Humans of Grahamstown by Janais Lauren van Eck

HUMANS OF GRAHAMSTOWN

WHERE CAMPUS MEETS COMMUNITY

CONTENTS Editorial .........................................................................................................Page 1

Rhodes University: Unfit to host Dance Nationals..............Page 2

Rhodes-Grahamstown Community Relationship......................Page 2

Meeting Campus and Community........................................Page 3 - 5

Your Modern Picnic: A Midday Getaway...................................Page 6

Loose Change for Real Change..........................................................Page 7

Nomfundo: A Devine Purpose...................................................Page 8 & 9

Kearne: A MixLab Human................................................................Page 10

Loosing

Faith

our

SRC................................................Page

Stunned and Silenced.........................................................................Page 12

EDITORIAL

s students at Rhodes University it can often be easy to become stuck in our own secluded world of the university, our friends and the social life that comes with it. Occasionally we forget the power of the relationship between the community of Grahamstown and Rhodes University. As much as the businesses, both small and large, may depend on the income from those at the university, we too are heavily dependent on their existence. Grahamstown is a considerably smaller city in South Africa compared to cities such as Cape Town and Pretoria. Yet it is still home to one of the top ten universities in the country. Rhodes University has eight and a half thousand students, not to mention the staff that the university employs. Surely then the students of Rhodes University are constantly immersed in the on goings of the community. Likewise, the members of the community are impacted by the existence of the institution.

The social culture of students is something intertwined with the community of Grahamstown. Our publication shows just how prevalent studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; social life is in the community and how students interact with the community on a day to day basis. The material provides some insight into how the businesses in town such as restaurants, coffee shops and clubs respond to the student life in order to be successful. This could relate to students amongst each other as well as with the greater community. Our publication also looks into the social culture of students within the university such as the Double Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;sâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drinking club. There is a growing sense of students establishing themselves and their own small businesses.

We wanted to explore the extent that this interaction takes place between the social culture of students at Rhodes University and the Grahamstown community. Social culture refers to the relationships between human beings.

They use Rhodes students as their primary target market for businesses such as jewellery and event companies. We are not simply students at Rhodes University. We are members of the Grahamstown community and should be aware of the role we play in the relationship between student culture and community life.

MEET THE TEAM

Maka Nyingwa

Janais van Eck

Chene Schoeman

Sky Phakade

Jordan Elliot

Yolanda Mzimela

Rhodes University: Unfit to host Dance Nationals Janais Van Eck

hodes University competed in the Ballroom and Latin Dance National Competition on 6 May 2016 in Port Elizabeth. While attending, the Rhodes Dance Society Committee was informed that the 2017 Nationals competition was expected to be held in Grahamstown. This expectation raised a range of concerns. Rhodes and Grahamstown as a whole do not have the necessary means required to host a national event. CEO of the Nationals Arts Festival, Tony Lankester highlighted the lack of infrastructure that hampered the success of the festival in 2016. “We can’t keep urging people to come here if we can’t guarantee their health, safety and comfort,” said Lankester. Similarly, if Rhodes University were to host the national competition in 2017 these challenges would still be relevant. The 2015 Rhodes Dance Society Chairperson Matthew Roche also stated that the “lack of infrastructure for the competition to run effectively” is a large contributing factor. Accommodation or lack thereof is a challenge. He suggested a potential solution of approaching the local boarding schools to host people in the dormitories. However, there is still the pressing issue of finances. Rhodes University as an institution cannot afford the expenses that an event of this magnitude demands. Rhodes Dance Society Coach Peter Mann reflects back to 2009 when it was a “tremendous loss in the previous time hosting for Rhodes University”. Moreover, those costs may have increased with the passing years. Expenses such as hourly rates of adjudicators, hiring venues and travel costs are too high to accommodate. The costs were originally funded by entrance fees, however “the number of entrants is decreasing due to financial strain of the time,” Peter said. Ultimately the possibility of Rhodes hosting Nationals is highly unlikely yet, Peter Mann assures that “nationals will go on”. Meetings are commencing over the following weeks to reach an alternative solution.

Emily Smith in front of the Rhodes Administration building. Photograph: Jordan Elliot.t

Rhodes-Grahamstown Community Relationship Yolanda Mzimela

ommensalism is defined as “a relationship/ association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm”. For example, Rhodes University is included in conversations regarding the Grahamstown community, when the Grahamstown community flourishes Rhodes University benefits. However, in conversations about the Rhodes community, the Grahamstown community is not considered and thus when Rhodes University flourishes, the Grahamstown community remains the same. Now I know it’s pretty obvious that Rhodes University is in Grahamstown and Grahamstown is not in Rhodes University which may be the reason for the commensalism between the two. Granted that may be the case, there are some instances in which Rhodes University could have assisted the Grahamstown community but chose not to.

At the beginning of the year Rhodes University students were up in arms about the Universities nonchalant attitude towards the plight of disadvantaged students at the University. Students were demanding that the University provide meals for students who sometimes had to sleep on an empty stomach as a

result of financial constraints. Students went as far as occupying dining halls and sending a list of names of disadvantaged students that were in need of meals to the VC’s office. After a few weeks of turbulence, the University came up with a meal fund to assist students in need. Moreover, donations of bread and tea from students who had more to spare became a norm in the Oppidan Dining hall. With this victory, knowing that the problem of hunger is not only exclusive to Rhodes University, Rhodes University could have offered a helping hand to the Grahamstown community. One need only take a walk down high street and see the beggars begging for small change to see where assistance is needed. Rhodes University students could have set up a soup kitchen, donated bread or even created a similar fund as the meal fund to ensure that the Grahamstown community was not left out… but then again that’s not how commensalism works. Of course Rhodes University isn’t solely responsible for helping and supporting the Grahamstown community, however in the spirit of Ubuntu and community one can only hope that the current relationship can evolve into one where everyone benefits. Another

example in which Rhodes University left the greater Grahamstown community out in the cold is with the recent #PledgeAPad campaign. A non-profit organisation under the same name as the campaign hashtag raised awareness of the humiliation and health risks some women and girls have to go through every month as a result of not affording sanitary pads. According to the organisation the campaign is aimed at helping women across the country to gain access to sanitary pads. Many celebrities and universities, including Rhodes University, vowed to pledge a pad to underprivileged young women. Now it is clear that the campaign is aimed at helping community however at Rhodes University the pledge a pad campaign was basically a #PledgeAPadForRhodesUniversityStudents campaign. Over 1500 pads and tampons were donated by the SRC alone and yet all of them went into Rhodes University facilities. One may say that even though some students at Rhodes university are struggling, most are better off than some people in the more disadvantaged areas of Grahamstown. Even though the problem may have been solved at Rhodes University in Grahamstown there is still a young girl who can’t go to school because she is on her a period.

Meeting Campus and Community WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON THE CONNECTION BETWEEN CAMPUS AND THE COMMUNITY?

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Your Modern Picnic: A Midday Getaway Chene Schoeman

or a restaurant that is located within the confinement of a parking lot, Picnic seems to outdo itself when it comes to transporting its customers into another world. Upon entering this special space, it becomes rapidly clear as to why this eatery proves to be so unique in the enthralling experience in which it provides its visitors. With walls painted in hues of mint green and baby blue, the entrance to Picnic leads customers up a short staircase out of the parking lot, and into a natural paradise. Beside the front desk sits a bright and bold fruit display fit for the gods, along with lemon and strawberry infused water dispensers. Along the back wall, a glistening effect is created as the sun reflects off the perfectly aligned smoothie glasses. The subtle essence of roasting coffee lingers in the open-plan room and soft sunlight pours in through the windows onto the neatly arranged décor. The choice of décor used in this restaurant demonstrates a simulated version of a modern picnic. The atmosphere of a natural surrounding is achieved by integrating real plants into the interior design scheme. They are hung from the roof and placed along the walls, and attain a sense of pure relaxation and tranquillity. This refreshing experience is then completed when one indulges in the mouth-watering food on display. Correlating with certain elements of the restaurant’s name, Picnic mainly provides healthy and nutritious Vegan and Vegetarian food options, as well as cleansing juices and smoothies. The buffet always proves to be vibrant in colourful vegetable dishes which are prepared fresh every day. Whether it is eating a healthful lunch, or enjoying a delectable coffee to the serene sound of Jack Johnson playing in the background, Picnic acts as the perfect place for a midday getaway to catch your breath and regain your strength.

Photographs: Chene Schoeman

Loose Change for Real Change

Photographs: Sourced

Chene Schoeman

s many are aware, Rhodes University proves to be notorious for the severity of its revelries. However, students Andrew Lawrie, Jarren Thomas, Stefan Uys and Swarag Tadepally, saw this not as a downfall in the university’s reputation, but rather an opportunity to change Grahamstown for the better. Proving to have grown into one of Grahamstown’s largest advocates for giving back to the community, Loose Change Events brings forward the unique and ingenious idea of partying for a purpose. Loose Change Events is essentially a platform used to experiment with philanthropy through top quality outdoor parties. Supporting charities such as the Grahamstown Feeding Association, St Mary’s Daycare Centre, the SPCA, and various other spots around Grahamstown, Loose Change has created a large and positive impact on the local community. Often as an entrance fee, Loose Change will require the donation of dog food or clothing. However, if these cannot be provided, a cash fee will be charged and a portion of the proceedings gets donated to a local Grahamstown charity. Since the company’s establishment in 2014, Loose Change Events has become one of Grahamstown’s most loved and admired events companies.

With only two short years behind the company’s name, students have become fondly familiar with the top class festivities that they are able to offer. Loose Change Events hosts events throu ghout the duration of the year, all of which are all held in and around the greater Grahamstown area. “I used to attend these parties thinking that Loose Change Events was some professional events company,” said Shannon Frost, a 2015 Rhodes graduate and former Sales Rep for the company, “I was really surprised to hear that it was just a couple of students who ran the whole thing,”. After working closely with Lawrie and Thomas over the duration of a year, Frost commented that she loved their vision of bringing together students’ deep enjoyment for partying and raising money for the community, and that it inspired her to get more involved. According to Lawrie, the inspiration for the start-up of the company arose from his group of friends who noticed that they all shared an interest in quality music and in having a passion for wanting to change the world. When they combined their views on music and events with a measure of their intention to do good, people got behind the idea from day one. Essentially, they aimed to use their events to foster a culture of celebration from which the

local community could benefit. In doing so, they hoped to set the example that through the means of doing something they love, there is always a way of giving back to those around them. “Attending social events is a real privilege, so why not celebrate, whilst giving back and connecting with the surrounding community?” commented Thomas. One of the more famous events the company hosts is bi-annual “Peachy Beach” party held in Kenton On Sea. This party forms part of the company’s “Summer Series” and usually consists of a large marquee tent which is erected on the beach. Underneath it lies a DJ booth and a dancefloor where Deep House tracks are played throughout the duration of the day and into the evening time. “This event gives us the most exposure and seems to be the big favourite amongst Rhodes students,” said Thomas. With the entire team dispersing to all corners of the country in 2017, expansion is definitely on the cards for Loose Change Events. Each member of the team will be based in the major partyhubs of SA, mainly Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Grahamstown. “We definitely aim on keeping this dream alive and hope that through our events, we can encourage the idea of partying for the people – and partying for a purpose,” said Lawrie.

Nomfundo: A Divine Purpose Siphumelele Phakade

T “Everyone is so opinionated here and I’ve come across some great people who are just so transparent about their life”

he first time I came across Nomfundo Shange, she was sitting neatly on a stool at the bakery on the corner of High Street – where she works. Caramel-chocolate toned skin with perfectly done brows and recognizable style she was somewhat of a distinct character. Upon entering the store, engrossed in the words of a novel, she lifted her head and greeted me with the warmest charm. Originally from Maritzburg in Kwa-Zulu Natal she grew up in a small town with plenty of cousins who she refers to as brothers and sisters. “We would visit my gran all at the same time so it would just be a party because they would just be so many of us” she says. Although brought up with unyielding values and morals she has always been one to stray away from the norm to pursue her undying independence. Aware of being constantly boxed by expectations following her BA Journalism and Advertising undergrad she set her mind on following her voice, “I spent a year and a bit of my life just figuring out what I wanted to do”, she says. Her name, Nomfundo meaning mother of education is one particular aspect she rather despises, “I don’t like academia at all, I find it to be quite snobbish” she lets out. Aware of her overstated comment she says, “progressively I learnt it means mother of wisdom and knowledge”, “I’m way more at ease with that one”, she says lifting her brows. Observing everything she has said so far, an air of mystery circulates her. Eager to scratch beneath the surface, it is not exactly easy to pin point her reason for coming to the Eastern Cape especially the diverse student-filled town – thousands of kilometres away from loved ones and friends. She says it is all thanks to a childhood friend, “she told me about this internship thing at His People Church in Grahamstown”. “I was like ‘ohhh great’ I would love to do something like that” she says. Her path for the last couple of years has been to explore the journey that is life, enthralled with finding herself and being happy. “I had no clue what the church was about, I knew no one expect for my friend, didn’t know what Grahamstown looked like”. Although her home is far away she has managed to carve out a unique yet kept spot for herself in this sleepy town of eRhini. Working at The Bakery, every single day she sees, hears and observes the bustle of students and commuters who raid the shop. Smelling like fresh pies and wraps, adorned by the relaxed vibe it usually is hard to resist a treat. “Everyone is so opinionated here and I’ve come across some great people who are just so transparent about their life”, she says. “It’s been liberating knowing that there are people who are older than me and still struggle with the same things I struggle with” she confidently says. Miles away from the familiar, strange people everywhere so how does she stay grounded? “There is so much peace” she utters, “my life is given to a divine purpose or plan” she says. The degree of certainty in her words and voice are at a peak, as her hidden mystery begins to unravel. I take away that she is an independent soul on a spiritual journey, at peace and happier than ever.

Photograph: Siphumelele Phakade

Kearne:A MixLab Human Jordan Elliot

earne Human’s comforting smile and eager eyes light up as he sits vehemently at his desk with his sticker filled laptop open, awaiting use. The laptop, filled to capacity with music and photographs, acts as an escape for Kearne when he needs a break from the company he and Vicky Haynes were left with building: MixLabs Events.

As his humility fades and confidence grows, Human passionately illustrates how he will grow Mixlabs into a well-known and well-supported company. Ross McCreath adds to this by stating that “Vicky and Kearne have a lot of potential. They have the same vision for the brand as I do, I think they will take it really far”.

Mixlabs is an event company that was founded by Rhodes graduate, Ross McCreath, in 2013. As second year student, Kearne, begins talking about the company the passion in his voice is unmistakable. “I really just want to do well; to me this job is about more than just creating events. It really is about creating memories and gaining experience,” says Kearne Human.

As a natural leader and buzzing Grahamstown socialite, Human reveals the secret to his proposed success. “Connections. Meeting people and making new friends connects not only me to them but them to Mixlabs,” Human says before pressing play on his keyboard, unleashing a track from the new Frank Ocean album”. “…Mixlabs is a community within itself. I am mixlabs. We are mixlabs”.

With founder, Ross McCreath, leaving Rhodes University and taking up residency in the UK he felt confident that Kearne and Vicky were viable candidates to ensure his company remains successful. “I’ve always wanted to run a music and entertainment based company and now that I have taken over Mixlabs I know I’m going to a lot about the industry,” says Human. Kearne goes on to explain how the events held by Mixlabs focus on student satisfaction as well as bringing well-known artists into Grahamstown. Being a music artist himself, he knows the importance of gaining exposure. Therefore, not only is he connecting big named artists to the Grahamstown nightlife, but is also creating connections within the industry for himself. Human, being a regular party goer himself, explains how he aims to create events that are more inclusive of the community. “This isn’t a Rhodes based company, we want to expand the brand to different ranges of people and places,” adds Human. With this being said Kearne expands by explaining how Mixlab parties are hosted in Port Elizabeth, of which he makes an effort to attend.

Photographs: Jordan Elliott

Kearn Human, director of MixLabs in Grahamstown working on his latest design and concepts.

Mixlab is a community within itself. I am mixlab. We are mixlabs. His close friend Helena Pinto supports Human as much as he supports himself (Which is a lot). “Kearne is such a fun and energetic person, if anyone is able to organise a successful party, he’s the guy. When faced with obstacles, Kearne always manages to find a resolution, this is why he’s perfect for the position,” says Pinto. With the support of friends and family, Kearne believes he has what it takes to prove to himself as well as Ross that he has what it takes to take Mixlabs to the top. Kearne’s carefree loc’s and mismatching socks are his defining features. These aspects alone paint a picture of Kearne Human. A colourful, vibrant and carefree individual who will certainly ensure mixlab events becomes, with the help of Vicky and others, a company dedicated to the satisfaction of students and success all-round.

Loosing Faith in our SRC Yolanda Mzimela & Siphumelele Phakade

he 2016 student protests, at Rhodes University, have brought the conflicting relationship between the Student Representative Council and the student body to the fore. Students at Rhodes University seem to have lost faith in the SRC. During both student protests that have taken place this year i.e. #RUReferenceList and #FeesMustFall, students chose to place their faith in independent leaders and student organisations instead of the SRC, who they feel have continuously failed them. Some students have even gone as far as dubbing the SRC the “Management Representative Council” (MRC) as a result of the SRC’s failure to adequately represent students in negotiations with management. The student organisation has been rocked by controversy since the resignation of the 2015 president, Siyanda Makhubo. Makhubo submitted his resignation amid outrage from the student body after a problematic tweet made by the president, who had hitherto been a student favourite. The precarious reputation of the SRC thereafter, saw further deterioration as a result of numerous resignations from the 2016 SRC representatives, including the SRC president and vice-president. As a result, Gift Sandi was named SRC president for 2016, to much hostility and detestation from students on social media platforms. In addition to that, during the #RUReferenceList protest that took place in May, students were calling for the dissolution of the entire 2016 SRC board, and even went as far as occupying the SRC offices. A statement made by the “UCKAR student body” at the time read, “We, as members of the student body, refuse to be led by an SRC that is as incompetent and mediocre as the one currently in office.”

whole by going as far as saying there is no longer a need for an SRC at Rhodes University. Sithayanda Mtwa, an economics Masters student, says he thinks that neither students nor SRC, including the current SRC members and candidates running for president, still take the institution of the SRC seriously. “The quality of the candidates is shaky, I think some of them are just there to put stuff on their CV’s - no one takes it seriously, but I will still vote and hope that they fulfill their duties even though nothing is happening as far as them fulfilling their duties this year”. Perry-Mason Adams, an honours student, shares the same sentiment in saying that “Some of the guys are just running for the hype of the SRC,”. However, Adams adds that he still has faith in the SRC even though the current SRC has proven to be a “huge failure”. On the 12th of that month, the candidates of remaining portfolios took to the podium to voice their manifestos. Amongst them was Ashley Zikhali who is now the 2017 community engagement representative. Even though Zikhali seemed soft spoken, she restored a bit of hope in the SRC for a number of students. “She is a silent leader, some of us can’t voice our opinions as well as others,” said BSc honours student Songezo Mtshatsha who was amongst the audience. “I have faith in her,” a hopeful Msthatsha said. Commenting on the state of the SRC in August, president Gift Sandi admitted that there are a few changes that need to be made in the SRC. He said the main reason the image of the SRC has been tarnished is because people turn to the SRC for selfserving purposes. “Being in the SRC is about teamwork, it’s not about you. It’s about serving the students. If you come to the SRC because you think you’re popular so you’ll win, or to put diamonds on your CV, or because you want to start a protest so you can be liked by the students, you are doing it for the wrong reasons.”, he said.

“They have lied to the students, failed to represent us at crucial times and still fail to recognise us and our concerns and therefore, we call for the immediate resignation of each member of council!”. Later on in the year the 2017 SRC grazzles took place. On the 9 th of August the presidential grazzle was held at Barrat lecture hall to a packed venue. Due to continuous disruption from the audience the IEB made a decision to abruptly end the grazzle, which did not sit well with many members of the student body.

However, with the current #FeesMustFall protests taking place, Sandi himself has been repeatedly accused of serving the Rhodes University Management and protecting his own position instead of serving the students. Earlier this month Sandi was also arrested in Johannesburg after starting a fire in a hotel room, during a drunken rant.

While a number of students decided to voice their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the grazzle on Rhodes University’s SRC, UCKAR and Rhodes Confessions social media pages, many expressed their apathy towards the institution of the SRC as a

The current relationship between the Student Representative Council is far from desirable. The SRC and student body seem to be clashing at every turn and it is anyone’s guess as to what the future holds.

Ashley Zikhali Photograph: Jordan Elliott

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The police have turned this campus into a war zoneâ&#x20AC;?

Stunned and Silenced Maka Nyingwa

Photograph: Jordan Elliott

ollowing the #FeesMustFall student protests that began in mid-October 2015, the Student Representative Council of the university currently known as Rhodes, took initiative by initiating conversation about the proposed 6-8% fee increase for the year of 2017. However, what started as a group of students disrupting lectures has now resulted in bizzare police brutality and all that management can seem to spare is a mere “business as usual” over text. On the 25th of October 2016, after weeks of student arrests, property damage, violence and tensions between police officers and students, many students and staff were fell victim to the rubber bullet tyranny inflicted by two police officers who were reported supposedly drunk. However, these two were not the only to showcase their shooting skills as teams of police officers in protective gear conquered the UCKAR campus against unarmed residences of students.

It cannot be said that student protestors have been innocent either in these past few weeks. The university has sustained immense damage: broken windows and doors, a building doused in petrol, computers in labs were scattered and splashed with water, the tennis club and the bridge in Botanical Gardens burn out and benches and stones polluted on roads. After weeks of now-void negotiations and university management being careless in handling student affairs, student leaders declared at a meeting that there would no longer be any limits to how a student may protest. In response, management secured the library and 24 hour section with metal gates. However, this does not excuse the fact that the police have turned this campus into a military zone which has made UCKAR an unconducive learning environment. Yesterday, students received messages from the university stating that the SAPS denied shooting into residences, and therefore there will be no investigation.

In response, however, management offered students allowance to write exams either in November or January and no comment was made about the police brutality experienced. Over 20 students have been arrested and many others injured. Our reality has become one of jumping at every sound and tip toeing around blue uniforms because they are paid to be on the campus we paid to be on. During the protests against sexual violence, members of management referring to us as a “Rhodes’ family”. However, I would say that it was used incorrectly. I agree, we are a Rhodes family, but they will always be merely management casually whispering “business as usual”. As a second journalism and law student, my lecturers have taught me that the law governs the land and the journalism is vital in show casing and reporting the closest thing to objective news. Yet now we, as media, are silenced by the guns pointing at our cameras and bodies. Freedom of movement and media taken away.