If the architects of the Constitution could do it all over again, they might constrain the powers of the executive and make public institutions stronger. "The single biggest single problem, I think, is the over-concentration of power in the executive and in the hands of the presidents in the Constitution," said former Democratic Party leader Tony Leon at a discussion in Cape Town to mark 20 years since the adoption […]
Beata Lipman, who hand-wrote the original Freedom Charter, died at the age of 88 in Johannesburg on Thursday, her daughter Jane said. Lipman had been unwell after being scalded by hot water. She appeared to be having seizures, so her daughter rushed her to hospital, where she died. Lipman is most famous for helping to write down the Freedom Charter - a document that sets out the aspirations of a […]
Government has approved a trial period for the introduction of a mixed funding scheme for the "missing middle" student income group in 2017. A pilot project would be implemented at various universities and one Technical and Vocational Education and Training college in 2017 to test certain aspects of the model, the higher education department said in a recent statement. The pilot project would run parallel to a feasibility study of […]
By Ra-ees Moerat South African humanitarian agency Al Imdaad Foundation is responding to the urgent needs of Indonesians affected by the Aceh earthquake, which has killed at least 102 people. A strong earthquake, 6.5 on the Richter scale, struck off the coast of Aceh on the Indonesian Island, Sumatra on Tuesday. International Project Coordinator and Trustee of Al-Imdaad Foundation, Qari Ziyaad Patel, says that the nature of the geographical location […]
A huge civil suit involving staggering claims about the involvement of President Jacob Zuma, State Security Minister David Mahlobo and government intelligence agents in the formation of a new labour union aimed at destabilising anti-ANC labour union the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) is due to be heard in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday. Rapport and City Press revealed in April and May this […]
By Ra-ees Moerat Despite overwhelming socio-economic difficulties on the Cape Flats, sports seems to be the one passion that drives many youth, particularly a group of youngsters from Manenberg. Completely unprepared and with only socks and flip-flops, Team Phoenix managed to dominate VOC’s Mini Olympics at the annual VOC Summer Festival. The fun sports tournament was one of the main attractions and a new event at the festival. Participants included […]
An invitation to participate in the inaugural Nablus Festival, coordinated by Project Hope and the Municipality of Nablus in April / May 2016, resulted in the conceptualisation of a collaborative project to benefit Palestinian children and to advance solidarity with Palestine internationally. Through extended engagement with over 200 Palestinian children, photographic content, video footage and artwork was generated. This has been compiled in this calendar in order to foster a […]
The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Albert Fritz, calls on all social grant recipients never to divulge their social grant details or pin numbers, whether over the phone or email, to anybody claiming to be from the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA). This comes after the MEC received tip-offs from the public regarding a scam involving a person falsely claiming to be an official from SASSA. SASSA is […]
The SABC has refused to hand over ten of 15 requested documents to Parliament's ad hoc committee looking into the fitness of its board, MPs heard on Wednesday. Ad hoc committee chairperson Vincent Smith informed the committee on its first day of work that the broadcaster had only handed over five of the requested documents. The broadcaster was concerned that handing over seven of those documents would "jeopardise" its commercial interests, […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
