By Dideka Njemla The newly appointed chairperson of the Makana Business and Residents’ Association, Markus Mostert, hails from Vryburg in the Northern Cape but has developed a deep admiration for Makhanda since arriving here in 1999. As an individual involved in community work, Mostert speaks from experience when he explains that various groups and organisations have been established over the years, and have joined forces in an attempt to improve this town. “Many people are doing many things, such as fixing potholes and cleaning rivers,” he said. “The Makana Business and Residents’ Association aims to close the gap between what…
Author: Dideka Njemla
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PASSAGE: A BOY’S JOURNEY TO MANHOOD: THEATRE Venue: Centenary Hall, St Andrew’s Next performance: Friday 4 July, 18:00 Review By Dideka Njemla The strong image of amethyst projections flickering through sheer, draped curtains created a striking ambience. The pounding of an African drum began to create a different sensory experience. Because of the play’s title, I anticipated a clichéd tale of ulwaluko. However, this diverse and multilingual theatre production unfolded layers of stigmas that men face. The lights dimmed. “I stand alone,” shouted a character. Shouting this statement repeatedly, each time with harsher tones than the previous, he began explaining…
By Dideka Njemla The Makana Municipality’s safety protocols for road construction works need to be scrutinised following the incident involving a young woman who fell into an unmarked construction hole. Wendy Mandla sustained severe injuries on a route she frequently used in Extension 6 Joza. “I regularly use this route for errands and was aware of the manhole, but it’s usually barricaded for safety. Unfortunately, on my way back, I tripped on a concrete slab and fell right into it. I tripped, landed head first and clutched onto a metal piece inside the pit.” Mandla explained that if it hadn’t…
By Dideka Njemla After a week of no water access, several communities are demanding immediate action from the Makana Municipality to attend to the town’s ageing infrastructure and lack of maintenance and repairs. The municipality’s lack of transparency and ongoing infrastructural repair has become a critical water crisis that requires urgent remedial action. The residents of Ghost Town are frustrated by the unsanitary conditions they face daily and are compelled to endure. Nearly half of the homes in the area are affected by broken water pipes or a severe sewage crisis, subjecting individuals to contaminated water and illnesses. Community members…
By Dideka Njemla Sixty new RDP houses will be erected by the end of June across Makhanda, including the Mission area, J-Street, Xolani, and Upper and Lower Mnandi. This is part of a collaborative project between the Makana Municipality and the Provincial Department of Human Settlements, which will ultimately create a total of 178 new RDP units in the city. The qualifying criteria include: South African citizen 21 years and older First-time subsidy recipient Applicant must be registered on the Municipal Housing Demand Database or the National Housing Needs Register Monthly income of R3,500…
By Dideka Njemla In a quest for improved service delivery, residents of Makhanda gathered at the Crown Hall on Albany Road to express their concerns and uncertainties regarding the new smart water meters that the Makana Municipality is installing in and around the town. Despite the blackout that evening, the community joined in solidarity, lighting the hall with torches and flashing phones. Ward 4 community members expressed dissatisfaction with the Municipality over the continuous and severe infringement of one of the most fundamental human rights – access to water – that has been ongoing for several years. On Monday,…
By Dideka Njemla As the National Arts Festival approaches, individuals from every region and community are getting ready to spend the winter season in the streets of Makhanda to experience a dynamic showcase of performances from creatives all over Africa. Debuting his comedy career on this prestigious platform is personality, playwright, entrepreneur, comedian, actor and Rhodes University student, Thumamna Sibhozo. “I’m a comedian now as well – apparently. One of the exciting things I have lined up is my National Arts Festival show Emotional Black Male. It’s my first shot at comedy, and picking into parts of myself that I…
by Dideka Njemla The Makana Municipality smart water meters project rollout has begun in certain wards around Makhanda in an attempt to stabilise water supply and minimise water loss. According to the municipality earlier this year, a few of their representatives engaged with residents from wards 4 and 8 where the rollout was scheduled to start. Speaking to Grocott’s Mail, Makana’s Citizen Front Proportional Representation councillor Philip Machanick said that although he did attend the public engagement meeting that was held at the City Hall he gained more information about this matter talking with the contractors installing the meters. “The…
By Dideka Njemla Melodic chants filled the air of The Black Power Station as the Kwantu Choir rehearsed their performances, which would later be showcased on the stage. People began to occupy the space, and the panellists took their seats. “Freedom extends beyond you,” said the visionary behind The Black Power Station, Xolile Madinda. The atmosphere was pungent with incense, bringing a sense of cultural togetherness. The culture of creativity, the culture of freedom, the culture of unity and co-operating cultures. Black, brown and white. In a room full of creatives, artists and ubuntu, one wanted to hear the various…
By Dideka Njemla The Makana Municiplaity is replacing existing water meters with smart meters to minimise water loss in and around the city. These interventions come after many residents highlighted concerns over the town’s ongoing water crisis. One of the most recent collective actions included a peaceful protest in which residents from several areas in Makhanda voiced their grievances. Through this public action, held in February, Makhandans demanded that the municipality implement immediate measures to ensure a stable and sufficient water supply. “To improve service delivery and reduce water losses, Makana Local Municipality will start installing domestic smart meters in…