Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

You asked… here it is! Over the next few months, Rhodes University Cory Library Archivist Kylie van Zyl will be sharing glimpses of Grahamstown’s past through historic selections from Grocott’s Mail. Enjoy! GROCOTT’S MAIL, FRIDAY 11 AUGUST The more things change … Those of us who follow the goings-on at the local municipality may experience a strong sense of déjà vu if they continue reading. On Friday 10 August, 1917, Grocott’s Mail reported that the major topic of discussion in the municipal Council Chamber was … familiar. “The dominant question is undoubtedly water,” wrote an unnamed staff reporter, “and this…

FIXING OUR DEMOCRACY: 5 DAYS… 5 WAYS Join the debate – also read: At the Crossroads – but democratic tools remain strong – Wesley Seale Democracy: it’s the right thing to do – Chris Mbekela Activism the backbone: Here’s how to do it well – Lindelwa Nxele  Make your councillor count: a partnership of equals – Lungile Penxa  The glass half full: the means are in your hands – Anne Loeffler  … and comment on our Facebook page. By Anne Loeffler “Is the glass half-full or half-empty”? This question was asked to about 450 pupils attending Grade 10 up to…

It is all about the money this weekend and the hype is sure to be cranked up to full volume before Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor step into the ring in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday morning SA time). Boxing has a way of throwing up these unique occasions – anyone remember Muhammad Ali trying to take on a wrestler? – and America’s gambling capital will be the perfect venue for one of the most discussed bouts in recent history. Both fighters have not missed the opportunity to add to the hype, but as they love to say in…

Two members of English chamber choir, Moorland Voices, raised thousands of rands for Joza Reading Club by racing from Northern France to their local pub in the UK Midlands earlier this month. Choir conductor, John Norcliffe, and his friend, Dennis Taplin, set off from a café in Boulogne with the aim of being the first to arrive at The George and Dragon in Gnossall – John travelling by car and Dennis using public transport. John won by eighteen minutes and the pair raised nearly R17 000 for the Club through sponsorship – including pub customers betting on who would win…

The new Rose Garden at St Cyprian’s Highlands, dedicated earlier this year in memory of Grahamstown Physician Dr Celia Jameson Rose, will be in use for the first time in September as venue for the annual Country Fair. The previously rough sloping terrain has been leveled and landscaped and the Tracey family planted the first garden rose. The site has become a well-loved first-night stopover on George Euvrard’s pilgrimage trail – the Indlela yoBantu Pilgrimage of Hope – which Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu described as that “wonderfully inspired and inspiring idea”. The Church has made the new site available to…

By LINDELWA NXELE Outspoken citizens expressed indignation at the ‘no confidence’ outcome. Among others, there was relief that President Zuma was not removed from office. A message in one of my WhatsApp groups read, “Amen… hallelujah… siyabonga Nkosi… This would have been a taboo to our nation. Ngabe kuqhuma ithayi phezukomuntu omnyama now (By now we would be witnessing black people being burnt alive with a tyre around their head).” Some feared civil war; others were always confident the President would remain. Why protest if change isn’t possible? Why not just be grateful for whatever we get? Our systems condition…

FIXING OUR DEMOCRACY: 5 DAYS… 5 WAYS Join the debate – also read: At the Crossroads – but democratic tools remain strong – Wesley Seale Democracy: it’s the right thing to do – Chris Mbekela Activism the backbone: Here’s how to do it well – Lindelwa Nxele  Make your councillor count: a partnership of equals – Lungile Penxa  The glass half full: the means are in your hands – Anne Loeffler  … and comment on our Facebook page or Whatsapp 076 733 1770. By CHRIS MBEKELA When the centre can no longer hold, things fall apart. Confusion and dictatorial perspectives…

By SHAUN BERGOVER and NDUMISO KHUMALO Death is something that is certain, and therefore it is important to plan for what will happen to your finances, your children and your belongings when you die. ESTATE PLANNING One way in which to make sure that your wishes are fulfilled after you die, is to have a Will drawn up by a person who is experienced in drafting Wills, such as an attorney. If you die without a Will your property will be divided amongst your surviving heirs, whether or not you want them to inherit. For assistance or advice on Wills…

There are approximately 7.2 billion people on the planet. Every number has a name and every name has a story.There is nothing coincidental about our creation. The Lord our God made you on purpose! Psalm 139 verse 13 says, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Here we see the wonderful intimacy with which we were designed. There is no random accident taking place, but a careful deliberate and intimate creation of every single person. The adventure we have is discovering our purpose and walking in it. If you look at the core…

FIXING OUR DEMOCRACY: 5 DAYS… 5 WAYS Join the debate – also read: At the Crossroads – but democratic tools remain strong – Wesley Seale Democracy: it’s the right thing to do – Chris Mbekela Activism the backbone: Here’s how to do it well – Lindelwa Nxele  Make your councillor count: a partnership of equals – Lungile Penxa  The glass half full: the means are in your hands – Anne Loeffler  … and comment on our Facebook page Grocott’s Mail or WHATSAPP 076 733 1770. #FixSA #MakanaVoices By Lindelwa Nxele There is a consensus that the problems of the world exist because…