By Khanyisa Khenese The water crisis in Makhanda seems far from over, from wastage due to pipe bursts and leaking pipes and valves to almost empty reservoirs and clean water mixing with raw sewage, causing contamination and illness. In recent developments, the Community Water Testing Laboratory at the Rhodes University Biotechnology Innovation Centre (RUBIC) has detected high levels of E.coli from a tap water sample taken at a home along Blackbeard Street in Makhanda. On 3 May, RUBIC in collaboration with PSAM and Action for Accountability (A4A) did a community water testing drive. The test was repeated and similar results…
Author: Khanyisa Khenese
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By Khanyisa Khenese and Singisa Mdungwana Last Saturday, 20 April, St. Mary’s DCC organised yet another memorable Family Fun Day. Parents and their children were warmly welcomed to join the festivities, where laughter filled the air as they bonded over various sports activities, ranging from netball and mini cricket to indigenous games, all enjoyed under the gentle sun at Lavender Valley Sportsfield. St Mary’s DCC has become a vital organ in the community by tirelessly implementing initiatives and programmes to provide psychosocial and educational support to at least 160 beneficiaries and their families. These programmes include homework support, Life Skills…
By Khanyisa Khenese and Sindisiwe Tshona Last week, on Friday, 5 April 2024, Rhodes University concluded its five autumn graduation ceremonies by honouring two prominent people – Thandabantu August and Professor Irvy Gledhill. The university recognised five remarkable people during its graduation season, and this year’s recipients are Ambassador Barbara Masekela, Professor Sylvia Tamale, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Thandabantu August and Professor Irvy Gledhill. During Friday’s morning session convocation, August was awarded an honorary Doctor of Law (LLD) (honoris causa) for his courage, resilience, tenacity, and tireless efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of many young people in…
By Khanyisa Khenese and Nosiphiwo Nyangana Well-known South African Anglican cleric, theologian, social and climate justice and education activist Archbishop Thabo Makgoba was among eminent individuals awarded honorary doctorates by Rhodes University last week. Makgoba is currently serving as the South African Anglican Archbishop of South Africa in Cape Town. The university honoured Makgoba with an honorary doctorate in Law (LLD) (Honoris causa), acknowledging his notable role as a voice of reason and a conscience of society where he has been a steadfast advocate against corruption and the abuse of power, as well as his unwavering commitment to justice in…
By Khanyisa Khenese Celebrating 120 years of academic excellence, Rhodes University kicked off its first of six Autumn graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, 3 April. The university celebrated, capped the class of 2023 and awarded honorary doctorates to two women whose actions and advocacy have made a lasting impact. A total of 2 035 students received their degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Of those, 1 361 are undergraduate bachelor’s degrees, while 719 are postgraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, and postgraduate certificates. Vice-chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, said 65% of graduands are female students, adding, “Malibongwe igama lamakhosikazi”. Among females that were conferred meritorious, two…
By Khanyisa Khenese Following a Grocott’s Mail report on two Makhanda schools hit hard by cable theft, electricity has since been restored at the schools and stolen cables have been replaced. The schools have confirmed that Eskom has finally attended to their power problems. Grocott’s Mail reported recently that after criminals stole cables, TEM Mrwetyana Senior Secondary School in Joza was forced to utilise a neighbour’s home for printing while children at Boyboy Mginywa Preschool in Xolani were learning in the dark for nearly three months due to a power outage as a result of cable theft. A few weeks…
By Khanyisa Khenese This year marks five years since the murder of Makhandan and UCT student Uyinene Mrwetyana in 2019 at the Clareinch post office in Claremont. Following her rape and murder, there were nationwide protests against gender-based violence (GBV). On Monday morning, Kingswood College, which has partnered with the Uyinene Mrwetyana Foundation since 2020, held an annual commemorative lecture in memory of Uyinene. Though she was murdered in August, the memorial lectures are held around the time of her birthday, 20 April, to remember, celebrate and acknowledge her life. The lecture reflected on the person Uyinene was, as she…
By Khanyisa Khenese The Rhodes University Education Department, in collaboration with PUKU Children’s Literature Foundation, held a book reading and reviewing workshop for Bachelor of Education third-year Foundation Phase students at the department’s science lab last weekend, 15 – 16 March. The workshop sought to prepare and expose students to children’s literature as they are set to embark on teaching practice in term 3. In attendance, the workshop had the founder and executive director of PUKU, Elinor Sisulu; the Education advisor of PUKU Children’s Literature Foundation, Dr Anna Nkomo; head of the Department of Early Childhood Education, Associate Professor Ingrid…
By Khanyisa Khenese The Sarah Baartman District Municipality, together with local municipalities and other sectors, hosted a Makhanda Agriculture and Food Trade Fair on 8 March on Church Square to bring together farmers and food vendors to showcase and sell their farm products and cooked food. The programme also aimed to strengthen food security and grow a productive economy to eradicate poverty and create employment in Makhanda. Regional manager of Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), Vuyokazi Zozi, said the programme is hosted because the municipalities and sectors realise that farmers go beyond what they harvest and yet do not have…
By Khanyisa Khenese Two Makhanda schools are feeling the debilitating effects of cable theft. TEM Mrwetyana Senior Secondary School in Joza has been forced to use a neighbour’s home for its printing needs, while toddlers and other little children at BoyBoy Mginywa Pre-School in Xolani have been learning in the dark for nearly three months. BoyBoy Mginywa supervisor Emihle Ngqina said she sometimes has to use her cellphone torch so that the little learners are able to see. “It’s dark in the classroom, and it is hard to teach, sometimes, I must switch on the torch on my phone so…