Monday, October 13, 2008
TRIBES and tribulations...
Rhodes University- where leaders learn.
Ideally, we are handpicked to enhance our intellectual capacity amongst the best. Yet we have to wonder whether or not we have been dumped on an island. Being located in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the quiet hills of the Eastern Cape; Rhodents have continued to live amongst the dead since 1902.
Upon arriving, one wonders exactly what draws people to Rhodes University; alas the answer seems evident as man is driven by self interest- thus becoming one of the best is a necessity. When one gets here they are placed in these “tribes” where there is already a “leader” whose job entails solving difficult issues in the “tribes”, as well as the “skulls” who are there to assist us with the daily obstacles. What they can’t help you with, though, is when you’ve lost your “immunity” and you have to avoid being voted out in the “tribal council”. Everyday one is expected to do an “obstacle course” as it is said that this will ultimately help them when the time comes for the ultimate “tribal council”. The chances of this happening all depend on whether the cock decides to crow or not.
The positive aspects of living in these “tribes”, though is the fact that one remains sane because of the people they engage with. One of the best tribes that are at Rhodes is the “Cantannexe” tribe. This tribe is occasionally described as the tribe with vibe and has a character of its own. Many think that this is merely because this particular “tribe” does not have a “leader” of its own, but they have yet to realise that “Cantannexe” girls’ is just the “tribe” that most people want to be in because of the different personalities.
All in all, the different “tribes” have an impact on how one experiences the “island” as they become part of your life in this game where we all have a shot to get the “reward” we want.
CodeBreaker:
Leader-warden
Skulls-sub wardens
Immunity-DP
Obstacle course-lectures
Tribes-residences
Tribal Council-examinations or exclusion
Cantannexe-Canterbury Annexe
Island-Rhodes
Reward-degree
Ideally, we are handpicked to enhance our intellectual capacity amongst the best. Yet we have to wonder whether or not we have been dumped on an island. Being located in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the quiet hills of the Eastern Cape; Rhodents have continued to live amongst the dead since 1902.
Upon arriving, one wonders exactly what draws people to Rhodes University; alas the answer seems evident as man is driven by self interest- thus becoming one of the best is a necessity. When one gets here they are placed in these “tribes” where there is already a “leader” whose job entails solving difficult issues in the “tribes”, as well as the “skulls” who are there to assist us with the daily obstacles. What they can’t help you with, though, is when you’ve lost your “immunity” and you have to avoid being voted out in the “tribal council”. Everyday one is expected to do an “obstacle course” as it is said that this will ultimately help them when the time comes for the ultimate “tribal council”. The chances of this happening all depend on whether the cock decides to crow or not.
The positive aspects of living in these “tribes”, though is the fact that one remains sane because of the people they engage with. One of the best tribes that are at Rhodes is the “Cantannexe” tribe. This tribe is occasionally described as the tribe with vibe and has a character of its own. Many think that this is merely because this particular “tribe” does not have a “leader” of its own, but they have yet to realise that “Cantannexe” girls’ is just the “tribe” that most people want to be in because of the different personalities.
All in all, the different “tribes” have an impact on how one experiences the “island” as they become part of your life in this game where we all have a shot to get the “reward” we want.
CodeBreaker:
Leader-warden
Skulls-sub wardens
Immunity-DP
Obstacle course-lectures
Tribes-residences
Tribal Council-examinations or exclusion
Cantannexe-Canterbury Annexe
Island-Rhodes
Reward-degree
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Luxido Survivorship
Luxolo Matebese is a first year at Rhodes who is charismatic and appealing in his social and academics. His enthusiasm defines his character; he is delightful, very interactive with people and very active. He is short in height, light skinned complexion. I call him Lux. He also find being talkative as his characteristic function,”I am very talkative and always take things easy whether my social life is hard or my academics are giving me hard times. Life is a good and beautiful woman but most of the people don’t think so”. When this guy interacts with people surrounding him, he is like a reverend with full community engagement. He is a freshman; always have something to say no matter what. Lux is a survivor and his story is interesting because many people like to take life to serious and being so focused in their first year, him even if there is something bad he’ll stay calm. “I failed my law test but I know that I will strive to pass in the long run. My long time girlfriend dumped me after I had like two months here at Rhodes but I knew that I will move on and there will be someone who is going to love me and I am going love her back”. I find this man as the coolest and calm person on earth, he is very cheerful.
A down to earth oak, a positive thinker forget his debate attributes, think of him as a first year student who is more than his seniors because of his full strength and optimisms. Lux was mostly exposed to homosexuality here at Rhodes, he had always judged people who were gays.” I always thought gay people were abnormal and full of nonsense but today I know that there people too, they are very sensible and now I have friends who are gays and they know my sexuality and they respect me and I respect them, so what I can say in your first year a person adapts in many things at varsity”. The confusion and ignorance on our townships and villages teaches us a coarsely and impolite way of interpreting things and we end up calling other people like gays with such harsh names. Lux gives an insight on what people can judge and not being aware of what is really happening in the world.” I am now also explored with many different kinds of people, people who have different cultures and races, people of different backgrounds bonding together and living on one community”. First year is very a hard challenge to every student coming from where ever, the thing is you don’t know what to expect. I know it can be very hard but if we can have people like Lux, people who have interesting hopes and don’t stress about the unaware information and expectations.
“I love my books like woman. I take care of my books like a shepherd taking care of his goats and cattle’s, but when I fail I don’t blame myself I only look for the second chance”. He is full of hope; he shows encouragement and trust of himself. “I love woman like my books, my gay friends usually laugh when I say this,’ I love woman with passion’, it is true its not that I am faking myself or being not the true character of myself. I love woman and I respect them, a good woman is a treasure and is hard to find”. Let’s just say he is keeping it real and being the true quality of himself, he knows how to divide his professions from the fun.
To conclude, Lux is a first year student full of joy and anticipations, I even asked him do you cry? His answer was,” I cry only when I am very blissful”. People take life to serious, the reason I am so chilled is because, life is hard and we all know that and people who will write about life are us, the least I do I enjoy my life at a fullest climax wisely. This African young man is the calm person I’ve ever seen and spoken to in my life, it was a pleasure to do his profile I wish I can still stay other minutes with him because his stories are adventure and journey.
Facebook Luxolo Matebese
A down to earth oak, a positive thinker forget his debate attributes, think of him as a first year student who is more than his seniors because of his full strength and optimisms. Lux was mostly exposed to homosexuality here at Rhodes, he had always judged people who were gays.” I always thought gay people were abnormal and full of nonsense but today I know that there people too, they are very sensible and now I have friends who are gays and they know my sexuality and they respect me and I respect them, so what I can say in your first year a person adapts in many things at varsity”. The confusion and ignorance on our townships and villages teaches us a coarsely and impolite way of interpreting things and we end up calling other people like gays with such harsh names. Lux gives an insight on what people can judge and not being aware of what is really happening in the world.” I am now also explored with many different kinds of people, people who have different cultures and races, people of different backgrounds bonding together and living on one community”. First year is very a hard challenge to every student coming from where ever, the thing is you don’t know what to expect. I know it can be very hard but if we can have people like Lux, people who have interesting hopes and don’t stress about the unaware information and expectations.
“I love my books like woman. I take care of my books like a shepherd taking care of his goats and cattle’s, but when I fail I don’t blame myself I only look for the second chance”. He is full of hope; he shows encouragement and trust of himself. “I love woman like my books, my gay friends usually laugh when I say this,’ I love woman with passion’, it is true its not that I am faking myself or being not the true character of myself. I love woman and I respect them, a good woman is a treasure and is hard to find”. Let’s just say he is keeping it real and being the true quality of himself, he knows how to divide his professions from the fun.
To conclude, Lux is a first year student full of joy and anticipations, I even asked him do you cry? His answer was,” I cry only when I am very blissful”. People take life to serious, the reason I am so chilled is because, life is hard and we all know that and people who will write about life are us, the least I do I enjoy my life at a fullest climax wisely. This African young man is the calm person I’ve ever seen and spoken to in my life, it was a pleasure to do his profile I wish I can still stay other minutes with him because his stories are adventure and journey.
Facebook Luxolo Matebese
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Profile
Miss Survivor
As I walk by the library, I saw her sitting on the bench waiting for me, folding her slim legs. She greeted me with a smile and told me she has been waiting for me. Asemahle Badiwe was prepared to share her first year experience here at Rhodes with me.
Asemahle is a first year Rhodes student. Her passion for kids drew her into majoring in Psychology. “Rhodes has changed my life, I was an ‘A+’ student in high school, but ever since I came here, I am a ‘B and C’ student, and that is not the kind of a person I am”, said Asemahle. That shows how hectic things get when you grow up. Asemahle was a quite person when she got to Rhodes, then she started adapting to the lifestyle of people here at Rhodes, “I started drinking, going out and having fun with friends, and that is something that I have never done in my life”, she said. 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. She have now stopped drinking and partying, she is back to the normal person she was. Drinking and partying was something that she did first semester.
Coming to Rhodes proved to be a very good choice as it has given her a platform to have a stronger academic foundation. Education is the foundation of her career, and that is something that she came here for. When studying Asemahle hides from the rest of the world. She goes into her own world because to her, her education is her responsibility. “I hate politics, I don’t know why I took it as one of my subjects, I never even bother myself by attending the lecture”, she bravely said. Asemahle passed all her subject during the June examination, including politics. She was surprised to see that she passed one of the most boring subjects in the world, she didn’t think she will pass it and she was prepared to drop it second semester, she decided not to because she is doing good in it.
Disappointing her parents is something that she hates and that she will never dream of doing it that is one of the reasons why she stopped drinking because she knew that she was going to end up being an addict. Asemahle has never had a boyfriend in her life and is not even thinking of having one. “My mom told me not to fall in-love up until I finish my degree, and for that I respect and honor her words, I won’t do that up until the time allows me to, Falling in love will mean that I have disappointed her, and that is something that I do not want to do”. She guffaws.
Miss Survivor
As I walk by the library, I saw her sitting on the bench waiting for me, folding her slim legs. She greeted me with a smile and told me she has been waiting for me. Asemahle Badiwe was prepared to share her first year experience here at Rhodes with me.
Asemahle is a first year Rhodes student. Her passion for kids drew her into majoring in Psychology. “Rhodes has changed my life, I was an ‘A+’ student in high school, but ever since I came here, I am a ‘B and C’ student, and that is not the kind of a person I am”, said Asemahle. That shows how hectic things get when you grow up. Asemahle was a quite person when she got to Rhodes, then she started adapting to the lifestyle of people here at Rhodes, “I started drinking, going out and having fun with friends, and that is something that I have never done in my life”, she said. 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. She have now stopped drinking and partying, she is back to the normal person she was. Drinking and partying was something that she did first semester.
Coming to Rhodes proved to be a very good choice as it has given her a platform to have a stronger academic foundation. Education is the foundation of her career, and that is something that she came here for. When studying Asemahle hides from the rest of the world. She goes into her own world because to her, her education is her responsibility. “I hate politics, I don’t know why I took it as one of my subjects, I never even bother myself by attending the lecture”, she bravely said. Asemahle passed all her subject during the June examination, including politics. She was surprised to see that she passed one of the most boring subjects in the world, she didn’t think she will pass it and she was prepared to drop it second semester, she decided not to because she is doing good in it.
Disappointing her parents is something that she hates and that she will never dream of doing it that is one of the reasons why she stopped drinking because she knew that she was going to end up being an addict. Asemahle has never had a boyfriend in her life and is not even thinking of having one. “My mom told me not to fall in-love up until I finish my degree, and for that I respect and honor her words, I won’t do that up until the time allows me to, Falling in love will mean that I have disappointed her, and that is something that I do not want to do”. She guffaws.
See it through her eyes
When reminiscing, Nandi Tshabalala never fails to mention the incident where one of her best friends, Boitumelo Senganga, climbed the bicycle art display. This is just one of the crazy things that Nandi has done since being here at Rhodes, although this is not the girl that entered Canterbury Annexe at the beginning of the year. In fact, there is a vast difference between the woman who sits in front of me and the one this very lady claims she was when the year started. Her favourite comment “I was wet behind the ears” constantly springs up the during our conversation, not forgetting how much she appreciates friendship as it was her friends who helped her survive the hard times that first year can throw. “Rhodes has always been my first choice”, she says as she grabs the Hunters Dry and gently places it on her lips, taking slow sips before continuing “when my father and I came here last year, I thought I had made the wrong choice. The place was dead.” That was the only disappointment she had with regards to applying to Rhodes. When she got here, though, it was easy to realise that the students really make the life considering that it is a University City. Having been born and bred in a small town, Nandi never wanted to live in a big city such as Johannesburg when in university, although she admits that Rhodes, and especially its students, are no different from Wits and UCT, for instance. A tiny grin appears on her face as she describes her first day at Rhodes, the long drive from Potchefstroom to Grahamstown allowed her to reflect on the choice she had made, and the decision indeed proved to be an excellent one especially after listening to her father, a Britney Spears fanatic, singing the whole way.
At the tender age of seventeen, Nandi had never even dreamt that leaving home and living all by herself in another Province would come so soon. As a girl who was once told by an external moderator that “she speaks Afrikaans as if she’s from Potch”, Nandi delighted in the fact that Grahamstown would appreciate a well-ground lady, whose Afrikaans is immaculate, such as herself. In surviving first year, one is often pre-warned about seal-clubbing, what one does when they are raped. This talk is especially emphasised in girls’ residences as society reflects that women are more likely to become victims in rape incidents. What sub-wardens and the likes cannot do, though, is give one a manual on how to survive the social stratification one may experience in their first year; and although there may be counselling centres that one is encouraged to go to, the counsellors will not always be there with you when you really miss Tracy and Sipho, her younger siblings, as Nandi did in her first term. The friends she has now are not the ones she thought she would have as, during her high school days, she made friends with a specific group of girls that always stayed in large numbers.
As she turns to walk out of the room to get a glass of water, I witness a flash of leaves in her hair, black marks on her hair and a blaze of camouflage. Nandi is indeed a survivor in this first year craze. Adaptation is a necessity, and is something she has achieved. It’s interesting to see how many people get homesick and depressed when they leave home. Fear grips an unsuspecting teen and never ceases. Needless to say, everyone is familiar this detachment from reality, only a few survive.
At the tender age of seventeen, Nandi had never even dreamt that leaving home and living all by herself in another Province would come so soon. As a girl who was once told by an external moderator that “she speaks Afrikaans as if she’s from Potch”, Nandi delighted in the fact that Grahamstown would appreciate a well-ground lady, whose Afrikaans is immaculate, such as herself. In surviving first year, one is often pre-warned about seal-clubbing, what one does when they are raped. This talk is especially emphasised in girls’ residences as society reflects that women are more likely to become victims in rape incidents. What sub-wardens and the likes cannot do, though, is give one a manual on how to survive the social stratification one may experience in their first year; and although there may be counselling centres that one is encouraged to go to, the counsellors will not always be there with you when you really miss Tracy and Sipho, her younger siblings, as Nandi did in her first term. The friends she has now are not the ones she thought she would have as, during her high school days, she made friends with a specific group of girls that always stayed in large numbers.
As she turns to walk out of the room to get a glass of water, I witness a flash of leaves in her hair, black marks on her hair and a blaze of camouflage. Nandi is indeed a survivor in this first year craze. Adaptation is a necessity, and is something she has achieved. It’s interesting to see how many people get homesick and depressed when they leave home. Fear grips an unsuspecting teen and never ceases. Needless to say, everyone is familiar this detachment from reality, only a few survive.
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