By KARABO DIKOBE Charlotte Maxeke studied under Pan-Africanist WEB Du Bois at Wilberforce University in Ohio, USA. In 1903, she became the first South African woman to graduate with a university degree. Rhodes University Registrar Professor Adéle Moodly paid tribute to Maxeke as a “mother of black freedom” during her third annual public lecture on 17 August 2021, attended virtually by her family, friends, colleagues from various universities and the Rhodes University community. Maxeke set a precedent for women in academia, but the plight of women of colour in tertiary education remains 118 years later, Moodly said. She said women have…
Author: Rod Amner
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Extension 7-based outfit and reigning Makana LFA U18 champions Sophia Young Stars are hard at work preparing for their trip to Gqebera. This comes after a thrilling cup final encounter against Young Killers in the local U18 tournament which was held in May in a packed JD Dlepu stadium. Luthango “Ronaldo” Mankayi scored a brilliant goal with only 15 minutes to go and earned his team the right to represent Makhanda in the provincial showpiece. This Eastern Cape Engen under 18s tournament was supposed to take place in June but had to be postponed due to Covid-19.…
South Africa’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout programme, outlined by the Ministry of Health, had three phases, starting with the most vulnerable population. Phase one included all the frontline healthcare workers. They received the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. Phase 2 vaccinated people over 60 years old and those in congregate settings. The third and final phase, now under way, covers the remaining South African population. The programme got off to a shaky start in February 2021. It encountered several setbacks, such as supply, logistics, and governance issues, but it has gained momentum recently. Despite this uptake, many South Africans are still hesitant to take the vaccine. The…
By Dr Nyx McLean, Grocott’s Mal engagement editor One thing we want to try and have more of at Grocott’s Mail is conversations with the community. We want to hear different viewpoints and understand where people are coming from. Too easily, conversations are polarised – resulting in ‘us’ vs ‘them’, which leads to us othering each other until we reach a point of no engagement. We’ve seen this in the responses to the COVID vaccine, and more recently, we’ve seen it this week in the current standoff between Rhodes University management and the National Union of Public Service and Allied…
By ROD AMNER I was in the Makhanda Circle of Unity Education Cluster meeting on Zoom with Makhandan educational leaders on Wednesday when someone suggested setting up school vaccinations sites for 18+ learners. The head of Community Engagement at Rhodes Di Hornby immediately WhatsApped the Makana Department of Health manager Mohamed Docrat… and before the meeting had ended, Docrat had already responded and several schools were signed up for next week. Apparently, this is how things get done in Makhanda. Citizens gather. They connect, they deliberate and, most importantly, they act. The Makhanda Circle of Unity (MCU) was formed in…
SHEPI MATI remembers Marikana, 16 August 2012 I had left the Cape Peninsula University of Technology Bellville Campus early that day. As I drove down Forest Drive in Pinelands, listening to SAfm, I could not believe my ears. A staccato of machine-gun fire rattled me out of my comfort. And, grabbing me by my ears, threw me into the middle of a gut-wrenching experience I will never forget. I had to pull over. I went through an emotional roller coaster in quick succession — shock, disbelief, and then anger. How could a democratic government, elected through a popular mandate, turn…
By VUKOSI MALULEKE When it comes to vaccinations, Makana is the leading sub-district in a leading district in what is definitely the leading province in the country. The Makana sub-district has recorded the highest number of doses administered (25 609) in the Sarah Baartman District, according to Mohamed Docrat, head of the Department of Health in Makana. The wider Sarah Baartman District has vaccinated 84 429 individuals and is leading the Eastern Cape in vaccination the registration of some age groups: Over 34% of the district 98 817 35-49 year-olds have registered – the highest percentage by district in the…
By DYLAN COETZEE Julia Heemstra moves briskly up the rugged trails hugging the contours of the Teton mountains that stand over the Jackson Hole valley in Wyoming, USA. Her trek is not only for pleasure or fitness. This month, Heemstra began climbing once a week for seven weeks in an extraordinary, multimillion-rand intercontinental campaign to raise funds for water and sanitation infrastructure at seven Makhanda township schools. On three trips up the mountain, she will take a companion to emphasize the goal of supporting education by providing water: one trip will include a middle school science teacher, highlighting education; one…
Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has committed R2-million towards the daily running costs of Makhanda’s new 34 500-litre water tanker over five years. In July, the tanker was delivered to the city in partnership with Gift of the Givers, adding to Makana’s existing three-tanker fleet serving the communities of Fort Brown, Manley Flats, Salem, Alicedale and several other informal settlements. CCBSA is in the process of acquiring a second water tanker. The frequent water cuts and pressure throttling do not only affect Makhanda but surrounding areas as well.
Although the official 2021 National Arts Festival has ended, you still have the rest of August to explore Fringe Live online fully. Fringe Live is an independent platform where artists bring their self-funded works – and big dreams. There are over 100 shows to watch across theatre, dance, music and more. Buying a ticket for a Fringe show also means you are supporting artists directly. 90% of the ticket revenue goes directly into their pockets. The world’s network of Fringe Festivals includes Edinburgh Fringe, Brighton Fringe and Adelaide Fringe, and many of our own productions are seen by these Festivals…