Latest news with #LeratoNgobeni
The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
National Dialogue Exposed as a Talk Shop: No Roadmap, No Accountability, No Future
Lerato Ngobeni | Published 54 minutes ago Following ActionSA's decision not to participate in the National Dialogue Convention but to deploy observers, ActionSA has noted the outcomes of the Convention, which, instead of charting a clear way forward with a defined end state, quickly descended into a stage-managed talk shop that was heavy on rhetoric and empty on solutions. The lack of proper organisation was glaring from the outset. It soon became clear that Ramaphosa's Convention was nothing more than a venting session without answers, met with youth rejection and no plan to confront corruption. From the start, President Cyril Ramaphosa's weak and uninspired remarks set the tone for what became a complaints session masquerading as a national renewal project. Citizens once again listed the failures of the State, but this time, with no pathway to solutions. Five Observations from the National Convention Failure of Leadership: The President failed to inspire or outline a roadmap. He recycled excuses instead of presenting a vision for the country. A Complaints Session, not a Problem-Solving Forum: Citizens expressed frustrations about collapsing services, poverty, and joblessness. Yet there was no mechanism to convert complaints into binding commitments or action. Youth Disillusionment: Young South Africans rejected the process outright, questioning why they should waste time on leaders who have failed to deliver jobs, safety, or a better future. Ward-Based Sessions as Political Theatre: The proposed ward sessions are already exposed as a ploy to revive dormant ANC branches under the guise of consultation, not as a genuine exercise in participatory democracy. Critical Omissions – Corruption and Accountability: Most shockingly, there was no dedicated stream on corruption, the very cancer hollowing out South Africa's democracy and destroying public trust. A dialogue that refuses to confront corruption is dishonest and incomplete. The withdrawal of respected legacy foundations underscores the lack of credibility in this process. The inclusion of political parties also raises serious concerns, as only one party elevated to the steering committee will entrench partisan advantage instead of genuine multiparty collaboration, despite the ANC displaying a willingness not to be part of the political party steering committee representative. And so, much like the Freedom Charter of 1955, the National Dialogue risks becoming nothing more than a wish list without a coherent plan. Without a binding framework, South Africans will again be left with empty promises written on borrowed paper. South Africans don't need another talk shop and venting session. They need leadership with the courage to define the destination, chart the roadmap and deliver on it. Until then, this National Dialogue will remain pure political theatre, heavy on words, but bankrupt on action. Lerato Ngobeni MP ActionSA Parliamentary Chief Whip
IOL News
13-08-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
ActionSA snubs National Dialogue, sends MPs to monitor spending
As criticism mounts over the National Dialogue, ActionSA refuses participation but commits to oversight. Two MPs will observe and report on whether the dialogue delivers reform or political theatre. ActionSA has announced that it will not formally participate in the upcoming National Dialogue Convention, citing unresolved concerns over the process and the legality of its funding. The party revealed it will instead send two senior Members of Parliament, Dr Kgosi Letlape and Lerato Ngobeni, to attend in an observation capacity only. IOL previously reported that several legacy foundations, including the Steve Biko Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Chief Albert Luthuli Foundation, Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, WDB Foundation, Oliver and Adelaide Tambo Foundation, and the Strategic Dialogue Group, withdrew from the dialogue last Friday. In a joint statement issued on Friday, the group said the decision was made with 'deep regret' but was necessary to protect the process's credibility and integrity. They accused the organisers of shifting the initiative away from its citizen-led origins towards government control. 'What began as a citizen-led initiative has unfortunately in practice shifted towards government control,' the statement read. AfriForum, the Solidarity union, and the Freedom Front Plus have also pulled out.
Mail & Guardian
15-07-2025
- Health
- Mail & Guardian
ActionSA pushes for constitutional change as Operation Dudula targets migrants at clinics
Operation Dudula preventing foreigners from using South African health faacilities. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G) ActionSA parliamentary chief whip Lerato Ngobeni said the party had tabled constitutional amendment proposals in May, arguing that the public health system was 'buckling' under the pressure of providing free care to non-citizens. Ngobeni claimed that some clinics reported that up to 70% of patients seeking services were foreign nationals and this had led to South Africans being 'crowded out' of already overstretched facilities. 'South Africa is expected to carry this burden indefinitely, when other countries do not even allow entry without proof of medical insurance,' she said in a recent statement. The The commission voiced alarm about reports of intimidation by Operation Dudula at health facilities in Hillbrow and Rosettenville in Johannesburg. They demanded documentation at clinic entrances and turned away people without documents. In some cases, they inspected patient clinic cards and threatened hospital staff. 'The commission would like to remind members of the public and civic groups that access to healthcare is central to the right to dignity, the right to life, and the right to equality. The denial of healthcare on discriminatory grounds undermines the constitutional promise of a just, inclusive and caring society,' the SAHRC said. It cautioned citizens against taking the law into their own hands and making it difficult for people to get medical care because of their nationality. 'It is important to note that no civic group or individual has the legal authority to control access to public health facilities or to enforce immigration laws.' The power to inspect, arrest or detain undocumented people lies solely with the department of home affairs, supported by the South African Police Service when lawfully required, the commission said. Operation Dudula, now a registered political party, has said its actions are 'community interventions'. National organiser Zandile Dabula told public broadcaster SABC last week that migrants should only receive emergency care 'after they are arrested for violating immigration laws'. In an interview with the Mail & Guardian , she denied that Operation Dudula's Legal experts have said such actions could constitute violations of the Constitution and the National Health Act, which does not permit discrimination based on nationality or legal status. International human rights frameworks, including the United Nations Refugee Convention and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, also obligate South Africa to provide basic healthcare to all people in its borders. Pierre de Vos, a constitutional law expert at the University of Cape Town, has previously argued that section 27's language is unambiguous and applies to all people, not just citizens. He said that amending this section would require a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and approval from at least six provinces in the National Council of Provinces. In Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, nurses and doctors have raised concerns about staff shortages, long queues and under-resourced clinics. The department of health has not endorsed ActionSA's stance, but it has acknowledged systemic pressure driven by increased demand, insufficient infrastructure and budget constraints. It says undocumented migrants can get primary care services, with more restricted access to specialised care. Civil society organisations, including Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia and Section27, have called for urgent intervention to halt Operation Dudula-led disruptions at clinics. Legal proceedings have been launched in the Johannesburg high court seeking interdicts against the party's actions, with judgments expected later this year. As the 2026 local government The party argues that South Africa must 'rebalance' its humanitarian commitments with resource constraints, but critics warn that such rhetoric risks fuelling xenophobic violence.
The Herald
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald
Should the constitution be amended to deny illegal foreigners access to public health care?
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has received backlash after raising concerns over the growing trend of illegal foreigners being denied access to public health-care services. The SAHRC said all South Africans, including documented and undocumented migrants, have a right to access health-care facilities, citing section 27(1) of the constitution, which states that: 'Everyone has the right to have access to health-care services, including reproductive health care.' The commission emphasised denying foreigners access to clinics and hospitals is unlawful and unethical, despite challenges faced by the public health system. This sparked outrage among social media users. ActionSA condemned the 'abuse' of South Africa's public health-care system by illegal foreigners, citing stricter laws in other countries that require proof of medical insurance before entering. It said the constitution must be rebalanced to put South Africans first while honouring basic humanitarian obligations in a lawful manner. 'It is unconscionable that a public clinic in Johannesburg can report that more than 70% of its patient records belong to foreign nationals,' ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni said. 'South Africa's constitution must reflect the reality of our limited capacity and place the wellbeing of its citizens at the centre.'
TimesLIVE
03-07-2025
- Health
- TimesLIVE
Should the constitution be amended to deny illegal foreigners access to public health care?
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has received backlash after raising concerns over the growing trend of illegal foreigners being denied access to public health-care services. The SAHRC said all South Africans, including documented and undocumented migrants, have a right to access health-care facilities, citing section 27(1) of the constitution, which states that: 'Everyone has the right to have access to health-care services, including reproductive health care.' The commission emphasised denying foreigners access to clinics and hospitals is unlawful and unethical, despite challenges faced by the public health system. This sparked outrage among social media users. ActionSA condemned the 'abuse' of South Africa's public health-care system by illegal foreigners, citing stricter laws in other countries that require proof of medical insurance before entering. It said the constitution must be rebalanced to put South Africans first while honouring basic humanitarian obligations in a lawful manner. 'It is unconscionable that a public clinic in Johannesburg can report that more than 70% of its patient records belong to foreign nationals,' ActionSA MP Lerato Ngobeni said. 'South Africa's constitution must reflect the reality of our limited capacity and place the wellbeing of its citizens at the centre.'
