By CHESLEY DANIELS Powerful eighth-man Brian Buys was in devastating form scoring four tries as St Mark’s Alicedale secured a 39-10 bonus-point win over Ndlambe Tigers in their EPRU SEDRU Regional League encounter Alicedale on Saturday afternoon. The Blue Train enjoyed a comfortable 17-5 lead at changeover. Buys is also now the leading try-scorer in the competition with nine tries behind his back and the win put St Mark’s in the second position on the overall log standings behind Klipfontein United. Brian Buys St Mark’s Man of the Match. The battle was contested upfront as both teams possess big powerful…
Author: Siyamthanda Pongco
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BY SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO Khutliso Daniels High School’s highly-anticipated music concert finally arrived on 8 May at the Indoor Sports Centre. The Makhanda community showed its support by turning up in numbers at the sparkling concert organised by Lonwabo Sandi. Audiences joined the choir during the Khutliso Daniels High school music concert. Photo: Siyamthanda Pongco There were lively scenes and huge smiles from the audience. The Khutliso Daniels concert proved yet again that electrifying music forms a fundamental basis for this town. The concert rekindled the excitement and goosebumps of Masicule!, which arose from the ashes of Covid-19 in March, setting…
By SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO What is freedom? Are we free? What is it we are free from? How do we exercise it? What is it for? On Wednesday, Freedom Day was observed under the theme “Consolidate our democratic gains” at The Black Power Station. When a group of young people gathered under the Drostdy Arch waiting for their transport to the venue, the mood was lively as they chanted songs. But, by the end of the day, they were also speaking about astronomical youth unemployment, inequality, and gender-based violence. Are we able to change our education system? How do we foster…
By SIYAMTHANDA PONCO and ROD AMNER Mary Waters Secondary School parents and teachers gathered outside the school’s premises on Monday after parents had locked the gates in protest about the shortage of teachers at the school. Mary Waters principal Alphonso Michaels said the school was currently without a permanent Afrikaans medium history teacher for six classes – three in Grade 10, two in Grade 11 and one in Grade 12 – and there are vacancies for a deputy principal and a departmental head post. “The history teaching problem is more of an internal school issue rather than a departmental issue…
By SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO The Commission on Khoi-San Matters kicked off its campaign in the Eastern Cape this month for communities and leaders who wish to apply for recognition under the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act. But, Makhanda-based Khoi-San leader Jean Burgess opposes the Act and will not be attending. Jean Burgess, indigenous leader of the KhoiSan. Photo: Jean Burgess Burgess says her identity does not lie in status bestowed by government legislation but in who she is “intrinsically inside of her spirituality” – through her relationship with her ancestors and Mother Earth. Burgess says she witnessed how the colonial and…
By SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO The Carara Agro Processing Plant on Frere, Froude and Currie Streets has found itself at loggerheads with the residents disturbed by the “excessive noise and air pollution” emanating from the factory. Established 18 years ago as a small operation in a light industrial zone, Carara has two highly-successful agri-processing plants producing unique pickled food products for export. The company operates around the clock on three shifts a day. Carara management said they have tried to address community concerns. But, one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said noise pollution caused by the factory’s boilers, industrial fans, cooling…
By SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO Siyaphakama Traditional Vessels is a resilient community empowerment cooperative that makes hand-moulded clay pots (ingqayi), plates, and bowls. The high-quality ceramics are fired at the Egazini Community Centre in Extension 6 using grass and cow dung. For Thandisizwe Kiti, Nonyaniso Nakhupi (secretary), and Thozama Nkwinti (treasurer), Siyaphakama is a cultural project as much as an economic one. The project draws inspiration from Xhosa culture – even the colours of the pieces reflect Nguni cattle, which are so central to Xhosa cultural, political and economic life. Nguni cattle. Photo: Justin Jerez Siyaphakama has was founded in 2018 by…
By SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO In the early hours of 27 March, the chair of Makhanda’s Community Police Forum, Andrew Kirk, accompanied the SAPS on crime prevention and law enforcement operations outside the pubs and clubs of the CBD. Kirk told Grocott’s Mail that since liquor license trading hours ended at 2 am, pubs and clubs should be winding up by 1.30 pm – not 2 pm. Kirk said he was pleased with the response from the majority of traders, who were compliant. However, residents have complained that students host rowdy boot parties in the street after pubs and clubs close. Some…
By SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO The Joza Karate Club recently came back from the National Championships in Gqeberha with 13 gold medals, eight silvers, and four bronze – a staggering haul of 25 medals from the 31 club members who entered the competition. Sensei Mzwandile Matebese, head instructor and founder of the club, said he couldn’t be more proud of his team’s achievements. With passion and commitment, his team overcame considerable odds to achieve greatness. Challenges are part of the journey, said Matebese. Sensei Mzwandile Matebese, head instructor and founder of the Joza Karate Club. Photo: Siyamthanda Pongco Club members sometimes miss…