Author: Kathryn Cleary

The Raphael Centre hosted an exciting ‘prize giving’ gig at Khutliso Daniels Secondary School on 20 February. Different from a school’s typical awards days which honour academic achievements, the Raphael event encouraged pupils to know their status and get tested for HIV with those who were tested entering a raffle with a chance to win a bicycle. The initiative is part of Khanya- Be SMART, the Raphael Centre’s campaign for better living. “Our aim for 2018 has been to test 1,150 youth and adolescents for HIV,” according to a press statement from Centre. “Among them will be pupils from Mary Waters High…

While couples swooned over chocolates, flowers and other affectionate goodies on Valentines Day last week, Grade 12 pupils at Khutliso Daniels Secondary School were treated to something much more practical. Organised by the Sophumelela Youth Development Programme, 18 matric boys gifted 23 girls in their class with sanitary pads and other hygiene items. The programme’s founder, Sophumelela Ketelo, along with members Nwabisa Magengelele and Sandiso Mnguni helped organise the collection of sanitary pads, Lux soap and roll-on deodorant by issuing letters asking for donations two-weeks prior to the event. The organisation started in 2013 before and was formally registered in…

Each year as excited students grace Grahamstown with their presence, some for the very first time, local businesses gear up for O-Week. However, as Grahamstown’s population suddenly swells, so can the risk of crime. In past years, students have carried with them traumatic O-Week memories, with reports of students being robbed, violently harassed or sexually assaulted. As a result of this, residents have taken the town’s safety into their own hands. Posters on the sides of animal-proof rubbish bins near New and Somerset Streets warn that 24/7 CCTV cameras in the area are monitoring crime. The Makana Revive initiative was…

Following Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s Sunday announcement identifying the source of the national listeriosis outbreak, Grahamstown shops have taken swiftly to emptying their shelves of all Enterprise and Rainbow Chicken Limited (RCL) products. OakTree Spar owner Jill White commented; “Once we became aware of the announcement we immediately withdrew all Enterprise meat products from our shelves. As a precautionary measure we have also withdrawn Rainbow products until the situation with that supplier is clarified. We will be increasing our supply of Spar Meat products to replace the void. We are very relieved that the source of this disease has been…

Last week Grocott’s Mail reported that one listeriosis-linked death had been confirmed by the Eastern Cape Department of Health. This information followed public news from Sarah Baartman District Municipality that stated two deaths had occurred as a result of the bacteria. The report stated that water was the potential source, but the claim was quickly denied by Health Department Spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo. Ongoing investigation in conjunction with the Public Service Accountability Monitoring (PSAM) has revealed new information. According to the National Department of Health’s “Clinical Guidelines on Management and Control of Foodborne Diseases” issued in 2011 an outbreak is defined…

The Department of Trade and Industry (dti) has issued a recall of all products from the Enterprise and Rainbow Chicken Limited companies. Tests on samples from those factories have been found to have traces of the Listeria bacteria, a cause of food poisoning. Pick n Pay, along with other supermarket chains, has acted swiftly to withdraw all products from Enterprise and RCL from its shelves. “Given the findings of Listeria, it is clear that there has been a drop in the quality controls at these facilities. They have, as of this morning, been issued with safety recall notices according to…

Easy kids’ science experiments to try at home With SciFest coming up next week, Grocott’s Mail has put together this quick list of easy, kid-safe and home friendly science experiments to try with the whole family. Learning about science does not stop outside of the classroom: try these fun experiments that are sure to put a smile on your smart young scientist’s face. Build your own mini-volcano right here in Grahamstown! Ever wonder how a volcano works? This three-ingredient recipe will give kids all of the wonder, without the fire and brimstone. What you will need: 4 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda 1/2…

Your Town, Our Town: Black musicians share stories – Part 3 Getting gigs Francois Mentoor is 45 years old. He has had his band, The Survivals, for more than 20 years. They play a typical “American Mix” of party songs like ’70s, ’80s, pop, and rhythm and blues in addition to some reggae covers and traditional African party favorites. To accommodate the varied tastes of their audiences, they have learned to flip the rhythms of the American songs to have a reggae feel. It has worked for them on a lot of gigs. “When the audience begins to feel a…

Your Town, Our Town: Black musicians share stories – Part 2 ‘Abhorrence of Apartheid’ Gareth is white and, as he puts it, “was born into privilege” in Johannesburg, South Africa, at a time when the system of apartheid was still constitutional. He recognizes the disparities in Grahamstown and wants to do something about it. He is a fascinatingly intelligent man who likes to share his deep-seated political views. Gareth is the type of person who can speak very knowledgably about “black consciousness” and “responsible whiteness” and then move on to speak equally as intelligently about directing music for television or…

Your Town, Our Town: Black musicians share stories By Reggie Seigler Music columnist travels from Syracuse to South Africa to learn black musicians on each continent share strikingly similar experiences As a longtime local musician and appreciator of live music, I have recognized that there is a large disparity between the presentation of local artists of color and white artists at many of the live music events hosted in the city of Syracuse. This statement might be a surprise for some, especially if they haven’t looked, but for many others, it will seem to be just a rehash of old…