By Chris Totobela Makhanda’s finest midfield general Olwethu “Mshishi” Songelwa, affectionately known as MaOza, has finally secured a professional football contract. Songelwa, 17, has signed a two-year deal with Limpopo’s Betway Premiership team, Sekhukhune United. This comes after the former Sophia Stars’ player’s move to Cape Town City FC fell through due to minor challenges. Sophia Stars’ football manager, Thulani Msipha, told Grocott’s Mail that they decided to sign with Sekhukhune United as the team seemed more eager to have the young playmaker in their books, and they made important strides to show their determination. “Cape Town City wanted the…
Author: Luvuyo Mjekula
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By Chris Totobela She believed she could win another national title at last week’s South African National Boxing Organisation’s (Sanabo) National Boxing Championship in Limpopo, and her confidence paid dividends because Makhanda’s teen boxing star Sangenathi Valela is a national champion in the 60kg weight class. “I am ready for these championships and I know how tough it is going to be, but I know what I’m capable of. After beating a former national champion in the provincial championships, I realised how strong I am and I believe that I can do it in Limpopo and be crowned national champion…
By Chris Totobela All roads led to JD Dlepu Stadium on Sunday for the conclusion of the Heritage Day tournament. Two Makhanda giants – XI Attackers FC and Maru FC – locked horns in a packed stadium to decide the ultimate winner. Maru had won all domestic tournaments before this clash while Attackers played in two finals in a space of six months. Both teams started the game like a house on fire, trying to take control of the midfield battle. The first real chance of the game saw Maru’s left winger, Liyakha “Mshishi” Nkohla, break free from the left…
By The Division of Communication and Advancement Rhodes University is proud to announce that South African art activist and educator, Michael Barry, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) (honoris causa) during the University’s graduation ceremony in Makhanda on 11 October 2024. This prestigious recognition comes as the University celebrates its 120th anniversary, marking more than a century of academic and cultural excellence. Barry’s award also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the National Arts Festival, which has solidified Makhanda’s status as South Africa’s Creative City. Michael Barry’s impact on the South African arts and cultural landscape is…
By Andrea Lucinda Cole The Rhodes University Centre for Postgraduate Studies (CPGS) held an invaluable two-day conference titled Building Bridges: Unleashing the Potential of Scholarship on September 13th and 14th. Hosted across various Barratt Lecture Hall venues, the event provided postgraduate students a platform to present and showcase their research abstracts — from Honours to Postdoctoral. The event also hosted the prestigious 3 Minute Thesis competition (3MT), where the top ten finalists competed for prizes, and the five most outstanding presenters were awarded for their concise and impactful research summaries. The postgraduate conference has been a longstanding annual event since 2017. Opening…
By Nandipha Twani and Luvuyo Mjekula The family of the pedestrian hit and killed by a vehicle in Joza on Sunday has come out and confirmed him as popular Unathi “DJ Udz” Madyo. “It is sad to announce the passing of the well-known public figure, a deejay known by DJ Udz (Unathi Madyo) …” read a notice from the Madyo and Ncipa families. Madyo, 30, was certified dead at the accident scene in Ncame Street on the night of the crash. According to the police, he was walking when the vehicle hit him. “Allegedly, a 30-year-old man was walking in…
By Luvuyo Mjekula and Nandipha Twani A vehicle hit and killed a 30-year-old pedestrian in Joza’s Ncame Street before smashing into a house a few blocks away last night. Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide. “Allegedly, a 30-year-old man was walking in Ncame Street when he was hit by a white Mercedes Benz. It is further alleged that the driver of the mentioned vehicle lost control of the vehicle that left the road and collided with a house,” said police spokesperson, Captain Marius McCarthy. He said the driver, who was alone in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries and…
By Siyathemba Madonsela, Sihle Nyamanda, Siphesihle Joji, Andisiwe Plaatjie and Nandipha Twani Elderly Sarah Baartman District residents took part in the District Games for Older Persons at Rhodes University’s Prospect and Astro fields in Makhanda recently. The residents, in their 60s and 70s, played various sports and games such as athletics, duck walking and ring stick, to name a few, on the day. Social adviser in the Department of Social Development, Lineka Apleni, said the games were initiated for older persons aged 60 years and above with the intention of ensuring they stayed fit and healthy as human beings. Makhanda…
By Chesley Daniels Leon Coetzee will go down in the history books as one of the greatest cricketers Makhanda has ever produced. Born in 1961 in Grahamstown, Coetzee came from a sporting family. He is the eldest son of the late Phillip and Elma Coetzee, highly respected sporting legends in their days. Coetzee and his siblings Allister Coetzee, Barbara Ann and Roderick grew up in Currie Street. He went to High Mission Primary School (GPS) before attending Mary Waters High School where he matriculated. After school, he went to further his studies at Dower College in Port Elizabeth to follow in…