Court retraces steps of Cradock Four
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By Riaan Marais - 03 June 2025
From the hill in the suburb of Bergsig, overlooking Nxuba, state security services had an uninterrupted view of Lingelihle Township — particularly the home of political activist Matthew Goniwe.
It was from that hill where they continuously monitored the movements of the Cradock Four, and in 1985 slowly formulated their sinister plans to have Goniwe and his comrades, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkhonto and Sicelo Mhlauli, eliminated...
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Mail & Guardian
4 hours ago
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Two days left for Gayton McKenzie to respond to K-word allegations
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It warned against using hate speech under the guise of free speech protections, citing the Equality Act and the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act. 'The commission calls on everyone in the country to uphold the principles enshrined in the constitution, including human dignity, equality and non-discrimination,' it said. McKenzie has rejected the allegations, insisting he has never used the K-word. Speaking to news channel 'I can't ask for forgiveness for something I didn't do. Why am I asking for forgiveness for some of the nonsense things I said about guys and swearing at some guys, not racism. I won't apologise,' he said. 'Why would I apologise for something I didn't do? Even if the president says I must apologise for racism, I will not, because I wasn't racist. Must I be so desperate for a job that I start apologising for stuff? No. I'm another type of guy.' 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Mail & Guardian
4 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
National Dialogue gains inclusion as activists step in after foundations exit
(Graphic: John McCann) Despite hurdles, including several legacy foundations and political parties boycotting last week's convention to initiate the National Dialogue on resolving South Africa's problems, organisers and participants insist the initiative remains on track. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa said the National Dialogue was a credible programme that would 'launch a million conversations' across South Africa, where people would 'meet to talk about what worries them, what gives them hope and how they think their lives and our country can be better'. On Monday, convention committee spokesperson Zwoitwaho Nevhutalu described the discussions during last week's forum as 'vibrant', saying the He noted how delegates had resisted moves that might exclude citizens unable to attend the two-day convention, telling the Mail & Guardian : 'It was actually humbling how activists did not want to use their privilege at being at the convention to usurp leadership.' The National Dialogue is part of Ramaphosa's attempt to forge a new social compact after his ANC lost its electoral majority in the 2024 general elections, forcing it into a coalition government with nine other political parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA is boycotting the dialogue, describing it as an Nevhutalu said the willingness of activists to hold space for excluded voices was a key marker of the convention's spirit. 'What we picked up from the dialogue is that South Africans are very stressed and it is an opportune moment for leaders to engage in discussions,' he said, pushing back against what he called the 'misrepresentation' of the process by those opposed to it. 'All we will do is collate the information and make sure it arrives at the highest level, which is the second convention.' Civil society organisations appear to be stepping into the gaps left by the foundations' withdrawal. Member of the convention committee Nonkululeko Mntambo said the exits opened more space for citizens and grassroots networks. 'When the foundations left the leadership of the subcommittees, the social mobilisation and trauma and healing fell to the grassroots people who were already mobilised,' Mntambo said. 'Many experts have since been discovered who would otherwise not have been in the forefront.' But she stressed that the process is not without risks. 'The dialogue has to address security issues and ensure participants are well trained, for a citizen-led process to be successful. We are dialoguing with people who have very different values and backgrounds.' The trust deficit between the government and citizens, created by years of unmet promises, complicates efforts to build consensus, Mntambo said, adding that the convention showed spatial, gender and racial divides which the dialogue seeks to address. 'Getting people to the convention was difficult as some were coming from different parts of South Africa — from townships and villages,' she noted. Bongani Kupe, the special project manager at the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, said the legacy movements were talking to civil society about how to take the project back from the government and political parties. 'We didn't participate in [last week's] gathering but we cannot leave this important project to people who don't understand its meaning and impact in the citizenry defining the South Africa we want,' Kupe said. He said South Africans had lost faith in democracy, pointing to the declining number of voters who cast ballots in the 2024 elections. 'Our aim is to deal with all aspects affecting the country and there are no holy cows. The dialogue should cover even the most uncomfortable topics that will shape the future of this country.'