Author: Khanyisa Khenese

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…

By Khanyisa Khenese Slot gambling machines – many of them suspected to be illegal – are spreading like wildfire in Makhanda spaza shops. Grocott’s Mail has witnessed children as young as 10 gambling on the machines. The National Gambling Act 7 (2004) forbids children under 18 to partake in gambling and or even enter a place with such machines. Several spaza shop owners told Grocott’s Mail that they did not have their own licenses to operate the machines and were unaware that children are prohibited from gambling. One parent said she didn’t see anything wrong with her children gambling “as…

By Khanyisa Khenese A demonstration by grade 11 and 12 Mary Waters High School learners on Monday this week over the shortage of teachers, prompted an urgent intervention by the Education department, the SGB and community members. The learners protested on Monday, burning tyres at the school’s entrance. The frustrated learners boycotted classes and marched to the district office to raise their concerns. On Tuesday, 16 July, the school and stakeholders held a meeting to discuss and resolve the issue of the non availability of a Mathematics teacher in the school. Speaking with Grocotts’ Mail, Eastern Cape Education department spokesperson,…

By Khanyisa Khenese Following the discovery of the burnt body of 19-year-old Kungawo Nyhweba in Makhanda last week, three suspects have been apprehended and appeared in court while the fourth one is suspected to have committed suicide. Police confirmed this week that the 46-year-old man, a caretaker at an Alice school, was found dead in Indwe. Lieutenant Colonel Siphokazi Mawisa, said an inquest docket has been opened and an investigation is underway. Mawisa also stated that Xolani Gotyi, 34, his girlfriend and the dead caretaker’s wife, have appeared in court. The trio has been charged with the kidnapping and murder…

By Khanyisa Khenese Mthuthuzeli Manyathi appeared in the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning, charged with the murder of his partner, Ntombomzi ‘Nomirana’ Nonze. The case was postponed to 21 August because of an outstanding post-mortem report, the court heard. Nonze’s body was found at her home in Vukani by law enforcement authorities in May. In court, it was stated that Nonze had a protection order against Manyathi and she had opened a criminal case against him, with a medical report confirming she had sustained physical injuries. The defence argued that Nonze had withdrawn the case against Manyathi and failed…

By Khanyisa Khenese On Wednesday, the burnt remains of Kungawo Nyhweba were discovered by police in an open field near initiation huts in Joza township after a strenuous six-day search for the young Alice woman. On Thursday, her family and Makhanda community members held a prayer session at the site to mourn Nyhweba’s death. It has been reported that Nyhweba, 19, went missing on Friday last week after she was allegedly taken from her home by her ex-boyfriend, Xolani Gotyi, who is a teacher, and his friend who is a caretaker at Alice Primary School, along with their partners. Alice…

By Khanyisa Khenese Makhanda’s eight-year-old author, Ezekiel Jewell, takes part in this year’s 50th National Arts Festival. The author sells copies of his book “A Collection of Short Stories” at Amazwi Museum for R100.00. The National Arts Festival held in Makhanda annually features established artists, new and emerging talents and a network of producers, writers and creators who make and present works on South Africa’s stage. As part of this week’s extraordinary line-up at the Amazwi Museum, Ezekiel brings his storytelling book to book readers from 26 to 28 June.  The thrilled and excited young author was also invited on…

By Khanyisa Khenese A young Makhanda author, Ezekiel Jewell (8), received his first officially published book titled “A Collection of Short Stories” on 1 June. The young author also attended the Joy of Books Festival in East London. Reading books for fun at the age of five years, and receiving a book from his mother that she received when she was in grade 1, inspired the eight-year-old and grade 2 learner at the prestigious Kingwood College, to illustrate and write his book at a tender age. The book narrates the story of a flower that was never blown away, even…