By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla The gravel road connecting Alicedale to the N2, between Makhanda and Gqeberha, is not part of the network of the South African National Roads Agency Soc Ltd (Sanral), the roads agency has confirmed. In a recent article published by Grocott’s Mail, it was revealed that the project to upgrade the provincial gravel road named MR00476, which goes to Alicedale from the N2, had been discontinued, much to residents’ chagrin. Confusion ensued after it was mistakenly stated in the article that Sanral had had a meeting with the community over the stretch of road. However, it has since…
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By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla The Eastern Cape Department of Transport says it would cost over R602 million to tar the road from the N2 highway to Alicedale, and the cost is too high. The department’s spokesperson, Unathi Binqose, told Grocott’s Mail that to regravel the road costs R10.9 million, and the department’s plan is to do this only once every seven years. The news has angered the ward committee of Alicedale, who say the terrible condition of the road is ruining their lives and that they were never informed that a 2007 promise by the government to tar the road had…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Under the theme Inform a Learner, Save a Learner, the care, support, teaching and learning (CSTL) section of the Department of Basic Education launched the program for 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children on Wednesday, 22 November. School learners around Joza gathered at Noluthando Hall to gain knowledge from various experts. In attendance were representatives of the departments of health, social development and education, Saps, ward 2 councillor Ramie Xonxa. The Marimba band from Amasango Career School provided entertainment with their exciting pieces of music. While welcoming the learners, program director and…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Almost ten years later, with the last Ted X talk in Makhanda in 2012, Nombulelo Gongqa and Vuyokazi Shezi TedxMakhanda organisers decided it was time for a comeback. On Saturday, 4 November, the Ted X was held at Amazwi South African Museum of Literature auditorium, with a variety of speakers such as Monica Newton, National Arts Festival CEO, Cindy Fumbata, the Director for pupil development at Diocesan School for Girls, and Rhodes University’s Nomphumelelo Babeli. The speakers were invited to speak on radical love and softness as tools for community building from their perspective and how to…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla As Makana Municipality and Amatola Water repeatedly reassure the public that the James Kleynhans Water Treatment Works (JKWTW) project is capable of delivering water to every tap in the municipality every day, many Makhanda residents’ taps are completely dry. These residents continue to depend on scarce water truck deliveries and hold onto the withering hope of Makana’s water woes being a thing of the past by the end of the year – as promised by Makana municipality. “The thing about the water trucks, it’s rare. It comes those times,” said Precious Nortjie, a Hooggenoeg resident. She said…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Thirteen years after the Makhanda High Court order, the official handover for Amasango Career School’s temporary school premises occurred on 20 September 2023 in Extension 10, Joza location. Principal Agent and project Quantity Surveyor Siyalizwa Magida confirmed in the handover meeting that the school, currently housed in prefabricated classrooms, would finally get the proper school they had been fighting for all these years. The meeting, chaired by Magida, was attended by various stakeholders, including the project contactor, Mpumalanga Construction’s Management team, Ward 12 councillor and LED and Planning coordinator, Mzobanzi Nkwentsha, project architect Beverley Mandimutsira, Civil and…
By Staff Reporter Angry eNkanini community members protested outside the Makhanda Magistrates’ Court on 12 September for bail to be denied to the 45-year-old woman accused of the premeditated murder of eNkanini resident Thembinkosi Wambi. The community members presented a signed petition with over 300 signatures to the Magistrate, demanding that Wambi’s alleged murderer be denied bail. According to NPA spokesperson Luxolo Tyali the accused was arrested on 28 August. Tyali said, “[She was] denied bail because it is alleged she committed premeditated murder [and the] case is still under investigation.” The woman accused of murder first appeared in court…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Tensions were high at the Barratt Lecture venue at Rhodes University on 6 September when students were given a platform to voice their grievances to the current Student Representative Council (SRC). What started as a regular meeting between students and the SRC resulted in students begrudgingly leaving the venue. Students spoke about the current SRC leadership and issues they have experienced and asked for possible solutions to some of their issues, especially concerning exams starting soon. To put the students at ease about the issues raised, SRC president Avuxeni Tyala introduced the “Food for the Brain” project…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla Hooggenoeg is one of the many neglected areas under the jurisdiction of the Makana Municipality. The small community on the top of a hill suffers from numerous sewage leaks that often flood the residents’ yards. One house, in particular, is the house of 50-year-old Zoliswa Noyisi on 7th Avenue, which caught fire five years ago. Leaking sewage now seeps through the charred house’s walls. “It was reported to the municipality. They didn’t come even to look,” says an angry neighbour who chose to remain anonymous. “The water goes into her room. Uyagula lomfazi (this lady is sick).…
By ‘Odidi Matai-Sigudla As the prospective move of the High Court from Makhanda to Bisho looms closer, the Makhanda High Court Action Committee (MHCAC) held a press conference on 15 August to express their disappointment with the final report released on 27 July by the Committee of the Rationalization of Areas under Jurisdiction of the Division of the High Court and Judicial Establishments, the Moseneke Committee. “We were deeply disappointed that the committee retained its interim recommendation,” began Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes University. “The final report recommends the relocation of the seats of the Eastern Cape Division of…