On 10 September 2024, the President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, signed a proclamation empowering the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration and improper and unlawful conduct in the affairs of the Makana Local Municipality.

Ntobeko Promise Songcata, a Rhodes University PhD student, has been awarded the prestigious R700,000 start-up grant from the SAB Foundation. His biotechnology start-up, Pro'land Biotech, co-founded with Charles Arineitwe, was recognised for their innovative invention, PetriCam, at the 2024 Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards. Pro’land Biotech is one of the first spinouts of the recently established Rhodes Enterprises (Pty) Ltd.

At 30 years old, Pearl Qwane’s journey is a testament to perseverance, resilience, and a deep-rooted passion for making a difference in healthcare. Born and raised in Tsomo, a small town, Pearl’s upbringing in a close-knit rural community shaped her values and ignited her desire to uplift others.

The School of Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, in collaboration with the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF), introduced the Makhanda Declaration. This significant proclamation aims to rejuvenate the field of journalism in South Africa, aligning with the celebration of SA Media Freedom Day. October 19 marks Media Freedom Day, commemorating Black Wednesday in 1977 when the Apartheid regime banned the World and Sunday World newspapers and imprisoned anti-apartheid journalists.

As part of Rhodes University’s RU120 celebrations, the Old Rhodian Golf Club (established in 1970), under the leadership of Terry Sutherland, organised a Golf Day at Royal Johannesburg to bring alumni together for a noble cause. From a modest 60 participants to an incredible 200, this event aimed at generating third-stream income for the University. saw the awarding of a significant bursary to nineteen-year-old Psychology student Luyolo Nketsheni, who was the Sports Star of the Year 2023 (Awarded by Mfuzo Boxing Camp) and Sportsperson of the Year 2023 (Awarded by Rhodes University). The bursary, which will cover her academic needs for the next three years, represents a milestone in the Golf Club’s commitment to student support.

The Association of Old Rhodians, a vibrant community of Rhodes University alumni, has embarked on an exciting new chapter with the election of Professor Rosa Klein as President and Mr. Qondakele Sompondo as Deputy President. These visionary leaders bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to their roles, and they are poised to shape the future of the Association and foster a more profound connection among its members.

Last week, Rhodes University conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) degree on South African art activist and educator Dr Michael Barry, acknowledging his tireless efforts to blend art with social justice, education, and community engagement. His work has long inspired a generation of artists, educators, and cultural advocates, making this recognition a fitting tribute.

Rhodes University’s Professor Arthur Mukenge, a distinguished scholar of Francophone African literature, delivered his inaugural lecture titled “Literary Criticism in an African Context: A Francophone African Literature Perspective” on 07 October 2024.

Oghenekaro Nelson Odume is a professor and a director for the Institute for Water Research at Rhodes University. He is a leading researcher in aquatic ecosystems ecology, water quality, and pollution management. His research interests span water quality studies, aquatic ecosystem resilience, and pollutants of emerging concern like plastics and pharmaceuticals. He also focuses on the science-policy-practice interface, water governance, transdisciplinary scholarship, and social-ecological systems research.

August 2024 marked another milestone for African radio astronomy with the successful deployment of another TART (Transient Array Radio Telescope) telescope in Kenya. The installation took place at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Nairobi, under the auspices of Rhodes University’s Distinguished Professor Oleg Smirnov, Dr Benjamin Hugo (South African Radio Astronomy Observatory – SARAO – and Rhodes), Mr Rikus Human (Alphawave), Ms Carla Sharpe-Mitchell (SARAO), and a team from TUK and the Kenya Space Agency (KSA). This follows on from a previous TART installation in Mauritius earlier this year.

"Rocklands: On Becoming the First Generation of Black Psychologists in Post-Apartheid South Africa" by Professor Liezille Jean Jacobs offers an essential narrative, blending personal history with professional insight to underscore the challenges Black psychologists face in a transforming South Africa. This narrative reflects Jacobs' triumphs and a broader commentary on the complexities of identity, race, and professional development in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Jacobs' experiences mirror the struggles of many South Africans who had to navigate an educational and professional landscape shaped by the legacies of Apartheid. Yet, her reflections transform the work into something much larger — an exploration of the interplay between personal growth and societal expectations in a profession historically lacking representation for Black individuals.

In an unprecedented development in the institution’s 120 years of research excellence, Rhodes University is set to establish a wholly-owned subsidiary and special-purpose intellectual property commercialisation vehicle to link research innovation and entrepreneurship.

On 26 September 2024, Rhodes University hosted the prestigious Vice-Chancellor's Book Award Lecture, which honoured one of the institution's most distinguished scholars, Associate Professor Siphokazi Magadla, from the Department of Political and International Studies.

Rhodes University Pride Week 2024 is a central highlight of the RU120 celebrations, showcasing its ongoing commitment to inclusivity and equality as it works toward a more diverse and accepting community. As part of this initiative, Rhodes University hosted a special screening of Hold on 25th September 2024 at Eden Grove Red, a poignant and thought-provoking film exploring themes of identity, love, and belonging. Director David Ikpo and Producer Tsheperang Mamaregane were virtually present for a post-screening discussion, where they shared insights into their creative journey, the film's impact, and the critical conversations it has sparked.

Rhodes University is proud to announce that South African art activist and educator, Michael Barry, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) during the University’s graduation ceremony in Makhanda on 11 October 2024. This prestigious recognition comes as the University celebrates its 120th anniversary, marking more than a century of academic and cultural excellence. Barry's award also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the National Arts Festival, which has solidified Makhanda’s status as South Africa’s Creative City.

The Rhodes University Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) held an invaluable two-day conference titled Building Bridges: Unleashing the Potential of Scholarship on September 13th and 14th. Hosted across various Barratt Lecture Hall venues, the event provided postgraduate students a platform to present and showcase their research abstracts — from Honours to Postdoctoral. The event also hosted the prestigious 3 Minute Thesis competition (3MT), where the top ten finalists competed for prizes, and the five most outstanding presenters were awarded for their concise and impactful research summaries.

Rhodes University Pride Week 2024 is a significant part of the #RU120 celebrations as it ties the university's 120th anniversary with the ongoing journey toward inclusivity and equality. This year's event, launched with a keynote address by Dr Beverly Ditsie, a renowned LGBTQIA+ activist and acclaimed filmmaker, highlights the intersection of history, activism, and identity in South Africa's broader struggles for human rights.

Continuing to celebrate its 120-year legacy, Rhodes University illustrated its deep commitment to internationalisation and gender equity by sponsoring a unique publication. "Women in Internationalisation" was produced by HERS-SA in association with Rhodes University, which generously sponsored its layout.

Rhodes University’s Division of Student Services and Development (DSSD) proposed the creation of the Rev Dr Simon Gqubule Student Leadership Award in collaboration with the Gqubule Family, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (MCSA), and critical leaders supporting student leadership. The award was launched at the Rev Dr Simon Gqubule Memorial Lecture during the annual Leadership Week organised by the Student Representative Council (SRC), where Dr. Mamphela Ramphele delivered an Annual Lecture.

The Rhodes University Chamber Choir (RUCC) recently completed a memorable tour of the Western Cape, blending performances, workshops, and collaborations with schools and community choirs along the way. As part of Rhodes University’s RU120 campaign, the tour showcased the power of music to connect people, build relationships, and inspire future generations.