rights
rights
Anti-Apartheid Activist Slams the ANC
Anti-apartheid activist Mamphela Ramphele has slammed the African National Congress (ANC) for its backing of the Traditional Courts Bill, sky-high unemployment and the appalling standard of education.
Ramphele was speaking at the University of Cape Town's School of Business on the ‘Marikana Fallout’ and on a wide range of issues, including the mining and grape-farm strikes in Western Cape, and the role of labour unions.
Ramphele said the ANC treated voters ‘like children’ and that the only time it will feel it has a duty to serve citizens would be when it feared it was in danger of losing power.
To read the article titled, “'ANC loves only power',” click here.Source:Times LiveCourt halts Lenasia Demolitions - SAHRC
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says that a court order has halted the demolition of houses in Lenasia illegally erected on land owned by the City of Johannesburg.
SAHRC spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, points out that the South Gauteng High Court granted the commission's application, and suspended the demolitions for at least 24 hours.
Mangena states that, "The court is also granting the department an opportunity to respond to the commission's application which will be heard on Tuesday [13 November 2012]."
To read the article titled, “Court halts Lenasia demolitions - SAHRC,” click here.Source:News24Uganda to Pass Anti-gay Bill
The speaker of Uganda's parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, says an anti-homosexual bill will be passed before the end of 2012 despite international criticism of the draft legislation.
Kadaga says that the bill, which originally mandated death for some gay acts, will become law this year since most Ugandans ‘are demanding it’.
She argues that she promised as much before a meeting of activists who spoke of ‘the serious threat’ posed by homosexuals and demanded the law as ‘a Christmas gift’.
To read the article titled, “Uganda to pass anti-gay bill this year,” click here.Source:News24Activists Fear Pre-election Crackdown
Civil society coalitions in Zimbabwe have raised concerns over the spate of recent police arrests targeting dissenting voices.
CSOs and analysts fear the crackdown will intensify as the country prepares for elections to end Zimbabwe's coalition government next year.
They say the Zimbabwean African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), which controls the police, wants to do away with organisations that watch for human rights violations.
To read the article titled, “Civil societies in Zimbabwe fear pre-election crackdown,” click here.Source:VOA NewsMixed Reactions to Suspended Anti-Gay Laws
A decision by Malawi authorities to suspend anti-homosexual laws in the predominantly religious Southern African nation of 13 million is sparking heated debate.
While human rights activists applaud the announcement, some socially conservative Malawians feel their government should not be copycatting everything from Western countries or nodding to whatever donors demand.
Undule Mwakasungura, executive director of the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR), thinks that the decriminalisation is long overdue. “People need to understand that homosexuality is not going away,” he argues.
To read the article titled, “Suspension of anti-gay laws in Malawi draws mixed reactions,” click here.Source:Radio Netherlands WorldwideCall to Release Detained NGO Workers
Amnesty International is calling for the immediate and unconditional release of three workers of the Zimbabwean NGO, Counselling Services Unit, who spent more than 48 hours in police custody without charge and without being brought before a court.
The organisation’s Southern Africa director, Noel Kututwa, who describes their arrest as illegal, regards the three men as ‘prisoners of conscience’, arrested solely for their legitimate work providing counselling services to victims of torture and organised violence.
Kututwa further maintains that their unlawful arrests are indicative of the Southern African Development Community’s failure to enforce reforms of the security services as agreed in the Global Political Agreement.
To read the article titled, “Release CSU workers illegally detained by police,” click here.Source:The ZimbabweanSAGA: Administrator / Office Administrator
The South African Guide Dogs Association for the BlindPlease note: this opportunity closing date has passed and may not be available any more.Opportunity closing date:Friday, November 23, 2012The South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind (SAGA) is a fully constituted welfare organisation registered with the Director of Fundraising at the Department of Social Development and approved Public Benefit Organisation (PBO) that works to enhance the mobility, independence and dignity of blind and partially sighted people. SAGA advocates the recognition and protection of the rights of all persons with disabilities.Opportunity type:Employment
SAGA seeks to appoint an Administrator/Office Administrator to the Orientation and Mobility College (COM), based in Johannesburg.
The Administration/Office Administrator will be:- Responsible for uploading all student information on management system;
- Providing administrative support to the COM staff;
- Managing all the various administrative activities for the college of orientation and mobility;
- Typing and formatting of course manuals.
Uploading learner records on management system
- Maintaining all learner records and results as per SETA specs;
- Liaising with SETA’s;
- Maintaining contact with all learners and ensuring feedback requirements are met;
- Student library;
- Maintaining records;
- Provide and manage times for learner usage;
- Organize for the ordering of books, etc.;
- Distribution of journals.
- Circulating course information;
- Organising timetables, external lectures, visits and other logistical arrangements;
- Preparation of learner handouts/manuals (photocopying, printing and binding, etc.).
- Any general administration that may be required from time to time;
- Maintain records of telephone numbers and other contact details of people liaising with COM;
- Make appointments/calls on behalf of COM staff;
- Type letters and other forms of correspondence on behalf of COM staff;
- Type reports, handouts and other notes for COM staff;
- Assist all COM staff with general filing needs;
- Liaise with COM Review Committee members to arrange for meetings;
- Distribute agenda and previous minutes for meetings;
- Take minutes at COM meetings where and when this is required;
- Undertake the following for COM staff: Photocopying, faxing, printing, etc.
- Secretarial diploma or Grade 12 certificate with typing;
- Computer literacy with working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel;
- Typing speed is essential;
- Conversant in English and an additional language and competent to correspond effectively in both;
- Typing and telephone etiquette;
- Interpersonal and social skills;
- Organised and motivated;
- Ability to work under pressure;
- Ability to work as part of a team as well as direct/manage own self;
- Enthusiastic and energetic;
- Willing to learn and flexibility;
- Proactive;
- Courteous and cordial;
- Assertive and confident;
- Thorough and conscientious;
- Show initiative and a good sense of humour.
Please quote the source of this advertisement in your application - NGO Pulse Portal.
The Association reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment, and failure to meet the requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration.
Only short listed applicants will be contacted. Should you not receive feedback within one month of advertisement, consider your application unsuccessful.
For more about the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind, refer to www.guidedog.org.za.
For other vacancies in the NGO sector, refer to www.ngopulse.org/vacancies.
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Zambian Govt Concerned About GBV Cases
The Zambian Ministry of Gender and Child Development has expressed sadness at the rising numbers of unreported cases of gender-based violence (GBV) in that country.
The ministry’s Permanent secretary, Edwidge Mutale, argues that despite GBV being the worst violated human right in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, it is disturbing that these cases are not recorded or reported to the relevant authorities because it is exacerbated by households.
In a speech read by Simon Kapilima, the gender development specialist at the ministry at an official opening of a gender-based violence seminar hosted by Gender Link in Lusaka, she said GBV undermines the ability of women to effectively participate in national development.
To read the article titled, “Rising cases of GBV worry State,” click here.Source:Daily MailMalawi Suspends Anti-Gay Laws
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) says the Malawian government’s decision to suspend enforcement of laws that criminalise consensual same-sex conduct is the right thing to do, and should serve as an inspiration to other countries that criminalise homosexuality.
“Malawi has taken a bold step forward, putting respect for its own constitutional guarantees of equality front and centre,” explains Tiseke Kasambala, Africa advocacy director at HRW.
Kasambala argues that no one should go to prison for consensual relations with someone of the same sex, adding that Malawi’s decision has given hope to thousands who risk prison sentences under such laws.
The comments come after the country’s justice minister, Ralph Kasambara, announced a moratorium on arrests on the basis of the country’s colonial-era sodomy laws.
To read the article titled, “Courageous move to suspend anti-gay laws,” click here.Source:Human Rights WatchZuma Endorses Traditional Courts Bill
President Jacob Zuma has tacitly endorsed the controversial Traditional Courts Bill, telling chiefs not to buy in to the legal practices of the ‘white man’.
Speaking at the opening of the National House of Traditional Leaders in Parliament, Zuma said Africans have their own way of solving their problems through traditional institutions.
He argued that prisons are done by people who cannot resolve problems, adding that, "Let us not be influenced by other cultures and try to think the lawyers are going to help.”
To read the article titled, “Zuma wants 'African' justice,” click here.Source:Times Live
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