Unmasking the Monster Within, Theatre Venue: City Hall Next performance: Monday 30 June 12:00 Review By Nomfundo Mbatha From the moment the stage lit up at City Hall, it was clear this was not just another play. Brought to life by passionate and bold theatre-makers from the University of Venda, the production took the audience on a deep emotional dive into the hidden corners of the human psyche. This wasn’t surface-level drama; it was raw, fearless and painfully honest. Crafted by the brilliant minds of Mpho Mutsharini, Lugisani Musiye, Khakhu Mulaifa, and Malokisa Thendo, the play unpacks the inner struggles…
Author: Nomfundo Mbatha
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The Island, Theatre Venue: St Andrew’s Hall Review By Nomfundo Mbatha and Luvuyo Mjekula Laughter hit the Drill Hall at St Andrew’s as the powerful apartheid-era drama The Island unfolded before an eager audience. Written by South African theatre legends Athol Fugard, John Kani, and Winston Ntshona, the play is set in a Robben Island prison cell. It follows two political prisoners, one close to release after a successful appeal and the other facing a longer sentence. Together, they rehearse Antigone by Sophocles, transforming their harsh cell into a makeshift stage and their pain into power. With nothing more than…
Age Matters, Comedy Venue: Graham Hotel Next Performance: Sunday 29 June 20:30 Preview By Nomfundo Mbatha From Gqeberha, Mbulelo Msongelwa is bringing the kind of laughter that hits close to home and hits hard in his one-man show, Age Matters. The stand-up comic dives deep into the beautifully chaotic world of turning 40 in a black household, where you get laughed at for not knowing how to slaughter a cow, your knees start talking back, and you realise you have become your parents without even trying. It is raw, real, and hilariously familiar. “I knew that I belonged on the…
Wounds, Theatre Venue: Rehearsal Room, Monument Building Next Performance: Saturday 28 June 18:00 By Nomfundo Mbatha Wounds, a production from the Rhodes University Drama Department, addresses issues such as love, violence and trauma. It holds up a mirror to South African society with the staging of two plays; The Four Seasons by Nikita Baloyi and The Dinner by Swelihle May. Each play explores deeply personal and politically urgent themes, through bold storytelling and raw performances. With these overlapping themes the two directors merge intentions, sending out a message and amplifying awareness. The Four Seasons offers a sacred theatrical experience that…
By Nomfundo Mbatha and Zisanda Kesa In a united effort to address the growing pressures facing local educators, Grahamstown Primary School and St Mary’s Development Care Centre (DCC) have launched a joint teacher development workshop to tackle burnout, classroom challenges, and foster a sense of community among teachers. The two-day workshop in late June provided a much-needed platform for teachers to reflect on their roles, share experiences, and gain new strategies to cope with overcrowded classrooms, behavioural issues, and professional isolation. During the first day, participants were encouraged to revisit why they entered the teaching profession and reflect on the…
By Rod Amner and Nomfundo Mbatha In a week when residents on the western side of the city, including those in critical care facilities, have been at their wits’ end at the water outages, comes the revelation that Makhanda’s overall water security is compromised by one missing pump. Amatola Water communications manager Nolitha Mbangcolo told Grocott’s Mail today that the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works, which supplies Makhanda East, is currently able to produce 20 megalitres (ML) of water a day “under normal circumstances”, double the amount currently being pumped from the facility. Over R400 million has been spent since…
By Nomfundo Mbatha A UIF-funded learnership programme launched by Makana Municipality in partnership with the Department of Employment and Labour and Chippa United has sparked frustration among residents after being announced at extremely short notice. The programme, which offers 150 positions in fields such as Fit & Turner and New Venture Creation, was made public on Thursday last week, just before the application date of Friday, 23 May. With the deadline already passed, many prospective applicants voiced concerns about the limited time they had to prepare the necessary documents and submit their applications. Some were arguing about the fact that…
By Nomfundo Mbatha In a breathtaking display of dominance and strictness, Maru FC confirmed their status as regional giants with a commanding victory over Friendly City on Saturday afternoon. The match at Rhodes University’s Kings Field saw the Regional League champions put on a footballing masterclass that left fans thrilled and their opponents twirling. From the opening whistle, it was clear that Maru came with one aim: to win and win big. Their intensity was unmatched as they pressed high, passed sharply, and developed every inch of space on the pitch. Despite their resilience, Friendly City struggled to contain the…
By Nomfundo Mbatha and Malebo Pheme Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Dr Namane Masemola, has vowed to assemble a high-powered, inter-departmental team of engineers and financial experts to take over responsibility for the management of Makhanda’s infrastructure programmes. This was announced during a Wednesday visit to the city by Masemola and Cogta MEC Zolile Williams. “They will take full charge of the management and the running of this [Makana] Municipality,” Masemola said. Meanwhile, according to The Daily Dispatch, Cogta spokesperson Pheelo Oliphant confirmed on Thursday that Masemola would return to the city in two weeks. Oliphant…
By Nomfundo Mbatha The Judicial Conduct Tribunal investigating sexual harassment allegations against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge has been postponed until June 30, 2025. The delay follows a dispute over the acceptability of testimony from gender violence expert Dr. Lisa Vetten. Vetten is expected to provide insights into the power dynamics between Mbenenge and his former secretary, Andiswa Mengo. Mbenenge’s legal team objected to her testimony, arguing that it was irrelevant and that her summary report had not been submitted in time. However, tribunal chair Judge Bernard Ngoepe ruled to admit the testimony, stating it was better to “err…