Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

Grocott's Mail Contributors includes content submitted by members of the public, and public and private institutions and organisations - regular and occasional, expert and citizen, opinion and analysis.

STATEMENT BY THE MAKHANDA CIRCLE OF UNITY FOOD GROUP The Makhanda Circle of Unity Food Group has just packed the last distribution of grocery parcels to the vulnerable people of Makhanda/Grahamstown. Since 11 April, the Food Group has distributed 5 138 weekly grocery parcels and a further 2 200 boxes of groceries prepacked by donors (HCI and Corona Care). In total then the equivalent of 7 338 weekly parcels have gone out to the vulnerable people of Makhanda. A committee has been set up which is separate from The Makhanda Circle of Unity Food Group to decide on how the remaining…

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What is the role of parliamentarians and ward councillors in Covid-19 interventions? By ESTERI MSINDO and SIYABULELA FOBOSI The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about multifaceted socio-economic challenges including job losses, loss of income and rising health costs. The pandemic which started in Wuhan, China has spread across the globe, killing over 260 000 people globally and over 2000 in Africa by early May 2020. In South Africa since the first infection was confirmed on 4 March 2020, confirmed cases had risen to 18 003 with 339 confirmed deaths as at 20 May.  President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a national lockdown on midnight…

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The poem celebrates stage 4 of Lockdown Ndanigqibela nini na? Benisa dukelephi na Kukade ndinikhangela Ntonje ndidengwa ngamabalabala enu Nibahle ninemikhitha Kuyavakala kuyabonakala Mandinibonge ngendima nenkuthalo Ngokwenzela lul’umzi omhle wase Mzantsi Afrika Nafak’izigqumi mpumlo nemilomo Anagquma buso njengabakhuthuzi Saza sacinga lonk’ilizwe liyakhowla Kwaye linqula Thixo wamaSilamusi. Siyanikhahlela singaqali Balondolozi bamakhaya enu Imizi ngemizi namhlanj’iguyile Kwatsho kwanqaba namasela nabakhuthuzi Nathi boontamo zilukhuni salunga Salungisa silungisisa de nathi salunga Mz’omhle siyanibhotisa kwesi sigaba sesine Mz’omhle siyanibulisa mawaba Uthikoloshe uphumil’ezingcongolweni Epheth’izibhunqa zobuthi De kwavalwa kokuthengiswa kwemidiza Kwanqanqatheka nalowo ebesaqala ukulifunda Ndakhumbula uMqhayi xa esithi ngembodlela Ngubani na lo nguYeye Uhamba nabani noyise Undiphathele…

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Under the current circumstances we are celebrating Africa Day in a unique way, where we are still under lockdown regulations. Still Africa is worth celebrated. Mawethu le Afrika ingumabizw’asabele. Le Afrika ingu nxa zonke mbombo zone zomhlaba. Uyimaz’ebhonxileUyimaz’ebhonxileo Uyindlezane nakwabo bakubukulayo Ungumncedi ngemin’ezinzima Ubomi abuphelelanga ngaphandle kwakho Imfund’ayiphelelanga ngaphandle kolwazi lwakho Zonk’izizwe zibonela kuwe Kufundisw’iintsana ngawe Kodwa wena ubumbedlengerha Kuba bonk’uburhalarhume bolathwa kuwe Noko nje ingazange ibe nguwe Igolid’isilivere ne oli ikuwe Ntonje ilungiswa kumazw’ongawaziyo Gxeb’ongawacelanga Koko bakuhathile bekuxhokonkxa Bezama konke abakho baxhokonxane. Lusuku lokubhiyozela wena Afrika! Wen’othwel’izizwe zehlabathi Obantu bambala ufana nomhlaba Ntw’ezibumnyama bukhanyayo Apho kuphumla amawethu akowethu Izizw’ezikude…

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Gladys Mpepho: 1957-2020 Gladys Mpepho, a founding member of the Unemployed People’s Movement, passed away on Thursday 14 May at the age of 63. Below we share two tributes to ‘uMamawenyani’, as she was known in Makhanda. The last Samurai of truth The last Samurai of truth, The last revolutionary for the poor, She was big with a big heart. She was dark nor pretty but radiant as the sun. You were a leader they refused to know, You were a leader the poor refuse to lose. In times of deceit you rose to tell the truth. In times of despair…

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By MZUKISI MPAHLWA This is a reportback  from the Makana Covid-19 Joint Operations Committee meeting of 12 May 2020. Included here are updates on disaster relief funding and plans, preparations for higher numbers of Covid-19 cases in our area and community screening and testing. Various government departments participate in the JOC, including Health, the police and social development. Funding Makana has received R1.6 million from the national Covid-19 disaster relief fund. The fund is for the municipality to prepare for managing higher numbers of Covid-19 cases as the pandemic begins to have an impact on this area over the next…

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By SIZIPHIWE YUZE What happens when you get injured, ill or die at work? Quite often people get injured, they fall ill, and they die as a result of their work. Are these people protected by South African law? The simple answer is yes. The Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA) provides for compensation for disablement caused by occupational injuries or diseases sustained or contracted by employees in the course of their employment, or death resulting from such injuries or diseases. There is a Compensation Fund (“the Fund”) which compensates employees. Employers pay into the Fund once every month.…

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By SHAUN BERGOVER What is UIF? The Unemployment Insurance Fund (“The Fund”) is established by the Unemployment Insurance Act 63 of 2001 and the Unemployment Insurance Amendment Act 10 of 2016. The Unemployment Insurance Contributions Act 4 of 2002 provides for the payment and collection of contributions to the Fund. Every registered employee contributes 1% of his or her salary and the employer contributes 1%. The combined 2% gets paid over to the Fund. The aim of the Fund is to provide short-term relief to employees when they become unemployed or are unable to work because of illness, maternity or…

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Rugby players across Makana Municipality are keeping themselves fit and active in various ways during this National Lockdown Period. For most players, coaches and rugby enthusiasts, All rugby leagues and competitions were called off with immediate effect in efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic.. In order for players to keep in shape, they’re working out at home. . Grocotts Mail looked around to see how players are keeping fit and active during this lockdown period. The Brumbies’ most experienced player, Gareth Burger, is very active and keeps himself in training at home. He is fortunate to have his own mini…

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The Premier of the Eastern Cape province, Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has instructed the Provincial Treasury Department to conduct a forensic investigation on the allegations made against the Provincial Department of Transport. According to a media release from the Premier’s office, the investigation will focus on the following allegations: • Improper procurement and inflated costs of sanitisers; • Improper procurement of Bailey bridges; • Improper conduct in expenditure for the funeral service of the Centane bus accident victims; • Improper contract between the Department and a private lodge to accommodate employees of the Department’s Roads section for a period of more…

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