Makhanda festival city

The city is renowned for its educational institutions, for being the national seat of the judiciary and for its cultural events

VG MATRICS EXCEL

“The Victoria Girls’ High School (VGHS) matric class of 2020 did themselves and the school proud with their final examination results, all in a year filled with grief, loss and uncertainty,” said VG spokesperson Nadia Czeredrecki-Schmidt when the results were announced last week.

VGHS is believed to be the only public school in Makhanda to return a 100% pass rate, and its pupils achieved an 81% university pass rate and 72 subject A symbols.

The top performers were Eleanor Amner of Makhanda (Grahamstown) and Yolanda Petse (Mthatha), who both achieved A aggregate results, marking 80% and above averages.

Other high achievers were Nicola Kroese (Makhanda – five As), Thandile Mabija (East London – four As), Siwe Mhlekwa (Makhanda – four As), Likhona Mpepo (Makhanda – four As) and Tammy Cannon and Eden Hendricks (both Makhanda – three As each).

ELATION ON THE HILL FOR PJ

Principal Joubert Retief could not contain his beaming smile when he handed over matriculation certificates to the 28 successful PJ Olivier High School matriculants (out of 29) who wrote the 2020 examinations. That gave the ‘school on the hill’ a 96.5% pass rate, placing them in third position out of 19 schools in the district.

Joubert said the school was immensely proud of the matrics who, despite last year’s difficulties, walked the extra mile with their teachers.

“We are indeed thankful to their parents and guardians for the necessary support they gave,” he said.

Of the 28 candidates who passed, 14 obtained Bachelor ’ s degree passes.

Brett Arnolds, headboy last year and brother of previous headboy Storm Arnolds, was the top PJ Olivier matriculant with four subject As and a 78.7% aggregate.

In second place was Marelise Grobbelaar, with three subject As.

GRAEME PROUD OF PASS RATE

What started as a very good year for the Graeme College Grade 12 class of 2020 was turned upside down by the turmoil of Covid-19.

Nevertheless they proved their mettle during this time, achieving a 97% pass rate.

Tracy Kenyon, head of academics at Graeme, said: “We celebrate with these young men as they congratulate themselves on their achievements.

“We celebrate the many Bachelor degree passes and the many distinctions.

“We wish all these young men well as they step into the world with results they can be proud of.”

Multiple distinction candidates were Nicane September (Makhanda – six), Manusizwe Jourdan (Makhanda – five), Somila Ntsunguzi (Makhanda – four) and Tinashe Gomo (Johannesburg – four). They will be awarded Academic Honours on the basis of their results.

FIRST-YEARS

First-year students are expected to converge on the Rhodes campus this weekend. Wonder how many will register this year?

ALMOST FULL

The city obtains water from the north via the James Kleynhans water treatment works, but there have been breakdowns, pump failures and burst pipes in recent months.

The municipality reported last week that new pumps and motors had arrived at the plant and were due to be installed at the weekend, with water supply due to be restored last Sunday.

BIG PROJECTS ON THE GO

Makana Municipality is engaged in several projects that will improve the lives of residents, the municipality said in a statement last week.

Three launched last Thursday include the upgrade of Mayfield outfall sewer (phase 2), the upgrade of Ncame Street in Joza, and the replacement of ageing asbestos pipes (phase 2). The total budget for the projects is R8.5m. Executive mayor Mzukisi Mpahlwa said these were important steps in addressing some of the challenges faced by the residents of Makhanda.

One of the main objectives of the Mayfield outfall sewer upgrade is to reduce sewer spillages, while also taking into consideration new developments in Makhanda.

Makhanda’s road network is in desperate need of repair, and plans are in the pipeline to revamp it, said the statement.

Priority will be given to busier streets, and for starters, the 3km Ncame Street in Joza will have its tar removed and replaced with paving.

The municipality also intends improving water services, with almost 5km of asbestos pipes being replaced with PVC pipes in Fitzroy, South, Cromwell, Bertha and Worcester Streets.

FUSION CLOSES

Makhanda residents reacted with dismay last week when news broke of the closure of popular speciality food shop Fusion, in Pepper Grove Mall.

The owners announced “with heavy hearts” that the last day of trading will be March 6.

Fusion has been operating for 11 years from its humble beginnings at the Saturday markets.

NEW DEAN AND SUB-DEAN

The venerable Mzinzisi Dyantyi, currently subdean of Makhanda, will be the next dean of the Grahamstown Cathedral. His institution will take place on April 24. Meanwhile, the sub-dean elect, and chancellor, is Canon Melany Adonis.

DOWN THE RIVER

Crewe House emerged from the Bushmans River victorious in the Diocesan School for Girls’ (DSG) annual river mile inter-house swimming competition, with Knowling second, Espin third and Merriman fourth.

Emma Podesta won the senior category, and Jamie Mote won the junior.

NEW ON BOARD

Graeme College has announced the appointment of five new teachers at the school.

They are Dr Lauren Shaw (physical science and life sciences), Miss Jacqui de Jong (computer application technology and mathematics), Mr Liyema Mafane (Grade 4), Mrs Callie Johnson (Grade 3) and Mrs Liezl Niesing (music).

UPPER HAS THE UPPERHAND

Oliva Lange (Upper House) and Adam Nurse (also Upper) won the senior river mile and junior river half-mile respectively when the St Andrew’s College swimming events were held at Bushmans River Mouth last week.

Joss Hempel was runner-up in the senior race and Ethan John third (both of Graham House).

Nick Franklin (Armstrong) was second in the junior race and Matthew Kruse (Graham) third.

The overall inter-house positions were: 1st Upper; 2nd Graham; joint 3rd Merriman and Mullins; 5th Espin; 6th Armstrong.

MONITORS ELECTED

PJ Olivier Primary School’s monitors for 2021 are Corne Henning, Viola Kivitts, Kungotando Ndziweni, Khwezilomso Smaile, Langalam Smaile and Marthinus van Wyk.

VALLEY GOLF

The first 24 fourballs received will be entered into the Graeme College golf day over the Belmont course tomorrow (Friday) from 11.30am.

The entry fee is R400 per player and the format is a betterball stableford. Nico van der Meulen is taking entries on 073-145-0015 or n.vandermeulen@graemecollege.co.za.

SUNDOWNER AT BELMONT

Wayne Tammadge and Angus McRae (36 points) won last Friday’s Pam Golding Properties 9-hole sundowner competition at Belmont Golf Club, with Scott Jackson and Dale Brody runners-up (34).

Two-clubs were recorded by Nico van der Meulen, Jonty van der Meulen, Peter De Lacy and Scott Jackson on the 11th, and Warren Henry, Scott Jackson and Angus McRae on the 13th.

DAY-ONE RESULTS IN THE VALLEY

Players from across the Eastern Cape took to the Belmont and Royal Port Alfred golf courses on Saturday and Sunday respectively for the two-day golf classic hosted by Makana Tourism and Sunshine Coast Tourism.

Sixty golfers took to the Belmont course on Saturday, and the first 10 positions were:

1st Leon Claasen/Rob Wilmot – 45 points 2nd Sky Albany/Sizwe Mdaka – 45

3rd Nathi Mbabela/Luyanda Mbabela – 44 4th Justice Jonas/Zola Mgudwa – 44

5th Johnnie Niemand/Andre Tolmie – 44 6th Angus McRae/Allen James – 43

7th Bongani Nkohla/Sivuyile Makile – 43 8th Ayanda Peter/Ndimphiwe Mantyontya 43

9th Brent Emslie/Jimmy Emslie – 42 10th Willie Bodenhorst/Nico Human – 41.

UPPER WINS

sidp@imaginet.co.za or call (046) 624-4356

–

Scoring 883 points, Upper House won the St Andrew’s College inter-house swimming gala last Friday, with Graham second (676), Armstrong third (598), Espin fourth (583), Mullins fifth (472) and Merriman sixth (432).