Rhodes University has achieved a significant milestone with the upgrading, in October, of Professor Janice Limson’s South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in Biotechnology Innovation and Engagement.

Distinguished Professor Heila Lotz-Sisitka, a leading figure in environmental education, was recently awarded the 2024 SAERA Research Honours Award by the South African Education Research Association (SAERA), at their annual conference in Bloemfontein.

Rhodes University, located in Makhanda, South Africa, is committed to academic excellence, research innovation, and community engagement. With a rich history dating back to 1904, the university has established itself as a leading institution of higher learning, producing graduates who make a positive impact in their chosen fields.

Both Rhodes University and the South African Journal of Science celebrate their 120th anniversary in 2024, marking their significant contributions to the scholarly community. Questions about who is involved in scientific research, and who the research is for, come into sharp focus as South Africa also celebrates its 30th year of democracy.

Rhodes University staff and first-year students gathered at the Eden Grove Red Lecture Theatre for the final session of the Pathways to Success: Conversations with First-Year Students series. This four-part series, an integral component of the Rhodes University First-Year Extended Orientation (RUFYE) Programme, was established by Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Monnapula-Mapesela, to bridge the gap between high school and university for first-year students.

At the 2024 LIASA Conference, Rhodes University Librarians Ms. Silindile Dube and Ms. Lucky Mosia-Xaba received the esteemed Best Lightning Talk Award for their presentation titled "Enhancing Children’s Reading Literacy through Classroom Libraries: Siyafundisana eMakhanda Project Initiative by Rhodes University Librarians".

Dr Pakiso Tondi, Director of Student Services and Development at Rhodes University, has been honoured with the 2024 Presidency Lifetime Award by the South African Association of Senior Student Affairs Professionals (SAASSAP). This prestigious award recognises Dr Tondi's substantial contributions to higher education and the Student Affairs and Services (SAS) sector in South Africa. He received the Award together with the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of UNISA, Prof Puleng LenkaBula.

In the vibrant tapestry of emerging artists, 26-year-old local artist Lithemba Nziweni stands out with a unique voice that connects deeply with his cultural roots and the broader socio-political context of the Global South. His ongoing photography series, Hairitage, has recently achieved an academic milestone by being integrated into the curriculum at Rhodes University. This marks a significant step in the recognition of his work and also reflects the University’s commitment to fostering academic discourse around art that emerges from the Global South. The inclusion of Hairitage in the Art History and Visual Culture module, specifically in the "Photography of the Global South" course, underscores both its artistic merit and its cultural resonance.

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.