President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the establishment of the Human Settlements Development Bank as the country seeks to accelerate the delivery of housing. Delivering the 2019 State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Parliament, the President said if the South African government is to effectively address the substantial housing backlog, models of financing human settlements needed to be developed. He said the Human Settlements Development Bank will leverage both public and private sector financing to aid in housing delivery. “We will also be expanding the People’s Housing Programme, where households are allocated serviced stands to build their own houses, either…
Author: Staff Reporter
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Accelerating inclusive economic growth and improving the education system are among some of the urgent tasks that President Cyril Ramaphosa has set as government’s work for the year ahead. The President made this announcement when he delivered his State of the Nation Address in the National Assembly on Thursday evening. He said the five steps, which will underpin all that government does in the year ahead, will include: Accelerating inclusive economic growth and creating jobs; Improving the education system and developing the skills that are needed; Improving the conditions of life for all South Africans, especially the poor; Intensifying the…
South Africans will go to the polls for the sixth general elections on May 8. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced this in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday night. “This is an opportunity for our people to exercise their hard-won right to determine the direction of this country,” the President said in a joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. The President has already met the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), which has started with its preparations. The total number of registered voters on the voters’ roll currently stands at 26 727 921 following the last voter…
This explanation by Matthew Weaver of the relationship between the catchment and our water supply was first published as part of a supplement focusing on conserving our water in March 2018. We republish it now to help our readers understand why, despite the welcome rain we have experienced in Makhanda (Grahamstown) in the past week, our supply dams remain low. By MATTHEW WEAVER What is a catchment? A catchment is all land where water falls and flows downhill, draining into a river or stream. Everyone lives in a catchment. Grahamstown relies on two bulk water supply systems, the Eastern and…
“When your come to Rhodes, you don’t get a course, you get involved,’ were the words of a graduating student in 2018. At his inaugural address in 2015, Vice Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela fundamentally repositioned the University to become relevant and connected with Makanda/Grahamstown. He committed the university to being responsive to our local community and to work in partnerships across the city to build a new and inclusive society, one in which we could all prosper. At the heart of this promise is an active student body who have shown deep commitment to transforming sectors of the community, one…
Before taking on a pet,please think carefully about this. What will become of this animal once you finish studying? Will your landlords allow animals? Should you decide to adopt an animal,consider SPCA as our adoption fee includes sterilisation and the necessary vaccinations. Note that follow up vaccinations or any future attention will need to be carried out by a private veterinarian. Can you afford this? Make sure your animals always have fresh water and are fed regularly. Dogs need walking regularly. Animals bedding should be washed regularly and it is advisable to treat them for fleas etc Taking on an…
Police on Sunday 3 February retrieved 51 bags of dagga from a chemicals transportation tank outside Makhanda (Grahamstown). South African Police Service spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said Grahamstown police were patrolling on the N2 in the Waainek area west of Makhanda when they noticed a white Isuzu bakkie with a diesel storage tank on the back of a trailer. “It was flashing an orange emergency light and travelling at a high speed,” Govender said. The officers became suspicious and decided to stop the vehicle. On questioning the driver on the contents in the tank, he said it was empty, but…
The Oldenburgia Hiking Club is a friendly social hiking club that offers one day and one weekend hike every month if possible, as well as at least one multi-day hike every year. Day hikes are open to the public as well as members. All are welcome and the club endeavours to organise a range of hikes to suit a variety of abilities and interests. Further information and membership details can be found at https://sites.google.com/a/4r.co.za/ohc/. See also their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/oldenburgiahikingclub/ or to contact the club directly, email: oldenburgiahikingclub@gmail.com
You are warmly invited to join us for Reddits Poetry, the monthly open-floor event that celebrates poetry, spoken word and occasional music. Now in its eleventh year and hosted by Harry Owen, Reddits Poetry has become a Grahamstown institution, friendly, welcoming and inclusive of many different styles, voices and languages. It takes place on the last Friday of each month (except December), the next evening being on Friday 22 February 2019. Snacks and refreshments are available to purchase. Venue: Café D’Vine, 31 New Street Start: 6pm for 6.30pm Finish: 8.30pm Entry: Free Please come – and bring your…
By LINDA DYANI What we have in store for you Discover our Natural World View the unusual Earth in Space exhibition with a Foucault pendulum and examples of real meteorites.Visit our fascinating dinosaur gallery which exhibits the Fossil Heritage of the Eastern Cape and includes replicas of dinosaurs and their footprints. Visit the Hall of Birds and Mammal Galleries and our ever popular Children’s Wildlife Gallery with Charlie the Chimpanzee. The Dr Hewitt Gallery contains the skull of Jack, the Baboon who worked as a signalman in the 19th century! Stand in wonder at the large Japanese spider-crab and giant…