By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma Andrew Kirk’s long-standing leadership of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) was challenged by the Station Commander of the SAPS Grahamstown precinct, Colonel Mbulelo Pika, at the CPF AGM last week. CPF chairperson Kirk started the meeting by explaining that he was currently working in Tanzania and was, therefore, not always in the country. Pika objected and insisted that Kirk’s eligibility for the position should be debated at the AGM. Pika quoted a clause in the CPF constitution that states the chairperson “should ideally be a community member who resides within the area where the CPF is…
Author: Nothando Yolanda Tshuma
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By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma SAPS Station Commander of the Grahamstown precinct, Colonel Mbulelo Pika told the recent Community Policing Forum (CPF) AGM there had been a significant drop in crime in Makhanda. This included a drop in “the most problematic crime in Makhanda, aggravated robbery”, Pika said. This was achieved with the help of local security companies like Hi-Tec and Smhart Security. However, Pika noted an increasing incidence of online fraud, where people are scammed on social media. He urged the public to be vigilant. Another issue raised was undocumented foreigners in Makhanda. Over the past few weeks, undocumented foreigners…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma Fourth-year Rhodes School of Journalism and Media Studies (SJMS) television students recently showcased three intriguing documentaries at the Amazwi Museum. Masiyembo: The role of media in African culture. Directed by Zintle Plaatjie, Masiyembo (which translates to “going back to the roots”) was shot in the Eastern Cape (Port Alfred and Kwanomadolo). The documentary follows a traditional Xhosa healer (Gogo Nonkwenkwezi) who uses the power of the Internet to spread traditional African spiritual customs that most people might not know of. All her teachings embody ukubuyela embo because she uses her acquired knowledge to teach and uplift…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma and Lincoln Morton The Rhodes University Student Representative Council (SRC) kicked off Leadership Week with a bang on 5 August 2024 with an event featuring Miss United Nations 2019, Vinolia Mabele, South African politician Bongani Baloyi, leader of the Xiluva political party and a keynote address by Julius Malema, founder and leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Eden Grove Red was packed with students eager to meet Malema. The audience included not only Rhodes University students but also SRC members from various institutions across the Eastern Cape. With the evening’s theme of “Good Governance and…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma The third phase of the Social Employment Fund (SEF) kicked off on 1 July 2024, again employing thousands of young Makhandans in waste collection and recycling, food security and nutrition, educational support and entrepreneurial development. The National Arts Festival (NAF) is again managing the bulk of the local SEF workers – 1,600 of them. According to NAF director Monica Newton, these workers are also producing building blocks and interlocking pavers made from recycled plastics and glass, which the NAF hopes will be instrumental in a range of improvement and beautification projects this year. Since June 2022,…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma An innovative reading programme at DD Siwisa Primary in Makhanda’s Joza Township pairs Grade 7 and Grade 3 learners with each other. This creates a dynamic and interactive reading partnership where the older learners read to the younger ones. The Buddy Extensive Reading Programme was initiated in 2014 by Dr Anna Nkomo, who is currently a lecturer at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa within the Foundation Phase division. “81% of Grade 4 learners cannot read for meaning in any language in South Africa,” said Nkomo. What needs to change? For Nkomo, the key is that…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma On 17 July 2024, the Vulindlela Programme at Rhodes University took a significant step towards enhancing educational access by distributing SD cards to Grade 11 and Grade 12 learners at Mary Waters Secondary School. This initiative is part of a broader campaign aimed at providing every child in Makhanda with the opportunity to receive a quality education. Recognizing the importance of accessible learning resources, the SD cards are preloaded with relevant study materials tailored to each learner’s subjects. This thoughtful customization ensures that learners have the specific resources they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.…
By Nothando Yolanda Tshuma From 1 July to 5 July, the University Sport South Africa (USSA) rugby tournament will take place at the Rhodes University Prospect field. USSA develops and promotes university sports in South Africa, aiming to elevate the standard of sports at university level. Its goal is to cultivate talent that will represent South Africa on an international stage. “It is exciting to have the USSA tournament in Makhanda and I think it will be good for the town as it correlates with the National Arts Festival,” says Lathitha Jodwana (22), the captain and loose forward of the…
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…
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…