Author: Rod Amner

Quality school leadership and management are essential to quality teaching and learning, especially in low-resourced schools.  South Africa has continued to see improvements in mathematics scores in the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), with the most substantial gains between 2015 and 2019 observed among the most disadvantaged students. To sustain these improvements, it is crucial to understand why this upward trajectory in learning outcomes has occurred. A new study by Dr Dumisani Hompashe investigates the improvement between 2015 and 2019 Grade 9 mathematics scores in South Africa,  exploring how the difference in performance can be related to specific instructional leadership practices…

A huge shout-out to Nita’s Makhanda Events WhatsApp group for these listings. FRIDAY 19 AUGUST “Orient Express to Kabul in 1964” – Norbert Drager (Retired Wildlife Veterinarian)Historical account, illustrated by slides, of 4 young graduates’ travel through Middle Eastern countries in a vintage Mercedes@ The Albany Club, 114 High Street17:30 for 18:00Cash bar. Snacks available. Live Music with LeroyNeo Soul, Afro Jazz, and Pop.Drinks specials@ The Pothole and Donkey, 123 High Street19:00 – 21:00Free entry O-Term ShutdownDJs: RS, Classic Keys, Benji and MegaloAmapiano, Gqom and HouseDrinks specials. Hub rentals.@ 37 on New19:00Free entry SATURDAY 20 AUGUST Parkrun5km run or walk. Family-friendly. Dogs…

By LOYISO DYONGMAN The Makana Municipality cannot currently provide the infrastructure needed for housing projects, according to Yanga Funani, spokesperson for the Eastern Cape MEC for Human Settlements, in reply to a question about the lack of RDP housing projects in the city. With little formal housing being developed, there has been an increase in informal settlements. But Funani blamed the spread of informal settlements for hindering development and planning. Lacking the capacity to provide more formal housing, the government has instead started a process of ‘upgrading’ informal settlements in Makhanda, such as the electrification and provision of communal water taps…

By LOYISO DYONGMAN Emaxhekwazini residents who occupy a settlement of condemned and dilapidated two-roomed houses in Joza say they have given up on getting RDP houses or being moved into any of the new informal settlements. The houses, opposite Nombulelo Secondary School and between Sani and Ncame Streets, were built by the Bantu Affairs Administration Board in the Apartheid era to house elderly people. In the early 2000s, old residents who were fit enough were moved to RDP houses in Vukani. Others were relocated to nursing homes, like Age in Action in Extension 4 and the Ethembeni Service Centre. Desperate…

By Emeritus Professor ROBIN PALMER Michael took his last breath on Sunday, 14 August, while I was visiting family in Canada. The news reached me almost immediately, as it does these days. I was more sad than shocked, for I had visited him before I left, and it was clear that he did not have long… but fortunately, enough time for his son, David, to fly in from London and join Adrienne and his sister, Rebecca, at his bedside. I am still sad, for he was my friend as well as my colleague, and he changed my life. But this…

By JOHN JACKSON A ‘pub crawl’ is a familiar activity, especially among young people in Makhanda; an ‘organ crawl’ is probably less so. Discussion about this intriguing venture (originally planned as part of the Spirit Fest) goes back several years, possibly initiated by the late Stephen Holder. Further plans were scuppered mainly by Covid. Rhodes student and Cathedral organ scholar Jonathan Hughes has not only revived the idea but organised a programme of five fortnightly Saturday afternoon recitals on ten of the pipe organs in Makhanda. The first will take place this coming Saturday, 20 August. For those who feel…

By STAFF REPORTER Two men are behind bars after being arrested for possessing a stolen vehicle near Makhanda on Saturday night, 13 August. South African Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli said around 11.30 pm, members from Visible Policing and Highway Patrol were patrolling the N2 near Makhanda when they noticed a blue Ford bakkie driving at high speed. They pulled the vehicle off the road, and a preliminary investigation revealed that the bakkie had been stolen on Mount Road. The two occupants were arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle. “Police detectives from the specialised Vehicle Identification and Safeguard Unit…

By SINAZO MAGWEBU Despite gloomy weather, third-year Rhodes University student Arno Cornelissen wears his usual smile when we meet outside Charlotte Maxeke House. I know he smiles because I see him in my Journalism class. He is co-majoring in English Literature – making two subjects that are a far cry from his high school choices. “I did Maths, accounting, business studies and technical drawing stuff,” he laughs. On our way inside, we chat about the Media Studies assignment due in a few days. Cornelissen is a third-year class rep, but outside his classroom responsibilities, he also assists Makhanda through his…

By SIVIWE DYASI Rhodes University psychology trainees have been deployed to work with the Assumption Development Centre (ADC) in Joza to provide community trauma counselling. Maryna Slabbert, an intern counselling psychologist, facilitated both workshops. “There is a big need as there is a high prevalence of trauma in this community,” Slabbert said. “We look at the biggest presenting problems for the clients coming in – a lot of times there is trauma, there’s grief, there’s depression and anxiety, and substance use,” she said. Two trauma management workshops took place on 27 July and 3 August. ADC members who attended the…

By TOTO TSARNEBA and SIYAMTHANDA PONGCO Rhodes University has declared its hotly-contested Student Representative Council (SRC) elections null and void. SRC student development and support officer Eric Ofei said five candidates were on academic probation, which disqualified them from running for office. That they were allowed to stand for election was “just a clerical error”, Ofei said. The error came to light after the nominations closed. “If it had been picked up before, they wouldn’t have been able to run,” he added. Late Thursday afternoon, the university’s Independent Electoral Board (IEB), an independent body responsible for the oversight of the…