Author: Kathryn Cleary

Last week, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, along with MECs for Transport and Health, Weziwe Tikana and Sindiswa Gomba, announced the official handover of 129 new emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles to provincial health facilities, with another 169 expected in the near future. The handover on 8 August was the same day the long-awaited National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill made its Parliamentary debut.  Whether Makana will receive any of these vehicles is not yet confirmed. “In this administration we must talk less and do more,” said Mabuyane during the handover at Bhisho Hospital. “In short, we must get things done. I’m overjoyed…

Earlier this year, UK based organisation, The White Lion Foundation, launched an exciting campaign to help Munu, a visually-impaired male black rhino, relocate to his new forever home here in the Eastern Cape. Munu is a Southwestern Black Rhino, and records show that there are fewer than 260 of these rhino left in South Africa.  In a press release, the Foundation wrote; “Munu was tragically blinded in territorial fighting and can no longer survive in the wild. This ambitious project to assist this ‘special needs’ rhino has become the first major mission for the new global wildlife charity, The White…

Just after 2pm on Tuesday 23 July, Margaret Davies watched her home go up in flames in Hooggenoeg, Makhanda (Grahamstown). Davies had lived in the two bedroom shack on 6th Avenue for 25 years with her husband, son and nephew. Despite a quick response from the Fire Department, nothing was able to be saved of the family’s belongings. The Fire Department and Police attended to the scene. SAPS Spokesperson Mali Govender said that no case of arson was opened. Grocott’s has inquired about the cause of the fire but did not receive a response. “There’s nothing we can save”, said Davies.…

A beautiful white calf has been given a second chance after being freed from a nasty snare this past Sunday 21 July. Makhanda (Grahamstown) resident Lynette Rudman was out birding near the army base when she came across the injured calf. Thanks to Ikhala Veterinary Clinic and the SPCA, this precious youngster is back on its feet. “I was out birding at the old golf course, when I saw this white calf with an extremely tight snare around its front left leg.”, said Rudman. “The leg was very swollen below the snare which had cut deep into its flesh. It hobbled around…

For the past 12 years, Tony Lankester has served as custodian to the continent’s largest arts festival and recent news of his resignation has left the Makhanda (Grahamstown) community with heavy hearts. However, Lankester’s legacy is far from over, and an exciting move to the United Kingdom brings new possibilities for South African artists. Lankester can also finally attend the National Arts Festival… for the very first time!  Lankester’s new ‘office’ will have no shortage of water – sorry Makhanda – as he takes on the position of General Manager at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, right on the River Thames. …

Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has called on municipalities to prioritise the maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure to prevent pollution of dams and rivers. Sisulu made the call after receiving a briefing from Water and Sanitation acting Director-General, Squire Mahlangu, on the situation of water shortage being experienced in Mahikeng, in the North West. “We want to understand the state of our water and sanitation infrastructure, we want to work with municipalities to ensure that there is ongoing maintenance and modernisation of infrastructure to avoid pollution,” Sisulu said. The Minister has directed Mahlangu to submit a…

Previously Grocott’s Mail reported on Makana’s challenges with managing the municipal landfill site. The mismanagement of the site has led to burning for weeks at a time, and toxic smoke fumigating the town. After a letter submitted to the DEDEAT by the Grahamstown Residents Association, the weekend of 22 June, residents took matters more into their own hands and filed an upwards of 30 (and growing) individual complaints to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). SAHRC Provincial Manager, Abongile Sipondo, confirmed to Grocott’s Mail on Tuesday 2 July that the Commission had received the complaints. “We have since received a…

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has assured the public it is attending to certain glitches taxpayers are experiencing when using eFiling. “This occurs when they save their income tax return and immediately re-open the return and press the tax calculates button before the form has fully rendered. The problem is aggravated when taxpayers click multiple times as they try to view their return,” SARS said in a statement. The revenue collector said it will be putting in a fix where all the buttons, including the calculate button, will be greyed while the form is still loading. SARS will also…

By NANGAMSO MYOLI For 11 days each year in June and July over 200 000 visitors flock to Makhanda (Grahamstown) for the National Arts Festival (NAF). This influx of tourists each year is a major boost for the businesses that provide accommodation across town. According to a study on the impact of the NAF conducted by the Rhodes University Economics Department in 2016, the Festival is a significant driver of the city’s economy, contributing an estimated R377.15 million to the province’s economy as a whole. Karen Lewis, owner of the High Corner Guesthouse in High Street said business since Festival started…