Citizens want a meaningful say in how they are governed, not local government that foists on them what it has decided the people need writes Steven Friedman. Local elections are upon us once more, so it is “service delivery” time again. Some parties are campaigning on the promise that they will offer “service delivery”. The media – not surprisingly, since they are addicted to the phrase – tell us that “service delivery” is the central election issue because it is what local government is all about. So clichéd has this phrase become that it is rarely challenged. It has become…
Author: Rod Amner
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The Black Consciousness Movement was committed to praxis; theory and action. Steve Biko and his comrades devised programmes that justified their ideas and improved people’s lives. A special Heritage Month report by TRICONTINENTAL (an Institute for Social Research). When in the central Durban neighbourhood of Greyville, you might notice a building bearing the signage: 86 Charlotte Maxeke Street, Ultra Kidney Care Renal Dialysis Unit. There is no indication that this modern structure stands today on a site of immense historical and political importance. Here once stood the building that housed the national office of the South African Students’ Organisation (Saso), founded…
On 7 September, the Makana Residents Association issued a statement in the GPN Newsletter calling into question Caitlyn Hilliard-Lomas’s Scraps for Strays project. They wrote, “Whilst one sympathises with the concern expressed in Scraps for Strays (Grocott’s 3rd Sept), feeding strays and encouraging them is a strategy which will encourage population increase and bring stray dogs (and other animals) into increasing contact with people.” This is Caitlyn’s response. By CAITLYN HILLIARD-LOMAS It all started with an empty ice-cream container, a boost of confidence and a passion for giving. I headed out of my comfort zone and straight to asking local restaurants…
There were some thrilling encounters at the Makana LFA U18 football tournament on the Heritage Day weekend, played in front of a packed house at JD Dlepu stadium, the home of local football. In one absorbing encounter, Santos threw away an early lead which allowed Newseekers back in the game in the dying minutes. But Santos eventually won it in a penalty shootout. The defending U18 champions Sophia Young Stars had an easy opening game as they thrashed African Spears 5-0. This 14-team event went down to the wire and presented the Young Eagles with an opportunity to score revenge against…
The number of South Africans who have received at least one vaccine dose is 12 494 219 or 31.39% of the eligible adult population. Meanwhile, according to the Department of Health, 8 719 336 million have been fully vaccinated. In addition, the latest data show that the country administered 17 349 100 vaccines as of Wednesday 29 September, of which 156 818 were distributed in the last 24 hours. According to the WHO’s COVID-19 weekly epidemiological update, the number of weekly infections and deaths continued to decline. The WHO said over 3.3 million new cases and over 55 000 new…
The Department of Basic Education has announced that it is recruiting young people between 18-35 as part of the Basic Education Employment Initiative (BEEI) until 3 October 2021. No prior training in education is needed and young people with disabilities are also encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will receive the necessary training, which will help them grow in various skills that could equip them for future employment opportunities. Successful candidates will be placed in schools for five months (starting from 1 November 2021 – 31 March 2022) in either of the following roles: • Education Assistant – Curriculum • Education…
By ROD AMNER Between 17.1-27.2mm of the precious wet stuff fell on Makhanda before 8 am this morning (Thursday 20 September). Jim Cambray recorded 27.2 mm from Park Road for the week 23-29 September, with all of it falling on Wednesday evening/night and early Thursday. “It’s great when the weatherman gets it wrong like this. They said 10-20mm,” Jim remarked. Robin Stobbs reported 17.1mm for Grant Street, and Paul Maylam recorded 22.5mm in Cathcart Street for the same period. Robin said friends in Stones Hill and near Kwandwe both recorded 20mm. “So, this was pretty generalised rain and will get the…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Makhanda’s only women’s football side and seven times regional champions, African Connection WFC, have received a much-needed boost on their 25th anniversary. Amakonokono, as they are popularly known, were hit hard by the Covid -19 lockdown, with several players dropping out. They responded by recruiting a considerable number of young aspiring players in their bid to reclaim the glory days. Local businesses, 9 and Three Quarters and Jack’s Cosmetics, recently donated training sweaters to the team in acknowledgement of their 25 years of existence. 9 and Three Quarters director Okuhle Mbewu said, “We are delighted to be…
“The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance,” sings King David. (Ps 16:6). We, as South Africans, celebrated our multi-faceted and rich heritage during September and rightfully did so. Apart from our varied cultural heritage, we may also be thankful for and proud of our amazing and peaceful democratic development and transition around and after 1994. We are blessed with large stretches of unspoiled nature and wildlife, a coastline of about 2800 km, embracing the most beautiful and resourceful aquatic biodiversity, as well as vast plains, rolling hills, mighty mountains and lifegiving…
By LOYISO DYONGMAN Thirteen-year-old Asanele Qomfo drowned in a flooded construction trench in the open veld between Xolani informal settlement and Vergenoeg on Saturday, 25 September. According to residents, children were swimming in the trench after a pipe was damaged during earthworks. Resident Mandla Mahlasela alleged the municipality had failed to empty the trench or post security guards or barriers. “The negligent Makana Municipality just ignored the deep pool that had formed,” Mahlasela said. However, Makana Municipality spokesperson Anele Mjekula said the trench had been dug by service providers working on the Makana Bulk Sewer Phase 1 project. Community members…