Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

In Makhanda, many community WhatsApp group admins on Wednesday posted a message regarding some implications of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) for such groups. Makhanda resident Ryno Le Roux wrote an explanation for one neighbourhood group of why the message is necessary, along with a rough summary of POPIA, which comes into force on 1 July 2021. He has given GMD permission to share it with our readers. POPIA and your WhatsApp groups The primary objective of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) is to protect a person’s private information and to give individuals more say in what…

By CHESLEY DANIELS When the Test match between the Springboks and Georgia kicks off at 7pm on Friday 2 July, one player will be making history for Makhanda. Alumnus of Mary Waters Secondary, Swallows Rugby Grahamstown and Kingswood College, Rosko Specman, is in the starting line-up for tonight’s match. Among those glued to the screen and with their hearts in his hands will be his former club – and, of course, his parents. Specman will be among only a few to play for the Springboks in both the 7s and 15-man formats, and the first player from Makhanda to do…

On Tuesday, 29 June 2021 at 10h00, the Constitutional Court handed down judgment in an urgent application for direct access seeking an order declaring former President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma to be in contempt of court, and sentencing him to a period of two years’ direct imprisonment. For readers’ reference, attached are the media statement and full judgment pertaining to this matter. Media Statement – JG Zuma Contempt Judgment Secretary of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State v Zuma and Others (CCT 52-21) [2021] ZACC 1

By ANELE MJEKULA Makana Local Municipality conducted an official handover of five brand new vehicles, which are meant to assist the essential services workers to respond swiftly to service delivery issues. Excited staff and senior leadership of the Municipality gathered briefly in front of the City Hall on Tuesday, 22 June 2021 to witness the handover. Essential services employees from Makana LM have been struggling to attend to complaints promptly due to the shortage of vehicles. The new vehicles were purchased to address this challenge, and to ensure employees are able to work on service delivery backlogs. Speaking during the…

The Rhodes University Council has unanimously resolved to extend Dr Sizwe Mabizela’s contract as Vice-Chancellor for a further seven years to continue the proud academic story of quality of the past seven years.  Dr Mabizela, was appointed Vice-Chancellor in 2014 to become the sixth Principal of the 117-year old institution. His appointment followed a stint as acting Vice-Chancellor for four months. Before that, he was Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student affairs from 2008.     Mabizela thanked members of Council for their confidence in the “leadership collective of the University in the past eventful seven years”. He paid tribute to colleagues in…

RiSA pays tribute to Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo It is with a heavy heart that the Recording Industry of South Africa learnt of the passing away of Professor Mzilikazi Khumalo yesterday. He was 89.  Khumalo is most notably remembered for the work he did on the composition of the post-apartheid South African national anthem, which was a fusion of Nkosi Sikelela iAfrika and Die Stem.  He was a revered composer and professor emeritus of African languages at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). After matric, Khumalo studied at a teachers training college in Mamelodi, Pretoria, earning a bachelor’s degree with majors…

A cold front will make landfall over the south-western Cape on Friday afternoon, 25 June 2021, resulting in strong to gale force winds and very rough sea conditions, especially along the coastal areas of the Western Cape, spreading along the Eastern Cape south coast on Saturday morning, 26 June 2021. A cold front is set to move in over the south-western Cape during Friday (25 June 2021) afternoon causing scattered showers and rain, especially over the western parts of the Western Cape, spreading along the south coast in the evening. While rainfall is not expected to be a significant factor…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working with South Africa to establish the continent’s first COVID mRNA vaccine technology transfer hub. President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday hailed the move as a landmark initiative. The President believes that this will see huge advancement in the international effort to build vaccine development and manufacturing capacity that will put Africa on a path to self-determination. “South Africa welcomes the opportunity to host a vaccine technology transfer hub and to build on the capacity and expertise that already exists on the continent to contribute to this effort.” The technology transfer hub will pave a…

Roger Rowswell’s monthly rainfall report for May 2021 At Darling Street a  total of 37.1mm was recorded for the month over 7 rain-days compared to the long term average (LTA) of 31.2mm and a long term median (LT Med) of 20.7mm. So for a change, both LTA and LT Med have been exceeded. The highest and lowest rainfalls recorded in May in the past are 151.3mm and 4.9mm respectively. The thunderstorms that occurred early – 5, 6and 7 – and later (20 May) were a good omen for weather change. The rainfall over the four days, 5-8, was also was also very welcome.…