There was a carnival atmosphere in the dusty streets of Nieu-Bethesda’s township, Pienaarsig, this week as residents celebrated the removal of the town’s chief administrative officer. The announcement that Leonie Fouché would be transferred to a post in Graaff-Reinet was made by Camdeboo mayor Daantjie Japhta in Piernaarsig’s packed community hall. It

Better known as a retreat for sensitive artists, Nieu-Bethesda has finally entered the toyi-toyi age. Last week, more than 300 angry township residents marched through the isolated Eastern Cape village, intent on ridding themselves of their town clerk. Behind its picturesque reputation as home to the Owl House, the Sneeuberg hamlet is scarred by rampant poverty, unemployment, violence and alcohol abuse.

”Maybe he didn’t rape me. Maybe he loved me,” said 15-year-old Amelia Borens (not her real name) as she explained to Cathy du Toit why she had taken over a week to report her rape. A forensic nurse at the Camdeboo Victim Empowerment Centre in Graaff-Reinet, Du Toit says she frequently hears this story from young rape victims.