Latest news with #HopeNtanzi
The Star
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Zim activist Duke Maplanka Atterbell criticises South Africa's treatment of foreign nationals
Hope Ntanzi | Published 18 hours ago Zimbabwean activist Duke Maplanka Atterbell says the South African government is complicit in systemic discrimination against foreign nationals and has failed to act in the face of escalating xenophobic violence and medical exclusion. In a formal letter dated 27 July 2025, addressed to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Minister of health, Minister of home affairs and the South African Human Rights Commission , Atterbell accused the state of both silence and active neglect, warning of formal complaints to African and international human rights bodies if urgent action is not taken. "I write this letter as both a concerned African citizen and a representative voice of thousands of foreign nationals, especially Zimbabweans, living in South Africa," Atterbell said. He described a worsening situation where 'foreign nationals are being chased out of hospitals, clinics, and even maternity wards. Others are beaten in the streets, publicly humiliated, or threatened by vigilantes emboldened by government silence.' His letter denounced what he calls a double standard in South Africa's global human rights stance, referencing Pretoria's condemnation of injustice abroad while allegedly turning a blind eye at home. 'How can South Africa claim the mantle of human rights defender abroad, while at home it presides over de facto ethnic cleansing through economic and medical exclusion? This hypocrisy is staggering,' he said. Atterbell warned that if no action is taken, he will escalate the matter by filing complaints with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and the South African Human Rights Commission. He also promised to engage in public advocacy and international media exposure. 'This is not governance, it is abandonment,' he wrote. 'This is not the South Africa that the continent stood behind during the anti-apartheid struggle. This is not Ubuntu.' Atterbell's appeal comes amid rising tensions in the country over undocumented migration, especially concerning access to jobs and healthcare. In March 2024, radio personality Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma launched March and March, a non-governmental organisation that actively campaigns against the employment and public healthcare access of undocumented foreign nationals in South Africa. What began in KwaZulu-Natal has now spread nationally, with March and March volunteers stationed at entrances of hospitals including Addington Hospital, RK Khan Hospital, and various Gateway Clinics across the province. The group screens patients before entry, turning away those unable to produce South African ID documents. 'We operate where the government has failed,' the group has said. While critics have labelled it a vigilante operation targeting vulnerable people, the organisation continues to draw strong support from South Africans who believe hospitals are being overrun by foreigners. Responding to Atterbell's letter, Ngobese-Zuma posted on Facebook: ' He is Zimbabwean and writes to OUR President and not HIS… Kshuthi ngampela they believe they are South African‼️ Kshuthi we owe them‼️ Kshuthi we must intensify our fight because mentally these ppl don't think that we are serious.'' (Translated : He is Zimbabwean and writes to OUR President and not HIS… Maybe, seriously, they believe they are South African! Maybe we owe them! Maybe we must intensify our fight because mentally these people don't think that we are serious.'') Atterbell was quick to respond addressing Ngobese-Zuma in defiant terms. 'When Dudula royalty thinks they can intimidate you,' he said, in reference to her association with nationalist movements. 'Jacinta Zinhle MaNgobese Zuma, let's get one thing straight. I am not here to bow before self-appointed foot soldiers of hate. ''I am an enigma, not because I hide, but because I refuse to allow you to spread your bitter view of patriotism unchecked. I am a fearless advocate for human rights, not because it's easy, but because people like you have made silence a weapon. And yes, I am a hater of bigotry — proudly, loudly, and unapologetically.' He continued, accusing Ngobese-Zuma of masking fear as nationalism: 'You walk around with your chest puffed out like you're some gatekeeper of South Africa's soul. But what you really are is a loud emblem of fear, disguised as pride. You lead mobs, I lead with conscience. You shout in mobs, I speak in truth. You weaponise suffering, I document it.' Addressing her direct challenge, Atterbell wrote: 'You asked, 'Who are you?' Let me answer clearly: I am the one your hate cannot reach and your intimidation cannot shake. ''I am the storm you didn't see coming, and the voice you'll wish you hadn't tried to silence. Because while you scream for borders, I fight for bridges. While you hunt the vulnerable, I summon accountability. And while you wave your flag with fury, I carry the Constitution with fire.' 'So no, MaNgobese. I won't be quiet. Not now. Not ever,'' said Atterbell. Atterbell, however, insists that the fight is not against South Africa, but for human dignity. 'If your government fails to act, history, and international law, will remember it not for its silence, but for its complicity.' [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
The Star
01-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ramaphosa reaffirms B-BBEE and EEIP as essential to economic redress and transformation
Hope Ntanzi | Published 4 hours ago President Cyril Ramaphosa has reaffirmed South Africa's commitment to broad-based economic transformation, emphasising that the country's empowerment laws are practical, effective, and central to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth. In his weekly letter to the nation, Ramaphosa highlighted that the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) framework and the Equity Equivalent Investment Programme (EEIP) are key to both economic redress and development. 'Amongst the most salient features of our country's empowerment laws are their practicality, feasibility and responsiveness to economic conditions without deviating from the objective of redressing the economic injustices of exclusion of the past,' said Ramaphosa. He explained that South Africa's transformation agenda is guided by two complementary goals: changing the racial ownership and control of the economy, and ensuring inclusive, long-term economic growth that brings black South Africans, women, and the youth into the mainstream. The EEIP, designed for multinational firms whose global structures may not allow equity ownership transfers, enables impactful investments in skills development, enterprise support, and innovation. Addressing misconceptions about the programme, Ramaphosa clarified: 'Some in the public space have recently sought to suggest that the EEIP represents a circumvention of B-BBEE laws -and that it is a response to the conditions of a particular company or sector. ''Neither is factually correct. Firstly, the EEIP is not new and has been in existence for a decade.'' He reaffirmed that EEIP is 'firmly embedded in our laws' and comes with stringent requirements and government oversight to ensure meaningful, broad-based impact. ''The Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment legal framework applies to all companies wishing to invest in and do business in our economy, whether they are local or foreign.'' This comes as Elon Musk's satellite internet company, Starlink, has expressed interest in entering the South African market, despite Musk's previous criticism of the country's B-BBEE legislation. Companies like Microsoft, Amazon, IBM, Samsung, and global automakers including Toyota and BMW have successfully used EEIP to fund socio-economic development, support black-owned enterprises, and advance South Africa's digital and industrial transformation, he said. ''By way of example, last year IT giant Microsoft announced a R1,32 billion investment over ten years in skills and supplier and 4IR research and development - under the EEIP. ''These firms have leveraged the EEIP to direct investment into local development, to incubate black, youth and women-owned businesses, and to fund skills development. This has in turn assisted government in achieving a number of policy and also infrastructure goals''. 'Equity Equivalents have been proven to be a practical B-BBEE compliance tool for multinationals operating in South Africa, and we will continue to leverage them in pursuit of economic growth and job creation.' Ramaphosa further highlighted that B-BBEE compliance should not be seen as a burden, but as an investment in the country's future. ''Not only do we have to move away from the perception that we must make a choice between growth and transformation – we also have to shift the mindset that compliance with B-BBEE is punitive or burdensome. 'By supporting firms with compliance they are able to embrace empowerment as a meaningful investment in South African's long-term economic stability. This is a sound strategy that recognises that a transformed South African economy is one in which their investments are safe and guaranteed.' He also highlighted the need for South Africa to adapt to changing global economic dynamics. 'Just as our economy has evolved since our B-BBEE laws were first conceptualised, so has the playing field.' 'The emergence of new industries, whether it is digital technology, advanced manufacturing, AI or renewable energy, means South Africa must actively position itself to attract greater foreign and domestic investment in these sectors or risk being left behind.' As the country works to strengthen competitiveness in emerging sectors, Ramaphosa reiterated that transformation remains non-negotiable. 'Our empowerment laws remain central to our goal of economic transformation in South Africa and are here to stay.' Ramaphosa called on all sectors, business, labour, and civil society, to unite in building an inclusive economy: 'Our focus going forward must remain creating an enabling policy environment, driving key structural reforms, supporting innovation, and reducing regulatory barriers to harness the potential of emerging industries and support existing ones.' [email protected] Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel IOL Politics
