The 2018 St Andrew’s College Matrics achieved a 100% pass rate, and all the boys have qualified to study at tertiary level for degree (96%) or diploma (4%) courses. The 103 College boys who wrote the exam achieved a total of 153 subject distinctions. 11 514 candidates wrote the National Senior Certificate through the IEB this year with a 98,92% pass rate nationally. Daniel Erasmus, from Port Elizabeth, achieved eight distinctions (7 IEB distinctions and one A Level distinction). “Daniel’s incisive mind, sporting and cultural prowess and achievements, and his ability to organise his time in order to pack as much productive…
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The Kingswood College Matric Class of 2018 achieved a 100% pass rate and 138 distinctions were obtained. The top 10 pupils of 2018 gathered a total of 52 distinctions. The Kingswood College Deputy Head Girl for 2018, Tami Labuschagne, achieved an 88% overall average. Tami, who hails from Somerset West, has obtained seven distinctions for all of her subjects. In 2019, Tami will register for a BSc degree at the University of Stellenbosch. Asked where she sees herself in five years, she said, “I have learnt that life is too short to be planning too far into the future. I…
On the eve of the Day of Reconciliation, Minister of the NG Kerk in Makhanda (Grahamstown) Strauss de Jager shares the vow for peace that the congregation will be renewing at the church’s 16 December 2018 service. “It’s a commitment which might grow into a vow,” he explained this week. “In 1992 I called for a new vow, for peace. I believe it was appropriate for that time, and it is still very necessary today.” VERBINTENIS TOT VERSOENING EN VREDE Ons verbind onsself daartoe om: Getrou te bid dat God aan ons land en al haar mense die gawe van vrede…
The Sentinels: Cranes of South Africa HPH Publishing (November 2018) RRP: R790 In September 2013, photographer Daniel Dolpire set off on a passion-driven odyssey that would consume the next five years of his life. The Sentinels: Cranes of South Africa is the culmination of that epic journey. South Africa supports three crane species. The courtly Blue Crane occurs virtually nowhere else in the world and is the country’s national bird. The majestic Wattled Crane is among the most endangered birds in South Africa. The ornate Grey Crowned Crane is one of the most beautiful birds on earth but, worryingly, it…
Lori-Ann Preston says it’s the responses of her young readers (and sometimes their teachers!) that motivates her to keep writing. Preston was recently in town to launch the fun, wacky and relevant Thabo the Space Dude and did a reading tour of several Makhanda (Grahamstown) schools. Poor Thabo is horrified when his so-called ‘loving’ parents inform him that his family is moving to Mars! Could his life get any worse? Apparently so, since his parents are forcing him to document his last days on Earth in this log book. Will he survive Mars Boot Camp? Will he be able to smuggle his…
By the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM) The two main departments responsible for crucial Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes in the Eastern Cape – the Department of Education and the Department of Social Development – have both been negatively affected by underspent budgets. On 22 November, the Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Sakhumzi Somyo, tabled the 2018 Adjusted Estimates of the Provincial Revenue and Expenditure, the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement and the 2018 Adjusted Appropriation Bill. He announced that the Eastern Cape Department of Education’s (ECDoE) Grade R in Public Schools sub-programme underspent by R72.8-million in the 2017/18 financial year.…
Babies born to moms with HIV face higher risks even though they’re HIV negative, write AMY SLOGROVE, KATHLEEN M POWIS AND MARY-ANN DAVIES One of the most remarkable public health successes of the last decade in southern Africa has been the reduction in the number of babies born with HIV. This was achieved through the provision of antiretroviral therapy to pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV. For example, the number of new HIV infections in children in South Africa has come down from a peak of 70 000 in 2003 to 13 000 in 2017. Nevertheless, worldwide there are still an…
Once again Ntsika Secondary School staff put all hands on deck to prepare a memorable occasion for learners who might not be able to celebrate Christmas like so many of their peers do. “We try to approach different funders every year as we know how many demands are placed on local businesses. This time we thank, Intercape, our families and friends, for their generosity.” Handing over the gift bags with toiletries is Thembela Dumbu, one of the longest serving teachers at Ntsika. She will be retiring at the end of the year, but we know she will continue to play…
There will be no stop-and-go sections on the R72, section 3, between Port Alfred and Great Fish River in the Eastern Cape, from 13 December until 9 January next year, SANRAL has announced. The project, which was started in March 2015 is expected to finish in May next year and comprise the major rehabilitation of the R72 Section 3 and is located between Port Alfred at km -1.30 and the Great Fish River at km 27.50. “This upgrade includes the construction of two 3.7-metre driving lanes, with auxiliary (climbing) lanes, and a surfaced shoulder on both sides of the new road. The…
The National Consumer Commission (NCC) has released the much-awaited report into the inquiry on consumer complaints on timeshare, which has called for a revised regulatory framework. The NCC – which is the chief regulator of consumer-business interaction in South Africa – briefed reporters at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) head office in Tshwane on Thursday. In May 2017, the NCC announced the appointment of a three-member inquiry panel to look into the root causes of consumer complaints in the timeshare industry. At the time of the announcement of the panel, the commission said it viewed consumer complaints about…