Author: Grocott's Mail Contributors

By SHEILA WOOD Educational statistics are always a frightening, negative impact scenario, yet, as your editorial of 16 March 2018 suggests, there are many forces out there seeking to make a difference in the lives of our children. One of them, RUMEP (Rhodes University Mathematics Education Project), has been running now since its inception in 1993 and celebrates 25 years of continuous involvement in supporting the school mathematics education community in this country. Started to focus on providing support for primary school educators, RUMEP has undergone many changes in its structure, but in all of these has been a commitment…

When adopting an animal make sure it is the right fit for your family. Make sure the animal fits your lifestyle and isn’t – for example – too energetic for you or too demanding. Cross breeds are generally more hardy and durable pets. The more intelligent an animal, the more training it needs. Adopting is better than shopping, as these animals often have a time limit on their life. When adopting an animal you ensure its vaccinations are up to date, it is sterilised and has a good temperament. For more information or advice, please contact Grahamstown SPCA: Please remember…

Continental Tyre South Africa (CTSA) is aiming to continue its winning streak and claim a clean sweep of the trophies at the 2018 Isuzu Corporate Triathlon Challenge, which takes place at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth on Saturday 14 April. Continental will once again be taking to the start line with a formidable line-up of athletes for the corporate event, which serves as the prelude to the Standard Bank Ironman African Championships on Sunday 15 April. “Our Continental-backed triathletes have dominated this event for the past three years, taking gold last year in both the men’s individual and team challenges,” said Ryan…

St Andrew’s College will be hosting the U14 Independent Schools Hockey Festival from 19 to 22 April. “The opportunity to host such a festival does not occur very often and as a result, we are looking forward to giving the boys, supporters, and staff the chance to experience a wonderful few days in Grahamstown while playing competitive hockey,” said Gary Frayne, Master in Charge of hockey at St Andrew’s. Schools attending include St Andrews School (Bloemfontein), Cornwall Hill College (Pretoria), St John’s College (Johannesburg), Michaelhouse (Balgowan), St Charles College (Pietermaritzburg), Clifton College (Durban), Merrifield College (East London), Woodridge College (Port…

The Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) Grahamstown attended the annual St Stithians Easter Sports Festival in Johannesburg over the Easter weekend – the largest sports event of its kind in the country with seven sporting codes and 58 schools competing. DSG’s 1st hockey, netball and squash teams were up against some of the strongest opposition in the country. It was the squash team who flew the colours of DSG the highest, winning all five of their matches, including impressive wins over the hosts, St Stithians, as well as St Andrew’s Girls (Johannesburg). On the hockey field, DSG showed took home…

I finally fulfilled a long-held ambition to see and hear a certain outstanding South African musician in performance last Wednesday (28 March) at the 1820 Settlers Monument. Virtuoso guitarist Guy Buttery has been to Grahamstown numerous times before and he is a regular at the National Arts Festival, but somehow I have always managed to miss him. His prodigiously dexterous artistry and consummate musicianship proved well worth the wait, however, as he coaxed wondrous and astonishing qualities from not only his guitar, which seemed almost an extension of his soul, but also from an Indian sitar and even an ordinary…

We believe it is very important to microchip your pet. A collar can easily get lost. A microchip is embedded under the skin and can be scanned at any shelter or vet to acquire your details. Ask your local vet or SPCA about this and the cost. For more information or advice, please contact Grahamstown SPCA: Please remember for any animal related emergencies and or queries please contact the Grahamstown SPCA or one of the vets below: Grahamstown Veterinary Practice on Fitzroy Street, Tel: 046 622 6743 Ikhala Veterinary Practice on Strowan Road, Tel: 046 622 3261 The State Vet…

The Swimming South Africa Level 3 Regional Championships gala took place in Cape Town from 3 to 6 April. Port Elizabeth based Aquabear swimming club was well represented by Grahamstown with nine local swimmers participating. Shaelyn Walker, Cally Still, Cara Meldrum and Wendy-Mae Turner (DSG); Craig Macpherson, Joshua Orsmond, Scott Ritchie and Oliva Lange (St Andrew’s College) and Catherine Williamson (Kingswood College) all went through to the mother city to compete. The total medal tally was five gold 10 silver and three Bronze medals for the Grahamstown swimmers. Gold individual medals were won by Oliva Lange in the 200m breaststroke…

The following poem is about Winnie Madikizela Mandela who passed on on 2 April, 2018. The poet is saying she was and still is the heroine of the struggle and South Africa lost one of the best women who has ever lived. MAMA WELIZWE Ngu: Dumisa Mpupha (Owayo simnik’imbeko) Ligqekrezil’izulu laseMzantsi Afrika Lasina lisinekel’umhlaba iGoli Wahlahlamb’umzi wonke uphela Kwalila nosebeleni Zaw’iintang’amadod’esazilungisa Zenyel’iimbiza amantomb’epheka Zakuvakal’ezo ndaba ngawe Siyali-i- i-ila ngawe mama welizwe Wena wawubamb’ushushu wapholela ezandleni Ukumka kweqhawekazi madoda Naqhawekazi elo mzabalazo Abazabalazi kwizindlu ngezindlu bayakhahlela Bathi wena mama welizwe Umke xa umhlaba usondele kuba niniwo Ha-a- amba mama uMandela! Dumo lwakho lukufanele…

Rhodes University Archery Club sent a strong team to the 2018 SA National Archery Championships held at Marks Park Sports Club in Johannesburg from 27 April to 1 May 2017. The championships comprised of a 1440 round, a 720 ranking round with eliminations, as well as provincial and mixed team events. The National Championships are the highlight of the archery calendar. At this year’s event archers from all over the country, as well as Namibia, Zimbabwe and Mauritius come together to compete in the various categories. The Rhodes Archery Club team included Derryn Nel, Ettione Ferreira, Lance Ho, James McAlpine,…