Talk:Grahamstown

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[edit] Avoiding Bias

This page has recently undergone quite a bit of an upgrade in terms of content. I am slightly concerned however that this may quickly become in effect an advert for Grahamstown rather than a Wiki article. Presently 3 statements concern me:

1) "It is fast becoming one of South Africa's most popular destinations." - Is this worth saying? If so is their evidence to support it

2) "The National Arts Festival is the largest Arts festival in Africa and sees some of the leading talent on the South African and international art scene arriving in Grahamstown for a celebration of culture and artistic expression." - Is there evidence of this (a reference or citation)

3)"It has grown into one of South Africa's most elite tertiary institutions with an excellent reputation for academic endaevour and excellence." - We all know that Rhodes University is the greatest thing since sliced cheese but it does not need to be shouted from the roof tops (the Library stairs and Fishpond will do) particularly not in an article about Grahamstown. It is inevitable that Grahamstown related articles will include references to Rhodes but overdoing it is a not neccessary. Even though it is true its a bit weaselled Paul Hjul 12:42, 13 September 2006 (UTC)

Writing (rapidly) as a resident of Grahamstown in reply to points raised above: 1) I know of no evidence to support (1) above. Grahamstown does get a large number of tourists during the time of the National Arts Festival. However, it cannot compare to other tourist destinations in SA. In traditional holiday periods, the town is exceedingly quiet.

2) 'Tis true, 'tis true. I have struggled to find up-to-date and citable refs for this, but the organisers say so themselves http://www.nafest.co.za/about_history.htm. The government say so http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/artscult.htm#artsfest. Independant newpapers agree http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3268773&fSectionId=422&fSetId=251. Sundry travel websites agree, and say it's second in the world after Edinburgh e.g. http://www.safrica.info/plan_trip/holiday/culture_heritage/music.htm.

3) I tend to agree. Halfsnail 08:52, 14 August 2006 (UTC)

Resident of Ght: 1) I'm removing the offending section 2) Putting the references you provided into the article - thanks 3) Changing the offending section - like I said Rhodes doesn't need to be bragged about on Wiki

Some more NPOV stuff that I've removed: "Four years ago, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints also opened a small branch in Grahamstown. It started of with less than 10 members attending church every Sunday and is now quickly growing, with a membership of more than 100 persons." 12:42, 13 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] City of Saints

Trivia: The nickname "City of Saints" is incorrectly attributed to the number of religious institutions in the City. In Grahamstowns early days as the headquaters of the British military, a request was received from an outlying outpost for a vice-grip. Grahamstown replied, "Regret no vices in Grahamstown", the outpost then replied, "It must be the City of Saints."

The version that is stated in the article comes straight from a book. I am willing to email a scan of the relevant section to anyone who so desires. I would appreciate to know where the above quote comes from.

[edit] Schools

we presently have a list of traditionally "white" schools and have omitted all of the grossly underperforming "black" schools, further no reference to the discrepency has been made in the article. Its a touchy area and so on, but at least some reference is needed.


The list should be expanded. For example, the College of the Transfiguration, the only residential Anglican seminary in southern Africa, is omitted from the list. It serves students from the Republic of South Africa and surrounding countries. It is widely diverse, has men and women students, and although it is an Anglican institution, it welcomes students of other religious denominations. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.231.198.85 (talk) 20:36, 28 February 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Name changes?

Question about this - it says 'recently' - can a date be provided? Thanx chrisboote (talk) 15:35, 8 April 2008 (UTC)