Latest news with #Bukasa
The South African
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mayele closes Kaizer Chiefs door, Saudi Arabia next destination
Pyramids FC striker Fiston Mayele will NOT be joining Kaizer Chiefs or any other South African football team. This is according to Mayele's close ally and fellow Congolese Christian Bukasa who spoke at length about the player's ambition. Speaking to KickOff , Bukasa revealed how surprise he was that Mayele is still being linked with a possible move to Chiefs. He further recalled how the lanky striker desperately wanted to join Chiefs while he was still at Yanga SC. However, Chiefs, at the time, discouraged Mayele as they complained about his age and high salary demands before rejecting him. Now, Bukasa said Mayele is at a stage in his career where he wants to make money for himself and his family. He added that not even Mamelodi Sundowns are an option for Mayele as he's currently in talks with a Saudi Arabian club. Al Fateh is the Saudi Arabian club Mayele is reported to be in talks with as indications are that he will leave Pyramids. The oonly time Mayele can come to South Africa is during the off-season for holiday purposes and to enjoy the Amapiano music. Pyramids star Fiston Mayele Image via Omar Flavio 'He doesn't want South Africa anymore so I'm surprised that Mayele is still being linked to Chiefs up to now,' said Bukasa. 'When Mayele wanted to come to South Africa, Chiefs turned us down and we moved on. 'The truth is that while at Yanga, he wanted to come to South Africa, but he was told about age, money and so felt discouraged. 'He will not even come to Mamelodi Sundowns because the PSL chapter is gone. 'He now needs to make money and will move to Saudi Arabia where his salary will be tripled before all other bonuses. 'We are talking proper money.' 'At his age he needs to make money for himself and his family and the best destination for him next is Saudi Arabia where talks are already ongoing with clubs there,' added Bukasa. 'What is the reason for coming to South Africa for less money now when there is so much more for him in Saudi Arabia. 'He told me that he will only come here during the holidays to listen to amapiano and not to play soccer. 'For soccer, all the teams must forget, and this is the truth. 'In Africa, besides Pyramids, he can only play for Al Ahly,' he concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Born free, blocked by the system
ZODWA Vanqase, Treasure Moloi, Zethu Magidigudi, Kelvinicia Malan, Motshidisi Motloung, Carey-Lee Oliphant and Busisiwe Hlatshwayo who all volunteer at P.U.S.H in Kliptown remember their school years in uniform as Youth Day approaches. Image: Timothy Bernard / Independent Newspaper Over four million young South Africans rely on the R370 Social Relief of Distress grants. Image: Ron Lach / Pexels Forty-nine years after the 1976 youth rose up for their future, a new generation is still fighting—this time, for access to basic survival. Blocked by digital dead-ends, outdated databases, and silent systems, many young South Africans are being denied the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant - an essential support in a country where jobs are scarce and promises often fall flat. These technical barriers are hindering the efforts of youth applicants to secure these crucial funds, according to the social justice organisation, Black Sash. South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spokesperson Andile Tshona said while there are currently over four million young beneficiaries receiving SRD grants, it is difficult to say whether this figure is more or less than the previous years, as the numbers keep changing. 'Remember that the SRD grant is not permanent. Some come through the system through approvals. At the same time, others get off the SRD grant as they no longer qualify after being reviewed,' he said. Black Sash executive director Rachel Bukasa said youth applicants for the SRD grant face multiple systemic and technical barriers. These barriers include unjust disqualifications due to outdated or inaccurate data from third-party databases (eg UIF, SARS) and delays in ID verification, particularly for young people recently issued with identity documents. Bukasa said other issues include the lack of digital access or data, which hinders online applications or status checks. She said poor communication from Sassa makes it difficult to understand rejection reasons or appeal processes and banking verification failures, especially for youth using accounts not in their name and digital wallets. There is also limited awareness about how to reapply or appeal decisions, especially among the youth in rural or underserved areas. 'Black Sash is actively working to support young SRD applicants through rights education and awareness campaigns, including digital content and community outreach that explain how to apply, appeal, and escalate,' said Bukasa. In addition, Bukasa said the organisation has paralegal support via the Black Sash Community Advice Offices and Helpline, guiding youth through verification or appeal processes. 'We also engage Sassa and the Department of Social Development (DSD) at the policy level, advocating for a more transparent and accessible SRD process, especially for youth and marginalised groups. Bukasa said Black Sash does active monitoring in the field, particularly during grant payment weeks, and reports SRD-related issues and trends to hold the government accountable and push for systemic reform. Aliya Chikte, project manager at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), agreed that young people encounter multiple obstacles at every stage of the SRD grant process. Chikte said there are also language barriers, biometric identity verification systems that are difficult to navigate, and an over-reliance on the formal banking system. 'Additionally, millions are wrongly disqualified because the income threshold is set below the Food Poverty Line - meaning even those in dire need are denied support,' she said. Chikte said 700,000 people are over 18 but still in the schooling system. 'These school learners are kicked off the Child Support Grant despite their nutritional needs remaining the same.' Chikte advised that there needs to be a universal basic income guarantee to ensure that youth do not fall deeper into poverty, especially in the context of mass unemployment. 'The government cannot make income support contingent on searching for jobs that do not exist,' she said. Kgothatso Sibanda, Black Sash Helpline manager, stated that they receive over 35 calls weekly from individuals facing issues with ID verification for SRD grants. Sibanda said the people who receive the grant have little to no income. 'This R370 grant, although it's small, does go a long way for those applicants. Without it, they cannot meet their needs or even hunt for a job.' She said a major issue is the verification link needed by beneficiaries from Sassa to prevent fraudulent activity. Beneficiaries fail to receive the link, and in some cases, the systems are down at Sassa and Home Affairs at varying times, she said. This affects not only those who are flagged but also those who need to change their cellphone numbers. 'From last year around June/July, we started getting a lot of complaints from people who were not getting links,' she said, noting that, according to Sassa, the system is automated. Sibanda said people wait up to three or more months without getting the link. She recommended that the verification be done at a Sassa local office to ensure that verification processes are sped up. 'If local office staff have access to the link, where applicants are able to go, that will really assist in speeding up the process,' said Sibanda. [email protected] Youth Day 2025 Image: Independent Media
IOL News
13-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
How systemic hurdles hinder South African youth from accessing the vital R370 SRD grant
Over four million young South Africans rely on the R370 Social Relief of Distress grants. Image: Ron Lach / Pexels In South Africa, over four million young individuals are currently benefiting from the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, an essential lifeline for many amid escalating economic challenges. However, systemic and technical barriers are hindering the efforts of youth applicants to secure these crucial funds, according to the social justice organisation, Black Sash. South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) spokesperson Andile Tshona said while there are currently over four million young beneficiaries receiving SRD grants, it is difficult to say whether this figure is more or less than the previous years, as the numbers keep changing. 'Remember that the SRD grant is not permanent. Some come through the system through approvals. At the same time, others get off the SRD grant as they no longer qualify after being reviewed,' he said. Black Sash executive director Rachel Bukasa said youth applicants for the SRD grant face multiple systemic and technical barriers. These barriers include unjust disqualifications due to outdated or inaccurate data from third-party databases (e.g., UIF, SARS) and delays in ID verification, particularly for young people recently issued with identity documents. Bukasa said other issues include the lack of digital access or data, which hinders online applications or status checks. She said poor communication from Sassa makes it difficult to understand rejection reasons or appeal processes and banking verification failures, especially for youth using accounts not in their name and digital wallets. There is also limited awareness about how to reapply or appeal decisions, especially among the youth in rural or underserved areas. 'Black Sash is actively working to support young SRD applicants through rights education and awareness campaigns, including digital content and community outreach that explain how to apply, appeal, and escalate,' said Bukasa. In addition, Bukasa said the organisation has paralegal support via the Black Sash Community Advice Offices and Helpline, guiding youth through verification or appeal processes. 'We also engage Sassa and the Department of Social Development (DSD) at the policy level, advocating for a more transparent and accessible SRD process, especially for youth and marginalised groups. Bukasa said Black Sash does active monitoring in the field, particularly during grant payment weeks, and reports SRD-related issues and trends to hold the government accountable and push for systemic reform. Aliya Chikte, project manager at the Alternative Information and Development Centre (AIDC), agreed that young people encounter multiple obstacles at every stage of the SRD grant process. Chikte said there are also language barriers, biometric identity verification systems that are difficult to navigate, and an over-reliance on the formal banking system. 'Additionally, millions are wrongly disqualified because the income threshold is set below the Food Poverty Line - meaning even those in dire need are denied support,' she said. Chikte said 700,000 people are over 18 but still in the schooling system. 'These school learners are kicked off the Child Support Grant despite their nutritional needs remaining the same.' Chikte advised that there needs to be a universal basic income guarantee to ensure that youth do not fall deeper into poverty, especially in the context of mass unemployment. 'The government cannot make income support contingent on searching for jobs that do not exist,' she said. Kgothatso Sibanda, Black Sash Helpline manager, stated that they receive over 35 calls weekly from individuals facing issues with ID verification for SRD grants. Sibanda said the people who receive the grant have little to no income. 'This R370 grant, although it's small, does go a long way for those applicants. Without it, they cannot meet their needs or even hunt for a job.' She said a major issue is the verification link needed by beneficiaries from Sassa to prevent fraudulent activity. Beneficiaries fail to receive the link, and in some cases, the systems are down at Sassa and Home Affairs at varying times, she said. This affects not only those who are flagged but also those who need to change their cellphone numbers. 'From last year around June/July, we started getting a lot of complaints from people who were not getting links,' she said, noting that, according to Sassa, the system is automated. Sibanda said people wait up to three or more months without getting the link. She recommended that the verification be done at a Sassa local office to ensure that verification processes are sped up. 'If local office staff have access to the link, where applicants are able to go, that will really assist in speeding up the process,' said Sibanda. [email protected]
Eyewitness News
30-05-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Human rights organisation, COSATU and economists debate future of social grants
South Africa's economy is not creating enough jobs, so what happens to the millions of people who currently rely on social grants? This was the question raised by activists, economists and labour leaders at a panel discussion hosted by the Black Sash in Cape Town on Wednesday. The event was part of the organisation's 70th anniversary celebrations, and looked at the impact of removing social assistance in a country with high youth unemployment, food insecurity and growing inequality. The General Household Survey released by Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) on Tuesday, shows that the proportion of people receiving social grants grew from about 13% in 2003 to 31% in 2019 and surged to 40% in 2024 'due to the introduction of the special Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant'. Rachel Bukasa, Executive Director of Black Sash, said social grants are not a luxury, but a necessary response to high unemployment and poverty. 'Grants are an important stop-gap to the poverty and unemployment that exists. One of the biggest misconceptions when we talk about grants is that we don't want people to work. When we call for grants, it's in the absence of the jobs that the government has promised year after year.' She said while job creation remains the goal, the economy doesn't offer enough work for those who need it. Bukasa dismissed claims that grants breed dependency, saying they are a vital safety net while the government works to improve the job market. COSATU's Tony Ehrenreich agreed with Bukasa. He said the alternative to social support from the state is people falling into hunger and desperation. 'Grants are only a requirement when the market has failed. If the market is perfect there will be no need for grants, but the market is not perfect so we need to take care of people in the interim … It's not a question of jobs or grants. It's both,' Ehrenreich said. StatsSA reported that the official unemployment rate stood at about 33% in the first quarter of 2025. The expanded unemployment rate, which includes discouraged job seekers, is 43%. Ehrenreich said these statistics show the current economic direction is not working. 'We can say the system has failed if we look at the unemployment rate and deepening inequality … Must poor people pay for the failure of the rich and the public policymakers who drive around in their fancy cars? That can't be the response.' But political economist Phumlani Majozi said the current grant system is putting too much pressure on the country's fiscus. 'South Africans agree that the best way to move forward as a society is for people to have jobs … In our budget, the social grant expenditure is massive. 65% of our expenditure goes towards social grants, subsidised housing etc … Fiscally, it's not something that is manageable.' He criticised the lack of government vision. 'Where is the plan from the president and his cabinet to say by a certain year these are the targets … It doesn't seem like Enoch Godongwana has a plan.' Majozi said the system discouraged reform. 'There will be no incentive for government to change and pursue policies to encourage economic growth if our first argument is that we need social grants.' To which Bukasa responded that social security is a right, not a favour. 'Social assistance is protected by the Constitution. So we need to do away with the notion that it's a favour the government is doing … The fact that we have high needs for social protection right now is a reflection of governments inability to deliver on job creation.' This article first appeared on GroundUp. Read the original article here.
CAF
14-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
DR Congo U20 coach Bukasa steps down after elimination, leaves legacy of progress
Published: Wednesday, 14 May 2025 DR Congo's U-20 national team coach, Guy Bukasa, has stepped down following his side's elimination from the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025. The Leopards suffered a narrow 1-0 extra-time defeat to South Africa in Ismailia, ending their hopes of a maiden semi-final appearance and qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. Bukasa confirmed that he would not be continuing in his role after two years in charge. 'There will be no future for me in this category. I'll stop here,' Bukasa said in a report on 'I thank those who believed in us – the Federation, the government, and everyone who supported this journey.' Bukasa's decision draws the curtain on a tenure that saw DR Congo make strides at youth level despite the disappointment in Egypt. The 44-year-old coach, appointed to reinvigorate a stagnant youth system, oversaw a significant improvement in structure, tactical discipline, and player development. Under his watch, the Leopards returned to the U-20 AFCON after a 12-year absence and advanced past the group stage in one of the tournament's most competitive pools. A Sense of Fulfilment Despite Early Exit Despite the painful elimination, Bukasa expressed pride in his squad, particularly the effort and maturity shown by the young players during the competition. 'These boys, these 24 soldiers, gave everything,' he said. 'Even those who couldn't make the final squad were part of the journey. They followed strict discipline and showed commitment on and off the pitch.' The DR Congo U20s battled through Group C, holding Ghana 1-1, beating Central African Republic 3-1, and narrowly losing to Senegal 2-0. Their performance showed promise, but the defeat to South Africa in extra time highlighted the thin margins that define knockout football. A Void to Fill for Congolese Football Bukasa's departure now leaves the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFA) with the challenge of identifying a new leader to steer the team through upcoming qualifiers for the African Games and the next U-20 AFCON. His exit also reignites discussions about the long-term development of youth football in DR Congo, a country known for producing elite football talent but lacking consistency in youth competitions. Bukasa acknowledged this structural gap: 'In our country, youth football isn't yet embedded in our sporting culture. We tried to change that. Unfortunately, it stops here for me.' While the coach may be stepping away, many hope the foundations he laid will endure and that the Leopards' next generation can build on this progress.
