Author: Mzwamadoda Makalima

Grahamstown arts community suffered a tragic loss after the passing away of local Kwaito star, Siyanda Futhufuthu. Siyanda Kwaito, 33, was a multi-skilled individual emerging from Grahamstown. He has been into music from his childhood, starting off with friends at high school in 1997 and won several awards. He recorded his first debut single, Lomntana, in 2004 and got airplay on national radio station, Umhlobo Wenene, as well as local stations Radio Grahamstown and Rhodes Music Radio. In 2006, he won an award in the Grahamstown Universal Youth Group Talent Search. In the same year he won the Makana Municipality Music Competition and his…

There is good news and bad news for fans who have been looking forward to director and producer Lineo Sekeleoane’s much anticipated rom-com, ZULU WEDDING. It has been announced that the film, initially scheduled for release later this month, will now only premiere on 20 April 2018. But while moviegoers will have to hold out a little longer to see their favourite stars in action on the big screen, the team behind the film promises that the wait will be worth it. “While we were extremely excited about the February release date, several new ideas started to take shape in recent months…

Ntaba kaNdoda has long been considered by amaXhosa as a place of sanctuary, a revered place that became a symbol of the former Ciskei. The Ntaba kaNdoda Monument, which was officially opened on the 14th of August 1981, sits on this Mountain, an enigma for visitors and locals alike, and a symbol of unity for the pseudo-nationalities of the former Bantustan. Its existence cloaks the graves of long dead warriors buried on its grounds, as their stories wither from our collective memory.  The exhibition ‘Forgetting Ntaba kaNdoda’ explores notions of place, memory and memorialisation at the Ntaba kaNdoda Monument. I perform for…

On Saturday 3 February, Grahamstown praise-poet Akhona Mafani (whose stage name is Bhodlingqaka) held memorable poetry and Hip Hop event at Jabu’s Place in Vukani Location. Bhodlingqaka comes from a collective of poets called Imin’ esisdenge, who have been reciting poetry in and around Eastern Cape. He is a thought-provoking poet who left MEC Pammy Majodina in discomfort when he performed one of his political pieces during WordFest during the 2017 National Arts Festival. Previously, Bhodlingqaka shared the stage with well-known South African anti-apartheid activist, actress, storyteller, poet, playwright, director and author, Mam’ Gcina Mhlophe at Redisa Recognition Awards in…

The Summer Initiation Season has left behind 17 deaths throughout the Eastern Cape Province, although  the MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Fikile Xasa is relieved that numbers are on a three-year low.  According to a nine-year review by Xasa’s department, the following is the breakdown of circumcision-related deaths: Year                              Number of Deaths 1. December 2009                     36 initiates 2. December 2010                     21 initiates 3. December 2011   …

The monthly SPAR Valley Market will have a new summer home when it takes place at the chic, newly refurbished Donkin Village in Port Elizabeth on Saturday 2 February. Visitors will be able to make the most of the summer weather, enjoying sunny skies, beautiful sea views and the fare offered by a number of exciting artisanal food exhibitors at the village’s Heritage Square. The new inner city outdoor venue, which is accessed from Chapel Street (now renamed Winston Ntshona Street) and Constitution Hill, also offers ample space for families to roam and explore, as well as a new and improved kiddies’ area. “The larger Kids…

Two men were arrested and charged with dealing in dagga after a high-speed chase with police in Colchester. The chase ensued after SAPS officers attempted and failed to flag down a white VW Golf  for a routine check around 6.30am on the N2 to Kinkelbos police station. Ten minutes into the high-speed chase, the Golf swerved to avoid a collision with oncoming traffic at the N2 fuel station in Colchester. The driver lost control collided with a stationary truck. The suspects, men aged 37 and 26 were arrested for dealing in dagga after three large bales of the illegal plant…

The Shakespeare School’s Festival Grahamstown has invited schools to participate in their fourth annual Festival. The Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF) aims to improve language and social skills through the performing arts. Each year the festival encourages schools to perform abridged 30-minute versions of Shakespearean plays in their local theatres throughout the country. The Festival is an opportunity for youth seeking opportunities to explore their potential in a fun, developmental way. It offers high school and primary school students the opportunity to engage their education curriculum for the first time on a professional stage. This thrilling, non-competitive environment builds capacity, character and fosters an appreciation for the…

At the end of this introduction, you will find a link to a report evaluating Makana Municipality’s Service Delivery and Budget Implementation Plan (SDBIP) for 2017/18 against the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) for 2017- 2022. The report attempts to ascertain whether these documents meet the requirements for effective and accountable strategic planning that realistically gives priority to the needs of Makana residents. Arguably, the SDBIP for 2017/18 aligns to the IDP for 2017-2022 through responding to the needs of the Makana community identified in the IDP. It is difficult to assess the SMART-ness of the set targets, because they are not time-bound and puts their achievability in…

Archie Mbolekwa Primary School Principal Funani is confident that the school will not have many challenges during 2018, as stationary and other necessary school stuff have been delivered. His only fear is the growing number of pupils, which skews the ratio of teachers-pupils, especially Grade R. Funani strongly believes that the parents around the school area admire the school, as most are former pupils. “The Department of Education already arranged transport for learners who stay outside of Grahamstown and had already allocated the funds for the school maintenance,”  Funani said. Funani encouraged anyone who is able to lay a helping…