Press and Public Relations
The external communications section coordinates public and media relations across Rhodes University’s academic departments and administration divisions.
Official Rhodes University Spokesperson
Marketing and Communications Director: Lebogang Hashatse
Important Institutional Statements can be obtained from the Official Rhodes University Spokesperson arising from policy decisions, crisis or emergency situations or wherever important decisions are made that impact its stakeholders.
His contact information is available here
Press & Publicity
The communications section builds relationships between Rhodes University and the external media and is the first point of contact for local, national and international media enquiries. The section issues all news releases and statements on behalf of the University.
Media Releases
In addition to providing news of Rhodes University’s achievements and aspirations, media releases about research and teaching projects, staff and student successes and awards, visits and events provide useful promotional opportunities for Rhodes.
We welcome information from academic departments about potentially newsworthy items. Providing the communications section with early notice of items and comprehensive information facilitates more effective handling of publicity.
The services we offer staff members include:
- Help with drafting, issuing and distributing news releases ;
- Helping staff members respond to media enquiries and interview requests;
- dealing with the media in ‘crisis situations’;
- handling media interest in University events;
- arranging visits by journalists, photographers and film production units to Rhodes University.
If you are a Rhodes University staff member and have any media queries or wish to submit a news release please email:
z.matiwana@ru.ac.za
If you are a member of the media and wish to join our media distribution list please email:
z.matiwana@ru.ac.za
Public Relations
In addition to generating publicity, the communications section also helps to protect the reputation of the University by providing informed, authoritative and timely statements and comment to the media, particularly on contentious or policy-related issues.
News and Events
Rhodes University’s news pages carry items about the University and events, articles about the latest research developments and funding, student and staff achievements, teaching and community outreach projects.
Find an Expert
Journalists and members of the public frequently seek expert comment from members of the academic staff. Being quoted in the media helps to build the reputation and raise the profile of individual members of staff, their departments and the University.
If you wish to find specialist information on any particular topic that might fall within the ambit of knowledge housed within the various academic departments at Rhodes University, please contact the communications section, email: z.matiwana@ru.ac.za
Press cuttings
The Cory Library maintains an archive of electronic newsclippings sent to Communications by a national newsclipping service. This is an archive of articles that have appeared in the print media only. To access these archives please contact the Cory Library.
Communications also subscribes to Meltwater News, an electronic news monitoring service that alerts us of all news items about Rhodes University that have been published on the Internet.
If you are searching for any particular news items please contact the communications section, email z.matiwana@ru.ac.za
Information
The Communications section also provides general information about Rhodes University to the public and to members of the University. Contact the communications division with any enquiries about Rhodes. (Please note that queries about applying to Rhodes and courses can be answered in Applying to Rhodes)
