Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

By Sizwe Mabizela  If you have been counting days and nights and eagerly looking forward to the start of your university life at Rhodes University, we have also been equally looking forward with great excitement and anticipation to your arrival. That day has finally arrived! It is with great delight that I welcome you, our new students, to Rhodes University. Given the high admission requirements of our University, you have worked incredibly hard to earn a place at Rhodes University. Sincere congratulation on your tremendous achievement. Let me also extend a very warm welcome to your parents, family members and…

As often seems to happen, and rather like the proverbial London buses, similar events come along in bunches of two or three. In January I received news of the deaths of three poets whom I liked, knew personally, and admired. The most famous of these was South African poet laureate Keorapetse Kgositsile – Bra Willie, as he was known – who died in Johannesburg. I met him only twice but on each occasion was greeted warmly as a friend, so that is how I remember him. A respected ANC stalwart and activist, during the 1960s and 1970s he spent thirteen…

By JONATHAN CAMPBELL Edna Mankayi retired from Rhodes University last year after 32 years’ service in the housekeeping division, and received a lump sum pension payout. For many years she had dreamed of buying a house for her family, who has never owned property, and this is what she decided to do for her family. There was a house in Tantyi (Erf 3124 Rini) which she always loved, where her son spent much time with his friend, Andile. Andile lived there with his wife and children for many years. Andile decided to move to a teaching job in Port Elizabeth,…

Name: Tulbaghia violacea Harv. Family: Alliaceae (Onion family) Common names:  Engl. Wild Garlic; Afr. Wilde Knoffel; Xho. Itswele lomlambo Description Bulbous geophyte, 20-35 cm tall with strongly aromatic smell. Basal leaves blue-grey, sub-erect, linear and glaucous. The mauve-purple flowers are unmistakable and have only three small lobes at the entrance to the flower tube. All parts of the plant smell strongly of garlic when bruised, and it is often planted by gardeners as protection from moles. Plants flower from November to April. Conservation status According to the SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute) Red list of South African Plants, Tulbaghia…

Compiled by Nikki Köhly FOR THE MAKANA ENVIRONEWS TEAM WELCOME BACK, STUDENTS! Grahamstown is a water-scarce town and while we welcome students back, we also ask them to look after this precious resource as carefully as other residents. Students and residents can find useful tips and practical information about green living and action for sustainability, at www.ru.ac.za/environment/action  and  www.ru.ac.za/environment/students The Eastern Cape, particularly the Sarah Baartman region which Makana falls under, is in a severe drought. For tips on saving water, students and other residents can go to  www.ru.ac.za/environment/resources/water Makana water restrictions The restriction of 100 litres per person per day still…

Rhodes University Vice-Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela this week paid tribute to alumnus, Dr Ramapolo Hugh Masekela, who died after a protracted and courageous ten-year battle with prostate cancer. Bra Hugh, as he was affectionately known, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music by Rhodes University in 2015 in recognition of his phenomenal influence on world music and his leadership skills and contribution to different sectors, as a musician and as a social and human rights activist. Paying tribute to the Grammy award-winning musician, Rhodes Vice-Chancellor, Mabizela remembered a man with strong ethical and moral character. “Today we bow our heads in deep reverence and mourning the…

Compliments of the Season to the Newtown…Old Eyes Readers. I had an amazing one myself with members of my extended family here with me. We celebrated the wedding of a grandson; and the return from circumcision school of his cousin. The Department of Health’s interventions have helped with families seemingly conducting procedures as expected, and Ingcibi (surgeons) and all staff involved doing a good job. I have not heard of any circumcision-related deaths so far. When my family returned to their different homes, I remained “home alone” in some kind of retreat, switched to o peaceful mode, although I had…

Your pets should be dewormed every three months; or four times a year. Worms can create many health problems for more information on worms and to source de-worming medication please visit or contact either of the two vets in town: Ikhala Veterinary Practice on Strowan Road, Tel: 046 622 3261 Grahamstown Veterinary Practice on Fitzroy Street, Tel: 046 622 6743 De-wormer can also be purchased at Hoof and Hound in Peppergrove Mall. Keep in touch with all the improvements and updates on your SPCA and our work in the community by following us on Facebook. For more information, advice or…

Monde Myoni, Principal of Hendrik Kanise Combined School (Alicedele), recently shared the secret of the school’s continued Matric results improvement with Grocott’s Mail:-  The results for the Matric class have been showing an upward trajectory when you look at the past three years, viz. 2015 (42%); 2016 (72%); and 2017 (83, 3%). Noteworthy are the following pointers: Embracing the premise that the fundamental purpose of the school is to ensure that all learners perform at high levels and enlist staff in ensuring that this is not a pipe dream but is put in practice. Setting up functional subject committees that…

Don’t be distracted by pass rates, urges Siyabulela Fobosi. What we should be concerned about are the huge gaps between urban and rural areas, and better resourced versus poorer schools. The Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga announced the results of the National Senior Certificate Class of 2017 on Thursday, 4 January 2017 and, noted “that the national pass rate improved to 75.1 percent when progressed learners are included and 75.6 percent if they are excluded”.[1] This was a 2.6 percentage increase from 72.5 percent in 2016. These results show how the country’s school leavers performed in their final exams after…