By Khanyisa Khenese Renowned South African artist Michael Barry who made his mark with his artistry when he spearheaded projects such as the Route 67 Public Art Project and the Sunday Times 100-year heritage project, was among the graduates who graced the academic stage to receive their qualifications at the recent spring graduation hosted by Rhodes University. The decorated academic ceremony was part of the institutions 120th anniversary celebration in 2024. The university capped Masters and PhD candidates and awarded honorary doctorates at the 1820 Settlers National Monument. Gqeberha art activist and educator, Michael Barry was awarded with an honorary…
Author: Khanyisa Khenese
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By Khanyisa Khenese Makhanda’s many problems – water and electricity outages, burning dumps, potholes and the generally parlous state of service delivery – are not unique. It is the story of South Africa. That was the message from Derek Light, a civic leader and attorney from Graaff Reinet, to a meeting of the Makana Reconstruction Indaba last week. But citizens can help to change this narrative. Light cited numerous achievements in his community, Graaff Reinet, which were made possible through collaboration and working together as a community. “We live in an incredible country with beautiful, diversified, highly skilled people with…
By Khanyisa Khenese Khanya Maths and Science Club held its final session last Saturday, marking the end of 25 years of nurturing and fostering a love for numbers and science. The session was lively and engaging. Grade 9 learners played interactive coding while receiving advice on choosing subjects, as they will be entering a senior phase next year. The learners and volunteers were awarded certificates to celebrate their dedication and hard work in the club. The school representatives who are part of the club are grade 8 and 9 learners from Nombulelo Secondary School, Ntsika Senior Secondary School, Khutliso Daniels Secondary…
By Khanyisa Khenese and Luvuyo Mjekula Aspire Psychosocial Educational Support Services for Vulnerable Children (APESSERV) restores disadvantaged learners’ dignity, making a safe space for children in Makhanda and fostering the spirit of Ubuntu, among many other goals. Empowering vulnerable pre-adolescent and adolescent learners from various local schools to reach their full potential and overcome life challenges is what the Aspire Centre, located at Tantyi Primary School, does. The organisation was established in 2018 as a project to offer life-skills and educational support to eight girl-children at the time. In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when children world-wide…
By Khanyisa Khenese Limise Gagayi, the founder of the popular Meal After School project, recently received the Ubuntu Award from Kingswood College. Kingswood honoured Gagayi with the award for the tremendous impact she makes in the community of Makhanda. Speaking to Grocott’s Mail, Gagayi said the award came as a big surprise. “The award, I never thought of it, it humbled me even more, I feel grateful and honoured. The award is written Ubuntu, which I believe doesn’t have to do with what I do because I do it out of my own free will. However, I believe my work…
By Khanyisa Khenese To close Women’s Month, public works, infrastructure and human settlements MEC Siphokazi Lusithi together with other ministry stakeholders held the Women-in-Built breakfast meeting and post-policy speech engagement at Settlers Monument in Makhanda last week. The event aimed to celebrate women in the construction industry and to assure women of the government’s priority to include and grow women in the industry. Notable attendees included Nono Mtakatya, the provincial chairperson of the Construction Industry Development Board; Vuvu Gusha of HLFA Credit Corporation and Mbali Judy Mgudwa, regional chairperson of the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Nafcoc)…
By Khanyisa Khenese Amakhala Game Reserve, about 50km outside Makhanda, recently celebrated 25 years of conservation and community engagement. The reserve also opened a new historic underpass wildlife corridor where Bushman’s River runs, underneath the N2 highway, to allow the movement of wildlife not seen in these parts for over 200 years. According to a press statement, Amakhala Game Reserve’s Silver Jubilee celebration reflected not only its remarkable past, but also its commitment to the future of conservation in the Eastern Cape. “The opening of the corridor is a vital achievement in the larger land expansion plans. Without this corridor,…
By Khanyisa Khenese Following a successful visit that brought soulful healing to the community of Makhanda with a free show in early May, The Soil will be gracing the people of Makhanda with another unforgettable show at the Guy Butler Theatre at the Settlers Monument on 4 October. The doors will open at 6pm while the show will start at 7pm. Tickets are available at Pick n Pay, and there is a discount if using the Pick n Pay Smart Shopper card. The group is known for its ability to inspire and uplift souls through their rich harmonies and heartfelt…
By Khanyisa Khenese The murder case against Mthuthuzeli Manyathi, who was arrested for allegedly killing his girlfriend Ntombomzi ‘Nomirana’ Nonze early this year, has again been postponed due to an outstanding post-mortem report, to the frustration of gender activists. On Wednesday, members of the Isikhalo group, an anti-GBV organisation, received a message from Detective Yibanathi Dlakhwe informing them that the case had again been postponed to 30 September and transferred to a higher court. Manyathi appeared briefly in court last week. Nonze’s body was found in her home in Vukani by law enforcement authorities in May. In court, it was…
By Khanyisa Khene Rhema Rock Family Church brought together women of all ages and multiple churches at a well-attended annual women’s conference at Shaw Hall last Saturday, 10 August. The experience was enhanced by a lively atmosphere created by the church’s worshipers and the Elroi Prophetic Dance Group. Conference organiser, Diana Branden, said they did not want just another celebratory Women’s Month event. “We wanted something on a different level to uplift women and encourage them to build their spirits,” she said. A keynote address was delivered by Virginia Solomons, who emerged as a beacon of hope and resilience. Burned…