Archive

Mark Heywood, Executive Director of SECTION27, intends to step down from this leadership position in early 2018. Co-founded by Mark and Adila Hassim seven years ago, the public interest law centre, SECTION27 is now at the forefront of the fight for social justice, human rights and equality under law.

“Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.”

SECTION27 notes with mixed reaction the judgment handed down in the trial of the tragic death of Michael Komape by Judge Muller.While we welcome the structural interdict to provide adequate and safe sanitation for learners in the Limpopo

In death, she has demonstrated that our many differences along political party and racial lines and the numerous disputes we may have are eclipsed by our shared desire to follow her lead in building a just, equitable and caring society.

“All what we fought for is not what is going on right now. It is a tragedy that he lived and saw what was happening, we cannot pretend like South Africa is not in crisis, our country is in crisis and anyone who cannot see that is just bluffing themselves.”

SECTION27 welcomes the Award handed down by retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke. In a ringing indictment of the Life Esidimeni Marathon Project, DCJ Moseneke stated that

“Our human compassion binds us the one to the other – not in pity or patronisingly, but as human beings who have learnt how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” Nelson Mandela

Civil society has fought for years to ensure that school infrastructure receives priority attention from the department and we stand ready to assist government where possible to make sure that this expected plan for eradicating pit toilets is implemented as a matter of extreme urgency.

SECTION27 representing Basic Education For All (BEFA) are in court on the 14 – 16 March 2018 intervening as amicus curiae in Equal Education’s bid to declare invalid certain regulations of the Minimum Norms and Standards

Today, almost all 40 of us gathered in our Braamfontein boardroom to hear Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Foundation (NMF) Sello Hatang address SECTION27’s first official staff meeting of the year…

On Wednesday 28 February, a broad cross-section of South African civil society organisations (CSOs) called on Parliament to halt the proposed increase…

The first ever edition of the vulekamali newsletter is now online! Through this newsletter, we will share vulekamali project updates, interesting new content and news about exciting budget events

The 2018 Budget presents a moment of crisis. If it goes ahead, indirect taxes (VAT, fuel and excise – which affect the pockets of lower income groups the most) will rise and social spending (on basic education, health care and housing

Several SECTION27 staff members will be attending the regional COP18 consultation meeting in Johannesburg until Friday. This meeting allows civil society to mobilise, give input and shape the COP18 strategy.

Today South Africa continues to face major HIV and TB epidemics. 7.1 million people have HIV, and TB remains our leading cause of death in the country. Even at current levels around three million people in South Africa

The recent Listeriosis outbreak, demonstrates the importance of the control of notifiable conditions.

We disagree with the Minister that the proposed rise in VAT from 14% to 15% will have limited impact on the poor. While the majority of VAT revenue will naturally come from wealthier people who earn and spend more, the Minister acknowledged that his VAT proposal will increase the cost of living for all households.

The Emergency Medical Services Regulations are a vital step in ensuring access to emergency medical services across the country.

We are extremely concerned about the implications of proposals to increase VAT, which places a disproportionate burden on the poor. Any potential revenue shortfall should be addressed in a manner that increases the progressivity of the taxation system.

Senior Communications Officer Ntsiki Mpulo will travel to Evander in Mpumalanga where she will interview Dr Eddie Mhlanga who will deliver a workshop on Termination of Pregnancy and conscientious objection.

Our country has walked a long road to freedom. We have tried not to falter; we have made (huge) missteps along the way. But have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

“Our march to freedom is irreversible. We must not allow fear to stand in our way. Universal suffrage on a common voter’s role in a united democratic and non-racial South Africa is the only way to peace and racial harmony.” – Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela

In October 2017, SECTION27 launched a Corporate Challenge to challenge corporate South Africa to invest in social justice by investing in SECTION27. The Corporate challenge has two aims: To improve SECTION27’s sustainability by increasing our local funding

Johannesburg, 8 February 2018 – The families of 63 deceased mental health care users and their legal representatives, SECTION27, welcome the agreement reached with the State on the common law damages

The Proteas lost in spectacular fashion, the ANC top six have been having late night meetings with the President and the Springbok ruby coach got given the boot. This week promises to be another manic week in our beautiful, crazy country with a busy week ahead for SECTION27. Here are some of our highlights! 

POLOKWANE 1 February  – Rosina Komape vs Department of Basic Education resumes in the Polokwane High Court today, Thursday 1 February