The scream

The desire to scream occurs to most that go to varsity, but for some it is a way to express their passion. One of the T-shirts owned by Robyn Johnson is of the famous Evard Munch, 1893, painting called "The Scream". Mainly people that follow the art world would know about the painting. it depicts a figure with their hands on their cheeks letting out an what you‘d think is a loud scream from the gaping mouth and droopy eyes, with a background made up of hazy blues, oranges and yellow that seem to speed by like a fast train. Her face always brightens up when she gets an opportunity to talk about her favourite subject. She came all the way from the temperate beaches of Durban, bypassing the city of fame and maybe fortune Johannesburg, to be in a little town she now calls home- Grahamstown. Many share her sentiments, about the friendly town, as she has found many, in her first year, at Rhodes that are like her. “I am not the only one that procrastinates,” she says laughing at her realisation that there are others that do this at Rhodes. She came here thinking that she would not fit in as she’s quite an individual back home. Although she loves the fact that she’s surrounded by people with many different talents, she also found that there are those that felt like her when they arrived they all came here finding that what made them different at home is what makes them fit in at Rhodes. She felt that what made her different was her creativity and artistic nature, it still is, but now she has come to a point where she has learned how it can be enhanced. “You learn how to be criticized”, she says telling of the emotions of being an arts student. She likens their experience to that of drama students; she feels that they go through many of the same emotions. The girl that wears a purple corduroy jacket, a fading jeans and a pair of her trusty black takkies tend to look like this every day matching up her jeans and trusty takkies with a thick woollen scarf. You would not pinpoint her as an arts student; you only find this out when you engage with her in conversation. By studying her favourite thing in the world she has found that she has been pushed out of her comfort zone- she had to become comfortable with taking pictures of strangers. “Parts of me that were hidden are revealed,” she says when she enthuses about how she has grown in the current year. Many become independent and learn to stand on their own feet, but you also find yourself. The people, the community of Rhodes and Grahamstown and her friends and classmates, have taught her a whole lot more about life more than the education that she’s paying thousands for has. They get taught by the best, “they are famous art world people,” she says seriously. They are specialists that will help them grow into some of the top artists in SA. After all this she believes that she is still the Miss Johnson everyone knows and loves.. She does not mind the residence food much and even found it to be perfectly fine commenting that what she found the food she ate home to have better nutritional value and that what they ate as fast food is given a well balanced meal at the dining hall. The town is her play ground; she knows where every hardware store, material shop and the likes are in Grahamstown. “If you had a car you would see a whole lot more,” she says when she tells of her love of exploring the little town of Grahamstown, there’s a whole lot more to it than meets the eye. Much like the horror that you think the figure in ‘The Scream’ is seeing.

the first year spread that never came

Dear younger and naïve Karabo
First year was the year you became legal, the year most of your friends back home in Pretoria said was to be the beginning of the never ending party. Funny, at varsity it could be like that if you do not watch yourself. One thing though that really got to you was ‘the first year spread’- okay well the opposite of the spread that is. The way people went on about it was just unnecessary hype. When you got to varsity you learned one thing pretty fast- every thing tends to happen in extremes and finding the middle ground is difficult. The parties are endless, the alcohol flows like water, and the readings are so long you would think that the lectures had a conspiracy against students reading all their readings.
So after going through all this you still expecting and trying to stop a ‘natural’ body make- over- when it hits you that instead of having more of yourself to see there is lesser of you. Then when you were asked about it you figured it was because you were assigned a residence in Kimberly Hall also known as the hill or at least that was the story that you told everyone when you got home during vacation. What could one expect to happen with all the walking you did?
As the year went by it persisted and you found yourself wondering what was wrong with you when other were comparing the kilos they had gained. Getting thinner could have been a sign of an eating disorder, high levels of stress or maybe a serious case of homesickness. People don’t tell you about all the opposite side the first year spread when you leave, it is almost none existent. You do every thing that those that are spreading do but yet you don’t spread. If something had been said before hand about this then you would have not been harbouring fear of a silent slow death or maybe a tapeworm( after that episode of Oprah with Dr OZ holding the 1 meter worm, you never know).
So my girl it is like I told you at the beginning, it is either you gain it all or you loose it all, it is up to you to find a proper middle ground.
For your reading pleasure, from your older and maybe wiser self.

Yours Truly

Hey Lady

How are you? Shucks, you’ve been on my mind a lot lately. I hope you’re doing well. I was flipping through some old photo albums today when I came across a sepia photo of you and the sisters, taken when you were hardly a year old. It made me realise just how much you’ve grown, and inspired me to share some of my thoughts with you.

You’ve become quite the young lady over the past few months, hey? I’m so proud of you. I think what I’m most proud of is the way you’ve held on so tightly to the Ithu you’ve always wanted to be, uncompromising of the vision you have always had for yourself. Way to go girl! I hope with all my heart that when you get to varsity within the next few weeks, you’ll continue to pursue that dream of becoming the best ‘you’ you can be. Change is undoubtedly inevitable. Coupled with the difficulties of varsity life, the inconsistence of your personal life can take you on quite the emotional roller coaster ride, but have faith and hold on tight. I’ve seen a lot of young women letting go of their dreams just because someone made them think that being themselves wasn’t enough. Well I want you to know that you are enough. You – with your not-quite-straight teeth, your “African heritage” booty and your spotted face – you are enough, and perfect in your imperfection. The beauty of varsity life is that we are all so different that it’s almost impossible to define that which is normal. Nevertheless, don’t lose yourself in the hype – have fun while staying true to you.

Oh, and you must of course never forget the rule of thumb – keep your friends close and your chocolate closer!

Much love
Ithu