Grand & Great Stuff

30/06/2025

HARRISMITH MALL OPENS ITS DOORS

Situated at the corner of N5 and N3 national roads, Harrismith has opened its doors for the first time ever in the history of this eastern Free State town.
The Harrismith Mall gets in the list of malls that have been built along the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban. Among those malls are:
* Heidelberg Mall in Heidelberg, Gauteng Province
*Liberty Midlands Maill in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal Province
*The Pavillion in Durban, Kwazulu Natal Province

30/06/2025

Ask of any sport played and loved in the townships. Many will tell you of soccer. They just love soccer. They love it. Ibola, bolo diski, football. ...

30/06/2025

The Durban July: A Legacy of Glamour, Racing, and Cultural Evolution

The Durban July, officially known as the Hollywoodbets Durban July, is South Africa’s most prestigious horse racing event and one of the biggest social and fashion events on the African calendar.

Held annually at Greyville Racecourse in Durban since 1897, the event has grown far beyond its original identity as a premier horse racing competition. Today, the Durban July represents a dynamic blend of sport, fashion, entertainment, and cultural expression.

Getting an invite or even being around Durban in the first week of July is something to behold. There is so much to see and do that you get tired before even leaving your home away from home.
I have been lucky enough to attend many of these events before leaving active journalism over a decade ago.
Attending one last year after so many years just showed me I no longer have stamina to jump from marquee to marquee in the name of fun, I just want one marquee with food, liquor, music and people who understand that we here for fun not for long meaning good vibes.

The Durban July began as a simple horseracing meet and as the decades progressed, it became a national spectacle, with the prize money, prestige, and public interest growing substantially.

What began with a handful of elite horses now draws top contenders from across South Africa, with millions of rands at stake. The race day features a full programme of racing events, but the headline race, the Durban July Handicap, remains the crown jewel but I do check out the 13th race the most cause that's where men run 100m naked,its hilarious.

Fashion also takes centre stage and the Durban July had embraced a uniquely South African identity, with designers, celebrities, and influencers treating the event as a fashion runway. Each year comes with a new theme, challenging attendees to push creative boundaries. Designers from across the country showcase avant-garde looks, with everything from traditional African prints to futuristic couture on display.

South Africa’s biggest music artists and DJs are regularly featured on the lineup,Thebe brought the house down in Gushima marquee with his kwaito songs last year ( I love kwaito music so might be biased there)
Being in a marquee doesn't come cheap either so you must have deep pockets to be able to afford everything from flights, hotels, attires for the weekend and to get to after parties.

The Durban July brings in hundreds of millions of rands to the KwaZulu-Natal economy each year. Hotels, restaurants, transport services, and informal traders all benefit from the influx of local and international visitors. The event also provides a platform for emerging fashion designers, musicians, and small businesses.

Attending the Durban July is not just about horse racing,it’s about making a statement and creating memories and I believe a person must experience that event even if it's only once in your lifetime,it's worth talking about all the debauchery taking place.

The Durban July has become more than just an event,it’s a cultural institution. As it continues to evolve, the Durban July remains a vibrant reflection of the country's spirit, passion, and flair for celebration. Whether you're there for the races, the fashion, the music, or the atmosphere, one thing is certain—Durban July is where style meets legacy.

By Sonia Motaung

18/06/2025

Father's Day fine moments as we enjoyed lunch with fathers on Sunday at Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa church in Namahadi, Frankfort.

05/06/2025

FASCINATED BY THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF WILGE RIVER WATERFALLS

The scenic beauty of the Eastern Free State is on display at Wilge River Waterfalls.
The waterfalls are found on Waterfall farm, a few kilometres outside Van Reneen, which is on the N3 National Road between Harrismith and Durban.
Wilge River is a tributary of Vaal River. Among other towns, this river passes through Harrismith and Frankfort.
There is one small waterfall and the other big one, which also offers natural water pools for the visitors.

Visit Grand and Great Stuff You Tube channel to watch an exciting video.

29/05/2025

HARRISMITH SOCIAL ACTIVIST HELPS FIND MISSING THABA NCHU GIRLS

Following his brave act of helping find Thaba Nchu girls who went missing from their homes, Harrismith social activist Collen Tshediso Charlie is pleased with the role he played in locating the teens.

The two girls went missing from their homes for about three weeks. They were reported to the South African Police Service as missing persons.

Their families and the police were alerted that the girls were spotted somewhere around Harrismith in the Eastern Free State.

With the assistance of the police, Charlie went searching for girls and this week found them alive somewhere around the Harrismith town.

"The girls were a sorry sight when we found them. They were also in a desperate situation. We also involved the social workers to interview them and properly assess their conditions and state of mind," said Charlie.

A father of one the girls, Patrick Tshabalala, of Thaba Nchu thanked Charlie for his act of bravery. "This gentleman helped us a lot," he said

Charlie is the founder of Masbonisaneni Sonke Project, a non-governmental organisation based in Intabazwe, Harrismith, in the Eastern Free State in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality.
This organisation is known for many community welfare projects in Intabazwe, Harrismith, the surrounding areas of Tshiame A, Tshiame B, Makholokoeng and Qwaqwa.

28/05/2025

THE BEAUTIFUL SIGHT OF NATURE

For the love of horses. These are the Ponies.

Grazing leisurely on the outskirts of town.

Among the common pony breeds are the Shetland, whose docile nature and good endurance make it desirable as a pack animal and a riding horse for children; the Welsh, a hardy breed with fine endurance and style; the Welsh Cob, noted for its high-stepping action; the Exmoor and Dartmoor, native to the moors of Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall, England, and now used to breed polo ponies; and the Highland, a thick, gray saddle animal. This is according to Britannica Encyclopedia.

28/05/2025

https://youtu.be/fhpDVw7hnLI?si=gZzX2W3k4UvAUkXI

The beautiful sight of nature. For the love of horses. These are the ponies as they graze leisurely on the outskirts of town.

25/05/2025

AFRICA DAY MARKED WITH A CALL TO JUSTICE, UNITY AND A MOVE FORWARD

The African Union commemorates Africa Day 2025 with a renewed call to justice, unity, and shared progress. Speaking on behalf of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, delivered a stirring address reflecting Africa’s historic journey while calling for bold steps toward a just and prosperous future.

This year’s theme, “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations,” honours the memory of those who suffered under slavery and colonialism, while asserting the right of Africa and its diaspora to truth, justice, and restoration. “While justice and reparations remain long overdue,” the Chairperson affirmed, “Africa will not be held hostage by the pain of its past.”

He continued:

“Africa continues to sacrifice and strive towards freedom from conflict, underdevelopment, and war. The continent is steadily building a future of peace, prosperity, and integration.”

H.E. Youssouf highlighted Africa’s strategic assets: a youthful and growing population, vast arable land, rich mineral wealth, and abundant renewable energy potential. With its population expected to exceed 2.5 billion by 2050, Africa is not only the continent of the future—it is the engine of global transformation.

The Chairperson also noted the resilience of African economies, with many countries achieving macroeconomic gains and even double-digit growth prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. He commended the dynamism of African youth and women, who are leading community transformation and innovation across the continent.

Africa’s evolving role in global governance was a central focus of the address. The continent’s membership in the G20 was hailed as both “a well-deserved participation” and a “global recognition of Africa’s importance.”

“It is our duty as Africans,” he said, “to safeguard our resources and prioritise value addition through transformative initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Africa must no longer be an afterthought in global geopolitics.”

In conclusion, the Chairperson issued a resounding call to action:
“Let us reaffirm our shared values and take rightful ownership of our future on the global stage. Pan-Africanism was forged through the dreams and determination of our people—but also through strategic foresight. Let us honour that legacy with bold, united action.”

As Africa Day 2025 is marked across the continent and in the diaspora, the African Union calls on all Africans to stand tall in their identity, to pursue justice with courage, and to shape the continent’s future with confidence and pride.

03/05/2025

It’s time to examine the impact of AI on news as the world marks the World Press Freedom Day

Today the 3rd of May marks the World Press Freedom Day. And as this day is being commemorated, the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has joined its global peers in examining artificial intelligence’s (AI) impact on journalism, media sustainability, and press freedom.

UNESCO’s 2025 theme is “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” Sanef concurs with UNESCO that we need to focus on the “profound influence of AI on journalism and media,” given that it serves both as an advantage and a disadvantage to the sector.

“AI is transforming journalism, providing tools that enhance investigative reporting, content creation, and fact-checking. It allows for greater efficiency, multilingual accessibility, and improved data analysis. However, these tech advancements also have risks: AI-generated misinformation and disinformation, deepfake technology, biased content moderation, and surveillance threats to journalists. Additionally, AI’s role in the media business model raises concerns about fair remuneration for journalistic content and media viability,” said UNESCO.

Sanef continually addresses the threats and opportunities posed by technology, social media, and artificial intelligence, particularly in the context of the dwindling resources in newsrooms. This year, we will amplify our voice on the global platform by participating in the UNESCO World Press Freedom event in Brussels, represented by Secretary-General Prof Glenda Daniels who will address the gendered, cultural, racial, language and class bias that’s inherent in the present Ai tools which generate content, as well as speak to the Social Media for Peace Campaign that will become a global effort.

Sanef also wishes to emphasise the importance of journalist safety in light of disinformation and cyberbullying, which not only undermine public trust but also threaten the well-being of news staff; thus, Sanef conducts safety and wellness workshops to ensure the protection of journalists.

This year marks 32 years since the UN General Assembly proclaimed World Press Freedom Day. In South Africa, the significance of this day is more pronounced as it comes five days after the national Freedom Day that is celebrated on 27 April, marking the day the country ushered in a democratic dispensation.

“One of the best things about South Africa is that media freedom is not just something that is the lifeblood of our democracy, but also it is one of the constitutional rights and pillars that underpin our democratic order. In this regard, because of our history, press freedom is a right that we all fought for and which we all hold dear as one of the foundations and the bedrock of our democracy. This is one thing that as a country we can be proud of, despite all our challenges.

“Over the past 31 years since the dawn of democracy, there is a consensus across the whole political spectrum that for democracy to thrive, journalists have a big role to play in disseminating information so that we can have an informed citizenry. Although there could have been some incidents over the past 31 years that might have caused jitters and tested our commitment to press freedom. However, by and large, we can say that we are better off than many countries, and as we have seen recently, even the so-called old democracies. However, this means that we should always be vigilant and defend this much-cherished freedom of the media because it’s the oxygen that makes our democracy to thrive,” says chairperson of the Sanef Media Freedom Sub-Committee, Slindile Khanyile.

Sanef is alarmed by the huge losses of journalists’ lives in the escalating conflicts present in our world over the past three years, from the devastating war in Gaza to the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine and other perilous regions. Journalists are increasingly finding themselves fatally targeted in environments where freedom of the press is severely compromised. The chilling reality that journalists are paying the ultimate price for their commitment to reporting in these conflict zones should serve as a wake-up call for all of us. It underscores the urgent need for heightened protections for media professionals and a collective commitment to safeguarding the fundamental principles of free expression and a free press, which are essential for democracy and accountability in an increasingly volatile world.

29/04/2025

Was it an accident or not?

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola says an investigation into the mystery surrounding the disappearance of three police officers who went missing last week and whose bodies were recovered from a river in Centurion this week will reveal whether it was an accident or not.

Masemola was giving the latest update on Tuesday in Centurion on the missing officials and the discovery of the bodies from the Hennops River in Centurion.

“We are still searching for the VW Polo and our investigation is continuing. We don’t want to speculate at this stage what led to the discovery of these bodies in this river, whether it was an accident or not, our investigation will reveal those aspects once we find their vehicle,” said Masemola.

The National Commissioner said it had been a difficult six days for members of the South African Police Service and affected families as police searched everywhere for the three missing police officers, Constable Keamogetswe Buys, Constable Boipelo Senoge and Constable Cebekhulu Linda.

He said the high-level team tasked with investigating their disappearance spent sleepless nights combing the length and breadth of Gauteng, Free State and Limpopo.

Following all possible leads and after studying all evidence gathered, police investigation led them to area between the Grasmere Toll Plaza on the N1, past the Buccleugh interchange, onto John Voster drive.

On Monday, police investigation investigation and their search led them to the Hennops River in Centurion with the assistance of our drone pilots, cybercrime unit, HAWKS, Crime and counter-intelligence unit, SAPS and Gauteng Traffic Airwing as well as Bidvest Protea Coin Airwing.

“We first found pieces of vehicle parts believed to be of a VW polo along the N1 where we are standing at this moment that led us to the banks of the river where we found a Renault Kangoo panel van. Our SAPS and Tshwane divers immediately commenced with the search, where we discovered two bodies, one of the driver of the Renault panel van who it is just came to light that he is one of our employees attached to the Lyttleton Police Station and the second body was that of Constable Senoge. We had to abandon the search as it was already dark.

“This morning, the third body was discovered which is believed to be that of Constable Linda . We further found a fourth decomposed body, we are still trying to identify who this person is. Later this afternoon, we sadly found the fifth body of Constable Buys.

“The families were taken to the mortuary where they identified the bodies of their children and loved ones,” said Masemola.

20/03/2025

Suffer little children

A child is still missing. The mother is on trial at a community centre in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.

This is the sad story of Joshlin Smith, who disappeared in February last year aged 6. Her mother, Kelly Smith, has been accused of orchestrating her kidnapping.

Joshlin’s story paints the sorry state of the vulnerability of many children in South Africa who go missing daily.

Missing Children South Africa’s statistics indicate that 77% of children are found. Sadly, this still leaves us with at least 23% of the children being either never found, trafficked or found deceased. Children are also the most vulnerable victims of gender-based violence.

“The reality is shocking and undeniable, and we can no longer be innocent bystanders to this fact.

“It can happen to your child!” warns Missing Children South Africa.