Latest news with #DepartmentofSport
Daily Maverick
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Gayton McKenzie should be relieved of his Cabinet position
While everyone was distracted by the spectacle in the Oval Office between Presidents Trump and Ramaphosa, Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie was engaging in xenophobic outbursts, not as a campaigning Patriotic Alliance rabble-rouser but, in effect, asserting xenophobia as government policy. While addressing the chairpersons and CEOs of all Department of Sport, Arts and Culture entities – including museums, theatres and heritage and funding agencies, he launched into an attack on 'foreigners' in South Africa. He is quoted, inter alia, as saying: 'Some of you here [have] the audacity to hire foreigners instead of South Africans.'; 'I don't care how you used to do it. But for as long as I am the minister, there will be no foreigner that will work in an entity while a South African can do the same thing.'; He said that 'foreigners' employed by departments needed to be 'out in three weeks'. 'I said it, I want them out, get them out.' Leaving aside the inappropriate tone of engagement by a Cabinet Minister, it is the language of 'them' and 'us', threatening to divide and fomenting hate, which should disturb us all. In reporting by Marianne Thamm, we understand that, 'Daily Maverick has seen a letter dated 9 May from McKenzie to the chair and CEO of the Market Theatre following up on 'an audit' of 'non-South Africans employed by the various entities incorporated under the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture'. ' We need to fully understand how dangerous this kind of exercise of authority is from a man patently unfit to hold any leadership position. It beggars belief that he could have been considered for a Cabinet position. An 'all-in' GNU required this irksome compromise, it would seem. His Patriotic Alliance won eight seats in the National Assembly in last year's election, which represents 2.05% of the vote. But, Sport, Arts and Culture has mostly been a ministry where shamed politicians go, to while away time or recover from scandal. The ANC has never really taken this portfolio seriously, which is shameful and says a great deal about what the party prioritises. We should also not be surprised at McKenzie's 'instruction' to Department of Sport, Arts and Culture entities. This is who he is, a crude, embarrassing street-fighter, former criminal and a well-known driver of xenophobia and hate. While district mayor in Beaufort West, McKenzie vowed to make the Central Karoo an 'illegal immigrant-free zone', sending shivers down the spines of the Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Ethiopian communities. As Richard Pithouse has written in a piece worth reading again, 'When McKenzie and the Patriotic Alliance were brought into the government of national unity, all its participants knew that they were right-wing populists whose xenophobia was openly at odds with the Constitution.' There is a reason McKenzie initially expressed a desire for the Home Affairs portfolio. Constitutional rights undermined No one in the Cabinet seems to have raised an eyebrow at their colleague's most recent statements. The President himself has said and done nothing in response to McKenzie's comments, which a large grouping of civil society organisations has called, 'vulgar', in a statement released on 20 May. It further called the comments 'morally repugnant and entirely devoid of legal authority'. The civil society statement says that, 'His demand of CEOs that they immediately dismiss foreign employees or face dismissal themselves constitutes an egregious violation of South Africa's constitutional law, its labour laws and its international treaty obligations. South Africa's Constitution enshrines the rights of everyone – including foreign nationals – to fair labour practices. The minister's remarks and instructions undermine these rights and amount to unlawful discrimination based on nationality, which is expressly prohibited under both domestic and international law.' Again, these sorts of sentiments, while rightly called 'morally repugnant', are not new. They course dangerously through our political discourse. The ANC itself has frequently expressed xenophobic sentiments. A few examples to recall: In 2022, Phophi Ramathuba stood at the bed of a Zimbabwean patient who had been involved in a car accident, in a hospital in Bela-Bela, Limpopo, and said: 'You are killing my (sic) health system.' Ramathuba was MEC of Health at the time. It was a shameful scene, and even while the cameras rolled, Ramathuba showed very little care. When these words were followed by an outcry, Ramathuba insisted she would not apologise. Defiant and callous. After the May 2024 general election, Ramathuba was elevated to Premier of Limpopo. So, xenophobia pays, it seems. Stilfontein When we witnessed a most abhorrent act as illegal miners were trapped inside a mine in Stilfontein with no help forthcoming, the response from Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, made national and international headlines when she said, stone-cold: 'You want to send our law enforcement officers to risk because criminals want to destroy our country? What if we send the police or military down there to supply them with food, the place explodes and caves in? What will happen? So families must continue to sacrifice because criminals got themselves into a bind?' It ran on, with Ntshavheni saying the government would not send help. 'We will smoke them out', she said, without understanding how objectionable her words were. What a disgrace. We recall Operation Dudula, which gained prominence on the streets, especially after its leader, Nhlanhla 'Lux' Dlamini, was arrested in 2022. Operation Dudula brought with it violent language and has enticed those at the margins of our society. There is a straight line from where we are today back to 2008 and the painful moment when violence was unleashed against foreigners across our country. McKenzie doubles down Instead of being remorseful and attempting to understand the constitutional imperatives at play, McKenzie reinforced his comments during an interview with the Africa Report on 22 May while attending the South Africa-France Investment Conference at Place Vendôme in Paris. If the interview is anything to go by, one shudders to think what further contribution McKenzie made at this conference. Responding to the civil society statement, he said, ''Our people don't have jobs. We've got double-digit unemployment, youth unemployment in our country, but illegal foreigners have jobs. 'We cannot allow this and they can call me vulgar. What is vulgar? It's giving your neighbour children food, shelter, water, while your own children are starving. That is vulgar… 'I will get rid of illegal foreigners. I will close this type of charity because we need patriotic charities in our country. I will close down the charities that are anti-government, that are anti-South Africa.' McKenzie, like all populists, understands grievance. But he was greeted with cheers by attendees at the Paris conference while hugging and handshaking. During the same interview, he claimed he had 'Presidential aspirations'. So, President Ramaphosa needs to be clear about where this GNU stands on xenophobia and also the threats to 'close down' 'anti-government' charities (sic). What exactly does this mean? In the same interview, he specifically attacked the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, one of the civil society signatories to the statement mentioned above. There can be no ambiguity about the role of civil society in a democracy. It is not McKenzie's gift, but a constitutional right and the President of the country should reassert this as head of state of our constitutional democracy. Complex causes As with everything else in South Africa, the reasons for violence are complex. Sometimes it has been driven by xenophobia, at other times a rather more confusing cocktail of anger, frustration and intolerance bubbling at the surface of our society, fuelled by exclusion, poverty and rampant unemployment. We seem to be straining at the seams as the repercussions of deep inequalities, our inability to bring about structural economic transformation after 1994 and the old baggage of the apartheid years come to haunt us. The environment is ripe for blaming 'the other' while competing for scarce resources. At the heart of the incendiary rhetoric lies populist exploitation and an instinct to simplify the complex. This is not unique to South Africa. We have seen it in Donald Trump's presidency and the arguments for Brexit. Widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo has driven voters in small towns towards the politics McKenzie espouses. Our towns and municipalities, mostly falling apart as a result of ANC corruption and neglect, are ripe pickings for the Patriotic Alliance. Last week, the party won a seat off the ANC in the small town of Sutherland, and the ANC was able to hold off the PA in two other closely contested by-elections. Last week, we heard of xenophobic violence flaring up in Addo, with dire consequences. We should not be so distracted by historical clips of Julius Malema singing 'Kill the boer!' that we fail to see McKenzie and his ilk in plain sight. Our challenges require thoughtful leadership rooted in the Constitution, not McKenzie's brand of politics, which will only result in further corruption and hate. We can call on our hapless politicians to 'put an end' to the xenophobic violence, rhetoric and disruption that often accompanies these protests, but xenophobia is a challenge for the whole of our society. Having said this, however, President Ramaphosa needs to send a clear message against this thuggery and intimidation by one of his Cabinet ministers. The reality is that McKenzie has no place in government and his clownishly dangerous comments must be met with sanction. If our passive President does not act against McKenzie's threatening comments against civil society and his illegal pronouncements against government entities, then we must assume that these comments represent the GNU Ramaphosa leads. DM
The Star
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Acclaimed actor Presley Chweneyagae remembered for his impactful storytelling and unrivalled talent
The South African entertainment industry is in mourning following the untimely passing of acclaimed actor Presley Chweneyagae, who died at the age of 40 from natural causes related to breathing problems. As tributes flood in from across the country, fans and colleagues alike remember the beloved actor for Chweneyagae's memorable performances that left a lasting mark on screens and stages alike. The actor, affectionately known as 'Cobrizi wa le Easy', rose to fame through his unforgettable roles, notably in the popular telenovela The River and his Academy Award-winning performance in the 2005 film Tsotsi . His ability to portray richly nuanced characters endeared him to audiences, making him one of the finest actors to ever grace South African screens. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, shared a poignant tribute, highlighting the inspiring journey of Chweneyagae from humble beginnings to becoming a symbol of hope for youth aspiring towards careers in the arts. 'Presley was proof that where you start in life doesn't have to be where you finish. He was a living reminder that dreams from kasi streets are just as valid as dreams from polished boardrooms,' McKenzie stated. He further acknowledged the profound impact Chweneyagae made during his time, underscoring the storytelling ability that resonated with the soul of the nation. 'The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture mourns the loss of a true trailblazer – a storyteller who held the soul of a nation in his craft. We salute his contribution and commit to ensuring his impact is never forgotten,' McKenzie added while extending condolences to Chweneyagae's family and friends. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (SACR) of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Honourable Disebo Tlebere, voiced her grief, stating, 'Our winter has just become colder. The news of Presley Chweneyagae's passing has come as a profound shock, as we had hoped to witness his brilliance for many more years,' Tlebere said. Actress Terry Pheto, who shared an unforgettable moment in Oscar glory with Chweneyagae, voiced her devastation on social media, stating, 'I am shocked and saddened by the news of Presley's sudden passing. My heart goes out to his family and the rest of our friends and colleagues in the film industry.' In remembrance of Chweneyagae's legacy, memorial services are scheduled to take place on June 3 in Mahikeng and June 5 in Gauteng, with his final resting place set for June 7 in Pretoria. [email protected] Saturday Star
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Place name changes likely to run foul of shaky political coalitions, especially at local level
In late March 2025, thanks in no small part to an invitation by colleagues from the Gauteng Geographical Names Committee, I gave input on the Gauteng leg of the countrywide South African Geographical Names Amendment Bill public consultation workshops. The Bill is a proposed amendment of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture's (DSAC) South African Geographical Names Act 118 of 1998 – the principal place names statute in the country – as part of the national department's efforts to seamlessly standardise geographical names across South Africa. The well-attended Gauteng public engagement workshop formed part of nine consultative provincial visits by the department, following which the department will incorporate stakeholders' submissions and table the Bill to Parliament for further consideration. At the workshop, attendees were assigned to three breakout rooms – commissions – where we discussed the Bill's proposed clauses and later gave the department feedback at the plenary. The SA Geographical Names Amendment Bill proposes substantial and striking changes to the 1998 Geographical Names Act. This includes formalisation of South Africa's nine provincial geographical names committees advising and making place name recommendations to provincial members of the executive committee; adequate placename research and consultation; and formation of an independent three-to-five-expert placenames Appeals Tribunal that will review 'rejected' placename proposals. Intriguingly, the Appeals Tribunal, anticipated to be appointed by the national minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, will purportedly have more power than the national minister. Clauses around provincial geographical names committees authorise their setup, formalisation, morphology (10 to 15 experts), functioning, and tenure (five years of national council as opposed to the current three years spelt out by the principal act). 'Rigorous public participation' Provisos pertaining to research and adequate consultation mandate rigorous public participation and make requisite authorities' ample communication with local communities, from start to finish. Given that placename changes in South Africa have courted considerable controversy, with a lack of consultation having been cited as one potent driver of fiercely opposed toponym changes, clauses around adequate community participation and appeals are arguably a welcome proposal. Yet, the Bill is seemingly silent on matters of place-naming and name-changing at the local level. Indeed, the Bill does not make provision for local geographical names committees or bodies advising and giving geographical names recommendations to relevant members of the mayoral committee at the municipal sphere, referring to them only as 'subcommittees'. I raised this as an issue at the plenary and at the commission I was assigned to. Following this, some local geographical names committee members from Gauteng's local municipalities lamented the absence of clauses around local geographical names committees in the two-tier governance model characteristic of district and local municipalities, raising questions around how committees in such setups would be constituted. While some Gauteng Geographical Names Committee members argued that such omissions would be made up for by the fact that some local geographical names committee members also sat on the provincial geographical names committee in Gauteng and possibly others countrywide, thereby acting as transmission belts, the 'neglect' of local geographical names committees on the Amendment Bill remained palpable. Not only is this surprising, but it is also concerning, given naming-related controversies and ongoing on-the-ground governance issues at municipal level. In South Africa, (re)naming-related controversies, including petitioning, litigation and picketing, are arguably most pronounced at the local sphere of government. Consider, for instance, the then-ANC-controlled City of Tshwane's contested 2012 renaming of 25 streets in Pretoria Central and surrounds, which dragged on for years owing to, inter alia, court action by opposing AfriForum. Or the controversial wholesale renaming of Durban's 108 streets, which, following the Democratic Alliance's successful appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal on grounds that the eThekwini Metropolitan Council had not followed proper procedures in its first phase of renaming, saw nine new street names being reverted. Unstable coalitions More concerningly, the Amendment Bill does not address the proverbial elephant in the room – pronounced unstable coalition arrangements across all governmental spheres, especially at the municipal level. Because South Africa's biggest political parties are increasingly unable to secure outright majority wins at local polls since 2016, hung councils have become a staple of the country's electoral politics, having grown from 27 in 2016 to 66 in 2021. This is most evident in many South African metropolitan municipalities where, thanks to multiple motions of no-confidence, shaky coalitions have proliferated. For instance, a 2024 study by The Outlier shows that since the 2016 local polls, no mayor in Johannesburg has been able to finish his/her term. Political opportunism This is evidence of political instability imposed by coalition arrangements in a country that is yet to promulgate laws for governing them. Suffice to say, the dearth of laws governing coalition arrangements in South Africa's largest urban centres and elsewhere has created opacity and made room for political opportunism. Some of this political opportunism is evident in (re)naming. Here, the case of eThekwini, where renaming controversies have mainly played out between the proposing ANC and the opposing IFP, is instructive. Take, for example, the controversial 2011 renaming of Mangosuthu Highway to Griffiths Mxenge Highway in honour of the ANC veteran, civil rights lawyer and anti-apartheid activist who was assassinated by an apartheid death squad on the road in question in 1981. In an open letter to the then KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) premier, the IFP had lamented that the name change was highly provocative, divisive and detrimental to reconciliation efforts in a province with a sordid history of party-political violence. The IFP had also posited that the name change would undermine community will, since residents in Umlazi, a township through which the highway passes, had in effect specifically requested the previous honour. Notwithstanding the IFP's objections and arguments, the ANC in eThekwini and KZN had okayed the renaming on the grounds that Buthelezi was a living person. The IFP found this reasoning irrational since several geographical features were named after statesman Nelson Mandela, then a living person, like Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi. In an interesting turn of events, in November 2021, a decade after the renaming and shortly after South Africa's disastrous sixth municipal elections, the ANC, determined to form coalitions with the IFP in KZN's 21 hung municipalities, was left with little choice but to bow to several IFP terms and conditions. One was that the ANC rename Griffiths Mxenge Highway back to Mangosuthu Highway. The ANC allegedly agreed to abide by this 'coalition precondition' and several others, which then led to the surprising coalition. While Griffiths Mxenge Highway has not been renamed back in honour of the IFP's now-departed leader, this saga demonstrates that geographical name-changing initiatives are liable to be held hostage by party politics and can be used for party-political bargaining. Where to now? Where does all this leave the geographical names committees at provincial and local levels? How do we ascertain that the political authorities to whom the South African Geographical Names Council and naming sub-committees report take the committees' voices/recommendations seriously? Really, how do we ensure that the committees are meaningfully engaged and 'shielded' from party-political manoeuvring? Equally, while the Amendment Bill makes provision for the establishment of an autonomous and powerful placenames Appeals Tribunal, how sure are we that the body will be truly impartial and independent, especially given its (future) functioning in a highly charged party-political setting? According to a Gauteng City-Region Observatory occasional paper on municipal demarcation in Sedibeng and Gauteng (particularly) and SA (generally), supposedly independent bodies in areas such as municipal (re)demarcation, another controversial issue in the country, have been affected by party politics. For instance, before the establishment of a single Municipal Demarcation Board, there existed provincial boards that made boundary demarcation-related decisions. The provincial demarcation boards, like the one for Gauteng, had made partial boundary re-demarcation decisions informed by political partisanship and aimed at gerrymandering. In fact, several gerrymandering instances in the 1990s were largely responsible for the removal of municipal and ward demarcation responsibilities from provincial control and the establishment of an independent national body that would make final delineation decisions. Disturbingly, the same Gauteng City-Region Observatory occasional paper finds that notwithstanding the national Municipal Demarcation Board's quasi-independence and enjoyment of constitutional protection, opposition parties and ordinary citizens alike have sometimes accused it of, inter alia, political slant in favour of the ANC, and making demarcation decisions without proper consultation. In the context of existing naming committees and the proposed Appeals Tribunal, since most name changes in South Africa have been proposed by political parties and authorities across all governmental spheres, how certain are we that the Appeals Tribunal and place-naming committees will be truly neutral, impartial and independent? With the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture having finalised the province-to-province consultative workshops around its proposed Amendment Bill, the jury is still out on whether the Bill will pass in Parliament. More importantly, there is no telling whether questions around local geographical names committees, messy coalition arrangements and incessant party-political changes at the municipal level will be considered and incorporated in the resultant amended Act.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Acclaimed actor Presley Chweneyagae remembered for his impactful storytelling and unrivalled talent
The beloved South African actor Presley Chweneyagae has passed away at 40, leaving behind a legacy etched in the hearts of fans and colleagues. The beloved South African actor Presley Chweneyagae has passed away at 40, leaving behind a legacy etched in the hearts of fans and colleagues. The South African entertainment industry is in mourning following the untimely passing of acclaimed actor Presley Chweneyagae, who died at the age of 40 from natural causes related to breathing problems. As tributes flood in from across the country, fans and colleagues alike remember the beloved actor for Chweneyagae's memorable performances that left a lasting mark on screens and stages alike. The actor, affectionately known as 'Cobrizi wa le Easy', rose to fame through his unforgettable roles, notably in the popular telenovela The River and his Academy Award-winning performance in the 2005 film Tsotsi. His ability to portray richly nuanced characters endeared him to audiences, making him one of the finest actors to ever grace South African screens. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, shared a poignant tribute, highlighting the inspiring journey of Chweneyagae from humble beginnings to becoming a symbol of hope for youth aspiring towards careers in the arts. 'Presley was proof that where you start in life doesn't have to be where you finish. He was a living reminder that dreams from kasi streets are just as valid as dreams from polished boardrooms,' McKenzie stated. He further acknowledged the profound impact Chweneyagae made during his time, underscoring the storytelling ability that resonated with the soul of the nation. 'The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture mourns the loss of a true trailblazer – a storyteller who held the soul of a nation in his craft. We salute his contribution and commit to ensuring his impact is never forgotten,' McKenzie added while extending condolences to Chweneyagae's family and friends. The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation (SACR) of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Honourable Disebo Tlebere, voiced her grief, stating, 'Our winter has just become colder. The news of Presley Chweneyagae's passing has come as a profound shock, as we had hoped to witness his brilliance for many more years,' Tlebere said. Actress Terry Pheto, who shared an unforgettable moment in Oscar glory with Chweneyagae, voiced her devastation on social media, stating, 'I am shocked and saddened by the news of Presley's sudden passing. My heart goes out to his family and the rest of our friends and colleagues in the film industry.' In remembrance of Chweneyagae's legacy, memorial services are scheduled to take place on June 3 in Mahikeng and June 5 in Gauteng, with his final resting place set for June 7 in Pretoria. Saturday Star
The Citizen
6 days ago
- The Citizen
Protection of children a priority for Uthando House in Masoyi
Uthando House is a facility at the forefront of providing care, support and safe spaces for vulnerable children. This orphanage advocates for National Child Protection Week, commemorated annually from May 29 to June 5, to raise awareness of children's rights as articulated in the Children's Act 38 of 2005. This year's theme is 'Working together in ending violence against children'. As the country comes together to raise awareness about child protection, the manager of Uthando House, Tracy Malope, said their efforts serve as a shining example of the impact that can be made when individuals and organisations work together to protect and care for vulnerable children. The shelter houses 28 children, providing them with a nurturing environment and protection from harm. It is dedicated to ensuring the children's physical, emotional and psychological well-being. Malope said she works closely with social workers and police officers to educate the children about their rights and protect them from abuse and exploitation. ALSO READ: KaBokweni muso follows father's footsteps as a DJ 'We do our utmost best to ensure that our children are safe by accompanying them to school and back. We mostly accept children brought in by the police or social workers,' she said. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture has urged caregivers and parents to actively monitor and guide their children's online activities and also keep them safe all the time. The department shared some tips on how to protect children online, stating that children must be taught to safeguard personal information and avoid sharing private details, images or locations online. ALSO READ: University of Mpumalanga produces first-ever PhD graduate in its history • Parents and guardians should use parental controls and regularly update privacy settings on all devices • Cellphones are tools, not toys; parents should set boundaries and promote offline activities • Check your child's contacts and social media regularly. Monitor the apps your child downloads and uses • Encourage children to speak openly about their online experiences and report suspicious content or behaviour. The Department of Social Development encourages the community to report any rights infringement or abuse against children. ALSO READ: Entries open for Game Lifestyle Awards 2025 This can be done via the following channels: • Call the toll-free number on 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling • Callers can also request a social worker from a command centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cellphone • Help can be reached from Childline South Africa via 116 and Child Welfare South Africa via 011 452 4110 or email: info@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
