By Megan Goliath Same-sex couples have had the right to formalise their relationships since 30 November 2006 when the Civil Union Act was enacted. This followed the ground-breaking 2005 Constitutional Court decision in Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie (Doctors for Life International). In this case the constitutionality of the previously known common-law definition of marriage and the marriage formula in terms of the Marriage Act 25 of 1961 was challenged in that it excluded same-sex couples from the status and responsibility accorded to heterosexual couples. The Civil Union Act recognises a civil union as the union of two persons,…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
Read More
By Chesley Daniels The Eastern Province Rugby Union (Epru) rugby competitions resume this weekend after a two-week break. Also set to kick off this weekend is the Sedru Regional League with four teams – Rhodes, Kowie United, Ndlambe Tigers and Black Lions – in action against each other. In the log standings, Grahamstown Brumbies are placed 5th in the Grand Challenge Top 12, the best-placed Sedru club, while there’s some work to be done by Trying Stars in 8th position. St Marks Alicedale sits in 4th position in the Grand Challenge Bottom 12 after round three while Lily White is…
NguChris Totobela Itumente yamanqindi ebijongwe ngamehlo abomvu eMakhanda ayiqhubekekanga kwimpelaveki edlullileyo, bashiyeka benxubile abalandeli nabathandi balo mdlalo. Le tumente, nebiququzelelwa yiMakabo engumbutho owongamele amanqindi apha eMakana, futhi iquka amaqela alapha ekhaya odwa, ibicwangciselwe uMgqibelo ogqithileyo eIndoor Sports Centre eJoza. Abadlali baye bakhwela esikalini kwaye bathelekiswa, emva koko banikwa nethuba lokufumana okuya ngasethunjeni phambi kokuba bakhwele eqongeni baqubisane. Kuthe kusenjalo bafumana umpoposho othi ayisayi kuqhuba le midlalo, bashiyeka bekhwankqiseke ngeyona ndlela. Umongameli weMakabo, uNtsikelelo Maholo, ucacise wenjenje: “Amaqela ebesiwalindele apha mathandathu, kodwa kufike amane kuphela. Sithe sisajongile safumana umyalezo wokurhoxa kwamaqela amabini, nto leyo esishiye sinamaqela amabini kuphela. Isizathu sokurhoxa kwalamaqela…
By Chris Totobela Young Eagles were crowned champions of the Superbowl U15 Easter Soccer tournament after a dominant 4-0 win against Rising Stars in a packed JD Dlepu Stadium in Joza on Monday. Eagles dominated the clash from the first until the final whistle against Stars, who struggled to find their rhythm. It was a grand conclusion to the youth tournament with young players dishing out exciting football. In the first semifinal, Rising Stars edged Blue United in a nail-biting encounter by 3-2 and advanced to the final. The second semifinal was a tough encounter that ended with Young Eagles…
By Chris Totobela Slain Makhanda football coach Mncedisi Qenge was a strict disciplinarian who wanted his players to be warriors on the pitch. These were some of the tributes to Qenge, affectionately known as Situation, at his funeral service in Joza on Saturday. Mourners packed Noluthando Hall to bid farewell to the young coach. Qenge passed away after a stabbing incident in Extension Six. One speaker at his funeral described him as “a brave, honest and no-nonsense man”. Qenge started his football career with United Fighters before moving to Joza Callies where he made a name for himself. However, after…
By Chris Totobela Local DJ and well-known event organiser Ivy Madyo and popular Umhlobo Wenene FM breakfast show co-presenter Mafa Bavuma have donated R10 000 to the Makana Local Football Association (LFA) as a way to give back to the local community. The duo had their birthdays on Freedom Day – Sunday, 27 April. To celebrate their birthdays, they worked with the LFA to organise a soccer tournament for Thursday, 1May. Speaking to Grocott’s Mail, Madyo was excited about the event. “I played football for Mountain Shades and I also organise big events, one of which is staged at JD…
By Luvuyo Mjekula The Church of Umzi Wase-Tiyopiya of Southern Africa in Tantyi recently handed out clothes and served food to community members residing in its vicinity as part of the church’s newly-launched outreach programme. It was a unique way of celebrating Easter, the church’s Reverend Nkululeko Magopeni acknowledged as the church’s women, who make up the department of social responsibility, diligently served the community members. Magopeni explained that the programme was motivated by the church’s need to help the community and that a call had been made to church members to donate good quality clothing that was not in…
By Luvuyo Mjekula The Makana Citizens Front (MCF) seeks to have Makana mayor Yandiswa Vara voted out through a vote of no confidence. The motion will likely be tabled and debated in an ordinary council meeting on 30 April. Council Speaker Mthuthuzeli Matyumza announced the MCF’s motion last month. The party’s Philip Machanick had requested that voting be conducted by means of a secret ballot. “I hereby submit the attached motion of no confidence against the Executive Mayor for consideration by Council at the earliest practicable time, either a special Council meeting called as soon as possible or to be…
By Luvuyo Mjekula While the Makana Municipality leadership enjoyed a feast of meat and drinks at the annual Makana Freedom Festival at eGazini in Fingo Village on Tuesday, angry municipal workers picketed outside the City Hall, accusing the “arrogant” leaders of endangering their lives. The placard-waving general and essential workers, most affiliated with the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu), said their lives are at risk daily due to the municipality’s failure to procure necessary protective clothing. One worker’s placard read: “We want to deliver services to the community. We want PPEs and tools of trade now.” According to Samwu…
By Chris Totobela Of the 16 local junior teams that kicked off the 2025 Superbowl Easter Soccer tournament this past weekend, only four are left vying for the competition’s top prize. They are Rising Stars, Blue United, Jacaranda and Young Eagles and will do battle at JD Dlepu Stadium in Joza on Monday, 28 April. Rising Stars will take on Blue United and Jacaranda will tackle Young Eagles. Both semi-finals will start at 11am and the final is set to take place at 3.30pm. The winner of the tournament will walk away with a trophy and gold medals while the…