Science is magic at Makhanda’s PJ Olivier
PJ Olivier’s most passionate fans of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter celebrated reading and science in a fun escape room activity.
Learners at the Makhanda school received their Hogwarts letters earlier in the week, which provided clues to their meeting place. After finding platform nine and three quarters, learners tried their hands at potion making, the ancient precursor to modern chemistry.
The next clue led learners to the lab, where they revealed a message hidden behind iron filings, by using a magnet. Learners then deciphered a code on a map, using high frequency light, to reveal writing that was not visible under normal light. Their book knowledge was tested when they used statements about previous Hogwarts headmasters, to find their next clue.
A handful of ashes and red feathers directed learners to the Phoenix, that served as a reminder of the devastating fire PJ experienced in 2012. Here learners discovered that a red filter can be used to block certain frequencies of light, so that a muddle of colours may expose a hint. Learners then used a mirror to reflect text, while daring to eat “BertieBott’s Every Flavour Beans”, with
flavours such rotten milk, spicy meat and sprouts.
An electronic circuit and plant root presented a screaming mandrake plant which caused quite a few screams before it could be silenced.
The last clue led them to a very dark tunnel, where learners had to overcome their claustrophobia in order to gain the code that would open their rewards. Learners each received a golden snitch to take away as a prize.
The MOTHS Battleaxe Shellhole functions are as follows: Monthly meetings: second Sunday of the month, 11am to 12 noon. Monthly social bring ‘n braai: fourth Sunday of the month, midday onward.
All ex-servicemen and their families are most welcome. Annual Remembrance Parade dates will be announced. Contact numbers: 082-454-5868 or 083-325-0000 or 060-8811791.
Every first Tuesday of the month
The Lower Albany Woodworkers Guild meets at various venues at 5.30pm for 6pm. All visitors and those interested in woodworking are welcome to attend. For further information contact the chairperson at 082-771-0009 or the secretary at 066-037-7985.
Every Sunday (starting 14 August 2022)
Ndlambe FM on the frequency 99.0 is pleased to announce the return of a classical music programme on Sunday mornings from August. 'Sunshine Classics,’ 10am to 12noon, is produced by Dave Cherry and presented by Sue Gordon and offers an eclectic selection of good music that has stood the test of time.
Third Sunday of every month
SA Legion hosts a lunch at Port Alfred Country Club, 12 noon for 12.30pm. R30 per person. All welcome.
1820s Golf every Monday and Thursday
At 8.30am sharp at the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club. A 13-hole round of social and friendly golf is played off the blue tees. No bookings required.
Every Monday at 9.30am and every Wednesday at 10am
Healing Horses Therapeutic Centre 15km on the R72 just after Riet River. Visitors and prospective volunteers welcome. For further information and/or directions call 078-346-5412.
Every Monday at 5.15pm
Club Netball – Mixed teams at the PAHS netball courts. Everyone is welcome to play. Call Johaliza on 083-306-9882 for more info.
Tuesday to Saturday
Kowie Museum open, 9.30am to 12.30pm, old station building next to police station. ‘The Historic Hub of Port Alfred’. R20 adults, R10 children.
Every Wednesday from 2pm to 8pm
Port Alfred Tennis Club. Everyone is welcome for social tennis and fellowship. A bring and braai after with cash bar available. Contact 082-329-3399 for more info.
Every Friday from 9am to 12pm
The Petticoat Lane Charity Shop is open. The shop is located next to the Sikhulisa Skills Centre, opposite the Police Station on Pascoe Crescent.
Thursday August 11 at 4pm
Doug Bullis will present a talk titled Does the Universe need God? at the University of the 3rd Age (U3A) meeting in the Don Powis Hall in Settlers Park Retirement Village, Port Alfred. This talk will not discuss God or gods that relate to humans. Doug will be talking only about the universe itself. It may surprise people to know that the universe has a number of properties that resemble the metabolisms of our more familiar cells, animals, and human bodies. Doug will discuss and illustrate those, then pose the question whether or not the universe is self-created or requires some sort of unknown energy and intelligence to pop it into existence. All welcome. Meeting Fee: R5 (members), R10 (visitors). For more information, contact Gwynn 083-678-5050.
Friday August 12 at 5pm
Join the Makana Community Orchestra. Play an instrument? Want a regular place to play music? Keen to meet other musicians? All welcome to an introductory meeting on Friday 12 August at 5pm. More information from Anna Talbot: a.talbot@ru.ac.za or call 046-603 -7667.
Saturday August 13 at 8am
Park Run at the town hall.
Saturday August 13 at 10am-2pm
Red Apple Farmer’s Market at Bushmansriver with a variety of stalls to stroll through, including local crafts and produce, kiddies events and so much more. Contact 066-013 -0875 for more info.
Diaz Deep Sea Club monthly fishing competition at Kenton-OnSea. Entry fee is R50 per angler. For more information, contact Jessie Lester on 079 149 5876.
Sunday August 14 at 9am-12pm
Bathurst Farmers’ Market at 237 Kowie Rd, Bathurst. Fresh produce, artisan cheeses, breads, gingerbread goodness, sweet treats, quiches, jams, preserves, food stalls, handcrafts & more.
Monday August 15 at 6pm
Grant Fowlds will launch ‘Rewilding Africa: restoring the wilderness on a war-ravaged continent’ at the R.D Mckenzie Art Gallery in Wharf Street, Port Alfred. Conservationist Grant Fowlds lives to save and protect Africa's rhinos, elephants and other iconic wildlife, to preserve their habitats, to increase their range and bring back the animals where they have been decimated by decades of war, as in Angola, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This vivid account of his work tells of a fellow conservationist tragically killed by the elephants he was seeking to save and a face-off with poachers, impoverished rural people exploited by rapacious local businessmen. A former Pineapple Tournament star, Fowlds hails from Sidbury and was educated at St Andrew’s College.
Thursday August 18 at 10am
Lower Albany Historical Society (LAHS) Meeting have invited speaker, Dr Stephanie Victor, Curator of the Amathole Museum, King William’s Town to present a talk titled ‘Petitioning Power: The Xhosa female elite addressing their grievances to Government 1839-1884’ at the Don Powis Hall at Settlers Park. All welcome. Meeting Fee: R5 (members), R10 (visitors). For more information, contact Gwynn 083-678-5050.
Saturday September 3 from 10am
Cross country development and schools league at the Bathurst showgrounds (hosting venue for Qhayiya Primary School). For enquiries on how to enter contact Mr Melikhaya Dyubele on 068143-6276 or email mbobelanamm@gmail.com. Entry fee is R20 per person. Project coordinator Vuyo Nkayi (UEAC Athletics Club) 061-889-376
upperegoexperience@gmail.com
Saturday September 3 at 10am
Friends of Waters Meeting Nature Reserve: Fascinating Fungi - Prof Jo Dames of the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at Rhodes University looks at the fungal kingdom and explores how it impacts our lives every day, from bread and wine making to the cycling of nutrients in nature. 10am at Pike’s Post at the Ploughman Pub (in the grounds of the Bathurst Agricultural Museum) in Bathurst. For more info, email
friendsofwatersmeeting@gmail.com
Saturday September 10 from 10am
Cross country development and schools league at Kenton Primary School (hosting venue for Ikamvalesizwe Combined School). Contact: Vuyo Nkayi 061-889-376 upperegoexperience@gmail.com Project coordinator Vuyo Nkayi (UEAC Athletics Club)
Saturday September 24 from 10am
Cross country development and schools league at El Shaddai Christian School. Contact Justin Dollery 079-793-0385 jjdollery@gmail.com. Coordinator Vuyo Nkayi 061-889 -376