Add your name to put public pressure on John Steenhuisen to approach this matter with urgency, it is completely unacceptable that someone like Cabanac can continue to enjoy the perks of a R1,4 million salary when he has been instructed to leave. Additionally, there are far better qualifying candidates who could be given the role.  The government of national unity is entrusted with so much power and responsibility to serve citizens. Beyond that, the last national election results have shown a decline in the democratic process. We have seen greater levels of political apathy from young people. This means that public officials have a greater role to play in restoring public trust and confidence that government does indeed work for everyone.  Public officials should be committed to the values of good governance, transparency, and accountability and to being responsive to citizens' needs. The DA has outright spoken about cadre deployment, which has been a core undertaking of the ANC government and remains largely criticised and credited for the various issues within government.  It is hugely surprising to see the DA taking a similar stance, theirs though largely being recruiting controversial podcasters/YouTubers with regressive views and a controversial history into key positions in government. Just recently, Renaldo Gouws, who has a history of racist remarks, has only just been fired [3] from the DA following an investigation into his long-documented racism, which the DA claims was not aware of.  If the GNU is to work for all of us, such undertakings threaten our democracy and should be dealt with accordingly.  Roman Cabanac has no place being the Chief of Staff within the Department of Agriculture; much like his fellow podbro Gouws, he must go.  References  [1] Agriculture minister Kohan Steenhuisen asks Roman Cabanac to step down by Karyn Maughan for News24. 12 September 2024. https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/agriculture-minister-john-steenhuisen-asks-roman-cabanac-to-step-down-as-chief-of-staff-20240912 [2] Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen has appointed Roman Cabanac, a controversial podcaster and media activist to head his department. Cabanac is the new chief of staff. By Kamogelo Moichela for IOL. 27 August 2024. https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/minister-john-steenhuisen-appoints-polarising-roman-cabanac-as-chief-of-staff-ed43ad03-dec2-4b45-bc1c-c47cf48b4c3b [3] Why did we waste three months?’ Renaldo Gouws questions DA’s disciplinary process after being fired for racism by Hope Ntanzi from the IOL. 23 September 2024. https://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/why-did-we-waste-three-months-renaldo-gouws-questions-das-disciplinary-process-after-being-fired-for-racism-83ff1130-6cb6-4e18-8f40-afaf081e13e5

The importance of showcasing genuine African productions cannot be overstated. These performances offer critical insights into our histories, struggles, and triumphs, fostering a sense of belonging and pride within our community. By prioritizing these works, Joburg Theatre could play a pivotal role in upholding its slogan and nurturing young talent, promoting cultural education, and attracting diverse audiences, ultimately benefiting the broader community economically and socially.  • There a no shows who have made it out of the youth development stage into main stage arena through JCT support & funding • There no festivals on the main stage highlighting new African authentic voices or new festivals uplifting and promoting new playwrights/producers • No capacity for African works to cult main stage other than those directed by the artists director • Lack of opportunities for African professionals to participate in the main stage arena  We call for immediate action to address these issues by advocating for a management team that is committed to inclusivity, transparency, and the promotion of authentic African productions. We urge the theatre's board to consider the long-term benefits of supporting local creators and engaging with our community in meaningful ways. We appreciate your attention to this urgent matter and hope to see proactive steps taken towards creating a more equitable and representative cultural space at Joburg Theatre.

We have seen the scapegoating of migrants continue to rise, especially in the lead-up to the elections. The popular idea to attribute the presence of migrants as the reason we have high unemployment rates and crime is harmful, and we have witnessed how dire and life-threatening this way of thinking can be. A thorough public participation process should be upheld, and members of the public should be given the opportunity to engage with the decisions made on their behalf and understand how they will be impacted.  Therefore, we call on the Department of Home Affairs to withdraw the bill and not rush such a critical piece of legislation, they should also work hand in hand with civil society for a thorough public participation process.  References  [1]https://lawyersforhumanrights.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/LHR-Submission-on-DHA-White-Paper-2024-01-31.pdf  [2]https://seri-sa.org/index.php/latest-news/1355-submission-seri-makes-comments-on-the-white-paper-on-citizenship-immigration-and-refugee-protection-1-february-2024 [3]https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/opinion/2023/2023-11/sas-immigration-proposals---false-claims-and-poor-logic.html [4]https://africacheck.org/fact-checks/spotchecks/are-there-15-million-undocumented-immigrants-living-south-africa-no-another

With Small-scale fishing (SSF) rights now granted across all provinces in South Africa, there arises a significant concern among small-scale fishing cooperatives regarding the economic viability of the species allocated in their basket for sustainable livelihoods. On 4 March 2024, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) announced the traditional linefish total allowance effort (TAE) for the 2024/2025 fishing season. In a media statement on 6 March 2024, Masifundise and Coastal Links expressed deep dissatisfaction with the DFFE’s announcement regarding the Traditional Linefish TAE. The allocated TAE for the small-scale fishing sector is inadequate and insufficient efforts have been made to ensure SSF communities have a viable basket of species. The implementation of the SSF Policy in South Africa lacks assurance for improving conditions for small-scale fishers, not due to the Policy itself but due to DFFE’s consistent prioritisation of commercial and recreational fisheries. Traditional line fish is the cornerstone of a viable basket which can ensure food security and local economic development. But food security is not the only aspect to be considered, TLF species like snoek and yellowtail are an important cultural and traditional foods for the coastal communities, as well as for the culture of small-scale fishers. It is clear that the concerns around the TLF announcement be addressed immediately. Masifundise launched a petition urging Minister Barbara Creecy and DFFE to fulfill their commitment of allocating 50% of the Traditional line fish TAE to SSF.

Having a criminal record can make it impossible to secure employment, a visa, or exercise other basic rights. It has serious effects on our personal, family and working lives. The law has changed, but many people do not know it is possible to get their records cleared. Some are not even aware that they have a criminal record – they find out when they are looking forward to a new job, a promotion, or travel overseas, and their hopes are dashed. Expungement (removal or erasure) of criminal records is allowed for certain offences after a fixed period of time. The process is free, except for the cost of a police clearance certificate (PCR) Police Clearance Report at a cost of R75. However, people needing help often find themselves paying high fees. We should all work to ensure those who have slipped through the cracks and offended the state should not be enslaved by the state for their most productive lives. The process of the state must be fair, just and led by research. We cannot build a peaceful, fully loving and productive country in an adversarial manner where punishment never ends for the poor, vulnerable and lesser prepared for life's challenges. For more information, click this link: https://clearmeapp.co.za/ [1] Expungement of a criminal record, SAPS: https://www.saps.gov.za/faqdetail.php?fid=57#:~:text=Procedure%20to%20follow%20to%20obtain,and%20dates%20of%20the%20offence

https://youtu.be/nuVHJT_rhgI Imagine your teacher smoking in the classroom. For some of us, this was the reality until new rules were put in place by government in 1993 [6]. But why had government not acted sooner? In their paper published in 2003, Mia Malan and Rosemary Leaver outline the relationship between the biggest tobacco business and government [7] [8]. Government eventually put public health before profits, thanks to the work of health advocates. But big businesses are still using their power to protect their profits at our expense. Researchers have pointed out that big businesses have worked to delay and delegitimize important health policies by using their associations and different strategies [9]. Researchers and civil society groups are not allowed to attend a standing meeting between the National Department of Health and big food businesses [9]. State capture has shown us we have a lot of work to do. But we are making some progress in improving transparency and accountability. Politicians have to declare financial interests [10], and political parties now must disclose who funds them [11]. We need to keep building on this momentum. We can't afford to have a repeat of 2014 where big businesses that make food like polony did not agree with government's proposed hygiene rules and instead wanted to self-regulate [12] [13]. Government should have stood up to those big businesses in 2014 and put the new rules in place anyway. Government has to stand up to big business bullies. Their job is to serve the people, not private interests. References can be found here: https://amandla.mobi/big-business-bullies-references

The unlawful occupation by-law, gazetted on the 14th of February 2022 undermines the constitution and circumvents the PIE ACT. This by-law deviates from the Human Settlements Strategy which provides that the City should “proactively plan for informality.” The Unlawful Occupation By-law contradicts this aim, it seeks to criminalise poor and working-class people who have fallen through the cracks of the city’s housing waiting list. The City’s by-law on unlawful land occupation seeks to bypass the protections of PIE. It also provides the so-called “City officials” with large amounts of arbitrary and discretionary power over poor and working-class people.

This is an issue that affects everyone in our society - learners, educators, school admin staff, and anyone who has, or will have, a child in the school system. There is a saying that 'it takes a village to raise a child'. Well, it takes a caring society to protect its children from exposure to the risk of harm. Alcohol use is already a major problem in our country. Schools in some communities already face the challenge of having large numbers of liquor outlets around them and very close to them. Some already have problems with alcohol being used on their premises. Making it possible for schools to have liquor for the purpose of fund-raising simply increases the risks for all of those at schools - learners, educators, admin staff, and even family members who interact with the school. If schools have a problem raising funds, government and society must work with them to address it in other ways - allowing schools to raise money through liquor is not the answer. We should be better than that as a society, as South Africans. We call on you to join us in urging the government to scrap the sections in the BELA Bill which will allow liquor on school premises and at school events. Support the call for a complete ban on liquor on school premises (except for personal use by staff who live on school property). Demand better funding models for our schools so that all children have access to quality education in a safe and protected environment. Fly a blue ribbon at your school in support of the campaign; wear blue ribbons as a group as you participate in school activities. Write to the Minister at [email protected] to tell her what you think of the alcohol clauses in the BELA Bill. Write to the Portfolio Committee in Parliament by 15 June to register your opposition to the alcohol clauses in the Bill - Mr Llewellyn Brown, the Committee Secretary via email: [email protected] or online at https://forms.gle/MoC6AdbdQyYPk3Y49 or via WhatsApp: +27 60 550 9848. Mr Llewellyn Brown can be reached on 083 709 8450 for enquiries. Download the BELA Bill from https://www.parliament.gov.za/storage/app/media/Bills/2022/B2_2022_Basic_Education_Laws_Amendment_Bill/B2_2022_Basic_Education_Laws_Amendment_Bill.pdf Together we can win this one!

After 17.5 months of dragging their feet, negotiations are currently underway to reach a quick ‘deal’ at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the TRIPS WAIVER proposal - boldly led by South Africa and India since October 2020. MInister Patel is in charge of the negotiations for South Africa. The leaked text of the proposed ‘deal’ shows they are not negotiating a waiver, as originally requested, but rather, conditions and clarifications, which after this much time and deaths, represents a poor compromise. It will be a shame if Minister Patel supports the bad deal contained in the leaked text. He should not. The leaked text represents the interests of the EU and the US and other vested interests. It is a very bad ‘deal’ that does almost nothing to advance the demand for equitable access to vaccines (and other health products) for the majority of the world’s population - and yet the poorest and most marginalised everywhere have suffered the worst effects of the pandemic. The South African Government should REJECT this deal which is related to the ongoing TRIPS Waiver negotiations for fairer access to COVID-19 technologies for everyone, everywhere. We call on organisations and individuals in South Africa to sign onto an ‘Open Letter’ to Minister Patel and the South African Government. You can read and sign the letter here: https://forms.gle/GTT9kmf9nECFfSF86 For more information on the leaked text and reactions to it, please see: https://healthjusticeinitiative.org.za/2022/03/24/trips-waiver-negotiations-leaked-text/

The delays in payment have resulted in hundreds of ECD centres buckling under the strain of Covid-19 and closing down as they cannot afford rent, electricity, nutrition for the children in their care, or staff salaries. Many staff members have had little to no income for almost two years, since the initial nation-wide lockdown in March 2020, and are struggling to put food on their tables and pay for basic needs – they truly require emergency relief funding.

Koffi Olomide has a documented history of violence directed at women. In March 2019 he was convicted of statutory rape in France and between 2002 and 2006, sexually assaulted his dancers [2]. In July 2016, he was deported from Kenya for assaulting one of his dancers [3]. Allowing him to perform in Kenya right after the 16 Days of Activism to End Violence Against Women and Girls global campaign, right after Human Rights Day, and right before Jamhuri Day would undermine the victims of his actions and derail all the progress our country has made in the fight against GBV. Neither of these scenarios must be allowed nor tolerated, as Kenya already has a GBV crisis and must not reward perpetrators with platforms such as this. It is all our moral responsibility to ensure Kenya does not become a magnet for foreign criminal elements, especially those that violate the human rights of women and girls. [1] https://www.kenya24news.com/lifestyle/koffi-olomide-set-for-nairobi-concert/203042-news [2] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47615273 [3] https://africa.cgtn.com/2016/07/23/koffi-olomide-deported-by-kenya-after-he-assaulted-one-of-his-dancers/

Martha Libuseng Marumo is a survivor of domestic violence. She spent many years of her marriage trying to keep herself safe from her sexually and physically abusive husband. After years of trying to get help from the police to escape this violence, Martha was told by them that they could not help her because “it is a family matter” [1]. In the end, after many attempts to free herself she took the law into her own hands and killed her husband. In 2005 she was given a life sentence for killing her husband in defense of herself and her children. She recently shared details of her story at the National Gender-based Violence (GBV) summit on how her husband would beat her, force himself on to her, and take away her agency as a woman. Martha’s story isn’t unique but is one of many tragic examples of how the justice system fails women, and other survivors of gender-based violence. Everyday women interact with this unjust system when they try to escape violent and abusive situations. Enough is enough! A recent police report also showed that 59% of South Africans feel dissatisfied with the courts [2]. Our country needs to fix this system that stigmatises survivors and lets perpetrators walk free. It’s time that the judicial system chooses a side: does it care about survivors or does it protect perpetrators?