Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

Perennial wailing is not a solution to South Africa’s problems. It is a sign of hopelessness and despondency and the inability to explore alternatives. It doesn’t change the hearts and minds of the powerful; instead, it fortifies the hand of the mandarins enjoying the preponderance of power over peopleship. Ironically, in a democratic space it’s peopleship that elevate individuals to positions of power and authority. Introspection is needed to establish why undeserving individuals were elevated to positions of trust and of strategic importance. Direct and indirect beneficiaries of a low-key kleptocracy may treat this question as trivial; however, when the…

Our municipality complains about the lack of co-operation from residents (particularly those in Grahamstown West, they say) in reducing water consumption.   Do they ask themselves why that is?   It’s a direct consequence of the general state of our municipality.  For years we have watched it going from bad to worse and hopes of the municipality correcting itself have dwindled despite the GM and local civic organisations continually assuring us that all will be well if only we believe.  But the slide continues and is there for us all to see. So when the municipality belatedly wakes up to the fact…

Compiled by Tim Bull Come for a walk or run The local Rapportryers Club with Hoërskool PJ Olivier will host their 22nd annual 5km fun run on Thursday 26 October at 5.30pm (registration from 4.30pm). All proceeds will be donated to a project that aims to improve the Grahamstown city centre.  You are encouraged to come along and support this event – and enjoy new views of Grahamstown that you may not have seen before. The entrance fee is just R20 for adults and R15 for scholars.  Generous sponsorship means that there are lots of spot prizes as well as prizes…

By Jade le Roux The carefully-constructed materials we use to cover our bodies are not just commodities. This is evident in the fact that after months, years or decades of wears, the possibility remains to still get something out of the well-served item of clothing, and I’m not talking about more wears (or perhaps you’ll get that too if you’re lucky). While thrift culture has existed for centuries, it has not always been most in Western society.  In fact, before the 20th century, the notion of wearing other people’s old clothes was frowned upon and reserved for the poor. Thrift…

Eskom threats (again) Many of you will have seen that Eskom have published a Legal Notice in Thursday 12 October EP Herald announcing proposed ‘Interruption of Bulk Electricity Supply to Makana Local Municipality.’ GRA has been making enquiries to get clarification, and asking Makana to make an explanatory statement. The Eskom Notice is causing worry for residents and damage to business confidence which is already fragile. Communication by Makana Council would cost nothing, and it would help save jobs (businesses have to make decisions whether Makana is a good place to invest). Councillors and staff may be trying to satisfy Eskom, but harm is…

Once again it is ‘exam season’. Examinations and examination results are particularly important in Grahamstown, because this city markets itself as a centre of educational excellence. Obviously, a crucial data set that underpins such claims is examination results. Over the next six weeks, many young people, including  school learners and tertiary students, both at Rhodes University and East Cape Midlands College, will be writing end-of-year examinations. There is a lot at stake, particularly for the Matriculants (Grade 12 learners) and for those Rhodes students who depend on state funding (in the form of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme or…

By Shaun Bergover WHAT IS A WILL? A Will is a legal document expressing your wishes as to how you want your property to be distributed following your death. It is an important part of estate planning. The only way in which the law will recognise your intentions of what should happen to your estate, is if your intentions/wishes are documented in writing in the form of a Will. Should you fail to prepare a valid Will prior to your death, you will be said to have died intestate, and the laws of intestate succession will determine how your estate…

Crossing the Barriers of Time by Johan Neill Campbell Review by Fleur Way-Jones This self-published book is the result of years of research into the life and times of Dr Peter Campbell, a medical doctor in Bailie’s party of 1820 Settlers. This book forms the first of a trilogy; the subsequent books covering the lives of Dr Campbell’s two sons. The first chapters of Crossing the Barriers of Time deal with the formation of the parties and regulations on the ships and in Albany, the area of settlement. The book continues with departure on the ship Aurora with Sephton’s party,…

This poem praises Professor Peter Mtuze, a former professor at Rhodes University School of Languages. He is the distinguished author of several books in isiXhosa and has contributed greatly to isiXhosa literature with his rich knowledge of the language and culture. Nam ndimothulela umnqwazi umnt’omkhulu. Okwenene siyavutha isiXhosa bhalani babhali besiXhosa. NJINGALWAZI Yenzek’indab’anivanga na zizwe Ukuba inkunz’ephala ngalishumi Ivele phezu kwela Besutu Yavel’inkunz’engqukuva Yavela sele idiliza iziduli. EKaladokwe bayothulele umnqwazi Yab’ihlabela ngendyondyo Itshotsh’inevumba lobuhlanti Ubuhlanti bentaba zika Jolobe Eso siqholo sinqabileyo Sathwayiza sayohambahamba Nakwa Nokholeji Yavakala ngevumba Ukuba le ntyatyambo yeyo buhlanti Bakulo Rhanisi Xeshikwen’idingezweni lokuzalwa Kwathi qatha umdlanga Mdlang’oyifaka…

Dear National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) I note that you have called for public input on ESKOM’s proposed 20% hike in the electricity tariff. Firstly, ESKOM, through its alleged manipulation by the Guptas and others, has lost the confidence of the public which a national electricity supplier should at all times strive to maintain. It appears to be corrupt – i.e. the monies paid to it by the public are not necessarily applied to the purposes for which they were collected, but rather for the greater enrichment of certain individuals. This is wholly unacceptable in a democracy. Secondly, as…