By Aphiwe Ngowapi A momentous ruling emanated from the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court this week, putting an end to a legal battle that has gripped the local community for months and affording relief to four influential community members, their families and supporters. On Wednesday, 2 October, the court dropped all charges against Grahamstown Anti-Crime leaders Luyanda Sakata, 42, Mphithizeli Diko, 63, Xolisile Mlatsha, 54 and Vuyo Madinda,42, finding that the evidence presented against them was inconsistent and unreliable. Grocott’s Mail previously reported that Sakata, a former Makana Municipality ward councillor, Diko, Mlatsha and Madinda, were all charged with beating Siviwe Sajini,…
Author: Aphiwe Ngowapi
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By Aphiwe Ngowapi Rhodes University’s Eden Grove was the site of a crucial and timely discussion on sexual harassment, gender-based violence and consent within South African universities on Thursday evening. The talk, presented by the Office of Equity and Institutional Culture, the Political and International Studies Department and the Gender Action Forum, featured a panel presentation responding to the landmark case “S vs Coko” and a detailed report on ongoing issues of sexual violence in university settings. The discussion was facilitated by Prof Siphokazi Magadla, the Political & International Studies head of department at Rhodes, with guests Sibongile Ndashe, the…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi Makhanda is set to celebrate Women’s Day with a theatrical bang as production, Madam President Evelyn, returns to the Joza Indoor Sports Centre stage in Extension 6 today. First showcased during the 50th anniversary of the National Arts Festival this June, the satirical, dance-infused play has captured the imagination of audiences with its touching portrayal of Evelyn Peter, a domestic worker vying for the presidency in South Africa’s 2024 elections. Directed and written by Thumamna Sibhozo and choreographed by Likhaya Jack, the production draws inspiration from Jacklyn Cock’s 1980 seminal work, Maids & Madams, which exposed the…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi Rhodes University’s Politics Department hosted a compelling Nelson Mandela Public Lecture at Eden Grove on Thursday, 18 July. The event, celebrated for its intellectual rigor and poignant insights, featured a dynamic lecture by Prof. Nkiru Nzegwu titled “In a Season of Anomie: The Brilliant Leadership of Odogwu Aloisea Inyumba.” Dr. Cecilia Nedziwe, a senior lecturer at the department, chaired the subsequent discussion with discussants Tania Alomu and Sanele Ngezana. Welcoming the audience, Dr. Nedziwe mentioned, “Madiba’s birthday, at 106, comes at a time when we are celebrating and taking stock of South Africa’s 30 years of freedom…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi The collective: Imbumba Yeemboni, translating to “a collective of visionaries”, launched their initiative in Makhanda on Wednesday, 26 June. The launch was a vibrant celebration of the town’s rich history and cultural heritage. Imbumba Yeemboni intends to establish a multi-purpose center in Makhanda to meet the community’s needs by introducing recreational activities that connect locals and visitors with the marginalised heritage of the town. The event featured a comprehensive tour of significant local landmarks in the townships and outskirts of Makhanda, drawing a group of diverse participants including local organizations, community members, and youth. The tour was…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi The 2024 National Arts Festival in Makhanda is currently showcasing a powerful performance of “Sarafina!”, a musical that vividly brings to life the struggles faced by students during the 1976 Soweto uprising. Performed by a vibrant all-black cast from the Sonwa Sakuba Institute for the Performing Arts, this rendition of “Sarafina!” is both energetic and poignant, ensuring audiences experience a whirlwind of emotions from exuberance to deep sorrow. “Sarafina!” follows the story of a fictional class at Morris Isaacson High School, with a focus on a girl named Sarafina who inspires her classmates with her unwavering commitment…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi The Makhanda Kwantu Choir captivated audiences with their “The Offering (to our other selves)” performance at the Amazwi Museum on Monday, 24 June. Returning to the National Arts Festival, the beloved community choir presented a repertoire that deeply resonated with the human experience, exploring themes of othering, forgotten memories, and inner truths. The concert, held in the heart of Makhanda, aimed to transport the audience to the “deep shadows of lived experiences,” guiding them through places often overlooked but crucial in shaping our better selves. “The Offering” paid tribute to memories that long to be forgotten, emotions…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi Rhodes University proudly presents a captivating visual art exhibition titled “In Conversation: Four Decades of Artworks by Current and Former Staff of the Rhodes University Fine Art Department.” The exhibition will be held from 20 to 30 June at the Rhodes Fine Art Department’s main building on Somerset Street. It is curated by Dominic Thorburn, Maureen de Jager and Robyn Munnick. De Jager mentions: “It occurred to me – sometime into the process – that the three of us are separated in our appointment dates by exact 20-year intervals: 1982, 2002 and 2022.” This unique event is…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi A remarkable and thought-provoking photography exhibition, proudly sponsored by Lewatle Magazine and featuring Organic Live, recently graced the vibrant art scene at The Black Power Station on 27 and 28 October. The Black Power Station invite the exploration of Black creativity. This was the second edition of the Hairitage exhibition, a celebration and investigation of Black hair. Art enthusiasts were delighted with a captivating blend of visual art, live music, and documentary screening. The artist, Lithemba Nziweni, talks about the exhibition being, in part, a response to his experiences navigating his hair expression growing up. He said,…
By Aphiwe Ngowapi Senior Lecturer at Rhodes University’s Politics and International Relations Department and book author Dr Cecilia Lwiindi Nedziwe’s latest book titled, Transnational Activities of Women-Focused Civil Society Actors in Southern Africa, is co-authored by Dr Oluwaseun Tella from the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for the Future of Knowledge. The book was launched in September this year in the form of a panel discussion, which included discussants Prof Siphokazi Magadla and Refiloe Msibi at Rhodes University’s General Lecture Theatre. The debate was a convergence of scholarship, activism, and a burgeoning public interest in the role of civil society actors…