By Luvuyo Mjekula The Makana Municipality is set to end 2024 at a low ebb, having received another disclaimer audit opinion from the Auditor-General (AG), the DA asking national and provincial government leadership to intervene again in a seemingly unending water crisis and ratepayers dialing the Presidential Hotline to vent their water frustrations. Makana Citizens’ Front (MCF) PR councillor Lungile Mxube even labelled the beleaguered institution “a scrapyard municipality”. The AG announced the disclaimer audit outcome for the 2023/24 financial year at a virtual Makana Municipality special council meeting on Wednesday this week. He said he was unable to obtain…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
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By Chris Totobela Relegated Extension 6-based Jacaranda Aces are adjusting to life back in the Makana LFA. Abachathazi, as Aces, are affectionately known in the football circles, played in the Sarah Baartman’s Hollywood Bets Regional League for the past few seasons and managed to finish in the top four of their stream for two seasons in a row. But last season, things turned for the worst. According to their manager and coach, Asanda Koliti, Aces faced too many challenges in that league and last season, they just escalated. Koliti spoke to Grocott’s Mail about the team’s fall from grace. “There…
By Staff Reporter GBS Mutual Bank has joined the “Verge of Change Makhanda” initiative, a community-led effort to enhance public spaces across the city. Driven by the ward 8 committee, the project encourages collaboration among residents, businesses, schools, and organisations to beautify and maintain local verges, street islands, and open areas. As part of its contribution, GBS Mutual Bank recently improved the sidewalk along Hill Street, from its historic head office to High Street. The project involved replacing the deteriorating tar pavement with fresh paving and restoring the building’s original stone façade. During the restoration, four stone-framed panels were uncovered…
By Luvuyo Mjekula A 38-year-old Makhanda man charged with killing his girlfriend and concealing her body, made a brief appearance in the local magistrate’s court on Wednesday, facing murder charges. The case against Mthuthuzeli Manyathi was postponed until 30 January 2025 to facilitate a transfer to the Makhanda High Court. Manyathi remains in custody after his application for bail was denied after his arrest a few months ago. Manyathi allegedly killed his 47-year-old girlfriend, Ntombomzi ‘Nomirana’ Nonze, earlier this year. Nonze’s body was found in her home in Vukani by law enforcement authorities in May. In court, it was stated…
By Chris Totobela Makana LFA has taken a much-needed break and football games in Makhanda will now resume on 11 January 2025. Teams have welcomed this break as most were starting to feel the heat as this is the most critical time of the year because of the initiation season. Makana LFA secretary Akhona Heshu told Grocott’s Mail that this is the time for clubs to rest and enjoy the festive season. He also took time to clarify some of the talking points in the local game. “We were supposed to have an AGM last weekend, but clubs did not…
Dear Grocott’s Mail readers, Grocott’s Mail wishes to thank all our loyal readers and followers for your continued support and extend a warm welcome to our newly-found supporters. To all our readers, and everyone in Makhanda, South Africa and the rest of the world, may you enjoy a wonderful, safe festive season filled with love, kindness, generosity and good health. Please note that we are taking a break from publishing our weekly PDF edition until 2025. This Friday’s edition is the final publication for 2024, and we hope you enjoy all the jolly, festive season-inspired reads and photos, coupled with…
By Chris Totobela Sarah Baartman district boxers took part in the South African National Boxing Tournament in Willowvalle and a number of local fighters came back with a variety of medals. The exciting tournament, under the auspices of the South African National Defense Force, took place in the Willowvale Indoor Sports Centre from 3 to 6 December 2024. Almost all Eastern Cape district municipalities were represented, with the Western Cape province team as guests. A number of boxers from Makhanda and Port Alfred made up the Sarah Baartman district team. In the female section, Esona “The general” Peter, Sangenathi Valela…
A pioneering three-day Education Journalism Think Tank took place from 5-7 December in Makhanda to address critical gaps in South Africa’s education news coverage and communication landscape. The event, jointly organised by Rhodes University’s School of Journalism and Media Studies (SJMS) and the Binding Constraints Lab (BCL), brought together media leaders, journalists, academics, education NPOs, government communicators, and civil society activists. Photos: Steven Lang
By Staff Reporter The Andrew Martin Annual Christmas Chess Tournament held at the Lalibela Recreation Centre in Seven Fountains recently was a dream come true, the organisers said. They said working with the community of Seven Fountains had been a dream, and they thanked the individuals and organisations who made it a reality. A total of 32 children from Makhanda schools such as Samuel Ntlebi, CM Vellem, Saint Mary’s, Ntaba Maria, Graeme College and the YISL Afterschool Program, participated in the tournament, along with their counterparts from Seven Fountains. The tournament consisted of eight sections of four players who played…
By Tom Hamilton Three of St Andrew’s College staff members recently graduated from the Aspiring School Leaders Course which was an initiative of the Makhanda Circle of Unity and delivered through the generosity of the Rhodes University Business School. The three staff members, Joe Orsmond, Jared Kruger and Kaamil Adams obtained their Certificate in School Leadership, Management and Governance. The course comprised modules on: Governance and Rick Management Strategy Formulation and Execution HR Management Project Management Financial Management Labour Relations Leadership Practice Congratulations to Mr Orsmond, Mr Kruger and Mr Adams.