Latest news with #AKF
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Gayton McKenzie faces backlash from Ahmed Kathrada Foundation over 'threats to civil society'
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation slammed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for threatening to shut down civil society organisations. Image: BackpagePix The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) has slammed Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, for threatening to shut down it and other civil society organisations. McKenzie made these remarks in a recent interview with the Paris-based English-language quarterly magazine, Africa Report, where he was speaking about the Afrikaner's resettling in the United States, xenophobia and his 2029 leadership vision. McKenzie recently sparked controversy by calling for the dismissal of foreign nationals working in departments under his authority, with many including the AKF and other prominent civil society organisations, criticising him for being xenophobic. During the interview, McKenzie told Africa Report that he would get rid of illegal foreigners and he would close down charities that are anti-government, adding that the country needs patriotic charities. When asked if that included AKF, McKenzie said the foundation is a disgrace to the memory of the anti-apartheid activist, adding that he had never heard them speaking about the poorest of the poor not having jobs. The foundation said these comments are a direct attack on the values of the country's democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of civil society organisations to operate freely in South Africa. 'Minister McKenzie's contempt for our Constitution and the rule of law is serial and sinister. His most recent threats follow the equally dangerous and unlawful directive he issued earlier in May, instructing the dismissal of all foreign nationals employed in entities within his department, under the threat of firing the CEOs of those entities. "These actions were, and remain, entirely without legal foundation and constitute a clear violation of both South Africa's Constitution and its labour laws,' said the foundation. 'It is not just the threat to shut down the AKF that we resist, but the broader pattern of Minister McKenzie's abuse of power. He tells us without shame and repeatedly that a government in which he holds office is one in which his personal whims should hold sway rather than the democratic principles he is sworn to defend,' the foundation said, adding that his actions are not just unlawful, they are dangerous to the social cohesion, stability, and growth of our country. The foundation accused McKenzie of seeking to justify his illegal actions under the guise of advocating for the poor. "A Minister who abuses his power and disregards the Constitution cannot credibly claim to be serious about addressing the very real and grave issues of unemployment, poverty, and inequality in our country. A Minister who actively seeks to alienate the residents of those markets in which our goods, services and industry must find uptake is not a Minister serious about creating jobs or economic growth.' The foundation said the real threats to South Africa's future are not the civil society organisations that speak out against harmful, fact-free policies. Nor are they from those foreign nationals lawfully present in South Africa. It said the true threats are those who, like Minister McKenzie, actively undermine the rule of law, sow divisions and pursue populist agendas at the cost of the common good. 'We call on President Cyril Ramaphosa, the Cabinet, and all responsible authorities to distance themselves from Minister McKenzie's harmful rhetoric and actions. His threats to close organisations like the AKF- whose record speaks for itself and which exists to uphold the values of justice, equality, and democracy- must be rejected in the strongest terms," the foundation said. McKenzie spokesperson, Stacy-Lee Khojane, said the Minister had attended the Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal on Sunday and was not available to respond. However, shortly after the release of the AKF statement on Friday, McKenzie reaffirmed his stance, saying illegal foreigners in South Africa are protected by very powerful foundations, the media and law societies. 'Once you touch this subject, you will be attacked on all fronts,' he said. [email protected]
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Shahmalarani hungry for more after Asian Championships breakthrough
KUALA LUMPUR: National karate exponent C. Shahmalarani's steely determination and never-say-die attitude was the key to her success at the Asian Championships which concluded in Uzbekistan yesterday (May 25). Shahmalarani ended Malaysia's 13-year wait to win a silver medal at the Asian meet. She scalped Kazakhstan's world champion Moldir Zhangbyrbay in the semi-finals before going down to home crowd favourite Gulshan Alimardanova in the women's kumite under-50kg decider yesterday. It was nevertheless a proud moment for the 26-year-old who had not made it to the medal rounds in previous editions of the Asian Championships. Malaysia also won a bronze medal in Tashkent yesterday through K. Thevendran in the men's under-55kg kumite. "This win is deeply personal, it's more than just a medal - it's a breakthrough," said Shahmalarani on social media today (May 26). "They say 'fall seven times, stand up eight (times)'. It literally took me seven AKF (Asian Championships) appearances to finally break a 13-year drought and bring Malaysia back to an AKF final. "This wasn't an overnight success. It took years of perseverance — five early exits, each one a lesson in patience, grit and growth. "After countless setbacks, I've finally reached the moment I've been striving for. "But this isn't all! I'm always hungry for more success and (am) driven to chase greater glory because the ultimate goal is to build a lasting legacy." The two-time Sea Games champion is the first Malaysian kumite exponent in 13 years to contest an Asian Championships final since R. Loganesha Rao took silver in the men's under-55kg kumite during the 2012 edition which was also held in Tashkent. Malaysia's last gold medal at the Asian Championships came in 2011 through Hatta Mahamut in the men's under-84kg kumite category in Quanzhou, China.
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Shahmalarani Clinches Silver At Asian Karate Championships In Tashkent
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- National karate ace C. Shahmalarani has done the nation proud by winning a silver medal in the women's kumite under 50 kilogrammes (kg) at the 2025 Asian Karate Championship in Tashkent, Uzbekistan today. The achievement is all the more meaningful as it marks Malaysia's first silver medal in the kumite discipline in 13 years. Shahmalarani's hopes of clinching gold were dashed after the 26-year-old athlete lost in the final to home crowd favourite Gulshan Alimardanova 1-7 in the gold medal bout held at Yunusobod Sports Complex. 'This win is deeply personal, it's more than just a medal, it's a breakthrough. Fall down seven times, stand up eight, they say! It literally took me seven AKF appearances to finally break a 13-year drought and bring Malaysia back to an AKF final. 'This wasn't an overnight success. It took years of perseverance - five early exits, each one a lesson in patience, grit, and growth. After countless setbacks, I've finally reached the moment I've been striving for,' she said in a Facebook post. She said the achievement has ignited her spirit to continue striving for even greater success. 'I'm always hungry for more success and will chase greater glory - because the ultimate goal is to build a lasting legacy,' she said. For the record, former national karateka R. Loganesha Rao won silver in the men's kumite under 55 kg at the 2012 edition, which was also held in Tashkent, while Malaysia's last gold medal came in 2011 through Mohd Hatta Mahamut in the men's kumite under 84 kg in Quanzhou, China. -- BERNAMA
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
American Kidney Fund's Kidney Health for All™ Health Equity Media Campaign Expands to More Communities Nationwide
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Kidney Fund (AKF) has launched the next phase of its national Kidney Health for All™ media campaign, connecting millions more people with resources to help prevent kidney disease in high-risk populations. Part of AKF's Kidney Health for All™ health equity program, the media campaign first launched in 2024 to raise awareness about kidney disease prevention and management among Black and Hispanic/Latino people who are at greatest risk of kidney failure. In the U.S., the prevalence of kidney failure among Black people is more than four times that of white people, while the prevalence of kidney failure in Hispanic or Latino people is more than twice that of non-Hispanic white people, according to the U.S. Renal Data System. 'Our mission in launching Kidney Health for All was simple: to help ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, ethnicity or background, can access the tools and information they need to help prevent and effectively manage kidney disease,' said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. 'Our critical work to address health disparities is ongoing, and we are grateful for the continuing support of all those who have joined in our efforts to fight kidney disease on all fronts.' The media campaign employs TV, streaming and radio PSAs, digital advertising, and videos in primary care offices nationwide. It also features ads on billboards and public transportation in metropolitan areas with high rates of kidney disease; these billboards and public transit ads have now expanded to eight additional markets, for a total of 16: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Washington, D.C.; Birmingham, Alabama; Columbia, South Carolina; Jackson, Mississippi; Little Rock, Arkansas; Memphis, Tennessee; Richmond, Virginia; and Sacramento, California. AKF's Kidney Health for All health equity program addresses four areas of kidney health: prevention and awareness, increasing use of home dialysis, diversifying participation in clinical trials and increasing access to transplant. As part of this work, AKF established and convened the Health Equity Coalition in 2021. This coalition is comprised of organizations, patients and caregivers and helps guide the development of evidence-based programs and resources for AKF's patient and professional audiences. Since the launch of the program, AKF has developed a number of award-winning resources, including Your Guide to Kidney Transplant and the Home Dialysis Decision Aid, with more resources for people living with kidney disease and those at risk coming soon. AKF has also created a health equity training program, which connects advocates to each other, teaches effective advocacy techniques, helps attendees develop an understanding of health equity impacting people with kidney disease and empowers attendees to advocate for laws, policies and regulations that impact the kidney community. Additionally, AKF is now in its second year of its Kidney Health Coach (KHC) Health Equity Grant program, which helps expand the reach and impact of KHC by empowering organizations and coaches across the country to reach at-risk communities and spread health messaging in chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevention and management. So far, AKF has awarded 48 coaches and eight organizations with grants. AKF's Kidney Health for All program can be viewed at Kidney Health for All is supported by Presenting Sponsors Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly and Company and Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Equity Sponsors AstraZeneca, Merck and Co., Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc., Sanofi and Travere Therapeutics. About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of 1 in 7 Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation's top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar. For more information, please visit or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. CONTACT: Nancy Gregory American Kidney Fund (240) 292-7077 ngregory@
Business Upturn
14-05-2025
- Health
- Business Upturn
The American Kidney Fund's ‘A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' Campaign Provides New Resources for Patients Living with IgA Nephropathy
ROCKVILLE, Md., May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, on IgA Nephropathy Awareness Day, the American Kidney Fund (AKF) proudly announces the creation of new educational resources for 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy,' its newly updated educational awareness campaign. Developed by AKF with financial support from Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (Novartis), this new educational content will help people living with IgA nephropathy and their families and caregivers better understand and manage this rare kidney disease. IgA nephropathy is a rare disease that causes inflammation and damage to the kidneys. Over time, this damage reduces the organs' ability to filter waste and fluid from the bloodstream, which can eventually lead to kidney failure. While there is no cure for IgA nephropathy, there are treatments to help treat the disease and slow the damage to the kidneys, potentially delaying or preventing kidney failure. 'We are very pleased to expand our IgA nephropathy campaign with new resources to help patients better understand this rare kidney disease,' said LaVarne A. Burton, AKF President and CEO. 'With support from Novartis, we can provide more information and new tools to help IgAN patients stay 'a step ahead' of their diagnosis and live healthier lives.' As part of this expansion, AKF has updated the 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' campaign webpage. The updates provide more information about proteinuria—protein in the urine. The new resources will also include a downloadable guide about proteinuria progression and an animated explainer video about proteinuria. To further share these resources and raise awareness of IgAN, AKF will also have an Instagram takeover day on June 18 for the campaign. The 'A Step Ahead of IgA Nephropathy' campaign is part of AKF's ongoing work to increase awareness and understanding of rare kidney diseases and ensure people with rare conditions have access to critical resources. In 2024, AKF launched the Rare Kidney Disease Action Network (RKDAN), a new advocacy network working to ensure the voices of people living with rare kidney diseases are heard and amplified to impact change on the policy level. In its first year, RKDAN focused heavily on issues faced by people living with IgA nephropathy and brought 23 patients to Capitol Hill to advocate for two bills that would significantly improve research, treatment and diagnosis of rare kidney diseases. ### About the American Kidney Fund The American Kidney Fund (AKF) fights kidney disease on all fronts as the nonprofit with the greatest direct impact on people with kidney disease. AKF works on behalf of 1 in 7 Americans living with kidney disease, and the millions more at risk, with an unmatched scope of programs that support people wherever they are in their fight against kidney disease—from prevention through transplant. AKF fights for kidney health for all through programs that address early detection, disease management, financial assistance, clinical research, innovation and advocacy. AKF is one of the nation's top-rated nonprofits, investing 97 cents of every donated dollar in programs, and it has received 24 consecutive 4-Star ratings from Charity Navigator as well as the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, formerly known as GuideStar. For more information, please visit or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
