Author: Maleruo Leponesa

By Maleruo Leponesa It’s been over a month now since US President Donald Trump signed an executive order freezing crucial PEPFAR funding internationally. According to the Institute for Security Studies Africa, in 2024 the US provided US$453 million (R8.5 billion) in direct funding to South Africa under PEPFAR and a projected US$439 million (R8.2 billion) was to arrive in 2025. Maleruo Leponesa reports on how these cuts will affect those with TB, HIV and with chronic conditions. Dr Natasha Davies, HIV specialist of Clinical Care at Anova Health Institute which is one of the biggest NGOs affected by the executive…

By Maleruo Leponesa Makana Tourism was present at the recent World Trade Market Africa trade show in Cape Town, because it has a strong commitment to promoting the region and building valuable industry relationships, said Makana Tourism Acting Director, Prudence Mini. “Makana Tourism’s participation was made possible through the invaluable support of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM). SBDM continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that Makana Tourism and other local tourism offices within the district can take part in key platforms that drive growth, visibility, and partnerships in the tourism sector.” She acknowledged the support of Pumeza Tanga,…

By Maleruo Leponesa “I used my pension money to start a homestay, and I must say, it has been one project that kept me alive.” These were the words of a Makana Homestay owner at a successful recent event in Tantyi. Local women are taking control of their economic destinies through operating homestays. Lulama Kopo said she has always loved to care for people, especially visitors. She decided to turn her own house into a homestay with the financial assistance of her daughters. “Through the training that we received, I began to have an eye for restyling my home into…

By Maleruo Leponesa and Luvuyo Mjekula Schools are meant to be places of safety, where parents send their children to get an education and not be raped. These were the words of Basic Education minister Siviwe Gwarube in Makhanda this week. Gwarube was addressing learners, educators and guests at the annual Uyinene Mrwetyana Memorial Lecture at Kingswood College on Monday. The minister went on to reflect on a “heavy week” of children who have been sexually assaulted in their schools, by adults who are meant to protect them. “This week I learnt of a young child – Cwecwe from eMatatiele – not…

By Maleruo Leponesa This Library Week (17-21 March), a group of dedicated Rhodes University librarians marked another milestone in their quest to develop primary school libraries by installing new shelving at the Grahamstown Seventh Day Adventist School (SDA). Last year, the Rhodes Library’s Siyafunda eMakhanda team delivered books, shelves, cushions and carpets to Grade 1 classrooms in four schools: Samuel Ntlebi, CM Vellum, Makana Primary and SDA. The team built reading corners with diverse children’s books and comfortable cushions decorated with’ funda’ and ‘read’. The classroom libraries were sponsored by the SALI Trust and were designed to create an inviting,…