NEWS - Grocott`s Mail

Transcription

Friday
INSIDE
www.grocotts.co.za
G’town SAPS seeks
new recruits
South Africa ’s O ldest I ndependent Newspaper
10 S eptember 2010
Page 2
Join Makana Tourism
Joint venture
between Makana
AMAZING CHASE
Municipality and Contestants will assemble at the Old Provost,
Makana Tourism
Lucas Ave. From 09:00 on
Saturday 25 September 10:00
Chase starts @ 10:00. Entrance free
Call Makana Tourism or pop in at
63 High Street Lots of prizes, lots of fun
Petrol attendants join
RU composer wins
strike
Page 3 award
R5.00
Housing bubble may
burst
page 11
Page 9
Back to school – for now
Teachers returned to class in Grahamstown East on Wednesday after the public service strike was suspended for
21 days. Schooling in township schools had ground halt in August as teachers joined the nationwide strike.
Grocott’s Mail reporter Khanyiso Tshwaku visited some high schools to see how teachers and learners are faring
S
chools have reopened after the 21 day long public service
strike, which brought some schools in Grahamstown East
to a complete standstill, was suspended.
“I am happy to be back at school. Work is back to normal
and its like we were never on strike,” said Simlindile Xanga, a
Grade 8 learner at Nombulelo Secondary School. Enjoying his
breaktime, he did not seem too perturbed about the time that
was lost during the strike.
When Grocott’s Mail arrived at the school, the parking bays
were filled with staff vehicles which showed that the teachers
were back at work.
Breaktime was buzzing and the learners were playing and
listening to music, but they said they do know how much work
awaits them when lessons get into full swing. “So far, we haven’t
heard anything, but from what the teachers tell us, we have got
lots of work lined up,” said Siyavuya Duku, a Grade 10 learner.
Her tone is relaxed, knowing that she still has lots of time left
at school.
Mayibongwe Titi, a Grade 12 who was interviewed by Grocott’s Mail during the strike, was happy to be resuming classes, but grudgingly admitted that the “time lost could never be
returned”.
His classmates agreed with him but one learner recognised
a positive element: “The strike was very helpful for self-study
and it gave us time to study and be ready for exams, but we
lost out on class time,” said Nomvuyo Fiyani, another Grade 12
learner at the school.
Speaking on the march that took place at Victoria Girl’s
High on Monday, principal Madeleine Schoeman called it “a difficult situation” as the joint mandating committee (JMC) made
up of all Cosatu affiliated unions were not willing to sit for a
meeting. “We never prevented our staff members from striking,
but we also could not prevent learners from studying either,”
said Schoeman. She said that the school had invited the JMC
to a meeting the week before, but were taken aback by their aggressive behaviour on Monday and said it will be difficult to hold
a meeting with them in the future.
• More on strikes on Pages Three, Five, Six and Ten
COOL... A group of Grade 8 learners at Nombulelo Secondary share a quiet joke during breaktime.
Photo: Khanyiso Tshwaku
Books for Cradock
Lingelihle has a
wonderful library
building, computers not
connected to the internet,
lots of shelves but very
few books.
39
99
MARINATED RUMP
& SIRLOIN STEAK
Vanilla/
Chocolate
Flan cakes
each
King Prawns
31/40
19
49
EACH
Beef
Biltong
99
PER KG
10 to 12 Sept 2010
I will be going up there in the middle of
September and can take up a carload.
If you have any no-longer-used books on
anything - maths, science, novels, poetry,
plays, health, business, children’s, sports every subject you can think of - please could
you drop it/them off with
Brian at Pick ‘n Pay, Delise in
Journalism, Loretta or Louise
at Grocotts, Chimwemwe in
the VC’s Office.
CRESTA RICE
2Kg
R12.99 each
SPAR
CORN FLAKES
500g
R14.99 each
FRISCO
INSTANT COFFEE
(ORIgNAL OR STRONg
ROAST 750g
R42.99 each
SPAR
TOASTED MUESLI
(SELECTED) 700g
R26.99 each
35 African Street, Tel 046 622 4737
ALL gOLD
TOMATO SAUCE
750ML
R12.99 each
OPEN 24 HOURS
Support the Graeme ColleGe touCh ruGby day thiS Saturday
TEL: 046 622 2950
Good luCk to all the playerS.
TIM 082 800 9276
TEL: 046 622 8700
KEVIN 082 772 0400
2
Grocott’s Mail Friday, 10 September 2010
NEWS
News in brief
Three arrested for theft
of cement
While on patrol on Tuesday, Constable Nataniel Gabriel noted a
donkey cart loaded with two bags
of cement travelling down Hodges Street. The driver of the cart
said that he was told to fetch the
bags from a house and take them
to the taxi rank. Gabriel then went
to the house and a worker on the
building site admitted to having
stolen the cement that had been
delivered that morning. Three
men were arrested and charged.
Non-ferrous metal theft
Over the Friday night of 3 September, a Tantyi resident went to
bed and woke up the next morning with the electricity not working. After checking outside, he
found that electrical cables were
missing. He reported the theft to
Eskom, who in turn referred him
to the police.
Over the period of 31 August
to 7 September, a Mullins Street
resident went overseas. On returning, he opened a tap and
found that there was no water. On
investigating, it was discovered
that copper pipes were missing.
No arrests have been made in either of these cases.
Drug arrest at Extension 7
On Monday, Warrant Officer Lawrence Van Ross was on Crime
Prevention Patrol and stopped
and searched a male suspect,
finding 40 mandrax tablets on
him. The accused has been
charged with dealing in drugs.
– Compiled by Khanyiso
Tshwaku
Text us your
opinions
and we might
publish them.
Send an
SMS to
082 049 2146
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
No money to bury our daughter
THEMBANI ONCEYA
A
local family is appealing to
the Grahamstown community for donations towards the
expenses of burying their teenage
daughter who died in Johannesburg
last month after a short illness.
The unemployed Qwela family
in Victoria Road say that they do not
have enough money to bring back
the body of their daughter Thembisa
(17) to Grahamstown and pay for her
funeral.
The family relies on odd washing and gardening jobs for a living
but has nothing going for them at
the moment. Kholiswa Plaatjie, the
mother of the deceased, says no one
in the family receives a government
grant. Thembisa passed away last
month in Johannesburg after she
fled her home for unknown reasons
last year. Plaatjie added that she was
in her school uniform when they last
saw her as she was on her way to
school. At the time Thembisa was a
Grade 9 learner at Nombulelo Senior
Secondary School.
“We filed a report for a missing
person and circulated her photos to
police stations, we didn’t know where
REST IN PEACE... A photograph of 17-year-old Thembisa Qwela who
passed away in Johannesburg last month after a short illness.
Photo: Supplied
she was until two men came here
late last year and told us that she is
in Johannesburg,” she said.
Last month a family member
who lives in Johannesburg alerted
the family that Thembisa was in hospital due to stomach problems.
Thembani Onceya is an
independent citizen journalist
for Grocott’s Mail
Police recruits aim for
Grahamstown residents
Adopt a school
ANDILE NAYIKA AND ODWA FUNEKA
DESPITE the ongoing teachers strike, learners from various schools
gathered at Noluthando Hall in Joza recently to share in edu-taining lessons on youth related crimes.
The South African Police Service (SAPS), together with a number of
local organisations, held a workshop to tackle issues facing vulnerable
children. The organisations present were the Community Policing Forum
(CPF), South African Social Services Agency (Sassa), the Department of
Social Development, the Department of Safety and Liaison, and Jabez, a
local HIV/Aids Centre.
Learners from schools in Paterson, Alicedale, Seven Fountains, Fort
Brown, Riebeeck East and Committee’s Drift attended the workshop.
Police constable and local opera star, Sisa Nomana regards himself as
having two halves – a strict policeman on the one hand and a community
worker on the other. He released his inner songbird creating a relaxed
atmosphere with the audience. Nomana identified categories of vulnerable children: those with homes, but who are in conflict with the law; those
who beg in the streets, but have homes, and those who have adopted the
streets as their homes. Vuyani Kolisi, SAPS local chairperson and the CPF
provincial public relations officer, said; “The link between the police and
the community is to come together to fight crime.” The forum has had a
youth branch in the past, where the youth could adopt a cop. But now, “we
are changing the theme where police who are off duty can adopt a school,”
said Kolisi. Senior co-ordinator at Jabez, Asanda Antoni, who deals with
youth issues daily said, “It’s important for kids to express themselves and
understand others’ situations.”
Between speeches, the audience was treated to entertainment courtesy of Amasango Career and Paterson Primary schools, whose gumboots
dancing and marimba music provided invigorating sound and movement.
Ambulance:............................ 10177
Aids Helpline:............ 0800 012322
Three days later they received
another phone call from the relative
who told them Thembisa had died.
“We don’t have the money to bring
the body home, and we need support
from anyone who can help,” said
Plaatjie.
“We were shocked to hear that
our dearest cousin had died in Johannesburg. It’s been three weeks
since Thembisa was taken to a Johannesburg mortuary, we don’t have
money to bring her body home,”
said the deceased’s cousin, Ncedeka
Fikizolo. Thembisa attended Samuel
Ntsiko Lower Primary School and
Archie Mbolekwa Higher Primary
School before she went to Nombulelo
High. The date of her funeral is not
known as the family has to bring the
body back to Grahamstown first.
Thembisa’s father Eric Qwela said:
“We need financial help to bring our
daughter’s body home from anyone
who can help, and we’re still thinking
about the date of the funeral.”
“We want Thembisa’s grave to be
here in Grahamstown so that we can
visit her whenever we want, she has
to sleep next to her brother’s grave,
Solomon,” said Plaatjie. Anyone who
can help is invited to call Ncedeka
Fikizolo on 072 151 6866 or 073 823
1134 and pledge their donations.
Odwa Funeka is an independent citizen journalist for Grocott’s Mail
OLWETHU XABANISA
AT a Community Policing Forum (CPF) meeting held at the end of July,
Brigadier Morgan Govender said that the Grahamstown police have been
on the look-out for new members. “People can start applying for police positions with or without driver’s licences, the intake is from 18 to 30-year olds,
preferably Grahamstown residents,” he said.
Govender said that the training period has been extended from six to
twelve months and the reason why the recruitment aims for locals is because they know Grahamstown better. “In the past we have had trained
police who are recruited from other towns to work at our police station,
most of them of them applied for a transfer to go back to work at their own
towns,” he said.
Applicants should be energetic, intelligent, medically and mentally fit
individuals who have not been found guilty or charged with any criminal
offence. They should also be dedicated to serve the community. In order
to apply one should be in possession of a Grade 12 Senior Certificate or
equivalent qualification and be able to read, write and speak two official
languages, one of which you must be English. Applicants should have no
visible tattoos and not be shorter than 1.60 metres for men and 1.55 metres
for women.
According to Captain Mali Govender, application forms can be obtained
at the recruitment office at your nearest police station. Only original application forms must be submitted and any copies will not be considered.
All application forms should be accompanied by a certified Identity
Document, driver’s licence (if applicable), certificates of all qualifications
obtained, study records of all qualifications, a testimonial from a school
or religious body and service certificates of the most recent previous
employer. For further information, contact the Recruitment Officer Louise
Welcome on 046 603 9111.
AA Rescue: ................ 0800 111997
SMS
Medical Rescue: ........ 0800 033007
Grahamstown Child
and Family Welfare: .. 046 636 1355
Electricity: ................ 046 603 6036
082 049 2146
a/h 046 603 6000
Eskom:...................... 086 014 0014
Fire Brigade: ............ 046 622 4444
Police: ...................... 046 603 9152
Hi-Tec........................ 046 636 1660
Raphael Centre: ........ 046 622 8831
SPCA: ........................ 046 622 3233
Traffic Services: .........046 603 6067
Water: ........................ 046 603 6136
Hospice: .................... 046 622 9661
Settlers Hospital: ...... 046 622 2215
Day Hospital: ............. 046 622 3033
Fort England Hospital:046 622 7003
Legal Aid SA: ............ 046 622 9350
Locksmith: ................ 082 556 9975
or 046 622 4592
Partly cloudy. Wind
moderate south
westerly.
Partly cloudy. Wind moderate north easterly.
Sunny. Wind light south
westerly.
Partly cloudy. Wind light
north easterly.
Temperature:
Min 9°C, Max 23°C
Tides:
Low: 11.12am and
11.45pm
High: 5.17am and
5.33pm
Temperature:
Min 11°C, Max 26°C
Tides:
Low: 11.47am
High: 5.54am and 6.10pm
Temperature:
Min 7°C, Max 24°C
Tides:
Low: 12.21am and
12.23pm
High: 6.32am and
6.48pm
Temperature:
Min 7°C, Max 15°C
Tides:
Low: 12.58am and
1.04pm
High: 7.15am and
7.33pm
Source: www.weathersa.co.za and www. satides.co.za
I acknowledge that
teachers are underpaid
and that they have a
right to strike, but
to try to force nonstriking teachers from
class and then to
threaten the Grocott’s
journalist to cover up
their shameful behaviour is shocking.
And these people are
supposed to be role
models for our young
learners? What hope do
we have?
No show councillors
at BTI meetings
Local Numsa workers join the strike
Salinda Neko
Local members of the National Union of Metalworkers
of South Africa (Numsa) have
joined the strike for wage
increases.
Monday saw local petrol attendants join motor
industry workers in the
nationwide wage strike of
which started last week. All
petrol attendants affiliated
to Numsa have downed tools
in an attempt to force their
employers to meet their demands which include a 20%
wage increase.
Numsa’s demands include a 4.33% annual bonus;
15% afternoon shift allowance; 20% night shift allowance; reduction of working
hours to 40 per week without
loss of pay and that all the
increases be backdated to
1 September 2010. Numsa
also demands that all labour
brokers be banned.
Grahamstown
Numsa
co-ordinator Bingo Ralo said
that negotiations between
Numsa and the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) are under way and that the union’s
local branch is also represented. He said they expect
the RMI to “meet us halfway” and hinted that they
will accept a wage increase
of 10% or 12% as he concedes
that the 20% demand is
unreasonable.
Workers at Albany Auto
Services downed tools last
week after deciding they
3
News
Prudence Mini
P
FILL HER UP... Some petrol stations were operational in spite
of the strike. Photo: Stephen Penney
would not continue to work
for the wages that they are
receiving. Ralo said they
were supposed to get wage
increases at the beginning
of the month but they never
did. He said that after they
reached a wage deadlock at
the end of last month they
started going on strike and
that the deadlocked negotiations for better wages started in July.
“They offered us 4%
but we want 20%,” Ralo explained. “We also need skills,
some of us have 15 years of
service to Albany Auto Services but we have not developed any skills. We are not
taken to school but when
whites come to work here
they get sent to school to get
more skills.”
Numsa workers joined
the public servants strike on
Monday and disrupted work
in local workshops, car dealerships and filling stations.
A member of the management at Albany Auto Services, who did not want to give
his name, confirmed that the
strike started last Wednesday from about 12 noon. “The
strike did slow us down but
it did not bring us to a stop,
we are fully operational,” he
said.
He added that he did not
know what the workers' demands are but said that a
20% wage increase is not feasible for a small company like
theirs and speculated that
they can get between 8 and
10%. He also said one of the
black workers has Standard
6 [Grade 8] education and
that he therefore cannot go
for a trade test or any of the
offered courses.
Salinda Neko is an
independent citizen
journalist for
Grocott's Mail.
ortfolio councillors of
the Budget, Treasury
and IDP (BTI) committee have expressed their frustrations that the BTI meetings
are not being taken seriously
enough. This is indicated by
the way some councillors often
don’t attend meetings.
A BTI meeting scheduled
for Thursday last week was
postponed due to the lack of
a quorum. An agreement was
reached to postpone the meeting as the councillors who
were present said the meeting should be called off after
waiting 15 minutes for the
absent councillors. Committee chairperson, Ntsikelelo
Stamper walked into the council chamber about 20 minutes
late while, at the same time,
some councillors were leaving.
Before they departed, ANC
Councillor Thandeka Veliti
proposed that the Chief Financial Officer, Jackson Ngcelwane submit a report to the
Municipal Manager’s office on
why the BTI did not sit for the
meeting. Democratic Alliance
councillor, Les Reynolds also
said that the mayor and the
municipal manager – who are
responsible for the finances of
the Council – seldom attend
the meetings.
The meeting was rescheduled for Monday this
week, but failed to take place
in the council chamber as
usual as it was booked up.
ANC Councillor Thandeka
Veliti commented on why the
venue was not checked before
the meeting was confirmed to
take place. She also queried
the status of the report which
should be submitted to the
municipal manager. “I don’t
know if the CFO [Chief Financial Officer] has given the
report to the Municipal Manager and it is the second time
today the chairperson is not
here without any apology. I am
having problems with that,”
she said. Veliti added that this
directorate is one of the key
directorates in the institution
and must therefore be taken
very seriously.
Reynolds said, “When it
comes to the LHID [Land,
Housing, Infrastructural Development and Disaster Management Portfolio Committee]
meetings, the whole council
chamber is full, there’s people sitting all over, everybody
wants houses and roads,” he
said. Reynolds added that
when it comes to resolving
these matters, there is a lack
of presence at BTI committee
meetings which is where the
decisions are made on how to
run the council financially. He
does not know how to get this
across to his fellow councillors and everyone else who is
involved. “We cannot discuss
finance when the directors
who actually spend the money and make reports are not
here. So I agree with Councillor Veliti, things are a little bit
shambollock at the moment.”
Veliti proposed that the mayor
must be provided with the report she previously proposed
as well as seconding Reynold's
proposal that the municipal
manager and mayor should
participate in the meetings as
they are the key stakeholders
in running the institution.
CBD premises to let
This beautiful,
historic
Grahamstown
building in the
CBD will
become
available
TO lET
from
1 November
2010
MUNICIPAL NOTICE
NOTICE OF ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING
The staff of the DR Wynne Music School
invite you to a concert presented by the
Matric Students of 2010
Date: Tuesday 14th September
Time: 19:30
Venue: DR Wynne Music School, DSG
Cheese and wine will be served.
For further enquiries please contact:
Mandy Carver ([email protected])
Dodie Springer ([email protected]
046 603 4312
JUMBLE SALE
Upstart newspaper for the youth will hold
a Jumble Sales on 3 October to raise funds
for Upstart activities.
You can contribute to this cause by
donating any item(s) of clothing that
you no longer use and please drop them/
it at Grocott’s Mail, or let us know how/
where to collect.
Contact Glenda at 046-622 7222
Your donation will be highly appreciated.
www.grocotts.co.za
d
e
n
po
The Municipal Manager, Ms N L Baart, as duly instructed by
the Speaker of the Makana Municipality (Clr R Madinda), hereby gives notice that, in terms of Section 19(a) of the Local
Government: Municipal Systems Act, Act No. 32 of 2000, an
Ordinary Council meeting of the Makana Local Municipality
will be held in the Council Chamber, City Hall, High Street,
Grahamstown on Wednesday, 15 September 2010 at 16h30.
t
s
o
p
It presents an ideal opportunity to start a highly successful
business venture and has already been approved as a suitable
site for a restaurant, Mug & Bean, Ocean Basket or a
St Elmo’s franchise.
This premises is also suitable for a:
legal practice, book store, bank, IT company or
insurance broking business, etc.
Interested parties should phone
083 275 6135 or 082 566 3503
MS. N. BAART
MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Notice number: 80 of 07 September 2010
Knowles Auctions
Duly instructed by the executor of the estate late
GH van Pletzen we shall submit by public auction on
Thursday 16 September 2010 at the town of Paterson at 10am
Directions: From Grahamstown towards PE, (+ 55kms) turn
right at the Paterson/Addo/Shamwari (R342) turnoff until you
reach Paterson Village
Place of auction:
Main St, Paterson, opposite petrol station
(27 Pullen Street)
Items for sale:
Mitssubishi L300 Express Companion Motorhome, chairs,
tables, wooden bench, pot plants, wing-back lounge suite,
brass tray on stand, oak diningroom suite, fireplace surround,
2 electric fireplace heaters, tv cabinet/display unit, tv, radio/
dvd, standard lamp, large quantity pictures and paintings, books
galore, antiques barley-twist leg desk, 4 x old oak wardrobes,
book cases, beds and mattresses, barley-twist fireside lounge
suite, metal trunks, radio cabinets, antique rocking chair,
washing machine, old fashioned porcelain wash and jug basin,
imbuia sideboard, antique mantle chiming clock, deepfreeze,
small yellowwood table, large Oregon pine kitchen dresser,
electric stove, bentwood chairs, plastic garden set, garden ornaments, oak dressing table, garden tools, carpentry tools, antique
cabinets, antique teak double bed ornate, oak chest of drawers,
large amount of collectable sundries to numerous to mention.
Enquiries: Mike Knowles 073 264 8845 or 046-636 1137
MONIKA GAYBBA
Cell 0828550015 Tel 046 6225546
[email protected]
www.propertygrahamstown.co.za
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
Graceful Victorian Villa combining classic character &
modern class to create a home that has it all...inviting
fireplaces, lushly landscaped garden, pool, free-flowing
entertaining area, two cozy guest cottages & more. POA
CALL FOR PRIVATE VIEWING
4
YOUR SAY
What is your view on the strikers’ behaviour?
Most South Africans have been affected by the strike which started three weeks ago.
Grocott’s Mail reporter Olwethu Xabanisa asked Grahamstown residents how they feel
about the striking workers’ behaviour.
Evans Ejisi
Farmer
The workers know that
the government can
afford to pay them so
they are only doing what
is best for them.
Kendall Nash
Student
I know it’s inconvenient
but it’s just the only way
that they can be heard
by the South African
government.
Namhla Krans
Unemployed
Lorna Meaton
Facilities officer
Doctors and nurses have
the Hippocratic Oath they
should live up to. What
they do affects everyone.
Abongile Jaca
Student
Mandisa Mrabalala
IT assistant
Johan Hefer
Lecturer
Everyone is entitled
to strike but any right
comes with responsibility.
Learners and patients
are being affected.
Strikes should be declared
illegal. The dancing and
chanting during the strike
is an embarrassment to us
as South Africans.
Strikers should consider
the rights of those who
do not want the strike.
Jesaya Hano-oshike
Student
Bryan Webber
Guest house owner
Jasmine Schmidtke
Data base operator
Masixole Yaka
Hairdresser
If you don’t like your job
someone else will like it.
I understand where they
are coming from but their
actions can sometimes
be harmful towards other
people.
It is good for them if they
think that’s the proper
way of getting a raise.
Crime Tip
Learn one simple self defence
manoeuvre to protect yourself
against a potential criminal.
I understand their
grievances, but to
vandalise someone
else’s property is never
acceptable.
Teaching should be a
passion and a calling.
There should be another
way of demanding
salaries.
Michael Preston
Teacher
Report back for the week…
Attempted Theft: 3
House Break-ins: 2
Business Break-ins: 1
Arrests: 2
Luyanda Bheyile
Administrator
In other provinces doctors
were forced out of the
theatre during surgery, so
someone else’s life was
at risk. The Grade 12s are
suffering.
Jenna Preston
Teacher
People need medical
attention, it is unfair
for them to be left to
die because of striking
nurses.
Fiona Oyatsi
Student
INTERNET @ R0.32 / MB
They must not violate
other people’s rights to
be heard.
Mfundo Jacob
Learner
If the government had
the interest of the people
of this country they would
have hurried up the
process of negotiation.
People have a right to
practice their rights but
not at other people’s
expense.
Grayson Hale
Student
Noxolo Saki
Receptionist
There are other ways of
doing this, one doesn’t
have to stop working
completely.
There is nothing wrong
with their behaviour.
Why can’t the
government see that
they are desperate and
just meet their needs?
5
NEWS
Opinion
Strike action is crippling the economy
RYAN LEE HANCOCKS
KENTUCKY STRIKE CHICKEN... KFC workers have ended their strike which lasted for more
than two weeks and returned to work this week. On Saturday the workers and the company's
management agreed on a 9% wage increase. Photo: Odwa Funeka
KFC strike comes
to end
ODWA FUNEKA
M
embers of the Food and Allied Worker’s Union (Fawu) who work in KFC
outlets in some parts of the Eastern
Cape Province are back at work after being on
strike for more than two weeks.
Vuyani Jacobs, a shop steward (union official) at KFC, confirmed that they are back at
work this week. He added that the management and the workers agreed on a 9% wage increase and at least 35 working hours per week.
The new agreement was signed on Saturday.
Areas which were affected included Grahamston, Jeffrey’s Bay, East London, Queen-
stown and Port Elizabeth – where one outlet in
Peer 14 was closed for good.
Initially, Fawu members were demanding
a 12% salary increase while employers offered
them only 8.5%. During the strike workers who
are not Fawu members were working as usual
as they had accepted the original offer. On the
other hand, Fawu members claimed that the
company's bosses were disrespecting them.
Attempts to obtain any comment from the
management was unsuccessful at the time of
going to print.
Odwa Funeke is an independent citizen
journalist for Grocott’s Mail
STRIKE action in South Africa has evolved
over the past five years. While official statistics show an annual decline in industrial action
since 2005, the level of violence and national disorder is on the rise.
Protests that were once taken on a regional
scale, or were industry specific, have now become far more co-ordinated and are orchestrated on a national scale with larger bodies such
as the Congress of South African Trade Unions
(Cosatu) co-opting smaller affiliate unions into
solidarity protests. Still battling to recover from
the recent recession, South Africa has been hit
by another round of national strikes. The country and its citizens are once again thrust into
debilitating fear as the protesters now backed
by Cosatu are making headway in their threat
to bring the country to a halt.
Zwelinzima Vavi, the General Secretary of
Cosatu, was quoted by the Mail & Guardian
Online as saying, “So by next Thursday [25
August] if the current strike is not resolved,
the entire economy of South Africa will be shut
down.” This strong armed solidarity presented
by the trade unions over recent years appears
less like counter-party bargaining and democratic dispute resolutions but more like intimidation tactics.
The violent protests that are currently underway and involve members of the National
Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu)
and the SA Democratic Teacher’s Union
(Sadtu), have been condemned by government
officials. Fresh from their own recent strike,
the South African Municipal Workers’ Union
(Samwu), has threatened to strike in solidarity.
Samwu spokesperson, Tahir Sema, was quoted
in a statement to SAPA as saying, “The largest
local government union, Samwu, would like to
send its unconditional solidarity and support to
the ongoing strike by comrades of the publicsector unions.”
With a striking labour force, international
investors may grow more reluctant to invest
in the country’s economy, despite the previous five years showing a marked decline in
incidents of industrial action. The Department
of Labour’s Industrial Action Report for 2009
shows a decrease in such incidents from the
high of 102 in 2005 to a relatively low amount of
51 in 2009.
While a steady decline in the occurrence of
industrial action seems to mark a turning point
in worker disputes in South Africa, an analysis
of the working days lost over this period brings
to light a more growing concern.
From 2008 to 2009 there has been a large
increase in work days lost due to industrial action. The change has come about in the nature
of the strikes as South Africa is once again facing protests on a national level with large unions such as Cosatu bringing in allies in solidarity, bringing the amount of work hours lost in
the economy to a sharp rise.
The troubling question that faces the public
and government in 2010 has been incidents of
increasing violence and disregard for human
dignity and safety in the current strike by Nehawu, Sadtu and affiliates, as well as the strike
by Samwu earlier in the year.
The level of violence and intimidation
has reflected poorly on workers who are described as a cornerstone of our society. The
behaviour exhibited by Sadtu teachers may
just have lost them their credibility with
students, as once again the picket line is set
close to matric trials. While government raises the tabled offer by 1.5% to meet the captive
demands of the union, the real question surrounding the return of workers to their posts
is, will they go quietly?
Life & Executive Coach
Pick
uP a
subscriPtion to
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for all your local
nEWs
PHONE: 046-622 7222
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Cell: 083 299 0373
Tel: 046 624 8047
[email protected]
www.abundance.org.za
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Grahamstad
Waar waardes nie
net lippetaal is nie.
Aansoeke vir
2011 nou beskikbaar.
Tel 046-6223322
Life Coach (child, teen, adult)
Parental Coach
Executive/Leadership Coach
Discussant: Niren Tolsi (M&G)
Monday 6 September
Mr Rich Mkondo (FIFA spokesperson)
Tuesday 7 September
Mr Grant Farred (Cornell University)
Wednesday 8 September
Professor Peter Alegi (visiting fellow at UKZN)
Thursday 9 September
Mr Ashraf Cassiem (Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign)
Mr Ayanda Kota (Unemployed Peoples Movement, Grahamstown)
Ms Constance Magagula (Abahlali baseMjondolo, Durban)
Friday 10 September
Professor Guy Berger
6
Editorial
Liberty and Progress
Established 1870
Help our matric
learners
W
e have been unfair to the matric
class of 2010. First we drop everything to focus on the Soccer World
Cup and give the schools an extended midyear holiday. Next, we have a protracted
teachers strike and abandon learners to
find their own way in preparing for the end
of the year exams. Is there anything more
we could have done to damage the prospects of the current crop of learners?
The strike has not ended, as union
leaders are careful to point out, it has only
been suspended, but at least teachers are
back in the classrooms in an effort to play
catch up. The World Cup holidays and the
three-week strike were heavy blows to an
already pathetic education system.
If our existing education system had
been halfway decent, we could have expected learners to work around the World
Cup and the teachers strike, but under
current circumstances, we can realistically
expect another year of appalling results.
This is a particularly sad situation because
we spend a lot of money on education.
South Africa spends the lion’s share (5.3%)
of its national budget on education. This
proportion is significantly higher than the
world average of 4.9% – so why then do so
many school leavers have such trouble
reading and writing?
In spite of the huge amounts of money
allocated to education, most schools in the
country, and those here in Grahamstown,
are under-resourced. This can largely be
attributed to apartheid policies of denying
education to black people, but then surely
the current government should be doing
everything in its power to correct this
extremely evil practice of separate – but
unequal – education.
Political apartheid died a swift death
in 1994, but economic apartheid and
education apartheid are alive and kicking,
mainly kicking the learners who will be
writing their matric exams later this year.
It is clear that economic apartheid is to
some degree a consequence of education
apartheid – the ANC should be doing much
more to ensure that the education system
serves all the learners in this country.
Until that happens, let us work with
this year’s matric pupils to give them a fair
chance of achieving good results.
South Africa’s Oldest Independent Newspaper
Incorporating The Grahamstown Journal
(1831 – 1920) Vol. 141 No. 69
Published by the David Rabkin Project for Experiential
Journalism Training (Pty) Ltd, 40 High Street, Grahamstown,
6139
Printed by Paarlcoldset
Telephone: 046 622 7222 • Fax: 046 622 7282/3
Website: www.grocotts.co.za
E-mail Addresses
News: [email protected]
Website: [email protected]
Advertising: [email protected] or ronel@grocotts.
co.za
Sport: [email protected]
Letters: [email protected]
General Manager: [email protected]
Editorial
Editor: Steven Lang
News Editor: Abongile Mgaqelwa
New Media Editor: Michael Salzwedel
Staff Reporters: Prudence Mini, Andile Nayika,
Khanyiso Tshwaku, Olwethu Xabanisa
Staff Photographer/Reporter: Stephen Penney
General Manager: Louise Vale
Advertising Manager: Ronél Bowles
Grocott’s Mail is published by the
David Rabkin Project for Experiential
Journalism, a company wholly owned
by Rhodes University. The contents
of this newspaper do not necessarily
represent the views of either body.
Write to: The Editor,
Fax to: 046 622 7282
Litter in Howse Street
Howse Street, Grahamstown runs from Dundas Street along the western side of Phoenix
Roller Mills to Beaufort Street.
Ten yards in to Howse Street from Dundas Street there is a high wall on the right
side as though a bridge over a river. This spot
is a very long standing rubbish dump and of
course, as usual, is used as a public urinal.
Besides being so awful, it bothers me that
the mill has that wonderful fountain underground, gushing strongly. Nastiness from the
rubbish and public urinal surely seeps down
into the water.
Litter Bug
St Andrew's College/
Kingswood Derby Day
The Grocott's Mail of 17 August gave the annual St Andrew's College/Kingswood Derby
Day more publicity than it probably deserves
with the headline and photograph on the
front page and the story continuing on the
back page, as well as numerous other photographs and stories. Your reporter, Khanyiso
Tshwaku, gave a blow by blow account of
the 1st XV match but throughout the report
refers to St Andrew's College as “Saints” (a
compliment or a misnomer?) and Kingswood
as “College”, the name by which many people
traditionally refer to St Andrew's.
This became even more confusing in the
report on the U13A match where we had St
Andrew's Prep playing “College”. Perhaps it
was all tongue in cheek but it did not make
for much clarity on the part of the reader.
Paul Edey,
Headmaster of St Andrew's College
Mission event caused
a public nuisance
I found the noise emanating from the speakers placed close to the north wall of the Cathedral earsplitting. I think it was the loudest
I have ever heard. I thought that the foundations of the Cathedral must be affected but it
seemed to absorb the racket, because on the
library side all was quiet. The staff and customers on the Pep Stores and Grahamstown
Fruit & Veg side had come out to check what
on earth was happening. I heard it at 2pm but
I am told that it went on until 5pm. How Videotronic, Makana Tourism and Shu-Inn coped,
I have not heard.
Because of the public servants strike,
I thought at first it was them. I had seem
them gathering at the Masters Office in the
morning.
Then they streamed past Phoenix Roller
Mills to Good Shepherd School and on to
Eleanor Brown House, Victoria Girls High
School hostel in Somerset Street- all looking
very well dressed and well fed- while my
gardener was burying his cousin who was
stabbed to death at 50 years of age.
So I had massed gatherings and police
vans on my mind, when I laboured towards
Fruit & Veg from New Street on Friday afternoon because there was a crowd. What is
going on? I wondered, is it safe to proceed?
A man came out carrying a pocket of
onions. He explained that the crowd was
outside the cash loans next to Fruit & Veg
and with that the cacophany started. There
was no crowd at 2pm, just the speakers. The
police told me that the municipal manager
had given permission.
No, I protest. I have a right to shop in
peace. If there are complaints about noise
disturbance, the racket should stop. Decibel
limitation should be stipulated in the
permission.
Hours later, at a VG musical evening at
the Monument, someone told me that Church
Square was still being blasted by gospel songs
at 5pm. This made me wonder – had the
Cathedral authorised the sound equipment,
taken thought of damage to the building or
was the municipal manager thinking that such
endeavours might cancel out striker mania
along the lines of Elijah vs Baal worshippers?
The VG choir sang without microphones
and sang magnificently. They did not need
sound equipment (always horrible to my
ears).
If the motive was spiritual, other religions
could also request permission to Square blast.
Ghetto
PO Box 103 Grahamstown 6140
Email: [email protected]
SMS
082 049 2146
Thank you to Lungi and Ingram for providing such a
great service selling local
veggies. We need more locals
providing our essentials.
Keep up the excellent work.
>>>>>>>>>>
A big thank you to the young
man from Grahamstown Electrical Distributors who made
a plan. My pressure cooker
is working perfectly.
>>>>>>>>>>
Hilarious to watch people
use Howse and Bartholomew
streets to avoid robots
on Hill and Bathurst. Often as not they wait twice
as long to cross traffic on
Beaufort. Same bozos never
learn, and its pedal to the
metal to next block.
Doug
>>>>>>>>>>
While the raising money for
charity intentions of the
upcoming Miss Legs competition organisers is praiseworthy, the choice of event
is certainly not. Surely an
event which sees woman parading around being judged
on the attractiveness of
their legs is rather archaic
and anti-feminist? And this
in a place such as Grahamstown? Disappointing choice
indeed.
>>>>>>>>>>
Pseudonyms may be used, but all letters must be supported by a name, signature and street address. Preference will be given to letters which are
not longer than 400 words and are clearly legible. The editor reserves the right to edit or reject letters/photographs.
7
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ENTERTAINMENT
Peppergrove Mall, Grahamstown
Tel: (046) 622 3440, Fax: (046) 622 8368
SEPTEMBER 10 TO 16
THE A-TEAM (PG)
A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their name with the
U.S.military, who suspect the four men of committing a crime for
which they were framed. Starring Liam Neeson, Jessica Biel
Fri. @ 3pm,5:30pm,8pm; Sat. @ 12:30,3pm,5:30,8pm
Sun. @ 12:30,3pm,5:30; Mon./Tues./Wed./Thurs. @
3pm,5:30,8pm
GROWN UPS (PG)
After their high school basket ball coach passes away, five good
friends and former teammated reunite for a Fourth of July holiday
weekend. Starring Adam Sandler, Salma Hayek
Fri. @ 3pm,8pm; Sat. @ 12:30,3pm,8pm; Sun. @ 12:30,3pm
Mon./Tues. @ 3pm,5:30; Wed./Thurs. @ 3pm,8pm
KNIGHT AND DAY (PG)
June Havens finds her everyday life tangled with that of a secret
agent who has realised he isnt supposed to survive his latest
mission. Starring Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz
Fri. @ 3pm,8pm; Sat. @ 12:30,3pm,8pm; Sun. @ 12:30,3pm
Mon./Tues. @ 3pm,8pm; Wed./Thurs. @ 3pm
INCEPTION (13V)
In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through
dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves his toughest job till date, Inception.
Starring Leonardo Di Caprio
Fri./Sat./Sun. @ 5:15; Mon./Tues. @ 8pm
Wed./Thurs. @ 5:15
The upside of the strike
PRECIOUS MNCWANGO
M
embers of the Grocott’s Mail
Upstart
programme
were
recently treated to a film at
Roxbury Cinema. The Upstart editorial team took the upstarts to the
movies last Wednesday as a way of
consolation for having no school as a
result of the strike. The learners, who
range from different ages, watched
Themba – a Boy called Hope and, for
some of them, it was their first cinema
experience.
Sibusiso Klaas, a Grade 10 Upstart
member from Nombulelo Secondary
School thought this was a great idea.
“It is something to do and I have never
been to the cinema so I am excited.” she
said. Sibusiso has been with Upstart for
three years now and she says it is a good
way for kids to occupy themselves and
learn new skills. This is the third year
the programme has been running and
since June 2008 there has been a constant progression in numbers. Upstart
now has more than 300 members from
12 different schools around Grahamstown and they all contribute to giving the youth of Grahamstown a voice.
videotronic
Radio & T V Services
For all your electronic requirements
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AGENTS
SABC 1
SUNDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2010
The solution will be published on
Tuesday, 14 September
HOW TO PLAY: Fill in
the grid so that every
row, every column and
every 3x3 box contains
the digits 1 through 9. No
number can be repeated
in any row, column or
box.
Solution for Tuesday, 7 September
Kluivers said: “I would do good at any
time where children are involved.”
Themba was filmed in the Eastern Cape
which made it easier for the young children to relate to.
both traditional ballroom and
Latin as well as team and formation presentations by each
of the universities. The day
transitioned from fairy tale
elegance of the waltz and foxtrot to deep Latin emotion of
the cha-cha and mambo, with
a grand finale of Bollywood
style formation dances by the
teams which left the audience
cheering.
After 13 hours of breathtaking competition, Stellenbosch was able to beat Rhodes
for the top spot. The final
scoring across the divisions
left Stellenbosch first, Rhodes
second and UCT third, with
NMMU and Tuks University,
bringing up the rear in fourth
and fifth respectively.
Times and shows were correct at the time of going to press
MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 2010
#82
backed by friendly and energetic chanting from each
of the universities’ support
squads.
Seven universities from
across the country took part
in this year’s nationals and
provided stiff competition for
all entrants in both social and
competitive classes.
The events incorporated
tvGUIDE
SATURDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2010
73 High Street •Tel. 6227119
THE 1820 Settlers Monument
played host to the Student
Nationals for Ballroom and
Latin Dancing last Sunday.
The event had all the glitz,
glamour and anticipation of a
Strictly Come Dancing final
with skilled spirals danced
out on polished wood floors,
FRIDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2010
KISSES (16)
Upstart project coordinator, Nomphumezo Makinana and intern Glenda Hetula
agreed that they were inspired by the
childrens’ response to the movie. The
owner of Roxbury Cinema, Johnny
Ballroom dancing nationals
RYAN LEE HANCOCKS
Two kids, Dylan and Kylie, run away from home at Christmas and
spend anight of magic and terror on the streets of inner-city Dublin.
"The darkheart of Dublin like you've never seen it before. 4 Stars"Total film. Winner Best Irish Feature Film at the Galway Film Fleadh
2008.
Fri./Sat./Sun. @ 5:30; Mon./Tues. @ 5:30; Wed./Thurs. @ 5:30,8pm
Upstart members gather around in excitement after watching Themba – a Boy
called Hope at Roxbury Cinema. Photo: Precious Mncwango
SABC 2
SABC 3
e - TV
M-Net
8am African Language News,
10am Born Frees, 12.30pm
Backstage, 1pm News Day,
1.30pm WWE, 2.30pm
far from Home:The Adventures..., 4.40pm Young
And The Restless, 6.30pm
Rhythm City, 7pm eNews,
7.30pm Club 808: Make
some Noise, 8pm Style by
Jury, 10.20pm Species.
5.30am My Friend Rabbit,
8am Reunion, 9am FNB Classic Clash, 10am Binnelanders,
11am Tennessee, 2pm Teddies, 2.15pm Trixi, 4pm Carte
Blanche, 5pm 90210, 6pm
Binnelanders, 7pm 30 Rock,
7.30pm All Access, 9.30pm
The Promotion, 11.55pm
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3.
8.30am Mickey Mouse
and Friends, 9am Handy
Manny, 9.30am Steve and
Chris, 10.30am The Power
Within, 11.30am Hatch,
12pm The Bold and the
Beautiful, 3.30pm Kitne
Door...Kitne Paas, 6.30pm
De Kat, 7.30pm Danté's
Peak, 9.30pm North Country,
11.45pm The O.C.
07:05am Squidgeeland,
9.30am Rhythm City,
12.30pm e-Shibobo,
1.30pm The Planet's Funniest Animals, 4pm WWE
6pm eNews, 6.05pm Popstars, 7pm eNews, 7.30pm
Showbiz Report, 8pm 3
Ninja's Buckle-Up, 9.50pm
Body Double.
7.30am Poppets Town,
7.45am The Mr Men Show,
8pm K-TV Power Edition,
8.30am Thembi & Themba
11am Blitz Bulletin, 2.15pm
World of Sport, 3pm ABSA
Currie Cup, 8pm Fighting,
9.45pm CSI: New York,
10:45pm Battle in Seattle.
5am Horn of Plenty,
6.30am Hosanna, 8.30am
Life 24/7, 11am Eastern
Mosaic, 12pm Dharma,
3.30pm 7de Laan, 7.30pm
News, 8pm It's Gospel Time
9pm Have you heard from
Johannesburg?, 10pm Navy
NCIS, 11pm Medium.
7.30am Zooming in on Men,
9.30am Isidingo: The Need,
11.30am DTV, 1pm Survivor
16: Micronesia, 2pm Hatch,
4.30pm The Healing Power
of Nature, 5pm Celebrate
the Century, 8.30pm State
of Mind, 9.30pm Solving
it, 10pm American Me,
11.45pm Law & Order:
Criminal Intent.
6am Ray of Hope, 8.30am
Spirit of Praise, 9am
Hillsong, 10am Shiz Niz,
12.50pm UEFA Magazine,
4.30pm The Biggest
Loser: Oz, 6pm eNews, 7pm
eNews, 7.30pm How I met
your Mother, 8pm Kingdom
of Heaven, 10.55pm
On Her Majesty's Secret
Service.
7am Barney & Friends,
7.30am Poppet's Town,
8.30am Bo on the Go!, 10am
Igor, 1am CSI Miami, 2pm
Brothers and Sisters, 3pm
Private Practice, 5pm Scrubs,
7pm Carte Blanche, 8.05pm
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,
10pm Year One, 11.35pm
Management.
6am Morning Live, 8am
Parliament, 10am Takalani
Sesame, 12pm Dr Phil,
12.50pm Days of Our Lives,
1.35pm Judge Mathis,
2.20pm As the World Turns,
4.30pm Keeping it Real,
5pm Dragonball Z, 5.30pm
News, 9pm Muvhango.
5am Sotho News, 7.30am
AM Shopping, 10am
Generations, 11am Tyra
Banks Show, 1pm News,
2pm Food Inc., 3.50pm 3
Talk with Noleen, 6.30pm
Isidingo, 7pm News, 7.30pm
The Suite Life on Deck, 8pm
Survivor 16: Micronesia.
6am Sunrise, 10am 3rd
Degree, 10.30am Sunset
Beach, 12.30pm Backstage,
1pm News Day, 1.30pm
WWE: Afterburn, 2.35pm
Cool Catz, 6pm e News,
6.30pm Rhythm City,
7.30pm Scandal!, 8pm
WWE International.
10am Binnelanders, 11pm
Relative Strangers, 2.30pm
Spliced, 3.31pm Beyblade,
4.02pm All Access, 7.33pm
Chuck, 8.31pm CSI: Miami,
9.31pm The Tudors.
7am YO TV Sportsbuzz,
12pm Judge Joe Brown,
1pm Yilungelo Lakho/
It's your Right, 3pm Tomz,
5.30pm News, 6pm Bold,
6.30pm Jam Alley, 7pm
Martin, 7.30pm News, 8pm
Generations, 8.30pm The
Game, 9pm Live!, 10pm
New Jack City.
6am Morning Live, 8am
Parliament: View from the
House, 10am Takalani
Sesame, 12pm Dr. Phil,
12.50pm Days, 1.35pm
Judge Mathis, 2.20pm As
the World Turns, 4pm Hectic
Nine - 9, 6.30pm 7de Laan,
7.30pm Noot vir Noot,
8.30pm News, 9.30pm
Powerball.
7.30am AM Shopping,
10.30am Isidingo, 11am
Tyra Banks Show, 1.30pm
News, 2pm Saartjie, 3pm
All My Children, 3.50pm
3 Talk with Noleen, 5.35
The Oprah Winfrey Show,
6.30pm Isidingo: The
Need, 7pm News, 7.30pm
The Grey Owl, 9.30pm
Barry Lyndon.
7am YO TV's Big Breakfast,
8am Turtle Island, 10am
Generations, 12.30pm
Imizwilili/Magnificent
Sounds, 6pm Selimathunzi,
7.30pm News, 8pm MTN 8,
10.15pm Bad Company.
5.57am Op Pad, 8.30am
DIY Met Riaan, 1pm
Muvhango, 3pm Heartland,
4pm I Do, They Don't,
7.30pm News, 8pm Noot
vir Noot, 9pm Life's Funniest Moments, 9.35pm
Late Night with Kgomotso,
10.30pm Ghost Whisperer,
11.30pm Navy NCIS.
8am Shinzo, 10am The
Blog, 11am Spirit Sundae,
12pm Big Up, 2pm
Telkom Splash, 3pm MTN
- 8, 6.30pm Asikhulume,
7.30pm News,
8.30pm Laduma - Build Up,
9pm FIFA/ U/17 Women's
World Cup, 11pm Music
Lounge.
6am Kids News & Current
Affairs, 11am Imizwilili/
Magnificent Sounds, 1pm
Shift, 3.30pm Teen Titans,
7.30pm news, 8pm Afro
Café, 9pm Royal Bafokeng,
10pm Lincoln Heights.
9
Music
Opinion
Is hip-hop the solution to our
political problems?
Theresa Taylor
First guitar lesson
for free!
Olwethu Xabanisa
B
eautiful guitar sounds emanating from
Rhodes University's music department
grabbed my attention. My curiosity led
me closer to one of the little practice rooms
where the sound was coming from. I was so
surprised to find a little boy playing that guitar.
James Lankester is a 9-year-old Grade 3
learner from Kingswood College. With him was
Nicholas Kerr, a 23-year-old third year music
student at Rhodes University who majors in
jazz guitar and ethnomusicology.
James said that he prefers Kerr to his previous teacher as he is teaching him the right
techniques. “I used to struggle with hand positioning and that has improved," he said.
Kerr started giving guitar private lessons in February at the music department at
Rhodes. “The first lesson which is 30 minutes
is free and you can pay R90 an hour if you want
more,” he said.
Kerr's other student, Bruce Haynes is a
second year BSc student at Rhodes and bought
his guitar last year. “My sound was very horrible when I started and I thought it would help
going for lessons once a week. I'm getting better day-by-day,” he said.
Kerr teaches at the music department and
can be contacted on 082 430 9383.
Buitendag awarded prize for
composers’ competition
Staff Reporter
Rhodes Music postgraduate
student Kingsley Buitendag
was awarded the second prize
of R40 000 in the jazz/popular
music category of the Samro
2010 Overseas Scholarships
competition for composers.
To qualify, Buitendag had
to submit three pieces, one arranged for a quartet in a traditional South African style,
one for an 18-piece big band
in a traditional swing style,
and one for a solo instrument
in a Latin style. Once he was
selected as a finalist, Buitendag had the opportunity to
rehearse with a professional
band who played his own material, culminating in the competition finals on 28 August in
Johannesburg.
Buitendag’s work for jazz
quartet, Mr Gaulana, is a
tribute to an East London
jazz guitarist and composer.
The piece was performed by
Roland Moses on piano, Mt-
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hunzi Mvubu on saxophone,
Prince Bulo on bass guitar
and Rob Watson on drums. His
other piece, Sombras, for solo
jazz piano, was performed by
Moses.
Regarding the relevance
of the experience to his studies, Buitendag says: “The
compositional aspect of my
studies has been greatly enhanced by the opportunity to
hear my compositions played
by a professional band, and I
learnt a huge amount about
composition and arranging
from this experience. I am
grateful to the head of the Music and Musicology Department at Rhodes, Prof Marc
Duby, who is supervising my
masters’ degree who encouraged me to enter this competition.”
Sexy new kid on the block
Sexy new kid on the block, Mario Ogle, is reaching new heights in the South African music industry.
Having just returned from a whirlwind concert tour, opening for international superstar Jay
Sean in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg,
Mario Ogle will be heading to the Eastern Cape
for his first tour here of 23 perfomances in the
province.
As part of the tour, Mario will be visiting
Kingswood College on 15 September, where he
Fact:
SWEET SOUNDS... Nicholas Kerr (on the right) teaches James Lankester in one of the music
practice rooms at Rhodes University's music department. Photo: Olwethu Xabanisa
Politically potent lyrics have been the
domain of hip-hop stars since long before
Malema re-discovered Kill the Boer. Haitian
star Wyclef Jean made headlines lately when
he tried to create hip-hop’s biggest political
hit – running for president of his country.
In a bold move to pre-empt the impending
trend, which South Africa hip-hop star could
step away from the mic and into the political
play pen?
Kabelo Mabalane of TKZee is one of
South Africa’s most established stars. In fact
he has been riding the wave for years longer
than would be allowed for a president’s two
terms in office. As a reformed drug addict,
soon-to-be-preacher and completer of the
strenuous Comrades Marathon, he has serious street cred.
Rhodes Music Radio (RMR) deputy station manager Masixole Mdingane sees a political saviour in Hip Hop Pantsula and his
multiracial appeal. Sadly, relations between
hip-hop and white people have never been
great, with many pointing a finger at the
white man’s substandard dance moves. But
Hip Hop Pantsula, a former Strictly Come
Dancing champion, could revolutionise government with a new department: The Department of Diski Dancing and Movement
where people could apply for status as previously disadvantaged dancers.
Radio Grahamstown interim station
manager Khaya Thonjeni heralds JR’s hit
song Make the circle bigger as having the
same political potential as Zuma’s Mshini
’Wam. Government tenders will from now on
simply be referred to as “make the circle bigger” between political comrades.
However, it’s Jub Jub who's in the front
running for continuing our new South Africa
tradition of favouring politicians with jail time
under their belts. Sadly, his reason for being
jailed was not ‘for the struggle’. The hopeful
star’s career has certainly been tarnished by
not following the politician’s moral code. You
can wait until you are in office to unleash the
drunken car accidents and indiscretions. Of
course, that doesn’t give him any less clout.
If hip-hop won’t come to politics, perhaps
politics can go to hip-hop? Jacob Zuma is already following in the footsteps of his American hip-hop namesake Jay-Z. Jay-Z graced
the White House whereas JZ has sipped tea
at Buckingham Palace. JZ is expanding his
“brand” by starting his own newspaper. Next
he can open his own clothing label like Sean
“P Diddy” Coombs and then maybe a presidential fragrance that Woolies could stock.
His hit summer track “Lovin every lady” will
debut with a bootie shaking music video including all three of his wives.
But it’s Malema who could have the most
successful career in rap. He’s as controversial as an early millennium Eminem and has
already had a hit song. Why should this budding artist fizzle into a one hit wonder? Rocking the stage name “Mad Mouth Malema,”
backed up by ANCYL groupies; Malema is
set to be SA’s up-an-coming act with the most
potential for an international record deal, or
at least a few hits on Youtube.
will not only be entertaining the learners, but will
also be motivating them to work hard to achieve
the best they can in life.
Two years ago, Mario reached the top 10 of
the M-Net reality TV show High School Musical.
Since then, he released his debut album Can't
stop loving you, which was nominated in this
year's South African Music Awards in the category for Best R&B/Neo-Soul album. The album has
already sold 8 000 copies to date, and is expected to reach gold status in a few months’ time.
Grocott’s Mail sends out FREE SMS
alerts / headlines every Tuesday
and Friday morning to subscribers.
A joint venture between Makana
Municipality and Makana Tourism
Join Makana Tourism
AMAZING CHASE
Contestants will assemble at the Old
Provost, Lucas Ave. From 09:00 on
Saturday 25 September 10:00
Chase starts @ 10:00. Entrance free
Call Makana Tourism or pop in at
63 High Street Lots of prizes,
lots of fun
sms ‘ALERTME’ TO 082 049 2146 or go to
www.grocotts.co.za/sms
or
place an AdvERT in the best read
local paper or our website contact Mike or Sivuyile
on 046-622 7222 or
e-mail [email protected]
10
News
Illegal dumpers to be exposed in the
media
Prudence Mini
MANDLA... Strikers make their voices heard while picketing on Wednesday.
Photo: Stephen Penney
‘The picket-line is our
turf,’ say union bosses
Khanyiso Tshwaku and Olwethu
Xabanisa
C
ongress of South African
Trade Unions (Cosatu)
Grahamstown secretary
Sizakele Makabe, South Africa
Democratic Teachers' Union's
(Sadtu) Grahamstown secretary Likhaya Mfecane and
chairperson of the Joint Management Committee (JMC)
Thembile Matiwane visited
Grocott’s Mail on Wednesday
afternoon to give a press briefing on the national strike.
“We encourage parents
to help us teachers to encourage learners to return to
school,”said Mfecane, who is a
teacher himself.
This follows on the unions
and the government reaching stalemate, resulting in the
strike being suspended for 21
days while the government
decides to accept or reject a
raise of 7.5% and R800 housing
allowance.
Matiwane made it clear
that the strike has been suspended, not called off, as during
the 21 days, negotiations at the
Public Service Co-ordinating
Bargaining Council (PSCBC)
are still ongoing and the unions
are still consulting with their
members. If no agreement is
reached, the strike will resume.
“Our leaders are still consult-
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½ cup thinly sliced red
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R3.99
1 Tablespoon olive oil R49.99
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1. In a small bowl,
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salt.
3. Add cucumber
mixture, toss. Add
grapefruit sections
and sliced avocado,
toss gently.
4. Divide lettuce
among 4 serving
plates. Top with avocado and grapefruit
mixture.
ing with their PSCBC members, if the PSCBC members
are not satisfied with what the
government is offering them
it is possible that they can go
back on strike,” said Matiwane.
Makabe urged all members
who belong to Cosatu affiliated
unions to return to work. According to Makabe some of the
trade unions that fall under the
Cosatu banner are the National
Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW), Sadtu,
National, Education, Health
and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), South African medical
association (Sama) and Democratic Nursing Organisation of
South Africa (Denosa).
When the bosses were
asked why a Grocott’s Mail
reporter had been prevented
from reporting on a picket at
Victoria Girls’ High School,
Matiwane said that it is “unfortunate” that journalists don't
speak to union leaders before
entering the picket-line. “When
you cover the strike, make
sure you meet with the leaders
[first].” He continued by saying: “When we are in the picketline, the picket line is our turf.”
He then apologised for how the
strikers had behaved aggressively towards the reporter.
Mfecane said that not all
schools in the Joza area were
on strike. However, he did
say that some of the coloured
schools had good attendance
because their staff members
belong to other unions, so they
attended at their own discretion. Mfecane emphasised that
all parents should motivate
their children to go back to
school. “Teachers have been
negotiating with the government for quite a while now,
even before the Fifa World Cup.
The strike was our last resort if
people talk to you and you don’t
move then we will show you in
other ways how to move,” said
Mfecane. He said that a meeting will be held on Thursday at
the district department of Education office on how to proceed
with the Grade 12 trial exams.
Illegal dumping by businesses is on the rise and has
impacted on the overall cleanliness of the CBD.
Discussions at the recent
Social Services, Community
Empowerment and Protection Services (SCEP) Portfolio
Committee meeting singled out
illegal dumping as the cause of
the unclean streets in the town
centre. Councillors spoke of an
increase of hawkers operating along High Street, a lack
of livestock control and street
children as reasons for the poor
condition of the streets.
Johan Esterhuizen of
Makana Municipality’s Environment, Health and Cleansing Department said he has
encountered problems with
businesses and residents living in the CBD who put out
their refuse on the wrong
days. He says that some businesses put out the refuse on
Fridays so they don’t have to
come to work early to put it
out then. He said they have
fined some businesses between R300 and R350 as the
municipality has had to remove refuse on the wrong
days and at their expense. Esterhuizen says that the street
sweepers can’t keep up as
they have to clean large areas
and as they move on, people
litter in those cleaned areas,
leaving the streets constantly
dirty. “If people commit to
bend down and pick up one
piece of paper, the town would
be cleaned. Perhaps we need
to get this through to the community,” he said. He added
that the municipality recently
advertised a tender for providing street litter bins which
have a hole small enough to
throw your litter away but allows no access for the public
or animals to sift through the
contents. “[The tender] will
make sure that the bins are
manufactured from recycled
materials, are fixed on the
ground and are donkey proof,”
Esterhuizen said.
Ward 7 councillor Nomhle
Gaga proposed that the businesses which dump illegally
should be blacklisted. She also
said that donkeys and cows
and beggars who pick through
the contents of the bins contribute to the dirtiness of
the wards. “In our ward we
have a poster which says,
Please Keep Our City Clean,”
Gaga said. She added that
Grahamstown could employ
more people to clean the
streets, but it won’t change
much if individuals do not step
in and assist.
SCEP Director, Mandisi
Planga agreed that nothing
will change until the individual’s mindset changes. “We
were promised by the Department of Transport for five
rangers for people to assist in
controlling the movements of
animals in town.”
Planga added that a shift
work system will be employed
this month, focused on the
CBD area to control its cleanliness. “When people knock off
there will be people around to
make sure there are no black
bags and no full bins,” Esterhuizen added. The committee’s chairperson, Julia Wells
resolved that people who
dump illegally will be exposed
in the media in addition to the
fines that they have to pay.
Library for the Blind to participate
in National Book Week
Mokgaetji Shadung
In an effort to promote and encourage reading among South
Africans of all ages and groups,
the South African Library for
the Blind (SALB) will be participating in the first National
Book Week to be held in Johannesburg between 10 and 13
September.
SALB Marketing Assistant, Louise Wolmarans said
that the purpose of attending
this event “will be to try to level
the field between blind people
and those people who have
sight and can read”. The event,
which will take place at the Museum Africa in Newtown, is a
joint initiative of the South African Book Development Council
(SABDC) and the Department
of Arts and Culture (DAC).
According to Wolmarans,
the library’s main objective will
be to create awareness through
their exhibitions. These will include demonstrations of their
tactile books that are used
to introduce babies and toddlers to books. Wolmarans said
that the tactile books are very
helpful for both sighted and
unsighted children as the soft
picture books are designed to
help pre-school children acquaint themselves with Braille
and to help them to develop a
love for books. “The books are
sewn with different items that
the children can either identify
if they are sighted or they can
feel if they are blind,” she said.
The library will also have
an activity tent where they will
run a Braille game that can be
used by both sighted and blind
people.
The SALB slogan, “We are
all on the same page,” seeks to
illustrate that blind people have
the same capabilities as sighted people and should not be
CREATING AWARENESS... South African Library for the
Blind Marketing Assistant Louise Wolmarans says that their
participation in National Book Week is aimed at educating
people that the challenges of being blind can be overcome.
Photo: Mokgaetji Shadung
treated differently. “People get
nervous around blind people
and don’t know how to react,”
said Wolmarans. “The misconception that people have about
blind people is that they cannot
perform the same job tasks as
sighted people but if they are
equipped with the right training they can overcome this”.
SALB is the only library
for the blind in the country and
through their non-profit national library service Blindlib,
provide audio and Braille books
and magazines to all blind and
print disabled readers in seven South African languages.
The languages are English,
Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Northern and Southern Sotho and
Tswana.
The reading material,
which is recorded on a CD,
is provided free of charge to
registered members. “We convert normal books into audio
and we always try to keep up
with the latest book releases,”
said Wolmarans. “The problem is copyright because
sometimes publishers can be
difficult when it comes to giving us permission to use their
material.”
Apart from their website,
which is user friendly for visually impaired people, the libraries have created a Facebook
page so that their members
can communicate with them.
They also use radio commercials to access people living in
rural areas.
“We hope to use the National Book Week to highlight
that blind people are normal
and are just as capable as
people with eye-sight,” said
Wolmarans.
11
BN
USINESS
EWS
The housing bubble may burst, say realtors
YUSUF OMAR, KARL GERNETZKY AND THANDI DE BEER
N
ew residences are popping up all over
the outlying hills of Rhodes University,
townhouses are being built and large
apartment blocks are being constructed. Investors and developers in Grahamstown are
betting on an influx of students in coming
years, but student populations are stabilising
and some real-estate agents think the bubble
may burst.
“One can’t keep building, that’s the bottom line,” says Jean Rodgerson the manager
at Remax Frontier Properties. “You are not
going to go wrong with building apartments in
Grahamstown, two bedroom apartments will
always fill. But it can’t carry on like this.” According to Rodgerson there is no current lull in
the Grahamstown real estate market. Remax
has sold 36 apartments in the last two weeks.
“House prices have stayed the same during
the whole recession, one of the only places in
South Africa.”
She credits this to the Rhodes student market. Rodgerson has also noticed a market for
“lock up and go” apartments or houses for the
parents of private school children who prefer
their own home when they drop off their children to staying in a bed and breakfast. “There
are still three more developments people don’t
know about yet. But after this they should
stop,” Rodgerson warns.
A key indicator for a future demand is the
expansion of the student population at Rhodes
as more students will stimulate the local economy and create greater need for housing and
student accommodation. Rhodes University
currently has 7 138 students and although enrolment planning statistics are currently under revision, a Rhodes employee who wished
to remain anonymous says that Rhodes have
already met their 2013 quota. In the absence of
additional government funding, Rhodes University is unlikely to expand.
Carolyn Ford, the financial controller for
Sotheby’s International Real Estate, believes
that the demand for digs has remained stable
over the last few years. However, the construction of new university residences and new flats
entering the market could lead to a shift in the
real estate market.
In terms of housing prices in Grahamstown, she says demand and supply equalised
during the recession. According to Ford, houses in good condition have begun to reach their
asking price and she anticipates that it will
take around two years for the market to completely recover from the recession.
Daphne Timm of Pam Golding Properties
Timm also believes that more co-ordination
and planning needs to take place at the municipal level in terms of the town’s development.
“Aesthetically the council should look at stimulating more pleasing units and green areas,”
she says.
Timm says the demand for these units will
certainly depend on Rhodes University’s enrolment figures but she but doesn’t believe that
developers have miscalculated. “I should hope
they’ve done their homework,” she added.
does not believe the risk of a real estate bubble
is high. “There is no looming bubble, but we as
a town need to change what is being developed,
we need less 40 unit blocks of flats and should
look at retirement homes and groups of units.”
Today Joza, tomorrow the world
RENEILWE MALATJI
JOZA residents have to take a taxi to access
the world via the internet. But if Vuyolwethu
Nekile’s dream comes true this will soon
change. He hopes to open an internet café in
Nompondo Street opposite Noluthando Hall
this month.
A week after Grocott’s Mail published a
story on the ex-offender, Nekile received two
secondhand computers from the Rhodes Centre for Social Development.
Two days later Noxy Majola, a Rhodes student who had also read the report, donated another computer.
This inspired Nekile to pursue his longtime dream of opening the first internet cafe in
Joza. Nekile mobilised two other ex-offenders,
Fundile Stofile and Nzule Faxi to join him in
this business venture.
They have since formed an organisation
called Life Goes On, which aims to combine
their resources to make their internet dream
come true.
They are also raising funds for fittings, furniture and printers as well as the internet connections. “Because of lack of funds we will start
small with only three computers and the business will grow bigger as we go on,” said Nekile.
Nekile said they have finally secured a
space in a small building next to their car wash,
which they will be renting for R600 a month.
They were thrilled because previous applications for a space in the underutilised municipal
building on Sani Street had been turned down
several times.
“We are not only focussing on the internet
as a business,” said Nekile. “We want the place
to be more of an information centre, where
community members can come and access information, such as job opportunities.”
He added that it is a shame that in this
era of technology, young people living in the
township have no access to basic computer
skills and know nothing about ways of communication such as the internet. They intend
to teach the youth basic computer skills and
encourage them to open email accounts.
OPENING DOORS FOR JOZA... The building that is to become the first internet cafe in the
township run by ex-offenders Vuyolwethu Nekile, Fundile Stofile and Nzule Faxi.
Photo: Reneilwe Malatji
Kaolin mining underexploited in Grahamstown
RENEILWE MALATJI
GRAHAMSTOWN has the largest known deposits of good quality kaolin in South Africa.
But the abundance of this useful white clay
isn’t benefitting the community. If processing
plants can be opened in Grahamstown, kaolin
mining could help alleviate unemployment.
From 1990 most of the kaolin processing plants were closed down. At the moment
Makana is mining 27% of South Africa’s kaolin
and before 1990 it constituted 55%. It is one of
the top seven industrial minerals and has prospects for providing opportunities and economic growth in Grahamstown.
Today kaolin mining is limited to mining in
Grahamstown and quarrying which is restricted to only five mines. These are AM Moss, East
Cape Quarries, Strowan mining, Crousday and
Makana Brick and Tile. Kaolin is extracted
through open cast mining methods. This type
of mining is not labour intensive therefore an
average of ten full time workers is sufficient
to do the work. Kaolin is a fine white clay produced by the decomposition of a group of rockforming minerals called feldspars. It is used
in the production of tiles, cosmetics, sanitary
ware, tableware, paper, paint, rubber and pharmaceutical products.
Des Forword, the director of East Cape
Quarries and Mayfield clays, warns that future kaolin prospects are of concern unless
a ceramic factory or kaolin processing plant
can be erected in Grahamstown as transport
costs to Gauteng are becoming increasingly
prohibitive.
The mines export unprocessed kaolin to
Gauteng for processing and they lose a lot
of profit through these escalating transport
costs plus the cost of hiring the plant used for
mining. Forword also indicated that Grahamstown’s proximity to the Orange River makes it
an ideal location for a washing plant. Also, a local milling facility would either blow or suck off
the impurities in the raw unprocessed kaolin
mineral.
He described the world market for kaolin
as favourable. It appears that Europe and the
UK could be looking at reserves elsewhere in
the world as their reserves are dwindling.
He added that one of the biggest threats
to the Grahamstown’s kaolin is the impact of
the encroaching informal settlement on kaolin
rich land. For kaolin mining to succeed in Grahamstown, partnerships must be established
between the communities, municipality, local
kaolin miners, Rhodes University and other
training institutes.
Makhwenkwe Khuselo, a member of the
Makana Trust said that they are working on developing kaolin mining but “the process is still
at a premature stage.” He added that at this
stage they have not yet secured funding for the
project but they are working on it.
Putting the food back into Woolworths
RYAN LEE HANCOCKS
GRAHAMSTOWN may be closer to
the addition of the long awaited food
department at Woolworths. Promises and rumours have been circulating since it was first announced
in Grocott’s Mail on 27 November
2009. Gary Poovan, the owner of the
Woolworths, Grahamstown branch
says that in November they had
planned opening around 12 April
this year.
But delays with the municipality
over land marked for development
has stalled the extensions to the current store. The addition would go a
long way towards contributing to
Grahamstown’s status and economy
in the surrounding area as shoppers
may no longer need to leave the city
to find their favourite fare.
Rob Beer, the owner of Beer
Properties, says that “My company
has applied to the municipality to
exchange a piece of land it owns
behind Clicks for the equivalent
behind Woolworths for parking
owned by the municipality. When
this is resolved I will be in a position
to start the new Woolies Foods.”
While Grahamstonians wait
with baited breath for another year
to roll by, the future prospects for
a Woolies Food appears firmly cemented on the horizon. The need for
Woolworths Food in Grahamstown
is evident by the volume of consumer interest.
A lucrative business venture
such as this will keep the current
exodus of shoppers from venturing
as far afield as Port Alfred and Port
Elizabeth to obtain their weekly
Woolworths Food fix.
12
NEWS
Unseen climate change
casualties
HAILEY GAUNT
TAYLOR
AND
THERESA
L
ocal evidence for climate change is there:
droughts and heat
waves in July. However,
there are unseen, far more
significant changes in areas
most of us will never visit,
such as at Marion Island and
the Southern Ocean which
surrounds Antarctica.
Hidden in the subAntarctic,
approximately
1 770km from Port Elizabeth, Marion Island is untouched by humans and has
been a touchstone for scientific observation since 1965.
Through studying such a
remote environment, scientists are able to analyse the
specific effects of climate
change on ecosystems.
Prof Ian Meiklejohn of
Rhodes University geography department and fellow
researchers monitor changes in the island’s landscape
to measure the impacts of
our climate. At one time,
parts of Marion Island remained frozen throughout
the year, but warming temperatures have resulted in
melting. An increase in landslide and mudslides could be
linked to the loss of ground
stability, once provided by
ice.
Not only are the landscapes shifting, but our
oceans are disturbed by
changing temperatures. The
southern ocean is currently
the world’s largest sink for
carbon dioxide. Its large
expanse and cool temperatures effectively dissolve
greenhouse gases. However,
as water temperatures increase, its ability to do this
diminishes.
Consequently,
more carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere.
Animal species are also
vulnerable. “There are a
number of indications that
global climate change is affecting the biology in the
oceans around Antarctica,”
says William Froneman,
Rhodes University marine
biologist. Carbon dioxide
acidifies ocean water, causing conditions that are detrimental for small but vital
species. For example, the
shells of some types of oceanic snails are no longer
forming properly. Although
these animals lack the
charm of the polar bear or
penguin, they are an essential link in the food chain as
they ultimately guarantee
the survival of other larger
sub-Antarctic species.
Perhaps what we cannot
see may prove more ominous for our earth. “Our pollution can be recorded on the
other side of the world,” says
Meiklejohn, encouraging us
to think about or daily habits.
Through thinking globally
but taking action locally, like
cycling instead of motoring,
we can protect the habitats
of the most delicate but critical species.
The climes they are a changing
KARL GERNETZKY
ALTHOUGH there is a general
consensus among scientists
that the earth is getting warmer, there is still a vigorous debate over to what degree humans are responsible. Climate
change is nothing new in the
earth’s history and is certainly
nothing new in recorded history. In the last 2000 years
the planet has undergone two
significant climate epochsone of cooling called the Little
Ice Age and one of warming
known as the Medieval Warm
Period.
The length of the Medieval Warm Period is a subject
of debate, with evidence of
global warming dating back
to 950 AD. It is generally accepted to have lasted from the
11th to the 14th century AD,
with average temperatures
in the northern hemisphere
around 0.2°C warmer than
the average over the last 2000
years, but slightly cooler than
current global temperatures
(which have increased about
0.8°C since 1880). The effects however varied greatly
according to region, with the
Northern Atlantic experiencing
the most changes. It is around
this time that Vikings colonised Greenland, and goes a
way in explaining how it got its
(now ironic) name.
The Little Ice Age lasted
from the 15th century to the
mid 19th century, with temperatures on average 1 to 2°C
lower than the current levels.
Winters in Europe were colder
and longer and summers were
milder and wetter. The population of Iceland during the period fell by half, settlements
in Greenland ceased to exist
and the river Thames regularly froze over. The Little Ice
Age ended in 1850 and many
climatologists believe the current global warming is at least
partially caused by warming
as the earth recovers from the
Little Ice Age.
Where are the Grahamstown schools?
KHANYISO TSHWAKU
GRAHAMSTOWN schools are
conspicuously absent from a
permaculture competition organised by Food and Trees for
Africa called Eduplant.
The competition has a
record 580 entries this year,
a significant rise compared
to last year’s 350 entries, but
only eight schools from the
Eastern Cape are competing.
Two hundred schools
were visited around the country during a prejudging process and 70 were chosen as
finalists.
These schools will be represented at an event held at
the end of September where
they will present their permaculture food gardening
projects to a panel of judges
and attend a variety of workshops.
According to Chris Wild,
the Food and Trees for Africa
Eastern Cape coordinator,
workshops are held in two
year cycles and they try not
to have a workshop in the
same place. “The last workshop was in the Albany area
two years ago and we received one entry,” said Wild.
He also said that the
schools’ food gardens will
help to supplement the government's feeding scheme.
The judging is based on
the following criteria:
•The entry shows that the
school understands how to
create a sustainable, food producing environment that conserves and manages natural
resources sustainably,
•The school has shown initiative by implementing a
project, raising funds or
finding assistance and infor-
mation,
•The project will, or does, involve the maximum number
of educators, learners, parents and other community
members,
•The project is, or will be, integrated into the outcomesbased curriculum,
•The quality of the presentation to the adjudicators
tat the awards event will be
assessed.
The competition has excellent benefits for schools,
learners, educators and
parents as they gain income
from the production of the
fruit and vegetables.
Unemployed parents are
involved in the gardening and
food preparation effort.
PLANTER... Robyn Hills from Food and Trees for Africa,
plants an olive tree at the Community Garden launch at Boy
Boy Mginywa Pre-School. Photo: Khanyiso Tshwaku
Food garden launch
at Boy Boy Mginywa
KHANYISO TSHWAKU
“EXTENSIVE use of permaculture could be the answer to the
country’s food shortage,” said Food and Trees for Africa Eastern Cape co-ordinator Chris Wild.
The launch of the Community Garden Project at Boy Boy
Mginwya Pre-School, funded by two Dutch organisations, the
NCDO and the 1% club, saw officials from Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA) and the Umthathi Training Project in attendance.
Xolela Qinela, who is in charge of the gardening and nutrition at
Umthathi talked about the disadvantages of processed food and
the benefits of fruit and vegetables, while Zolani Zondani talked
about how medicinal herbs are produced using permaculture.
Xolani Mountain then explained the concept of permaculture to
the gathering, which consisted of eager young preschoolers, the
staff, FTFA officials and parents.
From there, a Green Ribbon moment was held, where
community members were given an opportunity to share their
gardening experiences and received gardening tips and seeds.
Certificates of appreciation were handed out to community
members who have had a hand in the pre-school gardening
project. The speeches by the FTFA officials, Robyn Hills and
Patrick Leckie were kept brief, from where the event was closed
off with the planting of an olive tree by Hills and Wild with the
parents, learners and staff all eagerly watching.
What is permaculture?
PERMACULTURE, or permanent agriculture, emulates the cycles
of nature. Permaculture is based on the premise that you don’t
take anything away from nature without giving something back.
Core practices are: being reliant on the seasons, composting,
the use of mulch and natural irrigation methods such as harvesting rainwater.
Permaculture eschews the use of artificial fertilisers
and pesticides, which harms the soil and can render the soil
unusable.
Read more about permaculture at:
http://permacultureprinciples.com/
and
http://www.permacultureactivist.net/
ELIMINATING THE ALIENS... Botanical Society committee member Prof Roy Lubke removes black wattle from the veld below the Settlers Monument. Once a month members
of the Botanical Society and Rhodes Unversity Gaian Revolutions and Green Solutions
(Grass) are up early on Sunday mornings to remove alien vegetation. "We get a lot done
in a few hours," says Lubke, "a small group can keep an area under control." However,
major clearing is left to the alien vegetation removal programme, the Working for Water
project. Photo: Theresa Taylor
To advertise here please
contact our advertising
department on 046 622 7222
or fax on 046 622 7282
13
ENIVRONMENT
NEWS
Makana Enviro-News 113
Gold, the greed that destroyed a primeval landscape
NICK JAMES
I
recently had the good fortune to be able to visit part of the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in its rather remote
northeast corner in Ituri Province, definitely one of those
places far from the usual trodden track. So what does such a
visit have to do with an environmental column in a local newspaper in a small town like Grahamstown? Well, it’s a story of gold,
and man’s destruction of a landscape that has entirely altered a
whole region and, in so doing, threatens an entire drainage basin.
To geographically pinpoint the region – if one flies from Entebbe in Uganda, due west over Lake Albert and the Rwenzori
Mountains, you enter the immense Congo Basin, via a town
called Bunia (pronounced Boon-ya). Bunia is a vast conglomeration of people, several hundred thousand of them, many of
The real mystique of the ancient forest in the Congo basin in
all its glory. Photo: Nick James
them refugees from the inter-tribal conflicts that have wracked
Rwanda and eastern Congo over the last 20 years. The landscape
west of Bunia drops from an altitude of 1 400m down into the main
basin – or the Cuvette Congo as it is referred to in French and
Belgian literature – through an endless series of rolling green
hills and steep valleys. This is a well-watered region, with 1.6 to
2.0m rainfall per year, and is lush and tropical with early morning
mists and late afternoon heavy downpours.
The atmosphere is often almost orange in colour, reminiscent
of those old Vietnam War films which seemed to show the murky
forests of that country wreathed in orange light. Probably around
100 years ago these hills were forested, with cool, clear streams
forming the countless feeder streams to the 4 400km-long Congo
main river. The forests were refuges for some of the strangest
creatures on the planet: the okapi, an animal that resembles a
cross between a giraffe and a gazelle; bonobo monkeys and chimpanzees and numerous weird-looking fish with long snouts like
aquatic elephants which are capable of creating their own electricity! Since long before colonial times, it was well-known that
the hills of the western African escarpment of the Great Rift Valley held gold. Artisanal gold mining in this area dates back to the
18th century, and possibly much earlier. Most of this earlier exploitation had a low impact kept so by the sheer physical difficulty
in penetrating, accessing, and working in the area and getting
gold out to the trade routes of the East, across Uganda, Kenya,
and to the sea.
Since before Biblical times, gold has had value: it is no invention of the modern technological world that drives man to seek
for gold. But in recent times, the massively expanding human
population, coupled with the forced migrations caused by war
and genocides, and the need to survive in whichever way possible – despite the consequences – have changed all that.
Forget the sort of gold-mining we are used to on the Witwatersrand: it simply hasn’t happened in Congo. The resource is too
scattered over too large an area, and the logistics of establishing
such mines in that area are formidable and probably uneconomical. The Belgians tried it between 1911 and 1960 with only marginal
success, and, it has to be admitted, with very localised impact on
the environment as most mines were underground. Surface disturbances were limited to a few roads, occasional hydro-electric
power stations (which benefitted the local communities anyway,
while they still worked) and small urban settlements around the
mines. But the allure of gold has attracted artisanal miners in their
hundreds of thousands over virtually the entire northeast region
from Kivu province northwards to Ituri. It is like the Johannesburg
goldfields of the 1800s – chaotic, frenetic and ruthless.
These multitudinous miners, equipped with little more than
picks, shovels and determination, have, like an army of ants, altered the riparian zones of almost every single stream and river
course over a vast area. The valleys have been dug over as if by
rampant giant moles, the streams channelised, the water used to
wash out the gold (with additions of both cyanide and mercury)
the forest cut down for use as wood and housing poles and the
upper slopes cleared of forest for the growing of crops, mainly
cassava, maize and bananas.
Such has been the impact on the rivers, that the valleys are
no longer resemble the shape that they once were. In many
places V-shaped valleys, which formerly had rocky–based clearwater streams in them, have given way to what looks like a sort
of vlei – several hundred-metre-wide open expanses of reeds
that have built up on the sediments released from the disturbed
river-banks. Some of these valleys are now seven to 10m deep
in sediments, deposited by rivers of liquid mud that simply cannot hold any more suspended matter. These unnatural vleis are
scattered with the skeletons of numerous dead trees, the former
forest growing along the river-banks that has been drowned by
the rising water table dammed up by the mass of deposited liquid
mud. It is horrific to see how the landscape has been destroyed
and altered. The rivers are dead.
Our reason to visit the Congo was to do a survey of both fish
and aquatic insects and we found very little left! Only in the very
few places where little artisanal mining had taken place, were
there streams where the water was anything other than orange,
flowing mud. Here and there, we found relic populations of what
must have existed before the miners’ onslaught – the last few
(eight - 10 species) survivors of the 150+ species of fish recorded
for this escarpment area and a portion of the second-most species rich aquatic community in the world after the Amazon, with
around 700 fish species known, and many surely unknown.
Everywhere you look, you see signs that the river banks
have been dug and churned over. As we watched, men with shovels were diverting water-courses though home-made pipes of
hollowed-out tree trunks, to wash out the gold. Steep banks, all
made of that famous red lateritic Congo soil, were being shovelled into the water without the slightest concern for any downstream user, let alone the natural environment. Most streams
and smaller rivers are now less than 10cm deep, over a bottom of
countless metres of soft red silt: a horror to see, and a moonscape
in its sterility and lack of natural diversity. All in the name of gold.
The nearby town, where we were based, houses around 54
000 people, and we were reliably informed by a group doing a social survey there, that 80% of the population was involved in gold
One of many rivers near Bunia with artisanal mining pollution. Photo: Nick James
along the escarpment where the mining takes place. The rivers are bright red-brown. Further west, the pale green turns
dark green (the forest) as the escarpment drops down into the
real Congo basin along the Ituri valley. Here, the forest is magnificent: massive, multi-storied trees, often with buttress roots,
virtually untouched... or so it looks. However the rivers are still
reddish-orange, laden with silt, witness to the upstream activities. The legacy of a massacred upper catchment is felt far, far
downstream in the misty and atmospheric depths of the Ituri
valley. We ventured down to the Ituri River one day, a journey of
only 30km from where we were staying, but which took over four
hours on roads which are actually worse than those shown in any
Congo movie! Our Toyota Landcruiser suspension was not up to
the task, and dropped us in a heap upon the road, but as with
everything in the Congo, you have to make a plan, so after cobbling it together again with wire from our fishing equipment, we
eventually arrived at the Ituri river, somewhat upstream of the
fabled Ituri rain-forest, the last home of the okapis. We were faced
with what looked like a classic jungle river - about 400m wide, and
fringed with high, thick forest.
However, photographs sourced from the literature, and taken
just a few years ago, showed the water as deep and clear. The
Ituri is now red-brown with silt, and carries this toxic load downstream to the Aruwimi, and thence to the Congo River itself. It
can be imagined what it’s effects will be – the slow smothering of
the aquatic environment, the reduction in light penetration that
gives the river its life, the loss of the plankton, the mayflies, the
stone flies, the caddis, the fishes and all the other myriad crea-
“The atmosphere is often almost
orange in colour, reminiscent of those
old Vietnam War films which seemed to
show the murky forests of that country
wreathed in orange light.”
Weighing our gold using matches. Photo: Nick James
mining activities. Yes, that’s 43 200 gold miners or people involved
in the activity! One day, while we were in a small wooden shop,
in a tiny unnamed village, sheltering from the equatorial sun, we
saw the trade in gold happening right in front of us. A man came
into the shop and unwrapped a small package. Inside were two
tiny gold ingots, the size of the keys on your cellphone. These
were weighed on simple balance-type scales using matches: one
match = 1/10 gram, and he received a bundle of Congolese franc
notes at an equivalent rate of US$37/gram. Nearer to Bunia, we
were told, he would have got $44/gram but it was still good money for a few days work. Our security guard told us that he could
earn a month’s security officer’s wages, digging for gold, in two to
three days if he chose to do so.
If you go on Google Earth to the Bunia area of the northeast
Congo, you will see a pale green area with patches of brown all
The DRC is a country of ghosts – not only the ghosts of the ancient forests and their disappearing creatures, but also the ghosts
of the Belgians and other settlers who lived there before 1960.
Everywhere you see the fading ruins of classic colonial houses
scattered in the bush; ruins of beautiful Catholic churches now
gently decaying with mould; red-brick hospitals and schools optimistically built by the Belgians whose language and religion still
remain – all signs of what must surely have been a better past. Although much has gone, and little of value has replaced it, it is still
a charismatic country in the immensity of its scale, its problems,
its beauty and its pathos.
tures that for millennia have brought such a diversity of life to
this huge Congo basin. All just for gold. It is sad to see it slowly
dying before your eyes, for the forests of the Congo should be revered places.
It is politically correct these days to point fingers at the huge
multi-national companies, those whose overseas investors and
beneficiaries should ‘know better’ but this is not the case here.
The occasional commercial mine (there are very few of them,
and most of them are in ruins) seem to have had very localised
impacts. But the swarming masses of humanity despoiling the
rivers with not even the slightest thought or care for the destruction that they are doing are the villains in this scenario. Our colleagues who were doing the social survey of the local communities, found that there was almost zero environmental awareness
or concern among the local population. This is not a story that
the first world (and I include South Africa in that category) wants
to hear. It it is so much more convenient (to borrow Al Gore’s
word) to blame the multinationals, while conceding a measure of
largesse to the man-in-the-village as a mere ‘victim’ of someone
else’s greed. But the reality is that the Congo landscape is bleeding, haemorrhaging its life-blood soil down its massive waterways, to pollute, smother and destroy one of the last remaining
tropical rainforests in the world and who, one asks, is going to do
anything about this?
The solution, if there is one, won’t be convenient at all, will it?
Contacts for Makana Enviro-News:
Nikki Köhly: [email protected], 046 603 7205 / Lawrence Sisitka:
[email protected], 046 622 8595 / Jenny Gon: [email protected], 046 622 5822 / Dan Wylie [email protected], 046 603
8409 / Nick James: [email protected], 046 622 5757 /
Strato Copteros [email protected], 082 785 6403
14
Interfaith
CHURCH SERVICES
DRESSING
DOLLS...
Laura Coetzee,
Anamie Jacob
and Jessie
Villet at their
handwork stall
inside the Trinity
Presbyterian
Church Hall at
the church’s fête
on Saturday.
Photo: Olewuthu
Xabanisa
Trinity Church’s fundraising glory
Olwethu Xabanisa
T
he Trinity Presbyterian Church Fête is a much anticipated annual event for members of the congregation and
fête-goers alike.
The fundraising event started small in 1997 as a country
kitchen, selling vegetables, cakes and other produce, then
in the year 2000 it grew into a fully-fledged fête with a variety
of stalls selling books, a furniture auction, crafts and goods.
Ronwynne Barnard, organises the annual event with her husband, Wilheyn, the chairman of the management committee.
“This has always been an occasion for people in our church to
come together and have fun while they are raising funds,” she
said. She added that it was a little quieter this year than usual.
At Saturday’s fête, the beautiful bright flowers at the flower
stall reflected a spring theme for the event. Cecil Solomon said
that he has been selling fresh flowers straight from his garden
at the fête since it started and that this has become a tradition.
“My wife also has a stall here where she sells the best curry
bunnies and curry and rice,” added the gregarious Solomon.
Bargains were certainly the order of the day with cakes selling for R2 a slice, candy floss for R1 a packet and many more
affordable items at the white elephant stall. Clothes were going
for less than R20 an item. Children were having fun, jumping
up and down on a jumping cattle while others were running
around joyfully with excitement.
Hopefully the Trinity Church fête will see more people next
year as there is bound to be more household goods on auction and the organisers are keen to try out a few new ideas
every year.
Rhodes on a mission
Rosanna Scott
Anticipation mounts as Christians@
Rhodes, other campus Christian societies and Rhodes staff members prepare
to celebrate the Christians@Rhodes 2010
mission from 10 to 18 September.
The mission will also be joined by
outside partners such as African Enterprise, Reid Saunders Association and
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries.
Confirmed speakers for the mission include Reid Saunders, Brett Butcher and
Mvusi Gwam from the USA, Singapore
and South Africa respectively.
The secretary of the Mission Steering Committee, Ian Siebörger, praises
the inclusion of these international societies because it helps “forge links and
reconcile students and staff to God,” as
well allowing Christians@Rhodes to gain
insight from international organisations.
The mission is held every three
years, although the last one was held in
2006. However, the programme should
compensate for the wait: participants can
expect daily events such as Prayer Cafés
on the Drostdy Lawns, music concerts,
evangelism training and mass church
services. These events explore different angles of this year’s Mission theme:
‘I am’.
Siebörger believes that the “purpose is to ultimately bring glory to God
by spreading good news about Christ
around campus”. The biggest benefit will
be to unite the students, academic staff
and service staff at Rhodes University
because “previously people have been
very isolated and interact on a shallow
level” says Siebörger. The Compassion
Ministry component of the mission will
be assisting with the launch of a new
soup kitchen in Extension 9. Every weekday afternoon, volunteers will be able
to help plant a vegetable garden for the
kitchen. On Tuesday 14 September, volunteers will assist with the preparation
at the kitchen. This will be accompanied
by an evangelically rally where Brett
Butcher, of Reid Saunders Association,
will be speaking.
However, Siebörger admits that there
will be challenges such as getting Christians from different denominations to
work together, because they are from different societies and have different ways
of doing things, “but it is a rewarding
process” he says.
Other challenges include time pressure and the rush to get things organised. Siebörger also admits that it has
been a struggle to raise funds. Christians
@ Rhodes, Mission 2010 has advertised
that if “you’ve got money which you’d
like to invest in the Kingdom of Heaven
through the mission, you can sign up for
fundraising.” You can contact Ian Sieborger on 084 209 2079 .
Thought for the week
Why would anyone want to hate Jesus?
We all cringe at the thought of being disliked, abused, avoided, discriminated against or possibly hated, yet we are told
that these are the very things Jesus Christ experienced as a
man on earth and still experiences as the risen Saviour. It was
Jesus who said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated
me first.” John 15:18 and in verse 25, He said, “They hated me
without reason.”
The Scriptures remind us that none could find fault with
Him. He was sinless, absolutely righteous, holy and good, sacrificial in the giving of His own life for sinners yet hated by
many and he is still hated by many. Why is this?
Jesus gives us the answer in John 7:7. In addressing his
brothers who did not believe in Him, He said: “The world cannot hate you but it hates me because I testify that what it does
is evil.”
Christian friends, when you hold to the truths of Scripture
and seek to live the truths of Scripture know that many may
hate you. This is not because of any wrong you have done but
because the light of the truth reveals the evil in their hearts.
This crime of hatred against Jesus is also directed against
the Father and is viewed as a severe crime, as we read in John
15:23. “He who hates me hates my Father as well.”
“How much more severely do you think a man deserves
to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot,
who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant
that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?”
(Hebrews 10:29)
May no level of rejection, discrimination, abuse or hatred
ever deter us from living the truth of the Word of God.
To His Glory, Amen.
Dirk Coetzee,
Grahamstown Baptist Church
ABUNDANT LIFE WORSHIP
CENTRE (Kuyasa School Hall)
10.30am morning service
Pastor NC Julius 079 496 4256
AFM OF SA - God’s Glory Assembly (cnr Sani Street and Makana
Way, Ext 4) white tent next to
Telkom tower)
9am Youth and Sunday School
Services
10am morning service
Pastor B.L. Kutu
ASSEMBLY OF GOD
(Blackbeard Street)
10am – erediens, 6nm
aanddiens
Pastoor B Brown 046 622 4963
AGS/ATMEL SHADDAI (Johnny
Burgess Hall, Middle Terrace Road)
10am Erediens
5pm Aanddiens
Oud Rolen 073 453 9934
Dieken Ronnie 083 610 2926
Evang Edwin 079 306 7577
CATHEDRAL OF ST MICHAEL
& ST GEORGE (High Street)
7.30am: Holy Eucharist (SAPB)
9.30am: Holy Eucharist (AAPB)
Preacher: Cannon Bill Domeris
7pm: Choral Evensong
Preacher: The Revd Siphokazi
Njokweni
CHRIST CHURCH (Speke Street)
8.30am Holy Eucharist 2nd, 4th
Sundays APB 1989, all other
Sundays BCP1662
CONQUERORS COVENANT
CHURCH (Nombulelo Hall, Joza)
Services every Sunday 10am –
12pm
Nceba Ngeju 073 653 2655
EMMANUEL ASSEMBLY
(12 Paton Place, Vergenoeg)
9am Sunday School, 10.30am
morning service
5.30pm evening service
Rev L Williams 046 622 4388 (H)
FRONTIERS CHURCH
INTERNATIONAL
(Victoria Primary School,
Beaufort Street)
9.30am morning service
Dave Koch 084 470 2095 or
046 636 7815
FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF
GOD (11 Caldecott Street)
9am Morning service and
9am Promise land (Sunday
School)
6.30pm evening service
Pastor Neels Prinsloo 046 622
5949
FULL GOSPEL CHURCH OF GOD
(24 P Street)
10am Kidz Church
Pastor TP Dube Ngcayisa 082 355 8860
GRAHAMSTOWN BAPTIST
CHURCH (Bathurst Street)
9.30am morning worship and
Sunday School Every 1st Sunday
Communion
6.30pm evening service every 3rd
Sunday Communion
11.30am Kariega Church 4th
Sunday only
GRAHAMSTOWN CHRISTIAN
CENTRE (Lucas Meyer Ave)
9am Sunday worship
Pastor D Hagemann 046 622 3309
HIS PEOPLE CHRISTIAN
CHURCH
9am (Victoria Girls School Hall)
10am (Rhodes Chapel)
6.30pm (VG School Hall)
046 622 3426
JABEZ HOUSE ASSEMBLY
(Sun City community creche)
6pm evening Service
Pastor T Smit 079 622 9812
MARIYA uMAMA weTHEMBA
MONASTERY (Highlands Road)
Holy Cross Benedictine Monks
9am Holy Eucharist
046 622 8111
METHODIST CHURCH OF SA
Commem 9am Lay Witness
Mission
Wesley 9am Combined Service
at Commem
Sole Memorial 9am Combined
Service at Commem
NEDERDUITSE
GEREFORMEERDE KERK
(38 Market St)
9vm oggenddiens, aand
selgemeentes
Tuesday 6pm stilworddiens
046 622 4598
NEDERDUITSCH HERVORMDE
KERK
Every Sunday 9am erediens Port
Alfred 2nd and 4th Sundays
11am eredienste Cannon Rocks
Prof John Gericke 046 624 9025
PEACE OF CHRIST MINISTRIES
AND PRAISE (Samuel Ntlebi
Hall)
9am: Kidz Church
9.30am Intercession
10am: Sunday Service
Pastor PP Pango 082 662 9422
PINKSTER PROTESTANTE KERK
(Brushwood Farm, industrial area, behind Grahamstown
Prison)
9am Sondagskool 10am oggenddiens 7pm aanddiens
Shawn Warren 082 808 6136
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY OF
FRIENDS (QUAKERS)
622 3382 or 622 3076
RIVER OF LIFE (Assembly of
God cnr Hill and Huntley St)
8.30am MORNING ALIVE
( Worship service & Kidz Church)
10.30am ( Worship service &
Kidz Church) 6.30pm (Dynamic
evening service)
Pastor John & Debbie Sloane
046 622 3626
ROCK OF AGES CHRISTIAN
CHURCH INTERNATIONAL
Duna Library - Joza
10am: Sunday Service
Past FW Arendse 072 118 9049
SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST
CHURCH (next to Pick n Pay)
9.30am Sabbath School
(Saturday)
11am worship service
ST AUGUSTINE’S CHURCH
9.30 am Sunday service
ST BARNABAS (Alicedale)
10am Xhosa service on the 1st,
2nd and 4th Sunday of each
month and the English service
on the 3rd.
J Olckers 042 231 1159 or Rev
Cynthia Webbstock 046 636
2090
ST BARTHOLOMEW’S CHURCH
(Market Street)
9am Eucharist with hymns
(APB1989)
Fr Eric Kelly 046 622 4552
ST CLEMENT’S CHURCH
(top end of High Street, next to
Railway Station)
9am – Holy Eucharist
ST CYPRIAN’S
(Highlands) 10am every second
Sunday.
Contact R Wilmont 046 622 8841
or Rev Cynthina Webbstock 046
636 2090
ST JOSEPH’S CATHOLIC
CHURCH (Joza)
Mass: 8am
ST MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH
(Albany Road)
Sunday Mass 10am
Tuesday service 6pm
ST PATRICK’S CATHOLIC
CHURCH (47 Hill Street)
8.30am Sunday Mass.
046 622 2808
ST PETER CLAVER’S CATHOLIC
CHURCH (Raglan Road)
11am Mass
ST PETER’S (Sidbury)
10am Every 1st Sunday.
R Hart 042 235 1250 or
Rev Cynthia Webbstock on 046
636 2090
THE APOSTOLIC FAITH
MISSION OF AFRICA
(Z Street, Joza)
10am Sunday School, 11am
Service
Rev KA Ndaleni
THE OLD APOSTOLIC CHURCH
IN ZION OF SA
(behind Benjamin Mahlasela
High School)
11am Sunday Service, 6pm
Wednesday service
Archbishop NT Chrisjan
083 363 1073
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST
OF LATTER–DAY SAINTS
(6 Bennett Street)
9am Sundays 046 622 5705
TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH (Hill Street)
9.30am Morning Worship and
Sunday School
6.30pm Evening Worship
Rev Geoff Probert 046 622 3812
UNION CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH (Albany Road)
9am Sunday School, 10am
morning service
6pm evening service
WAY OF GOD MINISTRIES
(Ext 6, next to Joza Indoor
Sports Centre) 10am Sunday
service 6pm evening service
Apostle PS Ngqezana
084 824 2363
15
News
Deep in the heart of Grocott’s Mail
Yusuf Omar
E
veryone knows Grocott’s Mail sells newspapers, but pedestrians pass by the building every day with no idea of
what else happens at number 40 High Street. Deep in the
heart of the building, cobblers mend shoes, seamstresses bring
cherished clothes back to life and baobab trees are grown out
of wire.
SMILING SEAMSTRESS... Linda January shows off a
traditional African shirt she sewed. Photo: Yusuf Omar
CARING COBBLER... Veliti Qolohle finishes a child’s boot.
Photo: Yusuf Omar
Under the creaky pine floorboards sits Veliti Qolohle. Although seven
years younger, his stature and mannerisms resemble an aging Muhammad Ali. One Friday night 40 years ago, when he was just 21-yearsold, he was walking with his girlfriend through a township when someone threw a rock at him, hitting him on the head. Since then Qolohle
has been partially paralysed on the right side of his body and suffers
from partial hearing impairment in both ears. Six months ago he finally
got out of his wheelchair. Once a loader in the coal mines in Newcastle,
since 1971 Qolohle has made shoes on High Street, outside what is
now Marvic’s Fruit and Veg. He learnt the skill from watching his father,
a shoemaker on the Eastern Cape farms. In 2003 he moved into the
Grocott’s basement. “This is better than the streets, when I made new
shoes the wind used to dirty my work.” He pays just R100 a month
rent. “White men and coloured men come here to support me. Black
people come from the farms far away. They know me,” he says proudly.
“I work hard, I must feed my family,” says the father of nine and grandfather of one. In his spare time he teaches others from the township at
Gadra to mend and make shoes.
Qolohle is right-handed but works with his left. A shoe takes
about four hours to make and costs R150. “It’s difficult to work fast
with one hand,” he says. “I want to say thank you to Mr Grocott, he
took me from that bad place to this nice place.”
Beside him in the basement laughter can be heard.
Freddie Arendse is surrounded by giraffes, soap dishes, lampshades, key rings and other wire sculptures. He tiptoes through
coils of galvanised wire to a chair in the middle of his small room
at the back of the Grocott’s Mail car park, a pair of pliers in his
hand. He moved into the building “some time before Grocott’s and
Rhodes joined”.
Arendse started in front of Clicks in 1996 but was later moved
by the municipality to a stall in Church Square across the road
from Pep. He says he can’t make his wire work on the street any
more. “I’m a well-known person by people here. They come to me,
disturb me, and talk to me. They want to discuss the Bible. Tourists don’t come here like they used to,” he says. “I think the global
recession affected us very much.” He found wire sculpting after
working as a clerk for a reinforcing steel company. “When they
closed down I had no work, I had to create my own employment.”
It takes Arendse an entire day to manufacture a small wire
baobab tree. “It’s very painful when you work all day and sell it for
just R150.” But making wire sculptures is his second job. “First I
do the work of God.” Three years ago he went to Bible school and
became a pastor. “As I pastor I work from Monday to Monday 24
hours a day.” Once a week he is a facilitator at the River of Life
beading programme, teaching sewing and beading to selected
township women.
Arsendse is also a board member of the Dakawa community
centre. On Fridays he does two-hour services at the prison and on
Sundays he leads services at Duna Library in Joza as pastor of the
Rock of Ages Christian Church International. He also preaches on
Radio Grahamstown twice a month.
Linda January jokes around with two colleagues on sewing machines. “I’m a doctor of traditional African clothing,” she says.
They’re very busy this time of the year, making ball gowns and
doing alterations for all the matric farewells. “I love my job. When
I was eight my mum bought me a beautiful pink dress with an
elastic waistband. I like pink even now. I took scissors and cut it
into two pieces; a skirt and a top. She was so angry but my aunty
said to her. ‘She will be a dressmaker one day.’”
At 19 she enrolled in a dressmaking course in King William’s
Town. After working at Birch’s factory in the township for 10 years,
she did alterations from her home in Extension 8 for the next
three. She describes her time operating from home as difficult.
“Maybe I would make R10 a day,” she says.
She still recalls the life changing phone call she received from
Grocott’s Mail two years ago. “I got the call at 1pm, and I started
work the same day. I said thank you God. I didn’t even have taxi
money; I had to borrow from my neighbour.” She also pays R100
a month for rent. “Business is too good. I have to take work home
with me most nights,” she says. “Rich people, poor people, all the
people come here. Even the magistrates’ judges.” January thanks
Grocott’s for helping her support herself and her four children.
Her 25-year-old daughter is a fashion designer in Port Elizabeth. Pastor Freddie Arendse recommended she move into the
Grocott’s building two years ago.
MAD FOR METAL... Corrie Botha cuts metal poles from
which he makes gates. Photo: Ruth Woudstra
It looks like there is a thunderstorm in the room next door. Through
the old cracked door, bolts of blindingly bright lights flicker and
sparks can be seen.
Corrie Botha is wearing leather workers’ boots, shorts and a
steel welding helmet. He wears the helmet when welding to avoid
a condition called arc eye. “It’s like blisters in your eyes,” he says.
He started his metal work company “Botha’s projects,” at Grocott’s Mail eight months ago when he was retrenched from a steel
company when the industry was struggling.
But he says losing his job was the best thing that ever happened to him. Botha specialises in security devices including
gates and motors, intercom systems and burglar guards. “It’s
going well, very well, I’m getting a lot of work,” he says. He’s very
proud of his electric fence system. It has 8 000 volts but no amps.
“Amps are the part that will kill you. With mine you won’t die, but it
shocks the shit out of you,” he says.
At the moment he is busy cementing the floor of his room,
painting walls and putting up chipboard dividers. “In order to do
good work you need a good workspace,” he explains.
Louise Vale, the general manager of Grocott’s Mail says,
“Grocott’s is a community
organisation.” She believes
the paper has a responsibility
to make contributions to the
development of the community. They opened the unused
basement to entrepreneurs
five years ago, letting out the
spaces at minimal cost, allowing them to earn a living. She
says for 141 years, “Grocott’s
Mail has always been an organisation that tries to give
back as much as they can to
the community. We hope to
continue in this spirit.”
Visit
www.grocotts.co.za
THE WIRE MAN... Pastor Freddie Arendse sculpts a Baobab tree out of galvanised wire.
Photo: Yusuf Omar
for your
online fix
16
homeFINDER
www.grocotts.co.za
PROPERTY SUPPLEMENT
Friday, 10 September 2010
STEWART ARMITAGE ESTATES
Gill Meyer
082 651 9976
Chris Armitage
084 444 7884
81 CHURCH SQUARE TEL. 046 622 4134
E-mail: [email protected]
www.armitageestates.co.za
ALLEN PLACE
Chris has had
over 30 years
experience in the
Grahamstown
property market.
SUNNYSIDE - R1 250 000
CENTRAL
NEW RELEASE
African Street property.
Home with garden flat.
SOLE MANDATE
Large well maintained 4-bedroomed home
SUNNYSIDE - R520 000
OATLANDS
D
L
O
S
NEW RELEASE
EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENT CLOSE TO RHODES.
2 AND 3 BEDROOMED UNITS FROM R897 500.
2-bedroomed flat in secure complex
OATLANDS - R2 600 000
OATLANDS NORTH - R300 000
Charming Victorian 4-bedroomed home with
wooden floors and garden flat. Good investment.
Plot with view. 1 260 square metres
NEW RELEASE
SOLE MANDATE
Large
period home
in prime
locality
NEW RELEASE
D
ISTE
L
T
S
U
J
MONIKA GAYBBA
Efficiently
designed, elegant,
contemporary
home with modern
finishes in an
exclusive setting.
SUNNYSIDE
OATLANDS
Tel: 046 622 5546 Fax: 046 622 5548
[email protected]
www.propertygrahamstown.co.za
MULTI AWARD WINNING AGENT
FOR INSTITUTE OF ESTATE AGENTS AND IPC
2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009
OATLANDS
LE
SO ATE
ND
MA
A VICTORIAN GEM straight out
of Garden & Home. I’d be glad to
show you this truly magnificent
property!
R5 300 000
CENTRAL
CENTRAL
LE
SO ATE
ND
MA
INVESTMENT GEM. Centrally
located. Sought-after, upmarket
student accommodation. Phone
for details.
R1 920 000
SUNNYSIDE
AL
DU ATE
ND
MA
BRING THE FAMILY TOGETHER
in this recently renovated,
spacious, open-plan home.
R2 380 000
KINGSWOOD
AL
DU ATE
ND
MA
LE
SO ATE
ND
MA
BUSINESS OR INVESTMENT.
Character filled property in the
centre of town – start your own
business or rent it out.
R1 265 000
082 855 0015
BARGAIN BUY: Student investment with potential rental income
of R10,100/month!!! Walking
distance to campus & town.
Under R800 000
CALLING PARENTS: close
enough for the kids to walk to
school. Ideal for entertaining your
family and friends all year round.
R1 500 000
INDUSTRIAL
W
NE SE
LEA
RE
A GIVE-AWAY This is your
opportunity! Plot in industrial area
for only R252 000
Call for more details
AL
DU ATE
ND
MA
SPACIOUS, FARM-STYLE ESTATE
with enough room to accommodate
the house-keeper. Close to essentials
& schools, with an atmosphere to
complement any form of entertaining.
R3 925 000
COMMERCIAL
AL
DU ATE
ND
MA
LOOKING FOR A NEW
BUSINESS PREMISES with lots
of off-street parking? Renovated
office complex & training centre.
A giveaway at R650 000
CLOSE TO PREP
AL
DU ATE
ND
MA
SPACIOUS EXECUTIVE HOME
with modernised, farm-style
kitchen & living area designed with
the entertainer in mind.
POA
CENTRAL
W
NE SE
LEA
RE
ON RHODES’ DOORSTEP: 2BR
units. Secure parking. Ideal
investment. No Transfer Duty.
Rental of R6050/month.
R897 500
KINGSWOOD DOORSTEP
W
NE SE
LEA
RE
JUST A STEP AWAY FROM
KINGSWOOD. Ideal for
teachers, family or parents
visiting from out of town. Call for
more details
CENTRAL
LE
SO ATE
ND
MA
RARE INVESTMENT
OPPORTUNITY: 6 Bedrooms,
all en-suite. Rental income for
2011: R19,200/month!!!
R1 920 000
SUNNYSIDE
LE
SO ATE
ND
MA
START WITH A CLEAR SLATE!
Large plot nestled on a quiet,
sunny hillside awaiting your
dream home.
Only R295 000
WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL REFERRAL NETWORK. CONTACT US IF YOU ARE MOVING OUT OF TOWN.
17
HOMEFINDER
Frontier
22 African Street
P.O. Box 7090, Grahamstown North, 6148
Tel: 046 622 6061
Fax: 046 622 3741
web: www.remax.co.za
email: [email protected]
Broker/Owner
David
Rodgerson
Gail Shanley 083 307 0852
For more info & images on our properties SMS web ref# to 33418
R1.50/SMS mobiletc.co.za
KINGSVIEW ESTATE
R1 550 000
CRADOCK HEIGHTS
R875 000
DUAL MANDATE
SHOW HOUSE
SAT 11 SEPT 10AM - 12PM
3 bedroom unit in complex. Camera, electric fence,
24 security. Complex comprises of swimming pool
and tennis court. Unit has magnificent views over
Grahamstown.
WEBREF:
JEAN 082 772 0396
SHOW HOUSE
SAT 11 SEPT 10AM - 12PM
FAMILY HOME - 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and open
plan living. Move right into this 5 year old home with
loads of space for kids, adjacent plot for sale
R265 000
WEBREF: 300300333
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
A truly exceptional property with post card views of our city
located in a superb location. A home of distinction built to
perfection with exquisite features. Comprising of UPSTAIRS:
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms and a sunroom. DOWNSTAIRS:
Guest toilet, stately diningroom, elegant formal lounge, large
TV lounge with home theatre system leading onto enclosed
braai/entertainment area with a sparkling pool and games
room which has its own shower and toilet. It has a large
Corden Bleu kitchen with a separate breakfast room and a
separate scullery/laundry. Staff accommodation has been
provided and also a double automated garage leading directly
into the home. The magnificent garden comprises of
wide open spaces that creates a feeling of infinity.
WEBREF: 300293338
KINGS HEIGHTS
R320 000
EXCLUSIVE NEW
DEVELOPMENT IS IN
CLOSE PROXIMITY TO
RHODES UNIVERSITY
CAMPUS.
3 X2 Bedroom Units. Call
me for more information
WEBREF: 300305403
WEBREF: 300304360
JEAN 082 772 0396
Small Unit
R1 495 000
JEAN 082 772 0396
UP ON THE HILL
SOLE MANDATE
R200 000
SUNNYSIDE
R820 000
SOLE MANDATE

PERFECT FOR SUNDOWNERS. Live in this
stunning unit comprising of 2 bedrooms en suite,
bedroom/study. 3 Bathrooms, open plan living
leading onto patio with awesome views. Automated
garage and under floor heating.
MAGNIFICENT MANSION - Entertainers Dream. Stunning
finishes, amazing position with superb views. 4 bedrooms, 2
en-suite bathrooms PLUS 1 full bathroom. Study, fully fitted
bar room, gym, lounge, TV Lounge, double garage PLUS 2
bachelor flats.
WEBREF: 300219339
JEAN 082 772 0396
JEAN 082 772 0396
SUNNYSIDE
R2 750 000
WEBREF: 300288791
JEAN 082 772 0396
ALLEN PLACE From R897 500
PERFECT FOR STUDENT INVESTMENT/
SETTLER FAMILY HOME. Unique double storey
property, immaculate with beautiful character finishes.
This large fully furnished 4 bedroomed home boasts
wooden floors and wooden spiral staircase, plus flatlet.
KINGSVIEW ESTATE
A DECADENT SYMPHONY OF STYLE AND
ELEGANCE.
R1 250 000
SOLE MANDATE
SOLE MANDATE
POA
WESTHILL
DUAL MANDATE
SUNNYSIDE
SUNNYSIDE
From R495 000
SOMERSETHEIGHTS
R2 100 000
SOUND AND COMPACT HOME. Avoid the hassle of
a big garden. This property comprises of 4 bedrooms,
2 bathrooms and open plan living.
WEBREF: 300306885
ALEXIS
083772
4610396
5572
JEAN 082
ALICEDALE
R320 000
SOLE MANDATE
SOLE MANDATE
LD
SO
SITUATED WITHIN EXCLUSIVE SECURE
ESTATE: Lovely views over the city of
Grahamstown, you can see the city lights twinkling
at night time. Plots ± 1 000m²
BUILD YOUR OWN HOME on this 757sqm vacant
erf situated in the quiet suburb of Sunnyside. Water
and electrical points have been installed.
WEBREF: 300194322
WEBREF: 300251791
JEAN 072 772 0396
BUSHMAN SANDS
R1 400 000
WEBREF: 300189440
JEAN 082 772 0396
CENTRAL
3 X 2 BEDROOM FLATS - for sale in this newly
renovated complex. Well worth viewing.
R2 400 000
WEBREF: 300268394
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
FRANCHISE
OPPORTUNITY
WEBREF: 300294213
KINGSWOOD
FROM R345 000
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
Jean Rodgerson
Sales Associate
Manageress
NEAR METRO
R650 000
GREAT DEAL, sweet 3 bedroom character cottage, ideal
weekend getaway or retirement. Near golf estate and
Game Reserves. Offers considered.
WEBREF: 30038617
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
NEAR METRO
R2 320 000
SOLE MANDATE
IDEAL BUSINESS PREMISES – Character home
& Garden flat. Good street frontage – Let as a digs
till Nov 30. African Street properties are like gold –
come and see!
WEBREF: 300299859
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
RIEBEECK EAST
R130 000
PLOT TO BUILD: Choice of 3 from 850 to 1 000m²
in upmarket, secure neighbourhood. This is the way
to go, great value and no transfer duty.
OFFICE SPACE. New office space of 100sqm. Free
standing with parking and secure perimeter fence.
WEBREF: 300194322
WEBREF: 300301269
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
GRAHAMSTOWN
WEBREF:
PROPERTY
MANAGEMENT
OF
SOLE MANDATE
• BODY CORPORATES
• HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATIONS
• RENTALS
COUNTRY LIFESTYLE. A wonderful 6700sqm vacant erf near Mooimeisies Guest House, 20 minutes
from town, buy now to build your future.
3 bedroom house, needs attention.
WEBREF:
WEBREF: 300306526
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
Alexis Bowker
Sales Associate
Leon Kruger
Farming & Lifestyle
Associate
Needing more detail?
Contact Gwyneth at
[email protected]
PAMELA 072 458 9255
Meyrick Bowker
Farming
Associate
INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE in very tidy
condition, situated in good area near Metro
Cash & Carry. 940sqm with separate 40sqm
office space. Brick & Iron construction.
ALEXIS 083 461 5572
R350 000
R380 000 Sole Mandate
Servicing the Building Industry for over 20 years this successful
company in now offering a franchise
in Grahamstown area.
Complete support &
training provided in a top
quality, professional
business.
Call me for further detail.
JEAN 082 772 0396
JEAN 082 772 0396
DUAL MANDATE
MAGNIFICENT HOME within Golf Estate.
Ideal retreat for Golf and Game enthusiast. Offers
considered.
SIGNATURE HOME WITH ELEGANT TOUCHES. Make
this your luxurious sanctuary where effortless living, privacy
and entertaining are part of the deal. 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, lounge, open plan diningroom and sunny kitchen.
Cell no: 076 239 8583
Office hours: 046 622 6061
Dave Mullins
Auctioneer
Farming Associate
Pamela
Zondani
Sales
Associate
RENTAL
DIVISION
HOUSES TO RENT
17 Seymour Street - Unfurnished
3 Bedroom House @ R4 800pm
9 Plumbridge Drive - Unfurnished
4 Bedroom house @ R5 000pm
1 October 2010
STUDENT DIGS LIST
AVAILABLE!!!
WANTING!!!!
Urgently wanting family
homes.
CHARMAINE 079 491 8355
Dee
Sales
Associate
Charmaine
van Staden
Rental
Associate
18
HOMEFINDER
•
“Artfully uniting extraordinary properties with extraordinary lives”
SUNNYSIDE R830 000
Web Ref No: 0000 591 208
OATLANDS NORTH - R 750 000
Web reference: 0000 615 688
Web Ref No: 0000 622 209
Web Ref No: 0000 479 864
CENTRAL FROM R350 000
Web reference: 0000 433 078
Sole Mandate
Sole Mandate
Sole Mandate
Sole Mandate
Sole Mandate
This unique property offers several
investment options. It’s currently
tenanted until end Nov 2010. Rare off-street
parking in sought after Cross Street
CALLING INVESTORS
Down a quiet street, this large
property has huge potential! It has five
separate units which are all bringing in an
excellent collective rental.
Call us for details.
A MUST SEE!
2 bedroom unit in secure complex.
Enclosed garden area
A two bedroom flat under R500 000? Like
hen’s teeth! This upstairs flat is centrally
situated in Market Street. Don’t miss
out on this opportunity to get into the
property market
FOR THE INVESTORS
2 bedsitter units available
Upstairs - R 395 000
Downstairs - R 350 000
CENTRAL - R 897 500
WESTHILL - R1 895 000
Web Ref No: 0000 620 288
Web Ref No: 0000 622 464
Web Ref No: 0000 629 331
Dual Mandate
ALLEN PLACE. Selling fast.
This new development is located in the best part of
Grahamstown! Each unit offers: Fitted kitchen with
granite tops, fridge freezer, oven, hob and washer/dryer.
Open plan living area. 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
This Westhill family home offers a charming
outdoor patio and pool for easy entertaining.
Right address at the right price.
NEW RELEASE
This 4 bedroom house, offers
great rental potential for the
investor. Perfect for student digs
in beautiful Sunnyside. It also
offers an outside flat for more
rental income. Fully tenanted
for 2011.
Sole Mandate
OATLANDS NORTH - R1 495 000 OATLANDS NORTH - R1 350 000 JOZA - R280 000
JOZA - R176 000
Sole Mandate
2 units each 2 bedrooms
2 separate rentals
2 incomes
2 good to miss
BARGAIN
Well built two bedroom home with 2 x
two bedroom flats and one room flat for
rentals. Enquire with Mzoli 078 527 5465
Well built 4 bedroom house in
Extention 6. Close to school, shops etc.
Phone Mzoli 078 527 5465
Peppergrove Mall, African Street, Grahamstown. Tel: 046 636 1388 offi[email protected]
www.sothebysrealty.co.za
Joy Miles
Marinda van Achterbergh Heather Rader
084 320 9238
071 445 7937
082 598 7776
Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated
To advertise here please
contact our advertising
department on
046 622 7222
or fax on
046 622 7282
Visit
www.grocotts.co.za
for your online fix
GIVING BACK... Sales of spring, filtered and purified
water have soared countrywide over the past year or two,
thanks to uncertainty regarding the quality of the municipal water supply. One such brand is Amanzi which is
bottled from the spring on Auckland Estate in a lush valley
south of Grahamstown. Amanzi owner Rohan Stroebel,
who is involved in various local charity organisations,
feels that it is important to give back to the community.
To this end he has decided to donate R1 to Grahamstown
Hospice from the sale of each five-litre bottle of Amanzi
water. Look out for the orange sticker on the lid of the
five-litre bottles. Photo: Supplied
kINg’S gaRDENS
R730 000
oatLaNDS NoRth
R1 995 000
Modern and popular 2 bedroom apartment
within secure complex. Communal pool.
Carport parking for 2 vehicles.
Modern, spacious and very secure.
Close to schools. 2 self-contained, incomeearning flats.
Perfect starter home. 2 beds, outside room.
Enclosed garden. Off-street parking.
Split-level open-plan new home. To buy or to
rent. Immediate occupation. Rental at R6000
per month.
SUNNYSIDE
R825 000
hooggENoEg
R300 000
Recently renovated facebrick home. Top quality
finishes throughout.
Postnet Suite 7
Private Bag X1672
Grahamstown
CRaDoCk hEIghtS
R966 000
Phone Marion Hendry
on 083 244 6409 or
Andrea Ginn on 079 284 6265
Tel/Fax: 046 636 2636
[email protected]
1st Floor Eskom Building
110 High Street
Grahamstown
Web Ref No: 0000 627 337
Unique beautiful property with stunning
views across Grahamstown.
4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
Come and see for yourself all the fab
features.
PLOT AND PLAN.
In the JOZA, Extention 4 area.
For only R 424 000
Please call Mzoli Luzipo
078 527 5465
Web Ref No: 0000 627 714
SECURE LIFESTYLE
This neat North facing spacious unit is in
sought - after Kingsview Estate. It offers
open plan living, 2 en suite bedrooms,
guest bathroom plus double garage.
GRAHAMSTOWN – POA
FOR SALE
Takeaway Business in
Beaufort Street.
Contact us for details
Office: 046 636 1388
Steve Birt
083 656 8810
Mzoli Luzipo
078 527 5465
[email protected]
+28a Hill Street (Cnr Hill & Beaufort St)
g 046 636 1174 • Fax: 046 636 1186
Jeff 082 940 1418
African Street, 1 room available in 3 b/r
flat in secure block (mature female
student).
R2 100/m
Commercial
Dundas Street ± 100m2
R5 500/m
(incl. VAT)
2011 DIGSLIST AVAILABLE
E-mail us, ring us, or come see us at our office
Visit
www.grocotts.co.za
19
HOMEFINDER
GRAHAMSTOWN
OFFICE
FAX
EMAIL
0466222778
0466227877
[email protected]
OATLANDSNORTH
R340000
CLOSETOMARYWATERS
MOVING ON – BRENDA CADLE
Hardworking property consultant Brenda Cadle is leaving Pam Golding
Properties. She has been with the Grahamstown office since it opened
its doors two years ago, and in that time has been very successful –
achieving prestigious Gold Club status.
This year, she was placed sixth in the Eastern Cape, Garden Route,
Karoo and Kalahari region, and also won the award for the top Ooba
supporting agent.
Although Brenda loves working as an estate agent and networking
with people from all walks of life, her passion lies with networks of a
different kind. Having previously worked in IT, she will be devoting her
full attention to her already thriving web design business.
“I will miss everyone but am looking forward to working from home
and being there for my son,” says Brenda.
Bedrooms 0 | Bathrooms 0 | Garage 0 | WEB ACCESS 1GC1004615
VACANT LAND
Build your home to your own specifications
on this plot in a secure estate close to
Graeme College, which enjoys beautiful
views over Grahamstown.
Adéle Barnard 084 509 3889
LOT OF HOUSE
Low maintenance home in excellent
condition with a lot to offer, including a
two-bedroom flat and bachelor flat, which
can be let to subsidise your income.
STARTER HOME
Need room to grow? This home is situated
in a quiet street and has plenty of potential.
Renting out the extra flat could subsidise
your bond.
IN A QUIET STREET
Secure family home with modern finishes
and sweeping views over Grahamstown.
Ideal for a large family, it also has great
potential as a guesthouse.
Debi Brody 083 656 4697
IN THE BEST AREA
Large family home on a double plot with
sweeping views of Rhodes University and the
1820 Settlers Monument. A two-bedroom
flat completes the picture.
Debi Brody 083 656 4697
VICTORIAN HOME
Very centrally located, this charming home
has large rooms, wooden floors and Victorian
fireplaces. Lots of off-street parking available.
OATLANDS
WESTHILL
SUNNYSIDE
KINGSWOOD
CENTRAL
Bedrooms 6-8 | Bathrooms 3 | Garage 0 |
WEB ACCESS 1GC1029631
BACHELOR FLAT
Situated in the best area in town, this
brand new flat will have security, luxury
finishes and a fitted stove, fridge and
washing machine.
Debi Brody 083 656 4697
ST AIDEN’S AVENUE
If you desire peace, tranquillity and privacy,
then this home is a must-see. Situated at the
end of a cul-de-sac, the 4200m2 garden is a
haven for your family.
Kim Webber 082 523 8277
HILL60
R4.6MILLION
Bedrooms 2 | Bathrooms 1 | Garage 0 |
R660000
WESTHILL
R3.2MILLION
R2.38MILLION
ADD SOME FINISHING TOUCHES
Large and modern family home situated in a
good area. Let your children walk to school
and play safely in this quiet neighbourhood.
CLAIREVALLEY
R4.5MILLION
SUNNYSIDE
OATLANDSNORTH R1.995MILLION
R475000
R545000
R595000
R895000
OATLANDS
R2.1MILLION
Debi Brody 083 656 4697
R897500
GOWIE PLACE
Small, secure complex with spacious and
functional two-bedroom units close to
Rhodes University. Selling fast, these popular
units are ideal for the buy-to-let investor.
Kim Webber 082 523 8277
MILES STREET
Perfect starter home near Kingswood and
Graeme Colleges, with a garage and bachelor
flat for extra income. The large garden is
perfect for children to explore and play in.
Kim Webber 082 523 8277
PRIME LOCATION
Unsurpassed building quality and workmanship
will make this block of flats the premier student
accommodation in town. Don’t miss out on an
outstanding investment opportunity.
Kim Webber 082 523 8277
OATLANDSNORTH R2.175MILLION
KINGSWOOD
R1.65MILLION
SUNNYSIDE
WORCESTERPLACE
LEAFY SUBURB
Large family home set on two plots with
stunning garden, entertainment area, revamped
kitchen and bathrooms. The spacious main
bedroom has sweeping views over town.
Daphné Timm 082 809 4283
PREFERRED LIVING
Lovely spacious townhouse in sought after
complex. Perfect lock-up-and-go in a safe
environment – the kids can play tennis, swim
and ride their bicycles.
FAMILY HOME
Renovated family home within walking
distance of Kingswood College. Enjoy openplan living and a large garden. Includes
separate outbuildings for extra space.
R1.585MILLION
CUTE COTTAGE
Tastefully renovated cottage with beautiful
wooden floors and shutter windows. Open-plan
kitchen with dining area, and sunny family
room that leads out onto a wooden deck.
R1.625MILLION
ALMOST SOLD OUT
Don’t miss out on these prestige units on
the Highlander doorstep. Superb finishes
– a comfortable lock-up-and-go for those
weekend visits by parents of boarders.
Adrian Frost0835567481
RENTAL
HOUSES:
3 bedrooms
3 bedrooms
3 bedrooms
3 bedrooms
R8 000
R6 800
R6 600
R6 500
FLATS:
2 bedrooms
R5 000
ROOMS:
1 bedroom
R2 500
1 bedroom
1 bedroom
R1 870
R1 870
SUPERBRANDS IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK.
www.pamgolding.co.za/grahamstown
Designed by www.creativesonclick.com | 082 454 8242
Contact ooba today. Call us on 0860 00 66 22.
20
WHAT’S ON
What to do, Where to go
Don’t forget to send your weekly listings so that you can stay up to date with all the exciting events Grahamstown has to offer! Let us know by faxing us on
046 622 7282, by dropping it off at 40 High Street or emailing [email protected]. Please ensure that all information reaches us by the Tuesday before publication. Also please
note that the inclusion of Forthcoming Attractions is dependent on space. – Susan Powers
FRIDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY, 9 APRIL
ANNUAL TEACH-IN
When 1pm – 2pm
Where Barrett Lecture Theatre 1, Rhodes University
What Hosted by the Department of Politics and International
Studies. “After the Thrill has Gone: Reflections on the 2010
World Cup” by Prof Guy Berger.
2010 ALEX DU TOIT MEMORIAL LECTURE
When 6pm
Where Eden Grove Red, Rhodes University
What “The Okavango Delta and its Place in the
Geomorphological Evolution of Southern Africa” by Prof
Terence McCarthy.
NATANIËL
When 8pm
Where Guy Butler Theatre
What In aid of Somerset Place Retirement and Frail Care
Home. A R500 hamper of Kaalkop kitchen and lifestyle
products up for grabs. Tickets through Computicket cost R115
and R80 at the door.
Who Norma Bezuidenhout at [email protected]
SUNDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER
THURSDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER
PINEAPPLE MOUNTAIN BIKE ENDURANCE RACE
When 7am - 9am (registration)
Where Shaw Park Club (GPS points S33º27'19.8" ;
E26º56'48.3")
What 5km cycle or run, 18km cycle or run, 43km cycle and
63km cycle.
Who Michelle Beyleveld on 046 625 0798 or shawpark@
telkomsa.net
PUBLIC LECTURE
When 7.30pm
Where RU Barratt lecture theatre 1 (entrance to Barratt car
park from African Street)
What Hosted by the Rhodes University Environmental
Committee, the Kowie Catchment Campaign and Galela
Amanzi present a lecture entitled: “Water in Grahamstown
then and now - a history of Grahamstown’s water supply from
the beginning” by Dr Harri Maki (University of Tampere) and
Lorraine Mullins (KCC).
Who 046 603 7205 or [email protected]
MONDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY LECTURE
When 5.30pm
Where Hill Street Library Hall
What “In Search of Asclepius, Ancient God of Healing” by
Penny Bernard. Entry by donation in aid of Friends of the
Library.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING
When 8pm
Where St George’s Hall, High Street
Who Val Hodgson on 046 622 2308
SATURDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER
DIAZ CROSS BIRD CLUB
When 6.15am for 6.30am departure (note earlier
starting time)
Where Meet at Albany Museum
What Outing to Hounslow, off the Bedford road on the way to
Kwandwe. Bring refreshments, a hat and binoculars.
Who Jenna Holmes on 046 622 3000
FARMERS MARKET
When 9am – 1pm
Where Old Gaol, Somerset Street
What “Fresh produce, dairy products, food stalls, pottery,
garden- and potted plants, roses, homemade preserves,
crafts and many other stalls. Fabulous handmade goodies
and gift ideas.
Who Lungi on 082 510 4125
GRAEME COLLEGE FUN TOUCH RUGBY
TOURNAMENT
When 10am
Where Somerset Field, Graeme College
What This is a fun event for the whole family. Besides touch
rugby, there will be face-painting, a jumping castle, cash bar,
hamburgers and boerewors rolls on sale and there will also
be a tuck shop. Eight members per team at a cost of R100
per team. Various age group categories for boys, girls, men’s
and mixed teams. Lots of prizes up for grabs. Late entries at
field from 8.30am to 9.30am.
Who Mr Holman on 083 327 7444
QUIET AFTERNOON
When 1.30pm – 5pm
Where Meet at the Cathedral for lifts to Mariya uMama
weThemba Monastery.
What R10 including tea. Programme ends with the Office of
the Vespers.
Who Cathedral Parish Office on 046 622 2445 (mornings)
PORT ALFRED FLORAL GROUP
When 1.30pm for 2pm
Where Settlers Park, Port Alfred
What Club meeting. Create a flower arrangement at home
and bring it along. The theme is Ascot (hats, horses, jockey
colours etc). Demonstration by Dilys Roe and Barbara Main “New Beginnings”.
Who Joy Venter on 046 624 4464
ALBANY HORTICULTURAL & LILIUM SOCIETY
When 2.30pm
Where Meet Kingswood College car park
What Visit to Kingswood College where staff will take us on a
tour of their beautiful gardens. Refreshments will be served
afterwards.
Who For lifts, contact Sharon on 072 244 3863.
TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER
GRAHAMSTOWN WOODWORKERS
When 6pm
Where Rhodes Maintenance workshop at the west end of
African Street
What Strand Hardware from Port Elizabeth will be
demonstrating how to get the best out of your table saw. If
time permits they will also talk about bandsaws. Please bring
your own refreshments.
Who Mike Brown on 082 805 5159
WEDNESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER
PRAYERS FOR GRAHAMSTOWN
When 1.15pm – 1.45pm
Where Cathedral of St Michael and St George
What To pray for Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa
and the world.
Who Richard or Hazel on 046 622 4006
CIRCLE DANCING
When 7.30pm – 9.30pm
Where The Scout Hall, African Street
What Dance to traditional music from all over the world; both
traditional steps and modern choreographies.
Who Anthea Ribbink at 072 132 2376 or Jeanne Berger at
046 622 2588
THURSDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER
HEARING AWARENESS MONTH
Where Audiology Department, Settlers Hospital
What Free hearing screening. Everyone is welcome to have
their hearing checked.
VGHS OLD GIRLS UNION FUN RUN/WALK
When 4.30pm (registration) & 5.30pm (run to start)
Where VGHS Vicky’s – Huntley Street
What Proceeds to Famsa. Entrance fee R10. Four-legged
friends are also welcome. Cash prize for the first, second and
third place and plenty of spot prizes to be won.
JUAN, MARIEL AND FRIENDS CONCERT SERIES 2010
When 7.30pm
Where St Andrew's College Drill Hall
What A programme of three piano trios: Mozart's Piano Trio
in G K564, Rachmaninoff's Trio Elegiaque in G minor, and
Beethoven's Archduke Trio. Special guest is South Africa's
doyenne of cellists, Marian Lewin. Tickets at the door: R70/
R40. Children and scholars are admitted for free.
FORTHCOMING ATTRACTIONS
OAKHAVEN HOME FOR THE AGED
When Saturday, 18 September at 9am – 1pm
Where Collection at various points around town
What Please help us collect funds for essential repairs and
maintenance.
Who Ann Waugh on 046 622 4782
NG KERK AUCTION
When Saturday, 18 September at 10am
Where Neels Heunis Hall, PJ Olivier High School
What Bring your own goods to sell at a cost of 15%
commission. Loads of items, including livestock, donated
by members and friends of the NG Kerk will be on auction.
Auctioneers: Dupie and Johan Meyer.
Who Manie Cronje on 084 580 1326
MANLEY FLATS BARN DANCE
When Saturday, 18 September at 7pm
Where Manley Flats Hall
What R90 per person which includes spit braai, dessert and
wine. Cash bar. Free transport available. Theme: Denim &
Diamonds.
Who Andrea Parker on 083 415 4056
WALK FOR HOSPICE
When Thursday, 23 September at 2am – 7pm
What Grahamstown 6SAI soldiers, Lance Corporal Rodney
Thabo Bashman and Rifleman Stalin Daters, whose
lives have been touched by cancer, will be walking from
Grahamstown to Port Elizabeth (157km) to raise money
and awareness for Hospice. You can send a donation to
Grahamstown Hospice, Standard Bank, Branch code 050917
and account number 082006083 or make a donation online
at www.grahamstownhospice.org
HOGSBACK SPRING GARDENS AND FESTIVAL
When 24 and 25 September
What Garden tours - (guided and self-guided) from 24
September to 31 October. Details can be found on
www.hogsback.com
Who Lynn Johnston on 045 962 1192 or
[email protected]
MAKANA TOURISM AMAZING CHASE
When Saturday, 25 September at 10am
Where Starting point and entry forms at the Provost in Lucas Ave
What Join Makana Tourism’s Amazing Chase. Lots of prizes
and lots of fun!
Who 046 622 3241 for more details
SALEM SCHOOL REUNION AT SALEM
When Friday, 1 October at 7pm (registration) and 7.30pm
(opening by Trevor Amos)
What Cocktails and cash bar.
When Saturday, 2 October at 9am (registration) & 10am
(welcome by Dave Mullins)
What View Settler homes, Alan Weyer historical talk and
more. Cash bar.
When Sunday, 3 October at 9.30am (church service by Jane
(Mullins) Bradshaw) and 10.30am (tea in the old school)
Bookings to be made by 20 September for catering purposes.
Visit www.salemschoolreunion.co.za.
Who Di Benyon on 046 622 9443 or docpeterbenyon@
telkomsa.net
FUNDRAISING DINNER/DANCE
When Saturday, 23 October
Where 1820 Settlers Monument
What In order to kickstart the fundraising efforts towards
the re-surfacing of the courts at Grahamstown Tennis Club.
Costs R150 per person with a cash bar
Who Christelle Hutchinson on 082 777 1394 or
[email protected] for info or tickets
classifieds 1. Personal 2. Announcements 3. Sales & Services 4. Employment 5. Accommodation 6. Property 8. Motoring 9. Legals
21
GUESS
WHO IS 21
TODAY
FRANSTON
MASSEY
Congratulations and all
the best for the future.
God bless. Love Mummy,
Mons & family
Death
ISAACS Freddie. Funeral service
at Anglican Church at 11.30am
on Saturday 11/09/10. Will
be surely missed by Daniels &
Isaacs families.
MELROSE Carol June. Beloved mother of Shane & Candy,
daughter of Lena - Wienand &
sister to Maureen & Len. Passed
away peacefully on Tuesday 7
September 2010. A memorial
service to be held on Monday
13 September at 1.15pm in the
Baptist Church, Bathurst Street,
Grahamstown. Donation in lieu
of flowers to Grahamstown Hospice. Funeral arrangements by
Inggs Funeral Home, Ght, Tel
046 636 1528
Health & Beauty
DIETICIAN
MARY-ANNE VICTOR
JOHN THOMAS
CASSELS
Born: 25/06/1950
Died: 06/09/2010
John sadly passed away on
Monday 6 September. He will be
sadly missed by his family.
The service will be held on
Saturday 11 September 2010
at 14:00pm at the
Cathedral, Grahamstown.
RIELLY Charlie (OB). No more
pain, rest in peace. You are now
with your family. Love Carrots,
Lyn, Charl, Louise and Errol
PHYSIOTHERAPIST
Sports, Spinal &
General Practice
Med aids accepted
Mark Anderson
BSc(Hons)
079 381 4466
046 603 2314
N.G. KERK ALBANIE
SATURDAY
18 SEPTEMBER 2010
10:00
HOËRSKOOL P.J.
OLIVIER, NEELS HEUNIS
SCHOOL HALL
You are welcome to bring
your own “goodies” to sell.
We take only 15%
commission on sales.
Tons of “goodies” donated
by members and friends
of the N.G. Kerk Albanie
must go! (list follows 17/9)
Bargains galore. Reserve
prices on some items.
LIVE STOCK!!!
Auctioneers
Dupie and Johan Meyer
082 9200 634
Enquiries
Manie Cronje
084 580 1326
JABEZ AIDS
HEALTH CENTRE
cordially invites you to its
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Date: 23 September 2010
Time: 17h30
Venue: Frontier Hotel,
Bathurst Street
Contact Details:
078 134 0833 or
079 529 9148
GJ Feathersone
LINDIWE M MDIZA
Born: 7 September 1968
Died: 3 September 2010
Funeral: 11 September 2010
at Nombulelo Hall.
She will be sadly missed by
her daughters, sisters
and family.
Peppergrove Mall
Phone/Fax: 046 636 1496
In memoriam
OERSON Ryno. It’s been 9 years
since you left us and we still
miss you so much. Your mom
Denise and family.
2. ANOUNCEMENTS
Notices
NOMATHEMBA (NTEMBA)
CONSTANCE NDUMO
Died: 26-08-2010
Buried: 11-09-2010
Funeral held: Topiya
Extension 7
Time: 9am
Sadly missed by family &
friends.
AA PROTEA GROUP. Antic Hall,
7.30pm Monday nights. 22 Albany
Road, next to New Apostolic Church.
Cell: John 071 984 1379. Wilfred
073 292 6057 and Antony 082
682 1234. If anyone, anywhere
reaches out for help we want the
hand of the AA to be there.
For repair of
wheelchairs,
contact the Society for the Physically
Disabled,
Day Hospital Grounds
Tel: 046 622 5359
Your local specialists
SPECIAL OFFER
Choose from a wide variety
of our prints & get a 10%
discount on the framing!
Offer valid until end
September 2010.
MASIHLULE
PROJECT AGM
The Masihlule Recycling
Project cordially invites
all who are interested to
the Project’s AGM
to be held at the
Raglan Road
Multi-Purpose Centre
at 17h30 on
Thursday
16 September 2010.
3. SALES AND SERVICE
Books & Stationery
MARANATHA
Booksellers & Stationers
37 High Street
Grahamstown
Tele/fax: 046 622 8029
SUPPLIERS OF:
Textbooks
Stationery
& Cleaning Material.
TOPSOIL R280 per bakkie
load - delivered. Phone
082 857 8166/7.
1 POOL Table R1 500. 1 Upright
Antique Piano - any offers? Contact Tony King 082 444 1879.
WHITE cot and white compactum. Contact Mrs Addison 074
677 8030 or 046 622 4748
BOOKS
AND
STATIONERY
UPB under new
management on
1 October
Miscellaneous Wanted
TOP prices paid for gold, old
coins, medals and krugerands.
072 030 9839 or www.goldsa.
co.za
Driving Schools
Driving
School
(24 hrs)
Mike
082 430 9855
WIN A CORSA
BAKKIE!
Finance
DEBT! DEBT! DEBT!
Phone Shirley Robinson @ Alpha
Debt Counselling on
082 083 5709 or 046 622 8064.
Classic Blinds
7 Beadle Street, Grahamstown
083 468 0887 046 622 3553
Office Hours After Hours
For Professional and
Affordable Blinds
Venetian Blinds / Vertical Blinds
Grass & Bamboo Blinds
Repairs to Blinds
We render services in and
around Grahamstown/Port
Alfred/Kenton-on-Sea etc
For free quotations contact Bennie
101 High Street
(TTS offices)
Furniture
B
ers & Seller
uy
bentwoods
Select 2nd Hand Furniture
nt
A
83 High Street, Grahamstown
046 622 5030
Miscellaneous Sales
129 High St 6223549
And...
Classic Framers
VISIT US FOR AN
EXCITING &
UNUSUAL RANGE
OF GIFTS
* GIFT VOUCHERS
AVAILABLE*
UPB
s
Funeral
084 813 2525
046 624 4955
AUCTION/VEILING
les
1. PERSONAL
Birthday Greetings
b
iqu
es & Collecta
2A Cawood Street
(Up the road from Village Green)
Tel: 046 622 5171
BIRITE
27 Bathurst Street
Telephone 622 2983
Buyers & Sellers of
• New and Secondhand
Furniture
&
Cleaning
Services
Mobile Auto Valet Service
Carpets/Upholstery/Windows
Household/Office Cleaning
Maid Service
046 636 1214 * 073 217 8258
The Sunshine
Cleaning
Company
Cell: 082 820 5598
Tel: 046 622 3937
Personal Supervision
• Carpets • Upholstery
• Windows • Office Valet
• Car Valet
• Maid service - supervised
Commercial and Domestic
Jewellery
The Knock Shop
Cottage Furniture
Antiques
2nd Hand Furniture
Furniture Removals
etc.
TEL: 622 3473
CELL: 072 399 1678
Gardening
GRASS CUTTING. Once-off
cuts, Refuse removal, Tree felling/Pruning, Hedge trimmimg,
Painting and water tank installations. 082 696 6831/071
897 6569.
Home Maintenance
DAVID’S WORKSHOP. All alterations, maintenance, plumbing,
building, tiling, carpentry, flooring and paving. 084 658 6463.
Pets
FAIRBAIRN
KENNELS
& CATTERY
Tel: 046 622 3527
Cell: 082 552 3829
For Well Cared-for,
Happy Pets
SPCA
Tel: 046 622 3233, 072 191 2173
Emergency: 079 037 3466
ANIMALS FOUND
• Donkeys found around Grahamstown
& surrounding areas.
• Jack Russell with spotty ears found
Highlands
• Coliie/Lab black with white markings.
• Black female cat found Wedmore
Street
• Black and White spayed female cart
found Somerset Street.
ANIMALS FOR ADOPTION
• Jack Russell small female never
claimed.
• Greyish black rabbit lost and never
claimed.
• Tan and white puppy, 8 weeks old, born
at the SPCA, plump and healthy.
• 2 black breeds, mother has a purple
tongue, wearing leather collars, found
and never claimed.
• Beautiful Border collie, needs to be part
of a family, found and never claimed.
•Boerboel X, neutered male, good
family dog.
• Female Jack Russell, cute and lovely.
• We also have several lovely adult cats black, grey with a little ginger and brown,
tabby and another ginger, also a very
friendly calico.
Please dog owners ensure that your
pet wears a collar and ID tag. So many
found/lost dogs are never reunited with
their families, a really tragic situation.
Also please ensure that your annual
vaccinations are up to date.
A big thank you to Anne Curnow, Liz
Farquahar, Christine Kleu and Shannon
Stone for dog and cat food, blankets and
animal treats. Pick n Pay for the regular
donations of cat food.
The weather is warming up and the ticks
and fleas are feasting on your dogs,
please dip them regularly to avoid problems. SPCA has dipping facilities.
70 High Street
Grahamstown
Tel/Fax 046 622 3115
Security
Services Offered
East Cape
Access Systems
• Engraving
• Watch & Jewellery
Repairs
Stockists of:
• Watches
• Jewellery
• Trophies
• Medals
• Gifts
• African Curios
• Zippo Lighters
“For all your access control
and vehicle security needs”
Electic gates, burglar bars,
pallisade fencing, VESAapproved car alarms/
immobilisers/gearlocks
Call 046 622 5668 or visit
us in Anglo-African Street
for a free quotation
www.grocotts.co.za
22
classifieds 1. Personal 2. Announcements 3. Sales & Services 4. Employment 5. Accommodation 6. Property 8. Motoring 9. Legals
Dennis van der Merwe
TRELLIDOR
AGENT
Tel: 082 657 3719
Swimming Pools
EAST CAPE POOLS
For everything your pool needs.
• Construction and
Fibre-glassing - Design your
own pool.
• Pre-moulded fibre-glass
moulds - 24 to choose from.
• Repairs - Re-fibre-glass and
re-paint your old pool.
• Pool maintenance contracts.
• Pumps, filters, heaters, pool
covers, etc.
All materials are SABS approved.
Emile 073 321 9944
We manufacture the
widest range
of quality affordable
fiberglass swimming &
splash pool shells and
offer installation
throughout the Eastern
Cape.
DIY KITS AVAILABLE
046 624 2128 /
082 719 5285
Philip or Melinda Smit
www.hitecpools.co.za
SIYAZAMA
LOOKING for sales consultants to sell stunning range of
costume jewellery. Contact
Pauline 041 365 1025 or 083
308 9666.
PE, DURBAN & CAPE
TOWN JOBS
Want to work in major
supermarkets, hotels, airline
and companies?
Urgently wanted:
• Receptionist
• Office admin
• Bank clerks
• Call centre agents
• Air hostess
• Cruise ship attendants
• Waiters
• Chefs
• Bartenders
Visit us at:
Wool house 1st floor
Govan Mbeki Ave
Close to Nelson Mandela
Bay Stadium
Opp BKB building or
Contact:
078 599 5955
078 599 6295
078 875 4948
Training starts on Monday.
Registration in progress
WEB/GRAPHIC
DESIGNER
with experience in
social media
urgently required by
large company.
Please fax CV to
086 635 4497
Swimming Pool Services
for all your pool problems.
We will solve them for you.
Please contact:
L S. May 073 8682 389
A. Siyazi 071 0178 811
Highly recommended
by satisfied clients
Become a
Justine Consultant
Phone
083 648 9522
046 622 6309
NEED EXTRA INCOME? Work
as a Data entry Clerk by filling in
forms. No qualifications needed.
SMS contact details to 073 053
9368. (Reg No 4770224329).
SPARROW POOLS
For All Your Swimming Pool
Requirements!
Brendon Bessinger
076 647 9545
4 Hill St, Grahamstown
Tel: 046 622 4320
7 My Pond Hotel, Port Alfred
Tel: 046 624 8618
4. EMPLOYMENT
Employment Offered
Swimming Pool
Technician
Job offered
Presentable,
practically minded,
customer orientated,
Grahamstown based
Fax CV to
086 698 1035
Employment Wanted
MATURE lady seeking office
admin position with experience
in debtors and creditors. 071
379 9229.
5. ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation
Offered
ALL facilities available in
serviced rooms. Phone 046
622 4464. HELEN WALLACE
ESTATE AGENT.
Holiday Accommodation
Offered
PORT ELIZABETH, SUMMERSTRAND. Self-catering
flatlet. Walk to beach, shops
& Boardwalk. R550 double.
R400 single. Contact Kath 082
324 8921. www.wheretostay.
co.za/17on7th/
To Let
8. MOTORING
1-BEDROOM bedsitter (single
room with kitchenette) in quiet
area. Luxury full bathroom,
separate entrance. Fully furnished and water and electricity. Available now. R2 200 per
month. Phone 046 622 6045 or
082 576 2626
Motoring Sales
R114 980
I HAVE several houses, all
shapes and sizes, furnished and
unfurnished for singles, families
and digs. Contact HELEN WALLACE ESTATE AGENT 046 622
4464.
FLATLET TO RENT - 1 Bedroom,
shower en-suite, lounge/kitchenette, fully alarmed, off street
parking, close to DSG school.
R2 700 per month. Available 1
December 2010. Phone Chris
082 826 6001/Tamsin 084 684
0261.
MASTER OF THE HIGH COURT
REFERENCE: 1150/2007
R130 080
6. PROPERTY
NEVILLE BORMAN & BOTHA
Attorneys for Executor
22 Hill Street
GRAHAMSTOWN
(Mr J Powers/R Tomlinson)
Motoring Services
PARKHILL
MOTORS
YOUR VOLKSIE SPECIALISTS
046 622 2978
082 730 1527
083 760 0576
MIKE & GRANT
REPAIR & SERVICE
ALL MAKES OF CARS
Motoring Wanted
I’M looking for a nice reliable
car for under R15 000 urgently.
Contact Bernard 074 672 7441.
Nolte Smit Inc. Is pleased to
announce the formation of its
Property Rental Department.
We offer a full-service rental
solution to commercial and
residential property owners,
at competitive rates and with
seamless integration into our
collections department.
Please contact Gys Niesing
for further information.
046 622 7209 or
[email protected]
SA RED CROSS
SOCIETY
Grahamstown Local
Committee
We hire out
wheelchairs, crutches,
toilet equipment
www.grocotts.co.za
KINDLY TAKE NOTICE THAT the
First & Final Liquidation & Distribution Account in the above
Estate will lie for inspection at
the office of the Master of the
High Court, Grahamstown, and
the offices of the Magistrate’s
Court, Grahamstown for a period
of 21 days calculated from
10 SEPTEMBER 2010.
DATED at GRAHAMSTOWN on
this 27th day of AUGUST 2010.
STORAGE or business premises
to let. 300m². Please contact
Dave on 082 566 4466.
COTTAGE in garden. One
bedroom, living room, kitchen,
bathroom. Very close to Rhodes.
Available 1st December. R2
500pm. Call Peter 083 265
9811.
FIRST & FINAL LIQUIDATION &
DISTRIBUTION ACCOUNT IN THE
ESTATE OF THE LATE HELEN
MARY SLOMAN (IDENTITY
NUMBER: 180508 0002 083).
AN UNMARRIED WOMAN,
FORMERLY OF 4 SOMERSET
PLACE, LUCAS MEYER AVENUE, GRAHAMSTOWN.
DATE OF DEATH:
25 MARCH 2007
SPACIOUS one bedroom flat
with bathroom, kitchenette,
lounge with fireplace and off
street parking available for
2011. Suit single mature person. Non smokers. Phone 046
622 8524.
TWO bedroom flat to let. Living
room, bathroom, kitchen with
oven and fridge. Very close to
Rhodes. Available 1st December. R4 600pm. Call Peter 083
265 9811.
9. LEGALS
ESTATE LATE
Want to read the
Grocott’s
Mail
in your
comfy couch
at home?
Contact
Anna-marie for a
subscription on
046 622 7222
ESTATE LATE
In the Estate of the late WALDEMAR STACK, Identity Number
230528 5030 004 retired of
7 Selworthy Road, Somerset
Heights, Grahamstown, who
was born on 28th May 1923
and who died at Port Elizabeth
on 24th July 2010.
No. 2990/2010
All persons being indebted to, or
having claims against the above
Estate are hereby called upon to
lodge their claims with and pay
their debts to the undersigned
within THIRTY DAYS from the
date of publication hereof.
WHEELDON, RUSHMERE
& COLE
Attorneys for Executrix
119 High Street
GRAHAMSTOWN
(Ref Mr Laing)
TOO LATE FOR CLASSIFICATION
Death
EMSLIE, Derick William. Beloved
husband, father and grandfather passed away peacefully on
Thursday 9 September. Sadly
missed by Jenny, Andrew and
Sharon, Barbara and Drew, Mike
and Michelle and grandchildren
Robyn, William, Megan, Caleb,
James, Lauren and Christopher.
Alpacas protect
livestock
from leopards
THANDI
R
DE
BEER
AND
ZIMKITA MKOSANA
esearch indicates that the use of alpacas – a type of
South American camel species – along with protective
livestock collars and guard dogs has increased farms
profits by between 56 and 93%.
At a public lecture at Rhodes University last week Friday,
Jeannine McManus, the research and field manager at the
Landmark Foundation, said that this allows sheep and other
livestock to become less targeted by predators.
“These are the remarkable results of non-lethal predator controls on 11 commercial farms (representing 16 000
livestock units) in the Eastern Cape, including Graaff Reinet, Baviaanskloof, Jansenville, Cockscomb and Glenconner,
where predators vary from leopard to jackal and caracal,”
said McManus. She added that using alpacas as a non-lethal form of predator control has been very successful as
they are able to scare many predators away and have very
strong teeth.
These results show that these methods are not only “biodiversity friendly, but importantly, economically viable management options” she said. In the last six years they have
“saved 35 leopards but have lost 33 leopards in that time to
gin-traps, poisons and hunting,” said McManus.
She said the Landmark Foundation’s efforts are spent on
informing and providing farmers about ecologically acceptable and ethical means of reducing conflict between humans
and predators. These practices replace indiscriminate controls such as gin-traps, poisons and hunting dog packs which
are commonly used to eradicate predators on farmland.
With lethal controls removed, these farms become potential corridors between protected areas for species such as
leopards, which are not contained by fences, to link to one
another genetically. “In essence we promote a change from
predator control to livestock protection, which has proven
to be better for biodiversity and is more profitable,” said
McManus.
The project was initiated in 2004 and addresses eradication of predators, leopards in particular, by having established a leopard rescue, rehabilitation, release and research
programme.
23
MN
OTORING
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I
ndependent tests show that safer driving could save you a
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This has emerged from the latest initiative by road
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BP which has road-tested that driving within speed limits with
strict observation of the rules of the road results in significant
fuel savings.
Dr Lawrence Barit, who has been involved with road safety
research in SA for many years, spearheaded this month’s Stay
Alert, Stay Alive economical driving initiative held at The Wanderers. The event brought experts together to discuss and educate current drivers licence holders and future drivers about
safe driving practices.
“When driving economically, motorists can expect a consistent average improvement in fuel consumption,” says Barit.
“Sensible driving is also safer for you and others, so you may
save more than just fuel.
Here are BP’s top tips for fuel-efficient driving that are not
only good for the environment, but also for your bank balance.
• Maintain a safe following distance.
• Slow down.
• Correct tyre pressure.
• Maintain your vehicle.
• Use of high quality fuels.
• Removing roof box rails.
• Reducing the use of air-conditioning.
• Removing unnecessary weight.
• Reducing stop/start driving.
• Excess idling.
• Hard acceleration.
Using the engine in its most efficient range can reduce consumption and emissions:
• For petrol, changing gear at 2500rpm is recommended
• For diesel, changing gear at 2000rpm is recommended
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24
Returning from the world champs
Church Square • Tel: 046 622 7010
LADIES SHOWROOM
JUST
***
10 S eptember 2010
RIVED
AR
THE UK’S NO.1 SPORTS BRA
HI IMPACT
Come and Browse
Come and Browse
SPORTS DIARY
SATURDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
Boat racing 9am - Novices 1+2 finals, 10.50am - Men’s plate finals
7+8, 11.10am - Men’s plate finals
5+6, 11.30am - Women’s plate
finals 5+6, 11.50am - Women’s B finals 1+2, 12.10pm - Men’s B finals
1+2, 1.50pm - Women’s plate,
finals 3+4, 2.10pm - Men’s plate
finals 3+4, 3pm - Women’s finals
1+2, 3.30pm - Men’s finals 1+2
4.30pm prizegiving.
Rugby EPRU Wellman Harmse final
league games - Swallows vs St
Marks (from Alicedale) at the army
base sports field, 2nds at 1pm, 1st
reserves at 2.10pm and 1sts at
3.30pm.
Easterns vs Winter Rose at Miki
Yili, 2nds at 1pm, 1st reserves at
2.10pm and 1sts at 3.30pm.
SUNDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
Mountain biking Pineapple Endurance Race from Shaw Park Club,
near Bathurst. There is a 63km,
43km, 18km and a 5km. The 63km
starts at 7am. For more information
contact Michelle on 084 618 8556.
y
Stephen Penney
T
wo local athletes recently returned from
Edinburgh,
Scotland
where they took part in the
2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships.
Michael Cannon and Natalie
Ross, who are both studying
at Rhodes University, represented South Africa at the
world champs.
Cannon competed in the 25
to 29 age category, while Ross
competed in the Elite U23 section. The champs comprised
of a 10km run, 40km cycle
and a 5km run. Cannon’s race
went well although he said the
cycling route was very tough,
the Grahamstown terrain
prepared him for the tough
course. Cannon finished the
first run in 35 minutes 31 seconds which he says he was
very pleased about. His cycle
took 1:27:33 and then he had
a final run of 18:27 for a final
time of 2:23:21. He finished
31st in his category.
Things did not go according to plan for Ross, although
she had a great start, running
FLYING THE FLAG... Natalie Ross and Michael Cannon seen shortly before the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships opening ceremony. Photo: Supplied
the 10km in a respectable
time of 41:07, which is her fastest time for the distance. Ross
said that while the cycling
started well, she suffered
from severe cramping which
led to her having to pull out of
the competition. Although disaPpointed by not being able
to finish, she has put it down
to a great experience and
adds that she will attempt to
Marathon win for Frith
Stephen Penney
Three local runners took part in the recent Afri-Save 42.2km marathon which
took place in Uitenhage. Frith van der
Merwe of Run/Walk For Life Athletics
Club was the women’s winner in 3:18:55,
also winning the 40 to 49 age category.
Makana Brick Grocott’s Cycle Race
Cycle tour caters for the family
Stephen Penney
Grahamstown’s own road cycle event, the Makana Brick Grocott’s Cycle Tour takes place next Sunday.
The date of the race, which was previously held in May, was
changed due to the last few races being held in cold and miserable weather. As the Eastern Province Cycling calendar is pretty
full, 19 September was chosen.
The race attracts many top East London and Port Elizabeth
riders as well as other cyclists from across South Africa. It is open
to anyone and has something to offer for the whole family. While
the 80.4km race attracts top riders from across the country,
anyone who thinks they can manage the distance is welcome
Van der Merwe led from the start of the
race. Her clubmate, Jene Banfield, was
the third woman in 3:28:37 also finishing as the third in the 40 to 49 age
y
to take part. For those not yet fit for the 80.4km, there is always
the 34km option. Organised by Grahamstown Round Table and
Rhodes University Cycling Club, the Makana Brick Grocott’s Cycle
Tour consists of the 80.4km main event, a 34km as well as a
10km children’s ride.
All events take place from the Grahamstown Golf Club. The
80.4 starts at 7.30am with the 34km at 8am and the 10km ride
at 8.30am. Registration takes place at the golf club on Saturday
18 September from 5pm to 6.30pm as well as Sunday before the
start of each race, where late entries will also be accepted. There
will be refreshments on sale during the event.
To enter online visit www.makanabrickgrocotts.co.za. For
more information email [email protected]
Training Programme: Week 7 of 7
Sunday
Monday
make the South African team
again next year for the world
duathlon which takes place in
Spain. Ross said the overall
trip was an “amazing race experience,” and she met many
interesting people.
This year’s duathlon
worlds has been dubbed by
organisers as the toughest world duathlon champs,
and both Cannon and Ross
said both the run and cycle
were over a very hilly course,
taking competitors around
Arthur’s Seat. Cannon says
it was the “best sporting experience,” and he also hopes
to represent South Africa in
Spain next year.
Ross plans to take the
week off before starting her
training again and she plans
to compete in a few triathlons next year. Cannon has
already begun his training
for the SpecSavers Ironman
70.3 South Africa, which takes
place in January 2011 in East
London.
He also plans to take part
in the SpecSavers Ironman
South Africa in Port Elizabeth in April next year. Cannon thanked his sponsors,
Wallace’s Pharmacy, Albany
Sports, The Vineyard Liquor
Store and Rhodes Sports Administration who helped him
cover the expenses of the trip.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Beginner
90 min
Zone 2
30 min tempo
Beginner
30 min
Zone 2
10 min tempo
Beginner
45 min
Zone 2
15 min tempo
Beginner
60 min
Zone 2
85 - 90 rpm
Beginner
45 min
Zone 2
5 min tempo
Beginner
Day off
Beginner
1 hour
Zone 1/2
15 min tempo
Intermediate
90 min
Zone 2
50 min fast hills
Intermediate
Day off
Intermediate
1 hour
Zone 2
30 min tempo
Intermediate
30 min
Zone 1
Recovery
Intermediate
60 min
Zone 2
20 min tempo
Intermediate
Day off
Intermediate
60 min
Zone 1/2
15 min tempo
Advanced
3.5 hour
Zone 2/3
Moderate pace
Advanced
30-45 min
Zone 1
Easy spin
Advanced
45-60 min
Zone 1
Easy spin
Advanced
30-45 min
Zone 2
Easy spin
Advanced
2 hour
Zone 2
5 x 3min
Power sprint
Advanced
Day off
Advanced
60 min
Zone 1/2
20 min tempo
category – making it two top threes for
Grahams-town.
Melikhaya Jacobs (Nedbank Running
Club) finished eighth overall in 2:43:57.
A rough race to the
finish in Port Alfred
Stephen Penney
Students clad in their purple colours will head off to Port
Alfred tomorrow for the finals of the annual Mutual & Federal
Universities Boatrace on the Kowie River.
The boat races started on Wednesday this week, where the
top men and women’s university rowing sides meet in this Oxford/Cambridge style boat race.
Rhodes men and women’s sides will be hoping to better their
achievements from last year, when the men’s A finished third
and the women’s A took second place. The Rhodes A crew’s last
won in 2007 when the men and women walked away with the
Universities Boat Race trophies.
For the Rhodes Rowing Club, the rowing season began July
with a three week training camp in Knysna. From then it has
been serious business until the boat race. Most weekends have
been spent in Port Alfred where the crew rows eight to ten kilometres upriver a day.
The regatta (a sport event consisting of a series of boat races) is very similar to the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race in England and is raced over the same distance. It features a series of
head to head duels with the best crews in men’s and women’s
university rowing. There is also a novice category for newcomers to rowing, which was introduced in 2007.
The first Universities Boat Race took place 30 years ago and
exactly 20 years later and in the year 2000, Mutual & Federal
took over the sponsorship through a merger and have now been
the main sponsor for 10 years.
The rowing began yesterday with various heats and the serious action starts today from 12.30pm to 4.30pm with the minor
finals while the plate and main finals start at 9am tomorrow. The
day’s programme concludes at 4.30pm with the prizegiving ceremony. Please see the sports diary for fixtures.