“I am Eastern Cape” is part adventure, part documentary as Dispatch Politics set out in teams to gauge the mood of our province and listen to your expectations for the future against the back drop of the municipal elections on May 18.
Mt Frere villager 'will vote' despite slow service delivery

Mt Frere villager ‘will vote’ despite slow service delivery

It was a case of dreams half deferred when  former President Thabo Mbeki kept his part of  his promise and delivered water tanks, gardening tools and pit-latrine toilets to Semeni  villagers in Mount Frere two years ago, writes Mayibongwe Maqhina.
Races get by in Middelburg

Races get by in Middelburg

Like most Karoo towns, Middelburg  is still divided by colour – but as day  turns to night, the race line begins to  fade, reports Michael Kimberley.
‘I am Eastern Cape’ road trip starts

‘I am Eastern Cape’ road trip starts

Starting Monday, the Dispatch will set off across the Eastern Cape for three weeks to meet  readers in towns big and small to  listen to the voices of our people  ahead of local government elections.
Latest entries
Empowered youth revive their community

Empowered youth revive their community

With help from its former youth scattered around the country, Middelburg in the heart of the Karoo is making great strides in returning to its former glory. Most small towns like Middelburg are often crippled by the effects of rural-urban drift as the youth leave to seek employment and a better life elsewhere. Instead, young...
Ruling party doing ‘okay’ in Cradock’

Ruling party doing ‘okay’ in Cradock’

Five days on the road and almost  1000km later we arrived at our final  destination – the serene, but typical  Karoo farming town of Cradock, reports Michael Kimberley.
There and back

There and back

Five days on the road. We travelled well-over a 1000 km and shook hands with dozens of people. To be honest, we can’t wait to get home to ‘’slummies’’. Before heading home, we stopped off in Cradock and had lunch with some of the locals.
Sobukwe ‘would not be proud of us’

Sobukwe ‘would not be proud of us’

In the realm of South African politics – and the world – Pan Africanist  Congress (PAC) founder Robert  Sobukwe is a celebrated anti-apartheid struggle icon, reports Michael Kimberley.
Stepping into yesteryear

Stepping into yesteryear

Arriving in Middleburg you immediately think of Knysna or George – it has that old coastal feel. The town is well-kept and mostly clean. It only has one robot which looks like an old train stop. You get the feeling you’re stepping back into yesteryear. This was confirmed by the unaggressive demeanour of the town...
Residents welcome new road to Nieu Bethesda

Residents welcome new road to Nieu Bethesda

A newly tarred road leading to Nieu  Bethesda – just 30km from Graaff-Reinet – is quickly changing the slow-paced life normally expected in the  sleepy dorp, writes Michael Kimberley.