Makana Sharp

30/07/2021

Lockdown Level 4 did not stop the arts festival, and could not deter Amazwi South African Museum of Literature from launching an avalanche of books. Amazwi, known throughout South Africa for hosting book launches, had a full line-up from 8 to 18 July 2021.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/30/literature-extravaganza-at-national-arts-festival/

29/07/2021

The Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) has implemented a cutting-edge technology solution that will enhance its ability to distribute royalties on behalf of its members.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/25/hi-tech-solution-to-boost-samro-royalty-distribution/

29/07/2021

Life is difficult in Makhanda/Grahamstown at the moment. We have been battling the Covid epidemic for a year and recently the entire town was shut down because of the strike which highlighted the shocking state of affairs of the town and the poor service delivery on the part of the municipality. Through it all, the little shop in Pepper Grove Mall, which sells just about everything from delicious country favourites, chicken pies, home-baked cakes to brownies, knitted toys, crocheted toilet roll covers – Home Industries – has stayed open – except for a brief closure in the worst, early days of Covid. And now, in the winter of 2021, we are celebrating our 50th birthday.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/25/home-industries-celebrates-50-years/

28/07/2021

New round of Standard Bank - Arts Ovation Awards! 👏👏

The Standard Bank Ovations Awards recognise works on the Fringe that stand out. Our panel of judges watch, deliberate and watch again, all the shows on the National Arts Festival Fringe to find the gems and award them a well deserved Standard Bank Ovation. These shows will bear the Standard Bank Ovation sticker so be sure to catch them and join us at the Standard Bank Ovation Awards Ceremony this Saturday 31st of July when we announce the Gold, Silver and Bronze Award winners in a live streamed event!

28/07/2021

Somerset Street traffic circle and St Andrew's Chapel, Makhanda, with long exposure light trails Makana Tourism

28/07/2021

Take an interactive, virtual tour of 2020 Standard Bank Young Artist for Visual Art Blessing Ngobeni's extraordinary exhibition 'Chaotic Pleasures' available on our website: https://bit.ly/36YytYI - it's free!

Standard Bank - Arts

This work is Genocide of a Beautiful Mind, 2019 - a piece from the exhibition.

28/07/2021

28/07/2021

Why was it so cold last week? Ian Meiklejohn, Head of the Department of Geography at Rhodes University explains. He lectures in geomorphology, climatology and environment change.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/28/the-week-the-antarctic-came-to-makhanda/

28/07/2021

Ecosystems on land changed so much during the Devonian Period that it is almost impossible to imagine. At the beginning of that period, about 420 million years ago, there were few plants on the landscape. They lived close to bodies of water and most were less than ankle high. Towards the end of the period, 60 million years later, the land was covered in a huge variety of plant life, including forests of trees. Makhanda palaeontologist, Dr Rob Gess, has had the unique opportunity to study plants at both the beginning and end of this significant period.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/25/bracketing-the-devonian-period-in-the-eastern-cape/

27/07/2021

. . . cautiously

27/07/2021

Elizabeth Davies was born in Evans Street and has lived there all her life. In the late 80s, when she was a child, they used to swim in the river. But around 20 years ago, it started to get too dirty to even wade in. Elizabeth was heartbroken at the progressive degradation of the river and its surrounds. Enter the River Rescuers.

Elizabeth Davies was born in Evans Street, Makhanda, and has lived there all her life. In the late 80s, when she was a child, they used to swim in the river....

27/07/2021

OUR NEXT FEATURED POET | CHRIS MANN TRIBUTE EVENING 📚
Monday 02 Aug 2021
19:30 SAST (link below) 💻

A tribute to Chris Mann, Emeritus Professor of Poetry at Rhodes University and founder of Wordfest South Africa, who died on 10 March 2021. Douglas Skinner, who knew Chris as a fellow writer and as a poetry editor, will discuss Chris’s 15th poetry collection, Palimpsests, which was released from Dryad Press in July of this year. Poet and long-time host of Reddits poetry, Harry Owen, will read selected poems from the book.

After the break, the audience will be invited to read their favourite Chris Mann poem coupled with an anecdote about him. There will be no open mic.
⭐ Join Zoom Meeting ⭐
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4216056011?pwd=eW1sSTVsRWgxcmp2bFpDdkQzZjJHdz09

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Join the mailing list: https://bit.ly/OTWmailinglist
See the schedule: https://bit.ly/OTWschedule
Visit the website: https://bit.ly/OTWwebsite

26/07/2021

In a bid to drum up support for its artists, the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) is appealing to South Africa’s big corporates to book exclusive online performances for staff working from home.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/26/book-online-performances-samro-urges/

26/07/2021

The Amazwi South African Museum of Literature is saddened to hear of the passing of the former South Africa minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Ben Ngubane, in the early hours of 12 July 2021.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/26/rip-dr-ben-ngubane-1941-2021/

26/07/2021

The National Department of Forestry, Fishery and the Environment’s Working on Fire firefighters from Eastern Cape continue to be on the high alert.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/26/tough-winter-fire-season-for-eastern-cape/

25/07/2021

Royalty payments ranging from R100 to R250 000 are waiting to go to more than 6000 South African musicians and composers who are members of music rights administrator SAMRO.
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/25/samro-call-for-artists-composers-to-update-banking-details/

25/07/2021

A few weeks ago, we published the heart-warming story of anti-poaching dog Sammy’s retirement in GMDirect, the weekly PDF edition. As we were about to publish it online a few days later, the news came that Sammy had been lost. Read here first about Sammy’s well earned rest at her new home, the heartbreak of losing her… and the joy of finding her again. All stories and photos courtesy Amakhala Game Reserve and the Chipembere Rhino Foundation
https://www.grocotts.co.za/2021/07/25/k9-sammy-from-happiness-to-heartbreak-to-joy/