Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

Having marched with hundreds of others to the City Hall today to demand the recall of our thoroughly inept municipal leaders, I was reminded of a poem written in 1937 by John Betjeman about the English town of Slough which in his view had been allowed to decay into something close to ruin. It begins: Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough! It isn’t fit for humans now, There isn’t grass to graze a cow. Swarm over, Death! Slough Revisited (after John Betjeman) Clean up the junk of Grahamstown, the cartons that are tossed around as finger-lickin’ chickens drown in…

As we approach summer it is important to remember that hot weather can be a serious problem for animals and in particular dogs. Dogs die in hot cars, even on a mild day temperatures in a car with open windows temperatures can easily reach 60 degrees celsius.  As dogs are unable to sweat and therefore overheat much quicker than humans. Dogs with short noses, thick coats or health issues should be walked in the early morning or late evening to avoid the hottest hours of the day. Clipping long haired dogs, providing fresh cool water and cool showers can all…

In about six weeks, Sunday 16 December, we celebrate our national Day of Reconciliation again. This unique-in-the-world public holiday developed out of a troubled past of conflict, especially since 16 December 1838 and the Battle of Blood River. Notwithstanding all the arguments around reconstructing the history around the interactions of the Zulu chief Dingane and the Trekkers led by Piet Retief, it was a significant point in the history of our country. Misunderstandings were rife, and tragic loss of life were suffered on the side of the Trekkers as well as the Zulus. Of special significance was the vow made by…

The St Andrew’s College First Team cricket side hosted their counterparts from Graeme College on Saturday 3 November. Graeme won the toss and had little hesitation in electing to bat first on St Andrew’s Lower Field. The Graeme batsmen, led by Eastern Province opener Bavuyise Manyakanyaka, got their innings off to a rollicking start. St Andrew’s battled hard to stem the flow of runs and Graeme continued with their momentum on the superb Lower field surface. Manyakanyaka was the top scorer for his team, in his hundredth match, with a fluent 62 runs. Eastern Province all-rounder Mark Amm (46) added the finishing…

Ten Nombulelo Secondary School learners accompanied by Siviwe Ngcingi (Makana Brick sponsored intern) and Fezica Ngesi enjoyed an activity packed three-day tour to Port Elizabeth and surrounds. They are seen here at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, the Donkin Memorial and the Boardwalk. They were also moved by the displays at the Red Location Museum, impressed by the NMU athletics stadium, treated to lunch at the airport by kind strangers, and let their hair down at the beach and the Bay West Mall. Photos supplied

Sensei Pascal Lecourt’s first South African Seminar brought more than 80 karateka to Makhanda (Grahamstown) over the weekend of 27-28 October. Lecourt was invited to South Africa as a guest of the newly formed United Shotokan-Ryu which has dojos in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape and Gauteng. The Seminar was held in the Thomas Pringle Hall, at the 1820 Settlers Monument in conjunction with staging partner, the Grahamstown Foundation. Lecourt began practicing karate in 1975, and in 1976 he became a student of the legendary Japanese Shotokan karate master, Sensei Taiji Kase (1929-2004). Kase had visited South Africa in 1964…

By MAKANA COMMUNICATIONS Makana Municipality Executive Mayor Councillor Nomhle Gaga officially opened the newly-built Multipurpose Centre in Foley’s Ground near Hlalani on Wednesday, 22 October. The opening was done in front of the residents of the area shortly before the start of an Integrated Development Plan (IDP) meeting in the new venue. The Executive Mayor was joined by Ward 7 Councillor Malibongwe Kubalo and municipal manager Moppo Mene in cutting the ribbon and officially presenting the R16 million facility to the residents. The opening had been delayed for a while due to the lack of electricity at the venue; however,…

It is not often that you get something for nothing, but when retailers, banks and other businesses really want your business, they are often prepared to give you something back to thank you for your business. This is known as a loyalty programme. From a business point of view, the aim of a loyalty programme is twofold. First, it is to encourage you to spend your money with them rather than with their competitors, and second it is an opportunity for the business to really get to know your spending habits. The better the marketing department of a company knows…

Compiled by NIKKI KOHLY Yes, the town’s name change to Makhanda fulfils of the prophecy of ‘Ukubuya kuka Nxele’. But poor Nxele will find very little left of the pristine bush and clear flowing streams (Amatyana) which were once a blessing to all who passed this way. Nowadays, if you live near any of these streams, you are subjected to the chronic stench of raw sewage. The municipality’s blocked sewerage lines have not been maintained or upgraded for many years, resulting in massive sewage spills (full of E coli) across town, polluting streams and putting vulnerable people at risk. And…