Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

Yibanathi Manana, a grade 12 pupil at Victoria Girls’ Hish School (VGHS), is a true embodiment of the school’s values of passion, integrity and excellence. Making the provincial squash side in every year since her U14 age-group level, Manana is the captain of the VGHS squash teams. Not content with only excelling in the squash courts, Manana is also a Portfolio Head in her school and a strong academic. She believes that academics, leadership and sport go hand-in-hand, and that by succeeding in the classroom, she will continue to succeed on the court. Manana believes in service above self and…

On Saturday 5 May, the biggest and strongest field of shotists in almost a decade descended on the Rhodes University Rifle Range to compete in the 2018 Eastern Province Small-Bore Rifle Championships. Grahamstown was well represented, with twelve competitors from the Rhodes University (RU) Rifle Club and six competitors from the PJ Olivier (PJO) Rifle Club. The competitors were divided into five classes. The weather was ideal for shooting and the scores were high. The locals started well, with Gerrit Vlok (PJO) winning Gold in Match 1 in the F Class. Match 2 in the F Class was won by…

Dr Trevor Davies (left) at the prize-giving. Photo: Supplied  Melville Daniels, had his arms full and his chest glittering from the many accolades he received when his Willows Cricket Club held their Dr Davies Optometrists Prize Giving Ceremony at Gold Rush Casino recently. Daniels’ haul of awards included Player’s Player of the Season, Best Batsman and Best All Rounder Award. The club last held such a glamour event in 2012. Players, sponsors, invited guests, founding members and executive of the club attended the event and wise counsel came from Guest Speaker was Mbulelo “Asi” Budaza, a former Willows player…

Spar Oak Cottage have teamed up with Makana Revive in a bid to help raise funds so that they can continue the good work they are doing to re-build our battered town.  The store has been encouraging customers to consider making a small (R2) contribution as they pay for their purchases.  The programme started in mid-April and and has so far collected just over R5 000. The collection was handed over to Chairperson of Makana Revive, Ron Weissenberg, at the store this week. Jill White, owner of Spar Oak Cottage also announced that Spar would match the contributions to date…

Ruth Woudstra To really feel physical discomfort is something we often deny ourselves. In a world full of distractions (work, cellphones, food!), it is often easier to move into the space of ‘not here, not now’. One way to acknowledge physical pain, is to touch the area of affliction. If your back is sore for instance, you often naturally massage it. Such an action shows recognition instead of suppression. Going to a massage therapist provides an important opportunity for relaxation, which actively promotes healing. There are also ways in which we can give ourselves the TLC we need. After all,…

They say that life is a journey, and that you should enjoy the ride. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as knowing your ride will take you exactly where you want to go, in such a way that you wish the journey would never end. As a world leader in mountain bike technology, Trek constantly assesses its product offering, adapting and expanding ranges to rise to the expectations of adrenalin junkies and adventure seekers all over the world. Two exciting new range additions are Trek gravel bikes and touring bikes. Gravel bikes can be ridden almost anywhere, both on the road…

The 5th MySpar MTB Classic & Fun Farm Run, was held on Sunday 6 May at the venue of Zuurbron Farm & Bike Park. Over 730 participants enjoyed a glorious day of 4 different manicured mountain bike routes and trail run. The 60km challenge started in perfect weather conditions. Not an easy race in any terms with few riders covering it in less than 3 hours.  With a closely contested 60km challenge it was 3 time winner Jason Meaton, the Grahamstown local, who took his 4th MySpar MTB Classic title in a time of 2:24:30.  East London’s Jason Peach was 2nd…

Defending champion of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge, Kesa Molotsane took charge of the race with just under three kilometres left to continue her domination in Port Elizabeth on Saturday 5 May. After winning the opening event in Cape Town in March, the KPMG runner surged across the finish line in a time of 33:46 at Pollok Beach in Summerstrand to win her second consecutive PE title. She was followed home by Glenrose Xaba (Boxer) in 34:01, with Zimbabwean Patience Murowe (Nedbank) filling third place in 34:16. Having entered the Women’s Challenge for the first time last year, today’s victory puts Molotsane in…

On International Fire Fighter’s Day on 4 May, all eyes turn to firefighters to honour them and remember those who have passed on in the line of duty. Working on Fire in the Eastern Cape in partnership with Gqabi Municipality, Provincial Disaster Management, the Department of Roads and Transport, Agriculture and Health Department celebrated this special day in a meaningful way with community members. More than 100 people came from different villages to Mangolwaneng, where they received training in how to be fire safe in preparation for the upcoming winter season (usually a time for house fires). Community members were…

The community of Fikizolo Pirmary School would like to thank Ikamva Lesizwe Institute from Canada, represented by Dr Thembela Kepe and Ayanda Nqeketo for the donation of five new desktop computers and a sum of R10 000. Ikamva is making this donation as part of a community outreach initiative that focuses on maginalised communities. Dr Kepe is a former pupil at Fikizolo and we as a school are very proud of this positive gesture of giving back to our communities and very proud of him. The learners and parents of Fikizolo are grateful for this wonderful donation as it will…