Author: Anthea Garman

An open letter to government, international NGOs, academics, media professionals and civil society during the 16 Days of Activism Against Gendered Violence. This 16 Days, Quote This Woman+, an African feminist non-profit working for a gender-just media, calls on all thought-leaders and writers to exercise responsibility for the words, phrases, and acronyms they choose in this conversation. We refer in particular to the easy euphemisms and acronyms that dominate discourse which often replace, rather than refer back to, the full gamut of violences perpetrated. GBV, meaning Gender-Based Violence, VAWG, meaning Violence Against Women and Girls, and IPV, Intimate Partner Violence,…

Let it be clearly understood that the Speaker’s Office is an institution of council, not a tool for advancing personal or factional political interests. Any attempt to misuse official structures or access information for selfish political games is unacceptable and undermines the integrity of the institution. The ward committees exist to serve communities and strengthen participatory democracy — not to be manipulated for narrow political agendas. The Speaker’s Office will therefore not entertain or support any request that seeks to compromise that principle. This is against this background that Adv J.C. McConnachie has been consistent in calling for the dissolution…

By Staff Reporter The Makana Business Residents Association (MBRA) has turned to the High Court as a “last resort” to compel Makana Municipality to address the persistent issue of stray livestock roaming urban areas. This follows unsuccessful engagements with officials since January 2025. In its founding affidavit, the MBRA demands that the Municipal Manager and Executive Mayor submit a report within 30 days detailing steps taken to enforce bylaws on animal control. It also seeks a timeline for establishing a functional animal pound and proper management of municipal commonages and open spaces. Additionally, the group requests: Names of all users…

Sign language interpreters Pumza Sikumba and Khetha Mbatha from Izindaba Zethu and Iindaba Zethu, isiZulu and isiXhosa news bulletins, on DStv channel 163, powered by Newzroom Afrika, say their work goes beyond interpreting. It’s about creating access, amplifying voices, and ensuring deaf audiences receive the news in the language that speaks to them. South African Sign Language (SASL) is rich with regional and cultural variations, much like spoken languages. Having interpreters across different channels helps ensure that deaf viewers from diverse communities are represented and correctly signed to, making news truly inclusive. For Sikumba, interpreting for Iindaba Zethu is more than a job. “Every…

Samkelo Ntobeko Vukani Mngadi says he didn’t go after the convocation presidency to collect another title. He wants convocation to stop being a background structure and to become an active, useful part of Rhodes University life. Grocott’s Mail had a chat with Mngadi to find out what being the newly-elected convocation president means to him. Phila-Nathi Mapisa reports. “My vision is about visibility and making convocation an active space,” he told Grocott’s Mail. “A lot of young alumni don’t even know they have a voice after graduation.” Mngadi, who graduated from Rhodes with an MA in history in 2022 and…

By Tokologo Lekoma Women’s Month. A time where we’re supposed to remember 1956. When 20 000 women left their homes, marched to the Union Buildings, and stood in silence. Banding together was key to their fight against pass restrictions and a system that maintained women belonged at home. That stand was part of the momentum towards political freedom, but the reality is that 70 years later, millions of young South African women are desperate to escape poverty and the lack of choice associated with it.  Much of female entrepreneurship in South Africa is motivated by necessity. Millions of women are…

Was this your first festival? How many times have you been? And why do you keep coming back? This is my first time at the National Arts Festival. This is not my first time, I always come as I am local. This is my fourth time coming to the NAF, I keep coming back because I like festival and it’s the most artistic festival in South Africa. What (show) made you laugh? Preacher is the show that made me laugh, it’s about a corrupt preacher. What (show) made you cry? Captured in Silence made me cry, it is an emotional…

By Thubelihle Mathonsi and Ndalo Mbombo Alette Schoon is a busy person, so our meeting has been postponed twice. Finally, with a notebook full of questions, we walk to her office nervously, mostly because of our excitement. Her grey-walled office is decorated with several pieces of Pop art. The sun is shining behind her and she welcomes us with a smile, seemingly already filing through the memory tabs in her mind and heart. “My parents met in the mountains while hiking,” she says, and now one of her beloved hobbies is mountain biking. The two-wheel love was born alongside her…

by Karabo Matalajoe and Malebo Pheme  Masicule! 2025 was nothing short of an outstanding performance. This annual choral event, hosted by the National Arts Festival, brought together the amazing and soundful souls of the local choirs, celebrating and collaborating on beautiful songs throughout the evening with special guest Buhlebendalo Mda.  From the moment the first note filled the theatre, giving the audience goosebumps, the mass choir’s energetic performance set the tone for a lovely evening with students from schools all over the city. Collectively, they showcased passionate and very enjoyable performances.  Buhlebendalo commanded the stage with her deeply rooted spiritual…

Dalaa, a new South African social media platform, is gearing up for its official debut at the end of April. Before that, the platform invites developers, testers, and creators to register early at https://dalaa.io and play a role in refining this local social media application ahead of the launch. Dalaa will have text-based posts, real-time messaging, and multimedia sharing in a seamless local online community interface. Dalaa offers a monetization model with revenue-sharing features explicitly designed for content creators, influencers, and community media outlets. This is done by using ad revenue splits and premium content options. Built and hosted in…