By The Division of Communications & Advancement Ntobeko Promise Songcata, a Rhodes University PhD student, has been awarded the prestigious R700,000 start-up grant from the SAB Foundation. His biotechnology start-up, Pro’land Biotech, co-founded with Charles Arineitwe, was recognised for their innovative invention, PetriCam, at the 2024 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards. Pro’land Biotech is one of the first spinouts of the recently established Rhodes Enterprises (Pty) Ltd. PetriCam is a groundbreaking device developed to provide scalable and real-time analysis of microbial organisms for various industries, including environmental monitoring and pharmaceutical quality control. Developed at the Rhodes University Biotechnology Innovation Centre…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
By Ephreeda Banda The School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, in collaboration with the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF), introduced the Makhanda Declaration. This significant proclamation aims to rejuvenate the field of journalism in South Africa, aligning with the celebration of SA Media Freedom Day. October 19 marks Media Freedom Day, commemorating Black Wednesday in 1977 when the Apartheid regime banned the World and Sunday World newspapers and imprisoned anti-apartheid journalists. The Makhanda Declaration, a document inspired by the 1991 Windhoek Declaration created by African journalists, has been revisited. This updated declaration, formulated by journalists, academics, and scholars during…
NguChris Totobela Iqela lebhola ekhatywayo lesikolo iTEM Mrwetyana lenze imbali kulo nyaka ngokuphumelela indebe yobuntshatsheli kukhuphiswano lwezikolo zalapha eMakhanda, bengakhange baphulukane nawo nomnye umdlalo. Batywatyushe kwanto nje bebedibana nayo apha endleleni yabo. Indlela yeli qela eya empumelelweni yenziwe lula yindlela abadlali balo bebezimisele ngayo, kwaye amaqela ebekhangeleka engalithibaza eli qela kwimizamo yalo, iNombulelo neKutliso Daniels, aye ayekelela umxakatho kwaye aye enza impazamo enkulu ebangele ukuba afe namthanyana. INombulelo ibonakele idlalela ukonwabisa ababukeli endaweni yokuphumelela, logama yona iKutliso iye yangenwa ngumkhwa wokudelela amaqela ebidlala nawo, ntoleyo ebangele ukuba iTEM Mrwetyana ithi ngcu encochoyini kude kube sekugqibeleni. Abadlali beMrwetyana badlala ngokuzithemba kakhulu…
By Chris Totobela Mouners came out in numbers this past weekend to bid farewell to one of Makhanda’s young and promising football talents, who sadly passed away recently. Nomveliso “Nhenhe” Zenani was laid to rest last Saturday and all the speakers at her funeral service echoed similar sentiments about her personality. Childhood friend and neighbour, Onesisa Ntlanjeni, described Zenani as a warm, loving person who was full of life, someone who respected people the same way, whether young or old. “She was an exceptional human being with a bright smile, she did not want to see anyone sad and would…
By Professor Sioux Mckenna The latest university rankings have just been published to much fanfare and, in many cases, handwringing. As a researcher of higher education systems, I am often asked about Rhodes University’s position on rankings. In this Q&A, I answer some frequently asked questions. Why does RU refuse to participate in rankings? Because they are unscientific, neocolonial, and follow a problematic business model. What makes them unscientific? Each ranking company follows its own formula, but the methodology is largely the same. They collect proxy metrics that are supposed to represent complex social activities, such as ‘reputation survey’ data…
By Staff Reporter The St Andrew’s College 1st XI, featuring a relatively inexperienced squad, travelled to East London to face Selborne College in a 40-over match on Saturday. Selborne, batting first, got off to an impressive start. Despite the efforts of the College bowlers, Selborne posted a formidable 305/5, with William Beamish leading the bowling attack and finishing with figures of 3/60. In response, the St Andrew’s College openers made a solid start, keeping pace with the required run rate. However, as wickets began to fall, the pressure mounted. Oliver Johns top-scored with a well-played 58 off 50 balls, while…
By Staff Reporter This past weekend, the St Andrew’s College Basketball Club proudly hosted Kingswood College, Queen’s College, and DSG in a festive basketball triangular. The day was packed with thrilling basketball action, close games, and an electric atmosphere that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. The 1st Team faced off against both Queen’s College and Kingswood College in highly contested matches that provided the perfect preparation for their upcoming tour. Each opposing team challenged the St Andrew’s College squad, placing them in uncomfortable positions that required them to dig deep and rally back into the games. The…
Book Character Day: The St Andrew’s Preparatory School Grade 7 Senior Eight Media Committee planned our annual Book Character Day to coincide with the visit from Books2YOU at Top Prep. The boys and staff were asked to dress as their favourite book character to celebrate books and a love of reading. Lots of wonderful book characters came to life! Photos: Toni Butterworth
By Luvuyo Mjekula President Cyril Ramaphosa has given the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) the green light to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of Makana Municipality involving seven tenders, and to recover any loss the state has suffered, the SIU said in a statement yesterday. According to SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, the agency will probe allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between 1 January 2019 and 18 October 2024, as well as any related activities before 1 January 2019. Makana Municipal spokesperson Anele Mjekula confirmed the development a short while ago. “I can confirm that the…