By ROD AMNER Between 17.1-27.2mm of the precious wet stuff fell on Makhanda before 8 am this morning (Thursday 20 September). Jim Cambray recorded 27.2 mm from Park Road for the week 23-29 September, with all of it falling on Wednesday evening/night and early Thursday. “It’s great when the weatherman gets it wrong like this. They said 10-20mm,” Jim remarked. Robin Stobbs reported 17.1mm for Grant Street, and Paul Maylam recorded 22.5mm in Cathcart Street for the same period. Robin said friends in Stones Hill and near Kwandwe both recorded 20mm. “So, this was pretty generalised rain and will get the…
Author: Rod Amner
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Makhanda’s only women’s football side and seven times regional champions, African Connection WFC, have received a much-needed boost on their 25th anniversary. Amakonokono, as they are popularly known, were hit hard by the Covid -19 lockdown, with several players dropping out. They responded by recruiting a considerable number of young aspiring players in their bid to reclaim the glory days. Local businesses, 9 and Three Quarters and Jack’s Cosmetics, recently donated training sweaters to the team in acknowledgement of their 25 years of existence. 9 and Three Quarters director Okuhle Mbewu said, “We are delighted to be…
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance,” sings King David. (Ps 16:6). We, as South Africans, celebrated our multi-faceted and rich heritage during September and rightfully did so. Apart from our varied cultural heritage, we may also be thankful for and proud of our amazing and peaceful democratic development and transition around and after 1994. We are blessed with large stretches of unspoiled nature and wildlife, a coastline of about 2800 km, embracing the most beautiful and resourceful aquatic biodiversity, as well as vast plains, rolling hills, mighty mountains and lifegiving…
By LOYISO DYONGMAN Thirteen-year-old Asanele Qomfo drowned in a flooded construction trench in the open veld between Xolani informal settlement and Vergenoeg on Saturday, 25 September. According to residents, children were swimming in the trench after a pipe was damaged during earthworks. Resident Mandla Mahlasela alleged the municipality had failed to empty the trench or post security guards or barriers. “The negligent Makana Municipality just ignored the deep pool that had formed,” Mahlasela said. However, Makana Municipality spokesperson Anele Mjekula said the trench had been dug by service providers working on the Makana Bulk Sewer Phase 1 project. Community members…
Do you have a photo (and caption) that captures the spirit of Makhanda? Why not share it with the rest of us. Email: editor@grocotts.co.za
By CHRIS TOTOBELA On Saturday, 25 September, boxers from all over the Sarah Baartman district exchanged leather in the district trials held at the Indoor Sports Centre in Extension 6. Boxing teams from Graaf Reinet, Kirkwood, Somerset East and Ndlambe represented their respective municipalities with Makhanda as the hosts. The event opened with an exciting bout between Makhanda’s Hlumelo Nelo and Othandwa Zono from Ndlambe municipality. Nelo made his intention very clear from the first minute, catching Zono with some severe blows. Zono tried to fight back but still could not handle Nelo’s punching power and speed. The referee had…
By ROBYN APOLLUS On Heritage Day, the King Lobengula Foundation and the Imvelo Cultural Project will host a cultural event and environmental exhibition at the Princess Zila Lobengula Museum in Fingo Village. The exhibition will expose locals to the heritage of the late King Lobengula (1845–1894), the second king of the Matabele, and the Foundation’s waste management campaign (#HeritageResourcesRegeneration_CleanUp). Foundation founder, and Lobengula descendent, Sizwe Mda, has been working on this project for almost a decade – and moved from Johannesburg to Makhanda to make it a reality. He advocates the preservation of heritage sites like the three Lobengula graves in…
Awarenet & Joza Youth Hub In late August, Awarenet hosted a two-day robotics course at Joza Youth Hub. The purpose was to train community members to become robotics and coding trainers for local children. The course was a great success and received positive feedback. The participants will be ready to teach robotics by October. For more information, visit Awarenet’s website: https://www.awarenet.org/…/09/robotics-course-in-makhanda/ Some pictures have also been posted on Joza Youth Hub’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jozayouth The Lebone Centre The Lebone Centre has continued with its innovative programme of Book-Sharing and recently held workshops for Grade R learners and their parents at…
By DANA OSBORN The COVID-19 vaccination is one of the most heavily debated subjects globally. To reduce polarization, we are opting to refer to those who refuse to be vaccinated as vaccine-hesitant, rather than as anti-vaxxers. No matter which side you are on, it is almost guaranteed you will be on the receiving end of someone’s disapproval. As tensions increase, we find that fewer conversations are happening as lines are drawn in the sand. To continue the conversation, Grocott’s Mail posted an anonymous survey where individuals could share their views and perspectives on why they are hesitant about vaccines. The survey…
By SUE MACLENNAN Wholesalers and spaza shop owners in Makhanda are faced with possible losses of tens of thousands of rands following social media posts falsely claiming that a brand of chips made children ill. The Gauteng based manufacturer alleges the fake news is part of a smear campaign by a commercial rival to undermine the brand, and police are investigating its origins. To reassure the public that the popular corn snack is safe, the company shared laboratory tests. They have embarked on a province-wide campaign to educate school children about fake news and the pitfalls of social media. During…