Latest news with #andLabour
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Sleeping While the Lies Were Written – A Call to Stand with South Africa
Ngomane Nicholas | Published 2 hours ago While South Africans rested under our night sky, a distorted narrative about our nation was quietly taking shape in Washington. The Trump administration, through the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, released a report that paints South Africa in the most troubling and inaccurate terms. This so-called assessment, claiming to be the result of 'engagements with stakeholders' in South Africa, alleges a severe deterioration of human rights in the past year. It brands our Expropriation Act as 'substantially worrying,' accuses the Economic Freedom Fighters of encouraging farm attacks, and concludes that Afrikaners are being targeted as an ethnic minority. These claims are not only misleading — they are outright falsehoods. The report leans on selective anecdotes, ignores verified data, and omits the context of our constitutional democracy. It overlooks that land reform policies are grounded in law, subject to judicial review, and aimed at correcting historic injustices. It repeats discredited myths about 'white genocide,' despite numerous independent investigations debunking such claims. This narrative is not about protecting human rights — it is a political weapon designed to undermine South Africa's sovereignty. The most dangerous aspect of this report is its arrogance. Too often, foreign officials arrive on our soil convinced they have diagnosed our problems before speaking to the people who live here. By the time they check into their hotels, they have already designed solutions that disregard local realities. The following day, they begin recruiting allies to impose their vision. This is not partnership — it is paternalism. It reduces our people to subjects of external judgment rather than citizens capable of defining their destiny. This is not the first time Africa has been subjected to such treatment. History is filled with examples of outsiders painting the continent as broken to justify interference. Nelson Mandela warned that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of others; the inverse is also true — when our sovereignty is undermined, the freedom of all who value self-determination is at risk. Today, the tactics have shifted from open colonialism to narrative warfare, but the aim is the same: to weaken, divide, and control. It is no coincidence that this report comes at a time when the South African government is seeking to grow revenue and resources in a competitive global economy. The subtext is clear—apply pressure through negative international perception, create economic vulnerability, and force political concessions. Tariffs, trade restrictions, and selective sanctions often follow such campaigns. This is not about human rights; it is about leverage. South Africans cannot allow this narrative to go unchallenged. We must respond by writing, speaking, researching, and sharing our truths. Our universities, journalists, artists, and community leaders must actively dismantle the myths being exported about our nation. My research, The Invisible Faith in Democracy: Ekaslam, has shown how foreign perceptions often strip township communities of their agency, treating them as evidence for pre-written stories rather than as living, complex societies. This report is a textbook example of that practice. To those abroad who care about fairness: understand that South Africa is a vibrant, plural democracy with a fiercely independent judiciary, active civil society, and a free press. Our path is not perfect — no democracy's is — but it is ours to walk. Do not mistake the noise of politics for the collapse of a nation. To those within our borders: let us unite in defending our sovereignty, for this moment calls for solidarity beyond party lines. The architects of this report, along with the local voices who contributed to it, should bear the weight of shame for misrepresenting the country we have built together. South Africa is not defined by the distortions of foreign actors. It is defined by the resilience of its people, the strength of its Constitution, and the unwavering belief that freedom, once won, must be guarded fiercely. The world must know we will not bow. We will rise—together. Ngomane, PhD Candidate | University of the WitwatersrandTheatre Practitioner | Researcher | Dramaturge
IOL News
4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Sleeping While the Lies Were Written – A Call to Stand with South Africa
Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa and Donald Trump held a dramatic meeting at the White House in May, where the latter reiterated his unfounded allegations about the so-called white genocide in South Africa. Image: AFP While South Africans rested under our night sky, a distorted narrative about our nation was quietly taking shape in Washington. The Trump administration, through the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour, released a report that paints South Africa in the most troubling and inaccurate terms. This so-called assessment, claiming to be the result of 'engagements with stakeholders' in South Africa, alleges a severe deterioration of human rights in the past year. It brands our Expropriation Act as 'substantially worrying,' accuses the Economic Freedom Fighters of encouraging farm attacks, and concludes that Afrikaners are being targeted as an ethnic minority. These claims are not only misleading — they are outright falsehoods. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The report leans on selective anecdotes, ignores verified data, and omits the context of our constitutional democracy. It overlooks that land reform policies are grounded in law, subject to judicial review, and aimed at correcting historic injustices. It repeats discredited myths about 'white genocide,' despite numerous independent investigations debunking such claims. This narrative is not about protecting human rights — it is a political weapon designed to undermine South Africa's sovereignty. The most dangerous aspect of this report is its arrogance. Too often, foreign officials arrive on our soil convinced they have diagnosed our problems before speaking to the people who live here. By the time they check into their hotels, they have already designed solutions that disregard local realities. The following day, they begin recruiting allies to impose their vision. This is not partnership — it is paternalism. It reduces our people to subjects of external judgment rather than citizens capable of defining their destiny. This is not the first time Africa has been subjected to such treatment. History is filled with examples of outsiders painting the continent as broken to justify interference. Nelson Mandela warned that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of others; the inverse is also true — when our sovereignty is undermined, the freedom of all who value self-determination is at risk. Today, the tactics have shifted from open colonialism to narrative warfare, but the aim is the same: to weaken, divide, and control. It is no coincidence that this report comes at a time when the South African government is seeking to grow revenue and resources in a competitive global economy. The subtext is clear—apply pressure through negative international perception, create economic vulnerability, and force political concessions. Tariffs, trade restrictions, and selective sanctions often follow such campaigns. This is not about human rights; it is about leverage. South Africans cannot allow this narrative to go unchallenged. We must respond by writing, speaking, researching, and sharing our truths. Our universities, journalists, artists, and community leaders must actively dismantle the myths being exported about our nation. My research, The Invisible Faith in Democracy: Ekaslam, has shown how foreign perceptions often strip township communities of their agency, treating them as evidence for pre-written stories rather than as living, complex societies. This report is a textbook example of that practice. To those abroad who care about fairness: understand that South Africa is a vibrant, plural democracy with a fiercely independent judiciary, active civil society, and a free press. Our path is not perfect — no democracy's is — but it is ours to walk. Do not mistake the noise of politics for the collapse of a nation. To those within our borders: let us unite in defending our sovereignty, for this moment calls for solidarity beyond party lines. The architects of this report, along with the local voices who contributed to it, should bear the weight of shame for misrepresenting the country we have built together. South Africa is not defined by the distortions of foreign actors. It is defined by the resilience of its people, the strength of its Constitution, and the unwavering belief that freedom, once won, must be guarded fiercely. The world must know we will not bow. We will rise—together. Ngomane, PhD Candidate | University of the WitwatersrandTheatre Practitioner | Researcher | Dramaturge
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Campaigner defiant over abortion clinic breach
A woman convicted of breaching an abortion clinic protection zone has said she will continue her "fight for free speech". Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £20,000 for two charges of breaking a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The anti-abortion campaigner held a sign reading "Here to talk, if you want" outside a clinic in Bournemouth on two days in March 2023. Her legal representative told the BBC Tossici-Bolt had been offering a "consensual conversation" and would explore "all legal options" following the ruling. The case has been highlighted by US Vice-President JD Vance and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour - a bureau within the US State Department. The bureau said it was "disappointed" by the ruling, in a post on X. "Freedom of expression must be protected for all," it added. Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Tossici-Bolt said: "It was nothing to do with protesting, harassing or intimidating. It was inviting a conversation." She said her actions were "certainly not to make any woman unhappy or distressed". "Anyone could have approached me - including women attending the clinic. It was up to them," said Tossici-Bolt. "I was there to listen to them. Not that I was there to convince them or change minds or not." Asked what she would do next, she said: "I was given a conditional discharge. I will continue my fight for free speech." At Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday, District Judge Orla Austin said Tossici-Bolt's presence "could have a detrimental effect" on the women attending the clinic. The judge continued: "It's important to note this case is not about the rights and wrongs about abortion but about whether the defendant was in breach of the PSPO." The prosecution had been brought by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for breach of a PSPO under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The zone at Ophir Road came into force in October 2022, running from 07:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday. Tossici-Bolt's legal counsel, Jeremiah Igunnubole, from the Alliance Defending Freedom, said they would "explore all legal options". He said the conviction and costs imposed were "unprecedented". "Never before have we seen entirely peaceful conduct being criminalised for nothing other than offering a consensual conversation," he said. Speaking earlier this week, former supreme court justice Lord Sumption said: "Women having an abortion - it's a very agonising decision and most people feel they are entitled to protection. "Anti-abortion campaigners can shout their views from the rooftops, broadcast or write in the press. "Freedom of speech is in no way inhibited, except they cannot stand outside abortion clinics so as to harass the women trying to get in." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Woman guilty of abortion clinic safe zone breach Buffer zones set to come in around abortion clinics
BBC News
05-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Free speech' vow after abortion clinic safe zone breach
A woman convicted of breaching an abortion clinic protection zone has said she will continue her "fight for free speech".Livia Tossici-Bolt, 64, was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £20,000 for two charges of breaking a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).The anti-abortion campaigner held a sign reading "Here to talk, if you want" outside a clinic in Bournemouth on two days in March legal representative told the BBC Tossici-Bolt had been offering a "consensual conversation" and would explore "all legal options" following the ruling. The case has been highlighted by US Vice-President JD Vance and the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour - a bureau within the US State bureau said it was "disappointed" by the ruling, in a post on X. "Freedom of expression must be protected for all," it on Radio 4's Today programme, Tossici-Bolt said: "It was nothing to do with protesting, harassing or intimidating. It was inviting a conversation."She said her actions were "certainly not to make any woman unhappy or distressed"."Anyone could have approached me - including woman attending the clinic. It was up to them," said Tossici-Bolt."I was there to listen to them. Not that I was there to convince them or change minds or not."Asked what she would do next, she said: "I was given a conditional discharge. I will continue my fight for free speech."At Poole Magistrates' Court on Friday, District Judge Orla Austin said Tossici-Bolt's presence "could have a detrimental effect" on the women attending the judge continued: "It's important to note this case is not about the rights and wrongs about abortion but about whether the defendant was in breach of the PSPO." 'Unprecedented' The prosecution had been brought by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council for breach of a PSPO under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act zone at Ophir Road came into force in October 2022, running from 07:00 to 19:00, Monday to legal counsel, Jeremiah Igunnubole, from the Alliance Defending Freedom, said they would "explore all legal options".He said the conviction and costs imposed were "unprecedented"."Never before have we seen entirely peaceful conduct being criminalised for nothing other than offering a consensual conversation," he earlier this week, former supreme court justice Lord Sumption said: "Woman having an abortion - it's a very agonising decision and most people feel they are entitled to protection. "Anti-abortion campaigners can shout their views from the rooftops, broadcast or write in the press. "Freedom of speech is in no way inhibited, except they cannot stand outside abortion clinics so has to harass the women trying to get in." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
CBC
07-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Ottawa announces billions to support businesses, relaxes some EI rules
Employment and Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon says the move to temporarily relax rules for the employment insurance work-sharing program will 'provide stability to our sectors at a time of great unrest.' International Trade Minister Mary Ng announced, starting this year, the federal government will be providing $5 billion over two years to 'help Canadian businesses tackle the challenges imposed on them by these U.S. tariffs.'
