By Gcina Ntsaluba “It’s time for residents to stop ‘winding down’ and instead actively fight for the services they deserve,” top local legal expert Brin Brody said as a powerful message. Brody was speaking at the Makana Business and Residents Association’s (MBRA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday night at the Graham Hotel, where he highlighted the severe problems facing Makhanda, from unpaid bills to crumbling roads. He called on the community to use legal action as a powerful tool for change. Brody outlined a comprehensive self-help strategy that has emerged in response to what he described as municipal collapse.…
Author: Gcina Ntsaluba
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By Gcina Ntsaluba A group of talented high school students from Makhanda have been recognised for their artistic abilities after participating in a logo design competition for Wind Garden, a 94.5MW wind energy facility currently under construction. Mivuyo Ngetu, Omele Nangu, and Amandla Wayi from Nombulelo Secondary School took home the top prize with their winning design, which now contributes to the official logo of the facility. Their creative entry features a wind turbine alongside a king protea, South Africa’s national flower that grows abundantly across the Eastern Cape. The competition brief encouraged local participation by asking learners to develop…
Tuning into Creativity: The Interplay of Radio and the Arts, panel discussion Venue: The Black Power Station Review By Gcina Ntsaluba A lively discussion was held at the Black Power Station in Makhanda on Wednesday, regarding the complex relationship between radio and the arts, focusing particularly on the often misunderstood concept of “partnerships” and the need for artists to embrace the business side of their craft. The conversation highlighted the challenges faced by both artists and radio stations in forging mutually beneficial relationships. A key point of contention was the prevalent idea that artists can survive on “exposure” alone. “You…
ILAM pop-up DJ sets, Music Venue: Rhodes Theatre Department Next performance: 4 July 18:00 By Gcina Ntsaluba An innovative blend of preservation and performance – the International Library of African Music (ILAM) at Rhodes University – is breathing new life into its historic collection through pop-up DJ events that transform rare vintage records into contemporary musical experiences. The unique project, known as ILAM pop-up DJ Sets features original records and vinyl from the 1950s and 1960s – hailing from music that was once the soundtrack of South Africa’s pre-apartheid cultural landscape but has rarely been heard by modern audiences. “The…
By Gcina Ntsaluba The Eastern Cape Department of Arts and Culture (DSRAC) has announced the recipients of the Music Excellence and Acceleration Programme of the Eastern Cape (MEAPEC) to develop a sustainable music industry and create a distinctive “Eastern Cape sound”. In a ceremony at the Monument on Monday, senior department officials said the program was an investment in building a sustainable pathway for local musicians and developing the Eastern Cape’s creative economy. “MIPEC is not just a funding business; it is investing in dreams and empowering entrepreneurs,” said Phumza Mfenyana, the DSRAC Head of the Department (HOD). The programme…
18 years later, Comedy Venue: Graham Hotel Next performance: Monday 30 June 11:30, Tuesday 1 July 19:00 By Gcina Ntsaluba Chris Mapane’s 18 Years Later is the comedy equivalent of flipping through an old photo album with your funniest friend – every embarrassing memory becomes a reason to laugh. The South African comedian has struck comedy gold with his latest offering, which chronicles nearly two decades of life’s beautiful disasters. Mapane doesn’t just tell jokes about getting older – he excavates the absurdity buried in every milestone, from the mortifying moments of adolescence to the bewildering adventure of raising children…
Strangers’ Tears – Cry, My Beloved Africa, Theatre Venue: City Hall …
Odd Man Out, Comedy Venue: Graham Hotel Nest performance: 28 June 11:30 By Gcina Ntsaluba Stuart Taylor’s latest offering, Odd Man Out, is a delightfully uncomfortable mirror held up to the suburban middle-aged experience, and the reflection is both cringe-worthy and comedy gold. This Ovation Award-winning show demonstrates why Taylor has remained one of South Africa’s most enduring comedic voices for over two decades. The performance Taylor’s storytelling prowess shines as he navigates the treacherous waters of his 40s with the same self-deprecating charm that made Learner Husband a bestseller. His ability to transform personal awkwardness into universal comedy is…
By Gcina Ntsaluba The 51st edition of the National Arts Festival officially opened on a chilly Thursday night in Makhanda to mark more than half a century of celebrating South African arts and culture. But the opening ceremony was marked also by solemn remembrance as speakers paid tribute to the 101 victims of recent flooding in the Mthatha area. Eastern Cape MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Sibulele Ngongo delivered the keynote address, speaking of the bittersweet nature of the occasion. “I stand before you tonight on behalf of the Eastern Cape Government, on this cold night under the beautiful…
By Gcina Ntsaluba The Makana Local Municipality has confirmed its readiness to host the 51st edition of the National Arts Festival (NAF) despite ongoing infrastructure challenges that have plagued the 206-year-old city. Executive Mayor Councillor Yendiswa Vara outlined comprehensive preparations during a media briefing on Thursday emphasizing the municipality’s commitment to ensuring a smooth festival experience. Water and sanitation measures The municipality has implemented contingency plans to address water supply challenges, with Mayor Vara acknowledging that Makhanda continues to experience “major burst pipes” that occasionally leave communities without water. “Our water supply in Makana is currently stable, both on the…