2012 Events
relating to environment
The following were held at Rhodes University, including Environmental Committee events, in 2012 - declared International Year of Sustainable Energy for All and International Year of Co-operatives.
2 March:
- Acid Mine Drainage in the Witwatersrand - by Prof Fred Ellery. Interdisciplinary Water Circle Seminar, organised by the Catchment Research Group, RU Geography Dept.
- Venue: Dept of Environmental Science (off Somerset St), St Peter's Campus, Rhodes University.
- Time: 13h00 - 14h00.
- More info: crg.geography(at)gmail.com
12 -18 March:
SRC Environmental Week - the launch of the Green Hat Revolution: Organised by the SRC Environmental Councillor and student environmental groups at Rhodes University. More info: g10k2679(at)campus.ru.ac.za or 076 295 8045
We all wear different hats in our day-to-day lives, one for each of our roles. Some of us might wear the hats of sister, student, book-club member and soccer enthusiast. Others might wear the hats of poet, brother and surfer. But there is one further hat that we should all be wearing, and all the time at that. The Green Hat. Regardless of who we are and what we do, we have a duty to ourselves, to others, and to the environment. That is the Green Hat. It should not be difficult for every student to find a Green Hat to fit them, either. Environmental Week has been split into seven theme days this year - something for everyone!
Monday 12 March: The Environment and Food
12:00-14:00: Fry's veggie braai (Union)
12:00-14:00: Organic food cook-off (Eden Grove)
17:00-17:45: 'Homegrown Revolution' film screening (GLT)
19:00-20:00: Skype screening with Director of International ??? (GLT)
Tuesday 13 March: The Environment and the Law
13:10-14:10: Galela Amanzi and Legal Activism demonstration (Arts Minor)
18:00-19:00: Talk on environmental rights in a South African and global context (GLT) cancelled
Wednesday 14 March: The Environment and Faith
13:10-14:00 environmentalism from a Jewish perspective
18:00-20:00: Interfaith service focusing on environmental responsibility (Botanical Gardens)
Thursday 15 March: The Environment and the Economy
9:00-10:00 Patrick Bond, an eminent scholar in political and environmental studies from UKZN, will be Skyping in to speak on ecosocialism (Eden Grove Seminar Room II)
10:30-11:00: Vermiculture workshop (ELRC - the Environmental Learning and Research Centre, opposite Eden Grove Student Bureau)
11:00-12:00: Waste economy workshop (ELRC)
13:10-14:10: Ecosocialism vs green capitalism debate (Arts Minor)
14:30-15:15: Energy economy workshop (ELRC)
18:00-19:30: Jonathan Deal Skype talk on fracking (GLT)
19:30 Sheena Stannard directs a 'punk cabaret' show, "The Cabaret @ the End of the World" (St Andrew's College Drill Hall)
Friday 16 March: The Environment and Action
10:00-11:00: Skype session with international environmental youth groups (Economics B)
12:00-13:00: Talk by Muneer Tootla on waste removal NGO 'Tidy-it-up' (Botany Major)
13:30-14:30: Permaculture theory workshop at St Augustine?s community garden (bus leaving from the Arch at 13:15)
14:30-15:30: Tree-planting and composting at St Augustine's community garden (bus leaving from the Arch at 14:15)
15:30-16:00: Q&A at St Augustine's
19:00-20:00: Anti-fracking demonstration (leaving from the Arch)
20:00-24:00: Battle of the bands
Saturday 17 March: The Environment and Art
09:00-11:00 permaculture workshop (book now with g10k2679(at)campus.ru.ac.za)
14:00-16:00: Introductory lecture on how to get involved in environmentalism at Rhodes
14:00-17:00: Tree-wrapping exercise with local school children (meeting at Zoo Major)
19:00-21:00: Environmental open mike session (Grotto Mojito)
Sunday 18 March: The Environment and Sport
13:00-16:00: Concert in the Botanical Gardens
16:00-18:00: Green Fund Run (RU campus, starting at Lucas Ave entrance to the Botanical Gardens).
Sunday 18 March: 
Rhodes University Green Fund Run/Walk: a fun event with a serious aim: to raise funds for Rhodes University's Green Fundto support of initiatives that promote sustainability.
- Open to ALL: Team (maximum 3 members) OR individual entries are welcome.
- Minimum donation: R10 per participant.
- Green Fund Run 2012 Entry Form: Registration before the event is encouraged. Buy your tickets at:
- Scifest Africa ticket office - Monument building, Fort Selwyn Drive - or
- Rhodes University Main Library - registration table outside, Friday 09h00-15h00
- 30 minutes before (at least) - at the start/finish registration table .
- Route: view the Green Fund Run MAP.
- Start: at entrance to Makana Botanical Gardens, on Lucas Avenue, Grahamstown.
- Time: 16h30 - 17h30.
- Green Fund Run CHALLENGE: Challenge your colleagues, friends and even arch rivals to participate.
- The Green Fund Run is included on the Scifest Africaprogramme, tickets will also be available through their ticket office.
- More info: Green Fund Run or contact Nikki on 046-603.7205 or email environment(at)ru.ac.za
31 March:
- Earth Hour - I will if you will! Switch off your lights for an hour, or better still, do something to help uplift your community and make changes in your lifestyles to help reduce your ecological footprint.
- Venue: Wherever you are... at Rhodes University, or Grahamstown, or South Africa... anywhere on our precious planet earth!
- Time: 20h30-21h30
- More info: srcenvironmental(at)ru.ac.za or environment(at)ru.ac.za
20 April: 
- Environmental Flows Around the World - by Prof Jay O’Keeffe. Interdisciplinary Water Circle Seminar, organised by the Catchment Research Group, RU Geography Dept.
- Venue: Geography Dept Seminar Room (A37), Rhodes University.
- Time: 13h00 - 14h00.
- More info: crg.geography(at)gmail.com
14-18 May:
RU Saving the Rhino: Organised by the SRC Environmental Councillor and student environmental groups at Rhodes University, Rhino Week at Rhodes University features informative events and action drawing attention to what can and is being done to save our rhinos from extinction.
- All Week: Rhino Action Stations - Day Kaif (outside RU Library) and front of Drostdy Arch - drawing attention to what can and is being done to save our rhinos. Sign the petition. Buy black ribbons, T-shirts, stickers (to raise funds for rhinos recovering from poaching), and get raffle tickets to win a game drive at Kariega Game Reserve, home of the courageous Thandi.
- Tuesday 15 May: All welcome.
Venue: RU Eden Grove Blue, Lucas Avenue
Time: 18:30 (refreshments will be served beforehand)
Event: Thandi's Incredible Recovery - update by Wildlife Veterinarian, Dr William Fowlds - Wednesday 16 May: All welcome.
Venue: RU Eden Grove Red, Lucas Avenue
Time: 17:30 for 18:00 (refreshments will be served beforehand)
Event: Panel discussion on Strategies for Preventing Rhino Poaching.
Panel members include:
- Ma Yue (RU Chinese Language studies): international perspective
- John O’Brien (Shamwari): conservation / zoology perspective
- Brent Cook (wildlife investor): conservation / economic perspective
- Ron Weissenberg (businessman): economic perspective
- Michael Glover (RU Philosophy): ethical perspective . - Friday 18 May: All welcome.
Venue: RU Union Lawns (adjacent to RU swimming pool), Prince Alfred Street.
Time: 17:30
Event: Candlelight Vigil – rhino poetry (open mic), Drumsoc. Bring your own picnic.
– followed by a musical concert:
Venue: Union, Steve Biko Building, Prince Alfred Street.
Time: 20:00
Event: Graeme Watkins Project Concert (in collaboration with ROAR), raising funds for rhinos. Tickets available at the door.
More info: Ruth Krueger 076 295 8045, g10k2679(at)campus.ru.ac.za or Kate Janse van Rensburg 073 610 8620, environment(at)theoppidanpress.com
28 June to 8 July:
Environmental focus at 2012 National Arts Fest: a selection is noted here, but you will probably find many more! Download the National Arts Festival Programme
Shows:
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The Tree Show (Free) - the Lunchbox Theatre company and RU CSD, venues in Cue, 28 June (10:00, 14:00), 29 June (10:00, 14:00), 30 June (10:00, 14:00). More info: Festival Programme p 138.
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Ubom! Drama Company's Eco-Wolf and the Three Pigs; Anex Theatre's Global Ballgame; Theatre for Africa's Of Birds and Beast, Adlib Musical Productions' Pitterpat the Crazee Caterpillar, etc, all at Oatlands School, African Street. More info: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/category/venue/oatlands-school-assitej/
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Sand(Spoor) (Free) multi-disciplinary art performance about Fracking - Janet Botes, The Arts Lounge, 17 Somerset Street, 1, 3, 5 July (13:00). More info: Festival Programme p 134, and http://www.research-africa-arts.com/
ThinkFest:
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Fracking in the Karoo - Katie du Toit Barnard, RU Eden Grove Blue, Lucas Avenue, 6 July (10:00). More info: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/fracking-in-the-karoo-katie-du-toit-barnard/
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Out of Silence - Leopards and the Trapping Truth - Kate Muller, RU Eden Grove Blue, Lucas Avenue, 6 July (16:00). More info: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/out-of-silence-leopards-and-the-trapping-truth/
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Rhino Poaching – Themba’s Story - Dr Will Fowlds, RU Eden Grove Blue, Lucas Avenue, 7 July (17:30). More info: www.nationalartsfestival.co.za/show/rhino-poaching-thembas-story/
Exhibitions:
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Out of Silence: Leopards and the Trapping Truth (Sculptures) - the Landmark Foundation, RU Eden Grove, Lucas Avenue, 2-8 July. More info: Festival Programme p 99.
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2052 Karoo: Fracking in the Karoo - Katie du Toit, Baptist Church Hall, Bathurst St, 28 June -8 July. More info: Festival Programme p 99.
13 to 15 July:
- BlueBuck Network - 2nd Annual Summit: BlueBuck, a youth environmental network connecting passionate young environmentalists from across southern Africa, held its first summit at RU last year. The 2nd Annual Summit will be held at Stellenbosch University. There will be prestigious speakers, insightful presentations, helpful workshops and a chance to meet and learn with some of the most exciting and dynamic youth around. The summit hopes to be one of the greatest gathering of youth who care about our planet in Southern Africa, and so we encourage youth from all across Southern Africa to apply, and organisations who are interested in getting involved with the summit to get in touch with the BlueBuck Network Committee.
- To attend: email seaccf(at)gmail.com
- More info: info(at)bluebucknetwork.org / Dane Rossenrode 072 103 4083 / BlueBuck Network
26 to 31 August: 
World Water Week 2012 at Rhodes University: the international theme for 2012 is "Water and Food Security". At Rhodes University, RU Green, Galela Amanzi, the Catchment Research Group and the Safety, Health and Environmental Officer have organised a World Water Awareness week, as water issues are particularly relevant to Grahamstown and South Africa.
- Monday 27 August:
18h30 to 19h30
Panel Discussion on the National Water Resource Strategy.
Speakers: Dr Bill Rowlston, Prof Kate Rowntree, Prof Jay O’Keeffe; Prof Ian Foster
Venue: Eden Grove Blue. - Tuesday 28 August:
12h20 to 13h30
KCC field trip for kids to Botanical Gardens to demonstrate water quality testing, by Dr Andrew Slaughter. Students are welcome to join.
Venue: meet outside the CE office. - 13h00 to 14h00
Lunchtime demonstration of water quality testing kit by Dr Roman Tandlich
Venue Post grad common veranda - Wednesday 29 August:
19h00-20h30
Screening of "the hungry season" (short film on food security in SA) followed by snacks and entertainment from Drumsoc, social for Galela Amanzi and Common Ground members.
Venue ELRC - Thursday 30 August:
16h00 to 17h30
Kowie Catchment Campaign quarterly meeting, open to students and the public.
Venue St Peter’s Room 34
- Friday 31 August:
10h25 to 11h40
KCC field trip for kids to Botanical Gardens to demonstrate water quality testing, by Dr Andrew Slaughter. Students are welcome to join.
Venue: meet at entrance to Botanical Gardens, Lucas Avenue. - 13h00 – 17h00
"How can Research and Society come together for Food and Water Security" Postgraduate Seminars for Students and Public.
Workshop by Dieter van den BroeCk from Living Lands (NGO).
Including student presentations
Venue Geography seminar room a37 - 17h00 to18h00
Invasive alien plant clearing and sundowners.
Venue Mountain drive - leave from Geography Dept.
More info: visit Water Week or contact Galela Amanzi Chairperson 2012, Ms Abigail McDougall on g09m2639(at)campus.ru.ac.za or abigail.mcdougall(at)gmail.com or 082 807 4701
1 to 7 September:
- RU Planting Trees: Arbor Week at Rhodes University. Organised by Communications and Development Division at Rhodes University.
- Are you interested in indigenous trees? Want to find out more about Rhodes University's choices for Arbor Week? Contact Grounds and Gardens. Thank you for your interest!
- More info: the Manager, grounds(at)ru.ac.za
Friday 5 October:
- Rhodes University Environmental Awards: a celebratory award ceremony where the Vice-Chancellor presents floating trophies and certificates to winning nominees. 2011 Environmental Award Nomination Form final.doc
- Closing date for nominations and applications: 10 September 2011.
- More info: RU Environmental Awards or contact Nikki on 046-603.7205 or email environment(at)ru.ac.za
Previous years: 2011 Events, 2010, 2009, 2008.
Go to the Rhodes University ENVIRONMENT front page. Suggestions/Questions? Contact environment(at)ru.ac.za
