Author: Philanathi Mapisa

Social media has emerged as a new form of activism against gender-based violence, with TikTok, Facebook and Instagram becoming platforms where survivors are breaking their silence, sharing their stories, and publicly naming their abusers. This powerful movement to the online environment needs careful examination. Although social media offers survivors a voice when traditional systems have lost their trust, it also raises critical questions about justice, due process, and the potential for harm. An anonymous Instagram account, @justiceforme_ru, was created last  Sunday, which prompted Grocott’s Mail to investigate this phenomenon. The account, @justiceforme_ru, was created at approximately 8pm on Sunday night.…

On the eve of the National Shutdown, President Cyril Ramaphosa declared gender based violence and femicide a national crisis. This comes after a powerful social media movement, led by the Women for Change organisation, to have this “crisis” declared a national disaster. Undeterred, the Makana community continues pushing forward to shut the city down in solidarity with the 15 women who die daily in this country. Community members dressed in black, led by Lee-Ann Cook, will march today from two meeting points to City Hall: the derelict Albany Lounge and the Anglican Church on High Street. And on Rhodes campus…

South Africa’s parliamentarians pledged their renewed commitment to tackling TB in South Africa by relaunching the chapter of the Global TB Caucus on 28 October. The caucus is a network which galvanises parliamentarians to become champions in the fight against tuberculosis, which remains the single biggest infectious disease killer in South Africa, taking the lives of 56 000 people every year. As part of the launch, parliamentarians signed the Barcelona Declaration after a debate during the sitting led by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. The Barcelona Declaration on TB is a 2014 pledge signed by parliamentarians to increase political commitment…

29 Kingswood ballerinas danced in the Movements Dance School ballet production of the famous ballet, “The Firebird”, at the 1820 Settlers Monument on Saturday night. With Kingwood College matriculant Bronté Agnew dancing the lead as the Firebird, and even the littlest pre-primary dancers were included in the beautiful show. The Firebird is based on a Russian folktale about a mythical and powerful spirit covered in magical feathers, who is caught in the Queen’s palace garden eating the Queen’s prized Golden apples. In exchange for her freedom. The Firebird tells the Queen about an evil sorcerer named Koschei, who is luring…

By Phila-Nathi Mapisa “Until South Africa stops burying a woman every 2.5 hours, the G20 cannot speak of growth and progress.” This is the message from Women For Change, an organisation leading the movement for gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) to be declared a national disaster in South Africa. The movement has painted the country purple, with organisations, brands and social media profile pictures turning purple to spread awareness. Women For Change is calling for a national boycott on Friday 21 November, where women and members of the LGBTQI+ community refrain from contributing to the South African economy. Why this matters in…

By Thandile Masinyana and Suané Simmons Food4Futures (F4F), the food security NGO in New Street, has distributed 155 packages every month since January — a total of 1 550 so far this year. At its recent annual general meeting, the organisation also reported on other activities such as its sandwich service every Tuesday — requiring around 80 loaves of bread a week — and assistance with identity documentation. IDs cost R140 each and F4F helps up to 10 people every month with this application fee. “Since Makhanda is a small town, it’s getting more and more difficult to get big…

More than anything, Makhanda is a city of education. The future of Makhanda is inextricably linked to the prospects and progress of the myriad educational institutions in our city, says the GADRA Management Team, who write about partnership, mutuality and unity. When John Williams, the chief financial officer of GBS Mutual Bank, recently phoned the Gadra Matric School (GMS), he spoke about how the principle of mutuality guides so much of our collective practice in Makhanda. He is perfectly correct. For example, when charitable donors visit Gadra Education, they often comment that civil society co-operation is a distinguishing characteristic…

By Staff reporter A gin tasting evening held last Saturday night at Hill Street Manor raised R4 500 for polio vaccines. The event was organised by the Grahamstown Sunset Rotary Club as a fundraiser for PolioPlus, Rotary International’s polio eradication program. Former club president Izak Smuts hosted the evening, which brought together attendees for a tasting event that combined enjoyment with charitable giving. All proceeds from the evening will be used to purchase polio vaccines. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for over 35 years and has raised more than $2 billion for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative during…

By Steve Kretzman  The heads of South Africa’s leading arts festivals have made an urgent call  for the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC) to provide clarity on funding for arts festivals. Their call came last week, after contradictory statements by Minister Gayton McKenzie, and festivals being left without DSAC funding — despite them providing thousands of jobs and being both incubators and lifelines for many artists. In an interview with Netwerk24 journalist Mia Spies last April, McKenzie promised he would support the country’s arts festivals. But when the beneficiaries of the department’s major arts funding programme, the Mzansi Golden…

By Mbukani Mthethwa Elderly residents from the Ethembeni Service Centre old age home participated in the “Big Walk for the Elderly” on Wednesday. The event was organised and sponsored by Peezee Finance to promote active living and give back to the community. The walk started at Soccer City and continued all the way to the Cathedral church, where participants were welcomed with warm hands, refreshments and music. The elderly were joined by Peezee Finance staff, volunteers and caregivers, creating a lively atmosphere filled with unity and enjoyable moments. A fulfilling journey The walk was very fulfilling as it brought attention…