Perhaps we ought to thank Justice Minister Jeff Radebe for promoting unity in Grahamstown. After all, it is
probably the first time that practically all the business leaders, politicians, church leaders and academics of Makana Municipality have agreed on anything.
Perhaps we ought to thank Justice Minister Jeff Radebe for promoting unity in Grahamstown. After all, it is
probably the first time that practically all the business leaders, politicians, church leaders and academics of Makana Municipality have agreed on anything.
That would of course be facetious, but it is nevertheless remarkable how a diverse group of people, such as on the cover of this newspaper, can come together and instantly agree on a vitally important issue.
The issue we are talking about is, of course, Radebe’s bizarre plan to move the seat of the High Court from Grahamstown to Bhisho.
Not surprisingly, the legal fraternity has taken the lead in the Grahamstown High Court Action Committee by driving a campaign to send protest letters to the Justice Minister (See Page Seven).
Many community leaders have responded to the committee’s calls and sent well thought out letters expressing their concerns to the minister.
Nine of these same leaders responded positively when we asked them to come out on to the steps of the High Court for a photo shoot.
Many other leaders representing the municipality, the arts and business sectors indicated their willingness to stand up and be photographed, but due to scheduling and logistical problems they were not able to participate in this symbolic gesture showing unity in the face of an unpopular decision.
Striving for impartiality and balance, this newspaper does not usually take a stand on issues such as this. For example, we did not take a stand on the Grahamstown name change dispute, nor have we thrown in our lot with either side of the wind farm debate; but we do wish to make it clear that Grocott’s Mail fully supports the campaign to keep the seat of the High Court in Grahamstown.
We are against the move because it is a waste of money in a poor province. We believe that instead of throwing money away fixing something that doesn’t need fixing government should rather spend its vast resources on revamping the wretched education system that it currently administers.
