By Anelisa Centani In a world where diversity is celebrated and cultures intersect, the importance of multilingualism in higher education cannot be overstated. The School of African Languages, in collaboration with the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching, and Learning (CHERTL) at Rhodes University, hosted the Baqonde International Workshop on Multilingualism in Higher Education between 4 and 8 September at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature—the workshop aimed to introduce the use of indigenous languages in higher education settings. Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa from the University of KwaZulu Natal explained, “Baqonde is a collaborative project that seeks to boost the…
Author: Grocott's Mail
Read More
By Thandiwe Matyobeni and Phillip Nyalungu Whenever faced with systemic destitution lingering from oppressive political systems, such as monarchies, dictatorships, or capital-driven nation-states, the poor and working-class resort to informal economic activities to survive. These activities are what keep these communities alive, peaceful, and stable. Unemployment across South Africa is at an unprecedented high, resulting in many households relying on elderly, child, or disability social grants. Informal economic activity helps to supplement grants or, in some cases, help when social grants are not available. Informal activities of various kinds are the backbone of the economy, yet these communities are systematically…
By Geoff Embling, Ward Four councillor (DA) The Infrastructure portfolio meeting contained many of the same issues as previous infrastructure meetings, and a councillor noted that it was like attending the same meeting again and again. Roads, stormwater, sewage, water, and electricity have been allocated a minuscule proportion of funding from Makana Municipality’s budget. The procurement process used by Makana Municipality takes far too long and is not suitable for emergencies such as electricity outages and water pipe bursts. The water and sanitation team currently has one bakkie available, which is used for all the maintenance in Grahamstown East and…
By Staff Reporter Samuel Ntlebi Primary School reports that their learners participated in the IsiXhosa Spelling Bee competition on 8 September 2023 hosted by Rhodes University. Samuel Ntlebi Primary School said: “The girls represented us well. Congratulations to Ntombizandile Platjies and Imbasa Solwandle for making it through to the next round. We wish you well!”
By Sinalo Peyi Bathurst Location Community, located in the Eastern Cape, has been having problems with the water supply for many years, even before the location was expanded to include some surrounding residential areas. Bathurst has historically drawn water from the Golden Ridge Dam, the original source of water for the community. But in 2018 and 2019, with the severe drought that hit the Eastern Cape, including the Golden Ridge Dam and Bathurst, another source of water needed to be considered. The municipality responsible, Ndlambe Municipality, sourced water from the Lushington River as an emergency to recover from the drought.…
By Ovayo Milisa Novukela Sometimes, people know journalists as people with no mercy who tell hardcore news and events locally and nationally. For a change, I write this letter not as a journalist, a Rhodes University student, and a Makhanda community member. Last Thursday, you went to the Varsity Shield Promotion/Relegation game with a lot at stake, and you boys knew you played with pride, passion, dedication, commitment and sacrifice; you left everything on the field and to me, you played like stars, that game I was standing next to someone that I respect and admire a lot. I told…
By Ovayo Milisa Novukela On Thursday, 31 August, the Rhodes University Stallions faced IIE Varsity College in an all-important Varsity Shield Promotion or Relegation match at the Rhodes University Great Field. Rhodes University went into the match with convincing wins against the University of KwaZulu Natal and Nelson Mandela University, respectively, and were in sensational form. In contrast, IIE Varsity College won the University Sports South Africa C-Section Group convincingly at Durban this past July to earn them the position to play against Rhodes University Stallions. The Stallions started the match in a fast-paced and precise attack, applying the pressure…
By Staff Reporter Lamenting the most alarming of all man’s assaults on the environment, author of history-making bestseller, Silent Spring, Rachel Carson refers to chemicals as biocides, the sinister and little recognised partners of radiation in changing the very nature of the world and of life itself. Despite Carson’s warnings, the world still applies more than 3.5 million tonnes of pesticides for pest and weed control. The contamination of the environment by the injudicious overuse of chemicals, not only in the world that must support life but in living tissues of humans, Carson writes, is for the most part irrecoverable. The European Union’s Farm-to-Fork targets now…
Stay in the loop with the latest and join the MEW WhatsApp group! THIS WEEK THURSDAY 7 SEPTEMBER Grahamstown Bridge Club @ Grahamstown Bowling Club, African Street 13:15 for 13:30 Contact Sheila Hicks: 083 442 3322 R15 non-members | R10 members Thursday Pool Competition @ SSS Top Bar, 19b New Street 18:30 – 19:00 Contact Mike Theron: 082 477 3689 Free entry __ FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER Live Music with Lloyd and Leroy A night of jazz mixed with R&B @ Pothole & Donkey, 123 High Street 19:00 – 21:00 Contact: 0466222324 Free Entry Bring Down the House with Mr. Doo Deep house,…
By Lelethu Zono and Ntombentsha Yamiso According to Section 10 of the South African Constitution, everyone has the right to have their dignity respected and protected. However, this is not the case for over 1,300 families in the Makana Municipality region. Also, those who live in informal areas cannot fully exercise their constitutional rights because they continue to experience the strains of using pit toilets. Makhanda Action for Accountability (A4A) Media Fellows visited several affected areas in the township to get a closer look at this sanitation issue. N Street, situated in Tantyi Location, residents use bucket toilets and express…