With the addition of Walter Sisulu University to the original three "Tri-var" universities of Rhodes, Fort Hare and NMMU, more students than ever before will be converging on the Rhodes University campus for the Inter-varsity sports tournament this weekend, which means more money for local businesses and more noise for Grahamstown residents.
With the addition of Walter Sisulu University to the original three "Tri-var" universities of Rhodes, Fort Hare and NMMU, more students than ever before will be converging on the Rhodes University campus for the Inter-varsity sports tournament this weekend, which means more money for local businesses and more noise for Grahamstown residents.
The management of Vineyard Liquors believes that the arrival of students for the inter-varsity weekend has an “enormous impact on business” saying that: “It gets busier here [over inter-varsity]than over Fest!”
Grahamstown Pharmacy owner, Wimpie Bosch, agrees and says that “it brings extra people to town.”
This was confirmed by Mhleli Ngubo, manager of the Old Gaol, who says that the Backpackers will be "fully booked" and that there will be "many people in the bar".
The business owners are not alone in benefiting from the influx of people. Siphokazi Qakamfana has been working as a parking attendant for a year, and though she knows little about Rhodes University or the inter-varsity tournament, she knows that more people in town means that “we do make more money”.
However, not everyone is affected by the students’ arrival. "It’s not so busy for us," says Elliot Swartbooi, manager of Kwikka Likka liquor store.
Swartbooi says that the businesses close to the Rhodes campus will benefit from the number of new arrivals, but on the side of town where the store is located, "few students come".
Safety concerns at Inter-varsity
There are also those who do not see the tournament in a positive light. Though the management of Vineyard Liquors realises that the tournament is good for business, they describe the period as an excuse for a “drunken orgy”, and explain that “the liquor consumption [that happens over the period]is something that must be experienced… to be understood”.
They believe this can lead to irresponsible behaviour.
Rhodes University staff understand that this is a time of celebration and fun, especially as Rhodes is the hosting the event.
Dean of Students, Dr Vivian de Klerk, acknowledges that there are safety concerns that need to be addressed. According to De Klerk, “each university will be bringing additional guards of their own, and Rhodes will be employing extra security staff over the weekend.”
However, De Klerk insists that students should also "take responsibility for [their]own safety."
One Grahamstown resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes that inter-varsity weekend will be no different from the rest of the year. For him, every night is the same. He lives opposite the Rat and Parrot, and refers to his doorstep as “the rest step, because people will sit here [late at night]and have a rest.”
The resident, a father, complains that cigarette and marijuana smoke come into his child’s room on a regular basis. "Because they’re far from home, they forget that others live here,” he says.
Read more about Inter-varsity at Rhodes and get the full 2009 Inter-varsity fixture list.
