Boards Applications ( NYDA ) National Youth Development Agency @KASIBCNEWS

 

Boards Applications ( NYDA ) National Youth Development Agency @KASIBCNEWS

Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga urges young South Africans to apply for the NYDA Board

The Ministry of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities (DWYPD) encourages young South Africans to apply for positions on the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Board, as applications are now open. The NYDA Board plays a crucial role in driving policies and initiatives    that promote youth development and empowerment across the country.

Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has called on eligible youth leaders between the ages of 18 and 35 to apply, stressing the significance of youth representation in the NYDA’s efforts to uplift and create opportunities for young people. “We are looking for passionate and capable young leaders who are committed to advancing the development of South Africa's youth. This is an opportunity to shape policies and lead initiatives that will have a lasting impact on your generation and the generations to come,” said the Minister.

As outlined in the National Youth Development Agency Amendment Act (No. 11 of 2024), applicants must be South African citizens aged 18-35, with relevant knowledge, experience, or qualifications in youth or social development, finance, law, or other fields necessary to advance the NYDA’s mandate. Candidates who meet these requirements are invited to complete an online application form here. 

The form can also be accessed via WhatsApp, and all applicants are required to upload certified copies of their Identity Document and academic qualifications.

The Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring that the Board is inclusive, representing young people from all walks of life, including those in rural, farming, and mining communities. “We want a Board that understands the diverse challenges young people face, particularly in communities that have been historically underserved. I urge young leaders from every corner of the country to take this opportunity and apply,” Minister Chikunga added.

A list of shortlisted candidates will be published on the parliamentary website, allowing for public comment on their suitability. All shortlisted candidates will undergo preemployment screening by the State Security Agency and verification of their qualifications.

Applications will close at midnight on 18 November 2024.

Minister Chikunga concluded: “The future of South Africa depends on the active participation of its youth. I encourage every young person who is passionate about contributing to the future of our country to apply for this important position.”

Gogo Matlape Born 4th December 1918 @KASIBCNEWS

Gogo Matlape Born 4th December 1918 @KASIBCNEWS 

Gauteng Social Development MEC, Faith Mazibuko, urged young people to take a leaf from the book of a centenarian, Gogo Makhopokoane Jermina Matlepe, who was born on the 4th of December 1918 in Steenros, Free State. Gogo Matlape was celebrated by the community at her home in Kokosi. She was blessed with 11 children (5 girls and 6 boys). Mazibuko joined 93 older persons between 80 and 100 at Gogo home to celebrate her life and share his secret to longevity (reaching 105 years). 

"To have an old person living for so many years is priceless. We opted to come join this celebration of Mama and thank her family for having taken care of her for so many years. We joined this celebration too precisely because we wanted to dig deeper into her well of wisdom and know her secret to long life," she said. Mazibuko said young people should follow Gogo Matlape footsteps and learn how to be responsible. citizens in the county.

Mazibuko handed over a certificate, wheelchair, blanket, toiletries, and nappies to Gogo Matlape.

 "We pride ourselves with the lives of our senior citizens, which made us even prouder. We continue to promote love within families and the society to protect our older persons. As the province, we have seen a number of distasteful scenes where older persons are abused and sometimes murdered. It is the responsibility of us all in the society to protect and love senior citizens. 

We also need to learn from their wisdom. We are determined to ensure that our vulnerable older persons live in a safe and healthy environment. We urge families to ensure they don't illtreat them, but give them love at all times." 

The family expressed their gratitude to the government for having taken a day to celebrate her.

MMC GWAMANDA PLACED ON SPECIAL LEAVE @KASIBCNEWS

MMC GWAMANDA PLACED ON SPECIAL LEAVE @KASIBCNEWS 

This morning, Executive Mayor Cllr Dada Morero met with MMC for Community Development, Cllr Kabelo Gwamanda, to address the reported allegations of fraud that have surfaced in the public domain.

"The severity of these allegations demands a proactive response to protect the integrity of the Office of the Executive Mayor," said Mayor Morero. "In line with the City's commitment to integrity, good governance, and accountability, I have decided to place MMC Gwamanda on special leave, effective immediately, and relieve him of all his executive duties." 

The residents of Johannesburg are hereby informed that the allegations will be referred to the Speaker of Council, who will handle the matter according to the legislated processes and rules of the council. 

The Executive Mayor believes that both administrative and political leadership must uphold their oath of office, guided by the code of conduct and ethics, in serving the public office. In order to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, Mayor Morero will appoint an Acting MMC for Community Development during MMC Gwamanda's special leave. 

The City of Johannesburg remains committed to upholding the highest standards of governance and integrity and will not tolerate any behaviour that may compromise the trust of our citizens. 

Abduction Case of 6-year-old Eva Tembo @KASIBCNEWS

 

Abduction Case of 6-year-old Eva Tembo @KASIBCNEWS

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is outraged at the disgraceful way the abduction

case of 6-year-old Eva Tembo was handled. The sheer incompetence, negligence, and

blatant privilege granted to the abductor, Carlos Rebelo, is an insult to justice, the safety

of children, and the dignity of Eva’s family. 

In a shocking act of lawlessness, Eva Tembo was abducted in July by her mother’s

employer, Carlos Rebelo. After securing custody of Eva in June 2024, Rebelo defied the

law by refusing to return her once the custody order was reversed on July 12th. Instead

of complying, he abducted the child and vanished, leaving her family scrambling to find

her. It is only yesterday that Rebelo finally returned the child to his lawyer’s offices and

eventually the child was reunited with her parents.

Firstly, it is not clear how an unrelated, old man like Rebelo gained custody of a child that

wasn’t his. This man had no blood relation to Eva and yet was granted custody – this is a

gross miscarriage of justice, dripping with the foul stench of white privilege. This child had

two living parents and no attempt was made to find external relatives, nor make us of

social services, if indeed the child needed placement in a safer environment.

Secondly, why did the police completely fail to take action until October 9th? A case was

opened on July 12th, and not a single officer took steps to investigate or recover this

missing child, until a police team was created on the 9th of October to look into the return

of the child. 

This is nothing less than criminal negligence. Our police force, which is meant

to protect the most vulnerable among us, sat idly by as a white man played kidnapper, all

while the public raised alarm on social media. It wasn’t until the media outlet News24, not

the police, got involved that any significant movement was made to return Eva. This is an

unacceptable dereliction of duty.

Thirdly, the newspaper “negotiated” the return of the child as Rebelo made demands that

he would only return the child to his lawyers. This is absolutely unheard of—are we now

allowing criminals to set terms for their surrender? While Eva’s return is a relief, the fact

that Rebelo was not immediately apprehended is appalling, he should have been arrested

the moment Eva was handed over to his lawyer. 

We have to now question whether the police are now making deals with kidnappers, and letting them get away at the expense of our children’s safety.

Eva’s abduction and the way it was handled is a chilling reminder of how unsafe our

children are in this country. The fact that a man could kidnap a child, negotiate her return

on his terms, and walk free without immediate consequence is a terrifying signal that the

justice system under the ANC has crumbled to the point that it is only for the powerful and

the connected. It may not be surprising, however, when statistics show that over 106 000

rape cases and 22,000 sexual assault cases involving children have been reported over

the last six financial years. Additionally, rape accounted for over 38% of all crimes against

children in 2023.

South Africa has become a sanctuary for paedophiles and rapists, especially white men

who exploit their privilege to escape accountability, giving them free rein to victimise more

innocents. Just in August, Iaian Wares was finally arrested and extradited for sexually

assaulting students in Scotland and England during the 1960s and 70s, after living

undisturbed and retiring comfortably here for decades. In a similarly disgraceful case,

Gerhard Ackerman was only convicted in 2022, facing over 700 charges of rape,

trafficking, and more.

We, as the EFF, stand with Eva’s parents and will actively and closely monitor this case

to ensure that justice is served. We cannot allow children in this country to be traded like

commodities, with the police treating the lives of black children as less important than

white men’s whims.

Unconstitutional Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act @KASIBCNEWS

Unconstitutional Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act @KASIBCNEWS

Constitutional Court Ruling Exposes Government and Parliament’s Failure to Implement Policy

The Taaibosch Kei Korana Royal House and Gauteng Housing Crisis Committee, (GHCC) welcomes the recent Constitutional Court ruling on the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, which highlights the continued failure of government and Parliament to implement policy in line with democratic principles. 

The Court’s decision, which declares the Act unconstitutional due to a lack of public participation, demonstrates a systemic problem in South Africa’s legislative process.

In this unanimous judgment, the Constitutional Court reaffirmed the critical importance of meaningful public participation, calling out Parliament’s “overwhelming failure” to ensure the people’s voices were adequately heard in shaping policies that affect millions of South Africans, particularly marginalized communities. The ruling gave Parliament 24 months to re-enact the law or to pass new legislation that complies with constitutional standards.

 

This judgment serves as a reminder that the failure to consult and engage with the public does not only undermine the integrity of democratic processes, but also the rights of the most vulnerable citizens. GHCC asserts that this systemic failure is not unique to the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act but is emblematic of a broader issue where critical policies, including those addressing housing, poverty, and industrial development, have been neglected.

 

For over 30 years, the government has refused to implement the Ford plan, which has been validated by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) as a viable solution to address the housing and job crises. This repeated failure of engagement with stakeholders, including the millions living in shack communities, is not just a failure of public participation but a violation of human rights on a 30 year epic scale.

 

GHCC calls on Parliament and the government to take immediate steps to ensure that all future legislation, especially those affecting marginalized communities, undergoes a transparent and inclusive public participation process. It is time for a government that listens to its people and implements policies that truly address poverty and economic inequality.

 

GHCC stands ready to support any efforts that seek to rectify these systemic failures and demands urgent action in policy implementation to avoid further exacerbation of the housing and poverty crisis in South Africa.