Teenagers Football Club

U18’S/TEENEGERS FOOTBALL CLUB

It was once said that Nathaniel Nyaluza is school that has been involved in shaping and developing Graham’s town east. From 1970 soccer was becoming famous and everybody wanted to play. There was a great migration of players from rugby to soccer. A man from Johannesburg Mr Monaheng who came to Eastern to work in police force was very influential in founding black soccer in Graham’s town. Rhodes University, Proteas, Wanderers and Defenders were already playing in Graham’s town Football association. The teams from Grahams town‘s west had the best football fields to play like Village green and Rhodes University soccer field. Now he is the president of the team he founded himselfsoccer. There were only four teams which were Early Birds and Young Tigers from Tantyi location Joza Callies and Eleven Attackers from Joza location. The Grahams town‘s east soccer under Grassa –Grahams towns  soccer association banner .These teams were playing at Egazini field a home ground to teenagers’ Forleys ground in Tantyi  home ground of Early Birds and J.D Dlepu stadium for Joza teams.

In 1975 there was a student uprising, where students’ were joined by the community and their teachers to fight against the medium of instruction which was Afrikaans amongst other things. During that time of a state of emergency people were not allowed to walk in groups or gather as group even indoors. Funerals were only attended by the family and relatives with proof documents. It is true that politics in Graham’s town were led by the students particularly the youth not only from eastern side of Graham’s town, but the west as well  .Students from Rhode University played a major role in fighting the Apartheid regime. Only sport gatherings were allowed not assessed by the police or the peacemakers. So now that they were a team they were able to attend their fellow comrade’s funerals by that time all the political parties were banned by South African government; political activists were getting arrested or getting lost and found dead. So politics operated underground.

A group of students sat in Nathaniel Nyaluza and came up with an idea of a soccer club and a name that will belong in Fingo village. Mr Phila Nkayi now a member of parliament, Rocky who was once a ward councillor Kaya Ntlanjeni, Mthunzi Kolweni and others found a team called U18 later called Teenagers. Their players broke away from the Early Birds and became U18s players’ .As the name suggests, under eighteens, the club targeted the youth. The youth of seventies became the hope for the better future. Youth was the most targeted groups by the police and peacemakers .This team of great minds brought or recruited different racial groups under one flag of Teenagers’ football club. Since they were at foundation stage the needed sponsors for soccer jerseys’ .They approached Fort England hospital for the mentally ill for the assistance of the uniform .Indeed during match days they were borrowed jerseys to play with and return it afterwards.

Captain of Frazier's Chiefs, Mnyamezeli Ngoqo on the left
receiving a floating trophy from the chairman of the soccer board

Since teenagers’ football club was not just a soccer club but a movement started by the youth of Fingo village.Though it was from fingo it recruited people of different races more specially those who were influential in politics like Ashwin Desaily an Indian guy from Rhodes university and van harden who was the journalist .Since the joining of the guys from Rhodes University who had some resources to organize some sponsors for a soccer kit. The first sponsor that was offered to them was from a furniture shop which was Fraser furniture’s but there was a slightly problem. The furniture shop wanted the team to change its name to Frasers Chiefs. The team split into two because of the sponsor and a name change. Those who seemed so desperate for the soccer jerseys broke away from U18s and formed Frazier's Chiefs. This side became the headache for Teenagers on a soccer pitch with players like Mnyamezeli Ngoqo who was their Captain. These two teams brought large numbers of fans to the stadiums to witness the high competence of the teams eventually they found a sponsor from an Indian hair product shop “Jacks Narks”. So gold and black were the colours of the team. When K.W.A.S.B.O Kwazakhele Board of selectors was in Graham’s town for selection of players, they selected a striker of U18s Tindoda Kulati for scoring five goals in a match.

In 2012 South Africa is talking about social cohesion, sport evidently is one of the most effective tool of breaking social and racial boundaries from way back. We also witness that during the 2010 soccer World cup which we were the hosts and that disappeared after the completion. 

(Story not complete)   

Dakawa Art centre

DAKAWA ART CENTER 

Dakawa Art Center as it looks today.

The centre started in Tanzania in 1986 as part of the African National Congress’s (ANC) initiative to create opportunities for vocational skills. It was called Dakawa project and it was at the base camp which was 60 kilometres north of Mazimbu where the famous Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College was based.

With the help of the Swedish International Development Agency, it was relocated in Grahamstown in 1992 at Froude Street in coloured area where it still stands today. The relocation occurred after the suspension of hostilities between the liberation movements (MK, APLA etc.) and the South African Government. The ANC withdrew its role at the centre to ensure the centre would be self-sustaining and a minimum involvement from the government. The centre was at a late stage given to the community to function as a community centre, assisting the Grahamstown community. People like Vusi Khumalo and Siphiwo Lubambo were the ones who started the Dakawa project back in Tanzania.

These are some of the things you can find at the center, the studios
that host these activities needs immediate attention as they are in bad condition

Presently the Dakawa art centre is under the department of Sport, Recreation Arts and Culture (DSRAC). In means of sustaining the centre, one of the studios was converted into a hall. This hall host performances, conferences and exhibitions among other things. Recently there was a black rugby exhibition about the history of black rugby in Grahamstown.



A mural on the front wall of Dakawa Art center, painted by local artists. 



Every year during the Grahamstown National Arts Festival the Art centre host some of the festival’s performances and exhibitions. One of Grahamstown’s artist held a solo exhibitions during the 2012’s Arts Festival edition.

For Dakawa Art Centre function in a solid and productive way it needs funding and proper management of the centre. At the moment renovation and equipments are the main priorities for the centre. These equipments will help in both developing the community in Arts and sustaining the center. 

By: Jongikhaya Mene       

Is your untold history among these?

  

Taste the Project 200 Years honey that the Busy Bees team has been making. Here are some of the missing histories, especially that of Grahamstown East.   

Visit the Busy Bees website to read and downlad these stories that the Busy Bees team has researched . . . and send your valuable input, or your own history, or your family history, or your school history, or your community history, or your church history, or your sport club history, if you are also interested to see it published among these, to: busybees200@gmail.com  

Old Bakery

Mary Waters High School History

Makana

Sugar Loaf

A man behind the Name

The Train Station

U18's / Teenagers Football Club

Wathint' Abafazi, Wathint' Imbokodo
(You struck a Woman, You struck a Stone)

St Mary's Complex

Dakawa Art Centre

The Grahamstown Outbreak

Kwa-Ndancama - 'The place where I give Up'

Slumming in the City

Best of Both Worlds

The Origins of Black Rugby

The History of Mary Waters High School

Mary Waters High School.

Front entrance of Mary Waters High School

Grahamstown is known for its education institutions. The town has a number of schools, some are even regarded as the best in the country and some can even compete with the world’s best. Most of the schools in this town are legacy of the missionaries that have settled in this town between the 1800s and 1900s. The churches have played a big role in the town’s education.

Mary Waters High

Mary Waters High School (then known as R.U.C. Coloured Practising School), in the other hand is the product of the then Rhodes University College, now Rhodes University, education department in 1940. The school was formed for two reasons; the first was to offer necessary teaching training for student-teachers of the College. And also to offer J.C courses (covered in Standard 7 &8), to coloured pupils. From this initiative Mary Waters High School was formed. The school was the first junior secondary school in the Albany Road area.

Mary Waters High School from western side 

 In this article, Professor Morton, one of the first teachers of the school recalls the first day of school. He still remembers that there were sixteen pupils of both sexes who came to start the school that year. Since the St. Clements’s Hall at the train station was occupied by the upper classes (standard 6) of the Coloured Primary School, they had to hold their classes in the Shaw Hall.

There was practically nothing to run the school as there was no money, but they managed to collect things to furnish the class. Prof Morton hadn’t taught in ten year before accepting this job, but according to him the curriculum was partly optional with English and Afrikaans being compulsory. Other subjects offered where Arithmetic, History, Geography, Physiology, Hygiene, and Latin. They taught using the syllabus of the Cape Education Department.

In 1941 the coloured Primary School moved to a building which was apparently built for a recreation hall just off the old King Williams Town (presumably Raglan Road). This development led to R.U.C Coloured Practicing School moving to St. Clements’s Hall. The move was very helpful since it meant there was going to be now two class rooms available for them to use.

Now, since there were two classes, a full-time teacher was needed. The College then, through the persuasion of Prof Morton, Miss Elspeth Naude (later Mrs Danckwert), who recently qualified from R.U.C, was appoint as a teacher. She taught English and Afrikaans.

The school, in 1955 experienced further challenges. Standard 6 was merged in the secondary school. This expansion made teaching and learning a challenge since there was limited teaching staff. On top of all of that, there were no funds to maintain the school since R.U.C was not obliged to spend money on the school. With no money to run the school, it was than decided to transfer the school from R.U.C to the schools board. Around 1955, the school came under the Cape Education Department. This shift took its toll on the relationship of the school and the R.U.C. The school’s present buildings opened in 1963, making the building 49 years old and the school 72 years old.

Miss Mary Waters

Miss Mary Waters

In 1942, Miss Mary Waters (after whom the school is named after), a retired teacher was appointed as lecturer in the Education Department at R.U.C and also to assist in the practicing school. She soon established herself as the main teaching force in the school. Those who knew Miss Waters, talk of her as a very influential being. She had a lot of energy and passion for teaching. During her time, it was very rare to see women study or work, but she was different from the stereotype view of woman. She is said to have cared little for fashion and was a heavy smoker.

Miss Waters was born in England. She moved to Africa with her family since her father and Grandfather where missionaries, her Grandfather being an Archdeacon and Father a reverend. Miss Waters was a very involved in the field of education. Before coming to Grahamstown she had worked in a number of missions across the Southern Africa doing education related duties. Her passion for education led her to be involved with various missions, as either a teacher or a principal. She was the principal of a Native Training College School in Pondoland, she also successfully organised demonstration classes for a Coloured Training School in Cape Town. Before she came to Grahamstown she was working in Windhoek, reviving a poorly equipped church school.

Miss Waters retired in 1942, and she was soon appointed as lecturer by the Education Department at R.U.C. Not only was she appointed as a lecturer, she was needed to also assist with the R.U.C. Coloured Practicing School. It was at this school where she had contributed extensively, not only education for the coloured community, but also personal lifestyle.

Mr. Muriel Wood, in his article published in the Grocott’s Mail of 15 December 2009 recalls Mary Waters as untidily dressed but a brilliant teacher. Wood says Mary Waters made Shakespeare live. She would act out the scenes for her class making set works like 'The Tempest 'and 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream' come to life.

Miss Mary Waters retired for the second time around 1958 a very old woman. On here way to Britain old habit came back again. She stopped at St. Helena Island to yet again take up a teaching position at a local school. It was at this island where she finally ‘rested in peace’. It said she died of heart attack while climbing the steep hills of the island, doing her teaching duties.

Former Principals

Mr Van Niekerk Headmaster from 1968-1973

In 1956, under the Cape Education Department, Mr R. Crozier was appointed as the first permanent principal of the school. Mr Crozier saw the expansion of the school throughout the years he was principal. He saw the school move in different buildings due to the increase of learners. Crozier was principal of the school for 12 years.

Mr Crozier Headmaster from 1956-1968

On Crozier’s retirement in 1968, Mr. Phillip Coetzee became acting principal until Mr Don Van Niekerk took the reigns. Van Niekerk left in 1973, leaving Mr Marcus Parsotam the Headmaster of Mary Waters High School. Mary Waters High School made history in 1993. Parsotam retired, leaving a former pupil who he had recruited, principal of the school. Mr Samuel Clyde Wessels Became the first and only principal of Mary Waters High School to have been taught at the school. These are just some of the teachers and principals who have played a huge role in ensuring the school becomes a success.

From pupil to Principal

In 1993 Samuel Wessels became the first principal of Mary Waters High School to have been taught at the school. Till today, he remains the only person to have done so and he  is still the principal of the school since 1993 making it 12 years since he took over from his mentor Mr Parsotam.

Wessels was born and bred in Grahamstown, a son of a builder and a house-wife. He had attended Mary Waters High from standard 6 till standard 10 (matric). Samuel matriculated in 1976, the year he describes as, ‘the year of school riots in South Africa. When our education was in turmoil, South Africa was burning. That was the year when our education was disrupted. Many of us eventually succeeded to pass matric’.

Mr Wessels Current Principal since 1993

Since the only university in Grahamstown, Rhodes University, was a White-Only university, he had to move from Grahamstown to Cape Town. He says the move was hurtful. ‘So, imagine me leaving my home-town with a University bordering on my door-step’, said Samuel.

He enrolled with the University of Western Cape, where he completed junior degree in education. Afterward he completed a teacher’s diploma.

Samuel wanted to continue with his studies, and he already had an office in Cape Town with the Office of Employment when his former principal and English teacher Mr Parsotam called and recruited him to fill in a teaching vacancy at the school. He says he got a call from Parsotam saying that 'he believed that I was finished with my studies, and I was needed to come back and assist at the school.'

It was in 1981 when he started as a young teacher at the school, recalls Samuel. He remembers not being able to socialise with his colleagues because of the age difference. He would spend most of his break time with the pupil since they where almost in the same group. ‘When I started here, the learners I left in standard 6 where now in standard 10 and we knew each other so I spent most of the time at the back with the learners instead of the staff room with the other teachers. He was then gradually promoted in the teaching profession. He started as a teacher, then, became the H.O.D of the History Department. Finally on Parsotam’s retirement, he became the principal.

Not only is he a passionate teacher, he also was the school’s rugby and athletics coach. During his reign as the rugby coach, the school was border champions for a number of years. Ten of his first team players where selected to represent the border schools rugby team, so he had to field his second team for that match. This was not the only time he had to play his second team because of the unavailability of the first team. During the 1980s unrest, about 10 of his first team players were arrested by the apartheid government for political reasons.

The School Buildings

Class rooms on the front building.

As mentioned the school started in Shaw Hall and then it moved to St. Clements Hall. Before it finally settled in the present building, it had held classes all around the coloured community, including the Sole Hall, Indian Temple and the Old Bakery in Albany Road. The present building was built around 1962 and the new school was opened on the 15^th of February 1963.

In 1993 a fire broke up in the school leaving 3 class rooms damaged. This was added pressure on an already over crowded school, due to an increase in the number of learners. With the help of GADRA, Mrs Thelma Henderson, and Anglo American Company, the school was renovated and more classes where built between 2003 and 2004.

Assembly block of the school

Former Learners

Lex Mpati, President of the Supreme Court of Appeals

Allister Coetzee, head Coach of the Stormers Rugby Franchise

Mary Waters High School has produced a number of scholars who have after leaving the school shined the light of the school, as it states in the school’s anthem. Some of the prominent leaders of this country of various fields are former pupils of this school. Lex Mphati  (judge in the court of appeal), Allister Coetzee (Stormers and Western Province rugby coach), Santy Daya (Professor at Rhodes University), Garth Van Heerden (Scientist, Institute of Ichthyology) and Bruce Wessels (Scorpions legal firm lawyer, also Samuel’s brother). These are some of Mary Waters High School former learners who have came on top and made a success of themselves. The school has produced students who can compete and contribute to the success of this country.

School Sport and Traditions

Matric learners of Mary Waters High School on the day of the Mud Bath

Mary Waters High School has traditions that are as old as the school and some adapted throughout the years of the school’s existence. In Grahamstown, when you ask people about the school, they will tell you about the school’s rich rugby history and it’s achievement of the school’s rugby team; most probably about the 1^st XV rugby team of 1996. This squad is considered the most successful 1^st rugby team the school has ever had. Mary Waters High School is known for their Black and White kit, resembling that of the New Zealand national rugby team. The kit is not the only thing the school shares with the All-Blacks; they too do the “Hakka”, a New Zealand tribe war dance originally done before warfare. The school has won numerous trophies for rugby and other sport codes. They have been champions in Grahamstown and other town tournaments throughout the years. Other than the Hakka, Mary Waters’s rugby team has another tradition they perform. This is an initiation for new players and old players who advance to a senior team. After the game the initiate runs through a tunnel of players while he is being smacked by his team-mates.

Some of the school's trophies they won over the years

The school’s matric class also participates in another old tradition of the school. The exact origins of this tradition are unknown. It is believed to have started during the mid or late 80s. The tradition involves the matriculants swimming in a mud bath in their school uniform. This happens every year on their last day of school just before the end of year exams. The reason is confusing, but the explanation that makes sense is that of Mr Jacob, a teacher and former learner of the school. He says the tradition resembles that of an Elephant. Elephants take mud baths to cool-off and to remove ticks and other parasites, so the learners, since they are done with the school, are cleansing themselves of high school, getting ready for the next step of their lives, University.  

Bully Day

Coffin bearers at Bullie's funeral

Bully Day was a day that was used to commemorate the death of Aliston “Bully” Kohl. Bully Kohl is a pupil who was shot during a funeral by the police of the apartheid government on the 12^th of May 1985. Bullie was not only a student at the school; he was also a member of the school’s SRC and also part of GYM (Grahamstown Youth Movement). GYM was a political movement that fought for the rights of the youth in the coloured community of Grahamstown. 
He was also a soccer player, he played for the school’s soccer team and part of the reason he went to the funeral was because of soccer. According to transcripts of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s case of 17 May 1996 in East London, Bully went to the funeral to say his final goodbyes to a respected soccer opponent he had knew from their playing days. He was shot at this funeral when it was disrupted by the police of that regime.
 Ever since that time till some years ago, pupils of Mary Waters High School have always observed the12th of May as Bully day. On this day learners, teachers and community members would gather for a prayer and speeches, they will then advance to the burial grounds where Bully is buried to lay flowers and remember a hero who, through sport and politics did his part in the fight against the injustice of the apartheid government.

Mary Waters High School has undoubtedly, throughout the years experienced a lot of changes, and those changes are the reason the school is a success today. The school has faced every challenge brought about to it and came out on top. The school has a reach history, that if correctly documented and preserved, could inspire future generations to live up to the traditions of the school. As a former learner of this school, you have the courage and the ability to prosper like the former teachers, principals and learners of Mary Waters High School.

By: Theo Sinethemba Yame

Farm untold stories needed

By: Zongezile Matshoba

Dumisani Budaza, one of the four interns of the Busy Bees Project, joined Albany Museum’s celebrations of the Mandela Day. The Busy Bees team used its 67 minutes, encouraging parents and learners in four farms, Wilson's Party, Martindale, Zintle and Manley Flats, to speak out and tell their histories.

“I am also from around this area,” said Budaza. His family too had to move on because of certain circumstances in farms, including seeking better life.

Budaza said that these grade R to 7 learners will need to learn in the future about what happened to their parents and grandparents.

“Grahamstown East history is not written,” so is that of most farm workers. “Let us write our own history . . . our rich culture is on our hands,” further said Budaza, to the nod of many that were listening interestingly.

The Busy Bees Project was initiated by Albany Museum, with the financial support from the Makana Municipality. It is part of the Project 200 years.

MAKING A POINT: Dumisani Budaza, from the Busy Bees Project,
inviting farm children and parents to tell their stories
so that they could also be recorded.  

“Project 200 Years is about reconciliation … about unifying untold history and the written history,” Budaza allayed any fears.

The Busy Bees have a mammoth task of unearthing untold histories. The future of these children lies in knowing where farm workers come from, and where they are now.

"This is very important to have proper history, told by the farmers themselves, and written by people that you know and trust".

Budaza and his team are much interested in it, or in helping the farm workers to record their own history.

The other members of the Busy Bees team are Sinethemba Yame, Jongikhaya Mene and Elron Kleinhans.

Old Bakery Building

Old Bakery (Albany Road)

The Old Bakery Building in Albany Road as it is Today

In the early 1900s Grahamstown was booming with business. One of the strong businesses in the area was General stores and bakeries. The reason why these types of businesses were booming is because of the demand of what they had to offer the communities. The need for food, and bread ensured a regular income for these businesses.

Grahamstown had quite a few bakeries during these times. Legend has it that since the time Jan Van Riebeeck occupied a property here in Grahamstown, bakeries were a needed service in the area. It is believed that even the famous Dutchman also baked bread in this town. Some of the known bakeries in the area include Dick’s Bakery and Paulo’s Bakery, to name just two. In the written history of the Grahamstown we have not anything documented about one bakery. This bakery is arguably the oldest bakery in Grahamstown, and there is no information we could find in relation to the bakery other than our source Bruce Evan. Bruce has been living at the premises where the bakery was since 1958.

Bruce Evans and Family

Bruce Evans, the last child in a house of seven children was born in 1957. His parents were very religious and strict. He spent most of time while growing up with his mother. He did not go out a lot to socialise with his peers. The only time he would visit people would be either to church or his aunt in

Trotter Street

. The Evans family moved to number 62 Albany Road (Old Bakery) on the 1^st of April 1958, Bruce was only 8 months old at that time. His close relationship with his mother is the main reason he knows about their history prior the move to

Albany Road

. He recalls during one of the interviews that his mother would tell him stories about the life they lived before he was born. Out of the six siblings, four still survive.

The Evans Family; Bruce Evans is standing in the middle of his Father and Mother

The Old Bakery

Although there is no information on the Bakery itself, we managed to get some information on the building and the role it played in the Coloured community. The building was owned by at least three parties before 1948 till the Evans family bought the property from the Albany Perfection Bakery (Proprietary) Limited in 1958. According to the Deed of Transfer supplied Bruce Evans, in 1948, on the 2^nd of October, Arthur Eli Abrahams a qualified Conveyancer on behalf of the Albany Perfection Bakery bought the property from Athol Gerald Green (presumed the owner). For the next ten years we had no information on the running and dealings of the Bakery. On the 15^th of February 1958 Leonides Basil Michealides, the Director of Albany Perfection Bakery (Proprietary) Limited, on behalf of the company sold the property to William Joseph Evans for Nine Hundred Pounds (£900) following resolution of a Board of Directors’ meeting held earlier here in Grahamstown. The reason(s) the company decides to sell their property are unknown to us, we can speculate whether it was because of financial reasons or the owners of the company decided to move away from Grahamstown.

Above: Three Deed of Transfers showing change of ownership of the property these Deeds of Transfer dates back to the 1940s to the 1960s. They were provided by Bruce Evans.

The Role of the Old Bakery Building

  

The Rudeless Gym sign. The building was once used as a
gym by community youth.

Without information on the Bakery itself the next question will be what history the building can tell. Many people in the Coloured community testify to the role and assistance the building has given this community. As Bruce and many others recall, the building had served the community in many difficult times. For Bruce and his Family, they remember when his sister’s daughter had her wedding reception there. It must have been a happy day for the family since their investment had made a special day for the family very special.

The building was used for various purposes. At some point it was used by three local schools to run their classes there. The first school that used the building was Grahamstown Primary School (then known as Higher Mission School), than it was Mary Waters High School during this time the current building of the school was not yet born. George Dickerson also had classes held in the Old Bakery Building.

Other community events were hosted in this building as-well. According to Bruce and other sources, the building also hosted church services for different churches from the community. Bruce remembers that the Union Church also had their services hosted at the building. One of the most recent event or group to be hosted at the building was a Gym. The Rudeless Gym started to have Gym sessions in the building on the 25^th of January 1999. According to Bruce this Gym lasted for roughly 3-4 years.

It is undeniable that the building had served the community. From the time it was a bakery, selling bread to the community, to weddings and school classes, the building has really assisted the community. This building was there when the people of this community had nowhere else to go and provided its shelter to them. Whether it was for entertainment, education, faith and religion or simply a Gym, it had really “stood” by the people of the Coloured community. It is sad to see such a historic building being in the state it is now. This is a precious space that had stood the test of time and given the people of its community hope in times of despair. Community leader and the community as a whole owe this building a lot. It does not deserve the repayment it gets. This place has a history to tell the future generation and it should be preserved.


By: Sinethemba Yame

Grahamstown’s Students Uprising – the origins of June ‘76

Mandela - Grahamstown reflections

On 18 July 2012, Nelson Mandela celebrated his 94th birthday. His legacy  lives on, even in the City of Saints and Sinners, that is, Grahamstown.

In May 1996, Mandela was the first Black State President to be given the Freedom of the Grahamstown. In his speech, Mandela said that he "feel humbled to be counted as one of this city's citizens". He concluded by saying that he is thankful of the honour that had been bestowed on him, and "will always carry myself in a manner befitting a resident of Rhini".

A popular street used by public transport, was also changed from M Street to Mandela Street.

The Nelson Mandela student hall at Rhodes University has also been named after the former statesman, with his imposing bust at the entrance. The University also boasts one of the famous scholarships, the Mandela-Rhodes Scholarship. 

The Cock House, famous for visits by notable figures in business, sports, academic and politics, once hosted Mandela three times! Its home page lists Mandela as the most famous guests of them all, with the owners posing with the world reputable statesman. His comment is still on the guest house's guest comments page where he said "Best wishes to an institution whose staff is highly professional".

Ever since the start of the Nelson Mandela International Day, observed on 18 July that coincide with Mandela's birthday,Makana Municipality communities, businesses, NGOs and government departments have been taking part along with the rest of the world, devoting 67 minutes to make a difference in the livelihood of others. Grocott's Mail, the oldest independent community newspaper in South Africa, has dedicated enormous time to cover these efforts by the likes of Albany Museum championed by its Mobile Museum Services under the guidance of Nozipho Madinda. The Museum has been identifying and supporting four disadvantaged farm schools, Manley Flats, Zintle, Martindale and  Wilson Party. Donations collected from individuals, schools, the university and businesses have been handed to learners and parents in these schools.    

Nomzamo Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, former wife to Nelson Mandela, also graced Grahamstown in 2011, as leader of the Ministerial Sanitation Task Team that was investigating the bucket system throughout the country.  

As indicated earlier, Albany Museum also ensured it is not left behind. The Museum signed Memorandum of Agreements with the Nelson Mandela Museum in Umthatha, and the Robben Island Museum. That resulted in Makana Municipality learners being sent to the Nelson Mandela Youth Camp in Qunu, which is Mandela's birth place, to learn more about him and to follow is legacy. Nolubabalo Ralo from Extension 9 was also fortunate to benefit more as she was further chosen to go to the International Youth Camp in Germany. This was a result of other cultural agreements between Eastern Cape government in South Africa and that of Lower Saxony, Germany.    

In recent years, Albany Museum has hosted the Mandela-Luthuli: Making Peace Exhibition, and the Dear Mr Mandela, Dear Mrs Parks: Children's Letters, Global Lessons  Exhibition, and the 20 years remembrance since Mandela was released from prison. The Museum also developed specific education programmes based on these exhibitions where schools were taught about these leaders.  

By: Zongezile Matshoba

DSG / St Andrews Youth Day: Imagine and Reflect

http://gallery.saprepschool.com/index.php?/category/472

D.Budaza & J. Mene

Busy Bees explore collaborations

by: Zongezile Matshoba

The meeting that took place at Hill Street library on Wednesday afternoon opened numerous doors for the Busy Bees. In attendance were several representatives of the Makana Municipality’s funded projects, which are part of the Project 200 Years.

Interest and excitement showed immediately after the Busy Bees team has been introduced by Councilor Julia Wells from the municipality. Taking the stand on behalf of the team were Sinethemba Yame and Dumisani Budaza. They informed the meeting that the project aims to gather everyone’s experience and stories of living in Grahamstown that have never been recorded before, preserve it, and publish it online.

Several interesting projects promised to accelerate as Project 200 Years reaches halfway mark in June. These projects covered various aspects ranging from dance, theatre, book publishing, to career guidance, exhibitions and street festivals, based on the 12 themes that have been identified by the municipality.

Organizations that have been identified by the municipality to receive financial support include Amaphiko Dance Project, Upstart Youth Development Project, DSG and St Andrew’s Schools, Fingo Festival, Grahamstown NGOs coalition and Gadra.

One speaker even challenged the Busy Bees to rewrite the South African history that resulted in the June 1976 uprisings, claiming that it all started in Grahamstown in 1975 when Phila Nkayi, now an African National Congress member of parliament, led students to boycott Afrikaans as medium of instruction.      

Elron Kleinhans, another Busy Bees member then extended the invitation to all leaders of the funded projects to work closer with the Busy Bees so as to share information for the benefit of Grahamstown community. The success of the Busy Bees relies on stories like these, the missing links in the local and national history.  

Beside the 12 themes, Busy Bees are also interested in assisting local communities in writing their own histories. They are not focussing on people only, but at anything, event or place of interest such as the Recreation Hall, the beer hall, or the donkeys, for example that have become part of the history of this area. Anyone with a personal, family or group story to share must contact the Busy Bees team for an interview at Albany Natural Science Museum  (Somerset Street), or via the email: busybees200@gmail.com

The Journey has Began

The journey of collecting untold stories has taken off since the start of May. We are engaging with the public to participate in revealing their historical stories, experiences and life in Grahamstown.
The themes that have been identified  are:

1. Sport and Recreation
2. Migration and Movement
3. Human Rights
4. Wars and Conflict
5. Labour and Trade
6. Education and Youth
7. Arts and Culture
8. Women and Health
9. Heritage and Media
10. Environmental Awareness
11. Cultural Identity
12. Faith and Reconciliation   

We have identified and approached some individuals concerning the various themes. The areas that we have visited include Fingo Village, Scott's farm and the Albany Road area. We have also spoken to some Schools including George Dickerson and St Mary's Catholic School, we interviewed religious leaders from the Anglican denomination as well as other Faith Leaders. 

We urge the public to come forward and comment or provide their own histories. The Busy Bees team can be contacted at (046) 622 2312 ext 231.     

These are pictures of some Historical sites we have visited. 

The old bakery in Albany road. one of the family we
 interviewed has been living in this house since 1958

St Phillip's Church in E-Street (Kwa Mnqayi), the structure was
  built from 1862 - 67 it is one of the oldest structures in Grahamstown.

Busy Bees taking off!

Oral history plan takes offYoung Grahamstown-born academics to collect untold stories

BY DAVID MACGREGOR
Port Alfred Bureau


AN AMBITIOUS plan to send four Grahamstown university graduates into local townships
to painstakingly collect the almost forgotten history of people of colour in the City of
Saints is creating a buzz. Even though they are earning a small stipend
for their groundbreaking research, the excited young academics yesterday told the Dispatch
working on the Busy Bee project, started by Makana Municipality and the Albany Museum to
celebrate the establishment of Grahamstown 200 years ago, is still a dream come true.
After years of doing temporary work in diverse fields like IT, human resources and advertising,
27-year-old Rhodes University anthropology honours graduate Elron Kleinhans is counting the
days until he hits the dusty streets of Joza next month to start collecting the black oral history of
a town that was built on suspicion and conflict. “I am finally working in my field and I can’t wait
to start interviewing people and hearing their stories, ” Kleinhans said.

“It is important we get these untold stories out before they disappear forever.”
The energetic, four-person research team which is busy identifying themes to investigate
is a diverse mix of young Grahamstown-born academics keen to collect the untold stories of their
home town.

The rest of the team comprises social science graduates Dumisani Budaza, 25, and Sinethemba
Yame, 22, and fine arts graduate Jongikhaya Mene, 35. Themes that will be investigated include a
warts-and-all history of the people of Fingo Village who were given land rights in Grahamstown by
the British Empire as a reward for helping fight in the Frontier Wars – and the origins of their neighbours
in the nearby Hottentot settlement. Forced removals, the Black Consciousness
movement, black rugby, township schools, churches and liberation activists from King Makana to
Siphiwo Mazwayi will also be researched. According to Budaza and Yame a key component
of the research is to reconcile and unite Grahamstown.

“It is not about the money – we want to do something we love and give something back to the
community, ” Budaza said. Albany Museum manager Bongani Mgijima
yesterday said the Busy Bee project was designed to get communities involved in collecting their
own histories. “History is not only important for today it is important for future generations.”
Makana councillor and history professor Julie Wells, who has been driving the project, said Busy
Bees started after it became clear a good deal of Grahamstown’s history had never been recorded.

“The project is designed to help share technological skills as mini-histories can be very cheaply
produced in electronic formatting, combining old photos, text, voices and music.
“People can feel a sense of pride in telling the stories of their achievements, whether it be
schools, churches, sports groups, neighbourhood associations, stokvels or groups of workers.”
She said an aim of the project was to help achieve a greater balance and fuller picture of the
area’s rich and diverse history. “Part of the concept is to generate an interest in
‘social history’ which includes much of what we might call the ordinary stuff of everyday life,
looking at things like eating habits, recreation, rites of passage, cultural expressions and customs.
“Such stories can be told by anyone and everyone. “It is not about being rich or famous, just about
how we lived in days gone by. “Everyone from any walk of life can make a contribution.”

Busy Bees: Uncovering Grahamstowns History

The Busy Bees from the left: Sinethemba Yame, Elron Kleinhans,
Dumisani Budaza and Jongikhaya Mene

The Busy Bees Team is here, for me, for you, for us!

Albany Museum in collaboration with Makana Municipality in commomaration of the ,'Project 200 years', initiated the Busy Bees in 2012.

The Busy Bees consist of four local innovative Graduates, who will be unearthing the untold history of Grahamstown/iRhini. Grahamstown has a very rich history, our purpose is to visit the once marginlised areas of Grahamstown to engage and guide the public in the telling and preserving of the local history.

We urge the public in its united diversity to come forth with their family stories, pictures, letters and anything that is of importantce to the telling of the untold stories of our historically diverse city.

Your comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated, come forward and join in the re-telling of history.