SA universities need R2-billion to save research programmes
JOHANNESBURG - South African universities are in crisis mode.
The freeze in US funding has left major institutions scrambling to save critical health research programmes.
In an urgent appeal, universities, led by the University of the Witwatersrand, have approached National Treasury, requesting R2-billion in local aid to prevent a collapse in research infrastructure that supports everything from HIV and reproductive health to broader public health systems.
The freeze has already resulted in project terminations, staff retrenchments, and massive uncertainty with more cuts looming.
Professor Glenda Gray has been at the forefront of HIV Aids research for decades.
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IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
How informal recycling provides a lifeline for South Africa's waste pickers
Waste collectors play an important role and save municipalities R300 million to R750 million annually. Image: Nokuthula Mbatha / Independent Newspapers The high unemployment rate, coupled with limited formal sector opportunities, has pushed many individuals, such as Thabiso Leburu* (not his real name), into informal recycling as a means of survival. Leburu, a former ArcelorMittal employee, said this was an opportunity to generate income and feed his family after his contract ended in 2010. Leburu and other recyclers are camping at a dumping site near the Boipatong landfill site, in the Vaal, where they are attending to every vehicle dropping waste. He said this is their daily routine. They recycle wood, plastics, cans, and bottles. The high unemployment rate, reaching 32.9% in the first quarter of 2025, is driving many to seek alternative income through activities such as waste picking. This informal sector, often referred to as 'survivalist entrepreneurs', plays a crucial role in waste management and contributes to the livelihoods of thousands. The Department of Environmental Affairs' report on the determination of the extent and role of waste picking estimates that there are approximately 62,147 reclaimers in South Africa. However, the department did respond at the time of publication. According to the case study by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri), the sector recovers an estimated 80% to 90% of paper and packaging materials on an annual basis. Diverting these recyclables saves municipalities R300 million to R750 million annually. The organisation said it was also estimated that the South African economy realised a 52.6% recycling rate for paper and packaging waste because of the work of recyclers. Despite their contribution and resourcefulness, informal recyclers remain poor and marginalised. They are often associated with crime, drug abuse, and lawlessness, a perception perpetuated by exclusionary waste management policies and the treatment they receive from South Africans they encounter. Most often, the informal recyclers do not have access to food of nutritional value or any food at all. This means they often find themselves in the struggle to escape the spiral of food insecurity as they are unable to earn a decent living. Leburu, who is the father of six children, said the sector has changed their lives for the better, adding that many could have been exposed to criminal activities. 'That little money I receive in a day could help me to put bread on the table,' said the 54-year-old, adding that he makes between R30 and R400 a day. He said he used to make good money before the closure of the Boipatong landfill site. The landfill site was closed due to non-adherence to licence conditions, leading to increased illegal dumping in the area. 'Sometimes we don't make money at all. And because we cannot let our kids sleep with empty stomachs, we take stale food here. All we want to see is our kids and families being happy,' he said. His friend, who also requested to remain anonymous, said he has been employed and has been in this sector since 2001. He said this is because he has to feed his family of three children. Seri said the sector continues to attract large numbers of people as it offers low barriers to entry due to limited opportunities. This was despite the occupational hazards and health risks associated with informal recycling. The organisation said many recyclers have some education and skills but are unable to find employment outside of the reclaiming industry. Seri added that 25% of reclaimers in South Africa have completed matric, and some have engaged in formal tertiary studies. The organisation visited the landfill in Orange Farm (known as the Palm Springs landfill) where about 300 people from the area and nearby surrounding areas pick and sort waste. The organisation said these reclaimers deal with several challenges on a day-to-day basis, adding that the safety of the landfill was a concern, especially for women. 'Reclaimers wear no protective clothing, have no access to water and toilets, and are exposed to dangerous chemicals and materials.' 'In addition, reclaimers do not have access to safety equipment and are often harassed by security guards and police.' [email protected]
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
Call for vetting of pastors, healers as ritual crimes against children shock SA
IOL spent time with chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission), Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva at her offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Image: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL South African communities have experienced various heinous crimes committed by perpetrators, including leaders of faith-based organisations—particularly sangomas and pastors. Earlier this week, IOL reported that a 50-year-old sangoma, Sebokoana Khounyana, appeared before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court in Gauteng facing charges of premeditated murder and human trafficking of two-year-old baby, Kutlwano Shalaba. Gauteng spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Lumka Mahanjana said a charge of premeditated murder was also added against the baby's mother Kuneuwe Portia Shalaba. Kutlwano Shalaba was murdered allegedly by her mother and a sangoma. Image: Facebook Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The 32-year-old mother was previously facing charges of human trafficking, conspiracy to commit robbery and making a false statement to the police. On Wednesday morning, IOL reported that the specialised occult unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) has been roped in to probe the brutal murder of Roodepoort teenager Likhona Fose, whose mutilated body was discovered on Sunday. The 14-year-old Grade 8 learner at Ikusasalethu Secondary School in Braamfischerville, Joburg apparently lived with her grandmother, who could not find her on Saturday. Her butchered body was found in an open field, covered with vegetation around Durban Deep, in Roodepoort, Gauteng. Deputy Minister of Police Dr Polly Boshielo has confirmed that the genitalia of a young girl was removed by her killers. As crime experts suggest the possibility of an occult-related murder in the case of Likhona, IOL spoke with Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, chairperson of the Commission for the Promotion of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission), at her offices in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. 'The issue of Child Protection Week is very critical in a country like ours. Our children are not safe—even in their homes, they are not safe. Even in their communities, they are not safe. We are one of those countries which are not fit for children,' she said. 'We are a country that, if we had choices, we wouldn't have children in this country. We are a country that does not pay as much attention as it should, where children are concerned.' 'On basic things like access to education, some children still walk long distances when the transport system fails. Some schools still do not have toilets. So, even before we get to the alarmingly high levels of child abuse in this country, there are already many things that need urgent attention,' said Thoko Mkhwanazi-Xaluva. She said Child Protection Week was an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on their individual contributions to creating safer environments for children. 'As the CRL Rights Commission, we asked: How can we use the Children's Act to protect children? How do we ensure that the Act is implemented? It's an established law that can protect children. We are looking at spaces of worship and sacred spaces,' she told IOL. 'The law says anyone working with children must be vetted—not just teachers.' She emphasised that the law requires anyone working with children to be vetted, yet many religious leaders operate closely with children in their ministries without undergoing the necessary checks. 'Part of what we're asking is: in the religious sector, who is vetting pastors? If I start a church, who vets me? I'll have access to children. Suddenly, I love Sunday School and I'm always with the kids - and parents are thrilled that this nice pastor enjoys spending time with them. But has he been vetted? 'To ensure that pastors, bishops, and archbishops are properly vetted, what systems should be in place?' she said. 'Paedophilia is not something that easily leaves your system. People who prey on children deliberately seek out spaces where they can access them. If I'm a religious leader, I have access. Yet, in this country, we worry about teachers - some of whom are vetted, others not - but we ignore these unregulated spaces.' Mkhwanazi-Xaluva emphasised that the CRL Rights Commission will be tabling the issue of vetting and monitoring of religious leaders across South Africa. 'We are looking at vetting of traditional healers, because they have access to children as well. We are looking at vetting of people who do virginity testing. It is amazing that we have people who are working in a very delicate space in our children's lives and no one is monitoring them,' she said. 'When you have people who say, I want to test children below 16, and I insist on doing that, but I have not been vetted, there is a crisis there, looming. We think it is only men who can do certain things. Anyone can do whatever. This is a gender-free kind of space.' She said South Africa needs to go back to basics in terms of protecting its children. Mkhwanazi-Xaluva emphasised that not anyone with money for a tent and chairs should be allowed to open a church in South Africa. Mkhwanazi-Xaluva said in order to protect children, a regulator should receive applications from religious leaders and do proper vetting including taking fingerprints and identity documents of the applicants. 'We are not talking about new laws. These are laws that exist, implement those laws and the laws that exist take us straight to the Children's Act. So traditional healers, virginity testers, pastors, religious leaders of all kinds whether it is Islam, Jewish, or whatever - who is vetting them? It is the responsibility of the state to protect people. We are saying the state must do its job and its job is to make sure we are all safe, even if we do not see danger, we must be protected,' she said. Earlier this week, IOL spoke to renowned criminologist, Prof Kholofelo Rakubu who is the Head of Department at Tshwane University of Technology's Department of Law, Safety and Security Management, regarding the graphic nature of crime in South Africa, which often targets children. 'There are signs of an occult crime, which the occult crime investigations unit looks for. When they arrive at the scene, there are projects which tell them that this is an occult case. A body part must be missing, a particular body part is taken by the perpetrators and normally the perpetrators are not seen. 'You have not heard of a situation where perpetrators of an occult crime were seen doing it, we hear about it afterwards. That is because they are very professional. They are rational thinkers, they take time to pounce on their unsuspecting victims,' she said. 'To lure them, they take the victims to a designated place, they just do not do the killing at a tavern. They can dump the body somewhere, where it was not killed.' Rakubu, however, warned that the crime of occultic killers might get confused with psychotic killers. 'Sometimes a mentally disturbed person would do the crime in the same manner. They can kill their girlfriend, cut the body into pieces and keep them in a freezer because they are hearing voices and having psychological issues.'
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Melanie Bala opens up about motherhood and healing on 'The Relebogile Mabotja' podcast
In a recent episode of "The Relebogile Mabotja" podcast, veteran broadcaster Melanie Bala shared her journey through motherhood, personal loss and the pursuit of authenticity with host Relebogile Mabotja. With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Bala rarely does interviews, but her conversation with Mabotja was a poignant exploration of womanhood and the struggles that often accompany it. From early beginnings at Bop TV to her current position at Metro FM, Bala has been a steadfast voice in South African media, but behind the microphone lies a story steeped in love, growth and the painful process of letting go. In this episode, she discusses the pressures of societal expectations surrounding motherhood, saying: "I think I let go, years ago, about what the perfect mother is, according to society, standards, family, magazine, blogs. "When I eventually let that go, it was incredibly freeing, and even now, my kids are teenagers, we have very open and honest conversations like if I've had a crappy day ... It's saying to them that I am human to, I am not the super mom. "Our parents' generation did it very differently; my mom was the ultimate homemaker. It took a long time for me to get over that model." Delving deeper, Bala opens up about the emotional complexities she faced during her divorce from renowned musician Zwai Bala. "No one wakes up today and decides that their marriage is ending; it's always a long time coming. In the process leading up to making the final decision that you're getting divorced, I think there's a part of you that starts to let go, so a lot of the grieving happens through that process. "Then, when the divorce happens, it's like 'Oh okay, this is different', and then it's a beginning of a different process of how do I navigate life without this person that I've been with for such a long time. "Again, it's giving yourself grace, you going to make mistakes, you going to mess up, but you give yourself grace to figure it out, particularly when you share children."
