Author: Luvuyo Mjekula

By Luvuyo Mjekula The community of Makhanda came together this week in support of the family of a young Vukani woman who is the latest victim of gender-based violence (GBV). Ntombomzi “Nomirana” Nonze was brutally murdered in Makhanda recently, allegedly by her boyfriend. Authorities found her body in her Vukani home nearing the state of decomposition. Mthuthuzeli Manyathi, the suspect in the case, appeared briefly in the Makhanda Magistrate’s Court yesterday (Thursday) on a murder charge. The case was postponed until 4 June for a formal bail application. Manyathi remains in custody. Meanwhile, touched by her untimely passing and angered…

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By Staff Reporter Makana mayor Yandiswa Vara yesterday (Thursday) tabled the final budget and the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), the municipality said in a statement. According to the statement from municipal spokesperson Anele Mjekula, the Council approved the 2024/25 Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Forecast (MTREF) final budget based on the proposed expenditure and revenue for the three-year period as outlined in the budget recommendations contained in the budget document. The total operating revenue for the 2024/25 financial year is projected at R863,7 million and the two outer years at R900,8 million and R899,7 million respectively for the MTREF. The basis…

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By Chesley Daniels On Sunday, Siphesihle Mpisane’s donation drive brought warmth and happiness to two deserving beneficiaries – Ikhaya Losizo and St Lukes orphanages. With a heart dedicated to helping the less fortunate, Siphesihle handed out blankets and packs to the two orphanage homes, putting smiles on the faces of those who need it most. “My drive is to put a smile on the less fortunate, so they feel important too,” Siphesihle said. “What I have is not just mine, it is for those who need it.” Accompanied by Gardmed, Siphesihle visited the two homes, spreading love and kindness. The…

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By Andile Nayika All citizens are capable of flourishing as human beings who realise and free their potential. However, to fulfil this process, citizens must first have human capabilities. Physical functioning refers to movement and it includes healthy respiratory, digestive, cardiovascular and muscular systems. Mental capabilities refer to psychological capacity which enables citizens to be alert or conscious of their environment, including thinking, feeling, sensation and intuition. Human function does not exclude people living with disabilities as they may be healthy, physically and mentally capable.  Basic human functions become greatly important in an ideal democracy, as they could impact citizens’…

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By Erna Goodier On Sunday, the St Andrew’s College Tennis Club played two thrilling fixtures at the annual Bailey Cup, hosted at Kingswood this year. This local fixture includes two players in the U18, U16, U14, U12 and U10 age groups, which is unique, as you play alongside your prep school to determine the final outcome. Our first match was against Kingswood, which we won quite comfortably. We used this fixture to warm up and prepare ourselves for what could be a very challenging game later. This victory set a positive tone for the day. The highlight of the day…

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By Chesley Daniels Trying Stars 1st XV hammered Hankey Villagers 47-17 in an Epru Grand Challenge Top 12 fixture at their fortress Wentzel Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon. Stars led 14-0 at halftime. Hosts Stars proved too strong for their opponents in front of their large faithful and came out victorious. The win put Stars in 5th position on the log with Hankey in 9th position. Stars scored nine tries in a try fest and ran riot over a hapless Hankey side. The home side’s dangerous backline were in devastating form and outclassed their opponents with their profound pace and…

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By Shaun Bergover and Siseko Benya Dealing with funerals and deceased estates can be tough during the emotional turbulence of a loved one’s death. However, it is necessary to address these issues, to prevent disputes that may arise after someone has passed away. A Will is thus an important part of estate planning. What is a Will? According to the Wills Act 7 of 1953, a Will is a formal written statement of your intentions about the distribution of your assets after death. You are deemed to have died “testate” if you have a Will, and your estate will be divided…

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By Chesley Daniels In a thrilling upset, the Grahamstown Brumbies 1st XV defeated reigning Epru Grand Challenge champions Gardens 20-17 in their top 12 fixture at Albany Sports Club on Saturday. Despite being underdogs, the Brumbies showcased their strength at home, leveraging a monumental scrum dominance to secure a hard-fought victory. The visitors led 14-8 at halftime, but the Brumbies’ forwards pack, in “beast mode”, showed no mercy to the Gardens team, which boasted EP provincial front-row players. The home side’s impressive performance not only earned them a crucial win, but also snapped Gardens’ unbeaten streak in front of a…

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By Andrea Cole On May 20, 2024, Rhodes University’s Registrar’s Division unveiled a riveting exhibition titled “Registrar’s Division: A Glimpse Through the Years” at the Eden Grove Building. This exhibition is a contribution from the Registrar’s Division to Rhodes University’s bidecacentennial celebration, popularly known as RU120. The exhibition showcased the Registrar’s Division’s long-standing existence, achievements, and impact as part of the year-long RU120 celebration, which focuses on past and present excellence, innovation, and community. The event was prologued with a welcome speech by Professor Adḗle Moodly, the University’s Registrar, who masterfully threaded this component of the University’s history and contextualised…

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By Amahle Banda and Athenkosi Mndende In commemoration of Africa Month, the NRF SARChI Chair for Intellectualisation of African Languages, Multilingualism and Education, in collaboration with the Faculty of Humanities and the Global Engagement Division, organised events from the 13th to the 16th of May 2024. These gatherings aimed to delve into Africa’s rich heritage and provoke academic discourse on the continent’s future trajectory. Internationally acclaimed scholars, including Emeritus Prof Kwesi Kwaa Prah, Prof Lynda Spencer, Prof Douglas Mpondi, Dr Ignatius Mabasa, and Zimbabwean novelist Tsitsi Dangarembga, shared their thoughts throughout the week. The inaugural event on May 13th featured…

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