My name is Chris Dyokomba, a 36-year-old Makhanda resident currently on temporary medical boarding. I lost mobility in June 2018 due to a hereditary neuromuscular disorder. I lost power in all my limbs and was referred to Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town for further management and assessment. It was very difficult when the doctors struggled to treat my condition. I became wheelchair bound and dependent on people for help with minor tasks such as bathing, physical exercise, preparing meals and transport. Whether you’re born with a disability or became disabled at a later stage, the emotional distress of having…
Author: Staff Reporter
Umbhali waseTinarha untumeke isibane sokhanyiso watsho wabeka ezinkwenkwezini ulwimi lwesiXhosa nengqingqi yakhe ephantsi komasipala sesixeko iMandela Bay. Kumsitho waminyaka weembasa zababhali bomZantsi Afrika (South African Literary Awards), uAyanda Billie ubuye nesitsaba ngencwadi yakhe yemibongo ethi Umhlaba Umanzi, kwisiGaba sababhali bemiBongo yesiXhosa. Abanye ababekwididi lokuwongwa kwasekubhalweni kwemibongo ibengabo besiBhulu (Willie van der Merwe, Doodmenslik; Nathan Trantraal, Alles Het Nie Kom Wod) nesiNgesi (Tony Ullyatt, An Obstructive Vice). Lo msitho ububanjelwe kumzi wamagugu esizwe iDitsong ePitoli ngoLwesine weveki ephelileyo, umhla wesi-7 kweyeDwarha 2019. UBiliie ngowesithathu ukufumana eli wonga, elandela ezithendeni zikaMangaliso Buzani (2015) noSimphiwe Nolutshungu (2017) nabathi babeka iMpuma Kapa emagqabini. Okunika…
The hottest acts of 2019 will yet again descend on East London for the 11th Annual Buyel’Ekhaya Pan African Festival on Sunday, 15 December at Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium.This year’s programme of workshops will culminate in a fashion show and music festival which will thrill culture lovers across the board, and ensure that East London’s biggest and best festive celebration turns 11 in style. This year’s awesome lineup will cater for every musical taste. From afrosoul to amapiano, hip hop to house and gqom, it is a musical mix designed to delight. It is the kind of lineup that will…
The Rhodes University Cricket Club has announced their 14-man squad that will be travelling to Johannesburg to compete in the University Sports South Africa A Week cricket tournament where they will contest the B Section. The side was relegated from the B Section in 2017 as the club hit an all-time low, however, since then, the club has come full circle as they achieved immediate promotion in 2018 and will be looking to try and surprise a few big teams. David Blenkinsop will lead the team on the field after taking the reins from Sean McQuillan earlier in the season. The…
The St Andrew’s College Stayers’ cricket XI won the toss on Saturday versus Woodridge on Lower Field and showed no hesitation in electing to bat first in the 40-over match. St Andrew’s were well placed at the orchestrated 10.45am interval on 102/2 after 23 overs. After the Rugby Celebrations, St Andrew’s continued to add momentum to their innings. Sam Francis top scored with a fluent 64. Nicholas Brotherton (38 not out) and Luke Danckwerts (18 not out) were impressive in the middle overs, running well between wickets, playing low risk cricket, compiling College’s competitive 208/4 in their 40 overs. EP’s…
Parole officers, supported by the police, conducted a special monitoring exercise in Makhanda and Alexandria recently. According to the Head of Community Corrections Motseki Maliehe, six parole officials in two vehicles, along with 10 South African Police Services officers in four vehicles visited parolees in the district between 5am and 12.30pm on Thursday 10 October. “Problematic supervision cases were monitored in order to ensure that thety comply with their parole or correctional supervision conditions,” said Maliehe. “No serious incidents occurred during the operation and positive information was received about the whereabouts of absconders in our system in various areas. This…
Last week the Municipal Council sat and deliberated on a number of crucial issues pertaining to the performance of the municipality. Among the items that were discussed was the matter of an unfunded budget. The 2019/2020 budget adopted by the municipality in July was unfunded by R109m. Section 18(i) of the Municipal Finance Management Act state that a “municipal budget must be funded from realistically anticipated revenue, cash backed accumulated funds”. Accordingly, National Treasury instructed Makana Municipality to review its budget and adopt a fully funded budget or risk the withdrawal of its equitable share which is due in December.…
The 2019 Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok team arrived to a befitting heroes’ welcome at the Union Buildings on Thursday 7 November, ahead of their much-anticipated trophy tour. The red carpet was rolled out at the official seat of government for the world champions, who met President Cyril Ramaphosa on the day they kicked off their nationwide trophy tour. It was a proud moment for the scores of South Africans, who made their way to the Union Buildings to meet the men whose showing in Yokohama has evoked a sense of national pride and cohesion reminiscent of the Boks’ World Cup…
Rhodes University Dean of Education, Professor Di Wilmot, gave the Matthew Goniwe Memorial Lecture at the Eastern Cape Department of Education’s World Teachers’ Day Celebrations held at the International Convention Centre in East London on 4 October. The title of the lecture; “The World has moved, have our teachers moved?”, was linked to the context of the 4th Industrial Revolution. Professor Wilmot started the lecture by paying tribute to Matthew Goniwe, a great Mathematics and Science teacher whose life was taken prematurely before asking: “What would Matthew Goniwe say if he was present here today?” “Would he be proud of…
It’s that time of the year again! Christmas decorations and carols will soon be in the shops, and the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset will be outside Pick ‘n Pay appealing to the public to help them collect gifts for the annual Tree of Joy project. ‘Tree of Joy’ is an international Rotary project, with collections taking place in towns and cities all over the world. The objective is to provide a Christmas gift to those who might otherwise not receive anything during the festive season. Beneficiaries are asked to indicate their Christmas gift wish and the public are invited…