Author: Sue Maclennan

The Department of Education sent a circular on the eve of the 2020 matric exams saying Covid infected matrics could write their exams and they sent another five days later with some general protocols – but, no explicit indication of where they should write or who should invigilate. However, the Education Department maintains there should be no confusion and that the protocols required for schools to open earlier this year served adequately to guide how and where matrics with Covid-19 should write their exams. This week, Makhanda schools were still in the dark. “We have no indication yet about where…

It has been a smooth start to the 2020 Matric exams in Makhanda, despite concern and confusion about last-minute information about protocols for Covid-positive matrics. The combined June and November National Senior Certificate exams started Thursday 5 November with English, Afrikaans, Hebrew, German, Hindi, Gujarati, Telegu and Urdu. They  will end Tuesday 15 December with three-hour exams in Visual Arts and Agricultural Management Practices. The IEB exams written at independent schools began on 9 September and have been spread over three months, ending on 27 November. Here’s a wrap of how things were for local matrics, as they stood on…

Citizens of Makana’s Ward 14 have until 9pm tonight to cast their votes for candidates in the by-election under way today. Ward 14 includes the rural areas of Alicedale, Highlands and Seven Fountains. Vuyani Nesi of the ANC and the EFF’s Busisiwe Wendy Nyamakazi have been confirmed as candidates. Grocott’s Mail called Makana councillor Phumla Matyumza, who was outside the Alicedale Town Hall voting station, to ask about the turnout. “It has been good so far,” Matyumza said. “Very good.” She said around 200 people had voted by midday. There were 2854 registered voters in Ward 14 for this by-election. In the 2019…

The Ethiopian Episcopal Church has demanded action against corruption in government. In a scathing condemnation of malfeasance in municipalities across the Province, including Makana, the church’s leader Archbishop Nkosinathi  Ngesi has called on church leadership to take a stand, and for local government leadership to act. Ngesi’s recent address in the Raglan Road church followed the opening service of the diocese’s leadership conference. In attendance were delegates from 19 towns in the James Mata Dwane Diocese, which extends across the western part of the Eastern Cape. Facing them was Makana Mayor, Mzukisi Mpahlwa. “Wrongdoers must be exposed and charged -…

“I’ve cried many times before, but this time was different. I wept from the very depths of my soul.” June Dolley-Major posted these words on her Facebook page after visiting the house in Makhanda where 18 years ago she had stayed to prepare for a new chapter in her life. Instead of laying the foundation for her calling as a priest, it was the scene of an incident that has haunted her ever since. On Wednesday 21 October Dolley-Major, an ordained Anglican priest, took a huge step across the country from her Cape Town home and towards closure, to re-open…

Extra security is in place, guards have been stationed and counselling has been arranged for at Kingswood College learners and staff after two intruders, one wielding a screwdriver and the other a firearm, robbed the housemother and a learner of their cellphones at a girls’ hostel around 8pm on Thursday 22 October. No one was injured in the incident. In a letter to the school community, College Head Colleen Vassiliou said the men had gained access to the hostel grounds by cutting a hole in the security fence. “They then opportunistically attempted to gain access to Kirkby House,” Vassiliou told…

The Eastern Cape Provincial Executive has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal’s ruling earlier this month granting it leave to appeal the order to dissolve Makana Municipality. Meanwhile, lawyers for the Unemployed People’s Movement have requested reasons why their Section 18 application to have Judge Stretch’s January order immediately put into effect pending the appeal application has been dismissed. In January 2020 the Unemployed People’s Movement succeeded in their application to have the Premier dissolve Makana Municipal Council and appoint an administrator in terms of Section 139(5)(b) of the Constitution until local government elections at held and a new council…

The MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) in the Eastern Cape is investigating former Makana Corporate Affairs Director Nomthandazo Mazwayi’s appointment as Municipal Manager of Sakhisizwe Municipality. Mazwayi resigned from her position at Makana Municipality soon after a report to Council recommended she be placed on compulsory leave pending a disciplinary enquiry. She left earlier this month to take up her new position. Earlier this month, Grocott’s Mail reported on Mazwayi’s surprise resignation, soon after Makana Municipal Manager Moppo Mene tabled a confidential report to a Council meeting. This was on 8 August. By 2 October, sources at…

‘We follow the system and the law – but instead of protecting us, it’s actually robbing us’ During the six years Makhanda resident Leon Smith* owned his car, he has renewed his vehicle registration without fail and, until this time last year, without incident. So it came was a shock when just before Lockdown 2020, the police confiscated his vehicle – a popular model of a well known brand – telling him it was stolen. Smith, who has all the vehicle’s documentation, tracks its history from when it was bought from a second-hand dealer in Port Elizabeth in 2013. The…

“Surely the dams are starting to fill up by now?” is what Makhanda residents are asking after three weeks of good rains. Grocott’s Mail spoke to farmers in the catchment for our town’s rain-dependent supply dams to the west. Farmers Association Chair for Central Albany Dale Howarth says, “We had 42mm two weeks ago and 20mm last weekend, so a total of around 60mm. “It was very nice and we’re very grateful. But a few hot days and the soil was dry again. There was no runoff whatsoever.” Runoff is what’s needed to fill the dams. “We need 150-175mm over…