When asking after one Siyabulela Phololo in Colesberg you are likely to be met with blank stares. That’s because here the podgy, diminutive ANC Sub-Regional Chairperson is universally known as Shuta – the short one – and whatever his deficiencies in centimetres, he is relied upon to compensate for in an accessible, humorous personality. His …
In this the first installment of an ongoing (hopefully) series on the May elections, we sit down with the Democratic Alliance’s councillor Johan Matthee at Umsobomvu Municipality. We hope that other parties will jump on board and make their voices heard. The Johan Matthee who upped and left Joburg some two decades ago was a …
On the Local Campaign Trail, an Interview with DA’s Johan Matthee Read More »
In her humble home in Colesberg Masakhane Township, Nosiphiwo Afrika is more than delighted to hear of the Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) new strategy for early learning. For years, this is what she and some five women – unemployed side-hustlers running an early childhood facility from inside Afrika’s house – have been knocking on …
The intensifying hurtle towards May 29 has seen acronyms and /or hashtags like JZ, MK, #Abahambe prominently popping up on my search engine. But for some reason CapeXit – not too long ago a portmanteau that saw promotional flyers being slipped through car windows at intersections, petitions circulating, and left the twitterati at loggerheads – …
The Electoral Court’s latest decision to allow Jacob Zuma to stand as a candidate in the upcoming election has many commentators – eParkeni being no exception – eating humble pie. Not only is the former president having the last laugh, he is also adding to his lored streak as the ‘Teflon president,’ all of five …
Under normal circumstances the Independent Electoral Commission’s announcement that effectively disqualified Jacob Zuma of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) from standing as a candidate in the 29 May elections would’ve been a non-issue. IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya had hardly switched on the microphone when the country knew exactly what was coming. And the entire thing …
As SA commemorated the Sharpville Massacre this Thursday, many at Robert Sobukwe’s hometown were up in arms over a seemingly trivial issue: the Pan-African Congress leader’s given name. Born into a working class family in Graaff-Reinet, Sobukwe’s early life was the standard township hardscrabble. Despite these travails, he completed school, ultimately enrolling at the South …
Name Change or Just Tenderpreneurship by Another Name Read More »
In person Mr Jeffrey Rademeyer’s voice is more disarming than the clerical tone it takes on over the phone. He also stands taller than the Facebook photos let on. So when he rises to address a Colesberg heritage dialogue / legacy project session at the N1 government building on Human Rights Day, those gathered listen …
A Possible Heritage Project in the Works for Colesberg Read More »
Dear reader, finally, I found him! Urbane in loose black pants, a nylon shirt and sky-blue tie on a slow Sunday morning, he, like many who were walking the streets, my offhanded assumption was that he was just on his way to church. Which was true, partly anyway; just another devout believer off to commune …
Following pointed swipes at incumbent president Cyril Ramaphosa, former national boss Thabo Mbeki has recently undergone a startling change of heart. A surprising Damascus moment for a man who is usually known to stick to his guns and summarily fire – or klap – those who would challenge his smarts, or the top job he …
