Latest news with #AmandaBlack
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Amanda Black, Yaya Mavundla, Rosie Motene and more talk Women's Day
In light of Women's Month celebrating the strides made by South African women, August 9 has become the most important day to honour these achievements and acknowledge the progress. TimesLIVE Premium tasked five women in various fields to discuss the progress made and whether Women's Day is still a calendar date worth celebrating. For singer and songwriter Amanda Black, the day is no longer celebrated because it is on the calendar. 'Women are the source of life, nurturing and creativity. The womb is a sacred space where our imagination first sparks and where healing takes place. By embracing and celebrating women's lives, we can overcome the negativity that roams among us, including jealousy and hatred, and instead foster a culture of love and support,' she said. She said women need to be celebrated every day, as one month is not enough to dedicate to the strides they have made. The same sentiment is held by Rosie Motene, a pan-Africanist queer writer, activist and life coach, who is a survivor of multiple forms of abuse that she experienced in the media space. She said an important facet of healing from the tribulations of womanhood comes from understanding each violation has its weight, its own timeline and a unique pathway to healing. 'When I resigned from a production [ Zabalaza ] in 2015, I felt that the channel [Mzansi Magic] should be commended for how they handled the situation. They did not try to silence me. Instead, they gave me a platform to tell my truth after both the producer and my then-agent lied about the circumstances — the channel's decision was to respect my voice, rather than cover up the truth. This was a rare and powerful example of accountability in an industry that too often protects perpetrators and punishes whistle-blowers,' she said Motene said it is also important for the media to stop lumping together all people who speak out; not everyone is ready to be called a 'survivor', and not everyone who shares their truth identifies as a victim. She said more women need to stop 'carrying a badge of resilience' as though it is a prize. For Motene, resilience has been weaponised against them and used to justify women's continued suffering. For Motene, a revolution lies in demanding healing. 'Women deserve to rest, to laugh without guilt, to cry without apology and to live without constantly having to prove their worth or justify their pain.' Yaya Mavundla, who is a multi-award-winning activist, described her struggles as a transgender woman in South Africa. Having faced rejection and transphobia, she feels society does not allow transgender people to exist freely, even though they face similar issues. Mavundla said ignorance towards transgender women in South Africa, especially on Women's Day, is still an issue, and it needs those who have a voice and the media to have conversations so society understands that transgender women belong. 'Transgender women are women, they are not men or the other. Therefore, trans women have the right to celebrate Women's Day.' While the march to the Union Buildings in 1956 saw women of different races unite against the oppressive dompas, protest culture has since morphed and has created an apathy around its efficacy in the modern context. For Palesa Musa, an activist who was detained at age 12 for her involvement in the 1976 Soweto uprising, protests are still a valid way to fight oppressive systems, and it's important to continue the same tactics such as closing down shops to ensure women's voices will be heard. 'Women must speak up and take to the streets. We fought for democracy, and we were heard. Yes, police were fighting us, and yes, it wasn't easy, but we tried. Young people must stay in school, study hard because education is key,' she said
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Advocates question fairness as federal government backs away from pharmacare program
OTTAWA — Health advocates say they're shocked to hear the federal government may not sign more pharmacare funding deals, which would leave coverage uneven across the country. The first phase of the Pharmacare Act, passed last fall by the Liberals and the NDP, calls for the federal government to fund the cost of contraceptives and diabetes medications for patients. The Trudeau government signed deals with B.C., P.E.I., Yukon and Manitoba to cover those costs for four years — but the new government is not committing to signing deals with the rest. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Liberal leader promised "that we wouldn't cut or abolish any of the existing deals" during the spring election. Julie Veinot, the executive director of South Shore Sexual Health in Nova Scotia, says people in her province should have the same access to care as those in B.C. Dr. Amanda Black, past president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, says that if the government doesn't continue signing pharmacare deals, it would be a step backward for women's health. — With files from Hannah Alberga in Toronto This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025. Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
CTV News
28-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Advocates question fairness as federal government backs away from pharmacare program
In this May 2, 2013 photo, pharmacist Simon Gorelikov holds a generic emergency contraceptive, also called the morning-after pill, at the Health First Pharmacy in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File) OTTAWA — Health advocates say they're shocked to hear the federal government may not sign more pharmacare funding deals, which would leave coverage uneven across the country. The first phase of the Pharmacare Act, passed last fall by the Liberals and the NDP, calls for the federal government to fund the cost of contraceptives and diabetes medications for patients. The Trudeau government signed deals with B.C., P.E.I., Yukon and Manitoba to cover those costs for four years — but the new government is not committing to signing deals with the rest. A spokesperson for Prime Minister Mark Carney says the Liberal leader promised 'that we wouldn't cut or abolish any of the existing deals' during the spring election. Julie Veinot, the executive director of South Shore Sexual Health in Nova Scotia, says people in her province should have the same access to care as those in B.C. Dr. Amanda Black, past president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada, says that if the government doesn't continue signing pharmacare deals, it would be a step backward for women's health. With files from Hannah Alberga in Toronto This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025. Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Rally for McNally campaign needs $2 million
A $2-million fundraising campaign is kicking off to help finish construction of McNally House Hospice in Grimsby. Dubbed 'Rally for McNally,' the campaign aims to bring in the final funds needed for a new 10-bed, 20,000-square-foot hospice currently under construction. 'This is where we're asking our community to really step up and help us complete this goal and everybody can help in some way,' said Amanda Black, campaign manager/community engagement co-ordinator at the hospice. Assuming no postal strike, fundraising letters will be mailed to 29,000 households in west Niagara next month. Hospice officials will also be collecting donations at local festivals and events. 'For the month of June, we're asking our community to rally with us to complete this final $2 million,' Black said. The overall cost of the new facility has risen from the initial $16-million estimate to $19 million. 'Once we went to tender, it was quite a bit more,' said hospice executive director Pamela Blackwood, who attributed the increase since last year to the rising cost of construction and building materials. Blackwood noted project subcontractors have told them some of the required building materials are sourced in the U.S., and they will be purchasing those materials in advance to avoid possible tariffs in the months ahead. 'They're saying just in case, let's purchase it now,' Blackwood said. The hospice has raised about $14.5 million from nearly 250 donors since the campaign began in 2020. In addition, the province is contributing $1 million, Niagara Region $1.1 million, the Town of Lincoln $115,000, the Town of Grimsby $97,793, and the Township of West Lincoln $70,000. An aerial view of the McNally House Hospice construction site. While a ceremonial groundbreaking was held last June, Blackwood noted the actual work began in early January, adding the basement walls have gone up and work on the basement floor of the two-storey building will begin in the coming days. 'They're forming up the main floor now,' Blackwood said. 'Baring a few delays with weather, we're on schedule.' The new building is expected to be completed by mid-April next year, with the hospice moving in and opening by early June. The expansion will increase capacity from six to 10 beds and staffing from 31 to 55 employees, including additional nurses and personal support workers. Blackwood noted the residential portion of the new hospice will be housed on the main floor, while the second floor will include administrative offices, a family suite and a living room. Once the new hospice opens, the current facility on Central Avenue will undergo eight months of renovations to transform it into a space for outreach programs and day services. Blackwood said they will be offering day programs for people who require care and their caregivers. 'What we find most importantly is patients and their caregivers are sent home from the hospital with not all the tools they need to be a caregiver at home, (such as) calculating medications and getting up in the night and learning how to change bedsheets when somebody's in bed,' Blackwood said. 'All these practical things that are part of our day hospice will be that education and support of walking along side these caregivers as they're at home and trying to manage.' Blackwood said while she expects the new beds to fill up quickly, the expanded residence will enable them to offer respite services when beds are available. These services would allow someone who is receiving home-care, but not ready for hospice care, to stay at the hospice temporarily to give their family and caregivers a break. Blackwood said hospice residents are referred there by their family doctor, hospital officials or even by self referral. The average stay is 12 days.
