Aneeqa Du Plessis, Author at Voice of the Cape

WCED backs Ramaphosa’s decision to halt two clauses in BELA Act

By Ragheema Mclean The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has voiced its support for President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to delay the implementation of two contentious clauses in the newly enacted Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. Signed into law on Friday, the BELA Act introduces significant changes to the South African education system, including compulsory Grade R, stricter homeschooling regulations, and reinforced language policy fairness. The delay applies to clauses […]

16 September 2024

International News

Illegal Israeli settlers escorted by security forces storm Old City of Hebron in southern West Bank

Dozens of illegal Israeli settlers escorted by security forces on Saturday evening stormed the Old City of Hebron in the southern West Bank, forcing Palestinians to head back home, Anadolu news agency reported. “Dozens of settlers, accompanied by dozens of Israeli soldiers, entered the Old City of Hebron, including the traditional Palestinian market areas,” eyewitnesses told Anadolu. The witnesses added that guides with illegal Israeli settlers forced local residents to stay indoors. […]

15 September 2024

Local

High court to review R370 SRD grant regulations

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen A challenge to the regulations governing the R370-a-month Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant will be heard in the Pretoria High Court on 29 and 30 October. In 2023, #PayTheGrants and the Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) filed an application challenging these regulations, arguing that they exclude many eligible individuals from receiving the grant. A Researcher at the Institute for Economic Justice, Siyanda Baduza explained, “The SRD […]

15 September 2024

Local

Ramaphosa not concerned about Gwarube’s BELA Bill signing absence

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he is not concerned about Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube’s non-attendance at the signing of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law, on Friday. He was speaking during a conversation with some journalists and editors at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The president signed the much talked about Bill but the minister boycotted the signing ceremony. This has put the durability and stability of the […]

14 September 2024

International News

Saudi prison: 33 Egyptians face execution for drug charges

Egyptian and international human rights organisations have expressed their grave concerns for the lives of hundreds of prisoners threatened with execution in Saudi Arabia on drug-related charges, including 33 Egyptians in Tabuk Prison. There has been a sharp rise in the number of death sentences carried out since the beginning of 2024, accompanied by disturbing information from inside the prisons. According to the information available to the organisations, a sense […]

14 September 2024

Local

Malusi Booi, Former CT Mayco Member arrested in connection with tenders worth over R1 billion.

By Vusuthando Percyvil Dube Malusi Booi, the former member of Cape Town's Mayoral Committee for Human Settlements, was arrested on Monday at his home in the Eastern Cape, as part of a significant investigation into fraud, money laundering, and racketeering involving nine co-accused. The developments were revealed during a bail hearing at the Cape Town Magistrate Court on Wednesday. The charge sheet outlined allegations that Booi collaborated with notorious underworld […]

13 September 2024

International News

MJ Li and team participate in the international stage for the world Kungfu championship

By Rachel Mohamed In the latest edition of Hong Kong in a Hurry, VOC's PM Drive show host and Kung Fu Master Junaid Chafeker (M.J. Li) offered the public a glimpse into Hong Kong culture, particularly within the Muslim community. The SA ChinWoo Kungfu Youth Team and M.J. Li Kungfu Champion 1st Training Session in Kowloon Park, Hong Kong, embarked on a tour to compete at an international level, and […]

12 September 2024

Local

Education Activist says Ramaphosa should ensure all clauses in the Bela Bill comply with the constitution

By Rachel Mohamed Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to ensure that the Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA) is constitutional before he signs it into law. He asked the president to confirm that the mother tongue education clauses were correct. According to Makaneta, it is imperative that the bill upholds the Constitution and advances students' rights to an education in their mother tongue. The president is […]

12 September 2024

Local

Concerns raised over BELA bill’s impact

By Lee-Yandra Paulsen Earlier this month, Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, praised the Government of National Unity (GNU), claiming it was thriving, unlike other parties. He pointed to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) losing Floyd Shivambu to the MK party as an example of such challenges. However, while McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), insists the GNU is prospering, others believe it is faltering. The Democratic […]

12 September 2024

Aneeqa Du Plessis

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