Author: Sue Maclennan

Parents expressed relief as Ntsika Secondary School learners returned to school and classes resumed this week at the Extension 7, Makhanda school after two disrupted days. Ntsika Principal Madeleine Schoeman praised Acting Head Nompumulelo Jack, the staff, School Governing Body and the broader Makhanda community for restoring calm to the school. On Friday 9 April, several Grade 12 learners fainted in one of the classes. Spurred by social media speculation, similar events on Monday 12 April caused alarm and classes were again disrupted as parents came to fetch their children. Raising the stakes were unfounded allegations that a teacher at…

As the Grahamstown-Makhanda name-change case ratcheted up in the town’s high court this week, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa was described as arrogant in his ignorance of historical and material facts; the name-change objectors as obsessive in the face of the country’s laws and Constitution. Judgment was reserved in the appeal this week against Mthethwa’s decision to approve the renaming of Grahamstown to Makhanda. The appeal was heard by a full bench on Monday 26 April. In June 2018, Mthethwa’s decision to change the name of Grahamstown to Makhanda was gazetted. Resident Sigudla Ndumo, who has previously represented the…

Where you voted in the last election is likely to be the place you’ll receive your Covid-19 vaccination on or after 17 May if you’re 60 or older, or are an essential worker. If you don’t fall into either of those categories in age or occupation, you’ll get your chance in Phase 3 of the national Covid-19 vaccination rollout. “There’s no jumping the queue,” said Mohamed Docrat, head of the Department of Health’s Makana Subdistrict administrative area. The Subdistrict incorporates the Makana and Ndlambe municipal areas. Each phase of the vaccination rollout has been determined by risk and need, with the country’s estimated 1.2 million healthcare workers (HCWs) first in line to be vaccinated. In the…

But still only healthcare workers for now Public and private healthcare workers within the Department of Health’s Makana Subdistrict will soon be able to receive Covid-19 vaccinations at Settlers Hospital, says the Health Department’s Makana Subdistrict head Mohamed Docrat. Meanwhile, international research published recently in a respected scientific journal reports positively on the efficacy, safety and practicality of the Ad26.COV 2.S (J&J) vaccine. This comes as registration has opened for vaccinations for over-60s scheduled to begin on 17 May and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has recommended lifting the suspension of the J&J Sisonke Vaccination Programme. Close to 70% of health care workers (HCWs) in the Makana Subdistrict administrative area of the Department of Health…

GMDirect readers responded to Nomzolisi Mgudlandlu’s call to donate sanitary pads for primary school learners and on Wednesday 21 April she handed over no fewer than 1536 at NV Cewu Primary School. The handover was delayed by a day because of Tuesday’s wet weather. “After the piece in GMDirect, I had such a fantastic response,” Mgudlandlu said. “There was even a single donation of R1000 that allowed me to buy more than I initially planned.” Mgudlandlu spoke to a group of Grade 6 and 7 learners about why she’d decided to do this, and how important it is for girls…

But still only healthcare workers for now Public and private healthcare workers within the Department of Health’s Makana Subdistrict will soon be able to receive Covid-19 vaccinations at Settlers Hospital, says the Health Department’s Makana Subdistrict head Mohamed Docrat. Meanwhile, international research published yesterday in a respected scientific journal reports positively on the efficacy, safety and practicality of the Ad26.COV 2.S (J&J)  vaccine. This comes as registration has opened for vaccinations for over-60s scheduled to begin on 17 May and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has recommended lifting the suspension of the J&J Sisonke Vaccination Programme. Close to…

Where you voted in the last election is likely to be the place you’ll receive your Covid-19 vaccination on or after 17 May if you’re 60 or older, or are an essential worker. If you don’t fall into either of those categories in age or occupation, you’ll get your chance in Phase 3 of the national Covid-19 vaccination rollout. “There’s no jumping the queue,” said Mohamed Docrat, head of the Department of Health’s Makana Subdistrict administrative area. The Subdistrict incorporates the Makana and Ndlambe municipal areas. Each phase of the vaccination rollout has been determined by risk and need, with…

UPDATE: Fire Chief WIlliam Welkom says the fire was out by 1am with a few tree stumps smouldering in the burnt area. “Monitoring in the area will continue.” ORIGINAL: A veld fire that that burnt the entire north slope of Mountain Drive in Makhanda on Sunday 18 April 2021, from west to east, will be monitored overnight. Makana Fire Chief William Welkom said  Water trucks from Rhodes University as well as the municipality were called in tohelp control the blaze which was reported at 1.30pm opposite the SAPS Dog Unit on the south side of the N2. “A crew was dispatched…

Ntsika Principal Madeleine Schoeman has praised Acting Head Nompumulelo Jack, the staff, School Governing Body and the broader Makhanda community for restoring calm to the school following two disrupted days. On Friday 9 April, several Grade 12 learners fainted in one of the classes. Spurred by social media speculation, similar events on Monday 12 April caused alarm and classes were again disrupted as parents came to fetch their children. Raising the stakes were unfounded allegations that a teacher at the school was to blame. A range of professional and spiritual support was brought in on Monday and Tuesday, including officials…

Makana Municipality has suspended refuse collection services in Makhanda’s township areas this week, after two municipal vehicles were set alight. The incidents occurred at times when service-delivery protests were under way. In the most recent incident, on Monday 12 April, a Makana employee was forced to hand over the keys of a municipal bakkie and flee when a large crowd stopped him, seized the vehicle and set it alight. Police spokesperson Captain Khaya Tonjeni said the incident occurred shortly after 3.30pm in Extension 9, Joza, between the Mayfield housing development and eNkanini informal settlement. Tonjeni said the man, reportedly in…