Author: Luvuyo Mjekula

By Luvuyo Mjekula and Nandipha Twani Heartbroken Makhandans this week mourned the life of young Unathi ‘DJ Udz’ Madyo who tragically died in a car accident on Sunday night. A candlelight ceremony was held at his Phumlani home on Wednesday and he was also remembered at a memorial service at Noluthando Hall in Joza yesterday (Thursday). Police said Madyo was walking in Ncame Street when the tragedy occurred. “Allegedly, a 30-year-old man was walking in Ncame Street when he was hit by a white Mercedes Benz,” said police spokesperson, Captain Marius McCarthy. The vehicle went on to crash into a…

By Luvuyo Mjekula A music festival planned for Fiddlers Green this Sunday has sparked a war of words among certain sections of the Makhanda community, revealing deep divisions among the local residents with some making accusations of racism and inequality. Grocott’s Mail reported yesterday (Thursday) that Makhanda police and organisers of the now controversial music festival, met to discuss the planned event. In response, a number of residents lashed out at those calling for the event to be stopped before it even started, claiming it was illegal and inconsiderate to the local community also made up of old age home residents…

By Staff Reporter The 51st National Arts Festival is in production and as of 1 October, artists have a window to apply to be part of the multidisciplinary showcase through the 2025 Festival’s Fringe programme. The Fringe drives renewal and diversity in the arts, not only at the National Arts Festival but as part of an ecosystem of independent works that travel the country’s theatres and often go beyond South Africa onto international stages. It’s also a platform for artists to test new work and generate income from ticket sales. This year, the National Arts Festival has shifted the window…

By Staff Reporter Dynamic South African acapella group, The Soil, is thrilled to invite members of the media to an exclusive press briefing ahead of their highly anticipated performance at the Guy Butler Theatre as part of the Makhanda leg of their “Soil Reimagined” National Tour. This exciting tour, named after their brand-new album, promises to deliver a truly magical and memorable experience for their loyal fan base across the country, said a statement from the organisers. The Soil is renowned for their unique fusion of rhythmic vocal harmonies, beatboxing, and soulful performances, and this tour will offer a fresh…

By Staff Reporter St Andrew’s College was thrilled to welcome parents and families to our campus as we celebrated the essence of what makes our school unique and extraordinary. This special week provided a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, form new friendships, and highlight the vibrant community and distinctive experiences that define life at St Andrew’s College. Balloon Week was filled with a variety of memorable events and celebrations, from bidding our Matrics farewell to participating in meaningful Chapel services for Valedictory and Confirmation. Attendees enjoyed viewing beautiful art exhibitions and impressive design work, as well as engaging in the excitement…

By Staff Reporter The residents of Extension 10 face a daily struggle that many of us take for granted: access to clean, reliable water. For days, the taps in this community run dry, leaving families without the most necessities for life. This affects their ability to drink, cook, and bathe and hampers the children’s ability to attend school clean and ready to learn. A past St Andrew’s College parent, Victoria O’Connell has purchased Hippo Rollers for the project. Hippo Roller is a social enterprise organisation based in South Africa that manufactures and distributes Hippo Rollers with the aid of sponsors…

By Lindokuhle Fuba Makhanda’s passionate author, Sthembele Xhegwana, is delighted to have his two books on the 2024 South African Literary Awards (SALA) longlist. The books are Dark Lines of History, an English collection of poems, as well as Iziyaca: Ingqokelela yemibongo, written in isiXhosa. Both books were published in September last year and both are in the Poetry Award category. The SALA celebrates literary excellence across various genres in South Africa. Established in 2005, SALA honours both established and emerging writers who contribute to the country’s rich literary heritage. Categories include novels, poetry, children’s literature, journalism, literary translations, and…

By Lufuno Masindi, Thandile Masinyana and Zanele Hlungwani Children from local schools were randomly selected to explore the ancient museums in Makhanda for an educational tour. The schools included Capstone, PJ Olivier, Victoria Girls, St Mary’s and Samuel Ntlebi. They visited the History Museum, the Science Museum as well as the Observatory Museum. Nwabisa Chikila, the organiser and leader of the educational tour, shared some insights regarding the educational tour. She emphasised that the tour was very important to expand the children’s knowledge about their history. Thozama Madikane, a parent, highlighted that it is significant for such tours to happen…