By TOTO TSARNEBA A group of nurses at Settlers Hospital went on strike on Monday, 27 June, demanding to be paid an 8-12% ‘rural allowance’ increase which was agreed upon between unions and the provincial health department at a 2019 bargaining council. They claim they are part of 3 000 enrolled nurses (ENs) and nursing assistants (ENAs) in rural hospitals around the province who are due rural allowances worth around R1 200 a month. Around 20 nurses sang and chanted outside Settlers on Monday. Placards stated that their nursing unions Nehawu and Denosa had failed them. Settlers Hospital spokesperson Yonela…
Author: Toto Tsarneba
THEATRE: ZemQadiniReview by SONIA SAJJABI Silence. Darkness. No street lights. The walk in the rain up the hill to PJs feels desolate. A five-minute wait outside the theatre doors that feels much longer. Finally, we – an audience of three – are let in. Inside, the same darkness, the same silence. On stage, two figures in white, the cloth covering their faces shining through the gloom, clothing scattered around their feet. Bhekani Shabalala and Bongani Mbatha, battle-scarred and aged before their time by violent conflict, slowly reveal themselves as Dumi and Vuyo, who create a marriage between the past and…
Award-winning comedian Kate Pinchuck (Frizz Pop, Tali’s Baby Diary, Late Bloomer, Comedy Mixtape) debuts her stand-up comedy hour at this year’s National Arts Festival, in what promises to be a raunchy, unashamed and deeply personal show. Kate Pinchuck is an award-winning stand-up comedian, actor, and writer, who graduated from Rhodes University with an Honours in Drama in 2015. Award-winning comedian Kate Pinchuck. Photo: Esti Strydom. Her winnings include her film and TV work such as her role as Taryn Wiener in the Showmax hit Tali’s Baby Diary, various sketches in Comedy Mixtape (SABC 2), and quirky roommate Anika in Amy…
By TOTO TSARNEBA The Grahamstown Feral Cat Project will host a family fun walk on 16 June, starting at 9 am from the Ikhala Veterinary Clinic (3 Strowan Road). Feral Cat Project chairperson Rochelle Fourie said participants could meet and greet some foster kittens at the event. There’ll be some bigger animals in attendance, too – like horses – and books, cakes, tea and coffee, and pre-ordered curry bunnies will be on sale. The event is co-hosted by the Ikhala Veterinary Clinic and Makana Vet Clinic, which both provide treatment for feral cats. All monies raised will fund the TNR…
By TOTO TSARNEBA Child abuse is a multifaceted problem that requires comprehensive interventions from all sectors. This year’s Child Protection Week, commemorated from 29 May to 4 June, was themed “Let us protect children during COVID-19 and Beyond”. The Methodist Church Circuit 201 commemorated the week at Soccer City on 4 June to build awareness about the prevention and management of child abuse, negligence, and exploitation. Pastor MD Makhumsha from the Methodist church Circuit 201 said children needed protection and to be taken seriously. “Children are a gift from God. We should always love and protect them. As parents, we…
By TOTO TSARNEBA The family of the late Vuyelwa Ntulini say are very frustrated that the accused in her murder trial was granted bail of R1000 on 20 May. As part of his bail conditions, the accused was ordered to report to Joza Police Station from 6 am to 6 pm on weekdays. He was also ordered not to leave the Sarah Baartman district without notifying the investigating officer and the court clerk. Jane Bradshaw, who has been supporting the Ntulini family, said the accused was not free as the investigation regarding his case is still ongoing. Phumeza Joja was…
By TOTO TSARNEBA ‘Dukuduku’, Makhanda! Thanks to Makhanda-born Sakhile Dyibishe, Joza’s Jazz Corner will be featured on the popular SABC1 show Selimathunzi, which “showcases and celebrates those that have made their move and mark”. Dyibishe is a goal-driven young man who wants the best for Makhanda. “Inviting the Selimathunzi crew to cover Jazz Corner in Makhanda was not easy; however, I managed to make it happen through networking,” he said. Dyibishe said he regarded Jazz Corner as the soul of the town. The venue brings diverse people together through its deep house music and friendly environment. “Through inviting Selimathunzi, I…
By TOTO TSARNEBA Protestors from eNkanini and Riebeek East chanted slogans and sang songs against GBV outside the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court on 6 May. They were demanding justice for the murder of a woman found dead in eNkanini on April 14 and the survivor of a brutal attack in Riebeek East on April 15. Patricia May, an eNkanini leader and organiser of the protesters, said her community struggled with GBV. Ntombizanele Ntulini, Thandiswa Ntulini and Jane Bradshaw. Photo: Toto Tsarneba After waiting for six hours to hear the court outcomes, May heard that the two cases had been postponed. She…
By TOTO TSARNEBA Born out of the tragic loss of five firefighters in a 1990 wildfire in Victoria, Australia, International Firefighters Day on 4 May honours the sacrifice that firefighters make. At a ceremony outside City Hall on Wednesday, Makana Fire Services manager William Welkom recognised the selfless acts of firefighters across the globe. “We pay tribute to firefighters who have died in duty and honour current and past firefighters,” Welkom said. Fire Chief William Welkom, his team and some of the attendees. Photo: Toto Tsarneba Welkom said firefighting was an essential service: “Water can be restored tomorrow, but a…
By TOTO TSARNEBA Sara Roodt is the founder and organiser of the Thrift Market, which takes place once a month on the lawns outside the Botanical Gardens. The motivation for Makhanda-born, Roodt was her love of fashion and disdain for the fast fashion industry. She observed many thrift markets worldwide, inspiring her to start her own in April 2021. For Roodt, fast fashion is an environmental disaster – it’s not just about the mountains of clothes that get discarded, but the plastics that take aeons to break down. She said active citizens could help solve environmental problems, like the plethora…