Mirror Miglactic

By Phetane Rapetswane

Trackback to for more the actual article: http://1styearspread.blogspot.com/2008/10/is-there-feeling-of-apathy-among-first.html

I actually do not think there is a lack of apathy towards HIV/AIDS at Rhodes. In fact I feel that the whole HIV situation at Rhodes has been extremely overplayed and is cultish in its behaviour to say the least. I also think that the reason why such few people go for tests is because they are relatively knowledgeable about the virus and how to avoid the virus, and most university students are also knowledgeable about the fact that going for a test is time consuming, and that the time spent on the tedious test could be spent doing something else regardless of how useless it may appear in someone else’s eyes. I think that all these funds that Sharc and the San utilise on privileged educated/intelligent people should rather be invested where the real apathy towards the virus lies which is in the township of Joza, where people just aren’t as knowledgeable as Rhodes students about the Epidemic, and that all the overly enthusiastic people can go make a difference at where all dubious stats like one in four people being HIV positive are actually true.

By Phetane Rapetswane

The winds of change have been sweeping across Rhodes University, and most of these winds of change have often been met with stiff resistance. Some of these changes include a new SRC body, with all the top three members of the leading student body all coming from the radical political group Sasco. Changes also include the name change of the Union to the Bantu Steven Biko, Cradock House in Nelson Mandela Hall to Adelaide Tambo House, as well as the university launching aggressive anti-drinking campaigns. Although most of these changes, like all the change in the world have been met with hostility and anger, some people have embraced the new changes and accepted, while others remain bitter and opposed to change, but this however is life- just take a look at the uproar that a change in the format of the new facebook brought, you’d swear the end of the world was approaching or something.
This long winded lead brings me to the Rhodes name change debate, which is a topic always sure to raise heated arguments and opinions. The mere thought of Rhodes changing its name has snapped even the most chilled or drunk Rhodent into taking action, and signing petitions or joining Facebook groups, where they can reminisce about how good the name is and how expensive a name change is, and how silly all other name change alternatives would be. These people of course are of course normally white people, although a couple of Rich Blacks have in my opinion ignorantly joined the white people in standing up for what is a clearly unjust name, as Cecil John Rhodes was after all a brutal tyrant who murdered and plundered African people’s resources, in pursuit of his own self interest. In my opinion he is no different to Hitler, but it is strange how the mere mention of Hitler makes people like Rhodents(Rich whites) in particular put themselves on a moral pedestal and call the guy a tyrant with whom they will not associate themselves with, however they are happy to associate themselves with Rhodes. Why people have this attitude is beyond me, and smacks of double standards, unless of course people think a Jewish life is more valuable than that of an African and that the murdering of Africans was perfectly fine as they were not ‘civilised’ enough.
When Mandela brought peace to South Africa in 1994, black South Africans were promised change and any change that has been done to ‘Africanise’ South Africa like affirmative action or name changes have been met with uproar and protest as some white people feel we are ruining their ‘country’. As Professor Pityana said it is important to challenge this image of Rhodes being a little bubble of Affluence and incorporate it into the rest of or Rhini and make sure that no one feels left out or excluded due to the socially constructed image of Rhodes only being for whites and rich black coconuts.
Change is never easy to accept, especially when you are not in control of that change, but ignorance is no excuse for standing in the way of change, and the sooner people get of their pedestal’s and realise that this is Africa and that no African in their right mind would accept anything to do with Cecil Rhodes as prestigious, just as no German would associate Hitler with prestige the sooner things in not only Rhodes but whole county will change.

Here is a trackback of some of the ignorant statements made in defence of this tyrant
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37806285209

By: Asanda Maki

Gcobani
I want to comment on your piece about JMS 1 lectures being compulsory. Do I smell the dead rat of jealousy here? Are you trying to force these naturally gifted students to come to class just to be in their presence? Maybe some of their genius will drift towards your skull and penetrate your drowsy brain. I know in this new South Africa we are all born equal but unfortunately that does not necessarily apply when it comes with our enthusiasm to rise with birds. My fellow Gcobani all I can advise you is to stop your jealousy, because I enjoy lectures when there are few students rather than a full lecture room with students checking their sms’s, whispering to others and catching up with the latest gossip. I’m sure your parents didn’t send you here to check on others! So please don’t try to be our daddy!. Or maybe you are trying to catch the early bird with the sexy legs! I attend all of my lectures and I don’t think they should be compulsory to others.

check: http://www.combatguide2uni.blogspot.com/

ok, so i was wrong.
here is yet another journ assignment that must be done...

ok so i am always going on about pride and anti-homophobia, well i found a cool site. check out my comment at this link.

http://cyberling2205.livejournal.com/9544.html

Blogging- “a hybrid multiple of sources.” A reflective piece
By: Courteney-Jade Gillespie

Faced with the many questions that were presented in this final assignment, I sat down at my computer with more complaints that 1000 words could serve to explain. This is so pointless! What a waste of my time! Are they actually being serious! I AM SO OVER THIS! But then I stopped and looked back on this daunting first year to the rest of my life. I am not a journalist. This short to the point statement is completely different to the hypothesis that I made at the beginning of the year when Mr. Rod Amner gave us our very first journ assignment. I am not a journalist…but I am a writer.

I came to Rhodes with a dream of becoming a journalist. I fought long and hard to get here and now at the end of my first year, I behold a different dream, a dream that is unbeknown to myself at present but I know that journalism is not in my future. I have not applied to second year journalism, not for the fear of an unmanageable work load and rumors of a dwindled social life due to my choice of wanting to major in drama, but due to the fact that I do not like to follow rules when it comes to putting pen to paper, thoughts to words. Thus my choice to rebel in this final assignment rather that complain…

Pen to paper. Thoughts to words.
Come on Courtenèy, this couldn’t be worse.
You took this course, now where to begin?
Two hours later- scrunched paper in the bin.

In the world of journ, this piece is a sin.

So first term came and went my dear, well what you know, it’s the end of the year.
And here I sit writing a blog, with rules and constraints, deadlines, and marks.

First term was easy! Now my heads in a mess!
Stress levels souring! Must do my best!
Think faster! Write it again!
Its 11pm, I must dig in.
Write something good, people read this you know!
Oh my word, my fingers are typing so slow!

Click. Click.
Post on blog. RUconnected.
Who would have thought that being productive would be so hectic?!
YES! I’m on time! WHAT?! So many mistakes?
Could I plead dyslexic?
Do what ever it takes!

A week passes, and what do you know? Another assignment and ten hours to go.
Close my eyes, let my imagination run wild.
Reminding myself of a spoiled-brat child.
So once again I pick up my pen and with ease and a shimmer I let my story begin.
This comes naturally.
Don’t get carried away!
Click. Click.
Post.
No need to boast.

Monday, 4pm, my tut.
Leila looks pretty as usual.
AH YOU GUY!!! I’ll punch you in the gut!!!!
Complain!!!
Complain!!!
That’s all we ever do!
Ai pretty Leila, I feel sorry for you.
Problems sorted.
Students snorted.
Muttered words of contradictions.
Expectations- moving forward!

Grumpily huffing through the AMM- asked to evaluate my ‘personal growth’ on a scale of one to ten.
Let me think?
Is one or ten the best?
Damn these badly explained questions!
I guess here’s the answer that answer they wanted to know…
“Yes, this course allowed Courtenèy-Jadè to grow, meeting deadlines, actually working, doing her best to pass all these ‘tests’.
Posting a blog to prevent a flogging from her group that’s also blogging.
So here is your number, I think it’s a five, thanks to that zero, I should have lied.

I Googled myself, and what came up?
Mirrormiglactic!
My blogs!
Oh what luck!
At least now I can say I have been published in sorts.


A reporter indeed!Journalists take heed!Blogging my friends, is in fact a form of journalism!
YES! TAKE THAT!

I breathe, and pause to regain my thoughts.

I have never really felt at all confined in this course.
I have always written well between the lines.
My marks are great, NO, no filth or lies.
I guess it was ignorance that covered my eyes.

I survived my first year, and there is no going back.
Sadly neither forwards, my bags leaving journ are packed.

I have learned how to research with careful precision, making sure not to plagiarize, that would be a bad decision.
Working with sources- meeting new people.
Telling their stories.
Writing- free.
Letting their words be an expression of journ.
Letting their stories speak to all those who will listen.
Respecting their ethics, the worlds and my own, preventing disaster buy sticking close to home.

And they ask me “did I learn to express my self better in a genre mould?” “ did I experiment?”
Is this writing not bold enough?
Did I refrain on doing what I was told?
This is a game of poker, where I will not fold.


Click. Click.
Post.

Lets hope I pass.
But even if I fail…
I have learned from the JMS1, class of 2008 that not only in chess can you claim,
“CHECK MATE”

Pen to paper. Thoughts to words.
I am not a journalist. But I am a writer.

By: Courteney-Jade Gillespie

Comment on Opinion blog: http://bungeemylife.blogspot.com/2008/10/fatfatter-and-first-year-spread.html

Well now where to start…firstly, I do have to apologize but wow, your spelling and grammar in this post! Honest mistakes I am sure, but it completely threw me off and I lost interest and respect when reading it! Back to the main topic at hand. I found this blog mediocre and bland, this topic has been widely spoken about, and scrutinized to utter precision, so you should have this topic to the extreme, found a slant that no other student has made before. What crash diets are people trying? Why would they have modified our food? Is it all a conspiracy? You made this post to personal, which I think is your first mistake; why not interview your friend? You used Propps technique, that came across, first year spread being the villain, exercise the hero etc, I congratulate you on that, I just believe that your piece lacked a finesse that could have been created with a little more effort.

by: Courteney-Jade Gillespie
comment on a comic
http://www.pointingpurple.blogspot.com/

I enjoyed reading this comic, being a drama kid I can relate to it. You used Propps character functions and dramatis personae really well and made it work to your advantage. You also used Todorov’s principles of equilibrium, disruption, equilibrium, which created a better structured climax. It was interesting how you used the audience from another production in the piece. This was a very original and topical comic. I liked how you used an issue that everyone is talking about and exploited it to you benefit. You took this comic to another level and put more than the expected effort into it. Well done guys!!!!!!

By: Asanda Maki

When convincing a tutor, lecturer or your fellow students about something you think twice about what to say because your English is broken. Sometime we tend not ask lecturers questions after lecture, because you are afraid they will find it difficult to understand you, your English is broken! Sometime it seems like it (your English) doesn’t want to come out. “At University welcome to the “English” the main spoken language on and off campus”. Well the have their reasons to do this in which I’m not interested in.

It may be unfamiliar for students whose English is their second language at University, because saying if you are coming from your home country or town and you were used to the idea of convincing your teachers or your fellow learners in your native language in academic terms here; its different. Because at University especially the one I’m studying at….Rhodes University, things are different and quietly unfamiliar. “You wake up and say hello in English, you go to lectures you greet everybody in English, lunch and supper you greet everyone in English, even when you are going to sleep, you have to say “goodnight” in English”…..Okay maybe I am a bit sarcastic here…but this happens and trust me I was almost get bored up until some of my friends I met were speaking my home language.

I hope I don’t sound racist, but I think English is dominating because lecturers are predominantly whites in Universities……. “Its just an opinion” I want us to look at this ridiculous statement……”it’s not a good idea to speak your own language on campus, if you are not English”. I don’t mean to be vulgar in terms of language but I’m trying to clear something some of us don’t understand. Maybe you can think I’m damn good at English, no I’m not…I just dropped it after my June examinations, actually I was advised by the Rhodes Head of Department of English to give it up because of some reasons.

At Rhodes University or in any other Universities internationally; if English is not your first language you may experience some problems when you first begin studying your first year. This is what they said to me, if English is your second language, it is not unusual for you to find it difficult at first to understand the English spoken by lectures, tutors or other students satisfactorily. That is very frustrating for me. They say you simply need time to get used to spoken English, because it’s a normal experience. You find it difficult in contributing in tutorials; maybe they may seem very daunting for you. Reading through the course material that you are expected to get through as part of the course in English. The worst and extremely daunting one is essay writing in which you are expected to write about 2000 words academic essay. Its difficult for a number of reasons. First the length (you may not have had previous experience of writing anything longer than 250 words); second the style and lastly the correct use of English language just like a native speaker is expected.

I believe that as a first year student, speaking your own language on campus is cool. They say speaking English enables you to get through what I have just mentioned above and to boost your spoken English. Yes I agree on that but I think saying it’s not a good idea to speak your own language on campus is completely a ridiculous statement that makes no sense.

Ndithetha isiXhosa (I am speaking isiXhosa) and I wish if I meet someone on campus whom I know s/he is speaking isiXhosa would do the same. “I’m tired of ama-coconut” offense but really I wish someone could speak his/her native language. I also wish that every subject I do was taught in my native language, not that I don’t understand they way I am being taught by…but I wish my son/daughter one day can be taught in proper Xhosa. It is a good idea to speak your own language on campus even if you are not English, it’s important to speak your own language too on campus.

Its 2008 for crying out loud….14 years of democracy….we can speak our own language nobody is going to laugh at us!!

By: Asanda Maki

The time was 22:30 pm and I was at Fountain Laboratory to finish my Journalism assignment which was due before midnight. I was sitting and typing, put my head phones listening to some music. This lab is one of the labs usually filled by students’ not just students but those taking in route in Extend Studies. It is one of my favourite labs at Rhodes.

Apparently I heard daunting noises….shouting and swearing. It was a group of guys in which some of them I recognised sometimes in this lab. I was extremely shocked to see that these guys were DRUNK! Some of them were acting as if they are not while other you could tell that this one has had “some”. Well it was fine there was no one to stop them; I think the security guards didn’t see them entering the labs in the condition they were in, in order to chase them. They were so irritating because they caused high levels of nose in the whole labs…shouting. I saw other female student panicking because of this unstoppable noise. They packed their stuffs and left the lab.

It was when I saw one of them taking out a “nip of Limosin Brandy” while others were holding glasses of “beer”. The lab was smelling alcohol and a disgusting smell. I was so annoyed and irritated…..”Not that I was thirsty”…..my turn passed and I had a great experience…just that this brings the memory of an experience I had in the past weekend.

Things got out of hand when this guy poured the Limosin Brandy for his friend and guess what happened next…..he drunk the rest like he was drinking a juice or water not a spirited brandy and he couldn’t hold himself he was so excited! And shouting….Voetsek! to his friends. They tried to stop him but he was drunk and uncontrollable.

Even though I am afraid of a drunken person because he can do anything to get a fight …but I was just about to go and tell the guy to keep the noise levels down because we are doing academic work…a Campus Protection Unit guard walked in. He didn’t even ask what was happening rather he saw the situation by his own eyes. He went outside I assume he went to call on other guards to come. Apparently I saw his “drunken master’s” friends trying to escape, some pretended they were sober…the CPU caught the drunkard just when him and his friends were trying to escape outside the lab entrance. Then I heard some of his friends saying he is taken to the Campus Protection Unit offices.

My Opinion, i don't care if you don't like it.
By: Courteney-Jade

"All first year students that claim to be ‘gay’ are just looking for attention and are in an experimental phase. It’s disgusting how they expose themselves in public. They are a shame to Rhodes and a waste to society."

Firstly, I would like to take the opportunity to thank the inebriated fools outside the union for airing their opinion on" us" ‘Confused, attention seeking gay first years’, and secondly I would like to take your close minded hypothesis and shine some light on your sheltered, homophobic, trend-driven, politically weak minded view on "us".

I am part of the OUT Rhodes com for 2009. I have been passionately active in the society and involved with all the first years who you have laid this brash claim against. I came out to my family and friends two years ago, and have not looked back since. Julia Dowejko and Nicole Menton two first years who have been together and out for three years. Kirsten Lee who been out for two years and comfortable with who she is. Calvin Soloman, a perky, popular first year who has been out for three years. These are not isolated events. If you are entirely sure and confident about your theory I implore you to step out of your comfort zone and approach a ‘gay’ first year and ask them their story.

As far as the suggestion that we are "a shame to Rhodes and a waste to society", The OUT Rhodes society is one of the biggest societies on campus, it is involved in helping many people in there struggles of being a gay and an out member of the youth, it is the biggest university "queer friendly’ society in south Africa and has recently become involved in the project Kaleidoscope, an organization for the gay, bi, curios, etc youth of south Africa. Many of the students involved in the "gay sphere" of Rhodes are involved in raising awareness, politically aware and activists, who speak out against human injustice and for those who can not. It is a common sight to see OUT Rhodes first year members at rallies and marches against the rape of woman, the discrimination of all humanity, HIV awareness and so fourth. There are gay first year students who have been accepted as presidents of other societies as well as becoming highly regarded as important and influential members of the Rhodes community.

Regarding the accusation that we "expose ourselves in public". Take a look around friars, the rat, the union, the common meeting grounds for the party people of Rhodes, look at how many "straight" people are grouping each other on the dance floor, swallowing each others tongues, grinding in appropriately to a song, or sitting on the pavement making out, where they are so drunk they can not support one another. We do not air our dirty laundry in public like you do, we do not ‘expose’ our sexuality like you do, after all with people like you in the world would we purposely aim the spotlight on ourselves so that we may get bombarded with words of discrimination?

I have witnessed numerous occasions of homophobia on campus, such as walking down the street and having ‘DYKE’ yelled out at me, once again by a drunk immature jock with his stereotypical macho crowd cheering him on. I ask you, what is the point? What do you get out of hurting other people? I do not discriminate, although when provoked I will speak out.

We have done nothing to deserve the labels that you blindly pin to us, not just the gay population but all those who are different to you. Take a moment and consider the consequences of being an arrogant, ignorant, puppet of your close minded clique, because one day you will face severe consequences. Karma is a bitch.

By Asanda Maki

Professor Vodka

I would like to congratulate you in writing an interesting profile. When I was reading the profile you wrote about Sivuyisiwe Bridgette Ngcaba I was impressed. I have to say I like your writing style and I would also say you fitted exactly to the narrative style of many narrative scholars. In your profile article you are simple and clear about your interviewee. You followed exactly Todorov’s model of narrative by giving us an initial equilibrium- where you told us about the setting of the interview, description of your interviewee and then you told us about how Sivuyiswe grew up. Disruption- where Sivuyisiwe’s mother was strict. And finally the new equilibrium about whom the new Sivuyisiwe is at Rhodes and how she’s performing academically. You made a good analysis on Vladimir Propp’s narrative structure about the family member who is Sivuyisiwe leaving home and becoming a hero at Rhodes but her enemy villain which is excessive party and drinking is after her in destructing her life. You had a good flow in this profile the start, middle and end; nice picture too. Her mother as a helper and donor, and Rhodes as her dispatcher. It is a good profile indeed.

Link: http://www.phola101.blogspot.com

By: Courteney-Jade Gillespie
from: http://www.fourhensandacock.blogspot.com/

Who new that poetry could define a man with a moustache in such a "musical" way. I read this piece and as your words graced my eyes images and an irritating, yet entertaining tune popped into my head. I enjoy how you have used Propp's form of 'Dramatis personae' in your writing and setting Garth as the hero of the moustache men. You have included the fundamental components of narrative, such as a constant stable piece of writing whereby each idea develops logically from the previous one. You have also included the Todorov status of the equilibrium. I really enjoyed this piece. Thank you.

By Asanda

I miss the short and long breaks at my school, where we used to eat Amagwinya (vetkoeks) with pilchard fish inside them and drink irhemele (ginger beer). It costed R 1, 50 only. We would buy them from Auntie, we named her Sis’Thami the word comes from her real name Nomathamsanqa, and it was a nice lunch to have. Two “vetkoek” were enough for me and I was sorted. Her business was located next to the school entrance.

At home my mother would cook Umgqusho (samp) my favourite supper; Umphokoqo (African salad) my favourite lunch if didn’t attend school for some reasons. Those were/are my favourite meals of the day. I was lucky because she taught me how to cook, how to clean the house and numerous things to do at home.

I came at Rhodes University, it all changed, i eat at Smuts dining hall. My breakfast in which I usually unbooked is fair. Sometimes I get annoyed by different menus for lunch and supper. Today it was worse I even asked the Auntie in the kitchen if she can manage to eat the meal she gave to me. It was one fried potato and quarter leg of chicken and guess what! I was starved; my lunch didn’t go well up until exceeded and took six slices of brown bread to rescue my soul, I admit I obeyed the policy that you have to take not more than four slices of bread. I mean one piece of meat and one potato is not enough for a guy like me. Honestly sometimes I get tired of getting small amount of food whereas I payed thousands and thousands of my fees.

I am saying that I eat differently from the way I used to eat last year. But still people are recommending that I am getting fatter and fatter. A secret is….I always wait for “seconds” in the dining hall and get enough food as I can. I don’t complain I am satisfied with the food I get in this Varsity, its fair…but I promise you go out there and ask students about how they feel about their dining halls and the food they get…and wait for answers!

Oh the time is 18:25 pm its time for my Sunday supper……

By: Phetane Rapetswane



This narrative is about Mbongeni Allan Magubane, a young man who hails from Estcourt - a small town in KwaZulu-Natal about 200kms north of Durban and it is a town surrounded by the picturesque Drakensburg Mountains. When asked to describe his home town in one word he responded with a twinkle in his eye as he simply labelled his home town “Beautiful”. He further went on to describe Estcourt as a small, private town which has an aura about it”, and he takes great joy and pride in calling this town his home.



Allan is doing a BA law, a course which he is thoroughly enjoying, and he has termed his brief stint at Rhodes as “living the dream”. When quizzed about why he came chose Rhodes university, he said that he enjoyed the fact that he would be going to a prestigious university in a small town which is similar to his own town, he also chose Rhodes, because of its academic culture, and because it has a very chilled nature about it. He also mentioned with great delight that all the perceptions and reasons for him coming to Rhodes, turned out to be the right one, and so he has no regrets what so ever about joining this institution.



Allan who described him self in five words is “always trying to be Christ-like” as this is what he believes is the very foundation of what being a Christian is all about. This is of relevance, because in all he does it is his faith that keeps him going, and it is his faith that has helped him adapt to life at Rhodes in Grahamstown, which is well over a 1000kms away from where his heart always lies. He has describes his experience as Rhodes as Awesome, as he has met new people, and has enjoyed the diversity that Rhodes has, especially since KZN really only had Zulus. He said that Rhodes has taught him how to be independent, and it has taught him how to be patient, and him how to defend who he is as a person, and what he stands for, yet he keeps an open mind to growth and change if necessary.



It is this exact kind of attitude that has helped Allan take Rotaract by storm in Grahamstown, as he is now the secretary of the society in his first year which is definitely an achievement not to be scoffed at. He really enjoys helping people, and he said that Rotaract gives people the opportunity to help others whom are less fortunate than most Rhodents, especially here in Grahamstown, as this is a very poor place in the poorest province in the country, so there definitely isn’t a shortage of people to help.”


Allan believes that his character has definitely changed since he arrived at Rhodes. He believes that he has matured, and that he knows far less than what he thought he knew which has made him willing to learn, and embrace some of the change that being at this Institution brings. He feels that coming to Rhodes was a timely reminder of the fact that if he works hard, he’ll eventually reap what he sows, as he continues on his journey towards achieving greatness and even more importantly finding peace within himself.

By: Asanda Maki

Charlie loves smiling, he is always smiling, “smiling comes from my love for people and I believe smiling can make a difference in someone else’s life” said Charlie with a baritone voice; “And I’m people’s person” he added. He says the way he smiles at people can even irritate them, besides he also believes laughter is the best medicine.

We met just after he finished writing his Economics 102 test; wearing his jean-to-jean jacket in hand holding his 30cm yellow ruler and a question paper, he suggested that we could go to my place close by instead of walking up the hill to Piet Retief house where he lives. In the chilly wind of Tuesday evening we walked from the labs straight to Adamson house, where we got into my spacious room number 10 and Charlie was fascinated by my opera stars posters on the wall.
Nkosoxolo Charlie Mzimane is eighteen years old. He is a relaxed person who does not worry a lot. He says he loves having fun but he does not let that interrupt his life, although he says he is a very responsible person whenever he is having fun. Charlie doesn’t mean having fun as in “clubbing” every Wednesdays until Saturdays as most students at Rhodes University would do, rather he spends his time on his knees praying to God.

He was born in Gcuwa which is also known by its former name Butterworth, situated about 100 km north of East London in the Eastern Cape, but grew up and studied in Margate, south coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Charlie is in his first year studying BCom in Extended Studies program, he says he decided to do BCom through this programme and he thought about that very carefully. It will probably take him 4 years to finish his degree, according to him this will give him more time to think about his career and he thinks it’s beneficial. He loves this course. However he wants to make some changes next year in his choice of academic subjects.

Charlie describes his first year at Rhodes University with one word “hectic”. Because he says there have been a lot of work and lot of personal issues, referring to his relationships at Rhodes, which he refused to mention, overall it has been a good learning curve for him although he had faced countless difficulties. Afterwards I spoke with his close friend Solomzi Ndzumo who sees Charlie as his brother, and says they have shared so many experiences, happy moments and difficult moments. “You see mfowethu Charlie is like a brother to me, he is my diary and he is the only person who understands me the best, we have so many things in common” he said. Solomzi says he knows Charlies’s family and Charlie knows his. Charlie even informed Solomzi about his mother’s illness few months ago and that made him to be depressed. Solomzi says Charlie’s mother’s illness didn’t bring Charlie down to such an extent he wouldn’t cope with his studies instead he became stronger. These two friends say they were in the same class since from school, starting from Grade 7, 10, 12 until in their first year in BCom1F.

Charlie says the main reason as to why he has managed to survive his first year at Rhodes is because he is Christian- he believes in God. He has not found a church in which he belongs in but has currently visited His People, River of Life, SCO and Christians at Rhodes; however he has not joined any of Christian Societies at Rhodes. “All I can say is that God has helped me to sustain and survive my first year at Rhodes” he said. He thinks he is brilliant but at the same time he loves socializing and that is why he doesn’t have enough studying time. “This is where I found God helping me” he said. Other than that he hasn’t achieved any academic achievements besides passing few tests and the recent examinations “in which I didn’t study for” he said, but he achieved a lot.

Charlie is not someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth, “The silver spoon was more like 200km from my mouth and I still haven’t got it yet” said Charlie with laughter. For him life was difficult to such an extent he did not realise he’d be able to make it to Rhodes. Charlie is the Vice-President in Public Relations of Rhodes Toastmasters. Being in this society has made his first year a challenging and exciting year; he says it helped him to juggle his social and academic life. “Being elected in a position of leadership is not something to be excited about, because leading is serving and I feel I could serve better” he said.

Charlie says he is not a hero, but having friend that he has chosen well has been a great deal of help, “because it meant I had formed a support system and I also met some inspiring people that helped me to be encouraged and develop my character and skills at Rhodes” said Charlie.

http://facebook.com

By Courteney-Jade Gillespie

Julia Dowejko is nineteen years old, and in first year, has achieved more than most people do in their entire university career. She grew up in Krugersdorp and attended Krugersdorp high school, where she left Matric with six distinctions. She came to Rhodes, with the same reasons that many of us have, “I wanted to get away from home and expand. I have wanted to come here since I was a tiny-winy tot and love the historic feeling of the town.”

Miss Dowejko received a Bursary in order to attend Rhodes, this Bursary is from the Mogale City municipality which pays a sum of money for her overall school fees (work and residence related). It is a no-strings-attached bursary, Miss Dowejko smiles, “ I just had to do well at the end of matric to stand a chance of getting it. The top 10 students in Mogale City (where Krugersdorp is situated in) were offered bursaries by the mayor. I just had to fill out a form and speak to the mayor and that was that.”

Miss Dowejko has always been a hard worker and obtained above excellent results, in grade eleven and twelve she received her academic colours as well as the ‘Dux Scholar Trophey’ at the end of matric. All this work and no play? Unbelievably not, Miss Dowejko finds time to compete in almost every inter-res sport that has been held this year, as well as go out with friends, attend outrhodes protests, run for fun and play table tennis… all whilst obtaining marks over 70%. Julia Explains that her time management allows her to gain balance in her stressful life, “ I work hard, really hard, then relax a lot. You need to work hard to get somewhere in this life but it is worth the ride at the end when you have gotten where you wanted to get to. Otherwise, I don’t let myself get carried away: eat a lot of good, sticky food but exercise and stay healthy; work very hard but don’t sacrifice your friends, love the person you are in love with but don’t grow dependent on them; try be as different as you can but don’t get locked up in the loony-bin, Time management. You just have to get the work done as quickly and as best you can because there’s no point in trying to relax knowing that you have got a two-thousand word essay due the next day. I try to appreciate every minute that I have free”

Among the things that make Miss Dowejko outstanding and iconic is her achievement of becoming sub-warden in Oriel House for 2009, this is a prestigious title as she is the first, first year to ever claim this title. However with this achievement she states that she has received plenty of criticism and many people claim that somehow the elections were rigged, but remains positive and happy with her well deserved accolade. “I followed the same procedure as everybody else that applied for sub-warden. I managed to get short listed after handing in an, and writing a very dramatic, application form. I somehow made it through the interview unscathed and they must have thought I was competent enough for the job. It’s an amazing feeling knowing what I’ve achieved and knowing that, despite the negative remarks I received about applying as a first- year, I made it. I’m not sure why I was chosen but I don’t really think it matter whether you are first year or not. As my warden told me, there are some Honours students who she would never even consider for the job. I suppose it just depends on who you are, not what you are.”

Miss Dowejko is an inspiration to all first years and a hero amongst her friends, and as sub-warden next year will make many reliable and honorable footsteps for all her peers to follow in.