Rhodes University: Hosted Journals
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An invitation to time travel: the world-renowned 360-million year old fossil archive at Waterloo Farm, Makhanda
Get PDFThe earliest historical treasures of the district long remained hidden, buried deep beneath the surface of the Zuurveld and the hills to the north. Great rolling wrinkles of quartzitic rock form the Mountain Drive ridge of the Rietberg, to the west of Makhanda, whilst to its east rises a similar quartzitic ridge which includes Governor’s Kop. These form part of a continuous layer that is folded deep underground between the two. Above it, the ridges are connected by a plane, carved from younger, softer overlying strata more than 60 million years ago. From the south, the headwaters of the Kowie River later gnawed the edge of the plain, carving out a basin named eRhini (the Place of Reeds), where the garrison settlement of Graham’s Town was built. These distinctive quartzitic rocks (the Witpoort Formation) also underlie much of the Zuurveld, weathering into the pale sandy soils that host heathlands, such as those on the flats near Martindale, and the jagged-edged rocky plateau approaching the Kap River. This sourveld would prove nutrient-poor grazing for generations of cattle owners, but is florally rich with proteas, pincushion proteas, white and purple “heather” and other fynbos flowers.
Language, relationality, and career guidance: a community-engaged psychology perspective
Get PDFThe importance of career guidance in enabling learners to make informed decisions about their futures cannot be overemphasised. Learners in under-resourced schools often face limited opportunities for meaningful support, with English-only career guidance restricting comprehension and engagement. Guided by the RelationalContextual Career Framework (RCCF), this study explores how language and relational dynamics shape career guidance within a community-engaged servicelearning initiative involving Organisational Psychology honours students at Rhodes University. Learner focus groups were used to gather data from high school students, and reflections were used to gather data from career psychology honours students participating in a service learning programme. The results demonstrated that learner comprehension, confidence, and participation were significantly impacted by the use of language and relational strategies. Student reflections highlighted the importance of adapting theory to local contexts, integrating career construction and life-design principles, and navigating multilingual challenges. Students\u27 professional adaptability, reflective practice and cultural responsiveness were further enhanced through service-learning experiences. Findings validate the RCCF as a useful framework for operationalising multilingual, relational, and Ubuntu-informed pedagogies, supporting equitable, socially responsible career guidance in under-resourced schools. Findings also suggest that the RCCF can inform institutional community engagement strategies, providing guidance for culturally responsive, relationally grounded, and ethically oriented service-learning programmes.
Andalusi music: Convivencia from an Afro-Asian perspective
No full textAndalusi music traces its origins to the development of distinct musical and poetic forms (nubat, zejel, and so on) on the Iberian Peninsula since the ninth century. Andalusi music continues to be performed in various Mediterranean countries, predominantly Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. This article examines how Andalusi music links the precolonial imaginary, the colonial past, and postcolonial narratives of Spain within an Afro-Asian context. By focusing on performative commonalities across a vast region that have origins in al-Andalus, this article explores the concept of convivencia (coexistence) in relation to the intercultural rhetoric of Andalusi music. The article also considers its interaction with other modal systems such as haul from Mauritania, music associated with the Mande Empire in West Africa, the Middle Eastern and North African maqamat, Persian dastgah, and Hindustani raags. In the course of this exploration, the article broadens the understanding of the historical and contemporary circulation of music across continents. In addition, this article explores the afterlives of Ziryab, an African musician and a contested founder of Andalusi music, whose legacy emphasises the significant role of Africa in the musical development of al-Andalus
Platformed cultural hustlers: social media and entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe’s independent music economy
No full textThis paper explores the influence of social media on music creation, consumption, and promotion in Zimbabwe. It examines how platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube have democratised access to audiences, enabling artists to bypass traditional gatekeepers and achieve independent recognition. Employing a qualitative approach, the paper draws on publicly available data from social media platforms, online newspapers, personal reflections, and interviews with musicians and industry professionals. Key findings reveal that social media fosters direct interaction between artists and fans, facilitates viral marketing, and enhances creative collaboration. However, while these platforms present unprecedented opportunities, challenges remain, including inequalities relating to digital accessibility, fleeting virality, and economic barriers that hinder long-term sustainability. The paper argues that while social media has reshaped Zimbabwe’s music industry, strategic and contextually informed approaches are necessary to fully harness its potential for sustained artistic and economic success
Playing the Changes. Jazz at an African University and on the Road. DariusBrubeck and Catherine Brubeck. 2023. University of KwaZulu-Natal Press. 85 b/willustrations, bibliography, index, 321 pages.
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Cultural dynamics and innovations in the construction of the gyil xylophone in Ghana: a focus on Christopher Doozie
No full textThis paper investigates the impact of Western factory methods on the construction of the Dagara gyil (plural gyile) xylophone and how this has contributed to the secularisation and commercialisation of this otherwise traditional musical instrument for use in educational settings and the international tourism market. The paper focuses on Christopher Doozie, a prominent gyil maker in Accra, Ghana. It discusses how his production methods and innovations in the construction of the gyil not only transcend traditional methods but have also led to particular cultural disruptions. On the whole, the paper evaluates the broader impact of Doozie’s innovations in relation to the gyil as a musical instrument specific to Dagara culture, on the one hand, and as an emerging global instrument on the other. The paper is based on ethnographic research conducted from 2018 to 2021 and from 2022 to 2025
Kasouga: The Eastern Cape’s First Holiday Resort
Get PDFThere are a few places left on the South African coast where time feels as if it has gently folded itself into the landscape, where nature’s rhythms have remained mostly untouched by the modern rush. Kasouga is one of these rare enclaves — a naturally pristine, secure and much-loved retreat cradled between Port Alfred and Kenton-on-Sea.
Here, the coastline curls around a sweep of sandy beach, a lazy lagoon, and a patchwork of bushy dunes and grassy hills, all watched over by a small community of permanent residents and loyal holidaymakers who have, over generations, preserved the spirit of a bygone era