Incident-free 2010 Intervarsity and Boat Race participation: Intervarsity Communique
The University community will recall that at its meeting of 3 September 2009, the University Council recommended suspension of Rhodes University’s participation in Intervarsity with immediate effect. This recommendation was precipitated by irresponsible and unbecoming conduct of some of our students at the 2009 Intervarsity hosted by Rhodes University. A Task Team was established to advise the Vice-Chancellor and to make a firm recommendation in respect of Rhodes’ future participation in Intervarsity. The Task Team recommended that Rhodes participate in the Intervarsity at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) in 2010 as a test case for future participation. Stringent conditions were put in place which, if breached would result in there being no further participation in Intervarsity.
I am delighted to report to the University community that, following the Intervarsity on the weekend of 20-22 August 2010, we received a report from NMMU that there were “ZERO incidents involving Rhodes students throughout the event”. The measures implemented to ensure the smooth running of the Intervarsity at NMMU were also put to effective use at this year’s Boat Race in Port Alfred in the weekend of 10-12 September 2010. The result was the same – an incident-free Boat Race competition.
I would like to thank the Task Team, with special mention of George Khan (SRC), Eric Ofei (SRC) and Andrew Matatu of the Student Sports Council, for their tireless work in ensuring the smooth running of the two events. In addition, I would like to thank all the volunteer officials, both student and staff for their contribution. I trust that we at Rhodes have now set new standards which, if maintained, will ensure our continued participation in future Intervarsity and Boat Race competitions. Lastly, but of course not least, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to all Rhodes students, those on and off the field, you did us proud. We owe it to our sportsmen and sportswomen that we spare no effort in ensuring that their participation in the regional competitive sport is not jeopardised in any way whatsoever.
Dr Sizwe Mabizela
DEPUTY VICE-CHANCELLOR: ACADEMIC AND STUDENT AFFAIRS
21 September 2010