Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

…investing in property may not be suitable for everyone An investment in property, be it residential, commercial or a combination thereof, can be an integral component of a well-diversified investment portfolio. It has the potential to generate outstanding returns or it could result in a loss of money, as has been experienced by many landlords during the current period associated with the Covid-19 pandemic. Just as with any investment, it is essential to proceed with a great deal of caution. There are many ways in which you can enter the property market; for example, you could purchase a second property…

Word and photos by LUTHANDO MPOFU On 26 February 2021 Sophumulela Youth Development Programme (SYDP) hosted its annual Love Day event. The event is meant for learners to show love to each other while addressing the stigma some boys have about menstruation. The organisation, through the public’s generous donations of sanitary towels, roll-on deodorants and soaps was able to also add black shoe polish for boys this year. Grade 12 learners from Khutliso Daniels, TEM Mrwetyana and Nathaniel Nyaluza left with packages on Friday. Boys were given roll-on deodorant, soap, shoe polish and packet of sanitary towels. The sanitary towels…

By SHAUN BERGOVER Following the introduction to the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) in last month’s edition, in this article we will be looking at some rights consumers are afforded by the Act. We will specifically be covering the rights to equality and privacy. In our monthly articles throughout this year we will be addressing many other consumer rights. Protection against discriminatory marketing Section 8(1) of the CPA deals with a supplier’s duty to treat people fairly, and not to discriminate against consumers unfairly. A supplier in this context is a person who markets any goods or services to the community.…

Since the recent gazetting of a Notice by the Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, relating to the name change of Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha and other proposed name changes of places in the Eastern Cape including Uitenhage and King William’s Town, the impression has been given in the press, TV and radio, that the name changes are final. It is not the case and has led to the premature adoption the proposed new names. To some extent the media cannot be blamed for conveying the wrong impression because of the deception created by the Notice as…

The 2021 Budget may not be considered an Austerity Budget by Minister Tito Mboweni. It’s not a Human Rights budget either, writes TLAMELO M MOTHUDI In the 2021 budget review, the government outlined a main budget deficit of 7.5% of GDP in 2020/21. That is 1.3 percentage points more than it was in 2019. This is important because a country’s GDP gives an indication of the extent of its economic wealth and performance. Budget deficits indicate lower taxes and increased government spending. This, in turn, may cause higher real GDP inflation – an increase in price of goods and a decrease…

69 Jerusalem Street By Lindiwe Nkutha Modjadji Books (December 2020) R220 Reviewer: Kayleigh Damita Perumal Lindiwe Nkutha’s 69 Jerusalem Street is a collection of eight short stories that delve into the minutiae of its characters’ everyday lives. Nkutha tackles various pertinent issues present in the South African socio-political landscape with melodic prose and insightful subject matter, including gender-based violence and LGBTQ relationships. Several narratives address the scourge of violence against women and the character’s attempts to endure and challenge their abusive environments. In “69 Jerusalem Street” which the compilation is named after, the speaker is a child born from sexual…

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11v28 The Bible tells us that after creating the world, God rested from His work on the seventh day, and for that reason He blessed the seventh day and made it holy (Genesis 2v3). He did not rest because he was exhausted, but because His work in creation was complete. There was perfect harmony and peace within the created order: there was no sin, death, mourning or pain. Indeed, everything was exactly as it was meant to be.  Sadly, it was not long…

Here are the rainfall totals for Makhanda for February 2021, supplied by Jim Cambray, Robin Stobbs, and the Rhodes University weather monitoring station. Jim Cambray – Park Road February total:  38.4mm February mean: 66.4mm February median: 52.3mm February range: (1990-2009) 5.0mm – 186.2mm Robin Stobbs – Grant Street February total:  23.8 February mean:  63.96 February median:  54.5 February range (1975-2021):  11.75 – 163.75 Get the whole picture in GMDirect every Friday – FREE EMAIL: www.grocotts.co.za click on SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER WHATSAPP: https://bit.ly/2AiX8tW PRESSREADER http://grocotts.pressreader.com/ Tell your story: WHATSAPP 066 156 2956 or EMAIL community@grocotts.co.za Advertise: adverts2@ads.grocotts.co.za or Whatsapp…

An initiative that started as a small idea in 2000 at Albany Museum under Nonceba Shoba’s leadership has grown into a fully-fledged partnership between Rhodes University and GADRA Education. According to one of the coordinators, Mrs Joyce Sewry, the Khanya Maths & Science Club, which started with Grade 7 learners from Makhanda schools, was established in order to create interest among learners in doing and improving maths and science.  In its second year, the Club saw growth as the Grade 8 learners wanted to continue with the Club, and it accommodated learners from grade 7 to 12. “We invited Rhodes…

By ANELE MJEKULA Makana Municipality is currently undertaking a number of important capital projects around Makhanda, which will make a visible difference in the lives of local residents.  On Thursday, 18 February 2021, Makana LM launched three of these multi-million-rand projects.  Upgrade of Mayfield outfall sewer – Phase 2 Upgrade of Ncame Street in Joza Replacement of ageing asbestos pipes in Makhanda – Phase 2 Upgrade of Mayfield outfall sewer – Phase 2 Sewage spillages are a big concern all around our town. Makana LM would like to assure residents that it is taking the necessary steps to deal with…