Author: Sue Maclennan

What the Premier said in Makana In an exclusive interview with Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, Sue Maclennan asked him about the government’s land reform programme, and what he’s doing to encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and clean up the tender system. The Premier was in Makana on 11 October 2019 to hand over title deeds and farming equipment to emerging farmers. Meaningful land reform is vital for national security. Why has it taken the government so long? You’re right – you can’t still have after 25 years such a skewed land distribution, with the minority occupying the bigger part and…

More than 100 Makhanda primary school children from five local schools gathered at the Oval last Saturday for a morning of sporting fun and friendship at the KFC Mini Cricket Festival. Laughter, lots of energy and sheer focus made it a morning to remember for the young cricketers, coaches, teachers and enthusiastic parents from St Mary’s, GHT Primary, Oatlands Primary, Ntaba Maria, Good Shepherd and CM Vellem. Penny Keulder, representing Grahamstown Primary School at the event, said it was a great opportunity for children from different schools to get together. “It’s a chance for them to get to know each…

Mfuzo Boxing Camp drew an enthusiastic crowd to their 24th Anniversary tournament at Foley’s Ground, Hlalani Hall, lower Tantyi, on Saturday 12 October. There were 18 clubs competing on the day and with no fewer than 106 bouts, the tournament finished in the early hours of Sunday 13 October 2019. Alongside the club’s dedicated committee, coaches and volunteers, the Club received support from Makana Municipality (venue and boxing ring), GBS Mutual Bank (special jackets for achievers), Beer Properties (catering and transport) and the National Lotteries Commission (medals and trophies). Awards went to Lisolam Ndarhana (Best Cadet Male Boxer, Sisonke Boxing…

A man made a brief appearance in the Grahamstown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday 15 October, in connection with the death of Makhanda dancer and actor Ayanda Nondlwana. Nondlwana was stabbed in Fingo Village around 5.45am on Sunday 13 October and died at the scene. A 27-year-old security guard handed himself over to the police shortly after the incident. Nondlwana’s death has shocked the local and national arts community, along with family and friends. Spokesperson for the South African Police Service, Captain Mali Govender, said Nondlwana was with a friend near the Fingo Bottle Store, when he approached three men and…

News spread quickly on Sunday morning when a beer truck jacknifed on the N2  10km outside Grahamstown and lost its load early on Sunday 13 October. According to witnesses, Makhanda drinking establishment owners and residents were soon at the scene alongside local farmdwellers, clearing the load from the road and removing armfuls of bottles. Spokesperson for the South African Police Service Captain  Mali Govender confirmed the incident. “On 2019-10-13 at about 04.16am a truck carrying alcohol from South African Breweries was travelling from PE to Butterworth when about 10km on the N2 Grahamstown to Peddie/King William’s Town route the driver…

Friends, family and the Makhanda community have expressed shock and sorrow at the death of dancer and actor Ayanda Nondlwana.  Nondlwana was stabbed in Fingo Village around 5.45am on Sunday 13 October. He passed away at the scene. Spokesperson for the South African Police Service Captain Mali Govender confirmed Nondlwana’s death. She said he was with a friend near the Fingo Bottle Store, when he approached three men and walked off with them. “His friend decided to follow them and he was still some distance away when he was informed by a passerby that [Nondlwana] had been stabbed,” Govender said.…

Sadly there’s no rain predicted for this weekend, but along with moderate temperatures and partial cloud, it’s ideal for outdoor activity and watching young talent in action. Below is the full combined list of events from Makana Tourism and Grocott’s Mail’s event listings, and here’s a brief look at some of this weekend’s highlights – including the weather. Grocott’s Mail asked Senior Forecaster at the South African Weather Service Deon van der Mescht for an overview of the weekend weather in Makhanda, Port Alfred and Bedford. “Tomorrow is sunny but cool,” Van der Mescht said. Here in Makhanda temperatures are…

Good Shepherd Primary School celebrated their 135th anniversary in a special service at the Cathedral on Friday 4 October. Principals from schools across the city including St Andrew’s College, Diocesan School for Girls and Oatlands Preparatory filled the front pews alongside Good Shepherd Head, Manie Cronje. But it was clear that the real VIPs were the children: led by Reverend Claire Nye Hunter, the service began with a fun song that had children and adults alike jumping up and down in their seats, followed by a guessing game. Nye Hunter also delivered the Homily. Headboy Alutha Botha and Headgirl Lunje…

South Africans are as good as, and often better than the rest of the world. Our main problem, says Gift of the Givers founder Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, is we don’t believe in ourselves. Dr Sooliman was the speaker at the fifth Archbishop Thabo Makgoba  Development Trust Annual Lecture on Values Based Leadership at Rhodes University’s Eden Grove Lecture Theatre on Thursday night, 3 October 2019. Previous speakers have been Professor Thuli Madonsela, Former President Kgalema Motlanthe, Former First Lady Mrs Graca Machel and former MP Dr Makhosi Khoza. The story of the genesis and growth of the Gift of the…

Patrols and an intensive search are under way after an armed robbery on a farm west of Makhanda (Grahamstown) between 11am and 11.30am Thursday 10 October. “It is alleged that five men arrived at the farm, near Sevenfountains, and tied up staff.,” Police spokesperson Captain Mali Govender said. They took various belongings including two firearms, a rifle and a pistol, and fled. No one was injured  Govender said . “The vehicle that the suspects  were travelling in a Nissan LDV was recovered in Alexandria. “The suspects are still at large,” Govender said. “We are searching for 5 males who are…