Author: Grocott's Mail

By Linathi Nomntsetse Reddit’s Poetry recently hosted an open mic evening for a decent crowd of poetry lovers at Amazwi South African Museum of Literature. The hybrid session allowed those who could not attend physically to attend virtually. Online participants were based in Cape Town and Pretoria, while others attended from different countries, including Canada, France and Zimbabwe. Harry Owen, the founder of Reddit’s Poetry, was also in attendance. Crystal Warren, Amazwi Museum manager and one of Reddit’s poets, said their goal is to put together people who like poetry and give them a chance to share poetry. She also…

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By Migcobo Majali and Nondumiso Thwala On International Women’s Day, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane addressed business owners, professionals and academics at the Provincial Manifesto Engagement session, which was held at the Royal St Andrews Hotel in Port Alfred on 8 March. This event was also in preparation for the manifesto launch the following day. The event addressed pertinent issues regarding the province’s economic progress and development. In their 2024 manifesto, the ANC promises to invest in the country’s development in various ways to ensure economic growth. According to Mabuyane, various government projects aim to boost the province’s socioeconomic issues,…

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Stay in the loop with the latest and join the MEW WhatsApp group! POP-UPS/ FESTIVALS/ EXHIBITIONS/REPEAT EVENTS Thursday, 14 March – Thursday, 21 March Ubuhlanti: The Solution-Oriented Platform Experience There will be an exhibition and panel discussions from various collaborators. The platform experience will have a visual art installation showcasing various mediums such as painting, sculpture, print-making, performance, beadwork, and craft by our Makhanda-based artists. This will also be a networking opportunity for industry professionals, practitioners, and scholars to come together to exchange ideas and explore alternative modes of being. @ The Black Power Station, Industrial Area RSVP at your earliest convenience…

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By Farirai Dangwa Crucial. The first word that comes to mind when thinking of the upcoming 2024 national elections. As the general elections begin approaching, first-time voters are concerned about which way to lean regarding where their vote could be heading. Members making up the youth vote within Makhanda are caught between deciding which political party could cause the least damage to an already fragile state. Out of 27.7 million registered voters in the country, 2.8 million make up the youth vote between 18 and 29. The youth of Makhanda make up 8 254 of these youth votes. With South…

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By Staff Reporter Universities in South Africa are facing a challenging balancing act, having to do more, with fewer resources. That’s according to Professor Paul Maylam, who says while access to higher education for students is critical, questions also need to be asked about the viability of taking on large numbers of students, many of whom fail to complete their studies. Research has shown that at least 50 per cent of students at higher education institutions in South Africa drop out within their first year of studies. Maylam was the keynote speaker at a lecture at Rhodes University on Friday…

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By Azlan Makalima On Saturday, March 2, The Rap-Akademy, the dynamic Hip Hop show hosted by the charismatic duo Azlan Makalima and Shepxrd from Rhodes Music Radio, took centre stage at The Vic. This event, designed to be a platform for local rappers to showcase their talent and share their latest projects, proved to be an electrifying day for Makhanda’s Hip Hop scene. The carefully curated line-up featured some of the brightest talents in the local rap scene, each bringing a unique flavour to the stage. From the intense verses of Damage to the lyrical prowess of Excel Himself, the…

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By Phila-Nathi Mapisa, Ayabonga Kosi and Lincoln Morton In the heart of Makhanda, a small town grappling with the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fork and Dagger emerged as a beacon of hope for job seekers and diners alike. Part owner and manager Janine Harris recalls those early stages, saying, “Most restaurants were closing, and we were employing an opening, and we were working on menus and putting out ads and received thousands of applicants.” However, the restaurant faced unexpected hurdles as it aimed to redefine its identity and combat the prevailing perception of being a luxury establishment. Opening…

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Steven Lang A large image of the late Ayanda Kota looking out over mourners greeted new arrivals as they entered the hall of the Indoor Sports Centre in Joza on Saturday morning. His casket was in the centre of the hall during the moving funeral service that began at 9 am and concluded just after lunchtime. His photograph on stage showed a benign Ayanda Kota looking over those who had come to lament his passing as if he were still there, watching over and protecting his soldiers who fought shoulder-to-shoulder against inequality, capitalism and the patriarchy. Likhaya Ngandi was the…

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Stay in the loop with the latest and join the MEW WhatsApp group! POP-UPS/ FESTIVALS/ EXHIBITIONS/REPEAT EVENTS Sunday, 10 March & Monday, 11 March Masicule 2024 Join us as we celebrate 10 years of uniting Makhanda in Song! The National Arts Festival is delighted to welcome as our guest Artist Standard Bank Young Artist for Music 2023, Zoë Modiga @ Guy Butler Theatre, Monument, Makhanda Sunday at 18:00 | Monday at 19:00 Booking is essential for this one-of-a-kind event: https://bit.ly/Masicule2024. Total ticket price R60 | Concessions for Scholars, Students and Pensioners R40 Thursday, 14 March – Thursday, 21 March Ubuhlanti: The…

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By Farirai Dangwa and Andile Mfundisi On a warm Wednesday afternoon in Makhanda, we essentially barged in on Professor Paul Maylam to interview him about his upcoming lecture for the 120th anniversary of Rhodes University. With sincere energy, he graciously agreed to do an interview even though it was close to lunchtime. We were able to get a small glimpse into his illustrious history as, well, a historian. Paul Maylam is a decorated historian who has delved into the deep-rooted politics and the history of Rhodes University and apartheid South Africa. Upon walking into his research space, we were greeted…

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