Rhodes University’s Snelihle Maphumulo, a 4th-year Bachelor of Fine Arts Sculpture student, has achieved a significant career milestone by receiving a Merit Award at the highly competitive Sasol New Signatures Art Competition. This annual competition, recognised as one of the premier platforms for emerging South African artists, provides young talent the chance to gain national exposure and be recognised in the broader art industry. Maphumulo’s achievement is a testament to her unique artistic voice and ability to tackle deeply personal themes through innovative materials.

Rhodes University proudly announces that Sbusiso Njeza, a highly respected composer, choral conductor, and Rhodes University lecturer, has been nominated in the prestigious KORA All Africa Music Awards. The KORA Awards, often called the “African Grammys,” have been recognising and celebrating African musical talent since 1994.

On the 3rd of September 2024, the Steve Biko Lawns at Rhodes University were filled with respect and nostalgia as Rhodes University held its Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony. This year's event was more than a simple celebration of nature but a heartfelt tribute to the university's retirees. These individuals have devoted decades of their lives to the growth and success of the institution.

The Rhodes University community is mourning the passing of one of its honorary doctorate recipients, James Matthews. The internationally acclaimed South African poet, author, and dissident voice against Apartheid, passed away at the age of 95. His impact on South African literature and society is immeasurable. A lifelong advocate for freedom, he lived his life in the pursuit and expression of personal and political liberation, using his writing as a vehicle for justice, reflection, and transformation.

Rhodes University Division of Student Services & Development is hosting Disability Week 2024 under the theme "I Am Not My Disability - See My Ability." This week-long event aims to promote awareness, accessibility, and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities within the university community.

[Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Tuesday, 3 September 2024] A significant meteorite fall in South Africa's Eastern Cape Province on Sunday, 25 August 2024, which sparked a collaborative scientific investigation involving several leading universities. The event, witnessed by residents across a vast area, has led to the recovery of a rare meteorite fragment, provisionally named the "Nqweba Meteorite" after the nearby town of its discovery.

Jay Pillay’s journey to becoming the first woman President-Elect of the ACUHO-I SAC Executive Board is a compelling story of strategic leadership and a deep commitment to advancing higher education in South Africa. Her election to this prestigious role highlights her exceptional abilities and underscores her dedication to creating inclusive, supportive environments and mentoring the next generation of leaders. As a finalist at the HERS-SA Higher Education Women Leaders Awards, Pillay’s journey is one of breaking barriers in her professional career and the broader educational landscape.

In the realm of South African higher education, Professor ‘Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela stands as a beacon of transformative leadership and resilience. As the first Black woman Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs working in a University celebrating its 120th anniversary, her journey is a testament to the power of education as a tool for personal and collective transformation. Her story is not just one of individual achievement but a narrative deeply intertwined with Black women's broader struggles and triumphs in academia.

Rhodes University will temporarily suspend part of its academic programme, including formal undergraduate lectures, tutorials, and practicals, on Friday, 30 August 2024, amid severe disruptions to its municipal water supply.

Earlier this month, the Rhodes University School of Languages and Literature hosted the book launch of Jonas Ntsiko: Hadi Waseluhlangeni Collected Writings (1873-1916). This event marked the release of Volume 9 of the Opland Collection of Xhosa Literature, a series of books collaboratively edited and translated by Professors Jeff Opland and Pamela Maseko. Professor Pamela Maseko, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities at Nelson Mandela University, Visiting Professor and former academic at Rhodes University. Maseko was also the keynote speaker at the book launch.

Earlier this month, Rhodes University hosted the 2023 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Senior Research Award Lecture, which recognises exceptional research contributions within the University. This award was presented to Professor Julie Coetzee from the Faculty of Science, a distinguished scholar who has made significant strides in the field of biological control, particularly in understanding the interactions between freshwater aquatic plants and insects.

Rhodes University mourns the passing of education giant, alumnus, and Order of the Baobab recipient, Dr William Smith.

On 6 August 2024, Retired Judge of Appeal Azhar Cachalia delivered a compelling public lecture at Rhodes University, where he criticised Parliament's questionable decision to appoint individuals with known unethical conduct to serve on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

We are pleased to announce that SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter will deliver the keynote address at the 10th Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Development Trust Annual Lecture on Values-Based Leadership. The event is set to take place on Monday, 26 August 2024, at 18h00 at Eden Grove Red, Rhodes University.

Rhodes University recently participated in an institutional audit conducted by the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and while the report highlighted both the strengths and areas for improvement, Rhodes University showed commendable results overall.

Rhodes University recently celebrated a historic milestone with the inauguration of its 2025 Students' Representative Council (SRC). This year's elections and the subsequent inauguration were marked by unprecedented student engagement, a record-breaking voter turnout, and a commitment to inclusivity that reflects the university's core values.

The recent #RURises GBV Workshop hosted by the Office of Equity & Institutional Culture in collaboration with Not In My Name International highlighted the intricate and essential process of unlearning as a cornerstone for effective leadership and community transformation. Addressing gender-based violence (GBV) requires a multifaceted approach that challenges not only existing behaviours but also redefines societal norms, particularly around masculinity.

Dr Ashley Westaway, a prominent South African education and community development champion, has been nominated to the Rhodes University Council.

Rhodes University has recently embarked on several ambitious entrepreneurship projects with the aim of not only up-skilling students but uplifting the Makana community and economy. These have culminated in the preparation of a Centre for Entrepreneurship and Incubation, funded by SEDA, which will be housed within the Student Hub, Steve Biko Building.

Distinguished Professor Charlie Shackleton, holder of the SARChI Chair in Interdisciplinary Science in Land and Natural Resource Use for Sustainable Livelihoods at Rhodes University, has been awarded the prestigious A1 National Research Foundation (NRF) rating, the highest in the South African national system of research innovation.