Mandela Rhodes Scholars: Conference 2009

Radio story on the conference

2009-09-10T00:37:00.001+02:00

Aids campaigner Zachie Achmat has urged Africa’s Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars to take up the struggle to repair the failed post-apartheid education system, Mike Loewe reports.

Achmat was the opening speaker for the conference of scholars which is being held at Rhodes this week.

About 100 academics and scholars from around Africa heard Zachie Achmat call for almost a third of fees paid to middle class schools to be spent on libraries for poor schools.

Achmat says ethical leadership and equal education have not materialized for the mass of our learners.

While President Zuma’s ANC government is committed to these principles, the last 15 years of freedom have actually witnessed, what he calls, the intellectual dispossession of most of our poorer kids.

Doctoral research by Ursula Hoadley shows that the new state spends 100 times more on middle class learners.

Achmat says school fees at poor state schools must be abolished.

But, where parents pay more than R2000 a year in school fees, he wants the state to deduct 30 percent from the fees raised by these schools.

This must be spent on building libraries and train librarians for poorer schools.

Mike Loewe
Algoa FM news
Grahamstown

The new CCC 2010

2009-09-09T08:54:00.003+02:00

Chair - Anton Botha
Secretary - Ingrid Cloete
Treasurer/Performance Management - Pie Pacifique Kabalira Uwase
Public Relations - Suntosh Pillay
Internal Relations - Marius Redelinghuys
Projects/Fundraising - Tsepang Majara
Projects/Fundraising - Melika Singh

Congratulations!

Scholars drive their own dialogues on Ethical Leadership

2009-09-09T08:48:00.000+02:00

by Siza Ngxabi

The conference of the Community of Mandel Rhodes Scholars (CMRS) has seen an amazing turn-out from the distinguished guests in the past two days who made their own presentations and dialogues on ethical leadership, the likes of Kojo Parris and others, to scholars sharing their own research projects and other initiatives they are involved in. Throughout the conference the central debate has been about ethical leadership – whether leaders need to be ethical or even to the extent that we measure the practise of the promises we make out of leadership.
Scholars discussed wide-ranging matters, from renewable energy, to condom use initiation strategies; from health in the context of malaria to the Dinokeng Scenarios that are a growing debate in the South African community.
Anton Botha is a Masters student at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). He discussed issues around the allocation of resources – the current energy sources we have and how these could be de-commodified and these resources then channelled to the renewable technology that would make electricity cheaper in the future. These are things such as the use of solar power and the heat generated from underground.
These discussions were intriguing in the sense that they were very diverse yet interesting and challenging. Tsepang Majara, a scholar from the University of Fort Hare, explored a rather controversial topic on the condom initiation strategies among university students. His findings were that issues of assertiveness on the part of the students are the key determinants of whether a condom is used or not.
The issue of malaria in other regions of Africa has in certain instances become a hot topic, just as HIV/Aids has in South Africa. In regions such as Western Kenya it is a major issue challenging the communities living there. Aalyia Sadruddin, an Honours student from Wits, is exploring the dimensions of biomedicine and traditional medicine in this community.
The scholars have provided useful knowledge on a wide range of topics that are thought-provoking, challenging, and are useful and relevant in the present-day global world that we are living in.

What's the big idea?

2009-09-06T08:44:00.000+02:00

The concept of ethical leadership infuses the purpose of the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship. The Scholarship seeks to create a critical mass of ethical, effective leaders who will in time assist in correcting the deficit of principled leadership in Africa. If one takes a rough sample of the problems facing Africa and the rest of the world, from inaction in addressing climate change to the global financial crisis, it is clear that ethical leadership is key to solving these problems.

As a result, the Conference theme of ‘Ethical Leadership: the Promise and the Practice’ seeks to provide an opportunity for the Scholars to engage with the concept of ethical leadership beyond their one-year term on the Scholarship. This also provides the unique opportunity to share their insights with members of academia, civil society and the business community.

We plan to do this by focusing on the two elements of ethical leadership: a solid basis of ethical principles combined with the practical skills required to initiate meaningful change.
In focusing on the values of ethical leadership we will primarily be exploring the deeper philosophy of ubuntu and the commitments that it requires in striving for social justice.

On the side of practical leadership skills, we will be investigating how to bridge the divide between values and practice. We hope to do this by exposing Scholars to leaders who practice ethical leadership on a daily basis as well as encouraging Scholars to identify the contribution that they can make to promoting social justice.

Looking beyond the three days of the Conference, we hope that the discussions that it sparks will contribute to the public debate on ethical leadership. We hope to disseminate the ideas produced at the Conference as widely as possible to allow others to share in the inspiration.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Conference!

Submitted by Chris McConnachie

Our 'second liberation' will need ethics and ubuntu

2009-08-13T15:19:00.002+02:00

Scholars, what are your opinions? Click "comments" at the bottom of the post to add your thoughts!

Our 'second liberation' will need ethics and ubuntu

By Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane*

August 08, 2009

There is no question that our nation needs deep and careful thinking about ethical questions, to inform public dialogue, and help ensure that the gains of the transition to democracy are not squandered through ignorance, oversight, or the selfishness of the few at the expense of the many.

The consequences of putting dollars about all else and applauding unbridled greed and rapacious consumerism are all too evident in everything from the collapse of the international financial system to the short-term policy-making that risks making our planet uninhabitable.

In South Africa, we worry that a new elite, too readily seduced by power, status and conspicuous consumption, is the tip of a far larger iceberg of unethical attitudes that is threatening the ship of democratic nationhood.

Even Westminster, the mother of parliaments, has been rocked by scandals over allowances and expenses. Everywhere, those whom we elect to protect and preserve our interests seem to be concerned only with their own. The message to the electorate is that, except as voting fodder, we do not value you. Yet it is in the nature of the human person that true value lies. I'd like to say that all human life is priceless!

I didn't spend three years on Robben Island so that a small, self-serving ruling class could be replaced by a different select few who — despite their political rhetoric — may come to prove they have similarly scant regard for the actual wellbeing of the many. For Samuel Johnson was correct when he said that "a decent provision for the poor is the true test of civilisation". The tools we need for building a civilised South Africa, in which everyone is valued for themselves, are very simple: they are the virtues.

Since the time of Socrates, the virtues have been considered the principal quality required for society’s wellbeing. I am proud that I grew up learning that one should keep one’s promises — and not make promises that one cannot keep. One should strive for excellence — and not settle for mediocrity. One should tell the truth. One should respect all other people. One should always be ready to go the extra mile, turn the other cheek and look out for those in need.

In Africa, the word "ubuntu" wonderfully encapsulates so much of this. It means "I am, because we belong together". It is to live and care for others, being kind, just, fair, compassionate, trustworthy, honest, assisting those in need and upholding good morals. Ubuntu is about generous magnanimity towards others — especially those who are different.

Ubuntu can help us in the vital task of forging a South African identity. We have some way to go in learning to count created diversity as creative diversity, and must still struggle for a "second liberation" from mental enslavement to the categories of the past. It is short-sighted and distorting always to view life from the perspective of race.

We recognise ubuntu when we see it in unprovoked acts of kindness. We also recognize when people have failed to exercise ubuntu, and are outraged at politicians and officials who privilege themselves over the needs of the communities they should serve.

Servant leadership should be seen as the very best of leadership. It is tragic that the word "servant" became so discredited under apartheid, when so many were forced into servitude. We have to claim it back.

"Excellence" is another word we must rehabilitate. Only the best is good enough for the people of this nation. To settle for mediocrity is to embrace a downward spiral. Only the highest ethical practice is acceptable. Corruption and wheeler-dealing must have no place — neither in public life nor in business. It is not good enough to say, "How much can I get away with, without technically breaching the rules?"

Good governance, transparency, accountability, integrity and honesty are values we should be proud to honour. All forms of democracy require true accountability and engagement between governments and every other sector of society. This became very clear when I participated in the recent Dinokeng scenario-planning exercise, which considered how to address the critical challenges of our time and build a future that lives up to the promise of 1994.

Only our "Walk Together" scenario delivered such an outcome. This postulates an increasingly collaborative and enabling state that listens to its citizens and leaders from different sectors and engages with critical voices, consulting and sharing authority in the interest of long-term sustainability. It also proposes an engaged citizenry that takes leadership and holds government accountable, sharing responsibility for policy outcomes and development.

This is not an easy path — but it is a feasible path, if leaders in all walks of life are prepared to rise above narrow self-interest and contribute purposefully to building our nation. Engaging actively and effectively together, we can overcome our challenges.

All that is most worthwhile in life — the flourishing of individuals within a flourishing society — does not come through the naked pursuit of power, status and wealth. To invest our energies here will, in the long term, actually undermine our goals, as the present global financial state amply demonstrates.

Rather, it is by expending our resources in virtuous living that we will achieve what is truly valuable — including sustainable economic benefits. Let us reach for excellence, and devote ourselves to all that is most precious for human life and wellbeing.

Archbishop Ndungane is chair of the University of Cape Town Council

© The Sunday Times (SA)

Web: http://www.thetimes.co.za/News/Article.aspx?id=1046892

* An edited version of a speech Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane delivered
this week at the launch of the University of the Witwatersrand's Centre for
Ethics

Regarding Mentors

2009-08-13T15:16:00.001+02:00

With the votes tied at 10-10, and the Conference organising committee happy to organise logistics for mentors to attend the conference, we will go ahead and do so. Mentors will have to pay for their own transport to Gtown, accommodation in Gtown, and selected meals. They will not be asked to attend scholar-only items such as the AGM.

URGENT: CMRS Conference Registration Fee Reduction!

2009-08-03T13:47:00.001+02:00

We are very proud to announce some exciting news. In the past week we have confirmed sponsorship of R60 000 for the Conference from ABSA Bank! ABSA has also indicated a willingness to enter into a long-term partnership with the CMRS to support the annual conference in the future.

The immediate upshot of this news is that we are now in a position to announce a reduction in the Conference registration fee. Effective immediately the registration fee will be reduced to R395 for Scholars requiring accommodation and R200 for those not requiring accommodation. For those Scholars who have already registered we will make sure to refund you for your payment via electronic transfer. Please submit your bank details to Nyasha to receive your money back.

Remember, registrations close THIS FRIDAY 7 August. To book your place please complete the registration forms, make your payment and email the completed forms and proof of payment to Nyasha at cmrs.conference@gmail.com without delay.

Please take note of several other important pieces of information:

1. If you still need financial assistance to attend the Conference please contact Nyasha before WEDNESDAY 5 August and follow the procedure outlined in the 'Financial Assistance Document'.

2. We encourage all Scholars to pay the little bit extra to stay in the Rhodes residence. Not only are Rhodes residences 5-star quality (much better than sleeping on someone’s floor!) but you would be missing out on the fun and togetherness of staying in one big group. As a result, the R200 ‘no accommodation’ option is largely there for Scholars living in Grahamstown.

3. For those flying into Port Elizabeth or bussing to Grahamstown, please make your bookings as soon as possible. With the Highway Africa Conference happening at the same time as the CMRS conference flights and bus tickets are likely to be snapped up quickly. Avoid the hassle of having to taking connecting flights via Pofadder by booking now!

Urgent Poll - please participate!

2009-08-01T14:57:00.002+02:00

Hi Scholars!

The conference organising committee would like scholars' feedback on
whether they feel Mandela Rhodes mentors should be invited to join us
for the duration of the conference.

In terms of the financial implications, they would need to take care
of their own transport to Grahamstown and their own accommodation
whilst they are here - we would only ask them to cover the cost of the
teas/coffees/meals.

Do you want the mentors present, or not? Please vote, and the decision
will be taken according to your votes at 12 noon on Friday 7 August.

So please vote on the side of the page!

If you have any comments, please write one below :)

Provincial Contact Details

2009-07-21T21:30:00.003+02:00

Hi scholars

Here are the contact details for the provincial coordinators. Road trip anyone??

Western Cape: Khanyisa Mtombeni (2009) 0786811150, Khanyisa27@webmail.co.za
Gauteng: Simangele Mabena (2008) 0724279456, simangelemabena@yahoo.com
KZN:Sicelo Phumlani Dludla (2009) 0725227869, spdludla@gmail.com
Eastern Cape:Bonga Zuma (2006) 0799117668, g06z3114@campus.ru.ac.za

Important Conference Documents

2009-07-16T17:03:00.003+02:00

Hi Scholars!

Here are all the documents you need for the conference. Please note that registration for the conference closes on Friday 7 August! So get those forms and payments in as soon as possible.

Follow the links and click "download". The page will load, and you'll just have to click "Download this item".

Welcome

2009-06-06T09:10:00.001+02:00

Hello all scholars, friends and visitors

Welcome to the CMRS 2009 Conference Blog. The idea behind this blog is to encourage some interaction around the up-coming conference. This interaction is up to you, the community: share photos, thoughts, ideas, suggestions, or some inspirational words.

Similarly, during the actual conference this Blog will be updated regularly to keep those scholars unable to attend filled in on the details and outcomes.

If you want to post something, simply email matthewbeetar@gmail.com with your text (and photos or videos!) and he'll upload them for everyone to see. Don't forget that you can comment on any post - just click "comment" at the bottom.

All the details about the conference can be found on the side of the Blog.

Enjoy, and here's to September!