With the fifth COVID-19 infection wave now upon us, there is no better time to get your vaccine booster. But what is a booster? And why do you need it? We asked Professor Rosemary Dorrington, virologist at Rhodes University and member of the Provincial COVID-19 Expert Panel, all the essential questions about boosters.

In an effort to create awareness and promote mental healthcare around Makhanda, Rhodes University’s Psychology department has embarked on a roadshow to engage the community.

As per tradition, Rhodes University recently hosted the 2022 VC's Distinguished Community Engagement Award Lecture by Professor Rod Walker.

It is mandatory for each South African institution to develop its own policy and plan on internationalisation two years after the Policy Framework for Internationalisation of Higher Education in South Africa was published on 6 November 2020, and at a time when international student numbers are decreasing.

Rhodes University's Community Engagement (RUCE) division plays a significant role in the wider Makhanda through its various projects. But lesser known is the long-lasting impact it has on its volunteers. To launch RUCE's Community Engagement Week for 2022, previous Student Volunteer of the Year Award winners took part in a panel discussion. Looking back on their volunteering experience, they reflected on how it has contributed to their personal and career development.

After two isolating pandemic years, the Rhodes University Anthropology Department's Postgraduate Diploma in Heritage Management (PDHM) saw its first in-person graduates this year.

The Rhodes University Department of Anthropology recently hosted a talk with anthropology Senior Lecturer Dr Dominique Santos, Heritage Management Lecturer Dr Pascall Taruvinga, and seasoned Content Director and Producer, Ayanda Mncwabe-Mama.

This year’s graduation was bursting with accolades and festivities as Rhodes University held sit-down ceremonies on campus for the first time in two years. Among the honours was the conferral of the Vice-Chancellor’s Book Award to Political and International Studies Lecturer, Dr Bongani Nyoka.

When South African writer Antjie Krog was just 17, she wrote a poem for her school magazine which was shocking enough to upset Kroonstad High’s parents. The furore caught the attention of the Sunday newspapers, who descended on the town in the Free State province.

In the days Sisipho Hamlomo attended school without shoes or a jacket, he never imagined that he would be a master’s graduate one day.

On 05 May 2022, in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day (03 May), the Rhodes University School of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) hosted a discussion under the theme “Reclaiming African Journalism in the Public Interest”. This discussion also formed part of the School’s 50th Anniversary this year. The panellists offered enlightening insights and solutions to address the current plights of the profession.

During the recent Rhodes University graduation ceremonies, Sandile Phakathi was conferred her PhD through the Department of Economics and Economics History, where she is also a lecturer in the New Generation of Academics Program (nGAP).

As per tradition, Rhodes University recently hosted an inaugural hybrid lecture by Professor Uchenna Okeja, titled ‘What is Justice’. Due to the large volume of numbers and diversity of the audience, this auspicious event represented not only academics but also students, colleagues, family, and the public.

As part of a series of leadership conversations, Rhodes University’s Alumni Relations Office, Student Representative Council President Mr Botlhale Modisaotsile and Vice-President Ms Tinashe Hlako held an Inaugural Young Alumni Leadership Conversations with Mr Charles Faul and Ms Palesa Mcimbi in celebration of Freedom Month.

If there is one musician as commonly associated as Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with the West African musical movements Afrobeat and Afrobeats (never mind Afro-Blues and Afro-Soul), this is the preserve of Orlando Julius Ekemode. Given Fela’s immense stature it would seem impossible to speak of another musician from whom he gained musical direction. Yet, one must, in the case of his fellow multi-instrumentalist Orlando Julius.

Global maize production is worth billions of dollars annually and is key to global food security because it’s a staple food for billions of people. Most maize production relies on natural rainfall, making it vulnerable to changing rainfall patterns.

World Press Freedom Day 2022 (3 May) takes place at a time when the world is caught in an information war.

Despite the challenges that come with two young children and funding constraints, six years after embarking on her PhD journey, Pindiwe Ntloko can now proudly put the title ‘Dr’ before her name.

During the latest graduation ceremonies, a special parallel event was held in which Ms Gabriella Solomons was awarded a bursary contribution from infectious diseases epidemiologists Professors Quarraisha and Salim Abdool Karim for graduating as the top microbiology student in 2021.

As per its time-honoured tradition, Rhodes University held the inaugural lecture of Professor Helena van Coller on 26 April 2022, after she received her status as a full professor. Inaugural lectures serve as a recognition and celebration of induction and a platform for professors to showcase their scholarly contributions to their field.