I Swear Allegiance to the Party

The room is neat apart from the un-made bed as the duvet lies in a tangled knot at the foot of the bed. I am sitting facing the notorious party animal of Centenary House, Jared Penny. Jared, a twenty year old Rhodes University student, focuses his life on one principle; having as much fun as possible and enjoying every moment for what it’s worth. Born and bred in Grahamstown one would think that there is not much to Jared’s story but as he sits back in his chair and introduces his favourite song from “Fokoffpolisiekar” on his latest Winamp playlist I realise that he is the epitome of a first year “Rhodent”.

He folds his arms, rocks back in his chair and puts his feet up on the bed and says, “I reckon Rhodes has the best student life in the country dude”. This was one of Jared’s reasons for attending Rhodes and as I can see from the look in his face he means it and is enjoying his choice more and more everyday. Jared is not the typical party animal however. He is not one to spend all of his parents’ money at the Rat and Parrot and thus continue with a total disregard to his studies. He made is own way to Rhodes as he won a bursary in a science quiz, he tells me in a very humble manner while pointing at a blue bag in the corner of the room which is labelled Sasol Science Quiz.

Jared, however, is not the type of man to linger on the past as he urges me onto the next question as he flicks his hair out of his face. I initiate the topic of first year life at Rhodes and he is quick to remind me that he enjoys the party life. He laughs and then says, “Rhodes is very accommodating for first year students”. He pauses for a moment, looking around the room and then he continues to say that the orientation programme was amazing, bursting into laughter as he completes his sentence. The easy-going atmosphere at Rhodes made it easy for him to fit in and make friends, which is an aspect of life that he honestly has no problem with.

There is very little regret that Jared has as his first year at Rhodes comes to a close. The only thing he does regret is the fact that it went too quickly. He pauses for a while fiddling with the draw-string on his hoodie and adds, “and the fact that my res is so far away”. He laughs his recognisable laugh, as it booms down the corridor, and turns back to his computer. He turns up the volume as “Untrust us” by Crystal Castles is cued in on Winamp. Suddenly he turns back to me and says, “I would have stopped partying so much and focussed on my studies”. He shrugs the confession off and continues to wear the characteristic smile that spreads across his face. This is a perfect example of how Jared lives his life; no worries, no regrets. He swiftly steers the conversation away from himself and starts to explain the story behind the hole in his sock while, once again, organising his playlist and occasionally flicking his hair out of his eyes.

Eventually after all his patience Jared urges me to the end of the interview and begins to ponder where he is going to go tonight. In true journalistic fashion I cheekily slip in a last question asking him what he would tell the first years coming to Rhodes next year. He pauses, looking at me as if the answer is obvious and says, “Live life to the fullest and don’t ever hesitate to do something you want to do”. He shrugs and laughs once more. Finally he turns to his computer, surfing through his playlist. The serenades of “Orangutang Bitch” leave the speakers and follow me as I leave his room and stroll down the corridor.