By Ayabonga Kosi Renowned South African musician and former Standard Bank Young Artist award winner Guy Buttery has returned to the National Arts Festival, where audiences are in for a treat. Buttery, who has been to many fests, shared his experiences of what he calls a uniquely magical place. Marvelling at the fact that not many festivals make it to 50 Buttery said when people spoke about going to the fest “they mean this one.” According to Buttery Makhanda become a special place during this time of year, showcasing the arts and adding a collaborative spirit to the city and…
Author: Anoka Latchmiah
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By Devon Koen From young to old, there is plenty to see at the National Arts Festival. Families are invited to enjoy heaps of entertainment with theatre productions aimed at children and young people. This year’s family programme promises to meet the expectations of little ones and their parents alike, with bumbling fools, magical quests and enchanting displays of fire on offer. Hopping in on the list of shows to watch, A Froggie Fairytale, on at the Victoria Theatre, sees two pompous characters stumbling and fumbling through a royal palace and its gardens. On their journey, they encounter various enchanted…
By Anoka Latchmiah Learners of St Mary’s Development and Care Centre (DCC) led a march at the weekend to mark Child Protection Week. The young learners were accompanied by their teachers, parents and community members, as well as partner organisation, Eluxolweni Child and Youth Care Centre. The St Mary’s DCC is an aftercare that offers extra literacy, psycho-social support and parent skills programmes. The organisation has 160 children enrolled, who range from ages 5 to 15. Annually, the DCC has a Child Protection Week event, focusing on the concerns facing children enrolled in the aftercare for that particular year. For…
By Anoka Latchmiah and Luvuyo Mjekula Up-and-coming Makhanda violin and cello players got the opportunity of a lifetime last week – they rubbed shoulders with their internationally renowned idols – the Soweto String Quartet (SSQ) – at the Joza Youth Hub (JYH). All four members of the award-winning band – Sandile Khemese, Thami Khemese, Makhosini Mnguni and Themba Mashobane – were at the JYH on Friday, playing and workshopping the group of learners from local schools. The band worked in collaboration with Access Music Project (AMP). Invested in the transformative power of music, AMP is a music education centre serving…
By Anoka Latchmiah With deteriorating supplies, Sasol has confirmed they will stop supplying natural gas to South African businesses in June 2026. This lack of energy will affect all South African industries, particularly small towns such as Makhanda. Carara Agro Processing is one such business that will be impacted by the impending gas shortage. Starting as a small group of individuals, Carara Agro now has two highly esteemed processing plants. This business supplies packaged goods across Southern Africa. As a result, it is one of the most significant contributors to the local economy. The economic sustenance that Carara Agro supplies…