Grocott’s Mail moves to the Africa Media Matrix

Production by Natalie Austin & Jason Randall

Since 1869, Grocott’s Mail has acted the voice of Grahamstown’s community. It is the oldest independent newspaper in South Africa and has run from an iconic building in the town’s Church Square. This has been sold and the Mail’s editorial is now based at the Rhodes University’s School of Journalism in the African Media Matrix.

The old Grocott’s newsroom is of historical significance and new owners, Supello Investments, plan to refurbish and maintain the historical aspects. We explore what the move means for the community newspaper and its future.

Richard Grant – getting science to the classrooms

Report by Natalie Austin & Jason Randall

Many schools in South Africa do not have access to biology or science laboratories or the required resources for practical demonstrations in the classroom. In a Scifest Africa 2014 workshop Toys from Trash, Richard Grant teaches learners how to make science education resources from cheap and accessible household items. Richard a retired Rhodes University lecturer. Working with Dr. Ken Ngcoza from the Rhodes Department of Education they hope to integrate these experiments in all schools in order to make students more excited about the subject of science.

East Midlands College protest

Report by Deneesha Pillay & Megan Flemmit

Students of Eastcape Midlands College in Grahamstown are evicted from their accommodation and and threatened with closure of the school. Because of funding problems in the institution, landlords evicted the students. The students then marched to the EMC premises to await the campus management response. Many of the students are from out of town and have no money to get back home.

Estela Bravo in Grahamstown

Report by Deneesha Pillay & Megan Flemmit

The video records filmmaker Estela Bravo’s visit to Rhodes University with her husband, Ernesto and Dr Mzu Theo Nodikida, the Cuban ambassador to South Africa. She speaks to students and members of staff about her life and experiences and the significant ties between Cuba and South Africa. Estela visited Rhodes to screens her films “Mandela and Fidel” and “After the Battle”.

Biotechnology – a science explored

Report by Deneesha Pillay & Megan Flemmit at SciFest Africa 2014.

One of the workshops that The South African Agency for Science and Technology Association held concerned the use of Biotechnology. High school students attended workshops that presented a technique to extract DNA from wheat using everyday household products to give them an understanding of the process and the science.
They also explored how biotechnology is used for genetic modification of organisms and the many controversies around this. The conflict between the humanitarian, corporate and science perspectives has led to great debate about the ethics of Genetic Modification (GM). This video proposes different ideas about the ethics involved and the concerns some environmentalists have with GM.
We also see how biotechnology is used in a sustainable way. The Institute for Environmental Biotechnology at Rhodes University works in parallel with the Belmont Valley Water Treatment Works to clean sewage water to produce water that is less harmful for the environment.