Quit School

What's the use? "They" who insist that it is necessary to go to "get an education" as it is the key to our future. "They" who insist on sending us ,at a tender age, to be taught how to shut up, speak up and then shut up again. They who insist on forcing us to learn things like algebra, and writing in cursive and who killed Red Riding Hoods Grandma. They are the same people who insist on keeping people such as Julius Malema, as a leader of a leading political party. What's the message they are sending? If this man could matriculate with the highest of his marks being a C in English on second language, higher grade and still be able to drive around in a car my educated mother will have to work until retirement to afford, then why the hell? Why am I up at 2am in the morning trying my best to study all I can so I can get a degree! (in the words of my favourite Rhodents)AAWH JACK!!! It's the biggest load of horse-rubbish I have ever seen, and I am convinced that this, not just a seated man falling off his chair, is the reason why South Africa is fast becoming the laughing stock of the world.



*This is all my opinion and does not represent the views of the First Year Spread team, the JMS department, Rhodes University or Jack*

When all is said and done...

It has been a hectic year for all of us new to the career world. It has not been easy grasping the concepts and holding on to the way university life is designed. All in all I am happy that I have managed to keep moving and I have learnt plenty throughout the year. Journalism has especially taught me all the things I am not. One big lesson was that I am not super woman. I am human and thus have to work my way through all my subjects just like any other person here at Rhodes. I have learnt through my lack f commitment that achievement comes with hard work. This shone through in my results for the June exams; I got the shock and the fright of my life.

My choices in journalism were made purely to get to the next day. I never paid much attention to the requirements journalism made for my work. Perhaps it is because I was not preparing to do Jms2 therefore I just did the required work. Never the less I still made no effort in the work I did. This pulled me down tremendously. I feel because I did not put any effort in my work, and got a mediocre result for my exams, the feeling of me being unintelligent and not built for university settled in me more than it should have.
I have grown so much since I first arrived in grahams town. I have grown into a better woman and a better learner. I give myself a 8 out of 10 for growth. I am more willing to give myself into the work I have come to dedicate myself to. I am more aware of the consequences. And I just really have no other choice than to work my heart into journalism for good results. One great lesson I have learnt from not putting in my effort is that journalism does not need me, I need journalism and even though I have no interest in it for 2nd year, I still need the credit journalism has for me in order to get my degree.

Overally journalism as a course has not been as many students expected including me. I felt it could have offered so much more in theory and I felt lecturing could have focused more on the theory of journalism. There were many loose ends to the course and perhaps I did not grasp the point behind the course structure but I feel this is part of the reason I could not get a grip on journalism.Blogging is journalism. It was rather a waste as it did not feel properly designed as a course and could be offered as part of another course for the following years. Blogging as a course in itself is however not fleshy enough and did not feel like a proper learning experience like Anthea’s or Priscilla’s course.

I learnt a lot in writing and in group work. It taught me how I work so much better on my own that in a group. When given a personal opinion writing piece I did well, but when it came to group work I struggled to work. It taught me that I need to work on my quality of research. I have enjoyed the rough times in journalism. It has opened up my eyes toward myself, so that I see within myself my will to work and achieve.

My weaknesses when I first arrived are a thing of the past. When I look at my lessons I feel I have jumped a very high hurdle. I have managed to realize my mistakes and thus have time to redeem myself. I did a lot of partying and no studying. I made the mistake of thinking university was a walk over because of the misleading seniors talking and work load I received. Failing every subject (not just one) showed me that I was in a different world. Coming back to Rhodes and deciding not to give up shows me that I am a strong person and I have a strong will.

Now looking into the exam weeks and the years to come I feel hopeful that I will do very well for the things I work hard for. It is not easy. I have worked hard to discipline myself, and tough I am still human and make mistakes I do my best to get it right the first time. I pray God will bless the fruit of my labour and take me to where He wants me to go.

To vote or not to vote

The article that got me weeping for my beloved country.

Pointing Purple: Naps: A Different Language.

Pointing Purple: Naps: A Different Language-Comment


I disagree with your opinion on napping. I asked around ( in case I didn’t have my facts straight), and from what I gather, napping isn’t or shouldn’t be such a big deal. True- some guys take things too far and lure the girls into sex, but I still think, women should take better care of themselves. If you don’t want to get hurt- STAY AWAY FROM GUYS WHO HAVE DOG WRITTEN ALL OVER THEIR FACES!!! It is high time women (in first year or otherwise) make better decisions involving their bodies and take responsibility when things don’t work out in the manner they had hoped they would.

Weekend Special

I think now, more than ever I understand exactly how Brenda Fassie felt when she sang that song, “Weekend Special”. It’s the saddest thing. To be let to have the time of your life, thinking it will last forever, soaking up the gladness, only to be left high and dry, when Monday morning comes along. I never thought I would let myself experience such until I arrived in the increasingly amazing town of Grahamstown.

It’s official, sunlight in Grahamstown is a weekend special. For those of you like me who are avid sunlight lovers, you must have been glad to wake up on Friday morning to discover that there was a significantly high amount of sunlight. As you may have noticed and enjoyed, it only lasted for the weekend. It’s Monday morning and lo and behold the Sun is missing again. Funny enough the same thing happened last weekend. Grahamstown enjoyed a weekend of sunlight and gladness as people popped out their mini’s and shorts, and some even went to the local swimming pool to cool off. It was good while it lasted. It’s Monday again, and the Sun is nowhere to be found. ***sigh*** Don’t put your sunscreen lotion and shorts too far away, I’m willing to bet a reasonable amount of money that by Friday, the Sun will return in all it’s glory! Enjoy the week: wind, clouds and all!

Seniors vs Juniors

FIRST YEARS ARE AN EASY TARGET FOR ‘SEAL CLUBBING’

Entry into First Year University life is one that is unpredictable and one has a lot to expect but cannot really come prepared for the challenges they are about to face. First year is one of the most stressful and difficult experiences in their lives. This is a stage in that demands a lot of self-control, self esteem, a firm support system and courage. First year is the time one gets to know oneself better and at the same time making life changing decisions that shape the kind of future one wants for themself. Stress and pain define this stage in one life.

Seniors know how stressful first year is, and thus target first year students as “victims”. Since they have been through the same experience previously, they know how first year students feel and this is what makes it easier for them to target first years thus making them victims of ‘seal clubbing’. Seniors see you, and think to themselves, “I see potential in that one”, and then want to take your innocence away from you because you are seen as “fresh meat”. But this wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the challenges one faces during their first year in university.

Being in first year causes stress and strain because of the entire academic decisions one is expected to make, and the stress of actually making the right decision without wasting your own time, your parent’s money or event the bursary funds money, particularly when a student doesn’t come from a wealthy family. So you want to make sure that you have made the right choice. When you have made your choice, the second challenge of coping with the workload follows.

Coping with workload is one of the main influential factors to that leads to personality breakdowns along other breakdowns such as stress, home sickness, sever stress and depression. But it isn’t academic choices that cause first year students to become victims but also an addiction of other factors. This also includes the emotion involved in being far away from home and how to deal with it.

Students have a lot of power in their hands when they leave home. They are now in control of what they do with their time without guidance. Rhodes University exhibits high level of alcohol and drug consumption with the students during their first year, as a sign of “freedom”. And with clubs, town and bottle stores being only a walk away, the access of such substances is made easier and attainable. Being drunk makes it somehow “easier” for them to deal with stress but being drunk makes it harder for one to regain control of what there are doing and usually makes people act out of their character. This increases them being at risk of being victims of ‘seal clubbers’.

But substance abuse is not only brought in by ones “freedom” but also by issues such as home sickness. Home sickness is that intense feeling, that one feels when they are away from home for a very long time or when they are suddenly separated from their guardians. Individuals feel lonely because they are missing all the dear people in their lives and thus need a “quick fix” to take the pain away. This “fix” can come in the form of substance abuse or to find that one person who will give you the attention one may need on that particular day. The longing to have someone notice you and make you feel wanted. Seniors know this kind of a feeling and play on that to get what they want.

The first year spread constantly puts first year students at risk of being used and thus scaring them for life and makes them want to do the same thing to first years to com. The mentioned factors and many others make it easier for first years to fall in trap of being victims of seal clubbing. It also shows that first years should be monitored very closely and support systems should be put in place to help them deal with such issues. Help the “young ones” get through first year without getting their hearts broke.

$$ Cashing in at Varsity $$

This site offers some great ideas for university students to generate some extra income:

Top ten ways to make money while at university

Is there a feeling of apathy among first-year Rhodes University students regarding HIV/Aids testing?

Many first year students at Rhodes University have had a sheltered, protected upbringing, not having been directly exposed to issues like HIV/Aids. They have learnt the text-book version of the virus at school but personally feel removed. “It is something we learnt to death about at school but it remained a disease that affected other people, not me.”

Coming to Rhodes’ University, first year students are constantly bombarded with all kinds of campaigns and awareness weeks, into which many of them dive with great enthusiasm. Rape Awareness Week, Gay Rights awareness campaigns, HIV/Aids awareness week. It is easy to walk around campus with your mouth taped shut, or to wear a red ribbon on your shirt to show your support for those affected. For some, these issues may affect them personally but the majority of students are fighting the plights of unknown individuals. How do their views change when they are asked to bring these issues closer to home? How many respond when asked to potentially place themselves in the positions of those suffering? How many of the HIV/Aids supporters will actually get themselves tested?

Not enough. According to an article featured in the Daily Dispatch, only 1200 Rhodes’ University staff and students participated in a research project headed by the Higher Education HIV/Aids Programme (HEAIDS) this year. Part of this research included a free HIV/Aids test. Of a student body of over 6000, only 1200 people, including staff, cared enough to have themselves tested. Rhodes University is one of four universities in the country to offer free testing, as well as counseling. Why don’t more students take this opportunity?

A first year male friend recently declined an offer of coffee as he had “to do something” that day. After some probing, it turned out that he had made an appointment to get tested for HIV/Aids at the San. Another male friend, a second year student, also made an appointment at the same time. I believed that this was a marvelously brave thing for them to be doing, especially as neither of them were promiscuous in any way, and was surprised that their motive was purely “to know”. I decided that I too wanted to be tested but was somewhat nervous to go myself, so approached my friends.

I told them that I wanted to be tested for HIV/Aids and asked who wanted to go with me. I was greeted with shocked silence. And then the excuses began. “I’m scared of needles”, “I’m not having sex so it doesn’t matter”, “I know I don’t have Aids”. I was appalled, so asked other first year students how they felt about getting tested. All the answers were similar.

I couldn’t believe it. Clearly these first years, who claimed to be HIV/Aids conscious, had no intention of finding out their status –even though the most student-friendly environment had been set up. Testing was free at the San, pre- and post-counseling provided, and the whole process was finished in less than an hour. What was the problem? If they were so sure that they were HIV/Aids free, why wouldn’t they get tested?
I believe that this is a common mentality of not only first years, but students in general. All students love a good fight and love to stand up for a good cause, but none of them believe that the issues they are fighting for could actually happen to them. We all believe that we are invincible and immune to contracting HIV/Aids. We like to make ourselves feel better by standing up for others but we will not put ourselves in their places, in case the outcome is not what we thought it would be.

Here is a challenge to all students – Ignorance will not change anything, and change begins with you. Before you can go out and save the world you need to save yourself. Make it your business to know your HIV/Aids status, it might save a life.

Comic Strip: First Yaargh

Rhodes Could Make Degree Attainment Better For Many Ambitious People....

I was very disappointed on being accepted to Rhodes that I had to choose two more subjects to add on to the burden of trying to make it in university. I know it would make my life even more difficult and I was right. Instead of focusing on subjects that I know I am good at I have to focus on two extra subjects that cripple me and really take my time. On arriving at Rhodes I realised this was not my problem alone.

Other universities offer the single major or double major alone. Why does Rhodes have to make life so difficult for us. This is the reason why most if not all people drop out of Rhodes. It is not because their major is hard. It is because the extra subjects they have to do are hard. Rhodes would not be any less of a university, or lower in standards because of offering less subjects, in fact it would have higher standards and higher distinction rates. It is very hard to push at subjects that one cannot do because of limited choice and limited time. Rhode University is letting down a lot of willing students because they are pulled down by this issue.

The amount of work and the number of credits is painful to attain. Student who make it in Rhodes are mostly at high stress and fatigue levels all the time. I failed all my subjects last term. This is because I had to concentrate on two other subjects that I absolutely have no talent for. Another reason is the lack of broad choice. I am stuck at a cross roads knowing that there are high chances of me loosing out on a huge opportunity because Rhodes has made these conditions that are so hard to maintain. This is a problem we are all facing.

It is unfair and unreasonable that Rhodes has to put us through all this pain. Students would function so much better if they only had to focus on their two or three majors from the beginning. Rhodes would even be able to accept more students because departments would not be so overwhelmed with extra subject students.

I feel Rhodes has disappointed many. It is a good institution but it needs to reform in its conditions and what it offers.

ACM ICPC

There are two attractions in life that any student will not pass up. One: free clothes. Two: free food. This is the reason I found myself in the Hamilton Computer Labs at 8:00 on a Saturday morning for the ACM Programming competition.

Being handed six problems that range from decoding a bar code to "fixing" problems with a mathematical expression is pretty daunting. Add to that a room with a collective IQ of roughly 5000 and yup, I was in over my head. Not to mention the Computers Honours students who have finished the first question by the time you get the computer to log in correctly.

All that said, the competition was not as bad as expected. With my amazing team mate, a true computer genuis, we managed to get two of the problems seemingly working (or at least it seemed). Of course, when we submitted the projects the system managed to break them (through NO faults of ours..), so we didn't get any credit for them.

All in all, the competition was a worthwhile experience. I practiced my critical thinking skills, killed a morning, and got an awesome free t-shirt.

And of course, there was the pizza. *YUM*

zzzZZZZ

So here I find myself on a Monday afternoon, catching a few more Zs than nature is inclined to throw me and nearly missing my tut in the process. As I lay contemplating my condition, it occurs to me that many Rhodents are in a similar position.

Around this time of year there are many reasons the sleep deprivation monster comes to claim you as his own. Aside from the usual staying up too late, people's favourite excuse is studying for exams (Note to self: start studying sometime soon!). Probably a little closer to the truth, now is the time people choose to start stocking up on wild party memories as with the rapid approach of swot week many social lives are about to hit a deadening halt.


If teenagers are known to be the ultimate sleepers, varsity students must be an extention of teenagers. In between the hecticness of life a Rhodent's first priority is to find somewhere to sleep: your res, somebody else's res, the street outside Friars and lectures are all seen fit to sleep in by some.

With all that said and done, and myself now contemplating the futility of this post, it appears I must prepare for that tut which I nearly slept through. Mmmm, time for an awakening cup of coffee..

** Picture: Typical Rhodent pose during dawnie.

Growing Love

Profile of a Heroine a her own Right

She wakes up just as early as the rest of us to attend lectures. She can always be seen at the library, reading up for the latest assignment and she is always found studying until the wee hours of the morning for an upcoming test. On entering this young woman’s room, one is greeted by a note written under her exam timetable reading: “Junior needs YOU to do well, so kill it ma”. Reacting to my response to it that it is sweet, she says, “it’s not supposed to be sweet, it’s supposed to motivate me to study” Sounds like the typical hardworking student, but Ntombi Mlangeni has had it tougher than most. She not only had to deal with moving so far away from home but, only four months into her first year in university she was forced to decide whether or not she would keep a child or not. “At the time it felt like I had many options. I could have just decided to terminate the pregnancy”, she says with her typical ‘couldn’t-care-less’ attitude. Today she walks around proudly with the new love of her life safely growing inside of her. “I thought I was going to die. The first few weeks were hell.” She tells of how she had to deal with the anger and confusion of having fallen pregnant in university.

Her whole lifestyle literally had to be changed. A very successful basketball career of six years had to be put aside for fear of harming the baby. “I had to quit smoking”, she says with so much pride. She laughs as I tell her that I didn’t even notice that she had quit smoking despite the fact that she could always be found clouded in smoke when not in lectures. Along with the cigarettes and basketball her one love had to take a backseat after her arrival in Grahamstown. Ntombi is a DJ and she says that on her arrival in Grahamstown she was disappointed because she couldn’t play as much as she used to in her home-town in Sebokeng. “I used to be booked for gigs every week.” she says with an air of pride, “but partly because of my condition and that there are less connections this side I have only had one gig this year.”

Her advice to those who are about to enter into university is that they should be careful when it comes to giving ‘it’ up too easily. “Personally I don’t think it’s worth it”, she says when commenting on having sex with a man before, one knows whether they are certain or not. In her blog post on her group blog, she writes “I thought I should let you know that you might not necessarily find your soul mate at varsity instead you might just end up with no soul. You will find the perfect guy, good looking, talented, understanding, loving, no wait that’s what he’ll make you believe.” She has decided to end the relationship with the father of her child. “I’d rather be alone than unhappy”, she says quoting the lyrics from a popular song. A decision she doesn’t take lightly considering that her child will need to know who his or her father is. She has decided that the father of her child will be a part of her child’s life despite the fact that they are not together anymore.

Ntombi is a heroine in her own right. In the very judgemental world, where just the stares that are given pregnant youth are enough to persecute them unjustly, she still walks with pride. As she says, “taking it a day at a time”. In a world filled with so much choice, where she could have chosen to abort the baby, quit school and go back home to give birth to her baby she chose to go through with the pregnancy, despite the challenges. When asked whether she would consider giving the baby up for adoption she replies almost immediately with a “No, this is my baby.” This goes to show that although Ntombi did not plan the situation she’s in but has learnt to carry it with much graceful strength .

"MISS INDEPENDENT"

In the Life of Kgothatso Monare

“Motivated, enthusiastic, hard working and a little miss independent” described by her friend Dianne, Kgothatso Monare known as K.G to her friends, is a nineteen year old who was raised in Pretoria by her single mother and her grandmother along side her extended family, and many friends, it was through the experiences she had then that she became the person she is now. “It takes a while for me to get along with people but once I get the swing of things and I have settled in, it is when the real me comes out.” Currently studying a Bcom Accounting, at Rhodes University, she has worked hard to get to where she is right now and one cant help but wonder how she made it thus far.

One of the most interesting and unique thing about her, is the combination of friends that she has. K.G has a story for most of her friends and how she came about becoming friends with them. In Pretoria, She introduces some of her closest friend. Lizo, a guy that she has known all of her life; Anna, known as Analyse, became friends in high school because they both like the same idol; “then there is Tshego”, she giggles and tries to explain what special quality she has, “my semi-blind friend that I had to walk because she couldn’t see when it rains because her glasses become fogy”; Thato known as tattoo, a very good friend that she met at metric higher grad class. “I have many other friends at home but these are the ones that I can really call friends” she goes on to say, “At Rhodes I have come across very interesting people and have made good friends with them. Dianne, Ashleigh, Shibu, Gugu, Nthabi, Kay, and the guys, these are my friends at Rhodes and I spend most of my time with them”, she explains.
“I know I can rely on my friends for entertainment and when I need a good laugh I know exactly where to go or who to call.” Although she has many friends, she doesn’t necessarily rely on any of them. “ I am very secretive and keep my business to myself most of the time, but since ‘no man is an island’, I do rely on my mother emotionally” she expresses while looking to the ground as a sign of salutation and showing respect, “I can talk to my mother about anything and she is also a friend so I can also talk to her on a friendship level, although at times she plays her motherly role, asking me about my grades even though I don’t want her to.” As her face starts to light up and glow, she looks up, with a big smile on her face she exclaims, “I love my mom”.

And unlike most children, K.G grew up without a father and suggests, “probably through the absence of my father, I realised that it does influence the way I view males and I also know that most guys see me as the ‘ice-queen’ but I don’t think my relationship with men is awful because my uncle was there for me” she tried making sense of what she was saying, staring at the ceiling while knocking the teddy on the bed. There is no doubt that she has gone through some hardships in her life but she refuses to let them stand in her way of achieving her goals.

Tertiary life comes with a lot of responsibility as well as pressure from peers but even though there are many influences that students come across during her first year at Rhodes, she has managed to stay herself throughout and is most likely to pass her first year with 1st grade passes. “I wanted to become a Charted Accountant since grade five after taking several aptitude tests that indicated that I was numerically inclined and since then I’ve been working hard to get to where I am right now.” She wants to be very rich and this is how her “miss independent” attitude was derived. Kgothatso serves as an inspiration to most of her friends and she will be the “miss independent” that Ne-yo sings about.

Her rollercoaster ride

“This year has been like a rollercoaster ride that I just can’t get the fuck off.”

In February Natalie Pace arrived at Rhodes, eagerly anticipating the year ahead. Within the first term she had settled into a way of life involving a healthy social life, close friends, and a stable academic career. However, the balance she created would subsequently be disrupted by events which ensued. Flipping her fire red hair which is indicative of her feisty personality, Natalie settles down and relates the story of her first year at Rhodes.

Although Natalie settled easily into Rhodes in the first semester, towards the end of the second term her life started to disintegrate. The thought “I don’t know why I’m here” plagued her constantly. Natalie’s biggest problem this year – being away from her mom – was compounded when her mom moved overseas shortly before the June exams. This is when her depression set in, leading to destructive habits like cutting herself and chain smoking. Natalie is very forthcoming about her relationship with her sister, as well as her own difficulties. “Things really got bad when Steph [her sister] and I started fighting. That was the low point of last term.” Eventually her trying personal circumstances affected Natalie academically; she failed all her June exams.

Despite her best intentions, term three brought its share of hardships for Natalie. After the June exams, “finding out that I’d failed, and trying to convince my dad to let me come back to Rhodes”, she was faced with the task of “coming back and sorting it all out”. After consultations with the Dean of Humanities, Natalie was allowed to continue her degree. Natalie’s most recent ordeal involved her love life. “My long, love of my life boyfriend (of four months) broke up with me in the classic ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ shitty version. I didn’t expect it to last forever but I hoped it would last longer than four months.”

With exams four weeks away, Natalie is finally starting to straighten out her life. Her plan of action includes “a to do list, fun times in the afternoon – no constant napping, and keeping up to date with assignments”. She expects these exams to be better than the last. ‘I’m already planning a timetable, I will be writing seven or eight exams” she asserts confidently. “I have to pass everything else my dad will pull the plug” she adds. Natalie believes that the facilities available at Rhodes have helped her to overcome her trials. “The counseling centre has really helped, and so has my house warden”, Natalie admits, “and I count my friends as facilities of Rhodes!” Despite her diligent attitude, Natalie still makes time for fun. “I still need to find an outfit, but it will be nice to get dressed up”, she remarks of her hall ball on Saturday.

On Natalie’s wall hangs a yellow piece of paper emblazoned with the words: “What you feel is what you are and what you are is beautiful”. These lyrics from the song Slide are one of her favourite sayings. “They make me think about things”, Natalie says with regards to the words, “It makes me feel better about myself”. These words couldn’t be more appropriate. Behind the family drama, the rough first year, and even the fire red hair, that’s what Natalie Pace is: beautiful.

Keeping his Eyes On the Ball....

As he puts his pen down once more to add a sentence or two more to his assignment, he looked up with a face full of delight. It was written on Misheck Meki face that his work is his pride and he finds no trouble getting down to business. Coming to Rhodes proved to be a very good choice as it has given him a platform to have a stronger academic foundation.

Misheck went to spent most of his life as a city boy in Harare, Zimbabwe. he went to school at Alan Wilson school for his O’Levels and Prince Edward school for his A’ Levels. Most Zimbabweans who know the geographical location of these schools would say Misheck sold out his former school for a rival school. The schools are separated by a fence that gives evidence of just how different the schools are financially. The boys from either sides have a history of fighting over the fence and on the streets outside. To Misheck, however, it did not mean much because he was not a part of the rivalry even though to the rest of the boys it meant family against family like the hutu and tusti.

Misheck was raised by composed hands that taught him to look beyond himself. Before coming to Rhodes University Misheck dedicated a year to a relief programme at the edge of Zimbabwe. It is not everyday a young city boy gives up his time for the well being of another. The smile in his voice confirms his statement when he looked into my eyes and exclaimed ‘I love my job.’

Studying a Social Sciences degree, to Misheck education is the foundation to his career. Misheck puts in extra amount of time, sleeping a maximum of six hours daily as a dedicated student. To Misheck time is wasted when it is spent dreaming. When studying Misheck hides from the rest of the world. He goes into his own world because to him his education is his responsibility. However when it comes to the party seen Misheck will let loose and becomes the heart of the party.

Misheck has a vibrant social life that keeps him on his toes. His hang out place being in his friends residences up the hill at Rhodes University. To Misheck spending time with his friends is like spending time with the brothers he never had. The crazy Friday nights that are memorized in photo’s and the lazy Saturday mornings that are full of ‘last nights talk’ are what Misheck holds as the fun memories. What Misheck holds closer is the way him and his friends are like a family. How they talk about everything, how they have one others backs, and how they are always honest to one another. Misheck found himself in the middle of the best place to grow as an academic and as a person.

As a member of the His People church, Misheck is proud to say he is a Christian. His faith flows into sectors in his life that make him a stronger person. On Sunday mornings Misheck and his friends attend church, defying the spirit of denying where they come from. Misheck comes from a firm Christian home and still he carries the teaching of his parents. Misheck chooses a quiet life that is composed. He chooses a life that keeps his mind on his purpose. To Misheck his purpose is living a fulfilled life. To Misheck it is no use coming to Rhodes only to waste time on relationships that are shallow and quick to end. He puts his pen down, gets up and walks to his window. He expresses how he loves going to the monument at night, just to look at the lights and thing with his friends.

Dedication to God and taking up every given opportunity are the two ways Misheck defines himself as a man. Misheck is most likely to pass because in his heart he’s already got his degree, ‘it’s just a matter of collecting it.’ Rhodes is like an athletics field, every student is on it to achieve success. Misheck was a winner before he got on the field, is a winner on the field, and will be a great winner when he gets off the field.

Vicky - The Legend

I am supposed to meet my friend and neighbor Victoria Johnson (Vicky) at the Kaif one warm afternoon, and I hear her deep and throaty laugh long before I even turn the corner. When I arrive, I see her immediately, surrounded by a large group of people, her arms waving wildly and her lively laugh penetrating every member of the conversation. Her unique style, consisting of bright clothes and sunshine-yellow shoes, highlights her personality and allows her to stand out from the crowd. However, she still manages to fit perfectly into the Rhodes’ scene.

Strangely, it was never Vicky’s dream, nor desire, to come to Rhodes. Despite having family members previously attending Rhodes, it was not what Vicky wanted.

“I was going to take a gap year after matric,” she said. “I thought I would get a job, maybe rent a flat… you know, just arb around and live life.” The many brass bracelets cluttering her arm clank as she moves a strand of hair out of her face, and she smiles widely. “I wasn’t keen on the idea of university, not at that stage of my life anyway. My June matric marks weren’t that great, and I only applied to university because I needed an acceptance letter to get my visa, so I could travel to England.”

Vicky pauses to turn around and greet a group of newcomers to the Kaif, and sips a Crème Soda before continuing. “I applied to Rhodes because I thought it would be the only university that would accept me with the marks that I had. I was stoked when I got accepted and could get my travel visa.”

As it happens, Vicky’s travel partner turned out to be “pretty awful”, and she decided that she couldn’t travel with her, and so she cancelled the trip. With nothing else to make of her much-awaited gap year, Vicky decided to fall back on her only university option.

The Cape Town girl then packed her bags and downsized from her big-city lifestyle to the place of purple, where she enrolled as a Bachelor of Science student. She has never looked back.

This bubbly student has befriended as many people as she possibly could, all of them from different circles, and she is always ready to meet new people. Her friends describe her as “crazy”, “outgoing” and “an amazing friend”. One of her residence mates laughed when asked to describe Vicky, and declared that she is “spunky, always happy, full of energy and always keen to party”.

Vicky is passionate about her degree and her subjects, and while sitting at the Kaif, we study a bee hovering above her Crème Soda can. She gives a detailed analysis of this bee and its functions, in between arguing with a fellow BSc student about the definition of “diploblastic”. She plans to major in Zoology and Botany, and her love for both fields is evident in everything she does.

Her zest for life, love of people and enthusiasm for peace has helped this dynamo survive her first year at the university she was not planning on attending.

“First year at Rhodes has been the best year of my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I can’t wait to finish my degree here.”

One of those days

Some days half the town gets up just to tick you off.

Or at least that's what it feels like. Everybody seems to be walking on your side of the street, your tutor picks on you in the one tut this week you didn’t have time to prepare for, and you might be brave enough to taste the dining hall food, once you figure out what it is. Add to that not enough sleep and a sudden bout of homesickness and homicide seems like a great idea.

At times like these I am quite tempted to indulge myself in fantasies reminiscent of a Tess Gerritsen novel, an idea which would not go down too well if acted upon. Alternatively, it’s fun to practice a good “death stare” on select people. When all else fails, defenestration is a delightful pastime, anyone who has thrown anything out of a second story window will know that as long as it goes splat it’s highly fulfilling.

I guess it’s hard to admit that even after three terms here, at times you aren’t as well adjusted as you thought. Especially with approaching exams, tension is building steadily. Even homesickness creeps up unexpectedly. The important thing is to shrug it off, carry on, and soon the cloudy times will have passed.

Today the sun is shining.

My Break-up with the Weatherman

From the tender age of five, the young godmother has had a love affair with weathermen. All of them from old Mr Graeme Hart to the late Jabu Sithole. There is something strangely attractive about them. Everything from their nerdy trousers, their messy hair to their nervous nature would keep me glued in front of the television screen after every news bulletin broadcast. Another extremely attractive characteristic that drew me to them is their honesty. Besides a few minor mistakes (which is totally human), the weather-man is always right- until you get to Grahamstown.
I write this blog today with a broken heart because my love affair with the weatherman is officially over. I got to Grahamstown and he became a liar. Predictions of 25 degrees could in the blink of an eye be changed to that of 12 degrees. Clear skies meant showers. A prediction of no wind meant a gale wind so strong it could be mistaken for a tornado. After eight months of serious deliberation I have to put an end to this relationship that is now filled with lies.

If you are reading this from anywhere else in South Africa and you also have a relationship with the weatherman: STAY AWAY FROM GRAHAMSTOWN. Unless you are thrilled by the excitement of knowing you can experience all four seasons in one day do yourself a favour and remain where you are. Grahamstown has got the most unpredictable weather that I have ever experienced. Honest weathermen become liars in the face of Grahamstown weather.

A moment of Magic

It's very easy to lose oneself in the moment when in varsity. One tends to be living from minute to minute, without realising how they do it. At the time it may seem like you have it all under control, but it's when your body starts developing pains in places you didn't know you had, and you find yourself yawning more than 45 times in the average 45 minute lecture that you know that you need to slow down.

I found myself living this kind of life last week as I was surviving on 3 hours of sleep, thanks to the unnecessary workload Rhodes feels they need to honour us with, and when I finally gave myself a break from running from one place to the next I saw this beautiful sunset. I fear I will fail to describe it well enough to give it any justice, so here it is. My moment of magic. A reminder that even when it seems like all is crashing down on you, the rest of the world is still alright and essentially so are you.

When your head is in a pool of worry and frenzy, take a minute or two, to look out for your moment of Magic. God has them scattered all over for you to enjoy.

Have yourselves a magical week.

Monday Morning.

Why cruel CompSci, why? Why must you drag me out of my warm and delicious bed to the bane of my existence that is the Monday dawnie?

In a student timetable, there are two things which are to be avoided if at all possible. the first of these is Mondays. The second is dawnies - first period lectures that have you up with the sun. Cross these and you get something between a suicide attempt and cruel and unusual forms of punishment.

Sounds bad already right? Add to this that I am one of those masochistic BA students who insists on doing a Science subject - Computer Science. Now you know roughly my frame of mind when presented with a mathematical algorithm and being told: "Work this out. Now". Just to make sure you aren't slacking (like 50% of the class who didn't show up), the ex-Dean of Science is going to prowl around with a menacing look of contempt for all you lowly first years.

Moral of the story: Don't attend Monday dawnies. You can always catch up the work later, wost comes to worst and you miss a lecture a week.

Now please excuse me, I have some sleeping to catch up on. Mmmmm.

Family Members

Dj Decoy

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Facing the Devil

I have a problem. That's the first step to getting a solution right? Admitting that you have a problem. It better be, because I have no idea how I am going to deal with this if it's not.

I arrived at Rhodes with a brief idea of this thing I shall call the devil, for now. I had not downloaded it myself, or as people say , "I was not 'on' it yet. I managed to go through the first term without it and I remained sane, but when I finally did get it, all hell broke loose. I would wake up earlier than usual in the morning(bear in mind, that the Godmother is in love with her sleep), just to make time before my lectures to check my inbox, reply the messages and change the status to let "the world" know how I was feeling that day. Now a day cannot pass without me logging in to check the latest added pictures, who is not in a relationship anymore, who is now and the status of whoever it is I'm keeping tabs on during that period. It is crazy. There have been nights when I have a four page essay to hand in and believe it or not, am online. Ask me what I am doing and I can hardly ever say. It gets so bad sometimes I use it as an incentive to work. I will work tirelessly for an hour and then take a five minute(sometimes this is extended to fifty) break on it.

If you haven't guessed by now, I will tell you, much to my shame-I AM A FACEBOOK ADDICT. If I never understood how people addicted to drugs or alcohol feel, I do now. One convinces them self that they need "it" to carry on with normal life, forgetting that they got along just fine without it. I convinced myself that this was the only way I could keep in touch with friends and family. It is after all "a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them".

So now, it's "crunch time" again. Exams' ugly face is drawing nearer and I cannot afford to be wasting time I could be using to study, sitting in front of a computer screen, "keeping in touch with the world."

So now, I face this devil, and ask myself if I will be able to survive if I deactivate the account. God forbid I lose touch with all my friends.I have come to the conclusion that if it had not been Facebook it would have been something else. Online chatting, clubbing, smoking, drinking, My Space. The devil lies in everything, trying to keep you away from going for your dreams. He just had to choose Facebook in my case.

I will keep you posted as to whether I managed to deactivate the account or at least stay offline. Maybe I should just start a FA(Facebook Annonymous) group. I know I am not alone in this.

Dear Rae,

I trust that you are well and hope school is going well for you. I have been coping better since the first day I arrived here. Its crazy how time has passed and how I have had constant battle to grow in this world that I though would be my freedom. I tell you one thing for sure, the real battle starts in university. Nothing is as easy as it seems.

When I got here, I though life would be a breeze. That is advice from the hard working and orientation week that distorted my vision. My failure to a strong head state hindered me immensely. It took me a lot to recover from the huge culture shock. I first went the wrong directing. I felt I needed alcohol to put a smile on my face. Every week I would fall deeper into a dark hole and I could not get my feet to stand.

Come exam time I really lost myself. I did not know that I would think of all the time I wasted, wasting money and playing with hard working people who know how to balance their time. I failed so badly I almost didn’t return. I bit my lip and decided to come back though because something in me kept saying real failure is when one doesn’t try harder. The talk I had with my father also made me stronger in that he reassured me that even though I messed up I can still get back on my feet is I just focus.

My talk with God really opened the door for me because he told me that I am capable of anything if I just believe. I went through a rough time but I am happy to say I am on my feet and I don’t even party anymore. I have focused myself on the things this institution has in store for me. After all that is my vision.

I hope all is well for you, and I hope you learn from my experience.

Love
Rachel

To vote or not to vote-eintlik you don't have a choice anymore

If you were one of the victims of my registration abuse, then you can log off or read another post. For the rest of you all, read on and learn.

I find myself deeply angered and irritated by young South Africans who refuse to register to vote in the coming elections. The common excuse is that they do not know who they will vote for, since the ruling party is being run by a man who many do not see fit as a leader for a country. It is for that very reason that EVERYBODY(including those who see election day as an excuse to stay in bed) should register to vote. What angers me most about these people that think they should rather not vote, is that they are the same people who sit and whine about the situation in South Africa, and "how SA is going down the drain". You see that's one thing I don't understand about people who find fault in the world: how do they expect it to change if they do not stop warming seats and do something about the faults themselves.

We have heard and are probably sick of hearing about how people were put into jail and tortured and killed, while seeking justice from the ruling government of the apartheid era. These people fought for the right that some of my young black peers are denying.THE RIGHT TO VOTE. I am angered. My young black peers might as well spit on the graves of uSteve Biko and spit in the face of TatuNelson Mandela. After all that they and thousands more went through to grant the black man this right, the young black man still has the nerve to deny it. Haai, ka nnete, truly, I do not understand.

Granted: With Thabo Mbeki gone, those who are not Zuma supporters, may feel like that there is not much choice, but that is the reason why election candidates have campaigns. The best will reveal himself. You will know. I refuse to believe that South Africa has turned into a Zimbabwe and that this is a another one-man-race.

My beautiful young ones, I urge of you to do this for South Africa. Right now the fate of our land either lies in the hands of Zuma supporters or of those who support "otherwise". For most of you reading it will be your first opportunity to vote. Your first opportunity to take a stand and sway the fate of South Africa. You young one who are contemplating not participating, your vote could be the vote that sways the votes from Zuma to "Non-Zuma"(I am just as confused as most of you).

Vote, according to me, we as the youth hoping for a successful South Africa do not have a choice.

When feeling lonely...

Dear Gratitude “sisterhood”

I have been missing you lately and I think missing home too much takes me back to the way I was at the beginning of the year. Mom tells me you are thinking of coming here next year so I thought I should warn you about a few things that you might come across. You might feel pressure to step out of your own character. You might also feel like something’s that you do are for the best when they actually aren’t.

In the beginning of the year I used to feel the need to have someone in my life, to feel the empty and lonely space. The need to find the person that could erase loneliness and get rid of the anxiety caused by home. But the truth is, no-one can erase all those memories of being home. So I had to find another way to deal with all the anxiety. My sub-warden said I was home-sick and that there was no need to worry because it happens to many people. Home-sickness is that ache that keeps you up at night and your heart feels hollow and you don’t know how to handle it. You feel down, you want to cry and you just want to be alone. It helps being around people but I found that music works for me. If you ever find yourself in the same situation just know that you aren’t alone. Don’t go looking for love from other people because you will only end up with a broken heart. Rather be yourself and know that you have people that love you, even though you cant see them.

I hope to see u soon, please don’t forget to write back when u have time!

I love you

Dianne

Flip the Switch

Since I live in one of the older residences on campus, that lovely large rectangle which lends itself to the landscape of Jan Smuts Hall, things may be expected to malfunction once in awhile. Still, what is even more annoying than the fact that the Athies building has slightly less personality than the residue I find on my toothbrush in the mornings, are the constant power trips.

So I get out of my shower this morning which didn’t have enough COLD water (I mean seriously?), and return to my room to hear the UPS going: beep! Beep! (For the technologically less inclined, a UPS is a device which keeps your computer running for a few minutes without power.) Right, one of the stitches has tripped. I leave my room, walk past several rooms on the same circuit as me – also without power – and reach the switchboard. The switch marked “EARTH LEAKAGE” is down. I glance furtively up and down the corridor, take a deep breath, and wrestle the switch up. The world doesn’t explode. Shrugging, I return to my room – the power has returned. Success!

A power trip may not seem like a big deal, and flipping the necessary switch doesn’t require large amounts of strenuous effort. This is why I am awestruck at the seeming incapability of anyone in my hall to do it themselves! There was an incident last term when I decided not to be the one who flipped the switch. The power stayed out for half an hour.

Perhaps there should be a technological course available to first year females upon entering res, dealing with the need-to-knows like switch flicking, working the washer, and not having your heater and computer and kettle and hairdryer and straightener on simultaneously. Until then, please Ladies, when the power goes off: just flick the switch!

If you only knew...

My nervous former self,

You’ve just arrived at Rhodes; there are a total of five people from your high school who are here, and you’re all set to create a new identity. Grahamstown is yours for the taking, and take it you just might. In your quest to forge a new identity, many avenues of self expression are available to you. With all this in mind, you find yourself surrounded by an abundance of stalls at societies evening.

At this point you have locked your keys and student card in your room, which will happen four times throughout the coming term. Don’t worry, this won’t hinder your registration for societies. Take time to linger at different tables, don’t let pre-conceived ideas influence which societies you will or won’t join. Have an idea of what interests you, but be open to exploring other opportunities.

Being a journalism student, a good place to start would be one of the newspapers. Religious or nationality groups will help you create an instant community and support structure. There are loads of fun and community upliftment societies available, everything from Amnesty to ROAR – an animal focused society. You’ve decided that you want to join one society with your boyfriend, so you grab his hand and head on towards the ballroom dancing table, despite your absolute lack of natural rhythm. Firstly let me tell you this won’t change. However, you will have a great deal of fun.

Now that you have chosen seventeen societies which sound amazing to you, settle for three or four for which you will actually register. After registering, the next step is very important: Go to the first meeting! This will ensure that you stay on track with what is happening. By now you are prepared for the great year which lies ahead.

Good luck! First year awaits you.

Love Me

Letter to the young me: You're gonna need somebody

Young One,

You walked into Rhodes thinking that all you needed was your faith, your will and nothing else. You don’t get any “wronger” than that. It will get rough. You will be faced with three assignments, two tests and only 48 hours to complete and prepare for them all. There will be days when you get tired of sleeping and the books aren’t friendly enough to make friends. Swallow your pride, young one: Make friends, call home when you need to talk, GO TO CHURCH, talk to tutors and lecturers when you need clarification (that’s what they’re paid for), and make yourself familiar with the sub wardens and wardens. Believe me when I say you will need somebody. There is nothing as underrated as a support structure, and I’m writing here to advise you to get as much of it as possible. You really will need it.

I remember how I walked into the dining hall for the first time all alone, and was introduced by Dani (whom I am so grateful for), to a group of then, strange people. I thought Dani would remain my only friend. Little did I know that only a month later I would find myself in someone’s room, tears clouding my vision, with not one, but five of those then strangers, now very good friends, at one am in the morning, pouring our souls out to each other. Choose wisely: you will get people who do not agree with the values that have instilled in you. Don’t be afraid to befriend types of people you wouldn’t normally befriend. They’re the one’s you will learn the most from.

Remember to keep smiling; the world is still in love with your smile,
Nthabi

Letter to my former self

Dear Trace

I know that you are nervous about coming to university, and that you are only half-joking when you say that you should stay at home and do a music degree via correspondence. Scrap that idea immediately! I promise, although there may be some hard times, you will have the most amazing time, meet the most amazing people and grow so much that you won’t even be able to recognise yourself!

I must tell you about the first thing that hit me being away at varsity - the freedom. Wow – it’s the strangest feeling! You can go anywhere and do anything you want to, without having to tell someone your every move. Just imagine – you can go out later than 1 am without Mom smsing to ask “Where are you? What time will you be home?” - You know how annoyed you get when she does that!

I think it’s important to warn you however that this new-found freedom is not always as wonderful as it sounds. You have to learn to fend for yourself as an adult while still having fun as a kid.

I guarantee that you will phone home at least four times a day in your first term, sounding like a complete idiot, asking questions such as “Where do I switch the stupid washing machine on?” and “What do you mean I can only use automatic washing powder in the machine? I’ve been using the handwash powder for the last two months!” The phone calls will eventually become less frequent (only around two a day by the end of the year) and you will learn how to wash your clothes, or quickly find out where the Laundromat is.

On a more serious note – be careful how you handle your freedom. Don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the frenzied student life of excessive drinking, weekday partying, smoking, bunking classes and any other activity that may catch up with you and affect your studies. It’s also very important that you remember the values you were taught at home, and apply them constantly.

If you keep this in mind, relax, and be yourself, you will have the time of your life!

Lots of love
Me