CEREMONY OF HEROES AND HEROINES WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM @KASIBCNEWS

CEREMONY OF HEROES AND HEROINES WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM @KASIBCNEWS 

PRETORIA ON 27 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 11H00

Programme Directors

His Excellency, President of the Republic of South Africa, President Cyril

Ramaphosa

President of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Cde Mzwanele Nyhontso

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Cde Angie Motshekga

Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton Mackenzie

High Commissioner of Zimbabwe to South Africa, His Excellency Hambaziripa High Commission of Zambia to South Africa, Her Excellency Mazuba Monze

Premier of the North-West Province, Cde Lazarus Mokgosi

Gauteng MEC for Education, Sports and Recreation, Cde Matome Chiloane

Families, Friends and Relatives of our heroes

Comrades and Compatriots

Today, we welcome home gallant sons and daughters of the South African soil, who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure that we all can gather here today as a free people. 

These illustrious men and women, whose remains are finally brought  home after decades of exile, represent different generations, united by the  yearning to liberate their motherland. 

They represent the well-known, such as ANC Secretary General Duma  Nokwe and head of the ANC Women’s Section Florence Mophoshe, journalist Todd Matshikza and Wankie campaigner Basil February as well as other unsung freedom fighters, who are all heroes and heroines of our liberation struggle. Today we pay homage and express our profound gratitude to them and their families for their immense contribution to our freedom. 

They came from all over the country, from Alexandra to Zeerust, Cape  Town to Soweto, Durban to Mdantsane, Bloemfontein to Mahikeng, the East Rand to Ivavuma, paying testimony that our struggle against apartheid tyranny, was a truly national struggle.

This homecoming is a culmination of extensive work that spans a number of years by the ANC government. Many hurdles had to be overcome to correctly trace the final resting places of these and many more other  combatants. 

Some have been quick to claim easy victories and arrogate this homecoming to their preferred leaders. This homecoming is a culmination of years of painstaking work by the ANC to fulfil a commitment to the  families to bring their loved ones home. 

We were pleased when in March 2021, the Cabinet of the 6th Administration approved the National Policy on Repatriation and Restitution of Human Remains and Heritage Objects. The implementation of this policy is driven by the Inter-Ministerial Committee led by the Deputy President.

This then paved the way for this first group of 47 freedom fighters, who were buried in Zambia and Zimbabwe, to be exhumed and repatriated.

This will be followed by comrades buried in countries like Tanzania, Angola, Uganda, Lesotho, Mozambique, and many more.

Over the last century since the establishment of the ANC in 1912, our people have fought heroic battles against colonial and apartheid tyranny.

These battles were waged in many fronts. From internal resistance inside the country to armed combat in the frontline states to the capitals of the world who rallied behind the anti-apartheid movement.

The brutality of the apartheid regime and the banning of the ANC alongside many other progressive organizations in the country led us to the underground and exile, where we continued to wage our struggle.

Indeed, many of our comrades went into exile so they could contribute in different ways to the liberation of our country. We remain grateful to the many nations of the world who embraced our people, supported our struggle, trained our people and provided our movement with the much-needed resources to wage our struggle in different terrains. The role of the frontline states who stood as a bulwark against the aggression of the apartheid state gave our struggle momentum and rallied the continent and the world behind our struggle.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the indelible role played by the countries where these comrades mortal remains were repatriated from:

Zambia and Zimbabwe. Zambia, led by President Kenneth Kaunda gave home to the ANC and other liberation movements, providing for ANC headquarters, training camps, and the education of our children and young people. It did so whilst still busy rebuilding their own country, after just attaining their own independence from colonialism in 1964. In the spirit of true Pan Africanist, the government and peoples of Zambia vowed that they can’t be free until all peoples of Africa and Southern Africa are also free. And they put deed to word. We remain forever grateful. Zambia also ensured the ANC’s sonic presence in the airwaves in the form of Radio Freedom, which enabled the ANC to shape the course of the unfolding struggle and internal political developments.

Zimbabwe too, like us fought a long and hard struggle for her independence and freedom against a regime, like the apartheid regime, that was determined to cling to power at all costs. It was for this reason that we found common cause with the freedom fighters and freedom loving people of Zimbabwe, expressed in the joint Wankie and Sipolilo Campaigns of Umkhonto we Sizwe and ZIPRA in 1967 and 1968. Once she attained her independence in 1980, Zimbabwe too provided offices to the liberation movements and played a critical role in uniting the Frontline states against apartheid South Africa.

Both Zambia and Zimbabwe became victims not only of cross border raids and strikes, but also assassinations, bombs, grenades and other attacks. 

Despite these they remained steadfast in their solidarity with the liberation movements and peoples of South Africa.

It was Egyptian intellectual Edward Sa-id who said:

“Exile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience. It is the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place, between the self and its true home: its essential sadness can never be surmounted. And while it is true that literature and history contain heroic, romantic, glorious, even triumphant episodes in an exile’s life, these are no more than efforts meant to overcome the crippling sorrow of estrangement.”

This estrangement impacted particularly harshly on the families of those of our comrades who went to exile. Often not knowing where their loved ones ended up, what they endured and experienced, let alone when and if they will ever see them again.

Unfortunately for those in whose honour we hold this Homecoming Ceremony today, they were never able to taste the fruits of freedom in their homeland, let alone see their loved ones.

It is therefore important that we continue with this programme, working with families, to bring home the remains of those who passed away in exile, so that we may all begin to have closure and heal.

Amandla!!

 

Mpumalanga Dams record another drop @KASIBCNEWS

Mpumalanga Dams record another drop @KASIBCNEWS

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) calls on the public to use the available water wisely and sparingly, as dam levels in Mpumalanga record a marginal decrease from last week’s 86.0% to 85.1% in the current. 

A weekly status of dam levels report issued by the Department also shows a decrease in the Water Management Areas (WMA). The Olifants WMA dropped from 78.0% to 77.0% and the Inkomati-Usuthu WMA dropped from 87.5% to 87.0%. In terms of the districts, Ehlanzeni dropped from 86.5% to 85.4%, Gert Sibande dropped from 83.9% to 83.4%, and Nkangala dropped from 89.1% to 87.7%. 

The department notes that there are no improvements recorded in most dams across the province, with only a few dams remaining unchanged and the majority recording declines.

The listed dams which recorded declines in water levels in Ehlanzeni District and the Lowveld include Blyderivierpoort from 79.0% to 76.6%, Buffelskloof from 66.7% to 63.6%, Witklip from 83.8% to 82.1%, Kwena from 82.1% to 79.9%, Da Gama from 89.6% to 87.8%, Inyaka from 89.9% to 88.7%, and Ohrigstad from 35.0% to 29.9%.

The dams that remained unchanged in the Lowveld include Driekoppies Dam at 92.7%, Longmere at 91.1%, Klipkopjes at 85.4%, and Primkop at 50.8%.

In Gert Sibande District, Grootdraai Dam dropped from 77.1% to 76.0%, Nooitgedacht from 79.8% to 79.2%, Vygeboom from 98.1% to 96.9%, and Westoe from 36.4% to 36.0%. 

All the listed dams in the Nkangala District continue to decrease in water volumes with Witbank Dam further dropping from 92.5% to 91.0%, Middelburg Dam from 85.4% to 84.3%, Loskop Dam from 90.2% to 88.5%, and Rhenosterkop Dam from 86.1% to 85.5%.

The department urges residents to fix and report water leaks, while using water sparingly. 

 

Deputy President Paul Mashatile undertakes working visit to Ireland @KASIBCNEWS

Deputy President Paul Mashatile undertakes working visit to Ireland @KASIBCNEWS

Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile will on 27 – 28 September 2024, undertake a working visit to Ireland. The visit is aimed at reinforcing South Africa’s historic and warm bilateral relations with Ireland.

Upon arrival in Ireland, the Deputy President will meet his Irish counterpart, Prime Minister Simon Harris, to reaffirm the strong political and diplomatic ties between the two countries.

South Africa and Ireland established diplomatic relations over 30 years ago. Political and economic relations between South Africa and Ireland encompass a broad spectrum of cooperation, such as trade and investment, education, science and innovation and gender equality. Ireland’s developmental programmes have greatly assisted many initiatives in South Africa since 1994, and the partnership continues to this day.

During the visit, the Deputy President will participate in the South Africa-Ireland Trade and Investment Round Table with Irish companies that are already invested in or intend to invest in South Africa, he is expected to deliver remarks at the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, established to support innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering connections between the South Africa and Irish tech ecosystems.

The Deputy President will be accompanied to Ireland by the Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mr Andrew Whitfield.

The Deputy President will then proceed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain (UK) from 29 September – 04 October 2024. The visit will focus on showcasing South Africa as an investment destination of choice and strive to identify and create new trade opportunities for South African businesses, especially small and medium enterprises.

The UK is one of South Africa’s most significant bilateral partners in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in trade, investment, skills development, science, innovation, the Just Energy Transition and tourism, among others.

The Deputy President will engage selected investors and trade partners invited in cooperation with economic partners in the UK, and deliver a lecture at School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University in London, focusing on South Africa’s forthcoming Presidency of the G20.

The Deputy President will also pay a courtesy call on the Duke of Edinburgh, and meet the Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ms Angela Rayner.

The Deputy President will be accompanied to the United Kingdom by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Mr Ronald Lamola; the Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ms Maropene Ramokgopa; the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Mr Dean Macpherson; the Minister of Small Business Development, Ms Stella Ndabeni Abrahams; the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ms Rosemary Capa; the Deputy Minister Finance, Mr David Masondo; the Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Mr Kenneth Morolong and the Deputy Minister Trade Industry and Competition, Mr Andrew Whitfield.

 

Urgent Court Interdict against John Hlophe @KASIBCNEWS

Urgent Court Interdict against Jon Hlophe @KASIBCNEWS

The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s decision to grant an urgent interdict preventing Dr. John Hlophe from taking up his seat on the Judicial Service Commission (JSC). This is a landmark victory for the DA and for the integrity of South Africa’s judiciary.

The court's decision affirms our position and strengthens the fight to maintain the highest standards of integrity within our judiciary. An impeached judge, found guilty of gross misconduct, should not hold a position on the JSC, a body entrusted with the responsibility of selecting judges and upholding the highest standards of judicial integrity.

This ruling is a major step in safeguarding the independence and credibility of our judicial system. Allowing Dr. Hlophe, who was impeached after a long and contentious legal process, to influence the selection of future judges would have severely damaged public trust in our judiciary and compromised the principles that uphold our democracy.

Today’s ruling is a clear victory for all South Africans who believe in an impartial and ethical judiciary. It underscores that those tasked with overseeing and selecting our judges must be held to the highest standards of conduct. We remain committed to upholding the rule of law and defending the values enshrined in our Constitution.

The DA will continue in its fight to ensure that our judiciary remains independent, transparent, and free from political interference.

 

R1-billion New Driver’s Licence printing machines @KASIBCNEWS

R1-billion New Driver’s Licence printing machines @KASIBCNEWS 

In response to a RISE Mzansi parliamentary question, the Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has stated that the current driver’s licence production machines have reached the end of their lifespan, meaning that three new machines, totalling a cost of R1,003,223,784 need to be procured. Each machine costs R334,407,928.

RISE Mzansi is calling on the Minister of Transport to take the nation into her confidence and to be transparent, without interfering in the work of the bidding committee, by providing an update to South Africans on how far the process is, as the last update on this matter was given more than 3months ago on 10 June 2024.

In light of the current machines reaching their lifespan, RISE Mzansi can further disclose that between 2019/20 and 2023/24 R21,091,201,32 was spent maintaining the current equipment, with R870,000 budgeted for the current financial year.

What is vital with the new procurement is that the equipment is serviced and maintained locally so there are no delays in ensuring that South African drivers are able to obtain their driving permits without delays.