Latest news with #MmapasekaSteveLetsike
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
Shocking viral schoolgirl bullying incident condemned
Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, has condemned the viral video depicting a schoolgirl being assaulted. The video, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms, shows the girl being humiliated and physically assaulted by boys from her school on a school bus. The assault continued even after she had disembarked. Letsike described the incident as 'appalling' and a stark reminder of the pervasive gender-based violence (GBV) within communities and schools. 'No child deserves to endure such brutality, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that our schools are safe havens for learning and growth,' Letsike said. The Deputy Minister has called on the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to take swift and decisive action, including a full investigation into the incident, disciplinary measures against the perpetrators, and immediate enforcement of anti-bullying laws, as part of the Code of Conduct for all learners. She also urged the DBE to implement comprehensive prevention programmes to prevent both bullying and acts of GBV in schools. 'This incident should intensify a call to all stakeholders to take immediate action to protect our children and create safe and respectful school environments. We will work tirelessly with the Department of Basic Education, all stakeholders, including parents and educators,' Letsike said. Letsike emphasised the need for greater vigilance from adults, including parents and teachers, in identifying warning signs and addressing problems promptly. 'Learners must feel safe at school. Parents and other adults can help learners who suffer at the hands of bullies,' she said, adding that schools should be free from violence and GBV. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Herald
6 days ago
- The Herald
Mdantsane school bullies set to face consequences after alleged assault goes viral
National and provincial government have condemned the alleged bullying of a schoolgirl by a group of about five boys in the Eastern Cape. A team of officials are set to visit the school near Mdantsane on Monday to investigate the alleged incident, which went viral on social media platforms at the weekend. The video shows the girl being humiliated by boys from her school on a scholar transport bus and being repeatedly slapped on the head by at least two boys after she disembarked. "The video is unacceptable and unimaginable. This unbecoming behaviour is projecting a deep societal problem that needs every parent to take responsibility for raising their children," the Eastern Cape education department said. "The department is obligated to treat the matter with a high level of responsibility and care. "All the involved pupils need to be corrected so they can be better citizens," the department said, adding the victim would be offered psycho-social support. Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, deputy minister responsible for women, youth and persons with disabilities, said: " This appalling incident is a stark reminder of the pervasive gender-based violence (GBV) plaguing our communities and schools. "No child deserves to endure such brutality, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure our schools are safe havens for learning and growth." He urged the department of basic education to take swift and decisive action to investigate, take disciplinary measures against the culprits and immediately enforce anti-bullying laws as part of the code of conduct for all pupils. Letsike called on the department to implement comprehensive programmes to prevent bullying and acts of GBV in schools. "The incident should intensify a call to all stakeholders to take immediate action to protect our children and create safe and respectful school environments. "We must all stay vigilant, look for warning signs and try to address problems promptly." TimesLIVE
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
G20: Civil society must make meaningful contributions in order to shape policy development
Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, urged civil society organisations to ensure their voices resonate in the lead-up to the G20 Summit set to take place later this year. Image: Filed Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike has called on civil society organisations represented at the C20 South Africa launch in Sandton to make sure their voices are heard. Letsike who delivered her message to the C20 South Africa launch virtually with a message directed at women, children and persons with disability said no one should be left behind in ensuring that South Africa's hosting of the G20 Summit later this year is a success. C20, which is a gathering of various civil society organisations across 14 working groups, tasked with developing policy proposals to be presented to government comes just over 23 weeks before South Africa is set to be the first African country to host the G20 Summit 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 ✕ Women and gender equity, people to people interaction and solidarity, poverty alleviation and food sustainability, democratic governance, civic space, anti-corruption and access to justice-- are some of the key working groups tasked with policy development ahead of the summit. "I stand before you honoured that South Africa is set to host the G20 Summit later this year. For South Africa, this is not a box-ticking exercise. It is an opportunity to reshape the global landscape, and we must adopt a spirit of no G20 presidency is guided by strong principles, and we must leave no one behind in our bid to restore dignity of our people and be the moral centre of multilaterism. "We must be the dreamers and doers, not in abstract terms but in concrete terms and our dreams must be translated into concrete actions across all the working groups, "she said. Dr Mathole Motshekga during the feedback session of the C20 South Africa launch at The Capital on the Park in Sandton on Monday. Image: Itumeleng English/ Independent Newspapers With an emphasis on inclusivity and gender equality, Letsike also called on the working groups to make meaningful contributions in order to shape policy development on the global stage. The C20, a collective of diverse civil society organisations based across 14 working groups, aims to develop policy proposals for submission to the government as South Africa gears up to host the G20 Summit. "The disability inclusion stream and all these working streams are not intended to be for box-ticking exercise as we believe that those closest to the pain must be the closest to power and the C20 South Africa must bring solutions that bring integrated response to these communities. "In essence, we must move from paper to power and ensure the tG20 budget is inclusive and leaves no one behind... We must track this budget and demand accountability on violence against children and women and ensure civil society is not consulted but co-governs," she said.
The South African
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The South African
'Proud lesbian': Deputy Minister Steve Letsike slams trolls
Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, the Deputy Minister in the Department for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, has clapped back at homophobic trolls on social media. The 'proudly lesbian' woman has come under fire since criticising Podcast and Chill's MacG – real name Macgyver Mukwevho – over his comments about Minnie Dlamini. In an X post, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike posted a message to all her critics. It read: 'I used to rush to defend myself against attacks and false accusations. But now I watch to see who believes it. 'We don't give up, we continue to stand up for a just society.' She added: 'By the way, I remain a proud lesbian woman even in times like these'. Earlier this week, Deputy Minister Steve Letsike defended her outspoken comments against MacG. She posted, 'I do not mince my words. Don't get confused. Those who have just woke up to the issues, welcome. We will work with you. But we will not stop protecting the rights of all people. I am here to serve everyone.' Last week, Letsike called the Podcast and Chill presenters' body-shaming comments about Minnie Dlamini as 'nauseating in its vulgarity'. She also condemned MacG's history of 'degrading women', constituting it as 'online gender-based violence'. Mmapaseka Steve Letsike is one of many openly LGBTQ members of parliament. She has a long history of promoting the rights of black people, women, children, and the LGBTI community. In 2018, Letsike married her longterm partner, Lucy Thukwane. The couple shares a daughter. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
