Author: Kathryn Cleary

Investigative journalist; health, human rights, politics and environmental stories.

By Kathryn Cleary and Sue Maclennan On Tuesday 6 November hundreds of residents marched from Rhodes University to the Makana City Hall, calling for the dissolution of the local municipality. The march followed a two-week-long protest outside Makana’s Finance Department and a social media campaign highlighting financial and administrative failures. Key among these was the municipality’s failure to pay its Eskom account, resulting in the entity starting legal processes to throttle power to Makhanda (Grahamstown) starting on 4 December. It has since been established that Makana has paid Eskom an amount and had in fact itself overstated its debt to…

Read More

The matter between former Fort England CEO Roger Walsh and the Eastern Cape Department of Health was postponed at the Port Elizabeth Labour Court on 18 October 2018. The respondents include Superintendent General Dr Thobile Mbengashe, former MEC for Health Dr Pumza Dyantyi and the Minister of Health. The hearing comes following Walsh’s transfer from his post as the CEO of Fort England hospital in Makhanda (Grahamstown) to a position in Bhisho late 2016. The transfer came as a result of months of turmoil between Fort England management and staff unions. Unions demanded that Walsh and other members of management…

Read More

In the past month, Eastern Cape media has hummed with unfounded rumours and confusing claims about alleged human trafficking, kidnappings and child abductions. Two weeks ago a concerning voicenote circulated through the Makhanda (Grahamstown) community warning of a vehicle purportedly trying to kidnap young girls. Grocott’s Mail has closely followed these claims and social media hype to uncover the truth, bringing our readers just the facts. The voicenote circulated on Whatsapp, warning parents of a suspicious vehicle that was reportedly trying to kidnap young girls. “This is the serious, I’m talking about Grahamstown,” the speaker urged. The speaker added that they were…

Read More

On World Mental Health Day, 10 October, the Department of Health’s Makana Sub-District hosted a community education event at Tantyi Hall, Makhanda (Grahamstown). The purpose of the event was to promote awareness about mental health resources, as well as educate youth and their parents about the dangers of substance abuse. The event was well-attended by learners from five schools, parents and community members. The morning opened in prayer and song as learners and community members piled into the hall. Ward Councillor Ramie Xhonxa gave an enthusiastic welcome to all in attendance before handing over to Sister Ntombenani Tshongweni, Nursing Manager…

Read More

The Department of Health has declared October Mental Health Awareness month – read more on page 7. Grocott’s Mail offers our readers this cut-out-and-keep contact list of where Makhanda (Grahamstown) people can get help for depression or anxiety. Phone Resources by SADAG: If you are needing a referral to a psychologist, psychiatrist or support group, please can you call The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) on 011 234 4837 or 0800 20 50 26 and speak to a trained counselor who can assist you further. Dr Reddy’s Help Line 0800 21 22 23 Pharmadynamics Police &Trauma Line 0800 20…

Read More

With October being Mental Health Awareness Month, Grocott’s Mail spoke to The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG). SADAG is running a number of campaigns this month and offers constant free resources for those experiencing mental health issues.  “We are tackling mental health issues by talking openly, debunking myths and de-stigmatising mental illness every day this month,” said SADAG Press Liaison Kayla Phillips. “Follow SADAG’s online #WhatIf campaign for Mental Health Awareness Day throughout October. #WhatIf more people knew that there was help available before it was too late? #WhatIf people knew that Depression was a real medical illness…

Read More

October is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Makana is gearing up for Mental Health Awareness Week next week, culminating in World Mental Health Day on 10 October. Grocott’s Mail spoke to Mohamed Docrat, Pharmacy Manager for Makana Health Sub-District and Iain Reid, Head of Psychology at Fort England Hospital.  “Mental Health Awareness Week is important,” said Docrat. “Mental health at times is put on the ‘back burner’ due to competing demands. This week gives us an opportunity to bring it to the fore, highlighting the many challenges our communities face in regards to mental health.” “The aims of Mental Health Awareness Week…

Read More

Speaking to a psychologist for the first time can be intimidating, so we did it for you! In honour of Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked an expert common questions about mental health. Asha Dullabh is a Clinical Psychologist and Director of TherapySMART, a mental healthcare service with branches in both Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) and Cape Town. “It should not be considered as a character weakness, but rather a combination of symptoms of complex biological , psychological and sociological imbalances.  All of these aspects require attention and healing. People should be treated with the same respect, compassion and empathy as…

Read More

The evening of 25 September was spent with some of Rhodes University’s greenest of the green at the annual Environmental Awards. The awards serve to celebrate and honour individuals as well as student residences and societies who have gone above and beyond in promoting and practising environmental stewardship. This year’s prestigious winners were Post-Doctoral Scholar Dylan McGarry and gardening society, Common Ground.  The event was well attended by students and staff including speakers, professors Jo Dames and Hugo Nel. The event’s keynote address was given by Rhodes Safety, Health and Environmental Officer, Nikki Kohly. “The 2018 Environmental Awards panel adjudicated…

Read More

In August this year Grocott’s Mail reported on community uproar over the illegal harvesting of some of Grahamstown’s (Makhanda’s) wildflowers. We spoke to Makana Municipality’s Environmental Manager, Ndumiso Nongwe, who said he would make the issue of illegal harvesting a priority. This week we report good news: Makana has applied to the Department of Environment, Development and Economic Affairs (DEDEA) for permits to the Peppergrove flower sellers. In a letter to the Department dated 25 September, Nongwe wrote, “The Makana Local [Municipality] requests authorisation for the [sellers] to harvest from municipal commonage Protea cynaroides (the king protea), strelitzia, Arum lilies, Restio…

Read More