By LOYISO DYONGMAN On Thursday, a group of women dressed in black led a protest march for Thokozile Chrisjan, the 38-year-old nurse and mother of two who was brutally murdered in her home on Friday night in Vukani location in Makhanda. The march started from Dlukulu Clinic in Extension 7 and proceeded to BB Zondani Hall. Chrisjan was fatally stabbed and her husband assaulted during an armed robbery at their Ngquawana Street home at about 10.30 pm last Friday. TV sets and cellphones were stolen and the couple’s vehicle, a Nissan SUV, was stolen and burned down on the way to…
Author: Rod Amner
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When a pair of school shoes is far more than leather and laces… By SUE MACLENNAN “It seems such a small thing, but it makes such a big difference,” says Nomfusi Maleki. “It’s true – from a child who just keeps quiet, now you have someone who will raise their hand, ask questions, speak out,” adds Zoleka Kate. “From someone who always stayed at the back, a child will have the confidence to come to the front and lead.” Maleki teaches grades 5, 6 and 7 at Ntaba Maria Primary School, and Kate is the principal of Fikizolo Primary School.…
By SUE MACLENNAN A Sunday afternoon shattered by music so thumpingly loud that it rattled the windows of passing cars, and a sleepless night thanks to revelling that continued well after midnight are the least of Makhanda’s concerns, said people affected by a music event at Makana Resort last weekend. Everyone involved – from officials to organisers – insists they did what they could to ensure the event was compliant with bylaws and Covid regulations. But the SAPS has confirmed that a case has been opened and charges of contravention of the Disaster Management Act are being investigated. Meanwhile, community members…
This week’s editorial is a little more personal than usual. This week my uncle, Leon McLean, passed away. He was a giant of a man – in height and heart, always friendly, always joking, and always willing to give you a minute (actually, a lot more than a minute) of his time. COVID-19 has messed with the way we gather as people after someone’s passing; it is challenging to navigate being human and wanting to connect and be close to your loved ones during difficult times. What has given me some sense of connection is finding Leon’s presence online. Within…
By RYAN JARVIS Anyone who has come across master potter and artist Meshack Masuku – or, as most people call him, Uncle Meshack – would have noticed that he wears a feather in his hat or hair. Most people would assume that he has done this as a fashion statement. But it is because he is of royal descent – the feather is a symbol of royalty in Swaziland/eSwatini, and it works as a crown. For Uncle Meshack, the key to ceramics is knowing one’s history and culture. Ceramics has been an integral part of South African life for thousands…
By SIZIPHIWE YUZE, Rhodes University Law Clinic Buntu purchases a kettle from a retailer. The kettle’s element is faulty, and after a few days stops heating the water. He goes back to the retailer after a week to complain. The store tells him that this is “not their problem” as its “store policy” is that it will only consider complaints within five days of purchase. Is this legally acceptable? The answer is an emphatic “no”. The Consumer Protection Act provides consumers with a right to goods and services of fair value, good quality and safety. Buntu’s kettle is defective, meaning it…
Rhodes University virologist and member of the Provincial COVID-19 Expert Panel, Professor ROSEMARY DORRINGTON, addresses some of the myths and misinformation currently in circulation about the COVID-19 vaccines. There is an ever-increasing number of myths and misinformation doing the rounds, and I am here to set some of the facts straight. Let’s take some of the most common concerns and dig a little deeper into each one. 1. The vaccine will not prevent me from dying – FALSE There have been “breakthrough cases” where vaccinated people contract COVID-19. However, even with the Delta variant, vaccinated people are nine times less…
By DANA OSBORN The Makana Citizens Front (MCF) has registered to contest the local government elections with a diverse slate of candidates representing everyone “from the poorest of the poor to highly qualified professionals, black and white, male and female”. MCF spokesperson Lungile Mxube said the front was making an explicit bid to “change who is in government and improve service delivery for the better”. “There is a long history of decline in Makana – RDP houses are no longer built; we are lucky if we get water every second day; our streets and open spaces are filthy; roads are…
Below is the programme for tonight’s much-anticipated live concert by Khanyisile Mthetwa (Flute) and Peter Cartwright (Piano) at 7 pm in the Kingswood College Chapel, hosted by the Grahamstown Music Society. They will perform some of the works that they have recently recorded on a CD called African Bird. CDs will be on sale at the concert. You can support Khanyi’s YouTube channel here and enjoy her recently released recording of Valerie Coleman’s “Requiem Milonga”. African Bird South African and American music for Flute and Piano Conrad Asman – One Lingering Quasar Musa Nkuna – Black Autumn Hendrik Hofmeyr –…
The street dogs of Makhanda scavenge, scrounge and scamper through our town. This week CAITLYN HILLIARD-LOMAS started responding to the strays with a simple idea. Collect ice cream containers. Ask restaurants to fill them with leftovers headed for the bin. Feed the hungry dogs. She plans to continue this programme until the end of this year. This is the start of her journey. It is 4 pm on a Saturday. The first sunny day of the week. Overly excited and underdressed, I set out for my first donation of scraps from Gino’s, the family restaurant. I arrived with a quirky…