Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

Who is Greta Thunburg? Pretty much everyone knows. From being a lone child bunking school to protest against climate inaction outside the Swedish parliament, she has become a household name, the face of a worldwide school strike movement. She has addressed the British parliament with more decorum than that once-august institution’s members. She has addressed the UN with a rare show of anger. President Trump attempted to insult her and came off second best. She has become an incredible phenomenon – a 16-year-old with the poise and self-confidence to lead an international movement without having it go to her head. This…

By MAGGY CLARKE The people of the Cathedral of St Michael & St George are looking forward to welcoming the community of Makhanda/ Grahamstown to a highlight of the springtime, St George’s Fair. This year it will take place on Saturday 2 November, from 9am to 1pm, in and around St George’s Hall, down the lane on the right hand side of St George’s Chambers. The Fair spills out of the hall, into the car park, and right down into the pretty Deanery garden behind, where a Kids’ Zone will feature face-painting, a jumping castle, and special stalls to suit…

By DAVE MANN How do we begin to make sense of this? When I first heard the news, I did what most people do – I pored through old photographs, read the many tributes that were being written for you online, and combed through the local news for any further details on the circumstances of your passing. I mourned, in my own private ways. I tried to write about the grief, but the words wouldn’t come. Eventually, I returned to our interviews and came across the only remaining recorded interview I have of you, conducted in October 2014. In it,…

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth… But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14v1-2 On the night of his betrayal, just hours before his crucifixion, Jesus gathered with his disciples for one final meal. They were bewildered and fearful – their Master had announced that He would soon be leaving them, and they were struggling to process the implications of…

If the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) rejects your application for a grant – whether older person’s, disability, child support, care-dependency, foster, grant-in-aid or war veterans grant – you have a right to appeal the decision within a period of 90 days from the date you receive the rejection letter. SASSA may not communicate its decisions orally or through unofficial channels. It must: Within three months of the date you applied notify you whether your application has been approved or not. This must be either delivered by hand to you (and signed for by you), or at your address…

Tribute to Trevor Long (Principal, VGHS 1976-1997) In July 1976, following Ms Kitty Richardson’s 25-year tenure, Trevor Long became VG’s eighth principal. A Makhanda (Grahamstown) local, he matriculated at Graeme College and studied a Bachelor of Science at Rhodes University. After several years serving as the headmaster of Cathcart High School, he returned home to assume the role of principal at VG. Mr Long was strongly committed to education and was considered a visionary leader who successfully steered the school through many changes over the years. Some were small, like the introduction of the Wider Education Programme (WEP) and the…

Dear Residents As reported in an earlier column, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CogTa) has appointed Kagiso Trust to assist Makana Municipality with revenue enhancement and cleansing of its customer data. This partnership between Makana Municipality and Kagiso Trust has had a significantly positive impact in the following Key Focus Areas (KFAs): Data cleansing Deceased customers Customer relationship management Cash and loss management Indigent management and Valuation Roll Data cleansing Out of 24 015 accounts assessed, there are only 4 035 whose IDs still need to be obtained and updated. 1 922 accounts with balances less than R100 have been…

By ROS PARKER 24 October, marks World Polio Day and the two Rotary Clubs in Makhanda – Rotary Club of Grahamstown and Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset have planned a special brunch on Sunday 27 October, 10.30am at the Wyvern, Kingswood College, to raise awareness and funds. Since the late 1980s, Rotary worldwide has gone out of its way to help towards the eradication of polio throughout the world.  Rotarians have joined with the World Health Organization to visit remote parts of the world and help with the inoculation of thousands of children. The battle is finally being won. We are thrilled…

We woke up to the shocking news that Ayanda Nondlwana is no more. Our local artist was dedicated in uplifting the youth in the performing arts. Ugqatso ulufezile kwedini. Uyakufika ekulindile noXola wobe ekwanga ngolwango olufudumeleyo. Thina nto zakhe zasebenza nawe siyalila Sikulilela ngentlokomo yamazwi Siyajweda sizii ngxidingxidi Ukunqamka kobu bomi bakho Kwanga kunge phanyazo Hamba Rasta lasekhaya Hamba pantsula lakowethu Hamba mphuhlisi wolutsha lwakowenu Uyibekil’injob’obandla Ulikhuphil’ibhozo wasabela Uwukhuphil’umwangalala wakho epokothweni Satsho sakwakhel’umkhanyo Qele lika Sirayeli abe nomoya wakho Akukhaphele kulawo manzi okuphumla Ndanga ndingaya kukukroba uqhuba njani kwelo cala Iyhooooooooooooooo! Abadali benkcubeko bayalila ngawe Ayanda Uyalil’umzi wabachubekileyo Ngezandla ngomzimba…

By JONATHAN WALTON If you are a registered security guard and employed by a registered security company, your employer must register you as a member of the Private Security Sector Provident Fund (PSSPF). The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (1997), Sectoral Determination 6, Private Security Sector as amended, legalises the PSSPF as a condition of service. The Department of Labour’s inspection and enforcement officers are responsible for ensuring that all security companies (employers) are complying with Sectoral Determination 6. Equally, security guards (employees) and trade union representatives must ensure that they are registered with the PSSPF. Importantly, security guards must…