Author: Nanza Platana

By NANZA PLATANA Makana Municipality Committee member Ramie Xonxa’s office transformed into a space for an intimate ceremony which honoured the memory of late rugby player and anti-apartheid activist Thembinkosi Maguma. In attendance was Xonxa, Maguma’s daughter Simthandile Maguma and author Ashwell Adriaan. Simthandile Maguma, daughter of late rugby player Thembinkosi Maguama. Photo: Nanza Platana During the ceremony, Xonxa presented a book about rugby titled ‘Line Breakers: The Rugby-playing Sons of Makana and Stuurman’, written by Ashwell Adriaan, to Maguma’s daughter Simthandile Maguma. Xonxa expressed that giving Siyamthanda the book was a way to not only honour her father but…

By NANZA PLATANA It’s cold and soft rain pours on a Somerset Heights street – but as soon as the gate opens at Serelda Caiger’s family home, I am enveloped by warmth. Caiger – kind and soft but powerful and passionate – ushers me into her garage. As I enter, I am met with various colourful dresses, a few suits, and boxes galore in all shapes and sizes. All these items and boxes hang neatly on the walls, while some are tucked into the corners. My eyes wander. I see pictures of Caiger’s matric dance and a sign: “Makhanda Matric…

By NANZA PLATANA and NOBUHLE ZULU Jubilation, applause, dance, and song filled the Joza Indoor Sports Centre last Saturday as eight local school choirs sang their hearts out at the first-ever Makhanda Stibili Music Festival, hosted by comedian Tsepiso Nzayo. The beginning Waiting for the much-anticipated choir festival to start, the event founder Velile Pantsi said the festival was the first of its kind to be showcased in Makhanda. “Zange yabakho phambili,” he said. Pantsi briefly spoke about the history of Stibili, which he describes as a traditional kind of music called uXhawane in the Apostolic Church. An excited Pantsi…