Africa’s population is growing. This means more landscape change and development of supporting infrastructure. Ecosystems are under pressure, made worse by natural disasters induced by climate change.

Mosquitoes are a universal nuisance – buzzing in our ears, leaving itchy bites, and in some parts of the world, spreading deadly diseases. While stagnant water is well known as a breeding ground for these insects, new research suggests that another culprit may be at play.

The Department of Political and International Studies is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Rita Abrahamsen as the Nelson Mandela Visiting Professor for the 2025/26 academic year. A distinguished scholar of African politics and international relations, Prof. Abrahamsen brings a wealth of expertise on the political dynamics of the continent.

Rhodes University partnered with Dutch-based company FeedbackFruits towards the end of 2024, and the pilot, funded by a DHET Infrastructure grant, commenced this year.

The Rhodes University Umkhombandlela (Institutional Development Plan 2023-2028) notes the need for strengthened digital pedagogical capability and capacity. Part of this is planned to be achieved through the development of online programmes at postgraduate level.

In a world where education must adapt to technological and societal changes, Rhodes University is taking bold steps to lead the way. PhD candidate in Education, Warda Abrahams, is bringing this mission to life through her research into the effective use of digital technology platforms in pre-service teacher training.

When apartheid ended in 1994, South Africa underwent significant social and political transformation. A key aspect of this shift was the push for greater inclusion and representation of Black South Africans across all sectors – including psychology.

The EU-funded Enhancing Doctoral Education (EDE) project was recently launched at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (Stias) during a workshop held from 22 to 24 January.

In 2015, Rhodes University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sizwe Mabizela, promised the community to revitalise public education in Makhanda. This commitment marked a significant turning point in the University's relationship with the local community. By acknowledging that the university is "of and for this town," Professor Mabizela reaffirmed Rhodes University's dedication to improving the lives of Makhanda's residents.

PhD student Botlhale Modisaotsile is striving to boost the local economy by addressing agricultural pests. His research focuses on combating the cassava mealybug, a small yet devastating insect endangering one of Africa's key staple crops.

Sithembele Isaac Xhegwana, a PhD student at Rhodes University’s Critical Studies in Sexualities and Reproduction (CSSR), has been recognised with two respected literary awards. With academic qualifications including a BSocSci (Honours) in Sociology and an MA in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Cape Town, Xhegwana exemplifies the fusion of rigorous scholarship and artistic creativity. His recent accolades, particularly for his poetry collection Dark Lines of History, reflect the profound impact of his work on South Africa’s literary and cultural landscape.

Towards the end of 2024, Rhodes University student Bridget Mtetwa, a Pharmacy Masters student, achieved a significant milestone at the 2024 EDHE Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Competition. Bridget secured 2nd place in the Social Impact category, earning national recognition for her innovative business, Bridget’s Learning Hub.

At just 19 years old, Amanda Luthuli from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, embodies determination and resilience. Raised in a family deeply rooted in cultural and religious values, she carries with her the wisdom of her mother’s words: “Yonk’ into oyenzayo uzenzela wena”—“Whatever you do, do it for yourself.” This guiding mantra has shaped Amanda’s outlook on life, fostering a sense of responsibility and a commitment to forging her own path.

A typical student wants a university degree as a ticket to a salary. For this young person, education is a journey towards “having”. And the way to complete the journey is mainly to remember, repeat or reproduce what the teacher says and does.

It’s clear from our findings that forever chemical contamination, while under-reported compared to industrialised countries, is a widespread, pressing environmental issue on the continent.

Rhodes University is ending the year on a celebratory note as Dr Boudina McConnachie, Head of the Department of Music and Musicology at Rhodes University, has been honoured with the prestigious National University Teaching Award (NUTA) for 2024. This accolade recognises her exceptional contributions to music education and her innovative approaches to integrating indigenous African musical arts into academic curricula.

Rhodes University hosted its much-anticipated Teaching and Learning Showcase on 21 November 2024 under the theme "Transformative Pedagogies in Changing Times." The event, organised by the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL), brought lecturers, researchers and students together to explore transformative teaching methods and share ideas for adapting to the ever-changing educational environment.

On 20 November 2024, Rhodes University marked its 120th anniversary celebrations with a prestigious Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner. The event honoured alumni who have made exceptional contributions across various fields and reaffirmed the University’s legacy of producing leaders and innovators.

The rich musical heritage of Keiskammahoek has been preserved and made accessible through a collaborative cataloguing project, led by the International Library of African Music (ILAM) at Rhodes University. This initiative is the first in South Africa to catalogue a collection in isiXhosa and English, highlighting a significant step towards inclusive and representative music heritage preservation.

Final-year law student Oyama Mzayidume has been awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for 2025. She was selected from 22 finalists drawn from the highest number of applications in eight years, received in 2024 by the selection committee from the combined Eastern Cape and Free State region.