‘You can't put a price on justice': Mackenzie on reburials of ancestral remains and exile repatriation project
'It can't cost enough because people gave their lives. You can't put a cost to a life,' Mackenzie said during a media briefing on Monday.
Mackenzie announced two major national projects: the reburial of 58 ancestral remains from the Khoe and San communities and the next phase of the Exile Repatriation Project, both backed by the government of national unity.
'These are not just projects — they are acts of justice, remembrance and healing.
'They affirm our government's commitment to restore dignity, promote cultural restoration and confront the painful legacy of apartheid. These initiatives are about re-humanisation. They are spiritual but, most importantly, they are necessary,' he said.
Mackenzie said the 58 ancestral remains originating from the Northern Cape would be reburied in consultation with affected communities, including the Nama, Griqua, Korana, and San.
The process was being led by the Iziko Museums, the South African Heritage Resources Agency (SAHRA) and a local task team.
'It is not just about returning the remains to the soil. It is about restoring dignity. It is about fulfilling cultural and spiritual obligations. It is about healing the deep wounds of dispossession and, most importantly, historical erasure,' he said.
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IOL News
31-07-2025
- IOL News
Mackenzie's pricey teacup brews questions
This cup and saucer set was produced by the Imperial Lomonosov Porcelain Factory in Russia. Hand painted and embellished with 22-karat gold, it retails for R4132,53. Image: Supplied. PINKIE up or pinkie down, how does Gayton Mackenzie drink his tea? Some might say it doesn't matter, but it does, when the teacup costs thousands of rand. This week, it emerged that the Honourable Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture received a saucer and teacup valued at exactly R6,093, courtesy of the Russian Cultural Ministry. This was revealed in the Register of Members' Interests, where all MPs must declare the gifts that they receive. Naturally, the cup became a talking point on social media. Ramesh Nana joked: 'They not gold plated but pure gold cups.' Oomtas Mike weighed in with a picture of a steaming cup of tea sitting on a newspaper, and captioned: 'This cup was R2,50 at MR CHEAP.' A Facebook user poked fun at the R6000 cup and saucer which was gifted to Gayton Mackenzie, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture. He says this one was bought at Mr Cheap. Image: Facebook. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Mackenzie's actual cup remains unseen, so, true to form, the Independent on Saturday did what any curious tea lover would do: we went online to see what it might look like. Dr Google led us to a Russian website showcasing the finery produced at the Imperial Lomonosov Porcelain Factory. There, we found a hand-painted set which is embellished with 22-karat gold, complete with the original Lomonosov factory mark on the bottom of the cup and saucer. One listing read: 'Enjoy a steaming cup of hot tea with the Lomonosov Porcelain Tea Set Cup and Saucer Spring Winter Fairytale. This unusual Tea Cup and Saucer is made from white porcelain by the Imperial Porcelain Factory in St. Petersburg. It will be a perfect gift for avid tea and coffee drinkers. It's also a perfect addition to any porcelain drinkware collection.' The 1980s vintage special Russian silver Cloisonné gold plated coffee cup set which sold for almost R18 000. Image: Supplied. Sadly though, that particular set was only valued at $230 (R4,132.53, almost two thousand rand less than Mackenzie's. Another cup and saucer that caught our eye, made from bone china and based on costumes worn by ballet dancers in the Bolshoi Theatre's 1968 production of Spartacus, came in at a paltry $134 (R2,400), despite the hand-painting and 22-karat gold trim. Finally, we stumbled across a cup and saucer that could almost rival the minister's: a 1980s vintage special Russian silver cloisonné, gold-plated coffee cup set for $1,000 (R17,967.51). And before you choke on your tea, Sotheby's once auctioned off a tiny porcelain cup dating back to the Ming dynasty. Known as the 'chicken cup', because it's decorated with a rooster and a hen, it went for a cool $36 million (R646 million) in Hong Kong in 2014. Whatever Mackenzie's drinking, we hope that the tea itself is local.
The Citizen
17-07-2025
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Operation Dudula wanting to know why organisations prioritise foreign nationals
Operation Dudula have questioned the intentions of non-profit organisations and civil rights groups defending illegal migrants. Operation Dudula are taking their illegal migration fight to the steps of organisations they deem to be sympathetic to foreign nationals. The pro-South African movement marched through Johannesburg and Durban on Thursday to deliver memoranda to two organisations. Operation Dudula consider the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (Seri) to be the leading protectors of illegal foreign migrants. Alleged foreign preference A wall of police officers was required to separate Operation Dudula protestors and counter-protesters in Johannesburg on Thursday. Operation Dudula were on their way to Seri's offices, whom they accuse of using litigation to defend the interests of foreign nationals in contravention of South African law. Operation Dudula spokesperson Zandile Dabula stated that the marches are aimed at asking why these organisations prioritise foreign nationals over South Africans. Dabula stated that the organisation wanted Seri and SAHRC not to side with foreign nationals blindly, but to treat South African complaints with legitimacy. 'They should also go out to communities to find out what the real issues are. They are not really looking into matters that are affecting citizens of this country,' Dabula told The Citizen. 'We do know they are being funded by non-South Africans, but their role is to advocate for South Africans,' she added. Seri's funders include, among others, Open Society Foundations, Global Affairs Canada, Norweigan People's Aid and San-Francisco-based Cameron Schrier Foundation. 'Dudula a threat' The SAHRC told The Citizen that they would study Operation Dudula's memorandum before commenting, and Seri representatives referred questions to their head of litigation, who had not responded by the time of publication. Equal rights groups that receive legal support from Seri released a joint statement in solidarity with their fight against discrimination. 'Xenophobia is not only driven by fear and prejudice, it is a direct assault on human dignity and the universal rights enshrined in our Constitution,' stated Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia spokesperson Mike Ndlovu. He described Operation Dudula's actions as 'intimidation', stating that they will remain resolute in defence of human rights. 'Operation Dudula is a threat, not only to migrants, but to all who believe in freedom, equality, and constitutionalism.' 'Its actions rely on and reinforce a system of violence, exclusion, and scapegoating reminiscent of apartheid,' conclude Ndlovu. 'Not xenophobic' Dabula reiterated that these organisations were not responding to complaints about foreign nationals victimising South Africans. 'Do they even have the country's best interests at heart, or do they just want to see this country go down the drain?' she asked. Dabula also wanted organisations to stop labelling Operation Dudula xenophobic and inhumane, stressing that they did not target individuals or nationalities. 'We are just against the illegality and how they conduct themselves when they come here because our buildings have been taken over and our children are dying,' she said. 'We are not against our brothers and sisters, but we have a problem with illegality and criminality. We just want what is best for South Africans, and we will not stop,' Dabula concluded. NOW READ: NGOs say foreigners in SA told to return to their countries when opening cases against Operation Dudula
IOL News
04-07-2025
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Amakhosi Legacy Plan rolls out medical aid and pension perks for traditional leaders
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, unveiled the Amakhosi Legacy Plan, where all KwaZulu-Natal Amakhosi will gain access to Medical Aid, a Pension Fund, and investments. Image: Supplied In a landmark development for traditional leadership in KwaZulu-Natal, a new initiative aimed at uplifting Amakhosi was unveiled this week. The 'Amakhosi Legacy Plan' is set to transform the way traditional leaders function within society by prioritising their welfare with benefits akin to those enjoyed by Members of Parliament and Councillors. The launch was officiated by Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), who highlighted the significance of this initiative during a gathering at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. 'This initiative aims to provide Amakhosi with peace of mind, ensuring they can build a lasting legacy for their families and retire securely,' MEC Buthelezi stated, underlining the plan's focus on security and dignity for traditional leaders and their families. Under the Amakhosi Legacy Plan, all Amakhosi in the province will benefit from access to essential services including Medical Aid, a Pension Fund, and various investment opportunities. This comprehensive programme is crafted to ensure that traditional leaders receive the necessary support throughout their lives, with a strong emphasis on providing security even after retirement. Buthelezi further mentioned that this ambitious programme is not just for the Amakhosi; the rollout will subsequently extend to Traditional Council Secretaries and Izinduna, thereby encompassing a broader spectrum of traditional leadership across KwaZulu-Natal. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Chairperson for the KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inkosi Sifiso Shinga, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the MEC on behalf of the Amakhosi. He described the unveiling of the Amakhosi Legacy Plan as a significant breakthrough for the community of traditional leaders, reflecting a noticeable change since Buthelezi's appointment. 'We have seen tangible improvements and a series of practical programmes aimed at uplifting and empowering Amakhosi,' he noted appreciatively. During the event, MEC Buthelezi also introduced representatives from Standard Bank, the financial institution facilitating these essential packages. He took the opportunity to thank the bank's management and staff for their commitment to developing suitable products tailored to the needs of the Amakhosi. In addition to this monumental plan, MEC Buthelezi concluded the meeting by distributing laptops, printers, and data cards to Amakhosi participating in the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Programme. This educational initiative aims to enhance their skills in Leadership, Governance, and Administration—further empowering traditional leaders to fulfil their roles more effectively. IOL
