillmysterious cause), Nkandla, Guptagate, Andries Tatane and the numerous deaths that continue to happen on an almost weekly basis in our mines? The issues we face are considerable, perhaps too big to tackle head on, but as students we can understand something of the situation at WSU and so it follows that we can do something about it. Can you imagine if Rhodes were to close? What happens to your degree, your year, your plan for life? And if you can imagine it, how can you possibly let the closure of a university across the road (because of mismanagement, bureaucracy, corruption etc.) pass unnoticed?

Shame on the people who do. Every generation, it seems, produces a group who really feel as if they can justifiably say, (in blonde and blueeyed innocence): We didnt know it was that bad but it is that bad. Its so bad that Mokoape finished a section of his speech by saying, We must be the greatest idiots on Earth to hear and see these things and yet do nothing. This is no joke. I dont write with my tongue in my cheek or to show off how clever I can be. Although, if you allow me to conclude in the same language of privilege and generalising style as the rest of the article, you might see the damage still done to our concept of humanity everyday, by privileged power relations and the distinctions they impose. We at Rhodes dont care about WSU because we cant fit their story into our grand narrative of South Africa as a rainbow nation, as a land progressing towards greater inclusion and acceptance and humanity and so on down a list of increasingly meaningless ideals. The temporary closure of WSU, beyond any reason the government provides (and just like Marikana, Nkandla and the CAR) is an unmitigated disaster. Although an article cannot make you care, you surely cannot say you did not know.

The Oppidan Press: Taking student news reporting to the next level

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4 October 2013

Opinion

The Oppidan Press

Claire Hanly faced many challenges, such as over-crowded classes and the reshuffling of teachers, whilst teaching at Khutliso Daniels for her PGCE. Photo: JOSHUA OATES

To teach or be taught: the challenges of PGCE

By Claire Hanly hose who can, do. Those who cant, teach. If I had a rand for every time Ive heard that, Id be well on my way to being the wealthiest (soon to be) teacher alive. Soon to be teacher, you ask? Thats exactly what I am almost a teacher. I started my Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) at the beginning of this year and it has been a truly amazing and life-changing experience. Ive been told by many people that PGCE is the easy route; a jol year. It may have been an easy decision for me to make, but it has definitely not been the easy way out. This year has been one of the most challenging years I have faced. It has been idea-changing, heart-breaking, eye-opening, worldview-shattering and a whole lot more. Its incredibly difficult to explain how hard it is to teach a class of 50. Or what it feels like to walk into a classroom of Grade 10 students knowing that some of the learners will be older than you. I have certainly never had to miss three days of school a week because I was the sole breadwinner. Nor did I have a baby to look after at home. There were never raids at my school in search of drugs and weapons resulting in the confiscation of all the pupils cellphones. These are just a few of the realities that I had never thought to consider before I began my PGCE. These are realities that some people face every day. However, and most admirably, so many are still trying to get an education. Over the course of this year, I have been lucky enough to spend time working in both private and state schools both experiences taught me as much as I could ever teach their learners. Teaching in Joza taught me humility, appreciation and gave me a more grounded sense of what life in South Africa is really like for its majority. Both learners and teachers in the school where I worked experienced difficulties. My eyes were opened to issues of language, social injustice, inequality, the role of the Department of Education and the influence of teachers unions. On my first day there, my mentor teacher arrived to tell me she had been moved to another state school in the district and would no longer be around her class was now my class. Talk about being thrown in the deep end. Timetables changed daily to adjust for another teacher who was also moved. For a person who likes their work to be just so, I had to learn to readjust too. Working at two different schools in Joza led me to realise the importance of resilience in the face of adversity, how encouragement can change a learners attitude, how perseverance can improve marks and how important it is to work in a team. Our group of student teachers encouraged each other, stood by one another and helped each other whenever we were able our teaching experience was that much richer as a result. My experience of teaching at a private school has provided its own, different, challenges. Everything seems to run smoothly, but the pressure is more intense. Teachers are more expectant and so are learners. And yet, it has the same outcome. There is no way to describe the sense of accomplishment you get from a child who comes to tell you after a lesson that they really

understood what you were teaching. It has become clear to me that our education system fails some learners while it benefits others. One example of this is that those who do not have the opportunity to learn in their home language are faced with a much harder task. In addition, state school learners are often faced with strikes, inadequately-skilled staff or even an absence of staff due to funding issues. However, a number of them carry on regardless. As one of the school headmasters told us, In life there are those who let things happen and those who make things happen in the township we have no choice we have to make things happen. I have learnt a phenomenal amount over the course of this year. My eyes have opened to a very different world. I can now say with utter certainty, teaching is not for those who cant.

South Africas electoral system: is your vote all in vain?

By Dr Sally Matthews With national elections fast approaching and parties lining up to do battle once more, The Oppidan Press asked Dr Sally Matthews of the Politics Department for her opinion on recent election patterns and processes. Given our countrys history and the much-criticised recent political events, these issues are as important now as they have ever been. Who votes in South Africa? What percentage of people who are eligible to vote actually vote? In South Africa, we have seen a decline in the proportion of the eligible voters who actually vote in the past few years. In our first national elections, over 80% of eligible voters voted, but this declined to 64% in 1999 and around 57% in the last two elections. One reason for this decline is that we introduced voter registration from the 1999 elections onward, which meant that voters could only vote if they registered in advance and if they were able to vote at the same voting station where they had registered. However, another reason for the decline is probably lack of interest. We should be aware that politicians often like to cite statistics about the proportion of registered voters who actually vote (which, in SA, is generally quite high - around 80%), but this is quite misleading because of the number of eligible voters who are not registered. It is also worrying that turnout figures for municipal elections have been successively lower. Voting is compulsory in countries like Australia, should we make it compulsory in South Africa? What would be the likely implications of doing so? I do not think it would be helpful to make voting compulsory. Very few countries actually enforce compulsory voting. In South Africa, this would just introduce another expensive bureaucratic process of tracking down and fining those who had not voted and I cannot see how forcing people to vote is going to improve anyone's life. While it is true that a low turnout reduces the legitimacy of the elections, it is not helpful to force a higher turnout. If people are choosing not to vote, this suggests that they do not regard elections as meaningful. If elections begin to become more meaningful (e.g. they actually result in real change in people's lives) more people may vote. Would a system that encouraged more accountability at a municipal or parliamentary level not be a better option for South Africa, especially in terms of those hallowed ideals like accountability, efficiency and service delivery? South Africa currently uses a proportional representation (PR) open list electoral system for national and provincial elections and a mixed

My sense is that changing the electoral system will not really make MPs any more accountable than they currently are.

member proportional system at municipal level. At present our national elections are conducted in a very simple fashion: all around the country everyone votes for the political party of their choice. The outcome is then calculated on a national basis. Each party then receives seats in parliament in line with their proportion of the vote if a party gets 10% of the vote, they will be allocated 10% of the 400 seats in our National Assembly, which is the lower house of our parliament and the main legislative body. The political parties themselves (not the voters) decide who fills those seats. The National Assembly then chooses the president of the country. Some argue that we should use a mixed system for national elections. This would mean that half of the 400 seats would be allocated on a constituency basis (i.e. there would be 200 constituencies, each of which would send one candidate directly chosen by voters to parliament) and half would

be allocated in such a way as to restore proportionality. Those who advocate the introduction of a mixed system think that it would allow for the best of both worlds: all parties would still be represented proportionally, but voters would have more of a direct link with Members of Parliament (MPs) because MPs would be linked to constituencies. However, we already have a mixed system at municipal level and yet municipal councillors are not easily held accountable when they underperform. My sense is that changing the electoral system will not really make MPs any more accountable than they currently are. I think we need to think carefully about why it is that we currently struggle to hold our representatives to account and then to come up with remedies that address those causes. I dont think the problem is the electoral system. However, I do think there is some appeal in what is called an open-list proportional system which I think has some benefits. However, all in all, I don't know that it would really be a considerable improvement on the current system. Ultimately, my view is that, in the South African case, changing the electoral system will change very little. I think we need to encourage varied forms of participation in politics and that participation in elections ought not to be given too much emphasis.

Arts & Entertainment

By Alex Maggs riday 27 September marked the beginning of ROARs (Rhodes Organisation for Animal Rights) plans for a proactive and successful 2014. The event, only the first of many, aimed at establishing ROAR as a more prominent society on campus and was presented in collaboration with NEWFOLDER, a popular event which showcases Grahamstown DJs. Although we would not like NEWFOLDER to be aligned with any particular agenda other than the appreciation of music, we are interested in collaborating for the sake of raising money for all worthy causes, said co-founder of NEWFOLDER Daniel Nel. ROAR committee member and organiser of the event Genevieve Dickson agreed, In the past, local Grahamstown artists have been kind enough to work with us and we definitely plan on collaborating with them again. Raising awareness while simultaneously supporting our locals is great fun. ROAR sought to collaborate with NEWFOLDER due to their well established following. Regardless of the reasons people came, they left knowing a little more about ROAR than before explained Barkhuizen. The event was a great success - we raised a lot of money, and money from parties goes towards activism, so it really is excellent. The societys new goals include normalising a consideration for animal rights. We seek to encourage recognition that a concern for animal

10

The Oppidan Press 4 October 2013

NEWFOLDER a ROARing success

Raising awareness while simultaneously supporting our locals is great fun.
-Genevieve Dickson ROAR committee member and event organiser

rights is not an exclusive or alternative interest, explained 2014 ROAR Chair Gemma Barkhuizen. The animal rights cause is a social justice issue - it impacts everybody right down to their daily routines, whether they consider themselves to be invested in the cause or not. In addition to the NEWFOLDER collaboration, Barkhuizen discussed other upcoming projects which include a photo-campaign aimed at normalising concern for animal rights, as well as lobbying for a vegan option in the dining halls. Barkhuizen hopes that their efforts will reach a more diverse range of people on campus. Events like the NEWFOLDER collaboration - given NEWFOLDERs popularity and general awesomeness - aid this kind of popular appeal for what should be a popular cause, she said. I believe this event will be a positive first step towards normalising and popularising animal rights and that is all thanks to NEWFOLDER, so we are very grateful, Dickson added.

Students enjoy a ROAR event which was held in collaboration with NEWFOLDER on Friday 27 September. Photo: KATE JANSE VAN RENSBURG

The Lucid Lunchbox exchange

By Jenna Lillie Opposite Debonairs and neighbour to the Humanities Department is a nondescript brown gate. Beyond this lies The Arts Lounge and within, an exciting new opportunity to toss aside your departmental labels. Every second Thursday during the lunch period this lounge transforms into The Lucid Lunchbox. The Lucid Lunchbox is a longstanding personal project that Fine Art students Simone Heymans and Sikhumbuzo Makandula finally decided to act on, after months of preparation Heymans and Makandula understand that students can easily fall into the trap of being consumed by their degrees, forgetting that there is a world outside of their faculty. A comfortable space for thoughtexchange is the projects slogan, a concept that students are routinely advised to internalise and perform even within their degree. Yet, in and of itself, thought exchange does not push us outside of our degree-specific boxes. The two therefore felt the need to branch into new territory: the territory of lucid luncheons with people from all faculties, departments, degrees and specialties. The idea is that it will be an interdisciplinary hangout and people wont feel limited by their different departments but rather it will be a space for collaboration, explained Heymans, and it can be used as a springboard for different projects. Heymans and Makandula had spoken about finding an alternative space that was still connected to the institution, but was casual and removed from the critical environment of the university. We want the conversation to have a lucid thread through it which will make people feel comfortable, explained Heymans. Heymans and Makandula approached Ruth Simbao, the head of Visual and Performing Arts of Africa (ViPAA), a Mellon-funded Fine Arts research group, who allowed them to use the Arts Lounge as an alternate facility for all types of people to come together. My hope is that students will feel some kind of ownership over their own ideas and creative thinking so that they use this space to push their own knowledge and boundaries, explained Simbao, There is something special which can happen in a space that cannot simply be taught by a lecturer. This project is still in its early stages, having only held three sessions, but new developments are underway. The need to share ones work and receive responses from a new audience is the hook that Heymans and Makandula hope will keep people coming back for more. We have invited Cedric Nunn to come speak and he is a renowned photojournalist. We are interested in exploring that fine line between photography and art as well as the blurred lines between various subjects and art, noted Makandula. Gillian Rennie, of the Writing and Editing specialisation at the School of Journalism and Media Studies, has attended one session. It has much potential for inter-disciplinary debate, I enjoyed the one I went to but it had a disappointing turnout, said Rennie. It has an unconventional physical space but it demonstrated ample opportunity for developing the concept. Heymans was positive about attendance, however. The turnout has been consistent and the numbers vary from 10-15 people which seems well suited to the space but is merely the starting point for growth. We are trying to encourage everyone to come. No one is excluded. In the first session we had such a mixture, said Heymans. We want to dismantle those hierarchies that happen in crits so we can all be on one level. Ultimately this is the perfect space for networking and gaining diverse perspective. Lucid Lunchbox also seeks to explore communities outside of Grahamstown with the hope of working with people who can inspire and generate ideas. Grahamstown is always described as a bubble, so we want to find links between contrasting people and see what they are doing, so this can be a platform to facilitate lucid dialogues that reach beyond Grahamstown, said Makandula. The sessions have been and will continue to be recorded. The goal is to upload the footage onto the Lucid Lunchbox blog, which is in the process of being created. The idea is to provide the sessions so people can see what it was about and allow them to catch up on missed events. We really want to build up an archive of what is happening here which will ultimately be linked up to the ViPAA group, explained Heymans. The Lucid Lunchbox is still working on their online presence, and the site will be up and running soon. The online platform will inform people about the theme for the next session as it changes each time and allow people one weeks notice to organise to volunteer their work for presentation or merely to give an outsider perspective. Alternatively, it just gives individuals a chance to engage and exchange.

Are Grahamstown venues up to scratch?

By Jessica van Tonder any of South Africas top bands have been eager to head to our musically intereste town, so it is difficult to understand why others still avoid performing here. Lead singer of the Black Cat Bones Kobus de Kock is a self-proclaimed Grahamstown fanboy. The student life and the artiness of the town makes it a must-stop-in-this-town kind of place. We never skip Grahamstown, he said. Despite such glowing praise from artists like the Black Cat Bones many other bands have not had the chance to perform in Grahamstown. A lot of our friends attend Rhodes as well as Nic [Preen]s brother and weve been asked to come up plenty, commented Tessa Johnson of the band, Al Bairre. Its more of a financial thing. Well go anywhere if were not going to lose money on going there. Weve been wanting to come to Grahamstown forever. Weve only been invited by fans though. No venues have really approached us. When performing, bands often search for specific characteristics in a venue. Chief among these are having enough space to perform and excellent sound and acoustics. What does Al Bairre want in a venue? Good sound, space to run around and happy people. The highlights of our performances are definitely when the crowd participates. For example stage dives, hand claps and singing, said Johnson. Although a venue can shape a performance, it does not hold all the power. Look, venues are venues, under a tree could be a venue. Its the attitude of the people that makes or breaks a place, and Grahamstown has a really cool attitude towards life, said de Kock. When Shadowclub played in Grahamstown last year they performed at Slipstream Sports Bar. Lead singer Jacques Moolman said that because there was a large crowd, he had begun to feel nauseas as the floor and stage seemed to be bouncing along with the jumping audience. Since then, Slipstream Sports Bar has fixed the floor and is the host of My Own Music events each term. Many performers struggle to play at Champs Action Bar, since it has such a small stage, yet it is still highly favoured by crowds. This is likely due to the energy that the crowd brings to all the shows. Local guitarist Matthew De Klerk stated that his favourite venue to perform in is the 1820 Settlers Monument. It has fantastic sound equipment and tech staff, a massive stage, amazing lighting, and great audiences - its a professional stage and so its just an incredible privilege to perform on, he said. However, Monument is not the only venue where artists can expect good sound along with a constant and attentive support base. For local artists looking for a place to be heard, De Klerk also recommended The Acoustic Cafe at La Trattoria is probably the best place to play, because people listen and appreciate what you are doing. In most other venues, its usually only your friends who listen and cheer. Everyone else just talks to their friends and gets drunk, he said. A lot of issues come into play when there is touring. Gangs of Ballet have not yet visited Grahamstown although they do believe that touring enriches the process of forming bonds with the crowd and selling their music. Finances also play a part and are often found to be the leading problem. It is based on the fans and the financial viability. Its a combination. Venues are few these days and we are still at the point that we need to financially make these shows work so playing to empty clubs isnt a great idea, commented Gangs of Ballet frontman Brad Klynsmith. The fact remains that bands have to travel. Often at their own expense. But a good venue does not always ensure a good outcome. A show can have a good reception, or it can fail.

Arts & Entertainment

4 October 2013

The Oppidan Press

11

Vocalist for Gangs of Ballet Brad Klynsmith, said that the band coming to Grahamstown depends on fan support and financial viability. Photo: CHARLES MACKENZIE

Sports