Young opera star dies

UCT alumnus Simphiwe Qavane (27), one of the most accomplished South African baritones to have risen through the ranks of Cape Town Opera's training programmes, died on August 3 after being hospitalised at Groote Schuur Hospital with kidney and lung complications. Qavane, who matriculated from Langa High School, joined the Cape Town Opera Choral Training Programme in 1994 and the Cape Town Opera Studio in 1997. He obtained his performer's diploma in opera and his BMus (honours) degree under Professor Angelo Gobbato and Associate Professor Virginia Davids at the College of Music. He performed in concerts in Cape Town, Botswana, Germany and the Czech Republic and was awarded the best performers prize by FNB for his performance as Magaldi in Evita. Earlier this year, he completed his second year in the Artist Certificate programme at Southern Methodist University, Meadows School of Arts, in America, where he studied with Barbara Hill Moore. Before travelling to America, he was coached in Germany by Thomas Thomasche.

Postgrad Open Day

UCT's annual postgraduate open day will be held on Saturday, August 21 between 10h00 and 13h00. The event will feature talks on how to manage your postgraduate study choices, international academic exchange programmes, what practical steps need to be taken to achieve long-term career goals and how to change career direction. All the faculties will be available to answer questions on their postgraduate study options and provide information and advice on a range of related issues, including application procedures, financial aid, accommodation, and the benefits of being a UCT alumnus. For further details on the programme please visit www.uct.ac.za or e-mail hiltonm@bremner.uct.ac.za

The Fire Raisers at the Baxter

Cape Town's award-winning physical theatre company, Magnet Theatre, has collaborated with Théâtre Spirale, an internationally-renowned company from Geneva, to present The Fire Raisers by the Swiss playwright Max Frisch. It opens at the Baxter Theatre for a season from August 21 to September 4 and has two low-priced preview performances on August 19 and 20 at 20h00. The production is directed by head of UCT's drama department, Associate Professor Mark Fleishman, and explores with incendiary effect the consequences that face a world in which the gap between rich and poor, haves and have-nots, widens daily. The cast includes Jamie Bartlett and UCT graduate Jennie Reznek. Reznek also studied in Paris with Jacques Lecoq for two years and is a lecturer in movement at UCT. Ticket prices Mondays and Tuesdays are R55, Wednesdays and Thursdays R65 and Fridays and Saturdays R75. Special discounts are available from Mondays to Thursdays only for UCT staff, senior citizens and block bookings of 10 or more. These tickets are R45. Students with a valid student card, one hour prior to performance pay R40 and Baxter Clubcard holders R35. Book at Computicket (www.computicket.com) and at the Baxter on tel 685 7880.

Voting Americans, exercise your right

In a country celebrating ten years of democracy we are reminded of the hard-won battles which were fought to secure the right to vote and that casting your vote in every election is a powerful act. American citizens, will you be exercising your right this November? If not, request an absentee ballot. Come to the Kramer Law Building quad, middle campus, on Wednesday, August 18, on Thursday, August 19, or on Friday, August 20, from 12h00-14h00 to register to vote and request an absentee ballot. If your state of residency is: American Samoa, Michigan, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Dakota, or Vermont, please e-mail for details about notarisation. Questions? Contact Emily at slbemi001@mail.uct.ac.za or (021) 686 0999.

Students gather for exchange programme

The fourth annual International Human Rights Exchange (IHRE) programme was once again hosted by UCT and the University of the Western Cape during the June/July vacation. This ambitious and unique exchange programme in higher education brought together students from diverse backgrounds to live and study human rights together. Students came from seven southern African institutions and 12 liberal arts colleges in the United States, including Trinity, Yale, Marlboro, Emory and Bard Colleges. The intensive, interdisciplinary, undergraduate course aims to broaden the scope of human rights discourse beyond the legal and political sphere, incorporating the central tenets of liberal education, including critical thinking and multidisciplinary analysis. This year the programme chose the theme Human Rights and Social Transformation as a lens to critically engage with the discourse.