CLARITY ON THE BELA ACT PROCESS @KASIBCNEWS  THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS  WELCOMES CLARITY ON THE BELA ACT PROCESS  African National Congress (ANC) welcomes clarification of the processes surrounding the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. It is important that all parties within the Government of National Unity (GNU) uphold the integrity of the agreed Clearing House Mechanism to ensure transparency and collective decision-making.  The ANC strongly condemns attempts by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to bypass established processes in a desperate effort to perpetuate apartheid-era standards in our education system. Such actions are a direct affront to the principles of transformation and equity that underpin our democracy.  The ANC remains committed to ensuring that legislative processes, including the BELA Act, reflect the shared vision of a united and transformed South Africa.  We call on all GNU parties to respect the spirit of collaboration and wor...

BELA BELA BILL CHAOS @KASIBCNEWS  MEC CHILOANE REJECTS BILATERAL AGREEMENT ON BELA BY MINISTER AND PARTNERS The Gauteng Education MEC, Mr Matome Chiloane, wishes to express his disappointment and firm rejection of the so-called bilateral agreement between the Minister of Basic Education and her partners regarding the BELA Act. The so-called agreement among others proposes that: “Sections 4(d), 4(f), and 5(c) of the BELA Act should not be implemented until national policies, regulations, and norms and standards are developed. Furthermore, Sections 4 and 5 are to be introduced on a phased basis, subject to these developments”. This bilateral agreement, entered into by the Minister, National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC) and Solidarity, represents the minority and as such undermines what was intended by the President. MEC Chiloane is deeply concerned that this agreement effectively “ring-fences” certain public schools for the exclusive use of specific societal group...

Honouring the Living Legends in the Creative Sector @KASIBCNEWS Honouring the living legends in the creative sector - “giving the living legends their flowers, while they can still smell them”  Yesterday, 28 November, Minister Gayton McKenzie and Deputy Minister Peace Mabe honoured some of South Africa’s greatest living legends in the creative sector. Hosted at Radisson hotel in Ekurhuleni, the session launched a newly envisioned approach to supporting and honouring senior creative giants for their immense contribution to the creative industry. In his address, the Minister emphasised that the department was working on a new funding model so that legends can have sustainable livelihoods. An honorarium payment of R100,000 is also being made to selected legends ahead of the Christmas break. Living legends such as Lillian Dube, Dr John Kani, ⁠⁠Sue Williamson, ⁠⁠Noria Mabasa, ⁠⁠Helen Sebidi, ⁠⁠David Mothibi, Andrew Chabeli, ⁠⁠Omar Badsha, Thembi Mtshali-Jones, Marah Louw, Ouma Katrina E...

REA VAYA BUS SERVICES VERSUS TAXI ASSOCIATION @KASIBCNEWS  JOHANNESBURG POLICE METROPOLITAN DEPARTMENT AND SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE GETS INVOLED WITH THE REA VAYA BUS SERVICES BEING HALTED BY TAXI ASSOCIATION  On Friday, November 29, 2024, the Rea Vaya 45 feeder buses began operations, as confirmed in a media statement from the Executive Director (ED) for Transport on Thursday, November 28, 2024.  However, the Taxi Association (TA) defied a court order and disrupted the bus services by blocking roads with their patrol cars. In response, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) acknowledged a shortage of personnel to handle the situation but has pledged to bolster their presence going forward.   A meeting will be held this weekend between the JMPD and the South African Police Service (SAPS) to discuss the ongoing situation.  The 45 feeder buses are scheduled to resume operations on Monday, December 2, 2024.