Looking back at 2023 in Makhanda
JANUARY 2023
The Rhodes University Council resolved to suspend the implementation of its vaccine mandate whereby only staff, students, visitors and service providers who had been vaccinated against the Covid-19 virus would be allowed entry onto its campus.
Makana Municipality indicated in a statement that “unhealthy reservoir levels” had led to the current erratic water supply.
Makana mayor Yandiswa Vara offered her council’s congratulations to the ‘Class of 2022’ on its outstanding matric results.
“We are very proud of what the matrics of Makana have achieved, and we wish them well for the future,” she said.
Tom Hamilton became the 20th headmaster of St Andrew’s College when he took office at the commencement of the 2023 school year.
Standard Bank moved lock, stock and barrel from its imposing pillared building on Church Square to a single-storey premises in Pepper Grove Mall.
FEBRUARY 2023
Upwards of 2,000 first-year students registered at Rhodes University on February 4 and 5, bringing with them parents, guardians and family members.
It was confirmed in February that Howiesonspoort Dam was 100% full, while Settlers Dam stood at 45%.
The National Arts Festival bade farewell to Selina White, the Village Green manager for the past 23 years.
To reduce water leaks and water wastage, Makana Municipality appointed a contractor to replace the ageing asbestos pipelines under streets in various suburbs of Makhanda.
The Kingswood College boys’ 1st tennis team won the 2023 Knowling Shield competition contested each year by Kingswood, Graeme College and St Andrew’s College. The shield winners defeated St Andrew’s 3-2 and Graeme 41.
MARCH 2023
Graeme College held its Founders Weekend in March as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations, the main event being the memorial service that attracted Old Graemians from across SA and the world.
The Makhanda Nite Race organised by Graeme College was won by Lubabalo Bokuva in the men’s division and by Cassie MacLachlan in the ladies’ section.
PJ Olivier High School hosted the Frans Erasmus Under 13 rugby and netball tournaments that attracted 21 primary schools from across the Eastern Cape. The tournament was held for the first time in 1998.
The Graeme College rugby festival in late March attracted several leading rugby-playing schools from across the country for 17 First XV matches, as well as U16, U14 and U13 games.
The festival attracted thousands of players, officials and spectators over the three days.
At the Old Kingswoodian Club’s annual general meeting, Honorary Old Kingswoodian status was bestowed upon much-loved Kingswoodian, Mrs Shirley Fletcher.
APRIL 2023
The DA’s leader, John Steenhuizen, and provincial leader, Andrew Whitfield, visited Makhanda and addressed a meeting of supporters at the Albany Bowling Club, stressing the importance of registering and voting in the next general election.
Clyde Wallace, described as a “true gentleman” and a “true legend of Graeme College”, died in April. He was the former manager of T Birch & Co (Birch’s) in Makhanda.
The SA National Blood Service was pleased with the huge haul of 185 units of the life-saving fluid collected from Makhanda donors during April.
MAY 2023
The High Court Action Committee said the proposed move of the seat of the Makhanda high court to Bhisho would come at a big cost. This included the closure of legal firms in Makhanda; caseloads that could be reduced to at least 70% of current capacity; currently there are nine judges in Makhanda, and there could only be work for two should the move occur; and should the seat move, so too would the registrar’s staff, the Master’s Office and the National Prosecution Authority offices.
In a classic derby First XV rugby clash on Somerset field, St Andrew’s College edged out Graeme College by 24 points to 23.
Former Trinity Presbyterian Church minister, Reverend Glen Craig, died in May. He and wife Jeanette moved from Makhanda to Kenton-on-Sea several years ago.
Hundreds of Rhodes University students blocked Prince Alfred Street outside the Rhodes Theatre as they protested with placards against the erratic and often non-existent municipal water supply. Students also blocked other entrances to the campus.
Thakor Naran, a senior member of the well-known Naran family who owned and ran the Naran & Sons general dealer store-cum-corner café in Hill Street for many decades, died in May.
JUNE 2023
On the same Saturday afternoon in Makhanda in June, the three local colleges all defeated their esteemed opposition from other centres in rugby clashes at First XV level.
Graeme College stunned Grey High School with a 22-8 win, Kingswood College beat Dale College 22-0 and St Andrew’s College defeated Selborne College 26-13.
The 49th National Arts Festival got under way on June 22 and ran for 11 days at venues across Makhanda, in addition to its ‘headquarters’, the 1820 Settlers National Monument on Gunfire Hill.
As part of the annual K-Day activities, Kingswood College scored a narrow 1310 victory over St Andrew’s College in their First XV rugby match on City Lords.
JULY 2023
Tens of thousands of visitors converged on Makhanda for the 11 days of the National Arts Festival which was largely unaffected by low-level load-shedding as all official show venues were equipped with generators.
However, the persistent rain put a damper on proceedings at the Village Green trading area, though the second weekend proved to be bright and sunny, with traders smiling broadly.
One of the festival highlights was the concert in the Guy Butler Auditorium of the 1820 Settlers National Monument by the Boston Philharmonic Youth Orchestra.
Festival CEO Monica Newton said despite the tough economic climate, the 49th festival had seen an increase in the number of visitors to the festival, and shows had seen “brisk bookings”.
Graeme College rugby player Batho Hlekani was selected as a member of the SA Schools’ rugby squad at the conclusion of the U18 Craven Week in George, and was also named player of the tournament as a member of the Eastern Province team.
Almost 300 people were in attendance in the City Hall for a meeting at which justice minister Ronald Lamola and other speakers discussed the proposed relocation of the seat of the Eastern Cape high court from Makhanda to Bhisho.
For 18 years, Mini Meyer Dial was employed as a security officer on the Kingswood College and Kingswood Junior School campuses by Hi-Tec Security. He was awarded Honorary Old Kingswoodian status for his service to the schools.
AUGUST 2023
Kingswood College defeated old rivals Graeme College by 26 points to 14 in their First XV derby rugby clash on City Lords after leading 14-7 at the changeover.
The committee appointed by justice minister Ronald Lamola recommended and resolved that the seat of the Eastern Cape High Court be moved from Makhanda to Bhisho.
Three Makhanda school pupils Alutha Botha (Nombulelo Senior Secondary School), Rutendo Chakona (Victoria Girls’ High School) and Savanna Renaud (Kingswood College) received gold awards at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists for the Makhanda region.
The Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) U14 hockey team was placed third at the Top 12 National U14 girls’ hockey tournament in Stellenbosch, earning the bronze medal.
The Challengers’ Cup 1st team schoolgirl hockey tournament in Paarl saw the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) being awarded the silver medal upon finishing runners-up. The overall winners were St Mary’s DSG Kloof.
Stones Hill residents were on high alert when a massive wind-driven bush fire raced towards their properties from the southern slopes of Mountain Drive. Fortunately the fire stopped just short of the ‘rural’ suburb.
Held in extremely cold and windy conditions, the GBS Mutual Bank Mountain Drive half-marathon attracted an entry of about 200 athletes, with Xolisa Ndlumbini the overall winner and Siphosethu Mavatha first in the ladies’ section.
SEPTEMBER 2023
Victoria Girls’ High School (VGHS) took a step towards a higher road of transformation with the name of Victoria officially announced to be represented by Mama Victoria Mxenge and the English Queen Victoria.
Amatola Water announced that in its major upgrade of James Kleynhans water treatment works to the north of Makhanda, it was in a position to deliver 20 megalitres of water a day to the city.
PJ Olivier High School Grade 12 pupil Carissa Henning achieved a silver award for her project at the 2023 National MathArt competition run by the Govan Mbeki Mathematics Development Centre at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha.
Large parts of Makhanda were without power due to three incidents of cable theft at three separate electricity sub-stations.
The Brothertons retained their title at the Salem family six-a-side cricket tournament at Salem. The Brotherton family members were Nic, Buster, Jaden, Trevor, Peter, Jason and Edgar.
OCTOBER 2023
Makhanda athletes Cassandra MacLachlan (Albany Runners) and TerriLynn Penney (Nedbank Running Club) finished second and third respectively in the ladies’ division at the BUCO 27km Pineapple road race from Bathurst to Port Alfred.
A total of 169 cyclists completed the tough G2C mountain bike race from Makhanda to Port Alfred, 53 in the 70km race and 116 in the 58km event.
Conditions were muddy along the single tracks and gravel roads due to the previous day’s rain.
After a concerted fundraising drive, SPCA Grahamstown took delivery of a Toyota HiLux LDV to replace the organisation’s ageing bakkie.
Rutendo Chakona (Victoria Girls’ High School) and Savanna Renaud (Kingswood College) were awarded gold medals for their respective projects at the International Science Expo in
Johannesburg. Emma Kruse of Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) put in sensational performances at the school’s inter-house athletics meeting, lopping all of 15 seconds off the previous record in the open 1,500m event.
She also won the 800m and 400m events in record-breaking times.
The Rapportryers/PJ Olivier 5km fun run attracted a massive entry of 432 runners and walkers, with Sisa Camagu first over the finish line, and Lauren Ranger winner of the ladies’ division.
The beneficiaries of the R12,000 proceeds were the Settlers Close and Oakhaven Cottages for the Aged.
NOVEMBER 2023
The Remembrance Day parade on Church Square drew a large crowd of local residents, plus members of the Makanakop Shellhole of the Memorable Order of Tin Hats (Moths), the St Andrew’s College pipe band and drill groups, and the Kingswood College concert band.
Piper Chris Terry, who has played The Lament on his set of bagpipes since his schooldays at St Andrew’s College in 1963, made his last appearance at a Remembrance Day parade, having announced his retirement.
The Ailsa Trophy mixed pairs competition at Belmont Golf Club was won by Megan and Jamie Renton with 40 points.
Makhanda athlete Jene Banfield won three gold and one bronze medal in her age group at the World Biathle and Triathle Championships in Bali, Indonesia.
The Settler City Toyota Belmont Open at Belmont Golf Club was won by Jason van Rooyen and Andrew Bovey, who claimed the Viv Jordan floating trophy.
Extensive damage was caused to the building and contents of The Knock Shop in Cawood Street in late November when a fire broke out in the second-hand furniture and antique store.
The well-known local business is situated at the eastern edge of the CBD, across the road from the former Grand Hotel.
DECEMBER 2023
Rhodes University hosted three official University Sport SA (USSA) tournaments in early-December, the basketball 3X3, golf and tennis.
The university also hosted the SA mixed ultimate Frisbee inter-varsity championships.
Three St Andrew’s College players were members of the Eastern Province team that took part in the national Khaya Majola U19 Cricket Week hosted by Graeme College in Makhanda. They are Matthew Beamish, Sibusiso Mxube and Matthew Poole.
Allen James was elected president of Belmont Golf Club, and Graham Hains captain, Megan McCallum ladies’ captain, Kirsten Wilmot secretary and Chizum Richardson treasurer.