Latest news with #Khoi-San
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Province intensifies initiation awareness to curb the emergence of illegal initiation schools
There has been a surge of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, resulting in over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates, according to the North West government. Image: Supplied The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provision of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at the Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the right of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents and initiation schools' principals. The campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates. The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders and communities. The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, NW PICC Chairperson Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders and representatives from government departments. Kgosi Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated. 'We call upon all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the department and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school. If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people', remarked Kgosi Gasebone. The Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote and regulate initiation. It provides for acceptable norms and standards;, initiation oversight and coordinating structures;, protection of life, prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates, addresses the governance aspects of initiation, protects the customary practice of initiation and ensures that it is practised within the constitutional and other legal prescripts. As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending the initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend the initiation, and a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Province intensifies initiation awareness to curb the emergence of illegal initiation schools
North West Government | Published 17 minutes ago The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) will roll out an awareness campaign on the provision of the Customary Initiation Act (CIA) on 21 August 2025 at the Bahurutshe ba ga Moiloa Traditional Council in Dinokana. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness about the importance of safe, lawful cultural practice, including the right of initiates, the role of traditional leaders, parents and initiation schools' principals. The campaign follows the mushrooming of illegal initiation schools during the past winter initiation season, which led to over 100 initiates being rescued and the tragic death of six initiates. The campaign is also targeted at attaining zero deaths during initiation seasons as well as eradicating unnecessary fatalities through strict enforcement of the CIA and by fostering collaboration between government, traditional leaders and communities. The event will be attended by the Chairperson of NIOC, Ikosi Vembi William Mahlangu, NW PICC Chairperson Kgosi Godfrey Gasebone, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, traditional leaders and representatives from government departments. Kgosi Gasebone has thrown his weight behind the campaign and said the emergence of illegal initiation schools, especially by chance takers who are chasing money, will never be tolerated. 'We call upon all traditional school principals to work with local traditional authorities, the department and the PICC to ensure compliance and approval of hosting the initiation school. If we all comply, this will go a long way in safeguarding the lives of our young people', remarked Kgosi Gasebone. The Customary Initiation Act aims to protect, promote and regulate initiation. It provides for acceptable norms and standards;, initiation oversight and coordinating structures;, protection of life, prevention of injuries and all forms of abuse against initiates, addresses the governance aspects of initiation, protects the customary practice of initiation and ensures that it is practised within the constitutional and other legal prescripts. As per the Act, no person must be forced or coerced into attending the initiation school, no person under the age of 16 may attend the initiation, and a person between 16 and 18 years of age may only attend after obtaining a written consent letter from parents. Meanwhile, initiation school principals have until 03 October 2025 to apply to operate schools during summer initiation season. The traditional surgeon must also be 40 years and above, must have undergone initiation over 10 years ago, must have been mentored as a surgeon for a period of five years. The National Oversight Coordinating Committee and the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee Mahikeng
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Amakhosi Legacy Plan rolls out medical aid and pension perks for traditional leaders
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, unveiled the Amakhosi Legacy Plan, where all KwaZulu-Natal Amakhosi will gain access to Medical Aid, a Pension Fund, and investments. Image: Supplied In a landmark development for traditional leadership in KwaZulu-Natal, a new initiative aimed at uplifting Amakhosi was unveiled this week. The 'Amakhosi Legacy Plan' is set to transform the way traditional leaders function within society by prioritising their welfare with benefits akin to those enjoyed by Members of Parliament and Councillors. The launch was officiated by Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), who highlighted the significance of this initiative during a gathering at the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders. 'This initiative aims to provide Amakhosi with peace of mind, ensuring they can build a lasting legacy for their families and retire securely,' MEC Buthelezi stated, underlining the plan's focus on security and dignity for traditional leaders and their families. Under the Amakhosi Legacy Plan, all Amakhosi in the province will benefit from access to essential services including Medical Aid, a Pension Fund, and various investment opportunities. This comprehensive programme is crafted to ensure that traditional leaders receive the necessary support throughout their lives, with a strong emphasis on providing security even after retirement. Buthelezi further mentioned that this ambitious programme is not just for the Amakhosi; the rollout will subsequently extend to Traditional Council Secretaries and Izinduna, thereby encompassing a broader spectrum of traditional leadership across KwaZulu-Natal. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Chairperson for the KZN Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inkosi Sifiso Shinga, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the MEC on behalf of the Amakhosi. He described the unveiling of the Amakhosi Legacy Plan as a significant breakthrough for the community of traditional leaders, reflecting a noticeable change since Buthelezi's appointment. 'We have seen tangible improvements and a series of practical programmes aimed at uplifting and empowering Amakhosi,' he noted appreciatively. During the event, MEC Buthelezi also introduced representatives from Standard Bank, the financial institution facilitating these essential packages. He took the opportunity to thank the bank's management and staff for their commitment to developing suitable products tailored to the needs of the Amakhosi. In addition to this monumental plan, MEC Buthelezi concluded the meeting by distributing laptops, printers, and data cards to Amakhosi participating in the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Programme. This educational initiative aims to enhance their skills in Leadership, Governance, and Administration—further empowering traditional leaders to fulfil their roles more effectively. IOL
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Western Cape Blood Service reviews race-related questions on donor forms
The Western Cape Blood Service is reviewing the blood donor questionnaire and plans to add an 'other' option, and we are considering a 'prefer not to say' option after concerns were raised by the group People Against Race Classification calling for the blocks to be scrapped. Image: Independent Newspapers photographers The Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) is reviewing its donor questionnaire following pressure from People Against Race Classification (Parc) to change the requirement to state your race when donating blood. The service said they now plan to add an 'other' option, and is considering a 'prefer not to say' option. Parc had flagged their concerns with the WCBS through several letters, saying they took offence that the questionnaire to be completed by those who want to donate blood asked for racial information. 'I have been a blood donor in this country for many years. I am not a Coloured, Black, Indian or White person. Why don't you also add an option for a person not to complete his race data? Or why not add more ethnic identities like, Khoi-San, Zulu, Afrikaner, Pedi, etc. 'The arguments regarding the need for this data is commonly known but not accepted. The WCBS as part of the science and medical fraternity, has no obligation to report on which blood was donated by which race. The necessity to know a person's race has no medical implication on what patient could use whose blood. You have no legal leg to support this practice. The Population Registration Repeal Act of 1991 has repealed all uses of race criteria,' Parc founder Glen Snyman wrote. On March 13, Parc's action team visited the Western Cape Blood donation Service's Head Quarters in Cape Town where they held a demonstration with placards in hand calling for the race blocks on the donation forms to be removed. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Initially the organisation in a letter responding to Snyman's concerns on March 27, outlined the reasons why it collected the data and also noted that the matter was discussed at a board meeting and would be brought up again following consultation with an expert. On June 2, WCBS CEO, Greg Bellairs wrote another letter, stating that the board had explored whether there may be any ethical issues around asking the race of blood donors and had engaged with a 'respected bio-ethicist'. 'We have also fully considered your position, and decided the following: when next we revise the blood donor questionnaire's options regarding race, we will add a block called 'other', and we are considering adding another block called 'prefer/choose not to say'. We will add further information about why we ask for the race of blood donors, on the blood donor questionnaire, on the Service's Privacy Statement (which all blood donors sign), and on WCBS's website,' said Bellairs. On March 13, Parc's action team visited the Western Cape Blood donation Service's Head Quarters in Cape Town where they held a demonstration with placards in hand calling for the race blocks on the donation forms to be removed. Image: Supplied Approached for comment on Thursday, WCBS spokesperson Marike Carli said the organisation did collect race data but was open to continuous engagements. 'Race data is still collected. However, we are reviewing the blood donor questionnaire and plan to add an 'other' option, and we are considering a 'prefer not to say' option as well. Blood donors who wish to not disclose their race may freely donate blood. We do not discriminate based on race or gender. We welcome constructive dialogue and remain open to continuous engagements and improvements. 'Every decision we make, including the information we request from blood donors, is… grounded in both medical science and ethical responsibility. We ask blood donors to self-identify their race so that we can select donations for extended testing for additional blood group systems (other than the ABO and Rh systems). This enables us to provide blood-group compatible blood products to multi-transfused patients such as those with thalassaemia, and sickle cell disease – as well as to identify donations of rare blood types, which are reserved in a national repository for patients with rare blood types,' said Carli. Snyman said this was still not enough. 'This is a small 'victory' for PARC. The WC Blood Service agreed to amend their blood donation questionnaire form by adding to the race options the 'other' box, and also an option for people to 'not disclose their race'. However, we will continue our fight to have all the race blocks removed from all forms,' he said. Stellenbosch University, Emeritus Professor in Health Systems and Public Health, Usuf Chikte said there is no 'credible genetic or biological foundation for these categories'. 'Racial classification, particularly in South Africa, is a social and political construct, not a scientific one. It emerged from a brutal system of segregation and inequality, not from any meaningful understanding of human biology. To continue relying on these categories in medicine, especially in something as sensitive and vital as blood donation, is to perpetuate a deeply harmful legacy devoid of any scientific basis. 'Proponents argue that such data may help match rare blood types. But even where this is medically relevant, ancestry-based screening, not racial identity, is the appropriate approach. 'Race' is simply too crude, inaccurate, and politically loaded to serve as a stand-in for complex biological or genetic markers. More importantly, the use of race on medical forms undermines patient trust. Most people filling out these forms have no idea why the information is being collected or how it will be used. In a country still grappling with the trauma of institutionalised racism, this is not a trivial issue. Medical institutions must be held to the highest standards of ethical transparency and scientific validity.'
IOL News
27-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Tell us Mr President, how do you classify race and how are you helping Apartheid victims find closure?
President Cryil Ramaphosa will respond to key questions in parliament today Image: GCIS What legislative laws does the South African government rely on when it classifies Coloured, Indian, whites, and the Khoi-San people as not being African? And what has President Cyril Ramaphosa done to expedite the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate allegations that attempts were made to prevent the investigation and prosecution of apartheid-era crimes? These will be among the tough questions that Ramaphosa will answer when he appears before the National Assembly today. The president is scheduled to appear at least once a quarter during Parliament's annual programme to respond in person to questions raised by members of parliament. The question relating to racial classification was raised by Marlon Daniels, the Chief Whip of the Patriotic Alliance, while the leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party wants to know from Ramaphosa if the families of apartheid victims are being updated about his interventions to help them find closure and for him to specify what those interventions are. Other questions to the head of state include what steps the government were taking to reform taxation related to renewable energy. Mdumiseni Ntuli, the Chief Whip of the African National Congress will raise the question given that the global transition from green-house gas emissions to renewable energy is creating an unprecedented rising demand for metals and minerals. Ntuli said this presents an opportunity for South Africa which is a mineral-rich country to better leverage its resources to finance development and infrastructure, diversify the economy, expand energy access and avoid instances where resource wealth fails to translate into broad development. His question delves into whether the government will be implementing a resource rent tax to increase revenue and finance development infrastructure and economic diversification in line with the World Bank Report. Ramaphosa will also respond to Cornelius Mulder, the Freedom Front's Chief Whip question on the new economic policies that he and his Cabinet has developed since being sworn into the Government of National Unity in July last year. The ANC's Moleboheng Modise-Mpya will raise the issue of what engagements have been initiated with the Russian Federation with regard to ending the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. This follows the recent official visit of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to South African, where he expressed concerns about the continuing conflict that has led to the loss of civilian lives, damage to critical infrastructure and the deteriorating humanitarian situation. Zelenskyy had told Ramaphosa that peace can only be obtained through diplomacy, inclusive dialogue and a commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter.
