Author: Kathryn Cleary

WATCH: As part of our ongoing water crisis coverage; our team investigates Riebeeck East. Read more in this week’s edition, not to be missed!

Cars whizz by on the R72 as people wait anxiously in line to fill their buckets with fresh water from the Fairview spring in Makhanda (Grahamstown). The natural spring has provided fresh water for residents since the 1860s when British engineers constructed a pipe making the water available for human use. As the Eastern Cape sinks deeper into drought, the spring is some residents’ only reprieve. Monday afternoon, 14 January, beads of sweat lined the brows of residents queued for the cool fresh water. The line of containers stretched from the water’s spout to the small parking area. Frustrated residents…

Update #12 Final try for the evening by Cheetahs 18 Luan De Bruin, converted by 23 Louis Fouche making the match a final score 24-17, Cheetahs. Update #11 Kings awarded penalty try, yellowcard awarded to Cheetahs 18 Luan De Bruin 17-17 Update #10 Cheetahs awarded penalty, converted by 13 Benhard Janse Van Rensburg 10-17 Cheetahs Update #9 Kings awarded penalty, converted by 15 Banda. 10-14 Cheetahs Update #8 Cheetahs come back with a try, 7 Junior Pokomela, converted by 10 Schoeman. 7-14 Cheetahs Update #7 Kings score at 42 minutes into the match, try made by 10 Ntabeni Dukisa, converted…

December 2015, the Palliative Care Unit (PCU) at Settlers Hospital in Makhanda (Grahamstown) closed its doors to some of the community’s most vulnerable residents. The PCU opened in 2006 as a collaborative effort between Grahamstown Hospice, Rotary and Settlers Hospital, with additional funding provided by FNB. The 10-bed ward provided specialised care for patients with life-threatening conditions such as HIV/Aids and terminal cancer. “I would say 80 percent of our patients were HIV,” said Erica Gornall, a professional nurse who worked in the PCU from 2006 through 2015. “It wasn’t a palliative care looking after the elderly people: we were…

The Eluxolweni boys shone with excitement on Thursday morning as eight of their number received prestigious Bronze and Silver President’s Awards. Jane Bradshaw, Principal of the Eluxolweni Child and Adult Care Centre, beamed with pride as she lauded the boys’ many outstanding achievements for 2018. This was the final week of the school year for the boys, ending with a Friday beach trip and braai. The boys will return home Monday 3 December, each with food parcels for their families. The awards ceremony was well-attended by staff, community members and supporters of Eluxolweni and culminated in a celebratory feast of…

In 2010, local environmentalist Nikki Kohly made the decision to go waterless, by purchasing a SANIX E-Loo. Not only does the eco-friendly system operate without water, but separates liquids and solids into separate chambers, aiding in their natural decomposition. Kohly says that the liquid can be diluted and works as an excellent natural fertiliser. “Lemon trees love wee!” exclaimed Kohly. “You’ll find a lot of people in [Makhanda] are secretly going out at night and peeing on their lemon trees!” she said with a smile. The solids are dehydrated through a ventilation system until becoming a fine ash-like powder. The…

Nature is calling, and it’s time to talk. World Toilet Day was celebrated on 19 November as part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal to ensure safe toilets for all by 2030. According to the UN, roughly 4.5 billion people across the world are living without access to safe toilet facilities. World Toilet Day is about re-thinking approaches to sanitation to make the world safer and more sustainable. From porcelain thrones, to squatty potties and pit latrines; it’s time to cut the c**p and talk toilets. Here in Makhanda (Grahamstown), toilet talk is nothing new. Two weeks ago the…

A community member is asking questions following the abrupt closure of the creche at Fort England hospital. The source stated the creche was to close at the end of 2017 to be converted into office spaces. Reportedly more than 35 children were in attendance, and the facility was used by both hospital staff and community members. The source emphasised concern for the children and families who formerly used the facility, and seeks answers behind the closure. Department of Health Provincial spokesperson Lwandile Sicwetsha said that the creche was closed in December 2015. Reasons for the closure were stated by the…

What happens when an artist and a historian join forces? Pure brilliance. Within the past year, two of Makhanda’s (Grahamstown’s) museums have taken on new curators for their priceless collections of artefacts, archives and artwork. Together, Zekhaya Gxotelwa and Gcobisa Zomelele are bringing a new vibrancy to Makhanda’s(Grahamstown’s) history. In June, Gxotelwa was appointed as the new curator for the Observatory Museum in Bathurst Street. Though the museum is still under construction, Gxotelwa stays busy getting to know the museum’s collection; boxes and boxes of old jewellery, household items, and archaic scientific instruments. Before moving to…

In a media release issued on 7 November the Department of Health stated it had reached an agreement with unions representing emergency medical services (EMS) workers in the province to end their work stoppage and return to work.  “The illegal strike commenced Friday last week and impacted on operations leading to the stop of operations at ambulance bases,” stated the release. “The department activated its contingency plans to ensure that ambulance users were able to access emergency services and be transported to health facilities. The workers had embarked on a strike that the department said was illegal, citing non-payment of…