By PHILIP MACHANICK, Makana Citizens Front Proportional Representation councillor On 27 January, the first ordinary council meeting since the municipal elections illustrated how the ANC government operates. We were presented with a 438-page agenda, released in stages, much of which was irrelevant to the meeting. The two most important documents, the audit committee report and guidelines for electing the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) chair were dumped on us at the meeting to minimise time to digest them. This is a classic ambush agenda strategy designed to distract from the critical questions. Why would the government do this if it…
Author: Rod Amner
By CHRIS TOTOBELA The Makana LFA 2022/2023 season will kick off on 12 February with mouth-watering encounters. The SAB regional league relegated side City Pirates will lock horns with the newly-promoted sleeping giant of Makhanda football Pioneers FC. Another SAB relegated side, 6 SAI Army, will kick off their campaign against the newly-promoted Makana Celtics. Both of these sides are expected to be title contenders and use their experience in the SAB league to their advantage. Legendary club XI Attackers, who have been the shadow of themselves lately, will play Pumba Pirates. At the same time, first division champions Lalibela…
Even when water is available in Makhanda – and supply has been precarious to say the least – residents are concerned about the quality of municipal water flowing through their taps. The last water compliance test posted to the Makana Municipality website is dated November 2019. MARY CHIBWE, a PhD candidate at the Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University considers some solutions for monitoring and improving local water quality. Even when water is available and flowing through the taps in Makhanda, water quality issues arise. The water in our taps originates from rivers, is treated then distributed to consumers.…
By STAFF REPORTER The Makana Parks department has appointed new staff and received new work equipment, including weed eaters, chain saws, and rakes. New senior supervisor Wandile Duruwe and his manager have drawn up work schedules for the work teams to follow to ensure the new equipment is put to good use. Director of Public Safety and Community Services, Kelello Makgoka, said work schedules are the only tool that will ensure the town is clean and looking good. The new tools will assist the department in carrying out its day-to-day responsibilities, such as cutting grass and tree trimming. The employees…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA The much anticipated Africa Cup of Nations has delivered more than football lovers expected. Despite the tragic incident where spectators lost their lives in the host country’s (Cameroon) game, the tournament has lived up to expectations. There have been some surprise packages like Malawi, Comoros, Gambia and Gabon, who have played scintillating football without any fear. Twenty four nations started the 2022 showpiece, but now it is down to the last four. The Burkina Faso and Senegal game will be a very tough encounter at Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde. Both teams play aggressive football and…
By ROD AMNER All school learners have been ordered to return to daily attendance for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic started. On Monday night, Cabinet announced that the rotational system had been ended with immediate effect. The regulatory provision for social distancing of one metre for learners in schools has also been removed. However, at least one local school is not ready. Mary Waters High School principal Alphonso Michaels reported they were “definitely not ready for the return of the full complement”. “All our Grade 11s and 12s have been back at school since day 1. Our issue…
By STAFF REPORTER The Rhodes University vaccination site at the Gavin Relly Postgraduate Village (PGV) will reopen on 1 February 2022. All types of COVID-19 vaccinations including booster shots will be available on site. Services are available to both the Rhodes University community and the greater Makhanda community. The operating times are 9 am-3 pm. To book an appointment for a vaccination, please follow these steps: 1. Send an email to vaccine@ru.ac.za and include: Name and surname; ID number; Cell phone number; Dates you will not be available for vaccination; If you received the first Pfizer shot, please indicate when…
By STAFF REPORTER Two life-saving devices will be installed at Grey Dam after a 16-year-old boy drowned in Grey Dam last Tuesday, 18 January. In the past ten years, at least eight people – four children – have drowned in the dam. The flotation device, called a “Pink Rescue Buoy”, is mounted on a pole next to the water. In the event of somebody in the water requiring assistance, bystanders should collect the buoy from the pole and throw it to the person in distress while holding on to the rope attached to the buoy. Using the rope, the bystander…
Sidbury Cricket Club 2nd Team recorded a record win against Kenton in their Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) 2nd League fixture played at Sidbury Sports Club on Saturday 21 January. Sidbury 2nds recorded their highest team total of 564 and made history by beating Kenton with a 527- run margin. This is the highest win margin by a team in the GCB 2nd League. This was the only league match over the weekend as it was a postponed fixture from last year. The game was played in sweltering weather conditions and was an entertaining and exciting game of cricket. Sidbury batted…
Willows Cricket Club and Manley Flats are the new Grahamstown Cricket Board’s (GCB) 1st and 2nd League T20 Champions for the 2021/2022 season. Both Clubs played consistent cricket during the competition over the two weekends. Willows were the standout team in the 1st competition and played outstanding cricket, winning four out of four matches and ending the competition as the only unbeaten side. 1st LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS – SALEM CRICKET GROUND WILLOWS VS MAKANA SONA Makana Sona batted first and were bowled out for 81 in 16.3 overs. Willows bowlers were impressive throughout…