By Siyanda Zinyanga On two afternoons in July, five Rhodes students from the Department of Environmental Science walked the “lungs of Makhanda”, the Botanical Gardens. In groups that included community members, they listened and asked themselves questions that the town had never really dared to ask: Who really belongs here? What does nature mean in a divided city? Their research revealed even lungs can choke if parts of the body are excluded from breathing. Their project, supervised by Dr Jessica Cockburn, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science, was not an ordinary university assignment: students observed the Botanical Gardens not as visitors…
Author: Siyanda Zinyanga
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By Siyanda Zinyanga In the township of Vukani, a mother sat with her Grade 4 daughter, patiently teaching her multiplication and division. When Grocott’s Mail arrived, the lesson was already in progress, a reminder that women are often the first teachers in a life. “She says she does not hear what the teachers say sometimes, so this practice helps her out,” Louis Chawanda said as she proceeded with the lesson. During a time where girls need to be educated in society, her action carries even greater meaning: it shows how women nurture and build knowledge, shaping the future of their…
By Siyanda Zinyanga Aspire Psycho-Social and Educational Support Services hosted a career day at Tantyi Primary School, giving Grade 7 learners a rare opportunity to meet professionals from different fields and learn about future career paths. The event aimed to inspire children, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds, to dream big, stay disciplined, and prepare for life beyond school. One of the most moving messages came from Vuyokazi Sam, station commander of Makhanda Fire Brigade, who shared her journey of resilience. She grew up in a violent home, yet refused to let her circumstances define her future. In 2002, she became…
By Siyanda Zinyanga Walking through Makhanda in the Eastern Cape, whether past Rhodes University, the quiet suburbs, or the hillsides, you will notice certain plants standing tall, sharp, and unbothered by the weather. They are the spiky guardians of the town: Aloe ferox, Yucca aloifolia, Torch cactus, and Senecio barbertonicus. Each tells a story of resilience, survival, beauty, and the relationship between people and nature. Together, they shape the green face of Makhanda and remind us that plants are more than decoration; they are part of our identity, culture, and future. Aloe ferox In winter, the hills around Makhanda glow…
By Siyanda Zinyanga Animals walk the dusty township streets. They wander freely into the centre of town, grazing among Rhodes students. They graze at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity entrance. Security guard Xolani offered a thought: “Animals are drawn to where their owners go. If people go to town, the cows will also follow. They think something is happening there.” In the township cows graze among the graves, their hooves disturbing the quiet of the dead. Children, with sticks in their hands, herd them into cemeteries as if the graves were just another field. In many cultures, graves…
By Siyanda Zinyanga Exams have begun, so students are currently under pressure. Swotting and reading takes a mental toll as anxiety and depression increase. Support services are available but experts warn that poor coping strategies and language barriers can worsen outcomes. Lindelwa Mshengu, a second year BA student at Rhodes, confirms this pressure. “During finals there is much pressure. These exams determine whether you come back.” Kedibone Makaepa added, “Right now there are assignments we are trying to finish.” What the experts say Research points out to three main causes of poor performance: language barriers, poor time management and poor study…
By Siyanda Zinyanga In Kandancama Street, the afternoon clouds gather above as adults gather indoors for conversation and rest. But outside, children stood in the road, with their scrap tyres like athletes at the brink of a final. With one push, their tyres spun faster than the gale. This is not an ordinary race. It is a race of survival and imagination. Where others see waste, disposed tyres, broken streets, and long hours, children see possibility. And at that moment, the Kandancama children proved once again that the best things in life are free. “No, no, don’t go yet, the…
By Siyanda Zinyanga Even today, when elders lay eyes on a VW Beetle, especially the iconic 6700W, they don’t just see a car. They see a friend. A companion. A stylish bug with more personality than most modern sedans. That little machine, often mistaken for a smiling turtle on wheels, carries with it stories of first loves, road trips gone wrong, and Saturday afternoons spent fixing the engine with nothing but faith and a butter knife. South Africa’s connection to the Beetle runs deeper than nostalgia. On 31 August 1951, the first VW Beetle rolled off the assembly line at…
By Siyanda Zinyanga and Uvile Soci I started feeling dizzy and weak. I didn’t have the energy to walk,” says 12-year-old Sanelisiwe Ranuga, a Grade 6 learner at George Dickerson Primary School. The family lives near a persistent sewage leak that has flooded the gravel road outside their house. The smell is overwhelming. The soggy ground makes it difficult, and even impossible, for Ranuga to walk safely home from school. The Ranuga family said they reported the matter to the municipality, and in 2022, workers visited their area, but no changes were made. “We’ve got used to it. Nobody…
By Siyanda Zinyanga The Cosatu Young Workers of Makhanda and its affiliates visited Ethembeni Old Age Home to clean the centre’s premises to celebrate International Mandela Day. The Cosatu Young Workers of Makhanda donated soaps, brooms and paints to renovate the centre. “We brought these cleaning materials and other necessities to show that we love the elderly”, Mzukiseni Mhlomakhulu, deputy chairperson of the Cosatu Young Workers. They also brought a cake along for older people. Ramie Xonxa, a Ward 2 councillor in Joza, attended the event. He opened the event by thanking all older people who came through. He introduced…