Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

In John 10:10, Jesus contrasts himself with Satan, our great adversary and tempter. In the oft-quoted verse, Jesus unequivocally declares the following: John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. This life ‘to the full’ that our Lord describes can apply to all areas, but I want to bring it in to the area of our sexuality. When this declaration is coupled with the Christ’s teaching on the place for sex, it sounds almost unbelievable to the world we find ourselves in. In essence,…

Fifty years ago I arrived in this country with my South African husband the late Reverend Bob Clarke. I was the only child of an Irish father and an English mother, and had no first cousins. This month, after more than 35 years living in Makhanda-Grahamstown, I learned that the grave of a distant relative is to be found in this very town. Among all my father’s many scattered relatives I have kept up with just one in Ireland, with whom I share a set of great-great-grandparents. That makes him, John Bellingham, my fourth cousin. Bellingham, now in his 92nd year,…

There has been so much poor publicity for Settler’s Hospital, so it was with surprise and pleasure that my husband and I experienced  their vaccination drive. It was professionally executed with helpful staff to hand and the service compared very favourably with a first class Medical Centre. We have heard many similar complements from those being vaccinated at the Hospital. Grahamstown/ Makhanda  can be proud of its Hospital. Rosemary Smith

During tough economic times it is tempting to question the need for having life, disability, severe illness (dread disease) and short-term insurance cover.  With many competing demands for our precious resources, it is often difficult to reconcile paying for something that cannot be felt, touched, or enjoyed right away. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown just how vital it is to have suitable cover in place to protect ourselves and our families from the devastating effect of such an unexpected event happening in our lives. Every year South Africa’s more established life assurance companies publish their annual claim statistics. Old Mutual…

Huis W.E.G. Louw groet vandag die Hoofmatrone van die afgelope vier jaar, Melanique Adams. Sy het twaalf jaar gelede by die koshuis as matrone begin en is ook sedert 2015 in die koshuis woonagtig. Die koshuiskinders en -personeel gaan baie na ‘Tannie Mella’ se vrolike persoonlikheid en natuurlik haar heerlike kos verlang. Ons wens vir haar alles van die beste vir haar nuwe hoofstuk.

It is the Psalmist who writes, “You love righteousness and hate wickedness, therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” Now we have to confess that we don’t naturally associate righteousness and holiness with gladness or joy. Somehow we make righteousness and holiness out to be some kind of obligation or burden, something that is joyless and rigid and unpleasant. in fact we can’t even imagine God being joyful. The reason for this is that the world tells us that the greatest thrills and moments of joy in life are…

By AIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Association of Independent Publishers (AIP) and community media at large is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Wandlile Fana at the age of 45. Fana, who was commonly known as Wara, was a founder and editor of the Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, Skawara newspaper for the past 10 years. At the time of his passing he was the chairman for the AIP board. Wara left us Friday afternoon. He battled with Covid-19. He was a seasoned journalist and interacted closely with many of the current generation of local reporters. As editor of his…

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3v12 Imagine a farmer who has worked outside all day in the hot sun. By the time he returns home he is filthy – covered in sweat, dust, grease and grime. After taking his shower, would you expect him to put on the same set of dirty clothes? Of course not! Now that he is clean one would naturally expect him to put on a clean set of clothes – garments that are fitting for his new state. Silly as this…

When the Village Sleeps By Sindiwe Magona Picador Africa (imprint of Pan Macmillan South Africa) 2021 Review by SAM NAIDU At a time when national and global morale is at an all-time low, is a novel such as When the Village Sleeps an appropriate read? Well, it is for the reader who does not seek the escapism of an exotic setting, or the comforts of larger-than-life characters and a far-fetched plot. What this novel offers is a simple, yet gripping and edifying tale about ordinary characters in a world we recognise as our own. Magona does not hold her punches…

By RYAN MCDONALD The consumer’s right to fair and responsible marketing is governed by sections 29 to 39 of the Consumer Protection Act (‘the Act’). General standards for marketing goods or services (section 29) The Act sets out a general uniform standard for the marketing of goods and services. A supplier must not market good or services in a manner that is: likely to create a false or misleading representation in respect of those goods or services; or misleading, fraudulent or deceptive in any way. Examples of specific prohibitions and controls against marketing that is misleading or deceptive are then…