Author: Chalotte Mokonyane

By Chalotte Mokonyane A critical borehole installed by Gift of the Givers to combat Makhanda’s water crisis in 2019 on the property of the Ntsika Senior Secondary School has been extensively vandalised, cutting off a primary water source for the surrounding communities. The humanitarian group’s project manager, Ali Sablay, said that contractors discovered the damage during a June checkup and reported that all the electrical cables and switches had been stolen. The borehole supplied water to Khayalisha, Nkanini, Joza, Ghost Town, Vergenoeg and served as the main filling station for water tankers in this areas. The vandalism has had a…

By Chalotte Mokonyane The College of the Transfiguration, a cornerstone of theological education in Southern Africa, recently celebrated its Feast of Title, marking 32 years of ministerial training and theological education. The event drew alums, current students, and faculty together to reflect on the college’s history and its mission of spiritual formation and community engagement. Reverend Canon, Dr Percy Chinganga, Rector and Principal of the college, explained the name’s significance. It’s rooted in the biblical narrative where Jesus takes three disciples up a mountain and is transfigured, revealing his divine nature. The experience affirmed Jesus’s ministry and his followers’ role,…

By Chalotte Mokonyane Rhodes University’s School of Journalism recently hosted a powerful screening of the documentary Gaza Journalists Under Fire, a film shedding light on the perilous reality journalists face in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict. The event in Makhanda aimed to ignite crucial conversations about accountability and protecting media professionals in war zones. Shepi Mati, a lecturer at the School of Journalism, spearheaded the initiative, “the fact that we have a moral duty as a school of journalism which trains journalists to stand up and shout out loud at the top of their voices when we hear that journalists…

By Chalotte Mokonyane After eight months of significant inconvenience for residents, the Makana Municipality Traffic Department has reopened its doors. As of this week the department is now providing services for the renewal of driving licenses, PrDPs, vehicle registration, and vehicle license renewals. This comes after the department’s closure in November 2024 due to unsafe building conditions, forcing community members to travel to Port Alfred for these essential services. A recent media statement from the Makana Municipality confirmed these new operational services, with a promise to communicate further regarding other offerings “in due course”. A visit to the department revealed…

By Chalotte Mokonyane If you’re a retired person seeking intellectual stimulation in Makhanda then you should know about the local branch of the University of the Third Age. U3A started in France as ‘L’ Universite du Trisieme Age’ in the 1970s as a series of extension studies for retired people. It then spread throughout the world and was introduced to South Africa in Cape Town in the 1990s. U3A came to Grahamstown in about 2009 and retired NELM director Malcolm Hacksley became its chairperson in 2011. Hacksley said: “The objective is to provide intellectually stimulating entertainment for old people with…

Grocott’s Mail asked our reporter Chalotte Mokonyane to follow Makana Municipality’s progress with reopening the Traffic Department after the previous building was condemned. Here, Mokonyane gives an account of how the reporting on this matter has not been straightforward. The prolonged closure of Makhanda’s traffic department has significantly disrupted residents and local businesses, leaving many without essential services like driver’s license renewals and vehicle registrations. What began as a temporary shutdown in November 2024 due to an unsafe building with severe roof leakages and no electricity has escalated into a months-long saga of unfulfilled promises and communication breakdowns. Initially, motorists were…

By Chalotte Mokonyane The Amazwi Literature Museum exceeded the traditional 67 minutes and spent two hours at the Antic Elderly Care Centre, embodying the spirit of Mandela Day. Representatives from Amazwi, including Education Officer Nozipho Madinda, Front of House Officer Patricia Peterson, Gallery Attendant Ayanda Simangwene, and Fort Hare intern Amanda Mphaqa, brought warmth and joy to the centre. The program was packed with meaningful activities: cleaning the facility, reading to the residents, and sharing cake in honour of former President Nelson Mandela. Nozipho Madinda emphasised Amazwi’s core mission to older people: “Amazwi Museum encourages people to read, to write…

By Chalotte Mokonyane Makhanda – In a vibrant celebration of culture and community, Oldies Bar and Restaurant held its official launch this past Sunday, captivating attendees with its African-themed atmosphere, live performances, and authentic cuisine. The event marked a new chapter for the venue following its recent rebranding and renovations.Organised by Kuhle Nqgezana, the launch featured an open mic night aimed at showcasing local talent and providing a platform for artists to shine. Nqgezana shared, “I thought about an open mic event at Oldies around February. Over the months, I developed a close relationship with the owner, who asked me…

By Chalotte Mokonyane In the heart of Makhanda’s Lokshini neighbourhood lies the McKaiser Old Age Home, a sanctuary for the elderly who have faced hardships and abandonment. This vital facility currently houses 22 residents, each of whom is being cared for with compassion and dignity, but it faces significant challenges owing to financial constraints and limited space. Chairperson Nombulelo Pona revealed that while the home provides essential services to its residents, it is unable to accept more than the 22 elders currently living there due to space limitations. “We have over 45 applications from individuals seeking space, but our capacity…

By Chalotte Mokonyane Once again, artist Mook Lion is enriching the streets of Makhanda along with 36 first-year Fine Arts students from Rhodes University. This year’s street art programme, held in New Street, was designed to introduce students to mural art by allowing them to work in a public space and gain hands-on experience in the creative process. This year’s theme, Makhanda and Monsters, invited students to explore the concept of the “exquisite corpse”, with each participant contributing a distinct panel depicting a body part that then combined to create a cohesive figure. Four of the mural artists reflected on their…