Daily Archives: June 17, 2014

EFF donates more cash to Amcu strike fund


Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters has pledged to donate another R50 000 to union Amcu’s strike fund, The Citizen reported on Tuesday.

EFF leader Julius Malema made the announcement at the party’s 16 June rally in Freedom Park, Rustenburg.

“We will never retreat from supporting workers. That is why we gave R50 000 to the strike fund, we will put another R50 000 tomorrow [Tuesday],” Malema was quoted as saying.

He called on workers to protect Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union leaders, the newspaper reported.

He said Freedom Park was the home of the EFF and Amcu.

Criticism of ANC

Malema also criticised ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe and said the EFF would teach him how to dress first, the newspaper reported.

“Mantashe, with a scruffy beard, thinks he can intimidate the EFF.”

At a media briefing last week, Mantashe accused the EFF of turning the platinum wage dispute into a political strike.

On Saturday, at a post-election rally in Wonderkop, Marikana, Malema wished President Jacob Zuma suffering.

“Zuma is not sick, he is a troubled man. We do not wish him well, we wish him long suffering,” he told supporters.

Amcu members at Impala, Anglo American Platinum and Lonmin went on strike on 23 January for a basic monthly salary of R12 500.

Platinum producers proposed to increase the salary of the lowest paid workers by R1 000 for two years and R950 in the third year. This excluded other benefits.

The proposed settlement was for three years.

The platinum sector eagerly awaited whether the proposed deal to end the strike had been accepted by Amcu.

SAPA

Maite Nkoana-Mashabane ends Iran visit


Johannesburg – International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane ended her two-day working visit to Tehran, Iran, on Monday, her department said.

“The minister’s visit coincides with the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s freedom and democracy and 20 years of diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said spokesperson Clayson Monyela in a statement.

Nkoana-Mashabane delivered a keynote address on Monday during a seminar called “20 years of South Africa’s freedom and relations between South Africa and the Islamic Republic of Iran”, said Monyela.

The seminar was hosted by the South African embassy, in conjunction with the Centre for International Studies and Research in Tehran.

“The year 2014 truly presents a momentous occasion for us as a unified nation to reflect on how freedom and democracy were achieved, the progress we have made thus far, and how we as South Africans are going to work together to implement Vision 2030,” Nkoana-Mashabane said during her address.

Other speakers at the seminar included deputy president for women and family affairs Hossein Amir Abdolahian, and presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj, who addressed the seminar in his personal capacity.

Nkoana-Mashabane met Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and paid a courtesy call to Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani.

“The two ministers recalled the successful 11th Joint Commission held in October last year and reiterated the need to strengthen co-operation in the fields of trade and investment, health, science, technology and education,” said Monyela.

Nkoana-Mashabane said at the seminar that there was a South African business delegation in Tehran organised by the South African government.

“Their presence is a sign of growing bilateral economic relations between our two countries,” she said.

Nkoana-Mashabane and Zarif discussed developments in their respective countries and regions.

“On the multilateral front, the two ministers discussed the need to strengthen South-South co-operation in the field of development, peace and security,” said Monyela.

“In this regard, Minister Nkoana-Mashabane reiterated South Africa’s support for President Rouhani’s initiative that was tabled at the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly, calling for a dialogue against violence and extremism,” he said.

On Iran’s nuclear programme, Nkoana-Mashabane said South Africa welcomed the continued negotiations between the P5 (Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council) and Iran and hoped that the final outcome would be fair and would lead to the lifting of international sanctions, said Monyela.

SAPA

Military veterans get free services


Johannesburg – In honour of the youth of 1976, all military veterans would be afforded free services, the department of military veterans announced on Monday.

These included access to free health care services, education support for them and their dependants, business support, creation of job opportunities, skills development as well as the provision of decent houses, spokesperson Mbulelo Musi said in a statement.

This was in commemoration of the 38th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprisings, which was marked on Monday. On 16 June 1976, a group of schoolchildren set off from Morris Isaacson High School in Orlando, Soweto, to protest over Afrikaans being the medium of instruction, among other grievances against the apartheid government.

There was a stand-off with police, who opened fire on the children. The township was sealed off and attacks on government buildings followed; as well as the flight of many youths and political leaders into exile. This day is now commemorated as youth day.

The department also congratulated the thousands of military veterans who, during this period 38 years ago, “took the bull by its horns,” said Musi.

“They took brave steps to swell the ranks of the armed wings of the liberation movements such as Umkhonto we Sizwe and the Azanian People’s Liberation Army,” he said.

There sacrifices allowed South Africa to not only celebrate 20 years of democracy, but also the country’s second phase of deepening and accelerating economic transformation.

“We urge the military veterans of the June 16 generations and all others, the SA National Military Veterans Association and indeed all military veteran organisations to work with us in ensuring the attainment of that vision,” said Musi.

SAPA

Spotlight on SA youth’s future challenges


Johannesburg – With 50% of young South Africans between 15 to 24 unemployed, Youth Day not only represents South Africa’s achievements of the past, but also places the spotlight on the challenges of the future says global human rights and advocacy organisation World Vision South Africa.
Statistics like the above by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Risk Report 2014 also places the country third when it comes to the highest employment rate in the world for youths.
“The 16th of June highlights that South Africa needs to not only celebrate and remember the achievements and struggles of the past but also use it to pave a way for the future that highlights the plight of the unemployed youth,” said Paula Barnard, national director of World Vision South Africa
“As an organisation we deal with the causes and results of unemployment on a daily basis and therefore challenge government, business and NGOs to offer practical and feasible solutions to the youth of the country. Surely June 16 should celebrate the future and current examples of change and advancements.”
The WEF’s Global Risk Report 2014 in particular highlights the role of education.
“”It’s vital we sit down with young people now and begin planning solutions aimed at creating fit-for-purpose educational systems, functional job-markets, efficient skills exchanges and the sustainable future we all depend on,” states the report.
“Apart from access to education, South Africa needs to move beyond its talk shop mentality and implement a system and environment that fosters sustainability, entrepreneurship and cements a generation that contributes proactively to the economy of our country,” said Barnard.
“The reality is unemployment leads to social decay, crime and a country riddled by instability which ultimately impacts future generations of children trying to carve a full life for themselves in the world.”
With education in mind, World Vision SA’s Area Development Programmes (ADP) across the country have used Youth Day to highlight its importance through practical and sustainable interventions in various parts of SA.
World Vision SA is currently active in 20 in-community projects and programmes, in six provinces throughout South Africa, impacting and serving over 87 000 children directly through child sponsorship, and indirectly impacting a further 15 million children, and over 1 million households through advocacy and in-community programming efforts which includes access to education.
SAPA

Protesters throw rocks at passing vehicles


Johannesburg – Residents in Mofolo, Soweto, protested on Tuesday morning by burning tyres and throwing rocks at passing vehicles, Johannesburg metro police said.

“Motorists are advised to use alternative routes as it is not safe to drive in the area,” spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said

The protests started at Mofolo and Vincent roads, he said.

It was not immediately clear why the residents were protesting.

SAPA

All eyes on Zuma


Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma is expected to make his first public appearance in over a week when he delivers his seventh state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday evening.

Parliament is expected to be a hive of activity as workers cleared the ceremonial path Zuma is expected to walk before he enters the National Assembly.

Zuma is expected to be escorted through the streets of Cape Town by the military and mounted police.

The roads in the Cape Town CBD will be lined with members of the SA National Defence Force.

A red carpet will be laid out along Parliament Street for Zuma and members of other branches of state who will accompany the President.

Before entering the National Assembly to make his speech, Zuma will observe a 21-gun salute and a fly over by the SA Air Force.

All eyes will then be on the president who will enter the House and make his speech at 19:00.

Political parties and NGOs are expecting Zuma to outline government’s plans for the next year.

Opposition parties want Zuma to focus on the economy, which has taken a knock following South Africa’s longest ever strike, in the platinum sector.

The Treatment Action Campaign called on Zuma to renew his focus on access to quality health care for all South Africans.

“We cannot afford for President Zuma and his new administration to paper over the serious cracks in both our public and private health care systems,” the TAC said in a statement.

The TAC said Zuma and his administration should be commended for the massive progress made in the fight against HIV/Aids over the past five years.

However, Zuma needed to set out an “ambitious plan” to rid the health care system of serious problems which were impeding access to health care.

“Unless fundamental changes are made in government’s approach to delivering health services, the president and his newly elected administration’s worthy goal to enrol at least 4.6 million in the anti-retroviral programme will be undone by corruption, poor public administration, a lack of skilled management, cadre deployment and lack of political will at provincial level,” the TAC said.

Equal Education wants Zuma to provide leadership on how problems facing the country’s schools will be prioritised.

This included the norms and standards for school infrastructure, which was enacted last year.

“This law requires that we eradicate mud schools within three years, and that schools without water, electricity, sanitation and safety receive priority treatment,” EE said.

“Promises about mud schools have been made in SONAs going back to former President Thabo Mbeki in 2004, but for the first time this is now a legal requirement. We are interested to know what are government plans to make sure they comply with this new law within the set time frames.”

Zuma’s state-of-the-nation address will mark his first public appearance since being admitted to hospital for tests and being booked off by doctors following a gruelling election campaign.

SAPA

June 16th Memorial acre launched


Johannesburg – A memorial acre, housing the June 16th Memorial and Youth Institute, was officially launched in Soweto on Monday.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura, Infrastructure Development MEC Nandi Mayathula-Khoza and Culture MEC Molebatsi Bopape launched the R48m memorial acre on the 38th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto uprisings.

“The Institute will become a centre for memory and a resource for young people to contribute to community development through various youth developmental programmes that will be run from the institute,” the Gauteng government said in a statement.

The memorial includes a double-storey building in the shape of an AK-47 assault rifle, a symbol of the struggle against apartheid, and a statue of Tsietsi Mashinini, one of the student leaders of the march.

On 16 June 1976, a group of schoolchildren set off from Morris Isaacson High School in Orlando, Soweto, to protest over Afrikaans being the medium of instruction, among other grievances against the apartheid government.

There was a stand-off with police, who opened fire on the children. The township was sealed off and attacks on government buildings followed; as well as the flight of many youths and political leaders into exile. This day is now commemorated as youth day.

Trade unions and political parties also marked youth day on Monday.

The National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) wished young people well on youth day, spokesman Sizwe Pamla said in a statement on Monday.

“The high rate of unemployment and the super-exploitation of young people in the different sectors of our economy, are some of the biggest challenges facing today’s young people.

“The battle for fair wages and better working conditions needs unity and mobilisation by all workers, especially young ones, who are the custodians of the future.”

Left behind

Nehawu remained committed to supporting young workers.

The union appealed to the youth to confront the problems facing their generation, including substance abuse and HIV.

“The HIV and Aids pandemic still poses the most serious challenge for young people in South Africa because they are the most vulnerable from the disease,” Pamla said.

Mpumalanga chairman of the Democratic Alliance Youth Muso Kubheka said in a statement that more needed to be done about youth unemployment.

“Young people are at risk of being left behind by a lack of education, study funding and poor work prospects…”

Government needed to make sure there were further education opportunities for matriculants and that every school delivered quality education.

The DA was circulating a petition in Mpumalanga calling on the government to increase the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to R16bn and increase internship opportunities in co-operation with the private sector.

“At the end of Youth Month, all signed petitions from across Mpumalanga and South Africa will be sent to our national head office, and presented to the relevant national government ministers,” Kubheka said.

The African National Congress Youth League said the youth should never forget the sacrifices of those who stood up for their beliefs against the apartheid regime in 1976, spokesman Bandile Masuku said in a statement.

Encourage youth

“As this generation of young people, we commit ourselves to take South Africa forward to economic freedom under the leadership, care and guidance of the ANC.”

The ruling party’s election manifesto set out a progressive plan to make South Africa’s economy prosperous and stable, with particular emphasis on industrialisation and job creation, he said.

“We challenge all young people to be the watchdog of government programme implementation,” Masuku said.

Western Cape Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde’s office said in statement that the provincial government would invest R330 million over the next three years in skills development programmes targeting the youth.

“Young people are our future and we need to give them the support they need to create a better future for themselves and make a valuable contribution to our society and economy,” Winde said in Cape Town.

“We want to encourage youth to take every opportunity presented to them to increase their skills profile.”

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa was speaking at the national youth day celebrations in Kimberley on Monday, while DA Parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane would speak at a youth day rally in Pretoria.

SAPA