The Office of Equity and Institutional Culture is excited to announce the return of the 'My Body, My Choice' campaign to Rhodes University. The phrase, 'My Body My Choice,' originates in the women-led movement for reproductive rights in the United States but has been widely used by different activist collectives pursuing their rights to bodily integrity and self-determination. Rhodes University can boast a history of active feminist work on campus, including a decade's worth of photographic campaigns under the banner of 'My Body, My Choice' focused on the reclamation of embodiment.

Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) recently held its inauguration, which saw the emergence of new student leaders for 2024. Simphiwe Inako Mnyande, a second-year student majoring in Economics and Politics in a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree, was elected as the president for the year 2024.

Having been raised by a single mother in a rural township with low economic resources, Yamkelani Sopapaza overcame many obstacles to pursue higher education. With the help of funding through Isivivane Fund, this brilliant student graduated from Rhodes University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy earlier in 2023.

Lorraine Phahlamohlaka, a young woman in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is passionate about the importance of shaping the recognition of young women in the field. Originally from Limpopo, Lorraine pursued her studies in Pharmacy at Rhodes University. With the financial aid provided by Aspen Holdings through Rhodes University’s Isivivane Fund, Lorraine completed her degree in June 2023.

The Registrars’ Imbizo is an annual event bringing together Registrars across South African universities to engage on various issues impacting the higher education sector. During 21-22 August 2023, Rhodes University welcomed the Imbizo to its campus for the first time, with Registrar Professor Adéle Moodly as the host.

The African Masculinity Symposium, co-hosted by the Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR) and the School of Journalism and Media Studies, occurred earlier this month at Eden Grove Blue. The event aimed to tackle the topic of Challenging Patriarchal Norms for a Safer and More Equitable Society. The objective was to address pressing matters such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and its connection to violent masculinities; and how it has provoked social media movements and prompted national debates calling on the need for change.

In a bold move to articulate its ambition in postgraduate education, Rhodes University hosted an event to encourage third-year students to apply for Honours studies. The event was held at the Barrat Lecture Theatre on 18 August 2023 and was hosted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor responsible for Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships, Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi.

In a grand celebration of educational distinction and pedagogical innovation, Rhodes University once again demonstrated its commitment to exceptional teaching by hosting the 2022 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award Lecture - a testament to the University’s dedication to recognising and celebrating outstanding educators. The highlight of the evening was the introduction of the recipient of the 2022 Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award, Dr Ntethelelo Sibiya.

Rhodes University has joined the ground-breaking ArtMathsScienceTech project, a unique initiative that seeks to revolutionise how mathematics and science are taught at schools. Through the fusion of theatre, music, dance, and crafts, this innovative approach aims to create engaging and playful environments, transforming traditional subjects into captivating learning experiences.

Students, members of the Ink Society and staff at Rhodes University recently participated in an open mic event in celebration of Women's Month. The event, themed "Celebrating African Women Writers", was to honour and shine a light on African women authors.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has been navigating turbulent waters for the past year but always seems to come through in the clear. Lately, he has dodged past the rugged rocks of Phala Phala and narrowly missed the cataclysmic vortex of Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.

Fifty-eight Rhodes University staff members were recognised at this year’s Vice-Chancellor and Thomas Alty Awards on 14 August 2023. This ceremony acknowledges staff members who have attained further qualifications within the last year, either through Rhodes University or an external institution.

The topic of women in leadership holds personal significance to many due to the pervasive patriarchal norms affecting societies worldwide.

Nostalgia and innovation intertwined as Rhodes University's current Student Representative Council (SRC) and SRC Alumni gathered to launch the SRC Alumni Board on 12 August 2023. This historic moment saw a fusion of past and present, birthing a new era for preserving the SRC legacy.

For the first time in the history of Eastern Cape Intervarsity, Rhodes University emerged victorious at the 2023 tournament, beating the nearest competition by 16 points to take the winning spot from titleholders, Nelson Mandela University (NMU).

The Rhodes University Political and International Studies Department successfully hosted its annual Teach-In lecture series, a significant event on the academic calendar since 2002. This year's series, "Energy is the Life-blood of Development: Perspectives on the South African Energy Crisis", took place over lunch and spanned an hour, inviting students and the wider Rhodes community to participate actively.

In keeping with its cherished tradition, the Rhodes University community gathered to attend the Inaugural Lecture of Professor Adrienne Edkins. This time-honoured ritual accompanies the University's recognition of an academic's elevation to the esteemed rank of full professor.

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng called for a reduction of municipal councillors’ power in order to achieve good governance. The Minister was making a keynote address at Rhodes University during first day of week-long Student Representative Councilor’s (SRC) Leadership Week series.

Education is the real lever to transform our society. We are supposed to rediscover, discover, replant and plant because what matters the most is the seed that we plant, and with current crop of students, the country can harvest that. These were the sentiments shared by the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Deputy Speaker, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, during the second day of the Student Representative Council (SRC) Leadership Week last night.

“Strijdom, you have tampered with the women, you have struck a rock, you will be crushed!” These are the words of the song composed by the women of 1956 as they staged a peaceful march to the Union Buildings on 09 August 1956 to confront the might of the ignominious apartheid regime that had enacted a law designed to extend the cruel and iniquitous ‘pass law’ to African women.