Around 2008 when Zimbabwe’s gradual descent from being “the bread basket of Africa” to a basket case, Charles Gavaza was almost 15 years into a teaching career and still piling the academic accolades to his resume. Little did the younger Gavaza know that things in his native land would deteriorate so drastically as to find …
With hundreds of athletes drawn from the Umsobomvu district converging on the Colesberg Stadium for this year’s schools athletics meet, this was always fated to be more than a worthy contender for Event of the Year. From the barefoot, barely-waist high u7s right up to the buff u19s all swag in running spikes, the battle …
Clash of the Titans as Umsobomvu Schools do Battle Read More »
Ask a random learner from a marginalised community what they wish to be when they grow up and the answers will almost always be one-dimensional. Teacher, nurse, restaurant worker, and yes, the ubiquitous doctor, of course. Can’t blame the children; their responses merely mirror a world in which dignified work readily presumes the stereotypical suit …
When Thulani Mankwenta, voice hoarse from unbridled singing at a traditional ceremony next door hobbles over and makes an unusual request, I quietly wonder whether the guy’s head is screwed on right. “Pour some wine,” he croaks, “and put on some Bowling for Soup.” Uhm…say what? My ears must be mucking about. At his age, …
“Restoring Dignity Through Work Opportunities” reads the slogan emblazoned on the back of an overall worn by a Community Work Programme (CWP) worker. Rake rested on his shoulder rifle-like, he soldiers on in short but brisk strides towards the Mongezi Juda Library to do duty alongside his colleagues. Before “tshay’sa” time at 4pm, the overgrowth …
Though the initial contractions may have spawned hilarious memes when loadshedding first came alive in 2008, 14 years on and the “Eksdom” jocularity is not so funny anymore. With the power utility’s dirty laundry hung out to dry in its own Annual report (released December 23) and the CEO Andre de Ruyter signalling his looming …
What do you get when a throng of tragically out-of-shape, middle-aged men pushing boeppense from years of debauchery take to a football field? Well … guffaws all around; a disqualifiable number of calls for substitutions; a frustrated coach who’s clearly just there on a ceremonious capacity as his instructions fall on hungover ears; and loads …
One would not be amiss to think of President Cyril Ramaphosa as a man walking a tightrope between two confounding extremes. One minute he is being indulged to a red carpet shindig in Britain. King Charles III is going to great lengths to ensure that the Buffalo regards Buckingham Palace as a home away from …
Phala Phala, the Conference; ramblings from a layman Read More »
Amid wailing sirens and stern-faced security detail, Human Settlements Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi strutted into packed stands and a bristling marquee at Colesberg’s Riemvasmaak Stadium this Thursday, 8 December. Some 600 people, many visibly excited and crossing fingers that they might make up the nealy 200 who were due to receive title deeds to their RDP …
Minister Hands Over Title Deeds, but Some Homes are in Shambles Read More »
We were nine, ten maybe eleven years old the day that word choked an entire parish into a macabre silence: AIDS! By their very nature churches tend to be solemn places but on that occasion the expressions on the congregants were exceptionally sullen; eyebrows creased, listless stares, uncomfortable shifting in the pews. No doubt this …
World AIDS Day; In Honour of the Community Health Workers Read More »
