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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By Staff Reporter A new trans-Atlantic podcast is building storytelling connections between learners at Ntsika and Nyaluza High Schools in Makhanda and ITC High School in Syracuse, New York. The podcast, ‘Connecting Communities’, explores issues from youth perspectives rooted in lived experiences in South Africa and the USA. On Tuesday, 27 February, the learners exchanged their motivations for the study and career paths they hope to pursue. Inkululeko’s Nosi Dosi said the podcast allows learners to amplify voices from their communities while gaining media skills. “By sharing each other’s stories, we hope to inspire positive change from within,” she said.…
By Staff Reporter This week, Kingswood College announced the exciting news of their landmark solar project launched to mitigate reliance on the national grid, reducing electricity costs for the school and minimizing the school’s carbon footprint. The R12 million project will see in excess of 730 555-watt solar panels and two large-scale lithium batteries (480 kWh) with an inverter system installed on campus in 2024, with the ultimate goal of reducing reliance on the nation, providing a stable source of electricity to the campus. The ‘hybrid’ system means Kingswood will be able to switch between energy sources (solar, battery, generator…
Stay in the loop with the latest and join the MEW WhatsApp group! POP-UPS/ FESTIVALS/ EXHIBITIONS/REPEAT EVENTS Friday, 1 – Saturday, 2 March Table Too Mexican Evening A delicious spread of Mexican food including a Tostada (crispy tortilla stacked with chorizo in a rich tomato sauce, guacamole, cheddar, feta and sour cream, Chicken in a Molé sauce of roasted chillies, almonds, chocolate, cinnamon and raisins with rice and Salad Rosaura (red cabbage, pineapple, spinach, beetroot, macadamia nuts in a creamy feta dressing), Caramel custard flan with orange rind and port. Vegetarian option: Vegetarian enchilada. @ 16 Donkin Street 19:30 for 20:00 For…
Steven Lang reviews The Woodpecker Mystery – The Inevitability of the Improbable, a non-fiction book by Nick Norman. They say you should never judge a book by its cover – but quite frankly, that’s not natural. Why do we pick up a book in a bookstore if it is not because the cover caught our attention? Of course, we don’t judge the whole book by its cover, but it is the cover that often guides us on whether to purchase and read it. “The Woodpecker Mystery – The Inevitability of the Improbable” has an intriguing cover that inexorably draws you…
By Loyiso Dyongman and GroundUp Staff Ayanda Kota, who founded the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) in 2009, has died of cancer. He was born in Grahamstown in 1976, now Makhanda, and died here. It was in Makhanda and Cape Town that he dedicated his life to fighting for the rights of poor people. He went to Nombulelo Secondary School in Makhanda’s Joza location. At the age of 15 he joined the Black Consciousness Movement, which Steve Biko had started in the 1970s. In 1995 he was elected chairperson of the Azanian Student Movement in Cape Town. In 2014, Kota wrote an opinion piece for GroundUp…
By Jackie Clausen Congratulations to Kingswood College athletes who won medals at the Sarah Baartman districts trials and will be going through to the Provincial trials in Queenstown next weekend. Baelien Hubert won Gold for the 400m in a time of 52.64 seconds. Kwakho Mzizi won Gold for the 100m in a time of 10.41 seconds and Silver for the 200m in a time of 22.2. Liyema Katikati won Bronze for his High Jump of 1.70m.
By Staff Reporter It’s official – 29 May is the day South Africans will cast their votes in the 2024 national and provincial elections. President Cyril Ramaphosa finally made the highly anticipated announcement this week. The president set the date in accordance with section 49 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, read with section 17 of the Electoral Act of 1998, determined 29 May 2024. In line with section 17(2) of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, the president has also consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the election date. According to a media…
By Staff Reporter The hunt is on for Makhanda’s best teachers and educational leaders. The inaugural Makhanda Teacher Awards honour exceptional individuals for their outstanding contribution to public education in the city. Each substantial award will go directly into the pockets of local educators. Gadra Education research and communications manager Kelly Long said the awards had been made possible by funding from the Kavod Trust. “This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the hard-working, passionate teachers making a positive daily impact in the lives of Makhanda’s youth,” Long said. Nominations are open for individuals currently employed at a public school…
Stay in the loop with the latest and join the MEW WhatsApp group! POP-UPS/ FESTIVALS/ EXHIBITIONS/REPEAT EVENTS Wednesday, 28 & Thursday 29, February SARS Assistance with Tax Returns SARS will be in Makhanda to assist you with tax returns, supporting document submissions, and general enquiries. Please bring your identity document, proof of income – all IRP5/IT3 (a) and IT3 (b) certificates, proof of deductions, E-Filing username & password, and a smartphone/laptop/tablet (if using digital channels). @ Grahamstown Town Hall (Municipal offices near Birches) 08:00 – 16:00 Free entry THIS WEEK THURSDAY, 22 FEBRUARY U3A This week’s speaker will be Dr. Ron Cosser,…