By Malikhanye Mankayi In a moving display of communal support and solidarity, the government, taxi industry and the Makhanda Ministers Fraternal, joined hands on Wednesday to host a prayer service for the families of victims of the recent “O” Street taxi tragedy as well as the wider community. The dignified gathering commenced at the site of the accident on “O” Street, then proceeded to Shaw Memorial Methodist Church where Archbishop Sizwe Nkosinathi Ngesi led a poignant candlelight prayer, as he solemnly read out the six deceased’s names. Qondile Bill, representing the taxi industry, addressed the assembly, emphasizing the industry’s responsibility…
Author: Malikhanye Mankayi
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By Malikhanye Mankayi In a heartfelt gathering at Brookshaw Home in Makhanda, colleagues and friends came together to honour the memory of the late Ntomboxolo Kom, who was brutally raped and murdered recently. The memorial service on Monday was a poignant moment for all who knew and worked alongside Kom, as they celebrated her life and shared cherished memories. Different speakers, representing various faces of Kom’s professional life, took to the podium to pay tribute to her and offer condolences to her family and friends. Estie Westcott, speaking on behalf of the Brookshaw Home management, expressed her deepest condolences: “I would…
By Malikhanye Mankayi This year marks ten years of existence for the St Mary’s DCC Scouts, and on 22 February, children, staff and community members celebrated Baden Powell Day. This day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Robert Baden-Powell, who founded the Boy Scouts movement. Baden Powell is an organization that funds the Scout movement. The Scout movement is for children in school. The purpose of that day was to induct two new adult scout members. Makhanda resident Nosipho Moyikwa, who was welcomed to the Scout Group as an assistant, was excited throughout her induction. She shared her experience with…
By Malikhanye Mankayi With elections coming up and voter registration taking place this coming weekend between 3 – 4 February, Grocott’s Mail asked Makhanda residents if they have registered to vote and their views on the importance of elections. Sifiso Goodman Mthethwa, a 23-year-old Rhodes Student, said, “One of the reasons I believe it’s more important to vote is that it not only a constitutional right, basically it enables a collective to have a say in what goes when it comes to making high decisions because there’s a lot of us and sometimes ittoughult of each and of us every…
By Malikhanye Mankayi Residents of Extension 8 and Transit Camp township have expressed their frustration with the Makana Municipality’s failure to resolve their sewage situation, which they have been facing for many years since 1998. Extension 8 resident Boniswa Stamper says, “We have this sewage problem which is affecting us very badly for years. We have been sending complaints about this drainage system to the municipality offices”. She said, “In addition to the sewage we are dealing with, the sewage gets inside the house when we breathe under this condition, which puts our health at risk.” Mvuyisile Mini, another Extension…
By Malikhanye Mankayi Makana Municipality mayor Yandiswa Vara celebrated her birthday on 22 January by giving back to needy learners of Archie Mbolekwa Primary School in Makhanda. Supported by insurance giant Old Mutual and local business Lutifusion, Vara’s initiative saw foundation learners receiving school uniforms and toiletry packs as schools recently reopened after the December holidays. The event also coincided with the 2024 back-to-school campaign. Vara said the initiative aimed to show support to needy learners and encourage them to take education seriously. “We have come here to say we have gone above and beyond the cake. We want to…
By Malikhanye Mankayi On Thursday, 30 November 2023, Action SA, through the political party’s secretary Buhle Mdoko, gave Makhanda youth a platform to boost their self-esteem and self-sufficiency in the first Mr and Miss Makhanda beauty pageant at Amazwi South African Museum of Literature in Makhanda. Present at the event were various members of the community, ActionSA provincial chairperson Athol Trollip, Miss Teenager South Africa pageant finalist, and Makhanda resident Elam Magula. “This show will continue to happen annually since now we are facing depression, cyberbullying and criticism of body shape, so I created this initiative so that young minds…
By Malikhanye Mankayi and Luvuyo Mjekula A great tree has fallen in Makhanda. Those who knew him described him as an ambassador and a producer of great men. Vakele Reubin Ndibaza, popularly known as Nxele, was probably the most popular ingcibi (traditional surgeon) in Makhanda. He passed away last week aged 84. Ndibaza had run his race, considering he had retired as an ingcibi in December last year. On Thursday, 16 November, he took his last breath. His funeral will be held on Friday, 24 November, at the Ethiopian Episcopal Church (KwaMateyu). On Thursday, Isiko Loluntu, an organisation of traditional…
By Malikhanye Mankayi Singamandoda Men Empowerment Spaces, a men’s organisation whose mandate includes fighting the scourge of gender-based violence, hosted a workshop on Tuesday, 14 November, with the aim of recreating a platform for men to reclaim their space – with families communicating and denouncing patriarchy, toxic masculinity and social ills. Different stakeholders and departments, such as Border Rural Committee, Kagisano, Makana Rape Survivors Support Group were invited to contribute. Jongi Hoza, the head of the Secretariat of the Eastern Cape Men’s Movement and the programme manager of Empilisweni HIV/Aids Care Centre, opened a platform for all those present to…
The Springboks defended the Rugby World Cup in a tightly contested encounter against the All Blacks of New Zealand on a rainy Saturday (28 October 2023). Grocott’s Mali journalist adked residents of Makhanda for their reactions. Rudzani Manafe: “The game was a very good game. Obviously we won and that’s exciting. I am proud of the guys. I think the energy and drive they showed, displayed the dedication for fighting for their country. The best player for me was Bongi Mbonambi because I think we don’t get to appreciate players who play in his position, which is Hooker and I…