Author: Mzwamadoda Makalima

Assupol & The Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation present The Hugh Masekela Heritage Festival 2020 Online Sunday 13 December 8pm On www.skyroomlive.com In the midst of the Covid-19 storm, a musical and cultural oasis of relief, the Hugh Masekela Heritage Festival 2020 Online, brings Bra Hugh’s eclectic and broad vision of South African, and African, culture, music and heritage. Presented by Assupol, and produced by Semopa Entertainment, this year’s festival will be a free access online affair available on www.skyroomlive.com on Sunday 13 December at 8pm. The Hugh Masekela Heritage Foundation, with Assupol, is presenting the sixth instalment of the Hugh Masekela Heritage Festival. Hosted…

On Saturday 28 November, Makhanda born comedian, athlete and academic, Tsepiso Nzayo, ran from Nelson Mandela Bay to Makhanda. Tsepiso started his preparations for the run in June this year, when he started by running 400 kilometres a month and eased down to 50km so that his body could relax a little for the big day. It took him 11 hours to reach the final destination. He speaks highly of the support he received from everyone involved, and was especially grateful for the cheers and hoots from commuters, as they encouraged him to run even further. Tsepiso said he was…

On Thursday 16 July, residents of Makhanda, including members of the UPM, EFF and ANC picketed outside the Magistrate’s Court opposing bail for a man accused of rape. In solidarity with the fight against gender-based violence, a petition created online was made available during the silent protest. The petition urged that the court deny bail for the accused.   The protest happened during a time where President Cyril Ramaphosa had requested the nation to fight against gender-based violence. “Women across the country are fighting a battle every day,” one of the protestors told Grocott’s Mail. “The residents are standing to say…

A skate park is in progress at Hlalani Location, an initiative by Skate Ubuntu to build a long-lasting friendship between socially and economically divided communities of Makhanda. Skate Ubuntu is a non-profit organisation founded by Sean Devonport and Shannon Hansen, students from Rhodes University.  As a part of YouthHUB, the organisation teaches learners from CM Vellem Primary School and Nombulelo Secondary School to skate. The land for the skate park was secured from Makana Municipality through donations from people all over the world. Skate Ubuntu aims to keep the youth active and inspire creativity. Stuart Walker, the founder of Deep…

By AZLAN MAKALIMA “Act now on gender-based violence so that the men of future generations don’t have to take responsibility for sins they didn’t commit,” says Makhanda poet Akhona Bhodl’ ingqaka Mafani. Mafani was among those at a vigil at Fingo Square on Sunday 21 June for survivors of gender-based violence. More than 100 men gathered for an hour on Father’s Day, days after President Cyril Ramaphosa read the riot act to abusive South African men, saying barbaric attacks on women and children must end. “The purpose of the Makhanda fight against GBV staging was to establish a different kind of men’s…

Rhodes University’s Professor George Euvrard, psychologist and educator, pioneered the South African Cryptic Crossword series with Grocott’s Mail in 2015 and dozens of local crossword fans look forward to the weekly challenge. However, under the Covid-19 lockdown, we’re only able to print occasionally and so our town’s word nerds have been missing out. With the help of the Mail & Guardian, which now also publishes the crossword, we’re delighted to present you with the online interactive version. Enjoy! [crossword]

Here’s where you’ll find your favourite weather watching team of Robin Stobbs, Jim Cambray, Nick James GIll Maylam and Roger Rowswell who continue to share Makhanda’s weekly rainfall figures with you, from different parts of the town.

Makhanda is very fortunate to have a local internet service provider that aims to provide customers with affordable and reliable internet access, telecommunications, Cloud and hosting solutions. Khula Tech Solutions, situated at 117b High Street, has gained a reputation as a trustworthy and honest company, with most customers coming from referrals. The company was formed in 2014 and started operating in 2017, as they had been conducting a pilot operation to assess the needs of Makhanda. The company started with only one person, Khaya Tantsi, and is growing every day. Tantsi said the inspiration to open an internet provider company,…

Samuel Ntsiko Primary School principal, Nombulelo Koliti, told Grocott’s Mail that they were excited to reopen at the start of the school year. Last year, they closed the school with plans for improvement on school subjects. “We are eager to see if our plans will work accordingly. We are very serious about maths, and last year we got feedback from Rhodes that we have made improvements there. We hope to implement our maths clubs this year, and open a maths resource centre,” said Koliti. Samuel Ntsiko’s main priority this year is to ensure the learners’ safety, and cameras will be installed in…

For the 66th year the Rotary Club of Grahamstown celebrates the Christmas Season with a pageant in the Cathedral of St Michael and St George, a depiction of the story of the birth of the Christ Child, with carols and candles. Rotarians read the Bible stories which lead up to the birth of Jesus, carols are sung and the children join in, dressed as shepherds, kings, angels and animals to pay homage to the Holy Family. Glynnis Suttie directs the cast. When the Kings present their gifts, children are invited to donate toys, which the Rotary Anns will distribute to…