Rhodes University enhances cultural engagement

THIS year, Rhodes University is reaffirming its commitment to cultural engagement by significantly enhancing its long-standing relationship with the National Arts Festival (NAF).

- WEEKEND ARGUS REPORTER

Set against the vibrant backdrop of Makhanda, the university’s diverse offerings are rich in research, pedagogy, and performance, shaping a national dialogue on art's role in reflecting and addressing pressing social justice issues.

At the core of Rhodes’ 2025 programme lies a powerful theme of historical reflection, prominently featured in the stirring play A Childhood in Chalk. Crafted by the Drama and Education departments, this narrative entwines childhood memories with the unsettling realities of political resistance, recalling the school boycotts in Fingo Village from 1975 to 1985.

Educators Thembela Madliki and Phemelo Hellemann lend emotional depth and scholarly rigor to the production, inviting audiences to confront the upheaval experienced during extraordinary times.

Meanwhile, Umbhobho - The Red Pipe, an Empatheatre production helmed by Rhodes Master's student Siphosethu Mankai, harnesses storytelling to address self-development and identity. Blending real-life accounts into dramatic form, it offers a heartfelt introspection into the human experience through the lens of Life Orientation education, encouraging viewers to reflect on their personal journeys.

The integration of art and science finds compelling expression in