By Nothando Tshuma and Siliziwe Mahambehlala According to the South African Human Rights Commission, everyone has a right of access to basic water supply and sanitation. It is also less than two months before South Africa has its general elections. And yet, the people of Riebeek East find themselves in a life-threatening situation due to a lack of service delivery. Recently, a Groccott’s Mail team met with a group of residents who questioned how it has been 30 years since the first democratic elections, but they were still using the bucket toilet system. Not only that, they still live in…
Author: Nothando Yolanda Tshuma
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By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma and Rikie Lai Under the leadership of Graeme College headmaster Kevin Watson and deputy headmaster Gregg van Molendorff, the all-boys school located in Makhanda continues to thrive even after nearly three decades. “Since its inception in 1998, the history of Graeme College has steadily strengthened,” remarks Watson. Over the years, the annual Rugby Day event has proven to be a resounding success, attracting schools from Makhanda and across the Eastern Cape and other provinces. This esteemed occasion has garnered national attention and was broadcast live on channel 206 on DSTV. “With increasing sponsorship over the past…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma As Graemeans kickstart their 2024 Rugby Day festival on Thursday, 14 March, following the success of the 2023 tournament, which was also part of the school’s 150th birthday celebrations, this year, the festival began with Graeme’s U16A boys playing against Selborne, securing a 19-0 home ground win. While the school celebrates the victory, the mastermind behind this annual 3-day event, Nico van der Meulen, will bid farewell to both the school and tournament as he is on the brink of retirement. Having matriculated at the school in 1977, van der Meulen returned to teach at the…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma Born in the capital city of the Northern Cape – Kimberley, Thando Kema, now a mother of three, matriculated in Kimberley and moved to Rhodes University for her tertiary studies. Today, she holds both a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Postgraduate Honours degree. After completing her studies, she moved to Johannesburg, worked there for some time, and eventually moved back to Makhanda. The Solace Sisterhood is a support group Kema started in Makhanda. The group aims to bring support to women and also encourage women who are facing different life challenges. She says this will…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma Rhodes University is celebrating its 120th anniversary in style, from cheerleaders to drones flying over the Great Field. On 22 February, Rhodes Music Radio (RMR) presenter of “The Pulse” show, Nomangesi Buwa, invited Communications and Marketing interim manager Christelle Du Toit, and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation Professor Peter Clayton, and Akofang Kgage, the captain of the Rhodes University Cheerleaders. When looking at the RU120 celebrations, du Toit said, “Age is nothing but a number,” referencing Rhodes University turning 120 years old. This implies that despite being 120 years old, the university’s impact and…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma On 14 February 2024, the National Research Fund – South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) officially launched the Harmony of Science and Art – Sound and Postcard Exhibition at the Rhodes University Main Library. The project is a collaboration between NRF-SAIAB’s IMIsEE Project and the Rhodes University Department of Music and Musicology, combining science, art and music to preserve Marine Coastal systems. Speaking about the project were Rhodes University Music lecturer Dr Boudina McConnachie and Prof Francesca Porri, a Scientist at SAIAB. According to Porri, “The project goes back to trying to find solutions to…