By STAFF REPORTER The 2022 St Andrew’s College Matrics who wrote the IEB examination achieved a 100% pass rate, with all but one of the 77 boys earning a Bachelor’s Degree (BD) pass (99%). And two local St Andrew’s College boys achieved six distinctions: Benjamin Terry, from Makhanda, was the Dux Scholar with an 84% aggregate and distinctions in English HL, History, Life Orientation, Mathematics, Music and Physical Science. Benjamin Terry Aidan Reynolds, also from Makhanda, achieved an aggregate of 83%, with distinctions in English HL, History, Life Orientation, Mathematics, Music and Physical Science. Aidan Reynolds Newly-appointed St Andrew’s College…
Author: Rod Amner
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By STAFF REPORTER Two Kingswood College matrics, Catherine Williamson and Taryn-Rae Brown received a full house of distinctions in the 2022 IEB exams. Williamson, a Makhandan who was Kingswood head girl and Dux Scholar for 2022, achieved an overall average of 93%. She also made the IEB Outstanding Achievements List, awarded to pupils who have ranked in the Top 5% in six or more subjects and who have achieved a rating level of seven in Life Orientation. Catherine Williamson She joined Kingswood College in Grade 8 and excelled in the academic, sporting and cultural spheres during her time at Kingswood.…
By STAFF REPORTER 2022 Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) head girl, Erin Powers, achieved an astonishing eight distinctions for her matric. The school’s Dux Scholar, Lise-Mari Coetzee, along with Emily De Kock, Emma Ellis and Sofia Goedhart, achieved a full house of seven distinctions. DSG Dux Scholar Emily de Kock. Emma Ellis Sarah Goedhart Camagu Mgwedli and Hluma Xako achieved six distinctions, while Morgan du Plessis, Sbonga Nduli and Isabelle Phillips achieved five distinctions. A further nine girls achieved four distinctions, and 15 girls achieved three distinctions. Camagu Mgwedli Hluma Xako Out of the cohort of 82 IEB Matrics, 78…
By IVORY COLLINS The Makhanda dumpsite was an unlikely venue for a fashion shoot. But bystanders watched curiously as models Ursula and Shaningwa showed off items I made from blue plastic rubbish bags and recycled material. One man was fascinated by the process behind making the items and interested in trying out the craft himself. The models posed with various items found at the dumpsite: a suitcase, family photographs, condoms and broken furniture. Sustainability and expression were brought together in an eco-fashion statement. Ursula and Shaningwa on the alleycatwalk. Photo: Ivory Collins A step-by-step guide to making plarn (plastic yarn)…
By MKHUSELI SIZANI and THAMSANQA MBOVANE Last week, the combined dam levels in the Nelson Mandela Bay region dropped to an alarming 15%, of which only 9% is usable water. A senior worker at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says Churchill Dam will dry up by April should the current drought continue. Impofu Dam is at just over 7%, the lowest level since being constructed in 1983. Makhanda’s dams are healthier, but the city’s water supply is still heavily constrained. Makhanda’s water supply has been under stress for over a decade. But a senior Nelson Mandela Bay official has warned that the Churchill…
By BOUDINA MCCONNACHIE, Ethnomusicology and African Musical Arts lecturer, Rhodes University Renowned African musician, songwriter and storyteller Latozi “Madosini” Mphahleni passed away late in 2022. The cultural and indigenous music activist, who laughed as often as she played, was loved by everyone she met. She has left behind a rich legacy of Xhosa music, heritage and history. She also taught and nurtured a new generation of bow players, reinvigorating an art that was dying. The iconic South African Xhosa bow performer was born on 25 December 1943 (though she was uncertain of the precise date) in a village called Mqhekezweni near Mthatha in the…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Popular former Umhlobo Wenene FM presenter Lungiswa Carol ‘Lulu’ Haarmans, 41, died shortly after being rushed to Settlers Hospital on Thursday afternoon. Haarmans, affectionately known to millions of her listeners as ‘MamCirha’, built a strong following in Makhanda as host of ‘Masabelane’ before becoming a household name through the famous ‘Khanya Gqiyazana’ programme on Umhlobo Wenene FM. A family member confirmed the sad news of her death on Friday. Former colleague Zolani Bhonco described Lulu as a true professional and said that if he had the power, he would “give her another chance”. Popular radio Grahamstown DJ…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA The 2022 edition of the New Year’s Cup started with a very low-key launch at the Belmont Valley Golf Club with only one team present (Ayeza Amanzi FC). The guest speaker Clr Nomhle Gaga addressed an audience of five people (including the NYC chairman), which shows that whoever was responsible for organising the launch did not do a good job. The venue was too far and difficult to find, but the draw went ahead. Teams came from all over Eastern Cape to participate. The standard of play on the field was high despite reducing teams from 32…
Wishing you a happy, rewarding and successful new year. Research has shown that approximately 6% of South Africans will not have to experience a significant decline in their standard of living when they retire. Here are a few financial habits which, if adopted, will hopefully stand you in good stead as you navigate through 2023 and beyond. Start saving as much as you possibly can as early as possible and for as long as you can. The world’s greatest investor, Warren Buffett puts it well: “Do not save what is left after spending; instead spend what is left after saving.”…
By STAFF REPORTER Awongwa Magopeni, the top scholar of Holy Cross’s pioneer Grade 7 class in 2022, has achieved her dream of being accepted at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. Awongwa’s success is a perfect farewell gift for the school’s principal, Kary McConnachie, who grew Holy Cross over ten years from a Foundation-Phase-only school into a fully-fledged primary school. McConnachie is retiring from a lifetime of service to education, including teaching at most of the schools in the city at some point and having been the principal of Kuyasa Special School before moving to Holy Cross. Magopeni’s achievement…