Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya on Menopause @KASIBC_NEWS

Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya on Menopause @KASIBC_NEWS 

The ANC Women’s League is appalled by the statement made by the ANC Youth League in Greater Tshwane Region, and strongly condemns the impertinent and imprudent “invocation of menopause as a metaphor for political atavism and reactionary regression by the ANC Youth League”. Such language is not only scientifically and socially flawed but also deeply disrespectful to the lived experiences of women, particularly within our movement, which champions equality, dignity and progressive discourse. Chapter two (2) of the South African Constitution guarantees the right to human dignity and the extent to which the right is protected is limitless, and the ANCWL subscribes to the principles of non-sexism and opposed to all forms of discrimination and chauvinism. 

Irrespective of our anger and dissatisfaction on various issues we differ upon, it is impolite to vulgarise the reproductive cycle of women. Menopause is a natural biological transition, representing wisdom, experience, and strength - qualities that should be celebrated, not disparaged. To use it as a means of demeaning an individual, borders on the lines of ill-discipline and disrespect for our elders and women in general. It also undermines the struggle for gender equity and reinforces harmful stereotypes that have no place in a progressive and democratic society. 

This type of behaviour wreaks of patriarchal behaviour, that’s borne out of a demonic patriarchal system that has a negative impact on the well-being of our women. Many women sacrificed everything to break the chains of patriarchy, and if it can't be corrected today, all those efforts will be undermined and reduced to derogatory and misogyny. 

Whilst we appreciate the withdrawal of the ANCYL paragraph five (5) as stated in their selective apology, we are concerned about the uncouth language used in the statement. We frown on the behaviour and the obscene literature which stands against our upbringing and the moral fibre of our movement and society. 

The ANC Youth League has a revolutionary duty to define their own path, in an endeavour to equip young people with the necessary expertise in a rapidly changing economic landscape, however the ANCWL encourages civility and demeanour in addressing these pertinent matters. 

We cannot therefore condone the use of crude words to describe the Mayor of Tshwane, Dr Nasiphi Moya and Cde Morakane Mosupye, especially when we celebrate a month where young people of yesteryear played a significant role in shaping a new political trajectory through the 1976 June uprising.  

We are equally bewildered with the statement issued by the Young Women’s Desk (YWD) in Tshwane which further exacerbated the unrefined pronouncement on the dignity of Cde Morakane Mosupye, and we want to categorically state that none of our structures has commissioned such discourse. 

The ANCWL unreservedly extend our heartfelt apologies to Cde Morakane Mosupye on the assertions made by the YWD from Tshwane, which approximate to malicious intent to harm her personal integrity. The Young Women’s Desk continues to be a “desk” of the ANC Women’s League and its purpose of existence remains that of amplifying the voice of young people in pursuit of the struggle for the total emancipation of women from an inherently patriarchal society. 

Therefore, the indecorum which departs from the adopted organisational principles and culture of the ANC Women’s League is tantamount to unethical and immoral conduct which detracts from the character, values and integrity of our movement. In consequence of the deviation from the good character that defines our movement, the ANC Women’s League has directed the Young Women’s Desk in Tshwane to withdraw its statement, and issue a public apology. We further encourage these young people to seek counsel to confront future political discourse. 

The ANC Women’s League remains committed to the battle of ideas which upholds the values of inclusivity, respect, and meaningful engagement in pursuit of the democratic ideals we stand for and advancing gender equality. We will continue to speak out against any form of sexist and/or disrespectful language that undermines the dignity of women. 

We urge the Youth League to apologize without reservations for their comments and to demonstrate greater sensitivity in future communications. In the seventieth (70) year of the Freedom Charter let us draw inspiration from the 1955 generation of volunteers who devoted their lives in pursuance of social justice, equality and human rights for all. 

NSFAS PAYMENT CHAOS @KASIBC_NEWS

NSFAS PAYMENT CHAOS @KASIBC_NEWS 

The DA condemns the burning of the offices of the Northern Cape Urban Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College offices in Kimberley this week by students protesting the delays in receiving their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) allowances. Students who have been unable to pay rent or study fees due to NSFAS’ failures are being put in an impossible position - but burning and breaking TVET College offices and campuses will never solve the problems NSFAS has created. The DA condemns the destruction of property. The burning of TVET offices will only further hamper the students’ end goal. Their frustration and delays while NSFAS tries to complete their "reconciliation process" - which became necessary after the switch from direct payment partners back to NSFAS - is now boiling over. NSFAS must rapidly complete this process in such a way that causes no suffering to vulnerable students. Payment cannot be withheld any longer. The DA will submit parliamentary questions to NSFAS to find out how many students have been affected by the Scheme’s reconciliation process, as well as what it’s doing to ensure that students do not become destitute, suffer hunger, or have to interrupt their academic year due to NSFAS failures.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SAVES JOBS OF HIV & AIDS WORKERS IN NPO @KASIBC_NEWS

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT SAVES JOBS OF HIV & AIDS WORKERS IN NPO @KASIBC_NEWS 

The Gauteng Department of Social Development says there will be no job losses in non-profit organisations dealing with HIV & AIDS programmes despite budget cuts by Treasury. The department has been allocated 332 million rand compared to 440 million it received last financial year, resulting in a shortfall of one hundred and eight million rand (108). 

The department indicates that following reductions in the HIV & AIDS Programme, they have had to adjust operations, and these changes will not affect those receiving psycho-social services from orphan and vulnerable children and youth organisations, as well as home and community care-based centres contracted to the department. 

This follows advice from Gauteng Social Development MEC Faith Mazibuko that there must be no reduction in the number of NPOs funded in the sector and that there must be no job losses. The department will continue to pay the salaries of social and auxiliary workers, community carers, and child and youth care workers who operate within the NPOs to provide psycho-social support services to vulnerable groups. 

Additionally, over the years, the department has intentionally invested in strengthening human resource capacity for the provision of psycho-social services as added capacity. As a result, community carers have been given opportunities to either be trained or undergo RPL, enabling them to provide PSS services. 

To date, the aforementioned social services professionals, i.e., auxiliary child and youth care workers and social auxiliary workers, operate within NPOs and are registered as such with the South African Council for Social Services Professionals. 

It is believed that the HR capacity in organisations may sufficiently render services to people infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, including vulnerable groups, as funded and contracted by the department. 

It has also been announced that as a result of budget cuts and streamlining of operations, all food parcels will now be distributed through the department’s food distribution centres managed by the Sustainable Livelihoods Development Directorate. 

Food distribution centres are fully experienced in providing food parcels to food-insecure households, which includes the provision of short-term relief. The department has also developed standard operating procedures and guidelines to ensure that the processes are well-coordinated. 

The department is still ensuring that the most vulnerable groups have access to services. The SOPs prioritise households with no source of income or benefits from any available government support. Furthermore, the department aims to ensure that food parcels do not serve as the only support provided and that vulnerable households, when appropriately capacitated, can transform their livelihoods. 

Through the identification of change agents, the vulnerability of such households may be reduced. People should not rely on receiving assistance indefinitely but should be capacitated accordingly. The HCBC programme would benefit from this, noting that there have been minimal exit opportunities for food parcel beneficiaries unless the sector can demonstrate otherwise. 

The collaboration between HIV & AIDS and sustainable livelihoods serves the best interest of the beneficiaries; there will be linkages with development plans and skills development as part of exit strategies. This is further outlined in the SOP to manage such a transition. It is also anticipated that the sector would welcome such initiatives and provide additional input on how to sustain this developmental agenda. 

The budget cuts across government departments were abrupt and certainly did not allow the department sufficient time for intensive consultations and impact assessments. The department receives allocations through treasury funding and would not have anticipated the allocation received. 

However, the department had to work with the available budget to ensure the continuity of services. The budget provided by the Treasury is final and has been received as such. The budget is insufficient to cover all items; we are all required to do more with less, which affects how programs used to be funded. 

Funding for HIV and AIDS had to be sourced from other programmes to supplement the budget. This has assisted in ensuring that NPOs continue to be funded, jobs are retained, and services to beneficiaries are continued. 

The incentive grant is funding received from the National Department of Public Works to create more work opportunities within the EPWP. As such, the indicative allocations received by the department determine the number of work opportunities that can be created during that period. 

The incentive grant agreement that the department enters into with the National Department of Public Works is only valid for a 12-month period, which implies that the work opportunities created utilising the incentive grant should align with the contractual obligations the department has with the National Department of Public Works. 

In the 2024/25 fiscal year, the department received an incentive grant allocation of R14,777,000 compared to an allocation of R22,444,000 in the 2023/24 fiscal year. This implies that the department should reduce or cut the creation of work opportunities in line with the incentive grant allocation. 

Even though there were budget cuts that the program experienced, the department retained the number of work opportunities that were affected, and these were funded through the equitable share budget. 

In the 2025/26 fiscal year, there were further budget reductions, and the allocated amount received is R12,123,000, further impacting the number of work opportunities. 

The scenarios above clearly indicate that the department has ensured no job losses have occurred within the program since 2023/2024 amidst the budget cuts. 

HISTORIC GRADUATION OF FIRST OF SANSI YOUTH CADETS @KASIBC_NEWS

HISTORIC GRADUATION OF FIRST OF SANSI YOUTH CADETS @KASIBC_NEWS

The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms. Angie Motshekga, will attend the graduation ceremony for the inaugural cohort of the South African National Service Institute (SANSI) on 7 June 2025 at 09:00 at Dunnottar Military Base, Sharondale, Gauteng Province. 

This landmark event marks the successful completion of the programme by the first group of youth cadets, who have undergone intensive training focused on discipline, public service, and practical skills. The programme is designed to build a skills to industry pipeline, preparing young people to contribute to South Africa’s economic growth and social development. 

SANSI was launched in 2023 under the leadership of the Department of Defence and Military Veterans and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) as a strategic youth development initiative to tackle unemployment and social exclusion. It forms part of the broader National Youth Service Programme, which integrates civic education, character development, and sector-specific training to prepare young South Africans for productive economic participation and responsible citizenship. 

Minister Motshekga commends the resilience and determination of the graduating cadets. She described them as “disciplined, determined, and deeply patriotic” and reiterated the government's commitment to expanding the programme, stating: “Skills development is not a short-term fix, it is the backbone of our economic revival”. 

This initiative gives our youth not only the tools for employment but also a strong sense of civic duty and purpose.” The Minister emphasized that scaling up SANSI will ensure that no young South African is left behind in the fight against unemployment and poverty.

GAUTENG GANGSTERS PARADISE @KASIBC_NEWS

GAUTENG GANGSTERS PARADISE @KASIBC_NEWS 

 

COMMUNITY SAFETY COMMITTEE COMMENDS LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR CRIME REDUCTION, RAISES CONCERNS OVER MULTIPLE MURDERS AND POLICE KILLINGS

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Community Safety commends law enforcement officers across the province for their dedication, resilience, and hard work, which have contributed to a notable reduction in crime during the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year (January – March 2025).

According to the latest crime statistics presented to the Committee by Provincial Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni, on Thursday, 5 June 2025, Gauteng recorded a 7.9% decrease (8,393 fewer cases) in the 17 community-reported serious crimes compared to the same period in the previous financial year.

This represents a significant step forward in the province’s ongoing efforts to combat crime.

The Committee is particularly encouraged by the 10.8% reduction in murder cases, which reflects the continued commitment of law enforcement agencies and the effectiveness of collaborative crime prevention strategies.

However, the Committee remains deeply concerned about the ongoing occurrence of multiple murder incidents, which continue to devastate communities.

During the reporting period, Gauteng experienced two particularly disturbing incidents, each resulting in seven fatalities:

In Soshanguve, at the Marry Me Informal Settlement, a violent altercation reportedly erupted between community patrollers and some security company . The victims were stoned, shot, and partially burned. The Committee commends the swift response by the South African Police Service and the Hawks, who promptly arrested the alleged perpetrators.

In Kagiso, suspects set fire to four vehicles, a shack, and a spaza shop before indiscriminately opening fire on residents. Seven individuals (six men and one woman) were found dead with gunshot wounds, and three others were injured. These incidents highlight the urgent need for intensified interventions and intelligence-led policing in high-risk areas.

In line with the government’s stance that “crime has no colour in our country,” the Committee also notes a reported farm murder during the period. In this case, an African male was killed during a robbery in which livestock—including cows, goats, and sheep—were stolen. Such acts of violence are unacceptable in any context.

The Committee is gravely alarmed by the continued killing of police officers. Eleven officers lost their lives during the quarter—one while on duty and ten off-duty. The Committee strongly condemns these attacks, emphasizing that violence against law enforcement is an attack on the state and the safety of all citizens.

Encouragingly, incidents of sexual violence declined by 2.1%. While this decrease is acknowledged, the Committee stresses that more must be done to significantly reduce such crimes and to protect the dignity and safety of women and children across Gauteng.

The 8.9% reduction in robbery with aggravating circumstances is another positive development. However, the Committee is increasingly concerned about the 15.8% rise in kidnapping cases. These are often linked to hijackings, robbery, ransom demands, extortion, and human trafficking. 

The safety and freedom of movement of Gauteng residents must be protected with urgency.

The Committee applauds the success of crime-fighting initiatives such as Operation Shanela, which resulted in the arrest of 28,851 suspects, including 8,110 undocumented foreign nationals. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated and sustained enforcement operations.

While the Committee welcomes the progress made, it emphasizes that this is only the beginning. 

Gauteng must continue to intensify efforts to eradicate criminal activity and build safe, resilient communities where every resident can live free from fear and violence.