By Chesley Daniels In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season, Rosebuds from Alicedale have emerged victorious, claiming the coveted title of Sunsed and Sedru Regional League champions. This triumph marks a historic milestone for the team, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the rugby world. With a final tally of 41 points, Rosebuds edged out Valencia Barbarians (40 points) and Kowie United (40 points) to secure the top spot on the log. The team’s remarkable journey to the championship was characterized by their unwavering dedication, unrelenting passion, and unbridled talent. Under the guidance of…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
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By Staff Reporter St Andrew’s College is delighted to welcome new staff members at the start of Term 3. Greg Shipton – Physical and Natural Science teacher St Andrew’s College is delighted to welcome Mr Greg Shipton to the Andrean community. Greg brings eight years of experience in teaching Physical and Natural Sciences, having previously taught at both Randpark High School and Greenside High School. During his tenure at Greenside High School, he served as the head of the Physical and Natural Sciences Department for four years, consistently delivering outstanding Science results that positioned Greenside among the top- performing government…
By Luvuyo Mjekula Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams is putting in place immediate measures to help manage the water crisis in the Makana Municipality. These include stopping water leaks, automating the operation of reservoirs and ramping up revenue collection. To attend to water leaks, the MEC plans to deploy an engineer to Makhanda. “I am deploying an engineer from Monday [this week] to come and support the municipality because there is too much water loss. As we speak there are water leaks not being attended to,” Williams said. He is also considering the viability of automating…
By Steven Lang World renowned palaeontologist, Prof Per Ahlberg of Uppsala University in Sweden gave a presentation entitled “The Waterloo Lagerstätte: a crucial data point in a world full of gaps” at Rhodes University on Wednesday. As a keynote speaker, he will deliver a specialised version of the presentation at the 22nd Conference of the Palaeontological Society of Southern Africa in Graaff Reinet next week. Ahlberg is spending just over a week in Makhanda so that he can examine fossils unearthed at Waterloo Farm by local palaeontologist, Dr Rob Gess. The shale deposits on the outskirts of town are among…
By Luvuyo Mjekula Eastern Cape MEC for co-operative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta), Zolile Williams, is scheduled to arrive in Makhanda today (Friday) as provincial interventions to deal with the town’s crippling water crisis start to kick in. Spokesperson Pheello Oliphant told Grocott’s Mail yesterday that while the purpose of the MEC’s visit is to address general local government issues, he would attend to “the pressing issue of Makhanda’s water crisis”. Oliphant said the MEC would meet with all the relevant stakeholders. An experienced civil engineer would also be brought in to provide his expertise. “Makana’s engineering capacity is very…
By Luvuyo Mjekula The Gift of the Givers Foundation spent six weeks and about R700 000 renovating two Makhanda public health facilities, making them a conducive working environment and friendly to visitors. The foundation’s founder, Imtiaz Sooliman, revealed in Makhanda on Wednesday that the cost of the renovations to the Anglo African Clinic in Huntley Street and Joza Clinic, came close to R700 000. Doors, windows, floors, ceiling, water leaks were repaired, walls were painted, new gutters and a 10 000-litre water tank were installed. The Joza Clinic has a new wheelchair ramp. “Whatever would make the clinics look better,…
By Chris Totobela This week Grocott’s Mail kicks off its Heritage Month feature, profiling sports heroes and heroines of yesteryear who excelled in different sporting codes. We open with one of Makhanda’s top rugby players, Clinton Gill, who has made a name for himself both locally and provincially. Gill started his rugby career in 1997 just after he matriculated. In 1999 he took it seriously and followed in the footsteps of his father, a top rugby player of his time. Gill played for Swallows and later went on to join the top Makhanda rugby side, Brumbies, where his rugby blossomed.…
By Staff Reporter Water remained closed to the entire Makhanda West on Wednesday morning due to repairs to a burst pipe in Queen Street and problems in the Waainek scheme, the Makana Municipality said in a notice to residents late on Tuesday night. “Even though there is some improvement in the supply of water, the Waainek Scheme on the Western side is still struggling to recharge and stabilise the water supply, which is resulting in some areas on the Western side not receiving water. This is also exacerbated by the burst pipe at Queen Street.” The burst pipe would be…
By Chris Totobela The King Lobengula Foundation and Nathaniel Nyaluza Secondary School are set to combine for a series of exciting sporting events and cultural activities in Makhanda this Heritage Month (September). On top of the list are the 5km Walk Marathon and Fun Run on 24 September. Sizwe Mda, the CEO of King Lobengula Foundation, told Grocott’s Mail about the upcoming events and activities. “We will kick off this Heritage Month of activities with a launch that will take place on 7 September at King Lobengula Museum at 11am. We will host football, rugby, netball and chess, starting on…
By Chris Totobela One of Makhanda’s top female referees is making waves in the world of boxing. Bongi Mbangeli tried out refereeing in 2023 and immediately fell in love with it. She has officiated in local, district and provincial tournaments and has enjoyed every minute of it. The multitalented Mbangeli has been trained in all officiating capacities such as judging and match-making as well. “This is challenging but I enjoy doing it as it keeps me on my toes all the time.” Mbangeli recently officiated in a SANDF tournament in the Free State province where Eastern Cape was represented by…