By DANA OSBORN The best and brightest talent in SA is on show in Makhanda. With the first in-person arts festival since 2019 about to begin, we checked in with the locals to check their temperatures. Famous in his hometown, Sisa Mapetu is the energetic owner of the Famous Sisa café. “I’m excited to present my brand to those who don’t know it,” said Mapetu with a grin. The Famous Sisa (Mapetu) shows off his barista skills in anticipation of the National Arts Festival. Photo: Ivory Collins Other local business owners were also keen. Mohammed Moorad, who has been…
Author: Rod Amner
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By STEVE KRETZMANN, Cue arts editor and The Critter editor Here’s a brief list of some of the shows you should not miss. And be warned, you need to catch them early ‘cause they only run for a few days. Two years later, and fest is back. Whoohoo! Yes, fest happened online during lockdowns, but you know what I mean. It’s alive again. I mean live. In real life. You can chat to people in the queue for tickets or coffee, proclaim how great that show was that you saw, and insist your new-fried-friend buy a ticket for it. Or…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA On June 16, Love Life organised a Youth Day juniors soccer tournament to remember the fallen heroes of 1976. There were sections for U13s and U15s, each sporting six teams. Reigning local junior champions, Sofia Stars, once again proved too strong for their opponents. In the U13 final, Sophia Stars defeated Cosmos 2-1 to claim the trophy. In the U15 final, they threw away a four-goal lead but still managed to beat a stubborn and persistent Rising Stars 5-3. Sophia Stars chairman Lindisipho Swaartbooi was pleased with his charges’ performances and believed this was the preparation they…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA The Khutliso Daniels Secondary School’s U15 netball side is hard at work preparing for their trip to East London. The Joza-based school flew Makhanda’s flag very high at the Sarah Baartman school U15 championships held recently at the Nico Malan High School in Humansdorp. They tossed aside difficult opponents on their way to victory. They earned the right to represent the Sarah Baartman region in the upcoming provincial championships held at Hudson Park High School in East London on 30 June. The high-flying Khutliso Daniels U15 netball team. Photo: Chris Totobela Team captain Inganathi Mntundini said the…
By CHRIS TOTOBELA The Makana LFA First Division title contenders are slowly raising their hands. Most of the teams have reached the four-game mark. They are now starting to find their feet and are already weighing their chances. On Saturday, Jacaranda Academy suffered another loss at the hands of Sophia Young Stars 1-3, while Black Stars defeated Young Ones with the same score. Young Stars beat African Spears 3-1 as well. In stream B, Golden Eagles defeated Rieby United 3-2, Golden Brothers thrashed Rising Stars 10-2, and Eagles beat Leicester City 6-2. On Sunday in stream A, struggling Maru Academy…
Chad Keates, a Herpetologist in the Wetland Ecology Lab at Rhodes University, will present an illustrated lecture: Dangerous snakes, scorpions and spiders in GrahamstownWhere: Eden Grove Blue Lecture Theatre When: Thursday 23rd June Time: 7.30 pm Chad will bring specimens along for us to see and discuss. Well known for his talks and outings on reptiles and amphibians, Keates now expands his interests to talk about all those dangerous animals lurking in our city’s dark corners. With the late Dr Bill Branch, Keates presented the chapter on amphibians and reptiles in the new Guide to the Natural and Cultural History of Grahamstown/Makhanda. Bring your copy for…
By AMY-GRACE BESSICK After two years, Spiritfest will finally be returning to celebrate the arts through the context of the Christian faith, alongside the National Arts Festival running from 23 June to 3 July 2022. The festivities will begin with Spiritfest Online sharing the Songs and Poems of Fafa Hopkins. Recordings of Fafa performing three song-poems by beloved Makhanda poet and troubadour Chris Mann, who passed in 2021, will become accessible on Spiritfest’s YouTube Channel on Thursday, 23. The Green Anglicans videos will become accessible on the same day. Friday will start with an array of serene musical experiences. In…
By STAFF REPORTER It’s international Take Your Dog to Work Day on Tuesday, 21 June. Celebrated by dog-lovers annually since 1999, the original goal was to create awareness of the bond between humans and dogs and encourage adoption. There are benefits to allowing dogs in the workplace, like stress relief. However, a few things need to be in place to make the office comfortable for you, your dog, and your colleagues. We’re not sure how many Makhandan canines will be at work tomorrow, but animal rights organisation Four Paws put these handy hints together for dog lovers and their…
By CHESLEY DANIELS Kowie United moved to second on the EPRU Sedru Regional League log with an all-important 38-30 bonus-point win over home side Rosebuds United in Alicedale on Saturday. Kowie were also 14-8 in front at the break. Both teams knew the importance of winning with a bonus point in the second round to chase down the log leaders. Kowie knew it was never an easy task travelling to Alicedale to beat Rosebuds in front of their passionate and intimidating rugby-loving supporters. They, however, achieved the impossible and bagged five points out of the contest. Ten tries were scored…
By CHESLEY DANIELS On Saturday, swallows and log leaders Klipfontein United played to a 12-12 draw in their EPRU Sedru Regional League clash at the St Aidan’s Sports Ground. Klipfontein were 12-7 in front at halftime. In a titanic battle, Swallows became the only team in the league to neutralise in-form log leaders Klipfontein. Klipfontein came up against a defiant and more determined Swallows side – but they have yet to lose a match in the league. The game started at an incredible pace, with Swallows taking the game to the log leaders. The home side surprised the visitors by…