Wage Offer Below Inflation- SAMWU

The first round of wage negotiations between SALGA and trade union SAMWU took place in Boksburg this week. On Voice of the Cape's Breakfast show this morning I chatted to SAMWU spokesperson, Tahir Sema about the offer currently on the table...

Municipal Wage Negotiations Begin

It is that time of the year, when employees and employers negotiate wage increases. Today the first round of wage negotiations in the municipal sector kicked off in Boksburg. However, according to South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) spokesperson, Tahir Sema the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) responded with a below inflation wage increase. “The parties have a huge mountain to climb after SALGA responded with a below inflation increase in response to joint demands of the trade unions. SAMWU in concert with IMATU table a proposal for the 2012/2013 financial year commencing in July,” says Sema According to the trade union they are asking for an across the board increase of 15% or R2000 for all employees falling under the registered scope of the South African Local Government Bargaining Council (SALGBC). He says they are also asking for the following: • A minimum wage in the Local Government Sector of R6000 • The filling of all vacant posts on all vacant posts on all Municipal Council approved organograms on a permanent and full time basis. • And a salary and wage collective agreement in respsect of a single year only • A 4% across the board increase • No minimum wage for the sector • No filling of vacancies • Termination of the agreement governing conditions of service and to terminate the existing disciplinary procedure • And to cap existing maximum contributions by employers towards medical aid schemes “The response by SALGA seeks to seriously cut into the standard of living of the existing terms and conditions of municipal workers. The wage increase proposed by SALGA will lead to workers receiving a cut in real wages. This is on top of no wage agreement being reached for 2011/12,” says Sema. He adds that the unwillingness of SALGA to fill the approximately 30 000 vacancies existing in the municipal sector shows a lack of commitment to service delivery. “As can be observed by the daily outbreaks of service delivery protests, communities are fed up with non-delivery of municipal services. This is largely due to the inappropriate allocation of resources to meet the needs of the poor. Some municipalities have key departments like electricity and water service operating at 20% levels of full staff,” says Sema Sema says the high number of vacancies leaves workers having to work excessive amounts of overtime to cover the requirements of service. “This chronic usage of overtime is unhealthy for the workers concerned and compromises quality service delivery. The stance taken by SALGA is at odds with meeting the legitimate needs of workers and communities,” adds Sema.

Gang Violence Continues on the Cape Flats

Violence has once again flared up on the Cape Flats and in an attempt to curb the killings authorities in the Western Cape have embarked on roadshows. This weekend alone two men were killed in Elsies River and Bonteheuwel in suspected gang related shootings, while the chairperson of the CPF in Manenberg reported only one shooting incident. This morning I spoke to Kader Jacobs, the spokesperson for the CPF in Manenberg about the current situation. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat Programme this morning...

Presidency Pays Tribute to Walter Sisulu

Today struggle stalwart, Walter Sisulu would have turned a 100 had he still been alive. The Presidency today issued a statement extending President Jacob Zuma's well wishes to the Sisulu family on this now sad, but auspicious occasion. "Sisulu was a symbol of humility, sacrifice, patriotism, measured thoughts and sound understanding. As his friend, comrade and compatriot, Tata Madiba said, Xhamela 'knew and taught us that wisdom comes form sharing insights and listening to and learning from each other", says Presidential spokesman, Mac Maharaj. Maharaj adds that it was the strength of his personality, humility and deep sense of purpose about life and the struggle which kept the spirits alive during the long periods of incarceration on Robben Island. Sisulu was born in the eNgcobo area of Transkei on 18 May 1912. Sisulu's father was a visiting white foreman supervising a black road-gang and his mother was a local Xhosa woman. Sisulu was raised by his mother and uncle, the local headman. Sisulu was an active Trade Unionist – he was fired from his bakery job in 1940 for organising a strike for higher wages. He spent the next two years trying to develop his own real estate agency. During 1940 Sisulu also joined the African National Congress, ANC, in which he allied with those pressing for black African nationalism and actively opposed black involvement in World War II. He gained a reputation as a street vigilante, patrolling his township's streets with a knife. He also obtained his first jail sentence – for punching a train conductor when he confiscated a black man's rail pass. Following the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 Sisulu, Mandela and several others formed Umkonto we Sizwe – the military wing of the ANC. During 1962 and 1963 Sisulu was arrested six times, although only the last led to a conviction. Released on bail in April 1963 Sisulu went underground, joining up with the MK. On 26 June he made a public broadcast from a secret ANC radio station describing his intentions.

On 11 July 1963 Sisulu was amongst those arrested at Lilieslief Farm, the secret headquarters of the ANC, and placed in solitary confinement for 88 days. A lengthy trail which started in October 1963 lead to a sentence of life imprisonment (for planning acts of sabotage), handed down on 12 June 1964. Sisulu, Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki, and four others were sent to Robben Island. In 1982 Sisulu was transferred Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town, after a medical examination at Groote Schuur Hospital. In October 1989 he was finally released – after serving 25 years.

Sisulu finally retired on the eve of South Africa's first multi-racial elections in 1994 – still living in the same Soweto house that his family had taken in the 1940s. On 5 May 2003, following a long period of ill health and only 13 days before his 91st birthday,Sisulu died "As we celebrate the achievement of democracy, freedom and equality that Sisulu and his compatriots bequeathed on this nation, we must do so with a deep sense of gratitude and humility. It should always remind us of our abiding responsibility to guard our hard earned democracy jealousy, and advance this country to higher levels of development, growth and prosperity by fighting hunger, poverty, inequality, disease and unemployment as a significant step to our economic freedom", says Maharaj Additional information: http://africanhistory.about.com/library/biographies/blbio-WalterSisulu.htm

Department of Education To Provide Textbooks in Limpopo

The North Gauteng High Court has ruled that the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Education Department in Limpopo is to provide textbooks to learners by the 15 June 2012 and that they need to implement a 'catch up' plan for learners. Voice of the Cape Current Affairs Producer and Breakfast Show host chatted to Nikki Stein and attorney at SECTION27 about the court case. This interview was first aired on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show hosted by Shafiq Morton earlier today...

Gang Violence Rife in Hanover Park

Gang violence has not only resurfaced in Manenberg but also in Hanover Park. Last weekend three people were shot and fatally wounded in one day and three people were left wounded during a gunfight between rival gangs over the weekend. I spoke to Weldon Cameron, the spokesperson for the CPF in Hanover Park about shooting incidents. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme today...

Gang Violence Flares up in Manenberg

Manenberg has become a red zone after three children were shot and wounded in gang crossfire this week. This has prompted outraged residents to take to the streets of Manenberg. A three year old boy was shot in his right hand as gunmen fired down Thames Avenue. Meanwhile two 12 year old year old girls were shot in their calves while playing outside their homes in Lansman Walk. I spoke to Kader Jacobs, the spokesperson for the Manenberg CPF about the recent spate of gang related shootings in the area this morning. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat show...

Judgement in SECTION27 Court Case expected on Thursday

The North Gauteng High Court is expected to hand down judgement in the urgent application against the Department of Basic Education and the Provincial Department of Education in Limpopo on Thursday. SECTION27 launched the urgent application earlier this month against the department for their failure to provide textbooks to learners in Limpopo. Voice of the Cape Current Affairs Producer, Dorianne Arendse spoke to SECTION27 Attorney Nikki Stein for an update on the court case, the Department of Basic Education was contacted for comment on the case, but said they will only comment after judgement is handed down. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show today hosted by Shafiq Morton...

City Launches New Social Housing Unit

The City of Cape Town today launched their new Social Housing Unit in Kewtown. I spoke to Alderman JP Smith, Mayco member for Safety and Security about the new unit this morning. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

Chronic medication still a problem at some community healthcare centres

The Western Cape Department of Health says the problems with the roll out of chronic medication was this week addressed by senior area managers visiting the facilities, getting involved on the ground and directing patients into streams for better. I spoke to Faiza Steyn, the spokesperson for the Department of Health about the roll out of chronic medication yesterday morning on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

Anti Gang Strategy Needs Rethink

Over the Weekend three people were shot in one day in Hanover Park, prompting the MEC for Community Safety Dan Plato to rethink the Anti Gang strategy he wants implemented. I spoke to the MEC for Community Safety on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat Show yesterday morning, this is what he had to say....

SECTION27 Court Case postponed

Despite the Department of Basic Education and the Limpopo Department of Education indicating last week that they will oppose an urgent application launched by SECTION27 earlier this month, they are as yet to file their answering affidavit. The urgent application was to be heard in the North Gauteng High Court today. The attorney for SECTION27, Nikki Stein says that for the five months of this school year, the department has failed to deliver textbooks to learners in the Department. "SECTION27 launched an urgent application against the Minister of Basic Education and the Limpopo Department of Education in relation to their failure for five months this school year to procure and deliver textbooks for learners throughout Limpopo", says Stein. She adds that they have repeatedly engaged with the provincial government and the national government on the issue and most recently with the Head of the Intervention Team. "These parties have promised to order textboooks, but they have not honoured these promises. The academic year is almost halfway gone—yet learners in Grades R, 1, 2, 3 and 10 still do not have any textbooks. Textbooks for these learners have not been ordered and there is still no indication as to when final orders for textbooks will be made", says Stein. She says they will be asking the court to ensure that learners are provided with textbooks throughout Limpopo and to ensure that a catch up plan is put in place to provide additional classes to learners until their lost curriculum is recovered.According to Stein the application was set down for hearing today but was postponed to allow the respondents an opportunity to file answering affidavits. The matter will now be heard tomorrow at the North Gauteng High Court.

My Beloved Lamar, forgive me…by Thaer Halahleh to his two year old daughter, on the 75th day of his hunger strike

My Beloved Lamar, forgive me because the occupation took me away from you, and took away from me the pleasure of witnessing my firstborn child that I have always prayed to God to see, to kiss, to be happy with. It is not your fault; this is our destiny as Palestinian people to have our lives and the lives of our children taken away from us, to be apart from each other and to have a miserable life. Nothing is complete in our lives because of this unjust occupation that is lurking on every corner of our lives turning it into eeriness, a continuous pursuit and torture. Despite the fact that I was deprived from holding you and hearing your voice, from watching you grow up and move around in the house and in your bed, and that I was deprived of my role as a human and a father with my daughter, your existence has given me all the power and hope, and when I saw your picture with your mother in the sit-in tent, you were so calm staring in wonder at people, as if you were looking for your father, looking at my pictures that are hung inside the tent asking in silence why is my father not coming back. I felt that you are with me, in my sentiment and inside my mind, as if you are a part of my heartbeats, steadfast and the blood that flows in my veins, opening all doors for me spreading clear skies around me, and unleashing your free childish voice after this long silence. Lamar my love: I know that you are not to be blamed and that you don’t yet understand why your father is going through this battle of hunger strike for the 75th day, but when you grow up you will understand that the battle of freedom is the battle of going back to you, so that I can never be taken away from you again or to be deprived of your smile or seeing you, so that the occupier will never kidnap me again from you. When you grow up you will understand how injustice was brought upon your father and upon thousands of Palestinians whom the occupation has put in prisons and jail cells, shattering their lives and future for no reason other then their pursuit of freedom, dignity and independence. You will know that your father did not tolerate injustice and submission, and that he would never accept insult and compromise, and that he is going through a hunger strike to protest against the Jewish state that wants to turn us into humiliated slaves without any rights or patriotic dignity. My beloved Lamar keep your head up always and be proud of your father, and thank everyone who supported me, who supported the prisoners in their struggle, and don’t be afraid for God is with us always, and God never lets down people who have faith and patience. We are righteous, and right will always prevail against injustice and wrong doers. Lamar my love: that day will come, and I will make it up to you for everything, and tell you the whole story, and your days that will follow will be more beautiful, so let your days pass now and wear your prettiest clothes, run and then run again in the gardens of your long life, go forward and forward for nothing is behind you but the past, and this is your voice I hear all the time as a melody of freedom. http://electronicintifada.net/blogs/linah-alsaafin/thaer-halahlehs-letter-his-daughter-my-beloved-lamarforgive-me Tune in to Voice of the Cape's Drivetime show today with Shafiq Morton on 95.8, 90.7 and 90.9FM when we speak to the BDS Campaign about the hunger strike at 16h40 today.

R321 Million to Upgrade Transport Hubs in City

The City of Cape Town will be upgrading and expanding its public transport interchanges over the next five years, to accommodate the growth in demand for access and mobility across the city. There will be a specific focus on 25 interchanges with the improvements set to cost R321 million. This morning I spoke to the Mayco member for Transport, Roads and Stormwater, Councillor Brett Herron. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

Maitland Refugee Reception Office faces closure

Last week the Department of Home Affairs announced that the Maitland Refugee Reception Office received a 30 day notice that their lease will expire on 31 May 2012. Refugee rights group Passop says that in May 2012 a decision of the South African High Court ruled in favor of the eviction of the Maitland Reception Offce as a consequence of the claims raised from neighbouring business that the office constitutes a public nuisance. Passop's Braam Hanekom says they are shocked that in two years the Department of Home Affairs has not been able to provide a solution to the eviction order by either instituting the necessary legal proceedings for appeal or identifying an alternative site able to suit the requirements ordered by the court. This morning I spoke to Passop's Braam Hanekom. This interview was first broadcast on Voice of the Cape's Breakfast Beat programme...

The Battle of Hangberg Part 2

Part 2 of a five part series on Hangberg. This feature was produced by Voice of the Cape Reporters, Dorianne Arendse and Faatimah Hendricks

The Battle of Hangberg Part 1

This is part 1 of a five part series on the Battle of Hangberg. This series won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year in the Western Cape under the Community Media Category as well as the National Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award in 2011. In 2010 the City of Cape Town went into the fishing community of Hanbgerg to destroy what they said was illegal unoccupied structures. This led to fierce clashes between the locals and the Metro Police for two days. Voice of the Cape reporters, Dorianne Arendse and Faatimah Hendricks went back to the community to look at some of the socio-economic issues plaguing the community...

Special Report on Xenophobia

After the 2010 Soccer World Cup foreigners living in the townships in Cape Town feared that there would be an increase in attacks on foreign nationals living in South Africa. Cape Town journalist and current affairs producer, Dorianne Arendse spoke to various foreigners living in South Africa about their fears as well as government officials about the worrying trend of attacks on refugees.The feature was first aired on Voice of the Cape. This feature won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award in the Radio Feature Category in the Western Cape in 2011...

Trafficking of human body parts rife on the Mozambique-South African border

The following is a feature produced by Dorianne Arendse and Shafiq Morton and looked at a report that was released on the trafficking of body parts in Africa. Arendse and Morton won the Vodacom Journalist of the Year award in the Community Media Category for this feature in 2010....

Section 27 takes Minister of Basic Education to Court

On Friday Section 27 launched an urgent court application the Minister of Basic Education and the Limpopo Department of Education in relation to their complete failure to procure and deliver textbooks for learners throughout Limpopo. Earlier today I spoke to Nikki Stein an attorney at Section 27. This interviewed was first flighted on Voice of the Cape's Drivetime programme today...

Interview with Prof Jonathan Jansen

This week I had the opportunity to interview the Vice Chancellor and Rector of the University of Free State, Prof Jonathan Jansen. This interview was first broadcast on The Voice of the Cape's Drivetime Show....