By Olwethu Kota The St Mary’s Development and Care Centre (DCC) came alive with energy and excitement as children celebrated World Play Day under the global theme “Choose play every day”. The centre, located in the heart of Makhanda, dedicated the day to highlighting the critical role of play in child development not just as fun, but as a fundamental right and tool for learning. Children were treated to a day packed with classic games, vibrant interactions, and plenty of laughter. From the rhythmic chant of “Fire in the Mountain” to the fast-paced scramble of musical chairs, children immersed themselves…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
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NguChris Totobela Kuzakuqhawuka unobathana kwaye kuzabe kusithiwa igwala kulonina xa kuzabe kubanjwe itumente yokubhiyozela umhla wolutsha eMakhanda kwiimpelaveki ezimbini ezizayo. Iqela lamagqiyazana lebhola ekhatywayo lalapha eMakhanda nelenza imbali ngokuphumelela intshinga yengingqi yeSarah Baartman izihlandlo ezisixhenxe zilandelelana, iAfrican Connection, izakusingatha isiqendu sesibini setumente yebhola ekhatywayo edlalwa njengenxalenye yemisitho esetyenziselwa ukubhiyozela umhla wolutsha (June 16) kuMzantsi Afrika uphela. Kulo nyaka uphelileyo icandelo lamadoda lale tumente laphunyelelwa yiGolden Eagles, yaze yona iBathurst City Tigers yaseBhatisi yaphumelela icandelo lamagqiyazana, ibetha oosotheko kumdlalo wamagqibela kankqoyi. Nale yalo nyaka itumente, nezakubandakanya amacandelo amabini, izakubanjelwa kwibala elidumileyo lebhola ekhatywayo lalapha ekhaya, iJD Dlepu. Onke amaqela azakuthatha inxaxheba…
By Chris Totobela The Sarah Baartman Boxing Organisation (Sababo) hosted its district trials at the Joza Indoor Sports Centre last weekend with Blue Crane, Ndlambe and hosts Makana municipalities taking part. Local boxing fans did not disappoint as they packed the sports centre to the rafters, cheering their boxers. One of the cracking bouts saw Makhanda’s Linamandla Jim exchange leather with Bathurst-based Ayabulela Tokwe. The latter started the fight well, throwing some good punches in the first few minutes of the first round, but faded towards the end, allowing Jim to land hard punches. Jim fought behind the jab and…
By Chris Totobela Christmas came early for the Ntsika Secondary School rugby team as they received playing kit and a ball from the Joza Community Policing Forum (CPF) and the Sarah Baartman office of the Community Safety Department. CPF chairperson Tembisa Qinela said they chose Ntsika as beneficiaries because the school had helped learners excel in sport. “Luyolo Nketsheni, the former SA female champion won her title while she was still here and there are so many other learners who were assisted by this school with their sport and that alone shows how serious this school takes their learners sporting…
By Chris Totobela Makhanda football lovers are over the moon after their hope, Maru FC, were crowned champions of the Hollywood Bets Regional League play-offs this past weekend. Maru travelled to Somerset East to take part in the the Sarah Baartman district’s regional league play-offs where they competed against other stream winners to decide the ultimate winner. In the first game, Maru FC had to dig deep to come from 1-3 down and narrowly defeat Jeffrey’s Bay Stars 4-3. In the second game, the Makhanda team beat Seven Stars 2-1, and completed their successful journey by overcoming United Brothers by…
By Chris Totobela Boxing fans made their way to Hlalani community hall last Saturday for an all-women boxing tournament hosted by Mfuzo Boxing Club. Onenceba Majezi of Mfuzo Boxing Club said the purpose of the tournament was to provide a platform for girls to showcase their God-given talent. “We also use this opportunity to teach them about gender-based violence and many other things that affect us as women.” Bayethe Boxing Club from Bhofolo, Ace Mates Academy from Qonce, Dabhan from Ngqushwa, Mali Boxing Club from Bhatisi, Ilinge Boxing Club from Komani and Ndungwana Boxing Club from Cofimvaba joined the hosts…
By Chris Totobela Local basketball is reaping the rewards of hard work and dedication. This comes after a number of Makhanda players travelled with the Sarah Baartman district team to take part in the U18 provincial championships at Dale College in eQonce (King William’s Town) recently. Phathelo Shale, Siyabonga Macozoma, Bambolwethu Sishuba, Milisuthando Kunene, Anoyolo Mzanada and Likho Kanyula have all made the Eastern Cape boys U18 team, with Matthew Adam Bloem as assistant coach. Lisakhanya Mjali is the only Makhandan in the girls’ team while top basketball coach Xolisa Kula has been included as head of coaches. Likho Kanyula…
By Chris Totobela Isikolo samabanga aphezulu nesaziwa ngesakhono saso ezifundweni, iKhutliso Daniels, izenzela igama nakuyo imidlalo eyahlukeneyo. IKhutliso yaziwa, kwaye izibalule kwezebhola yomnyazi. Kodwa mva nje, esi sikolo sizenzele igama ngokuthi abafundi baso abangamantombazana aselula adlala ibhola ekhatywayo atyunjwe kwiqela labo bangaphantsi kweminyaka elishumi elinesihlanu nelizakumela ingingqi iSarah Baartman. Eli qela lizakujongisa imibombo eMonti kungekudala nalapho lizakuqubisana namanye amaqela aphuma kwezinye iingingqi zephondo leMpuma Koloni. UKungawo Maxalisa noAsenathi Mgoduka abenza ibanga lesithandathu bachulumancile emva kokufumana ezi ndaba, kwaye bathembisile ukuba bazakuzama ngako konke okusemandleni abo ukumela le ngingqi yeSarah Baartman kakuhle. Umqeqeshi wabo uMandilakhe Klaas uthethe wenjenje: “Siyavuya kakhulu sisisikolo…
By Luvuyo Mjekula Two men appeared in the Makhanda High Court on Tuesday facing charges of raping a Rhodes University student in March last year. According to the indictment, the two men, a 19-year-old from Kirkwood and his 21-year-old co-accused from Gqeberha, “rescued” the student from a robber, only to drive her to a remote area near Settlers Monument and gang-rape her. The two accused cannot be named because they have not pleaded yet. They are out on bail. In the indictment, the state alleges that on or about 16 March 2024, the two men, acting in the furtherance of…
By Luvuyo Mjekula Frustrated Makhanda small business owners have been battling for more than five years to get the Eastern Cape Human Settlements Department to pay them their hard-earned money. The local owners want to be paid for work they carried out as part of the government’s Special Cost Control and Compliance Authority (SCCCA) housing project, which involved renovating substandard RDP houses. The 24 small, medium and micro enterprise (SMME) owners said they were appointed to work on RDP houses in Eluxolweni and Fingo Village in Makhanda. They were paid accordingly when the project started in 2016. Their problems began…