The Glossary

There are some terms, places and actions mentioned in this blog that not everyone may be familiar with. Some of these words are sourced from Cape Town, others from Grahamstown, and the rest, well, they are just South African! These are the words that make my life colourful! Welcome to The Glossary.

Bush Diving (verb) – Not for the faint of heart, this typically insane but traditionally Rhodent pastime involves hurling one’s own alcohol sodden body into plumes of roadside bushes on the way home from a mare. This phenomenon, although very common in Grahamstown, is unlike anything I have ever seen anywhere else. The after effects include a stiff back, headache, scratches and possible snake bites, depending on what bush the diver chooses.

Black Horse Vodka – Black Horse is the second worst alcoholic substance I have ever ingested. It is 45% vol. Vodka, not entirely sure where bottled but goes for roughly 45 ZAR a bottle at Pirates Pizza. It is commonly mixed with the energy drink known as Spike, and Sprite and is served ice cold. Along with Crackling, Black Horse is the primary cause of hangovers in Grahamstown.

Bombsquad – A Jan Smuts tradition, usually taking place the week after O-Week, it is a bonding session between the first and second years. Generally involving copious amounts of Crackling, namely the Bomb (thus the name), Bombsquad is one of the many great events on the students calendar. It is basically a local variation of the popular American college game Edward 40-Hands.

BP Run (verb) – The traditional late night hunger mission, involving one or more Rhodents walking to the BP/KwikSpar on African Street, Grahamstown for a midnight snack. Frequently done during exam times, this is a walk that many regard as being their most rewarding experience of living in residence and digs. BP/KwikSpar is open all night.

Canal Walk – Africa’s biggest mall based on the available rental space, Canal Walk is an architectural marvel. Completed in 2000, it houses close to 450 shops ranging from designer label outlets to grocery and chain stores. There is also an arcade, a 20-cinema complex and Africa’s first full scale theme park across the way, known as Ratanga Junction.

Can be found in the following posts: I Need Sleep!;

Cavendish Square - A bustling shopping mall consisting of about 200 shops, restaurants and a movie theatre. It is located in the southern suburb of Claremont, about 10 kilometres from the city centre and is one of Cape Town’s fastest growing business hubs. Known mainly for it’s easy accessibility via rail and road, Cavendish is extremely popular with teens and older folk alike.

Can be found in the following posts: Awake At Six…;

Clifton 4th Beach – Located in the affluent suburb of Clifton, just north of Camps Bay, it is by far Cape Town’s most famous beach. Renowned more for the beautiful people who grace it than its own immense beauty, Clifton 4th is a sun worshiper’s paradise – by far the best sun tanning beach in the city. Nestled between huge granite boulders, its geography keeps visitors sheltered from the notorious South-Easterly wind that plagues Cape Town in the hot summer months. Voted as the 8th Best Topless Beach in the World by Forbes in 2006, it is the place to be seen outdoors in Cape Town. Be sure to bring a picnic basket along though, as the nearest eateries are located in Camps Bay.

Can be found in the following posts: Valedictory Relived…;

Camps Bay Beach – One of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches, situated on the Atlantic Seaboard of the peninsula – about 10 minutes from the City Centre. Camps Bay is known for its views of the neighbouring mountains – the Twelve Apostles and Lion’s Head, snow-white sand and palm trees that line the seafront – similar to that of Miami’s South Beach. Perfect for families and singles alike, there is plenty to do and see, ranging from beach football and social volleyball to watching the sun slowly set behind the Atlantic ocean. The night life is also a highlight in the warmer months of the year, with many trendy restaurants and nightclubs in the vicinity. It is definitely one of my favourite Cape Town chill-out venues.

Can be found in the following posts: Two Weeks Later…; Valedictory Relived…;

Cotch Creek – A perennial stream that runs past my residence, Jan Smuts, Rhodes University, Grahamstown. It is infamous for the folktale it is so named after involving inebriated students directing regurgitated contents (or “cotching”) into the gorge. Usually stagnant and muddy in the Winter, a multitude of flora grows along it’s steep banks, mainly white Arum lilies in the Spring.

Crackling (Cooking Wine) – The most disgusting and potentially volatile alcoholic substances that I have ever swallowed. It is scary to think that one bottle of this very cheap wine is sold for around 25 ZAR. The larger one, known as the Bomb, is commonly bought and mixed with locally produced soft drink. This is the common Rhodent’s choice of predrinks.

DP (Duly Performed) Certificate – (noun) Possibly the most feared document known to the Rhodes student, the Duly Performed Certificate, or DP, represents whether a student is allowed to write exams at the end of a semester. Your DP is removed if the following is not adhered to: a) a certain number of tutorials not attended; b) a certain grade not obtained; c) a certain amount of tests not attended. Stories have been told that regard the DP as relatively easy to repossess, but no one wishes to find out just how easy it may be.

Drostdy Arch – This 150-year-old Grahamstown landmark is one of the well known tourist attractions within the city. Erected in 1841, it marks the entrance to Rhodes University and the beginning of High Street. The arch forms part of the larger Albany Museum and previously was the entrance to a military camp. A common student tale suggests that if a student should walk under the arch, he or she will fail the year. This claim has so far been unfounded.

Friar Tuck’s Pub & Grub – Affectionately known to Rhodents as Friar’s, this pub-cum-nightclub is the centre of student nightlife in Grahamstown. During O-Week, and throughout the year, many a mare takes place at this venue. Often having drinks promotions it is the perfect place to let go of stress after a midweek test goes awry. Friar’s has certainly become one of my favourite post-10pm venues in South Africa.

Gatsby – (noun) A famous Capetonian fast food consisting of a large, oblong shaped roll filled with hot chips, and your choice of sauces and meats, topped off with salad. It is then usually cut into hand-sized pieces and served tightly wrapped in foil. Similar meals: Sub, Hoagie.

Can be found in the following posts: “Thursday Night Is…”;

Gees – (noun) An Afrikaans word meaning “spirit” or “essence” in English. For example, you would sing your national anthem with gees.

Can be found in the following posts: “The Day Bafana Bafana Earned My Respect”;

Green Point Stadium – Officially known as “Cape Town Stadium”, it is a purpose-built football and rugby union venue constructed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Completed in November 2009, it currently seats 68,000, sporting a world-first glass roof construction at a cost of R4.4 Billion. Within 10 minutes from the V&A Waterfront, 15 from the city’s CBD and Camps Bay, Green Point is a football fan and tourist’s delight.

Can be found in the following posts: “The Day Bafana Bafana Earned My Respect”;

Glencairn Beach (Glen-ken) – A sheltered cove of white sand nestled on the False Bay coast of the Cape Peninsula. A 40 minute drive from the Cape Town CBD, and about an hour-and-a-half train ride, Glencairn is a great swimming beach to try if it’s neighbouring sister beach of Fish Hoek is full. It is also easily accessible, with its own train station beside the beach front.

Can be found in the following posts: The Day Before Tomorrow…; Two Weeks Later… (includes photographs);

Jan Smuts Residence - The communal dwelling that I have called home for best part of 2010. The one of the largest male residence on campus, Jan Smuts is noted for its prime position in the middle of campus near to both lecture venues and sporting facilities. It also has an interesting history, and quite a reputation, and is therefore the most infamous residence on the Rhodes campus.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – A world renowned botanical garden situated on the lush south-eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Founded in 1913, Kirstenbosch was made famous by winning 29 gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show (possibly the most famous garden show in the world) in London for it’s displays. It is also one of the best picnic venues in Cape Town with concerts taking place in the gardens during the warm summer Sunday evenings.

Can be found in the following posts: 21 And Counting; Look Around, Be Grateful;

Long Street – One of Cape Town’s more famous streets, this 3.7 kilometre strip of tarmac is home to some of the hottest parties and nightlife anywhere in Africa. As well as boasting great live music venues like Zula Bar and clubber’s meccas like Deluxe and Chrome, the street is lined with Victorian-era buildings and is rich in architectural heritage. One could possibly spend an entire day enjoying Long Street’s diversity.

Mare – (noun) Basic English Meaning: a night out. The mare is the heartbeat of the student town of Grahamstown, involving specifically chosen nights of the week in which to hit the town and get insurmountably inebriated. It takes its name from a shortening of nightmare used as an analogy to how one feels when waking up the following morning. Prime nights include Monday (Cougar Monday – Pirates Pizza’s main night), Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Going out on any of the other days or during exams are known as Sneaky Mares, and usually are more controlled than the big four nights.

Newlands Cricket Ground (Sahara Park Newlands) – Cape Town’s national cricket venue, Newlands has played host to Test match cricket since 1889. It is regarded as the most beautiful cricket ground in the world with stunning views of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak from the stands. Newlands is also the home of the Cape Cobras – the provincial team that takes part in the national cricket competitions.

Can be found in the following posts: 21 And Counting;

O-Week – (Orientation Week) The most eagerly anticipated week of the academic year for Rhodes students, especially first years, O-Week is something of an institution and is definitely bigger than Plett Rage and Stellenbosch’s entire nightlife year combined. It is one week of solid partying, diluted with the occasional tour around campus, registration for courses and guided walks around Grahamstown. Once supper is consumed however, the party atmosphere that is second to none in terms of student towns burns deep into the night. It is the one week that students get to enjoy themselves, constantly.

Pirates Pizza – A nightlife institution in Grahamstown’s student scene, Pirates actually began in a dorm room and has since grown to become the most hated venue by Rhodes University academic staff. Reopened to students in 2007 from a dedicated residence, it revolutionized Grahamstown Monday nights, affectionately making them known as Cougar Monday. Fitted with a stripper pole as well as a flammable bar-top, Pirates is a must visit venue. Their pizza isn’t half bad either!

Plastered (plaaah-sterd) – slang (adjective) Basic English Meaning: inebriated, drunk, intoxicated. A term used to explain how heavily drunk or under the influence of a substance a person is. It can also be used as a (verb). In South Africa – especially from Afrikaans pronunciation on our English – the “a” sound tends to be elongated.

Can be found in the following posts: Valedictory Relived…;

Predrinks (noun; Predrink – verb) – Predrinks are something of a tradition at Rhodes, as the Eastern Cape liquor laws prohibits the sale of alcohol beyond 00h00. It is performed with the idea of obtaining the level of inebriation that is “just right” with the aim to stabilize at said level for the remainder of the night. Unfortunately, some Rhodents have been known to not even make it out of their dorm rooms after predrinks. Crackling is predominantly drunk in combination with light beverages.

Rat & Parrot, The - A popular Grahamstown watering hole that serves the best Margarita pizzas in the city. The Rat, as it is affectionately know, is the central pivot of the nightlife and sport in Grahamstown, often playing host to many an important Champions League or Currie Cup decider or sneaky mare. It is a mix of old and new, students and town residents and fun all round.

Rhodent (noun) – The affectionate title given by Rhodes students to themselves and/or anyone who attends or has attended Rhodes University in the past. The term’s origin lies in the founding father of the university, Cecil J. Rhodes. The term as also become synonymous with students who invest heavily in the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages, however, the term is used with respect by all opposing universities of South Africa.

Rhodes University – Rhodes is one of South Africa’s most famous tertiary institutions. It is known for its outstanding journalism department (the best in Africa), its small compact campus of only 7,000 students and of course, its students’ appreciation of the finer things in life. Unfortunately (for parents), Rhodes is infamous for having the second highest alcohol consumption per capita in the world after America’s UCLA. With this record, it is even more impressive to boast a degree, Honours or Masters at this university. It also hosts the annual National Arts Festival and Scifest, two important events on the South African academic calendar.

Seal Clubbing (verb) – Named after the infamous, inhumane sport practiced in the North, it is the act of an older, more established Rhodes University student picking up a naive first year much younger than themselves. It is popular during O-Week, when the first years are still pretty clueless about Rhodes’ way of life. Both males and females are known to have been victims but usually it is their own fault as alcohol, Grahamstown’s raucous nightlife and the pressure they feel to get noticed all leads to their demise.

Springboks Pub – A popular pub-cum-night club in the affluent suburb of Newlands. Located directly opposite the Newlands Cricket Stadium, Springboks is the prime destination for that after-test match-pint. Thursday nights are predominantly for teenagers however and are known officially, as Jug Nights with free entrance until 22h00.

Can be found in the following posts: Thursday Night Is Also… Jug Night!;

Squilos (skwil-lows) (noun) – The name of the KwikSpar brand of chips, milkshakes and breakfast cereals that I seem to have lived off this past year. The milkshake is the best hangover cure known to man. When drunk before going to bed after an intense mare, miraculously, one is able to wake up for all lectures and tutorials the following day. The banana flavour is hands down the best tasting milkshake on planet Earth.

TC (Tactical Chunder) (verb) – A TC, as it is affectionately referred to, is the act of initiating a regurgitating movement in the hopes of improving one’s physical and emotional disposition. It is most commonly used once home from a party, when the subject cannot get to sleep because of the intense stupidity of drinking too much alcoholic beverages.

Can be found in the following posts: March 5th: My Testimony

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, The – Officially South Africa’s most visited destination, The affectionately known “V&A” is a complex of shopping malls and restaurants, multi-million Rand residences and yachts built around Cape Town’s old working harbour. Dating back to 1860, the V&A is now a tourist mecca with foreigners often outnumbering the locals during peak season. Some of the many attractions include “The Clock Tower”, built in 1883, the “Victoria Wharf Shopping Mall”, housing over 200 shops and restaurants and the “Two Oceans Aquarium”, Africa’s second largest aquarium. There is also a ferry that takes visitors to the historic Robben Island, known as the Nelson Mandela Gateway.

Can be found in the following posts: “The Day Bafana Bafana Earned My Respect”;