By CHRIS TOTOBELA A few fans braved the chilly and wet weather for the opening game of the New Year’s Cup 2022 on Christmas Day at the 6SAI Battalion field. Both teams started the game well, showing their intentions. Maru spread their passes around the field but were casual at times. Most of their passes were in their half and hardly threatened the opponents. Their Alicedale-based opponents, Ayeza Amanzi, came with a very effective game plan, absorbing pressure, waiting for Maru to make mistakes and hitting them on the counter. Just after 20 minutes, Maru’s defence was caught in sixes…
Author: Rod Amner
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By CHRIS TOTOBELA The highly anticipated New Year’s Cup (NYC) launch and draw at the Belmont Golf Club did not live up to expectations, as the teams did not pitch up as expected. Most teams struggled to find the venue, including the local ones. Former Makana Mayor Clr Nomhle Gaga, now serving as Speaker for the Sarah Baartman District Council, opened the launch and applauded the organisers for their hard work. Clr Nomhle Gaga, Christo Stephens and Mzuvukile Tom during the draw for the New Year’s Cup 2022. Photo: Chris Totobela She encouraged sports people to make their voices heard…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Unfortunately, most local football fans will miss out on this year’s edition of the New Year’s Cup (NYC). This news came just a few days after JD Dlepu stadium hosted the Makana Music Festival, which featured the popular Big Zulu last Saturday, 17 December. The heavy rain that frequently came down on the day did not do any favours to the Dlepu pitch. Crowds at the successful Makana Music Festival held at JD Dlepu Stadium on 17 December. Photo: Facebook The cars that were driven on the muddy pitch did the most damage, and it will take…
By ROD AMNER Jim Cambray measured 34.6mm of rainfall at Park Road for 15-21 December 2022. Most of it (33mm) fell in one day. This brings Park Road’s rainfall total up to a respectable 109.4 mm for the month, with another 30-40mm predicted for the rest of the month by Norwegian forecaster Yr (www.yr.com). Temperatures ranged from 13.3-28C for the week. Temperatures are expected to reach 34C on Thursday, 22 December. There is now a healthy overflow from Howieson’s Poort Dam into Settlers Dam, captured in these photos by Simon Pamphilon on Wednesday, 21 December. Howieson’s Poort Dam on Wednesday,…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Makhanda’s top boxer, Mzoxolo ‘Black Tiger’ Ndwayana, defeated Cape Town-based Ugandan Nicholas Jooga with a TKO in the last round of a fight at the Kariega Indoor Sports Centre. The Black Tiger’s father and trainer, Bulelani Ndwayana, said the bout went according to plan. “We knew our opponent was a hard puncher, and we planned to throw one or two blows and move away from him for the first four rounds of the fight. We changed our strategy in Round Five and stood toe to toe with him to see if he could take the punches,” he…
By THAPELO TSELAPEDI, lecturer, Department of Political Studies, Rhodes University President Cyril Ramaphosa came to the helm of South Africa’s governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), in 2017 on an anti-corruption, or anti-state capture, platform. The ANC’s 54th elective conference gave him the mandate to renew the party and simultaneously reverse the state capture phenomenon that had characterised much of the country for ten years under his predecessor Jacob Zuma. But, he has been caught up in controversy over the theft of thousands of American dollars allegedly kept in contravention of foreign exchange rules at his Phala Phala farm in Limpopo in 2020. He also…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA Football fans can look forward to a pulsating festive season with the New Year’s Cup (NYC) return to JD Dlepu Stadium, the legendary home of local football. Organiser Luyanda Papu said the event would kick off on Christmas Day, and the final would be played on New Year’s Eve. Sixteen teams from all over the province will compete in this year’s edition. Makhanda will be represented by two-time champions Maru, one-time semi-finalists Sophia Stars and newcomers Abantwana FC. Some top teams gracing this event include Hereos from Gqeberha, Valgas from Ekomani and Bush Pirates from Addo. This…
Jim Cambray recorded 52.6mm of rain for the week of 8-14 December in Park Road, while Paul Maylam reported 49.6mm at his station in Cathcart Street. “Finally, some good rains and more to come. The wonderful sound and light shows delivered most of the weekly rainfall,” Cambray said. Temperatures ranged from 11 to 36.5C for the week. Cambray registered 22.4mm for the week of 1-7 December 2022, bringing his total to 75mm for the month. Norwegian forecaster Yr (www.yr.no) predicts almost 60mm for the city over the weekend (16-18 December), while Accuweather (www.accuweather.com) anticipates a more conservative total of 35mm.…
A big shout-out to MEW for these listings. This is the last listing for this year. It will be back on 16 January 2023. MAKHANDA EVENTS WEEKLY POP UPS/ FESTIVALS/ EXHIBITIONS/ REPEAT EVENTS Saturday 24 December – Christmas Eve Lunch@ Fork & Dagger, 49 African StreetStarter:Beetroot tartin served with horseradish cream and pea shootsMain Options:(All served with a spinach, avocado, & paw paw salad with cumin dressing, green beans, & hassel back potatoes.)Tuscan sherry roasted chicken quarters with grapes & almondsOrGinger, honey & marmalade baked gammon served with baked pearsOrVegan festive squash stuffed with quinoa, lentils, cranberries, baby spinach, & almondsDessert:Chocolate brownie…
Makana Municipal offices will close from 23 December and reopen on Tuesday, 3 January 2023 Over the holiday shutdown period, the 24-hour Makana control room call centre number is 046 6036000. Four control room operators will take all calls, including after-hours complaints and disaster management and emergencies. Alternatively, call the following numbers below to reach the skeleton staff: NameContactDepartmentSindile Ngcese (team leader)073 7223005Sports groundsMr Nyoka083 5418731TreesThando Dlalani083 8868874Stray animalsMr Jongile071 7753600Cleansing/ refuseMrs Chrisjan076 7178063CleansingShannon Walters071 9165379Traffic servicesWilliam Welkom084 5064068Fire services/ acting director community serivcesRadu Mxomhle (team leader)Xhanti Bokwe073 1845107083 3354843ElectricityNoluthando SantiMr Vukile073 6455285072 3682937Office of the SpeakerOffice of the MayorAzola…