By Chris Totobela Legendary referee Luvuyo “Biemba” Ntlanjeni will walk out to the pitch for the last time this weekend as he is set to retire after 35 years of officiating. Ntlanjeni started off like any other local boy, playing football in the dusty streets of Makhanda, as a goalkeeper for Joza Callies, at a very young age. He soon traded his goalkeeping gloves for a whistle and that is where he felt more at home, he says. Ntlanjeni has officiated in many big clashes and tournaments and is well known for his no-nonsense and unbiased officiating. He has, however,…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
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By Phila-Nathi Mapisa Makhanda is home to one of the country’s largest military bases. This town has long been a key training ground and launch point for soldiers heading out on international missions. A significant number of these troops are currently deployed in Congo, taking part in peacekeeping operations aimed at restoring stability in the region. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) is deeply involved in efforts to stabilise Congo, where ongoing conflicts have made the situation increasingly dangerous. In December 2023, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) launched a mission to help the Congolese government manage unrest and…
By Chesley Daniels The Eastern Province (EP) Grahamstown Rural Team are participating in the Annual Rural Cricket South Africa (RCSA) Coastal Tournament in Oudtshoorn from 5-9 February 2025. The team will be captained by experienced Buster Brotherton, with Seviano Jasson serving as vice-captain, the Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) and Eastern Province (EP) Cricket said earlier this week. The squad boasts a mix of youth and experience, with several new faces like Chris Norval, Murray Tyson making their debuts. Participating teams in the RCSA Tournament include: 1. SWD (hosts) 2. Boland 3. EP Grahamstown Rural 4. EP Midlands 5. Border Villages…
By Inga Matiwane Following two years of frustration, after I matriculated in 2022, I am proud to say I am now officially a university student. I’m a G25, as we are called here at Rhodes University (the number that follows the G for Grahamstown is your first year)! I was so excited when my application to study at the prestigious university was accepted. I knew that it was the beginning of something new and exciting in my life, something I had been praying for since the start of my schooling career. I was shattered when I was forced to take…
By Lindokuhle Fuba, Siphesihle Joji, Andisiwe Plaatjie and Luvuyo Mjekula The power of literacy was palpable in Makhanda this week as dozens of primary school pupils celebrated World Read Aloud Day 2025, with the help of the Centre for Social Development (CSD). Based at Rhodes University, the CSD is a self-funded institute which falls under the Faculty of Education. Its primary function is ensuring early childhood development of children from conception to the age of about nine within their households, neighbourhoods and ECD programmes and schools. To mark World Read Aloud Day, teams from the CSD led reading programmes at…
By Siqhamo Jama A record number of young Makhandans will enter Rhodes University this year – almost 200. GADRA Education manager Dr Ashley Westaway said the previous high was about 140. “The VC was very excited when I told him that that number is almost 200 now. We’ve smashed [the previous record],” Westaway said. “It’s the scale of it that makes it overwhelming and moving because then you think about 200 students well, that’s 200 families. The university is more accessible to the community than ever, and I sense that community goodwill towards the university is also higher than ever.”…
NguChris Totobela Iqhubile imidlalo yeMakana LFA yesigaba soompondo zihlanjiwe kule mpelaveki sisuka kuyo. NgoMgqibelo kwibala iJD Dlepu, iRising Stars itsalele iSeven Stars engakwazanga ukuthatha ibala ngexesha ebisikelwe lona, yaze yona iMakana Tigers, ethande ukuba nobuzaza mvanje, yabetha oomabuya ekwendeni iYoung Eagles ngenqaku elinye eqandeni, logama iRiebeek East Academy itsalele iMaru Academy engakwazanga nayo ukuthatha ibala ngexesha ebisikelwe lona. NgeCawe iHellenic ibethe iAfrican Spears ngamanqaku amabini eqandeni, logama iLove and Peace ibhaxabule iCameroon ngamane kwelinye, yaze yona iRiebeek City yatywatyusha iJoza Stars ngamanqaku amane kwelinye. Kumdlalo obujongwe ngamehlo abomvu, iSophia Stars khange ibonakalise ntlonipho ngethuba ikhwela izehlela kwiJacaranda Aces ngamanqaku amane…
By Ross Marriner The end of February is the final opportunity for savvy investors to optimise their tax savings for the current tax year by making additional contributions to their retirement annuities (RAs) and tax-free investment plans (TFIP). Retirement Annuities: A tax-efficient, portable pension plan Investing in a retirement annuity offers numerous benefits: Tax Deductions: Contributions reduce your taxable income, lowering the amount of tax you will need to pay. Tax-Free Growth: Investment returns within a retirement annuity are exempt from income tax, dividends tax, and capital gains tax. Estate Planning Benefits: RA proceeds are not subject…
By Chesley Daniels Salem Cricket Club 1st XI were recently crowned the new Grahamstown Cricket Board (GCB) T20 champions for the 2024/2025 season, beating hosts Cuylerville in a hotly and closely contested final. Cuylerville hosted the final day of the GCB T20 competition and had two teams in the last four, having split their sides into the Youngsters XI and the Formerly Young XI. Cuylerville 1st vs Willows – 1st semi-final The Formerly Young XI beat Willows in the first game of the day to qualify for the final. Willows batted first and made a solid start with Romario Fritz…
By Staff Reporter Eskom says it suspended loadshedding this morning due to the recovery of sufficient emergency services. “After a temporary setback that necessitated the implementation of loadshedding over the weekend, Eskom has suspended loadshedding as of 06:00 today due to the recovery of sufficient emergency reserves,” the company said in a statement. Stage 3 power cuts were implemented at 5pm on Friday following several breakdowns over the past seven days that necessitated extended repair times and the full use of emergency reserves, the power utility had said. However, this morning Eskom said it had since replenished the reserves, with…