Author: Sue Maclennan

Fifty Khutliso Daniels Secondary School pupils received academic achievement awards at the school assembly on Monday 15 April. Parents and grandparents – and even some of the teachers – shed tears of joy and pride as the top 10 pupils in each of grades 8-12 walked up to receive certificates and trophies sponsored by the Masiphumelele Family Support Centre. Many jumped up and on to the walkway of the school courtyard that served as a stage, and hugged and kissed their children. “This is in addition to our big end-of-the-year prizegiving,” said Principal Radio Mcuba. “We wanted to introduce something…

Gadra Matric School graduate Zolani Bethela is proud that his first job as a petrol attendant supported him on his path to graduating at Rhodes University this weekend. Grocott’s Mail reports. Rhodes University Chancellor Lex Mpati was among Zolani Bethela’s greatest inspirations as he made the decision to leave the forecourt of a Makhanda (Grahamstown) service station and take the first step towards the university degree he is receiving this week. One of 31 Gadra Matric School alumni who are graduating from Rhodes University this week, Bethela will walk on to the Monument stage on Saturday 13 April to receive…

The 2019 Rhodes University graduations this week see the triumph of 31 Gadra Matric School alumni who are attaining degrees or post-graduate qualifications. “These young people would have been at a dead-end after Grade 12 without the Gadra Matric School,” said the school’s manager, Ashley Westaway. “They are commended both for having used their year at GMS to get their tertiary study aspirations back on track and also having prepared themselves for the rigours of completing a degree at Rhodes University.” The students were supported while at Gadra Matric School (GMS) to improve their marks in selected National Senior Certificate…

Makhanda (Grahamstown) would collapse if people felt it was no longer safe to send their children to school and university here. Magistrate Tembela Mata said this, handing down judgment in the April 2018 kidnapping and robbery of a Rhodes University student. The student was unharmed; however, the sentence was a strong message that in Makhanda the courts will act on threats to the community’s social and economic health. Mata also reiterated his call for the return of specialised narcotics police. Regular rendezvous between students and their dagga supplier in the Makana Botanical Gardens, allegations of a detective’s vendetta, questions about…

Ngu: Chumani Gocini  uBhejula isiduko Ngumntwana wenu mawethu. The imbongi is complaining about the lack of support among the people. He can’t see kindness, love and peace. He encouraging people to bring back what is lost, that is to look at each other as brothers and sisters. Konakele phi nto zakowethu? Kwaphelela phi na? kwaphelela phi na? besikade sibambisana ngoxolo nothando Sisakhana ngentlonipho nobubele kodwa ngoku siyaphalazana Sisithi umntu ngumntu ngabantu buyaphi ubuntu bethu? Siphathisana ngembeko sisithi hlonipha uyihlo nonyoko ukuze uphile ubomi obude Kodwa namhlanje siwele iinduli sacanda namathafa sawela into zasemzini Sasizibiza ngamaRharhabe, amaGcaleka, amaMfengu kunye nabaThembu kodwa…

Commander of the South African Army Infantry Formation, Major General Rudzani Maphwanya, presented medals to 6SAI members at the 20 Years Service parade at the Army base on Thursday 4 April 2019. At the parade grounds, Officer Commanding 6 South African Infantry Battalion Lieutenant-Colonel MA Saki also welcomed several other guests of honour who ranged from Mayor of Makana Municipality, Mzukisi Mpahlwa, to Makhanda boxing star, All Africa welterweight champion Mziwoxolo ‘General’ Ndwayana. There were 28 recipients named for the Good Service Medal: 20 Years and 12 for the 10-year medal. Both recognise members of the full-time force who have…

Close to 100 people in the gallery in the High Court in Makhanda (Grahamstown) today clapped enthusiastically when the Ndlovu rhino-poaching gang were handed down sentences amounting to more than 400 years each today Wednesday 3 April 2019. Judge Jeremy Pickering ordered that the sentences run concurrently resulting in effective sentences of 25 years each for Jabulani Ndlovu, Forget Ndlovu and Sibusiso Ndlovu. A bid to appeal the conviction and sentence was dismissed. The men were convicted on Friday 15 March for 10 rhino poaching incidents around Makhanda as well as in Jansenville, Graaff Reinet and Cradock The incidents were…

The Department of Correctional Services says no hunger strike is under way at Waainek Correctional Facility in Makhanda (Grahamstown); however, a source claims that nearly a third of the facility’s inmates have refused both food and medication for two days, including antiretrovirals and TB medication. The main grievance of the inmates is reportedly that there is no parole board at Waainek and so there are prisoners who should have been considered for release on parole in the facility who need not be. Additional allegations were that the prisoners don’t receive enough food; there are no cleaning materials and that there is…

In the High Court in Makhanda (Grahamstown) on Thursday 28 March a senior Judge was putting Makana Municipality down for the full legal costs of an application to interdict Eskom from cutting power to the town while in the City Hall, politicians were voting to oppose a different High Court action for the Council to be dissolved and the municipality put under full administration. In a special council meeting in the Council Chamber on Thursday 28 March 2019, the ANC caucus vote outnumbered the DA and EFF’s opposition to Municipal Manager Moppo Mene’s recommendation to fight the Unemployed People’s Movement’s…

A cash services guard was treated for minor cuts on his head when armed robbers hit the Makana Finance Department in Makhanda (Grahamstown) around 9.30am on Thursday 28 March. Hi-Tec Security alongside police and traffic officers were soon out in full force securing three sites – the High Street offices of the Finance Department, the alley next to Colcade arcade, where a wheeled cash bag was dumped, and the corner of Speke and Henry streets, where one of two fleeing suspects was shot. Police Spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said two armed men had entered the front office of the Finance…