Author: Amahle Cele

By Amahle Cele The Makana Citizen’s Front (MCF) hosted a transformative skills and policy workshop recently, bringing together community members and key stakeholders to explore employment opportunities and essential skills for navigating the job market. The workshop’s aim was to equip individuals with essential skills and connecting them with employment opportunities. The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Department of Employment and Labour, to discuss various employment services available to the community. Lungile Mxube, the chairperson of the MCF, served as the programme director for the day, guiding discussions and highlighting the importance of collaboration between the…

By Amahle Cele A Rhodes University PhD student in Gaza faces unimaginable challenges amid the escalating conflict, struggling to secure safety and basic necessities for his family while reaching out for help and support. As the conflict in Gaza escalates, Rhodes student, Mohammed Alshannat, finds himself trapped in a nightmare. He shares harrowing experiences through a series of poignant WhatsApp messages directed to his supervisor, Dr. Ian Sieborger. With fear and uncertainty gripping his family, the student’s urgent pleas for help reveal the dire conditions they face. In a message dated October 10, Alshannat expressed his deep fears, saying, “I…

By Amahle Cele Ntombozuko Matiwana, affectionately known as Twiggy, is a filmmaker whose roots run deep in the vibrant community of Makhanda. Born and raised in this culturally rich town, Matiwana’s passion for storytelling blossomed early, performing short stories at her local church. Her love for the craft propelled her to pursue formal studies in filmmaking, setting her on a path that would lead to remarkable opportunities in the industry. Matiwana has contributed her talents to acclaimed TV productions including Home Affairs, Scandal, Skeem Saam and The Queen. Her body of work often tackles significant themes such as justice, identity, and…

By Amahle Cele Rhodes University marked a historic occasion as it hosted the first-ever Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture on its campus on Wednesday, coinciding with the university’s 120th anniversary. The event, held at the Drama Department’s Main Theatre, was a significant moment for reflection and dialogue on South Africa’s democratic journey and ongoing efforts towards equality. The lecture series, established to honor Dr. Beyers Naudé, a revered anti-apartheid activist and founding patron of Kagiso Trust, aims to foster critical conversations about racial equality and justice. This year’s theme, “Building a Nation Together: Reflections from the People,” explored South Africa’s progress…

By Amahle Cele The Makana Citizens Front (MCF) says if the water crisis is to be alleviated and other crises such as corruption eradicated in the Makana Municipality, local citizens must stand up and voice their concerns. MCF chairperson, Lungile Mxube, stressed the urgency of citizen involvement. “We need the people of Makana to stand up and voice their concerns. Our community’s strength lies in its collective action,” Mxube asserted. His remarks underscored the importance of direct engagement between residents and their representatives. Mxube was speaking at the organisation’s public meeting at the Recreation Hall on Tuesday. Other MCF’s leadership…

By Amahle Cele In a bid to revive rural economies, the Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA) held a meeting at City Hall on 4 September to highlight its rural finance program. The program provides loans to rural entrepreneurs to ignite economic activity and job creation in underdeveloped regions. The ECRDA wants to drive socio-economic progress and opportunity in the province’s most disadvantaged areas by offering financial support where traditional lenders fall short. The agency has also spearheaded the growth of the wool and mohair industry to enhance income and value for small-scale producers. With the province’s ideal grazing conditions…

By Amahle Cele, Nothando Yolanda Tshuma and Luvuyo Mjekula Rhodes University this week called on the Makana Municipality to restore the higher education institution’s complete and immediate reliable water supply, to its entire campus, warning against the compromise of human rights. “Water, sanitation and hygiene are crucial to the health and well-being of our students, staff and visitors. Rhodes University will not allow the human rights of our stakeholders to be compromised without consequences,” the Communication and Advancement Division said in a statement on Monday. Having suspended its academic programme last week due to severe water shortages, the university resumed…

By Amahle Cele, Khanyisa Khenese and Luvuyo Mjekula Makana Municipality is not in a position to pay its workers overtime wages, and until they find the money, the water and electricity challenges plaguing Makhanda will continue. Municipal manager Pumelelo Kate made these admissions in an interview with Grocott’s Mail this week. To honour their financial obligations, Makana management is planning to go back to the drawing board – ramp up its revenue collection, Kate said. Kate said the municipality had instructed the chief financial officer (CFO) “to ensure we collect money as quickly as possible so that we pay the…

By Amahle Cele Every Wednesday and Friday, a group of local women take to the mats for an empowering session of karate and boxing classes at St Mary’s DCC. Instructor Mzwandile Matebese, who runs Joza Karate Club, said the classes celebrate the strength of women during Women’s Month. He said the club aimed to spread self-defense skills throughout the community, especially among women, who are often victims of violence. “As a country, we live in dangerous situations, and it is my objective to teach self defense to anyone who is willing to learn,” he said. For event organizer, Olwethu Kota,…

By Amahle Cele A spirit of collaboration and community was displayed at Rhodes University on 2 August, as the Student Representative Council (SRC) held the Blend Bazaar, a market day designed to promote local economic growth. The event at Rhodes’s Drosty Lawns brought together diverse local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and student entrepreneurs to showcase their products and services. The Blend Bazaar was a lively and colourful event, with stalls offering everything from handmade jewellery and fashion to locally sourced food and artisanal goods. The event attracted many students, faculty, and community members, who browsed the stalls and chatted…