Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

I am writing this letter after spending 10 days in Settlers Hospital, as I was infected with Covid-19. I almost lost the battle to the virus due to short breath and other associated complications. There were also challenges on the part of the Hospital that need addressing, but I’m confident under the stewardship of [acting CEO] Sr Ngesi that can they be speedily sorted , She seems like someone who knows what she is doing and her best quality is that she is down to earth and she listens. I went to Settlers Hospital very sick after I was [initially]…

THE CHAMPIONSStanding on the mountain of rubbish remaining at the former recycling site in Jarvis Street are the River Rescuers and urban environment activists (from left) Graeme Holmes, Catherine Letcher, Helen Holleman, Margaret Wolff, Julian Barker, Cornelius Mbonambi, Uwziah Mutumbi, Lazola Maliwa and Jessica Cockburn. They have a question for you – but first… SOME HISTORYRemember how much hope these before-and-after photos of the Jarvis Street driffie brought in January? Remember this photo of another of the River Rescuers, Gloria Papu, next to the river? She and Zumzi Monakale, along with other stalwarts joined Helen Holleman clearing rubbish to “make…

In November 2020, 60.5mm rainfall was recorded over 16 raindays, which is good seeing that Makhanda is still in drought. The long-term average and long-term median for November are 86.4mm and 63.5mm respectively. With one month to go, 659.5mm has been recorded so far for the year. This is significantly better than 2019 and not far below the long term annual average of 700mm. The long term average for raindays in November is 10 (maximum 20; minimum 4). Ten raindays have occurred (25.7% of the 35-year-old record) with 12 times (34.3%) above 10 raindays and 14 times (40%) below. There…

By GAVIN KEETON In 2016 Ntsika Senior Secondary School Head, Madeleine Schoeman, approached the Rotary Club of Grahamstown for help in upgrading the School’s bathrooms. Half the facilities at the school were no longer usable and those still in use, badly needed attention. Interaction between Rotary, school management and the School Governing Body indicated that additional needs were the connecting of the school to the municipal sewerage system (that was not in existence when the school was built), the construction of a scullery, and the storage of water for the frequent periods when the high-lying parts of Makhanda’s Joza township are without municipal water. Drawing…

Co-ordinator of the Makana Local Initiation Forum, Councillor Ramie Xonxa, says they fully support the Eastern Cape government’s decision to suspend ulwaluko (traditional initiation) this season. The Eastern Cape government has reiterated that ulwaluko (traditional initiation) is suspended in the Province. In a statement, the Province said, “We note the announcement by some of our traditional leaders who wrongly pronounced that they will proceed with ulwaluko in the province of the Eastern Cape. We wish to inform and remind all the people of our province that Ulwaluko remains suspended in our province and in the country until further notice by the…

A personal tribute to Thsomi ‘Ncinci’ Dukisani by Shepi Mati Mangwana o tshwara thipa ka bohaleng. (A mother holds the knife at its sharpest edge)  These days we have become used to counting days by the number of funerals we attend. Whenever a relative calls, you brace yourself for yet another announcement of death – ukubikwa komphanga. Among the legions who have departed the earth this week was the almost 97-year-old Thsomi Dukisani. A mother to my friend and classmate Monde and my comrade Phila, she was popularly known as Ncinci. I did not grow up knowing Ncinci. But I…

Guide to the Natural and Cultural History of Grahamstown/Makhanda This long awaited book is now in the process of being printed and will be officially launched at the beginning of the New Year (January or February 2021). It aims to be a comprehensive guide to the remarkable multicultural history of our city and its surrounding areas, which has long played a leading role in the educational, judicial and cultural life of the Eastern Cape and South Africa. The book consists of 22 chapters and 360 pages, written by experts, and is illustrated with numerous fine line drawings, complemented by colour…

Makhanda residents will be able to attend a special live viewing of Death and Birth in My Life – one of the shows that formed part of this year’s Virtual National Arts Festival. The ‘live’ experience of the show, that had to happen online during lockdown, will take place at The Monument Gallery in Makhanda on 25 and 26 November and 2 December 2020.  It is free to attend but those who want to see it must book as there are only 18 places per session. Each viewing is about one hour long with some of the sessions including a post-show…

A tribute to Ms Nontsikelelo Florence ‘Tsomi’ ‘Ncinci’ Dukisani  Ncinci, as Nontsikelelo Florence Dukisani was affectionately known, transitioned to her ancestors on 22 November 2020 at the time when we are once again reminded that those of us belonging to the women gender are still under attack. The annual 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women runs from 25 November to 10 December, serving as a reminder that globally women and girls are not yet free of the scourge of gender-based violence. Ncinci, who was a social justice activist in her own right, supported her son, Phila Nkayi,…

Around 40 Makhanda entrepreneurs and would-be small business starters were recently awarded their New Venture Creation NQF 2 Qualification at a ceremony at the Graham Hotel. Training provider Mecer Inter-Ed (MIE) was there with them to celebrate their achievement, along with Makana Mayor Mzukisi Mpahlwa, Councillor Ramie Xonxa, Walter Sisulu University Project Manager: Dr Seboka Kopung, Executive Director: Marketing, Communication & Advancement Yonela Tukwayo, and WSU Director of Institutional Advancement: Silvanus Welcome. Designed for learners who intend to set up their own ventures, or already have, the qualification forms the basis for them to capitalise on opportunities to start and…