News & Views

Rhodes University

Communications and Advancement Division bids farewell to Qondakele Sompondo
Mar 2, 2021

After ten years at the helm of Development and Fundraising at Rhodes University, Qondakele Sompondo bowed out in February to take on a new challenge as the Director of Institutional Advancement at Sol Plaatje University. Read more

Daily Maverick

Covid pandemic infects the arts sector, but the show must go on for South Africa
Feb 17, 2021

The combined financial losses of cultural and creative industries in six African countries came to around $1.5-billion (or R22.2-billion) last year, according to a study undertaken by Professor Ribio Nzeza Bunketi Buse. Read more

University World News

Social responsibility should be in missions of universities
Feb 11, 2021

Health services, education, conserving and restoring the environment, rehabilitating substance users and economically supporting the disadvantaged may be projects that are removed from their principal functions of teaching and research, but higher education institutions are increasingly posting an impressive list of university social responsibility initiatives. Read more

The South African

Port Elizabeth has a new name – Gqeberha
Feb 10, 2021

Arts and Culture minister Nathi Mthethwa back in September 2020 recommended an audit of offensive names, symbols and structures, such as statues, street names, public spaces, etc. Read more

McKinsey & Company

How to transform higher-education institutions for the long term
Feb 5, 2021

As financial pressures on higher-education institutions compound, a transformation approach focused on five best practices can help leaders make lasting change. Read more

University World News

Science output up, but data-driven investment needed
Jan 14, 2021

African scientists’ share of the world’s publications has been increasing and more of the research published by scientists from the continent is being cited, but more regular, reliable and comprehensive data on research universities in Africa is needed to ensure that imminent decisions related to investing in the continent’s universities are well-directed. Read more

Music in Africa

Call for applications: Postdoctoral fellowship at Rhodes University in SA
Jan 12, 2021

The National Research Foundation (NRF) in association with Rhodes University, is calling on candidates across the African continent to apply for postdoctoral fellowships in Makhanda, South Africa. Read more

Rhodes University

Rhodes University distinguished academic becomes an honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Dec 10, 2020

A young girl’s dream from the rural areas of Lesotho was simply to have shoes on her feet and food on the table. She spent most of her first eight years alternating between primary school and tending sheep. Read more

Rhodes University

Rhodes University alumnus receives prestigious Royal Society medal
Dec 02, 2020

Rhodes University alumni continue flying the University flag higher and higher across the globe. They are a true embodiment of the University’s motto, “Where leaders learn” as they continue to show outstanding leadership qualities. One such alumnus is Professor Michael Bruton. Read more

BizNews

Africa’s largest data hub to be built in Jhb: Teraco invests R4bn
Nov 5, 2020. By Melani Nathan

The Internet in South Africa can be traced back to Rhodes University in 1988, when three pioneers – Francois Jacot Guilarmod, Dave Wilson and Mike Lawrie – established an email link to the Internet. During the global lockdown, over three decades later, it has become clear that internet connectivity is essential to South Africans. Read more

Rhodes University

2020 Linguistic winds of change blow at Rhodes University
Nov 4,2020

At the last Senate meeting, a request to change the name of the Department of English Language and Linguistics at Rhodes University was approved. The name has been changed to Linguistics and Applied Language Studies Read more

Rhodes University

10 Old Rhodians feature in the Mail & Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans
Oct 20, 2020

Every year, the Mail & Guardian searches for the 200 most outstanding young South Africans and celebrates them. This year, the newspaper received about 8 000 nominations, and 10 current and former Rhodes University students featured on the list of 200. Current Sociology Master’s candidate, Esihle Lupindo won in the Education category. He said when he initially received the email alerting him of this outcome, he thought it was a prank and ignored it. Read more

BusinessTech

These 6 South African universities are ranked among the top 500 in the world
Oct 20, 2020. By staff writer

South Africa’s universities largely climbed the global rankings in 2020/21, with 13 institutes ranked. The University of Cape Town remains the top university locally, and in Africa, climbing to its highest point in three years, at 103rd…Rhodes, along with the University of Johannesburg, University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape and Nelson Mandela University, were the local institutes that dropped down the list. Read more

Business Insider SA

This is how much MBAs in South Africa cost at various institutions
Oct 17, 2020. By Andrew Thompson

South Africa is not short of local Master of Business Administration (MBA) options. There are currently more than a dozen institutions here that offer various MBA programmes - and three, from the universities of Cape Town, Pretoria, and Stellenbosch, consistently rank among the top in 150 in the world. Read more

The Guardian

Herbert Kretzmer obituary
Oct 14, 2020

Journalist who found fame and fortune when he wrote the English lyrics for Les Misérables…Herbert was born in Kroonstad, South Africa, one of four sons of Lithuanian immigrants William and Tilly Kretzmer, who ran a furniture store. He was educated at Kroonstad high school and Rhodes University, Grahamstown, and entered journalism in 1946 as a writer of newsreel commentaries and documentary films for African Film Productions in Johannesburg. Read more

Grocott’s Mail

Jonas shares leadership vision
Oct 13, 2020 By Michelle Banda

Covid-19 has amplified disruption and accelerated corruption in South Africa, says politician and State Capture whistleblower Mcebisi Jonas. “Realistically, things are likely to get worse before they get better.” Jonas was speaking at the 6th Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Annual Lecture on Values Based Leadership. Since 2014, the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust in partnership with Rhodes Business School invites notable public figures who have demonstrated that quality to speak at the University. Read more

Rhodes University

Three esteemed Distinguished Alumni awarded this year
Oct 9, 2020

The Old Rhodian Union selection committee, under the Chairmanship of Professor Rod Walker, have selected three worthy recipients of Rhodes University's Distinguished Alumni Award 2020 namely, Professor Robert Morrell, Advocate Izak Smuts and Mr Brian O'Shea. Read more

Rhodes University

Rhodes University connects past to present in heritage commemoration
Oct 8, 2020

Rhodes University’s Equity and Institutional Culture office recently hosted webinar sessions in commemoration of and closing off of Heritage Month. The two-day webinar series, themed “Connecting the past to the present”, saw different speakers presenting on several issues about the history of South Africa.The organiser of the event and Rhodes University Manager: Anti-Harassment, Dr Zethu Mkhize said they organised the event to try and raise awareness about equity, redress and social justice. Read more

Rhodes University

Alumni Newsletter
Aug 27, 2020

Thank you for completing your filing with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations. We are happy to confirm that your filing has been approved by the Bureau. Please keep a copy of the attached certificate of registration for your records. Read more

Rhodes University

Alumni Newsletter
Aug 24, 2020

We are thrilled to share with you the 69th edition of our Alumni Newsletter. In this issue we share the stories of the excellent work done by the university staff and alumni both locally and internationally. We encourage you to share with us any story ideas that you might have as well as the amazing work done by other Old Rhodians that you may be aware of so that we can include those in our next newsletter. Read more

Brooklyn Downtown Star

Charter school principal explains educational approach
Jul 28, 2020

Entering his second year as the middle school principal at Academy of the City Charter School, St. Claire Adriaan has worked to create a sense of community at the Woodside institution. Read more

Rhodes University

Rhodes University among leading African Universities announced for new UK research consortium
July 17, 2020

United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) announced the outcomes of its African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) partnership research programme to tackle global challenges such as disease, poverty, climate change, fragile states and food insecurity. This research programme is a key part of UKRI’s three-year partnership with ARUA, developed through the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF), to strengthen pan Africa-UK collaborations across all disciplines, mobilise excellence and build robust research ecosystems across Africa. Read more

Rhodes University News

Rhodes University welcomes first group of returning students since COVID-19 lockdown
Jul 6, 2020

Specialist training for staff, strict protocols including daily screening, physical distancing, hand hygiene and mask-wearing, are in place as the university this week welcomes back on campus the first cohort of students who have been identified in line with the criteria set out by the Department of Higher Education & Training (DHET) Read more

Grocotts Mail

Half a century of change at Grocott’s Mail – 1970 to 2020
Jun 15, 2020

In the third fifty years of Grocott’s Mail, from 1970 to 2020, the newspaper has undergone profound changes in almost every aspect of its existence. Readers from the 1970s could never have imagined that news media in general, and newspapers in particular, would change so much. Read more

Express

Cecil Rhodes statue: Who was Cecil Rhodes? Oxford University faces calls to remove statue
Jun 17, 2020

Earlier this month, Black Lives Matter protesters pulled down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston and dumped it into the River Avon in Bristol. The move has sparked discussion on whether other statues should still stand on their pedestals. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced a commission to examine the future of landmarks around the capital, including murals, street art, street names and statues. Read more

Rhodes University News

Eastern Cape researchers discover new snake species
Jun 06, 2020

Earlier this month, Black Lives Matter protesters pulled down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston and dumped it into the River Avon in Bristol. The move has sparked discussion on whether other statues should still stand on their pedestals. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced a commission to examine the future of landmarks around the capital, including murals, street art, street names and statues. Read more

Sunday World

Thirteen of SA’s universities ranked among the best in the world
Jun 14, 2020

Thirteen of South Africa’s 26 public universities made it into the top 2000 best universities in the world, according to the latest Center for World University Rankings’ (CWUR) list for 2020/21. However, there was no room for historically black universities in the list. Read more

Grocotts Mail

Rhodes University urges support for COVID-19 Relief Fund
Apr 17, 2020

Rhodes University has turned to its alumni, business and members of the public for help to mobilise resources to ensure successful completion of the 2020 academic year. With the forced closure of the campus and cessation of all contact teaching and learning, a shortage of online learning facilities and connectivity has emerged as a serious threat for many of the university students and some of its teaching staff. Read more

Rhodes University News

Rhodes University produces much-needed hand sanitiser for the province
Mar 20, 2020

In the wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19), where hand washing is one of the ways to avoid contracting the virus, South Africa is currently experiencing a nationwide shortage of hand sanitiser. In response to this dire need, a team of Rhodes University scientists has set up a lab to produce hand sanitiser. Read more

USNews.com

Rhodes University scored best on regional research reputation in this 2020 ranking by U.S. News & World Report. Rhodes was ranked #9 in South Africa, #23 in Africa and #893 among global universities. It also receives recognition for high pass rates.
Mar 9, 2020

Thirteen indicators were used to calculate this institution's overall Best Global Universities rank. Here is a breakdown of how this institution ranked relative to other schools for each indicator. Read more

Rhodes University News
Rhodes University Highlights
Mar 9, 2020

Located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, Rhodes is a small university which enjoys the distinction of having among the best undergraduate pass and graduation rates in South Africa, outstanding postgraduate success rates, and the best research output per academic staff member. Read more

BusinessTech

These are the best subjects to study at South Africa’s top universities in 2020
Mar 05, 2020

The latest edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject has been released, featuring 12 South African universities with courses that are among the top 600 in the world. Read more

Grocotts Mail

New DVC for Rhodes University
Mar 04, 2020

Dr Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela is Rhodes University’s new Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC): Academic and Student Affairs. The first black woman in this position, she succeeds Dr Chrissie Boughey who retired at the end of June following 20 years of service to Rhodes University. Boughey had served as DVC: Academic and Student Affairs since 2014. Read more

Sowetan Live

Bridal couple ask for donations instead of gifts to help settle Rhodes University student debt
Oct 14, 2019

Rhodes University alumni James Rycroft and Toni Parsons have donated cash they raised in lieu of gifts from their wedding to the Eastern Cape institution to help settle outstanding student debt. Read more

Rhodes University News
Dr. Mabizela and the Human Resources Division
INTRODUCING RHODES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Jan 15, 2020

Mr. Kamlesh Riga has been appointed to the positon of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Rhodes University with effect from 01 January 2020.

With the retirement of the Executive Director: Infrastructure, Operations and Finance, Dr L‘Ange the executive management structure was reviewed and a decision was made to reinstate the Registrar: Finance and Operations post and rename it Chief Financial Officer. Mr Riga is a qualified Chartered Accountant and also holds a Masters’ Degree in Domestic and International Tax. He has held various senior management and executive roles in both the Public and Private Sectors and has served on the Executive Council, the Council and the Audit and Risk Committee for 10 years at the Nelson Mandela University. Read more

Rhodes University News
Dr. Mabizela and the Human Resources Division
INTRODUCING RHODES NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Jan 15, 2020

Mr. Kamlesh Riga has been appointed to the positon of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Rhodes University with effect from 01 January 2020.

With the retirement of the Executive Director: Infrastructure, Operations and Finance, Dr L‘Ange the executive management structure was reviewed and a decision was made to reinstate the Registrar: Finance and Operations post and rename it Chief Financial Officer. Mr Riga is a qualified Chartered Accountant and also holds a Masters’ Degree in Domestic and International Tax. He has held various senior management and executive roles in both the Public and Private Sectors and has served on the Executive Council, the Council and the Audit and Risk Committee for 10 years at the Nelson Mandela University. Read more

Maverick Citizen
Residents hail high court order dissolving Makana Municipal Council
Jan 15, 2020

The Makhanda High Court made legal history on Tuesday by ordering the Makana Municipal Council to be dissolved. The court ruled that its ongoing failure to provide services to the residents of Makhanda was unconstitutional. Read more

Penn State News
Distinguished professor of ichthyology making 50th trip to Africa to study fish
Jan 09, 2020

When Jay Stauffer made his first trip to Lake Malawi in 1983, just before joining the faculty in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, he never dreamed that the trip would be the genesis of his career focus and that it would yield valuable partnerships for the University. Read more

Rhodes University News
Rhodes University welcomes new staff members
Nov 21, 2019

Rhodes University’s leadership welcomed the newest group of staff members to the University on 13 November. The event provided a space for new and established staff members to meet and get to know one another. Read more

Rhodes University News
Postgraduate achievements more than double in 2019
Nov 11, 2019

The annual Postgraduate Student Cocktail function took place on 7 November 2019 in honour of 77 outstanding postgraduate students at Rhodes University. Read more

Rhodes University News
Rhodes University Honours Three Of Its Most Distinguished Alumni
Sept 4, 2019

Rhodes University’s 2019 Distinguished Alumni Awards Luncheon was presided over by the Old Rhodian Union (ORU) Vice-President, Professor James Gambiza, who introduced each of the awardees.The University honours Old Rhodians who have achieved excellence in their careers and who, through their individual actions and achievements, have enhanced the reputation of the University. The Award is specifically intended to acknowledge alumni as role models and, in essence, is the greater family of Rhodes University awarding one of their own.In absentia were awardees Prof Roger Brooke, Ms Johanna Mukoki, Judge Kathleen Satchwell and Mr William Smith. Read more

Rhodes University News
PNEW DVC FOR RHODES UNIVERSITY
Aug 21, 2019

Rhodes University’s Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) has added a €950 000 EU-funded project to its stable of successful postgraduate support initiatives. Read more

Business Insider SA
Here’s how much South African universities are getting from the state per student, from R79,000 at Rhodes to R37,000 at Walter Sisulu
Aug 14, 2019

South African universities will receive subsidies ranging from R647,000 per student to R21,000 per student from the national purse this year. That huge range includes startup and specialist institutions, which receive much higher per-head funding, at the top end, and the gigantic distance-learning University of South Africa (Unisa) at the bottom end. Read more

Grocott’s Mail
PNEW DVC FOR RHODES UNIVERSITY
July 1, 2019

The Makhanda-based institution is this year celebrating a new record of 30 PhD degrees for the faculty of humanities. A total of 2, 321 graduates will be capped at the Rhodes University’s ongoing three-day 2019 graduation ceremony at the vast campus in Makhanda, formerly Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape province. Read more

The Citizen
PhDs galore at Rhodes University’s three-day graduation ceremony
Apr 4, 2019

South African universities will receive subsidies ranging from R647,000 per student to R21,000 per student from the national purse this year. That huge range includes startup and specialist institutions, which receive much higher per-head funding, at the top end, and the gigantic distance-learning University of South Africa (Unisa) at the bottom end. Read more

Rhodes University Newsletter
Orientation, Graduation and the call for the Distinguished Alumni Awards
May 2019

In this issue, we include Orientation, Graduation and the call for the Distinguished Alumni Awards. These awards acknowledge alumni role-models in their professional accomplishments, services to society and support of the University. Please fill in the nomination form and access our website for further information.

Rhodes University
Professor Nyokong awarded fourth honorary doctorate
March 29 2019

Rhodes University’s Distinguished Professor Tebello Nyokong will be receiving her fourth honorary doctorate in June, this time from her alma mater Western University where she completed her PhD in Chemistry. Read More »

Rhodes University
Rhodes University publishes study on brain injury in contact sports
March 28 2019

Rhodes University researchers published a study in the South African Journal of Psychology last month, based on the doctoral research of former Rhodes Psychology student Dr Diana Zoccola, confirming other studies that demonstrate persistent brain injury effects in association with long-term participation in a contact sport. Read More »

Rhodes University
Rhodes University honours five of Africa’s best
March 07 2019

Five remarkable individuals will be honoured with Honorary Doctorates by Rhodes University during its 2019 annual graduation ceremonies between 11 and 13 April. Read More »

Rhodes University
Two Rhodians named among most influential young South Africans
February 19 2019

Associate Head of Rhodes University's Creative Writing Programme Dr Hleze Kunju, and alumna Lefatshe Moagi, have both been named as finalists for Avance Media’s prestigious 100 Most Influential Young South Africans in the Personal Development and Academia category. Read More »

Rhodes University
Global Challenge Research Fund partnership for Rhodes University
January 24 2019

Rhodes University is pleased to announce its role as key partner in a major global research programme to influence ocean health and integrated ocean governance for equitable and inclusive sustainability. Read More »

Rhodes University
Rhodes University and Giyani sign research partnership
July 23 2018

Giyani Metals Corporation has signed a research collaboration program with Rhodes University, South Africa, regarding battery-grade manganese within the Company’s flagship Kanye manganese project in Botswana. Read More »

Rhodes University
Fifty Rhodes University students receive R5.8 million from BANKSET
August 8 2018

The Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) has donated nearly R5.8 million to assist 50 Rhodes University commerce and science students with full tuition for 2018. Read More »

Rhodes University
The Year-End Update For Rhodes North American Alumni
Dec.3, 2018

This year sees the 114th Anniversary of our alma mater. When we enrolled as students at Rhodes, all those many years ago, we established a lifetime association with, and a special community, at Rhodes University. Read More »

Rhodes University
Media Advertising Campaign
September 2018

We have recently embarked on a media advertising campaign that includes radio (SAfm, 702, CapeTalk), television (eNCA) and print (Sawubona).
Some of you may have heard or seen the adverts already, but for those of you who haven't, you can find them on the Google drive »

Rhodes University
Ways of Giving Survey
September 2018

We are always looking for ways to make our systems easier and more user-friendly. Whether you have financially-supported Rhodes in the past or not, please take a moment to complete the short survey. Please click on the link below to begin.
If you are unable to access the survey through the link, copy and paste the URL into your web browser. This survey will take you less than 5 minutes to complete. https://survey.ru.ac.za/index.php/388437?lang=en

Rhodes University
Call for nominations: Distinguished Alumni Awards
October 2018

The closing date for the 2018 Distinguished Alumni Awards nominations is 1 October 2018. These awards acknowledge alumni role-models in their professional accomplishments, personal successes, service to society, and support of the University. The nomination form can be downloaded and emailed to alumni@ru.ac.za. For any queries, Tel: +27(0)46 60 38887.

Rhodes University
Rhodes University welcomes Zethu Mkhize, the first Harassment and Discrimination Manager
September 2018

Rhodes University has appointed Dr Zethu Mkhize as its first-ever Harassment and Discrimination Manager in the Directorate for Equity and Institutional Transformation. The highly qualified Dr Mkhize started in her new role at the University last week.
Her responsibility includes transformation, advocacy and awareness-raising in respect of harassment, discrimination, sexual assault and violence. She is in charge of the coordination of all complaints and the development and monitoring of related policies, programmes and training. Read More »

Yiba
Bright young Rhodes chemistry student awarded famed Fulbright scholarship
July 2018

Zweli Hlatshwayo has been awarded the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship to study the Chemistry PhD programme at Ohio State University as of August 2018 with full funding. Read More »

Grocott's Mail
Rhodes mourns Khensani Maseko
August 2018

On Monday morning 6 August, Rhodes University students and staff gathered in their numbers outside the Drama Department, otherwise known as Purple Square. This followed a call the previous night by the university’s Student Representative Council (SRC) for an academic shutdown following the tragic death of student Khensani Maseko. Maseko reportedly committed suicide in her Johannesburg home on Friday, 3 August. Read More »

Mail&Guardian
Rhodes must stop treating rapists like victims
August 2018

For Rhodes University, there is another dimension to the difficult problem of undoing rape culture — a deep distrust that has developed between parts of the university community, particularly since relations broke down during the 2016 protests and subsequent police interventions. What we need is a truth and reconciliation process that will end the enmity and make it possible to build a lasting solution. Read More »

African Arguments
The shocking absence of Global South scholars in international journals
July 2018

Analysis of four leading journals found that less than 3% of articles were by writers in the Global South. Read More »

Yiba
Rhodes University Law Faculty alumnus receives prestigious Fulbright Scholarship
July 2018

The Rhodes University Faculty of Law has the pleasure of celebrating the award of the US Fulbright Foreign Student Program Scholarship to its alumnus and former Andrew W Mellon Lecturer, Mr Tladi Marumo. Read More »

Grocott's Mail
Rhodes role in game-changing SKA
July 2018

The 64 MeerKAT radio antennae situated in the Northern Cape have produced an astounding image of the centre of our Milky Way galaxy due in no small part to the expertise and servers made available by Rhodes University. Read More »

The Daily Vox
The Return Of Rhodes University’s Minimal Initial Payment Sparks Outrage
January 2018

Rhodes University students were unhappy after the university announced the return of the Minimum Initial Payment (MIP) or Initial Fee Payment (IFP) for 2018. Prior to registration, students are required to pay an initial payment, which is approximately between 35% and 50% of the cost of their tuition and residence. Read More »

Yiba
Rhodes creating pathways to success for Grahamstown learners
January 2018

Rhodes University in partnership with Gadra Education kicked off the 4th year of the 20-day High Impact Supplementary School earlier this month to ensure that matric learners from under-performing local schools who failed or performed poorly in Matric have another shot at furthering their education. Read More »

Yiba
Rhodes affiliated scholars pen pertinent body of work to acclaim
January 2018

Rhodes University’s post-doctoral fellow Dr Laura Alfers (NALSU/ISER) and Dr Francie Lund (RU Honorary doctorate holder), along with their colleague Rachel Moussié, contributed a critically acclaimed research-based article on ‘The human right to social security’. The article appears in the latest edition of the prestigious International Social Security Review. Read More »

Times Live
Successful student-run biotechnology empire creates jobs
January 2018

Students make money in many ways, but a student-run business venture as successful as this is unheard of.

Masters students in Rhodes University’s Biotechnology department, Charles Faul and Lucas Lӧtter, founded Akili Labs. It was started to create job opportunities in biotechnology and produces nootropic supplements and medical prototypes. Read More »

SableNetwork
RHODES' VETERAN PARASITE WARRIOR CHAMPIONS AFRICA SPECIFIC SOLUTIONS AT AMERICA'S LEADING PUBLIC HEALTH INSTITUTE
January 2018

At 87 years of age, South African-trained Clive Shiff is surely one of the most experienced full-time researchers and lecturers in America’s entire health sector, and has successfully championed an environmental, Africa-specific model for the west’s response to parasitic diseases in the continent of his birth. Read More »