Author: Buhle Andisiwe Made

By Buhle Andisiwe Made The Carinus Art Centre hosted some imaginatively vivid art from leaders around the Makhanda area. For a period of eight days, a great deal of Victoria Girl’s High, Graeme College, PJ Olivier, Victoria Primary, Fikizolo Primary, Ntsika Secondary, and Nombulelo High youngers showed that they had mastered the art of interpretation. While browsing through the rooms of the art centre, viewers are captured by the sheer talent and detail expressed by the learners of the various schools. Exhibited over two levels, the fine art displayed is the property of Grade Four -12 pupils. Graded in their…

By Buhle Andisiwe Made Spirituality comes in different forms and with different practices. Many people choose to be spiritual – or not – as they please. On the other hand, African spirituality does not always give people an option to pick and choose as they please, because it is a gift that is bestowed onto some by their ancestors. This was one of the topics discussed in an intuitive conversation on “Navigating African Spirituality and Mental Health in the Higher Education living, working and learning context”, held by the Student Support and Development Division at Rhodes University on 22 September.…

By Buhle Andisiwe Made High-profile Methodist Church speakers including former presiding bishop and head of the All Africa Conference of Churches, Reverend Dr Mvumelwano Dandala, have paid tribute to Makhanda’s retired minister, Reverend Otto Nkululeko Ntshanyana, describing him as one of their own stalwarts and unsung heroes in the church. An elegant circuit fundraising gala dinner was held at the Monument in Makhanda on 9 September, filled with glitz and glam. It was a night for Methodist Church congregants to show up in style and dress for a cause. Dandala, his friend and former colleague was the keynote speaker and…

By Buhle Andisiwe Made Joza Location resident Lena Ngquse was born on 22 August 1918 and was celebrated by community members and family for reaching the 105 milestone in a grandiose fete. During her birthday celebrations, Ngquse said that she is experiencing changes in her body, which is older, worn and more tired, compared to her younger days. Although that may be “Ndiziva kamandi,” she says, reasoning that it could be because of being surrounded by loved ones and feeling blessed, especially being able to share her home with three generations of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. “Umzimbha awunahlaba,” she says. …

By Buhle Andisiwe Made On Saturday, 26 August, the Dakawa Community Arts Centre held its grand reopening. The Centre presented a dance-off and fashion show for the community. The event also showcased many items where the community members could engage through Art. The dances incorporated different styles, while the fashion runway comprised garments made from recycled materials such as paper and plastic. Old artwork like ceramics and paintings were on sale during the event, along with refreshments.

By Buhle Andisiwe Made Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) of 2023 hosted the second day of Leadership Week ahead of the SRC 2024 elections. The theme for Tuesday, 8 August, panel discussion was ‘Generational Mission’ with keynote Speaker, Honorable Mlibo Qoboshiyane, politician and Deputy Speaker of the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature.  The panellists for the day included: Dr. Siyabulela Mandela, regional project manager for East and Southern Africa at Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and writer; Dr. Ongama Mtimka, a lecturer and researcher at Nelson Mandela University and is executive chair of the South African Political Risk Institute; and, Dawn Mbatha,…

By Buhle Andisiwe Made DocLove and the Documentary Filmmakers’ Association are back again in Makhanda, and on 28 July screened the documentary film, One Take Grace by Lindiwe Matshikiza. Matshikiza, a former Rhodes University Drama student and a member of the Matshikiza family of writing and creative art luminaries, is now a filmmaker and creative. She chose the Rhodes University Theatre for the screening as it was the place where she developed her process-based creative practice. One Take Grace has stacked up international accolades since its release, including Winner of the Best International Feature in the 2022 Montreal International Documentary…

By Buhle Andisiwe Made She initially connected with Rhodes University in 2018 when she travelled from the United States of America to Makhanda. Howard University Professor Jennifer Thomas is back in the motherland to share her skills and expertise with Rhodes University students and lecturers as a Fulbright Specialist Fellow. This program allows scholars to travel to different parts of the world to share their knowledge and expertise. Thomas describes herself as compassionate, God-fearing, and loving – a journalist, storyteller, and professor. At a young age, her father motivated her to read and keep up with what was happening in…

By Buhle Andisiwe Made The people of KwaNonzwakazi township in Alicedale, 50 kilometres and one hour’s drive away from Makhanda, suffer from a lack of service delivery from the Makana Municipality. Their main grievances are the lack of water and electricity. The community’s appeals seem to go unnoticed by their municipality and residents are appealing for assistance. Pensioner Mzamo Eric Mboyi of the Nonzwakazi Township exclaims, “Sitsala nzima ngamanzi!” (we are struggling with water). Mboyi told Grocott’s Mail that the only time they have water is twice a week. He added that the municipality supplied the area with smaller Jojo…

By Buhle Andisiwe Made In an endeavour to commemorate former president Nelson Rolihlahla ‘Madiba’ Mandela and celebrate what would have been Madiba’s 105th birthday, third-year Rhodes University, Film and Television students launched ‘Centennials Reconceive Mandela’ on Mandela Day. The screening, at the Amazwi South African Museum of Literature auditorium, featured the 10-minute documentary shot in the villages of Qunu and Mvezo in the former Transkei. Madiba was born in Mvezo and later relocated to the village of Qunu as a youngster when his father was appointed chief of the community by the then King of Thembuland, Sabata kaDalindyebo. The centennial…