By Nomfundo Mbatha The MTN8 tournament trophy tour graced Makhanda last Friday. MTN8 features the top eight teams from the previous Betway Premiership campaign, with just four teams left for the semi-finals: Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch FC, Sikhukhune United, and Mamelodi Sundowns. All eyes are glued to which team will take it all for the 2025/2026 season. Fabian McCarthy and Vuyo Mere, two legendary footballers who are MTN8 trophy tour ambassadors, lit up the room with passion and a contagious sense of purpose. For them, representing MTN8 is not just about football glory, it is about connection, community and creating lasting…
Author: Nomfundo Mbatha
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By Nomfundo Mbatha The morning began with voices raised in song. Seminarians stood hand in hand, praying and singing not out of abundance, but out of love. There was no fancy hall or grand feast; it was just a small, humble setup with big hearts ready to serve. They opened their arms to the community. Someone said with a smile, “Let’s eat and be merry.” It was not just about food; it was about creating joy where it was needed most. What started as a humble act of service has grown into a lifeline for many in the Makhanda community.…
In April, Grocott’s Mail reporter Nomfundo Mbatha highlighted the deepening food insecurity crisis affecting Makhanda residents, where many households rely on community-run soup kitchens to survive. The report detailed how some of these kitchens were forced to shut down due to declining donations and a lack of essential resources like gas cylinders and food supplies. Among those affected was Masincedane, a small but vital soup kitchen based in the Xolani location, which is run by Thabisa Belwana. The kitchen has recently reopened thanks to donations from a network of supporters, and Belwana is once again able to serve warm meals…
By Nomfundo Mbatha A proud moment for Graeme College and Makhanda as a whole, two talented teenagers from Graeme College are charging into the national spotlight after being selected to represent South Africa’s U18 Springbok squad. A dream come true for these young athletes, balancing school, training, and national pride. Erin Nelson (17), in Grade 11, born and raised in Makhanda, alongside Lucretia Magau (17) in Grade 10, from East London, have earned their Springbok call-ups after standout performances at the Craven Week tournament in Mpumalanga. Their selection comes after months of hard work, injuries, and moments of self-doubt, but…
A diverse selection of Eastern Cape artists is exhibiting their work at St Andrew’s College on the school’s Cornish Verandah. Nomfundo Mbatha called on four of them. Paul Marx Paul Marx from Port Alfred specialises in watercolour landscapes and urban scenes painted on the best British and French archival watercolour paper. He has also had calendars of his paintings printed, he said and his work has been featured in art magazines. Although the retired Marx refers to his art as a hobby, he has been creating consistently for the past nine years. Chanelle Staude Chanelle Staude’s exhibition is a heartfelt…
Butlers and Best Men, Comedy Venue: St Andrew’s Hall Next Performance: Friday 4 July 20:30 Review By Nomfundo Mbatha When a bachelor’s bash getaway turned out to be a murder mystery, everyone was left clueless about who could have been the murderer. When I walked in to the theatre to watch Butlers and Best Men, I did not expect to leave feeling like I had helped write the story along with the rest of the audience. At first, I will admit I was confused. The plot jumped between hilarious chaos and intense mystery, and the characters seemed to change in…
Sizwe Banzi is Dead: Theatre Venue: Centenary Hall Review By Nomfundo Mbatha Have you ever watched a show that is so good, you do not want it to end? That is how this show was. A full house of old and young filled the theatre, buzzing with excitement, laughter, and deep reflection as Sizwe Banzi is Dead took the stage and what a performance it was! Directed by Xabiso Zweni and performed masterfully by Anele Penny and Zweni himself, this timeless classic struck a powerful harmony with the audience. Written by Athol Fugard, John Kani and Winston Ntshona, the play…
The Baby is Crying, Theatre Venue: Masonic Front Next performance: Friday 4 July 10:00 Preview By Nomfundo Mbatha Set against the brutal backdrop of apartheid South Africa in 1982, The Baby is Crying is a bold and emotionally charged three-hander political play that delves into the shadows of exile. Inspired by true events, the story follows three young Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) cadres who tragically lost their lives during a shoot-out with the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Manzini. It is not only a reimagining of a forgotten moment in the struggle, but a heartfelt tribute to the thousands…
The Tragedy of Samuel Omunye, Theatre Review By Nomfundo Mbatha What started as a calm, almost playful theatre play quickly turned into a roller coaster of emotions. It was an intense and thought-provoking performance, the likes of which I have never seen before. Laughter echoed through the theatre in the opening scenes as Professor Samuel and the violent, but weirdly charming General Muga exchanged humorous jabs and philosophical chats. But as the minutes passed, something shifted, and you could feel it in the audience. Humour gave way to tension. Smiles faded. And soon, we were holding our breath. The Tragedy…
Sweetie Darling, Comedy Venue: Princess Alice Next Performance: Tuesday 1 July 20:00 Preview/review By Nomfundo Mbatha Get ready for a heart-warming, laughter-filled journey with Sweetie Darling, a one-person romantic comedy starring the charismatic performer Bongani Mbatha, written by Clinton Marius and directed by Ralph Lawson. Mbatha is a versatile South African actor, writer, director and independent theatre producer. He has starred in acclaimed stage productions like Sweetie Darling, Sophiatown, and Dusted Gold, and he has appeared on TV in shows such as Uzalo, Durban Gen, and many more. Growing up, Mbatha played soccer, but the arts resonated with him. “I have…