Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

By DEBBIE SMUTS  Saturday 24 October is World Polio Day, and this year, there is something significant to celebrate: the World Health Organization (WHO) announced on 25 August that transmission of the wild poliovirus has officially been stopped in all 47 countries of its African region. This is a historic and vital step toward global eradication of polio, which is Rotary’s International’s top priority. President of the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset, Javier Martin, said, “Rotary Clubs all over the world celebrate World Polio Day in October, but this year, we are celebrating polio being kicked out of Africa. It…

By MZUKISI MPAHLWA Born and bred in Makhanda, formerly known as Grahamstown, Dr Vuyokazi Mahlati was a sterling example of the fact that where you were born doesn’t necessarily determine what you will become. Coming from a small town such as Makhanda, Dr Mahlati’s life is a great example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. She was an inspirational role model to young women throughout the country. Dr Mahlathi is the daughter of the late Benjamin “Buschie” Zondani (BB Zondani). During his political career BB Zondani led the resistance campaign against the forced removals of the Fingo…

Government Communication and Information Systems (GCIS) is focusing on tertiary institutions in its Covid19 awareness programmes and has scheduled a major information drive for Friday 23 October 2020 in targeted tertiary institutions across the Eastern Cape. In a media statement, the agency said this was prompted by the recent rise of Covid-19 transmission in institutions of higher learning. Thirty students from the University of Fort Hare recently tested positive for Covid-19 following a night out in an East London tavern. “There is a growing concern around issues of student compliance to Covid-19 protocols in institutions of higher learning in the…

Presenting its state of the system briefing Thursday 22 October, Eskom committed to recovering its operational performance and restoring the stability of the power system. Eskom had not implemented rotational loadshedding since 8 September 2020, and for three successive weeks during this period managed to meet South Africa’s electricity needs with minimal use of open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs), the power utility said in a media release after the briefing. Eskom Group Chief Executive, André de Ruyter cautioned that more work was needed to achieve operational stability and restore the security of energy supply for the country. “Over the past eight months we…

In Ephesians 6:10-17, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, wrote to the Ephesian church and us today, about the reality of spiritual warfare believers are in as we live out our new life in Christ. He warns the church about the battle against our adversary, the Devil, and his minions, the demons, and calls us to put on the whole armour of God so that we may be able to stand against Satan. We need to guard against both extremes, of disbelieving the existence of the demonic, and an unhealthy interest in them, always believing the Scriptures.…

Firefighters from the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries’ Working on Fire teams in the Eastern Cape will undergo their annual Yellow Card Training (YCT) in Lottering from 12 to 20 October. Yellow Card training is designed to refresh firefighters’ skills and test their physical and mental fitness. It is also done to make sure that teams are ready for the upcoming summer fire season from December 2020 to April 2021. Teams attending this training are Tsitsikamma, Witelsbos, Longmore, Sarah Baartman, Addo, Baviaanskloof, Lottering, Kromsriver, St Francis and Baviasnkloof West. The training activities will include a 10km route march, line…

Former fire fighter Ongezwa Nonjiji was recently appointed a senior manager in Working on Fire in the Sarah Baartman District. She is the new Ground Operations Manager for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries programme. The Working on Fire programme is a government funded job creation programme that recruits youth from marginalised communities and trains them in fire awareness and prevention. They learn suppression skills and are employed as Working on Fire participants. Nonjiji is one of the many firefighters who has worked her way up the ranks from being a fire fighter to becoming a manager. She has been…

By SIYANDA MAKUNGA In our previous article we discussed the legal distribution of a deceased’s estate, if a person died without leaving a Will behind. In this article, we will provide requirements and a guideline for the creation of a valid Will. Let us first look at the scenario below. Scenario Ms Zanemali drafted her own Will. In her Will she bequeaths her entire estate to her two daughters in equal shares. The Will is signed in her home without witnesses. Two days later she dies. The daughters present the Will at the Master’s Office. The validity of the Will…

By SIYANDA MAKUNGA In our previous article we stressed the importance of preparing for death. In this article, we will discuss the legal consequences of dying without a will. In our next article (on 16 October 2020) we will discuss the preparation of a Will. Let us first look at the scenario below. Scenario Sipho is a father of five minor children born of previous relationships. He marries Siphokazi on 1 June 2020 in community of property. Two months later he passes away without leaving a Will. The couple’s joint estate is valued at R200 000. Siphokazi is entitled to receive…

Covid-19, Jerusalema and Lockdown are the three finalists in the running to be named South Africa’s Word of the year. The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB), in association with media research company, Focal Points, have announced the following shortlisted words as candidates for SA Word of the Year 2020: Covid-19 Jerusalema Lockdown In a media release, PanSALB said The SA Word of the Year was a word, term or expression preferred to reflect the passing year in language. “To qualify for consideration, there must be evidence that the usage of the word or expression has increased significantly in the past 12…