Latest news with #PhilCraig
Scroll.in
29-05-2025
- General
- Scroll.in
Medical history: When a typhus epidemic killed thousands at the height of the Second World War
Stories written by An excerpt from '1945: The Reckoning – War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World', by Phil Craig. Phil Craig · 9 minutes ago
IOL News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Only truth will set you free, minister Schreiber
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber needs no reminder that his job requires him to be consistent. While he has to be commended for how he has tackled issues at Home Affairs, he needs to be taken on for his continued refusal to disclose details around Cape Independence Advocacy Group leader Phil Craig's immigration status. Image: Ntswe Mokoena/GCIS HOME Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber set the bar high with his handling of the former Miss SA contestant Chidimma Adetshina saga, in particular the investigation into how her mother had obtained a South African citizenship. For years, South Africans longed to have a Home Affairs Department that was rock solid, with little to no room for malfeasance that could not only endanger individual citizens, but the security of the country as a whole. We longed to see our borders and ports of entry tightened to prevent criminals from exploiting the country. However, minister after minister, the ANC paid lip service to these basic yet very important demands. Corruption became the order of the day at Home Affairs, with some officials abusing the position they were entrusted with to sell fake passports and IDs. The investigation into the Adetshina saga partly confirmed this; that a South African citizen's identity may have been compromised, presumably with the help of a Home Affairs official. That probe also confirmed that indeed it was possible to rid that department of the rot that Home Affairs had been known for. The saga related to Adetshina perhaps came at the right time for Schreiber to prove that he was the man to change the state of affairs in that department. The minister does, however, need to be reminded that his position in government requires him to be consistent. There can't be rules for some and another set of rules for others. His continued refusal to disclose details around Cape Independence Advocacy Group leader Phil Craig's immigration status could reverse whatever progress he has made in such a short space of time. Continuing to procrastinate with answers about Craig's status could also fuel many perceptions, including that he is being shielded because of the colour of his skin, something Schreiber's party, the DA has often been accused of. If Craig is to be believed over his call for the Western Cape to be its own country, then it follows that questions about his status are promptly answered. Surely these should not be that difficult to answer if everything was above board.
The Citizen
17-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Home affairs extends office hours for big change to ID applications in SA
The rollout will be in phases 'to manage the volume of applications effectively'. The department of home affairs has extended its operating period by five hours on Saturdays in May to allow naturalised citizens and permanent residents to apply for smart ID cards. The department recently announced that residents from visa-exempt countries can now apply for a card. The list of countries can be seen by clicking here. 'This rollout marks a significant step in modernising identity documentation, improving security, and enhancing service delivery,' it said. The rollout will be in phases 'to manage the volume of applications effectively'. The first phase includes replacing green barcoded ID books of naturalised citizens and permanent residents from the listed countries. Applications can be done at all Live Capture Offices, bank branches and via the eHome-Affairs portal. Applicants can now also register and book appointments via the eHome-Affairs portal and the branch appointment booking system. Extended hours All offices offering smart ID cards will operate for extended office hours on the following weekends and times: Saturday 17 May 2025: 08:00 – 13:00 Saturday 24 May 2025: 08:00 – 13:00 Saturday 31 May 2025: 08:00 – 13:00 For a list of offices that offer smart ID card services, click here. 'Extended hours over the specified weekends will allow for processing of smart ID card applications from naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries, in possession of green barcoded ID books. 'Naturalised citizens and permanent residents from listed countries are encouraged to make use of this opportunity. This will take us closer to fully adopting the more secure smart ID card and doing away with the green barcoded ID book,' the department said. ALSO READ: Phil Craig's citizenship controversy explained How much does it cost to apply? All applications must be accompanied by the prescribed application fee of R140. For applicants who are 60 years and over, no payment is required. What if I still can't get my smart ID? Phase 2 of home affairs' smart ID card rollout project is in the planning stage and will include all currently excluded groups, including those applying for an ID for the first time. 'All applicants will undergo verification against the National Population Register (NPR) at the meeter-greeter station to confirm the authenticity of their green ID book details. 'Permanent resident permit holders will also be checked for their country of birth, which must be among the 106 countries. Those who do not verify positively in the first phase may be accommodated during Phase 2,' explained the department. NOW READ: ConCourt strikes down Citizenship Act clause, restores citizenship for affected South Africans
Hindustan Times
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
New book explores collapse of empires and global struggle for new order
New Delhi, Hot on the heels of the 80th anniversary of World War II's end, best-selling author Phil Craig's new book offers a powerful and original retelling of how the war's closing chapters reshaped the future of Britain, its colonies, and dominions. Published by Hachette India, "1945: The Reckoning – War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World" delves into the collapse of the British, Dutch, and French empires as global power dynamics shifted. It focuses on India, where a generation on the cusp of independence faces a tough choice between loyalty to the British Raj and supporting Subhas Chandra Bose's Japanese-backed Indian National Army . Through the story of a family torn apart by these opposing paths, the book highlights the deep questions of loyalty, identity, and the future of a free India. "The book explores the lives of real people and two of the most important in this book are Subhash Chandra Bose and Kodandera Subayya Thimayya. Through tracking them closely, all of the book's many themes fall naturally into place - the war, the fate of the British Empire and the way decolonisation happens . "Both men believe passionately in independence, but they choose very different routes toward it. Their lives intersect in numerous fascinating ways, in fact Thimayya's brother joins Bose in the INA," Craig, who is also the co-author of "Finest Hour", told PTI. Thimayya, the first Indian officer to command a brigade in the Indian Army, fought against the INA as well as the Japanese. He eventually served as the third chief of Army staff from 1957 to 1961, playing a pivotal role in shaping India's military landscape during the post-independence era. May 8 is observed as the end of World War II as it marks the surrender of Nazi Germany to the Allied forces, officially ending the war in Europe. This event, celebrated as Victory in Europe Day , marked the culmination of years of fighting. The book, in its description, also sheds a spotlight on a little-known Australian special forces mission in Borneo, secretly directed from London. However, the campaign goes horribly wrong as questions are asked about whether its true purpose is military or imperial. "And in Indochina and the East Indies British Generals free and arm Japanese prisoners of war and use them in savage campaigns that aim to put colonial rulers back into their palaces," it added. According to the publishers, "1945: The Reckoning – War, Empire and the Struggle for a New World" confronts "uncomfortable truths" with honesty and depth, offering a nuanced and human portrait of a world in transition and challenging readers to reconsider what "victory" in World War II really meant. The book's foreword is written by renowned author, historian and broadcaster James Holland. "This is a book that crosses the globe from Britain to Germany and from India to is ambitious, deeply thought-provoking and, as with all the very best history, compellingly told," Holland writes in his praise for the book. The book, priced at ₹899, is available for purchase across online and offline stores.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Phil Craig's Citizenship Controversy Explained
'My rights, just as for anyone else, are enshrined in the constitution' The citizenship status of Phil Craig, a British national and key figure in the Cape independence movement, will soon come under scrutiny during a meeting of parliament's portfolio committee on home affairs. Craig is the leader of the Referendum Party and co-founder and spokesperson for the Cape Independence Advocacy Group, based in the Western Cape. Five interesting things about him Craig has been in South Africa for more than 20 years with no citizenship He has had a petition calling for his deportation, which gained nearly 50 000 signatures He writes for the Daily Friend His Referendum Party proposed a non-racialism bill He advocated for the cessation of the Western Cape ALSO READ: Presidency responds to questions about the citizenship of Cape Independence's Phil Craig Citizenship status The Presidency has publicly confirmed that Craig is not a South African citizen. 'Phil Craig is not a citizen of South Africa; he's still a permanent resident and has yet to be naturalised. It is a concern that someone who has left his own country of birth has come to SA to sow seeds of division as he has been doing,' said Magwenya in March this year. This came after Craig sparked controversy for allegedly leading a movement which the Presidency deemed divisive. Magwenya further said, 'It is perplexing why he seeks citizenship when his views or intentions are to divide the country. We will not allow him to do that. He can travel the world seeking support for his ideas. It will not happen now or any other time.' Speaking to The Citizen in March this year, Craig said he had every right to interfere in South African politics like anyone else. In response to earlier accusations of leading a racist movement, Craig dismissed the claims, stating,'Only in South Africa is the author of a non-racialism bill, which seeks to end all race-based policy in South Africa, routinely accused of being racist.' 'My rights, just as for anyone else, are enshrined in the constitution, and I am fully entitled to exercise them. Opponents of Cape Independence should focus much more on the process; when they do, they will realise I am not the issue.'
