By Linda Pona A St Andrews College staffer accused of raping a 7-year-old boy briefly appeared in the Makhanda Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 8 November 2023, for the final extension of bail. His case has been postponed for a further two months, until 11 January 2024, to allow further investigation of the case, which is set to be completed by 20 December 2023. The suspect was first arrested on Sunday, 30 July 2023, following rape allegation charges and granted bail on 4 August 2023.
Author: Linda Pona
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Editor’s note: On 12 October, Grocott’s Mail published an article, The State of Albany Museum: Challenges and Concerns. In the article, Makhanda advocate Jock McConnachie, who also serves on Albany Museum’s board, expressed various concerns regarding the state of the museum and the mismanagement of an allocated R400 000 to the museum by the Eastern Cape Department of Sports Recreation, Arts, and Culture (ECSRAC). According to McConnachie, the funds were meant to restore paintings but instead were diverted for renovating exhibition space. Following the published article, both the Albany Museum and ECSRAC Communications departments have responded to the allegations in…
By Linda Pona This year marks 46 years since the death of Bantu Stephen Biko, and his Black Consciousness ideology is still relevant in 2023. During this week, various conversations occurred to commemorate Steve Biko’s murder while in detention by apartheid police. A debate at The Black Power Station focused on Steve Biko’s incarceration, which ultimately led to his death while in detention after laws were introduced that permitted him to be detained without trial. During the discussion, the theme of justice and the law, where issues like freedom, equality, and Ubuntu were unpacked. One issue that LLB student Leasha…
By Linda Pona On Saturday, 9 September, Awarenet in Joza collaborated with Inkululeko, an NPO which assists school learners, and held a River Rescue information session at Vukani about the upcoming river cleanup for the river that runs through the area down to the Belmont Valley. At the meeting were residents across different generations and Ward 13 councillor Wandisile Matina, who discussed some of the issues they have had with water and sewage in the area and their role in caring for rivers. During the session, Helen Holleman of River Rescue educated the community about the importance of caring for…
By Staff Reporter A St Andrew’s College staff member accused of raping a seven-year-old child briefly appeared in the Makhanda Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 8 September 2023. His bail has been extended, and he will appear in court again on 3 October 2023. The man’s name cannot be revealed as he has not yet pleaded. St Andrew’s College in Makhanda is one of South Africa’s most expensive boys’ boarding schools. In a letter dated 12 September 2023 addressed to parents and staff, St Andrew’s principal Tom Hamilton stated that the staff member has been formally charged with disciplinary offences by…
By Linda Pona We entered the month of celebrating our unique and diverse cultures with Makhanda Youth Choir’s concert Isingqi sama Afrika – the beat of Africa, which shows us that we should embrace African culture. Heritage Month is significant in that it pays respect to South Africa’s unique culture, which is made up of different languages, history, food, music, dance and creative expression. There are aspects of our culture which are tangible and those which are not – whether it’s expression or our inheritance. Kulenyanga yoMsintsi ndikhunjunzwa ukuba ndingumXhosa, isiduko sam nguMamBhele, uLanga, uKhuboni. Kufuneka ndizingce ndiqhayise ngokuba ndingumXhosa.…
By Linda Pona The body of 40-year-old Zolani Scott was discovered in his home in Extension 5, Joza Location, around 09:30 on Friday, 1 September. At the scene, Scott was found lying on the floor with gunshot wounds. According to Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Nkohli Majola, a case of murder was opened for further investigation. “This is after the police were summoned to the complaint of murder at a house in Extension 5,” said Majola. Police are following all leads, and no arrests have been made. The police urge anyone with information that could lead to the arrest of the…
By Linda Pona We have had much to celebrate during Women’s Month, yet there is that dark cloud that continues to hang over us, and that is the violent ways that women live and the violent ways they die. This week, Grocott’s Mail reported that the corpse of a 34-year-old mother of two, Phakama Tshobo, was found burned in her shack. As a result of this tragedy, women from the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) membership and executive leadership visited her home to pay condolences to her family for her tragic death. Although police dispute the family’s claims that…
By Linda Pona Following the visit by Water and Sanitation Minister Senzo Mchunu to the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works project on 16 August 2023, progress has been made on the 20 megalitres per day water supply demand for Makhanda. The project’s aim was to increase the existing 10 megalitre per day supply to 20 megalitres at James Kleynhans. Makana Municipality communications officer Anele Mjekula says, “The additional 10 megalitres per day, which was scheduled to be completed by 31 August 2023, has since been achieved.” The upgrades should provide a sustainable water supply to both the East and West…
By Linda Pona The principle of abundance has taught me that if I want to have, I have to give. The more I give, the more I get. This principle of giving is hard to live by, especially in a world that teaches us that if we want more, we must keep taking and giving is not a prerequisite. It warmed my heart to witness the principle of giving practised this week when I watched a generous heroine feeding small children in front of her house. In that same space stood Makhandans, contributing to the cause of feeding a child…