Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

By KARABO BALOYI The Rhodes University Health Suite will be hosting their annual cyclathon on 30 September to raise funds for the Heart Matters pregnancy care centre in Grahamstown. The centre opened on 24 May 2016 in Howse Street with the aim of providing quality care for women in need of a safe and confidential place for women and families of any age, religion and culture, cope with an unplanned pregnancy. Marjorie Rugunda, section manager at the Health Suite, said, “We wanted to raise funds for the care centre because it is based in Grahamstown and raises awareness about an…

 A political poem Theresa May Says, “I’d far rather stay, But we’ve all been set afloat By that bloody Brexit vote!” President Donald Trump Says, “I’m gonna take a dump And drop tons of toxic gasses On the world and its starving masses.” Aung San Suu Kyi Says, “Please don’t look at me, Or those nasty army men Might just lock me up again!” Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma says “Kindly just ignore that rumour. Even I may not be capable of sheltering old Jacob.”  Andy Grewar

In this week’s update, the Grahamstown Residents Association shares the statement by the Concerned Citizens to Save Makana (CCSM) regarding the imminent arrival of an executive administrator in Makana. Following several months of demanding engagement with local, Provincial and National government structures, the CCCSM can confirm that agreement has been reached on the appointment of a specialist executive administrator for Makana Municipality. The appointment has been facilitated through the offices of The Premier of the Eastern Cape. The new administrator is scheduled to commence duties as soon as Thursday 28 September, subject to the conclusion of statutory formalities with the Makana Council. Notwithstanding the magnitude of…

By Phumlani Cimi People are encouraged to celebrate their cultural traditions in the wider context of the great diversity of cultures, beliefs, and traditions that make up the nation of South Africa. In an address marking Heritage Day in 1996, former President Nelson Mandela stated, “When our first democratically elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.” Heritage Month recognises aspects of South African culture which are both tangible and intangible: creative expression…

Compiled by Philip Machanick Two events make it timely to look at the future of the electric car. The first is the British government’s 25 July 2017 announcement that sales of new fossil-fuelled cars would end in 2040, following a similar commitment from France. The second is the official launch on 28 July of Tesla’s first mass-market car, the Model 3. Model 3 production is ramping up. Its base price of $35 000 (about R450 000) is not cheap but is comparable with an entry-level BMW. Over 400 000 people put down a $1 000 deposit to pre-order, with a…

By Tasha Pinto Nathan Trantraal speaks fast, without second-guessing anything taboo. He spews out swear words as naturally as his hands fidget – fast and without mulling over the movements. “I like to find the worst in people; the part that gets angry. That’s where the dignity lies,” he says. His confident way of speaking reflects his carefree and authentic personality, the same one that seeps through his writing, drenching pages with what he considers to be the accurate truth. The Cape Town cartoonist sits among third year Writing & Editing students, alongside his wife and daughter, as though he…

By MARTIN JONES Azlan Makalima, Grocott’s Mail’s Online Producer, recently dropped The SikriTape LP – and it is a banger of a hip hop album. Azlan is considered to be a tough nut to crack – however his work seems to tell another story. This project is a melting pot of sounds and styles from different times and places – both local, and international. His powerful, sometimes abrasive vocal delivery could overwhelm a paid-back listener, but works incredibly well with the clean and perfectly mastered instrumentals. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYxyhyalEzo/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet The music production on this album provides a smooth, well produced and easy listening…

Cathy Gush On Saturday 23 September the Friends of the Library will hold their Annual Fete in the Hill Street Library hall from 9am-11am. We recommend people come early to avoid disappointment, as the best books and white elephant items sell fast! There will be a comprehensive collection of good second-hand books on offer, as well as bargains at the White Elephant and Plant Stalls, while delicious tea and eats will be on sale at very reasonable prices. This will also present Grahamstown residents with the opportunity to see the newly refurbished Hill Street Library. The annual fete is the…

By THEMBAKAZI MVEMVE When a person has died, it is a very difficult time for the family. We would like to try to ease this burden by helping families to understand the formalities that need to be attended to immediately after someone has died. This article will guide family members to be able to identify the various institutions that must be approached. HOW CAN A PERSON OBTAIN A DEATH REPORT? When a person dies in South Africa, a medical practitioner (such as a doctor) will examine the deceased’s body. The medical practitioner will then confirm the person as being dead and…

By Matthew Weaver and Taryn Pereira Did you know that Grahamstown East has been experiencing water cuts every night for over a year? Housing developments in the East are on the back burner and residents are frustrated and confused as to why. “When we flush our toilets, the water comes up, not down”! Food growers from Umthathi Training Project say, “Our vegetables don’t grow well with the municipal water.” “Sometimes our water comes out brown, sometimes white”. “The water in town tastes better than here in Joza”. These were some of the concerns raised by community members who embarked on…