Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

African history books written for kids focus almost exclusively on Ancient Egypt. That’s according to Nomalanga Mkhize, a historian and university professor from South Africa. By using a comic-style history book for children, Mkhize wants to change that mindset. She writes history books that tell ancient stories about South Africans and other people of importance on the continent. Once the lockdown regulations allow, you can buy the book from Noom in the Industrial Area, or call Xolile Madinda at 082 411 3404. https://youtu.be/tb2rhZ5uvzk

PARTNER CONTENT East Cape Shotokan-Ryu’s (ECSR) head-instructor, Gary Grapentin is celebrating 25 years of teaching karate this year. In conjunction with Grocott’s Mail, Grapentin will be offering the first 25 readers who respond to this article, the opportunity to join ECSR’s Step-by-Step Online Beginners Karate Classes which will commence during May. The classes will be free of charge, and will run for the duration of three weeks. Thereafter interested participants will have the option of joining East Cape Shotokan-Ryu’s ongoing online classes. Grapentin believes that unlike many sporting codes and fitness regimes, karate is one of the most conducive to…

The repair and resurfacing of the R67 between Makhanda and Fort Beaufort has concluded. The section links 12 significant intersections in the Eastern Cape, The R226 million project, which comprised the surfacing of the gravel shoulders, repair and resurfacing of the R67 Section 2 from the intersection with the N2 in the south (Makhanda) to the intersection with the R63 in the north (Fort Beaufort), provides a regional link between various smaller towns in the middle part of the province. “The road was repaired where required, resurfaced, gravel shoulders surfaced to widen certain sections to improve safety, and new road…

PARTNER CONTENT Two eminent Rhodes University academics, Professors Rosemary Dorrington and Rod Walker have joined a team of experts assembled by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane and assigned by the Minister of Health, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to strengthen efforts to curb Covid-19 in the Eastern Cape. Dorrington and Walker will provide clinical advice to the OR Tambo, Sarah Baartman and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Joint Operations Centres, to best inform governmental response strategies. The holder of a a SARChI Chair, Rhodes University based Dorrington heads a nationally funded research programme in Marine Natural Products. She has been the consulting virologist to Rhodes University’s…

By MZUKISI MPAHLWA This is an update from the Makana Covid-19 Joint Operations Committee, based on its weekly meeting on Tuesday 28 April 2020. Covid-19 cases in Makhanda and screening There are no new infections in Makhanda since the two previously recorded. The update on the one positive case is that the person is leaving quarantine on Thursday. There was also an incident where a farm worker went to a clinic to have herself checked out. She presented with Covid19 symptoms but she was eventually diagnosed as negative. All 20 other people with whom she was in contact were screened and…

By JANE VIEDGE ‘Not exhausted, elated!’ was how Helen Alfers from the Makhanda Circle of Unity Food Group felt on Wednesday, as she and her team completed the packaging and distribution of 500 parcels to Joza, St Mary’s and Ghost Town, among other locations. From 120 parcels delivered to schools at the start of the lockdown, the group has mushroomed in both numbers of recipients and in its capacity to help almost 1000 people from starving. The database, which is now closed, includes the elderly and children, as well as 69 car guards. Initially, compiling the list of recipients was…

Here’s where you’ll find your favourite weather watching team of Robin Stobbs, Jim Cambray, Nick James GIll Maylam and Roger Rowswell who continue to share Makhanda’s weekly rainfall figures with you, from different parts of the town.

By JULIAN JACOBS You see them every day walking with their trolleys gathering cardboard, metal, plastic items and scratching around for food in your rubbish bags you put out in the street on rubbish collection days. You see them sitting on the side-walks asking for money. They are everywhere and often invisible. Some of you give them food, or odd jobs and provide them shelter. This week the Makana Municipality and its town stakeholders took action to assist them during the coronavirus lockdown period by providing them with temporary shelter. Three people have so far moved into a temporary shelter established…

The imbongi is talking about the supposedly a Freedom Month which seemed to be cancelled. 27 April will no longer be celebrated this year. Thokombisan’iminqonqo phantsi. Kubi xa amadod’eqolozele ezibhekileni zibe iinkomo zilahleka edlelweni. Safa isizwe nguwe khorona. Iminyhadala yenkcubeko, ezemidlalo njalonjalo tu cwaka kulo nya. Yabhomboloza imbongi yenjenje. Nivile ke kambe senivile Ngathi sibik’imbiba sibik’ibuzi Sidla ngendeb’endala gxeba siyatshikila Sitshikilela okuhle gxebe ingozi Isibulala mntu isichithangcinga ntle De salibala nembali yale nyanga Tshazimpunzi waba yinyanga yovuyo kuMzantsi Afrika omtsha Mhla kwayiyizelwa sagco;oda isizwe Qalakaqa galakaqa kugcobe nose beleni Nenkedama yathemb’ithamsanqa elalise mqolo Oo asinamama tata siza sinjalo singena nto Tsi!…

By RYAN MCDONALD Previously we looked at determining whether an individual who is engaged in work is classified as an ‘employee’ or a ‘contractor’ (see article ‘Someone doing work: contractor or employee?). It was noted that the distinction is crucial given that only employees enjoy the benefits of labour legislation. We now turn attention to outlining some of the basic employment rights afforded to employees by labour legislation. Before looking at the Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997 (BCEA), it is worth noting the existence of a minimum wage in the South African context. The National Minimum Wage…