Author: Kathryn Cleary

With elections within earshot, our reporters asked political parties with the most representation in Makhanda (Grahamstown) for their health manifestos. In other words, what are their policies on healthcare and what do they plan to change should they be elected. We approached the ANC, DA and EFF; the EFF failed to provide a response by the time of publication. ANC Health Manifesto Provided by Mthuthuzeli Matyumza, ANC Subregion Chair for Makana In our next term we will do the following on Health; implement a National Health Insurance to provide quality healthcare free at the point of use, improve [the] quality…

On Friday 26 April an eager group of Rhodes University workers launched a new worker’s union. The South African Liberated Public Sector Workers’ Union (Salipswu), founded at Rhodes, has declared themselves a non-politically aligned union and strives to return to the basic principles of revolution in the workplace. “We are an independent worker union, worker controlled for better conditions of service, safety and health standards and quality public service.” Salipswu is affiliated with the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), differing from another popular workers’ union at Rhodes, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), which is…

Eight hours from Makhanda (Grahamstown) deep in the rural former Transkei thrives a small garden project. Perched atop the lush and wild hillsides of Ingquza Hill near Flagstaff, the Wana Johnson Development Project has made a space for organic produce in a community of GMOs. Grocott’s Mail took a pit-stop at the garden, and left in awe of the inspiration, passion and promise that the project holds.  The founding  ‘green thumb’ of the project is that of former Johannesburg banker, Khaya Mposula. Having family history at Ingquza Hill, Mposula said she always wanted to come back to the area to farm. In…

Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle visited Makhanda (Grahamstown) on 17 April to lead a task team assessing progress in the municipality with drought intervention initiatives. This comes as more than R880 million has been distributed to various municipalities across the province, including R22 million for Makana’s water service infrastructure. Masualle had stern criticism for Makana, and called for urgent and immediate action. “If you have R20 to do everything, you have to work out what you can do with it. We can’t live beyond our means – we have to find creative ways to be self-reliant. We need the community…

Eastern Cape Premier Phumullo Masualle is in Makhanda (Grahamstown) today to lead a task team assessing progress in the municipality with drought intervention initiatives. This comes as more than R880 million has been distributed to various municipalities across the province, including R22 million for Makana’s water service infrastructure. “This follows a recent EXCO decision for Amatola water to assist the people of Makhanda. The Office of the Premier has also funded Amatola water for day to day operations to ensure continued water availability of water in the area,” the Premier’s spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, said in a media release yesterday afternoon. “The…

Tuesday 26 March saw over 20 children from Home of Joy enjoy a Fun Day at Hobbiton on Fairwood Nature Reserve in Makhanda (Grahamstown). The Fun Day was organised by LIV Lukhanyiso Grahamstown. LIV Lukhanyiso partnered with Karoo Catch to provide an exciting afternoon of outdoor games and activities for the children of Home of Joy. Mama Margaret Ngcangca has been running Home of Joy for 24 years, and provides love and care for orphaned children of all ages. Home is Joy is fully supported by the community and organisations like Lukhanyiso. Ngcangca said that Lukhanyiso often donated clothing and…

The Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding Centre tucked along the coast in Kleinemonde at Three Sisters Horse Trails offers much more to riders and horse lovers than meets the eye. At Healing Horses; loveable equines are the therapists, the volunteers like nursing sisters, and the riders are the patients. The Centre uses RDA (Riding Develops Abilities) therapy to heal and inspire differently-abled adults and children from the greater Port Alfred area. Working with an RDA coach; riding lessons work to improve riders’ fine motor skills, core strength, flexibility, social skills and confidence. On Saturday 30 March, Healing Horses hosted a fundraising…

On 26 March, two days after World TB Day, Tembisa Hospital in Johannesburg hosted Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi. This was in honour of the country’s official launch of the Lancet Commission Report on Tuberculosis (TB). The extensive report follows the United Nations General Assembly’s first-ever high-level meeting on TB in September 2018. Its launch signals a new hope for TB treatment and prevention in South Africa, but comes at a time where ongoing drought heightens risk in communities. Reportedly Makhanda has seen an estimated 100 new cases of TB since the beginning of the year and with rumours of Temba…

The Great Fish River Nature Reserve boasts a wealth of natural resources. From endemic flora and fauna, to untold stories of the area’s cultural heritage, secrets and surprises remain tucked away in the folds of the river valley. Grocott’s Mail visited the reserve as guests of the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) during an educational weekend, when we learned more about the park’s conservation successes and challenges. Solomon Lefoka is the reserve’s Conservation Manager; a true beacon of wisdom and hope when it comes to protecting and growing the park’s biodiversity. Before working at Great Fish, Lefoka spent…