Go & Express

Tammy Fray

SOUTHERN GOTHIC: Ryan Coogler’s ‘Sinners’ blends supernatural horror with historical realism in a powerful and haunting cinematic experience. Picture: SUPPLIED

GO REVIEW: Sinners

Amid the endless churn of remakes and spin-offs, latest box office horror Sinners (directed by Ryan Coogler) proves that cinema is still capable of originality and searing creative brilliance. Set in the Jim Crow era of 1930s in the US…

VAPE CRISIS: A wide range of colourful vape devices and liquids are easily accessible at retail outlets across East London, despite age restrictions

Minors hooked as vape sales remain unchecked

A month-long investigation by the GO!&Express has revealed just how easy it is for pupils to get hooked on nicotine as many shops across the city are selling vapes without asking for any form of ID. Vapes, or e-cigarettes, are…

GILDED ROT: Jason Isaacs and Parker Posey as Tim and Victoria Ratliff in season three of ‘The White Lotus: Thailand’. Picture: SUPPLIED

‘White Lotus’ continues to target rich tourists

The White Lotus series’ penchant for killing off obscenely rich holidaymakers remains as riveting three seasons later as when the show first premiered. Season three, released during May, is set against the tropical landscape of Thailand,…

BEAUTY AND BRAVERY: Beloved local beauty, Laura Wagner-Meyer is vying once again for the Miss SA crown. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Wagner-Meyer ready for another shot at Miss SA

Local beauty Laura Wagner-Meyer is back in the Miss SA race for the fourth time, carrying the hopes of thousands even beyond East London who are inspired by her mission to champion beauty in disability. A fashion designer and model,…

HUGE MILESTONE: Samanatha and Bianca at almost 40 years old.

Against all odds, miracle twins turn 40

The delivery room at Frere Hospital was deathly silent on Easter in 1985 when Samantha and Bianca Stanford were born three-and-a-half months early, so small their survival seemed impossible — yet, decades later and despite all odds, these…

HOT SURPRISES: Runners in the unexpected hot and humid temperatures on February 23 during the 2025 SA Home Loans Buffalo Marathon and Half-marathon. Picture: SUPPLIED

Buffs vows to resolve water issues before next marathon

Live Adventure, organisers of the Buffs Marathon and Half-marathon, have assured athletes that water supply issues will not affect their chances of qualifying for the Two Oceans and Comrades Marathons in 2026. This follows concerns from…

NEW RECORD: Eleven-time Surfers Challenge winner Hanlie Botha. Picture: MARK ANDREWS

To soon to book ‘26 race dates

Border Athletics has urged Buffs Marathon and Surfers Challenge to consider the 2026 tide schedules before finalising their race dates for next year — thwarting Buffs’ plans to have already secured their 2026 date by the end of this…

VIRAL CONCERN: While outbreaks of the contagious viral infection, hand, foot and mouth disease have sparked concern across East London schools, Hudson Park’s decisive action has reassured local parents. Picture: SUPPLIED

Hudson Park praised for handling of disease cases

Parents at Hudson Park Primary School have expressed relief and gratitude over the school’s swift and proactive handling of reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among pupils last week. Hudson Park Primary principal Garth…

Injured angler making good progress

Just a month after a near-fatal car accident, Border angling U21 medalist Dylan Botha told GO!&Express that he owes his survival to God and the overwhelming support he received from people across the country. The 18-year-old, who…

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: The date for 2026 Buffs Marathon and half marathon will be announced ahead of any other road running events for 2026 to avoid a repeat of this year’s scheduling conflicts. Picture: SUPPLIED

Buffs to petition for return to historical date in 2026

The 2026 Buffs Marathon and half-marathon date will be revealed at this year’s 51st race in two weeks and will likely restore the event to its traditional March slot. This, following the blunder of the 2025 Border Athletics BORA fixture…

SHINING EXAMPLES: Lilyfontein School and East London Secondary School are flying the Buffalo City flag high in terms of local education. Seen here is Mohammed Salim Panwala-Roy from East London Secondary School who earned distinctions in subjects such as maths and science, receiving his award from former John Bisseker Secondary School principal Ramesh Khandoo. Pictures: SUPPLIED

Celebrating class of 2024 success stories

Lilyfontein achieved a perfect 100% matric pass rate for five consecutive years, the only Buffalo City School to achieve this, while East London Secondary School saw a remarkable 26% improvement, soaring from 67% to 92.9% — proof of…

40,000 students across the country who were incorrectly funded to the tune of R5.1bn, which includes 3,842 students from East London. Picture: SUPPLIED

Missing middle students’ stress

Nearly 4,000 East London tertiary students and their families, now under SIU (Special Investigating Unit) investigation for irregularly receiving NSFAS funds between 2016 and 2022, claim desperation drove them to accept the aid, citing a…

VULNERABLE CHILDREN: Parental supervision is compromised during the heavy drinking at beaches during New Years festivities but DSD, SAPS and others are working together to ensure no child becomes lost or missing. Picture: SUPPLIED

Lost children cases drop over New Year’s

New Year’s celebrations in the city are often marred by heavy drinking, leading to numerous cases of children being separated from their parents at hotspots such as Eastern Beach. However, this year marked a significant change: thanks to…

Local school threatens no enrolment for unpaid fees

As the new school year begins, local school, Buffalo Metro Inner City High School has issued a firm directive to parents: settle outstanding fees, or your child won’t be enrolled for 2025. This tough stance comes after the school…

Regatta loses big sponsor for 2025

The 2025 Buffalo Regatta has hit turbulent waters with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC) withdrawing its sponsorship — a move that contributes to the pressure of the unresolved lease dispute between East London Boating…

MISSING FOR A MONTH: Local senior, Eudora Bruintjies.

Family’s agonising wait for missing grandmother: Eudora Bruintjies has not been seen in 28 days

It has been 28 agonising days since East London grandmother Eudora Bruintjies vanished without a trace, and her family is now bracing for the heartbreaking possibility that their search may end with a devastating discovery. The…

NO FACILITIES: Development for Border Schools Hockey is difficult to execute given the decimation of community facilities such as the Buffalo Flats astro turf seen here in which every inch of the facility has been stripped by thieves and vandals. Picture: TAMMY FRAY

Border schools hockey plans to bounce back: Several changes aimed at tackling challenges

Next year, the Border Schools Hockey Association will work to reinstate three premier teams — U18 Boys, U16 Girls, and U16 Boys — to the A-Section for national tournaments, which coaches say will require a solid structure and…

Springbok’s foundation secures sport bursaries for budding stars

In just five months since its launch, the Makazole Mapimpi Foundation has already made strides in developing future rugby stars, with two U16 players earning sports bursaries to top rugby schools. Luthando Marangxa and Sive Stamper, from…

Buffalo City set to fight drunk driving incidents: Campaigns to be rolled out soon

The municipality is stepping up efforts to combat drinking and driving this festive season to protect pedestrians and motorists like 18-year-old Shamele King, who nearly lost mobility in his neck last year after being struck by a drunk…

DESTROYING DEVELOPMENT: Buffalo Flats astro turf, opened for the first time in 2006, has become a haven for vandals and thieves since the Covid-19 pandemic and its condition may force the city to give up hosting the KC March Easter Tournament. Picture: SUPPLIED

EL may lose top hockey tournament: Damage to astro turf venues threatens event

The city’s chance to host the nationally renowned KC March Hockey Easter Tournament in 2025 is slipping away, as Buffalo Flats and Bunker’s Hill astro turfs continue to face slews of unchecked vandalism and rampant theft. The event is a…