Outstanding performance by the Rhodes University Rowing Club

The regatta took place last weekend on the Kowie River at Port Alfred and attracts crews from nine South African universities. The Rhodes Men’s Eight placed second to Tuks in the A final over 6km.

In recognition of the commitment and excellence the athletes have demonstrated, the club is sending a Coxed Four to the prestigious Head of The Charles Regatta in Boston, USA. Competing for places in the boat are Michael Thomas, Welcome Sidyiyo, Lyle Swanepoel, Murray Bales-Smith, Alex Rivarola, Chris Hale and Rory McNeill.

Naturally this is an expensive undertaking for the students. R35,000 has been generously contributed by the Rhodes Alumni. Savuka has sponsored kit. The club is deeply appreciative to these sponsors and to Rhodes University for supporting the idea of sending a crew.

As part of their fund-raising efforts the club is raffling two fabulous accommodation prizes in the beautiful Eastern Cape. Tickets are R250 each. The prizes are:

• A one week stay in Kenton-on-Sea in a beautiful holiday home. Typical beach house with stunning views of the Bushman’s river mouth. Sleeps 12.
• A weekend stay in a Southwell country farm cottage. Great for outdoor activities such as hiking and mountain bike riding. Sleeps 10.

The raffle draw will take place on 10 October. Winners will be notified by email to all entrants.

How to Enter:

Step 1: One raffle ticket is R250. Make payment (or multiples thereof) to the account below with the reference containing your initials and surname.
Step 2: Email your name and the number of tickets you have purchased to RUHOCRRaffle@gmail.com.
• Account Holder – Mr. Harry P Townsend
• Account Number – 10 10 638 215 0
• Branch Code – 051001
• SWIFT code – SBZAZAJJ
• Standard Bank

 

GRAEME HOLMES

Before moving back to Grahamstown in Oct 2017, Graeme was a bank executive based in the big smoke and craziness of Joburg. He has 20 years’ experience in the Payments Industry. He is a Chartered Accountant, has a Masters in Management by Research (MMR) from Wits Business School, and attended an Advanced Management Programme (AMP) offered by INSEAD (The Business School for the World!) in France.  

Graeme is the founder of The Grahamstown Project. It’s simple. He says, “Grahamstown is a microcosm of South Africa. If we can’t get this place to function properly then the whole country is stuffed. Many of the troubles we experience as a country today have their roots here in Grahamstown. it is here where black and white people first engaged in conflict on the African continent. It is here where 9 wars of dispossession over 100 years took place and virtually destroyed the amaXhosa nation. But we are where we are. I don’t have a British passport and the boat-trip back to where my ancestors came from is exorbitantly expensive. Furthermore, this is my home. I am a son of Africa. We must work together to redress the injustices of the past and move as one into a brighter future.”

Graeme is an avid historian, writer, vlogger and public speaker. Like and follow the Facebook page. Join him on a tour. Contact him. He would love that.