Author: Lindani Donyeli

AVBOB  Mutual Assurance Society on Wednesday 16 May donated a container library to CM Vellem Lower Primary School. AVBOB staff were out in their numbers from different branches, including Group CEO from Pretoria, Frik Rademan. They joined parents, community members and  Ward Councillor Rami Xonxa to witness the handover. Rademan said they had selected CM Vellem from among four local schools which were were all in the running. “Once you can read, you have the chance to go to the next grade until you reach Matric,” Rademan said. The Department of Education encouraged reading by starting with a classroom library, he…

Grandpa Phakamile Khalipa does not like to see an empty space especially today when everything is so expensive. He started planting his yard last year and today, his veggies are saving him some bit of money which he can now use for other pressing needs. Khalipa confirmed that his land has been unused for many years, as he does not have the means to erect a big house. So decided to plant–sweet potatoes, chilies, peas, beetroot, Irish potatoes, spinach, cabbages and carrots.

Vukani residents finally got water Thursday 10 May after two dry days this week. The outage on Tuesday and Wednesday affected the entire area, with residents forced to fetch water some distance away, in A Street. Grandfather Gugile Bashe, one of those affected, was coming from a bathroom break in the bush because there was no water to flush his toilet. There wasn’t even water for children to wash. “The municipality used to inform us on time when such things are going to happen, I don’t know why they don’t,” said Bashe. Grandmother Zameka Mata said, “The thing of not…

The Department of Health recently conducted door to door visits and held a pop-up clinic in Vukani to mark TB Month. Residents were screened for blood pressure, HIV and TB, and those who wanted received condoms. Monica Mcuba is the Makana Subdistrict’s TB and HIV Coordinator and worked alongside enrolled nurse Gersshowon Max, Nomakhaya Mamba (Health Promotion), Yongama Titus (Health Promotion) and Celiwe Cewu (Sarah Baartman District HIV and TB Co-ordinator). The team provided information about listeriosis, advising that newborn babies, the elderly, pregnant women and unborn babies and those with underlying conditions such as HIV, diabetes, cancer, chronic liver or…

Classes have been back to normal at Eastcape Midlands College this week, following protests at the Grahamstown campus over discrepancies in the payment of National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) grants. Students, who have been protesting outside the College over the past two weeks said they were expecting the College administration to communicate NSFAS’s response to their grievances on Thursday 10 May. The student told Grocott’s Mail that late or non-payment of NSFAS grants meant students were behind in their rent to landlords. Other grievances included the claim that their courses, in particular the Hospitality course, had no practical component…

The baby found abandoned on the pavement of Milner Street on 5 April was taken to a safe place, following hospital checks, and the Department of Social Development is still looking for the boy child’s parents, according to spokesperson Mzukisi Matinise. A case of Child Abandonment was opened for investigation by the Grahamstown SAPS after the newborn baby was discovered. Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said a doctor from Settlers Hospital had been driving along Milner Street around 2pm that Thursday and noticed a group of women with a small baby. “He stopped and on enquiry he was informed that the mother…

Wednesday 18 April was a special day in Vukani, as the SPCA, Compulsory Community Service (CCS ) and Ikhala Vet Clinic came through to help residents with their dogs.  Animal Health officials have been concerned about an outbreak of Distemper Virus and Parvo Virus; as well as the usual cases of dog malnutrition and loss of hair. Residents were urged to contact a Vet or the SPCA as soon as they notice a problem with their animals. Dr Ashleigh Lemon a Veterinarian from CCS who graduated last year is working with the State Vet in George Street, from where…

Local Sevens rugby hero and Old Boy (OB) of Mary Waters High School old boy, Rosco Specman surprised the rugby team with a new kit that includes shorts and socks as part of a new sponsorship deal. The first XV traveled to Port Elizabeth shortly after the handover to show off their new kit on Saturday 21 April, and performed very well against difficult opposition. The kit comes as a sort of reward for the players, who recently became U18 champions of the Sarah Baartman Region. The team also represented the Eastern Cape in a recent provincial competition, coming third…

Gogo Khunjulwa Mangi loves gardening so much and believes in the power of vegetables. She stared her garden last year to “chase chase away hunger” as she is an unemployed mother.  She uses most of her free time in the garden. Mangi has planted, potatoes, onions, green paper and Zimbabwean spinach, which grows very tall. She uses tap water to water her garden (which she admits is not the best use of scarce Municipal water, but she has no tank to trap rainwater). Mangi would appreciate help with seeds or seedlings

Uitenhage-born Nceba Mgqolomba appears determined to nudge his employer, the Eastern Cape Film Festival to develop film as a way of making the Eastern Cape a top destination. The ECFF has started a learnership and internship programme to allow local young people who are interested in the film business to get some skills. “The student gets a stipend of R1500 per month for transport and at least get something to survive during the course,” Mgqolomba, who is the facilitator  of the learnership said, “The course [itself] is worth R55,000.” The course started in September last year and ends this August with successful…