By Rikie Lai
Celebrating its 120th anniversary, Rhodes University recently held a lecture on the long-standing history of the institution, presented by the esteemed historian Professor Paul Maylam.
Maylam received his honours degree at Rhodes and worked as head of the History Department until his retirement.
During his lecture, Maylam outlined a detailed timeline of events and alumni and a detailed account of critical key points in the history of Rhodes. He indicated that in 1904 when Rhodes was established, teaching held a much higher precedent than research. He adds that modern faculties do not solely focus on teaching because teaching alone is insufficient for that university to gain recognition. Institutions such as Rhodes require that lecturers publish journal articles.
According to Maylam, historically, due to teaching being a priority over research, some faculties were involved in teaching across multiple disciplines because research showed no importance then. Maylam highlighted Stanley Kidd as one of these figures who simultaneously lectured for English, Latin, Greek and Philosophy disciplines.
In addition, Maylam includes many scholars, faculty members, and alumni of Rhodes who shaped and developed the institution in earlier decades. Some of these names included Guy Butler, head of the English Department from 1952 to his retirement in 1987; George Corey, historian and the first chemistry professor for Rhodes University from 1904 until his retirement in 1925; and James Leonard Brierley (JLB) Smith, whose legacy in ichthyology would continue after his passing in 1968 when Rhodes established the JLB Smith Institute of Ichthyology in his memory.
The contrast from Rhodes initially prioritising teaching above research is visible from the history, in which research was only emphasised in the 1970s after the Research Committee and funds became available in 1943 and the establishment of the Institute of Social and Economic Research in 1954.
This demonstrates the development and change of mindset in which research is a more fundamental part of the institute which is present currently.
Considering prolific researchers and the developed importance of research, Maylam said there would be too many to list. However, he says: “I had to mention esteemed professor Tebello Nyokong, her 32 years within the Chemistry Department as well as the 71 PhD graduates and 64 MSC graduates that she has supervised, four books and almost 1000 articles in her name.”
These names were just a glimpse into the countless impactful individuals Rhodes has encountered, and Maylam also highlighted it would not be possible to name the numerous Rhodes alumni who have contributed to and impacted society over the 120-year history of the institution.
However, with historical circumstances and the Apartheid era, Maylam states that Rhodes did not admit a single black student until the late 1940s when there was no legislation which enforced segregation. These laws would only come about in 1959, and Maylam discusses three critical voices within Rhodes that spoke out on segregation until 1951.
Rhodes’ first history lecturer from 1911-1917, William Miller (W.M) MacMillan, expressed shock towards the state of townships in Grahamstown. Quoting MacMillan’s words, Maylam said: “The death rates exceed the birth rates.”
Maylam expands that other Rhodes academics were vehemently against the oppressive system of apartheid. These academics include Professor and Economist Hobart Houghton, who was very outspoken about the evil migrant labour system. Another academic, Michael Harmel, in the late 1930s, stated his views: “Every white man in South Africa is responsible for every foul act of oppression and brutality and repression and exploitation which takes place in our land.”
While there were outspoken critical voices against the oppression happening in South Africa, Rhodes also had adverse historical events, such as in 1962 when an honorary doctorate was awarded to then-President Charles Robberts (C.R.) Swart, who had previously been a highly repressive minister of justice. Maylam states that that was “one of the most shameful episodes in the university history”, especially considering that university authorities had to reprimand 20 academic staff who protested this decision severely.
In the long-standing 120-year history of Rhodes, many alumni and staff have made groundbreaking changes and impacts in the modern world, from journalism to commerce, science, and research.
The future of research and beyond holds the potential to shine brighter than the historical events, and the recollection of the past allows for scholars and future members of the institute to have access to the sacrifices, protests and oppression that was endured, which allowed Rhodes to be present on this 120th anniversary.
