Latest news with #YouthandPersonswithDisabilities
The South African
6 days ago
- General
- The South African
Deputy ministers partner up to protect children
On 4 June 2025, The Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Andries Nel will be joining forces with the Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike. The two departments are hosting a Community and Youth Engagement event in Mitchells Plain under the theme, 'Protection of Children is in Their Best Interest'. According to both ministries, the event will focus on unpacking the constitutional principle of 'the best interests of the child'. They said the event will also educate and empower parents, children, caregivers as well as the broader community about the rights of children. 'The session aims to strengthen community-based responses to child protection and promote a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in safeguarding children's well-being', said spokesperson of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, Kgalalelo Masibi. The disappearance of Joshlin Smith thrust the Western Cape into the spotlight, particularly on matters pertaining to child protection. The unfolding of the case has also sparked debate regarding the overall protection of children by their parents and caregivers. According to Masibi, during the community engagement, both ministries aim to delve deeper into circumstances and examples that contribute to children's rights being violated . 'The programme will include keynote addresses by both Deputy Ministers and the Acting Deputy Judge President, Judge Erasmus', said Masibi. According to Masibi, attendees will benefit from a series of expert-led presentations on key child protection issues such as:• The legal principle of the best interests of the child• Child maintenance and legal safeguards• Cyberbullying and digital safety• Child trafficking• Intermediary services • Protection of LGBTQIA+ children and children affected by gender-based violence
The Star
26-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
South Africa, UN Women host G20 stakeholder engagement meeting on inclusive growth
JOHANNESBURG, May 26 (Xinhua) -- South Africa's Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) hosted a stakeholder engagement in Johannesburg on Monday to promote inclusive growth under the country's Group of 20 (G20) presidency. As part of the G20 Empowerment of Women Working Group sessions, the G20 Stakeholder Engagement meeting was themed "Advancing Inclusive Growth for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities through South Africa's 2025 G20 Presidency." "Our G20 platform must center the lived realities of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, not as a footnote, but as a foundation for recovery and growth," said Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga. According to her, with South Africa's economy growing at just 0.7 percent annually, well below global averages, economic opportunities also remained deeply unequal, with two-thirds of South Africans living in poverty and 40 percent of adults, primarily young people and women, either unemployed or discouraged from looking for a job. Chikunga said South Africa's G20 leadership should go beyond ceremonial participation. "This is not only South Africa's G20. It is Africa's G20, and it must be the People's G20, shaped by those most affected by policy decisions, yet least represented in decision-making spaces. In short, this is a call to elevate our presidency from event-based diplomacy to outcome-driven action -- and to shape a legacy that lives far beyond our leaders' forum that will be seated later this year." Deputy Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Mmapaseka Steve Letsike said the country's G20 leadership role also aims to drive systemic transformation in favor of women, youth, and persons with disabilities worldwide. "Our presidency is an opportunity not only to influence international dialogue but to lead by example in implementing real, impactful, and measurable change for those who have historically been excluded," Letsike added.
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
MacG apologises to Minnie Dlamini after backlash over offensive comments
Podcaster MacGyver 'MacG' Mukwevho's comments about Minnie Dlamini sparked accusations of misogyny and prompted widespread condemnation, leading to a public apology. Podcaster MacGyver 'MacG' Mukwevho has done an unexpected U-turn, publicly apologising to Minnie Dlamini after facing backlash for his offensive comments. The controversy began in one of the episodes of Podcast and Chill when MacG and co-host Sol Phenduka discussed Dlamini's breakup with her ex-partner, Dr Brian Monaisa. The conversation rapidly veered into controversial territory. "Why can't she keep a man? There's got to be something wrong with her — maybe her c**chie smells or something," MacG said during the discussion, adding: "It happens, man, especially with the hot girls." MacG's remarks quickly drew widespread backlash, with social media users, advocacy groups, TV channels like Moja Love, and even Deputy Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, condemning his behaviour and slamming him for using offensive language against women. Letsike cautioned that such remarks go beyond being merely offensive, stating they amount to a form of online gender-based violence, as defined in South Africa's National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. 'This incident is not a harmless joke or casual banter – it is a harrowing demonstration of online gender-based violence,' she said. The deputy minister voiced her disgust, describing MacG actions as part of a recurring pattern of misogynistic behaviour. She further revealed that multiple women have reportedly initiated legal proceedings against him. 'Women cannot be reduced to vulgar slurs and the objectification of the female body, as this is a damaging reinforcement of gender-based disrespect and consequently violence,' she said. Moja Love strongly condemned MacG's remarks, criticising his continued use of offensive language towards women. In a statement, the channel said, 'MacG's persistent use of derogatory language towards women, reducing them to vulgar slurs and objectifying their bodies is not just offensive, it is a damaging reinforcement of gender-based disrespect.' They added that such conduct has no place in society or the media, 'where voices should uplift, not degrade.' Women For Change also condemned MacG's comments about Minnie Dlamini, describing them as 'misogynistic and degrading.' The organisation expressed that his remarks were 'not only vile and dehumanising but also reflect the deeply rooted toxic masculinity that continues to endanger and humiliate women in South Africa.' Macg found himself in legal trouble before. In October 2024, he was hit with a R13 million lawsuit after spreading harmful rumours about amapiano artist Nkosazana Daughter. During a past broadcast, MacG insinuated that Nkosazana Daughter had an affair with musician Master KG and claimed that her child was fathered by him, not her then-partner, Sir Trill. MacG eventually apologised publicly after Nkosazana Daughter's family denied the claims, expressing regret for making assumptions based on a photo of the child. "We were wrong. She looks just like Sir Trill," he said in his apology. However, he also insisted that he had information from a 'credible source' claiming that Sir Trill was not financially supporting the child. In the podcast episode that aired on May 12, MacG issued an apology to all the women offended by his comments about Minnie Dlamini, saying it was never his intention to upset anyone. 'I want to apologise first and foremost to all the female chillers and just women in general in South Africa that I might have offended with that comment, that was not the intention. You know, we never say things to offend people.' He also invited Dlamini to join him on the show, saying she is 'more than welcome' to come on so they can 'squash it' once and for all. 'This thing started on the podcast, let's end it on the podcast. She said some things, I've said some things, let's squash it once and for all, bro,' said MacG. The Star
IOL News
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
MacG responds to parliamentary backlash, extends olive branch to Minnie Dlamini
MacG has addressed the controversy surrounding his recent comments about television personality Minnie Dlamini. Image: File image In the latest episode of 'Podcast and Chill', Macgyver "MacG" Mukwevho addressed the controversy surrounding his recent comments about television personality Minnie Dlamini. MacG joked about the situation and stated, 'We took podcasting to another level; we're now honourable speakers.' He asked: 'Is it even a podcast if you haven't been summoned by parliament?" MacG went on to say that sometimes the backlash he receives makes him want to quit. 'Sometimes I feel like ah, f*** this s*** man, let me pack my bags and go back to Venda to start farming, I don't need this shit,' he said. Additionally, he said that seeing the love from his fans 'fuels him' and makes him want to keep going. This nonchalant attitude comes after Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike called for him to be summoned to Parliament over his remarks about Dlamini's breakup with Dr Brian Monaisa. The controversy began when MacG commented that the reason for the split might be due to Dlamini's hygiene, making a crude remark about her private part. 'Why can't she keep a man? There's got to be something wrong with her, maybe her coochie smells or something,' MacG said. 'It happens, man, especially with the hot girls,' he added. The backlash was swift, with Letsike condemning MacG's comments as online gender-based violence (GBV) and referring the matter to various constitutional bodies for investigation. However, the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities declined Letsike's request to summon the 36-year-old podcaster to Parliament, with some committee members accusing Letsike of 'grandstanding'. EFF MP Sihle Lonzi was particularly vocal in her criticism, stating that Letsike's actions seemed more like a publicity stunt than a genuine attempt to address GBV. 'This ANC Minister is CLOWNING. There are three SEPARATE arms of the State. The Executive, the Legislature (Parliament), and the Judiciary. A Minister, representing the Executive, cannot 'summon' anyone to Parliament. If you are going to grandstand, at least be smart about it,' said Lonzi on X. On another note, as the episode proceeded, MacG apologised to all the women who were offended by the comment he made on Dlamini, stating that it was not his intention to offend them. 'I want to apologise first and foremost to all the female chillers and just women in general in South Africa that I might have offended with that comment, that was not the intention. You know, we never say things to offend people.' He further extended an invite to Dlamini, saying she is more than welcome to be a guest on the show so they can 'squash it' once and for all. 'This thing started on the podcast, let's end it on the podcast. She said some things, I've said some things, let's squash it once and for all, bro,' said MacG. The debate continued, with co-host Sol Phenduka saying that it's a good thing that MacG extended an olive branch, but he does not see Dlamini setting foot in the studio for a chat. The controversial host (MacG) had a different opinion, stating that it was the same situation with radio personality Unathi Nkayi who once hated his guts but came to the show to express her frustrations and they 'chopped it up' which made them best friends. Ever since the incident, many have called out for MacG to apologise to Dlamini for his degrading comments. But for now, MacG seems content with the invitation he has extended to her for them to have a conversation.
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.
