Our week ahead 15 – 20 May 2017

Monday 15 May

• SECTION27 will represent the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (CASAC) which has been admitted as an Amicus Curiae in the case brought by the Organisasie vir Godsdienste-Onderrigen Demokrasie (OGOD) which challenges various Christian-only religious practices at the six public schools on the basis that these practices are a violation of the Constitution and the National Policy on Religion and Education (the “Religion Policy”). The case will be heard in the South Gauteng High Court from 15 May to 17 May.

• The Constitutional Court will hear arguments in the case brought by the United Democratic Front to force a secret ballot when MPs vote in a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma.

• Civil society organisations including Save South Africa and political parties will march to the Constitutional Court on the day of the hearing of the application. Marchers will gather at Mary Fitzgerald Square at 08:00 and begin marching at 09:00

Tuesday 16 May

• Mark Heywood will participate in a panel on: Funding social justice at the TRIALOGUE BUSINESS IN SOCIETY CONFERENCE 2017. This event – with renowned local and international thought leaders – will explore solutions to South Africa’s socio-economic challenges. The programme will include more than 60 expert contributors. Keynote speaker Mrs Graça Machel will talk on the role of women in the socioeconomic transformation of Africa.

• Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi will present his budget in Parliament.

Wednesday 17 May

• SECTION27 will release an update on the implementation of the recommendations from the Office of the Health Ombud on the Life Esidimeni case.

Thursday 18 May – Friday 19 May

• SECTION27 community mobiliser, Sifiso Nkala is co-ordinating the provincial AIDS Council chairpersons’ meeting in Mpumalanga Province in order to assist them to draft a plan which is to be used for monitoring facilities and other governance structures.

Saturday 20 May

• The Know Your Constitution team at SECTION27 will be working with members of the POPArt Production Company to deliver story-tellers workshops with learners in Katlehong. These workshops aim to create a platform for the development of storytelling skills among young South Africans.

SECTION27 In the news:

Is the observance of one religion at schools a form of religious apartheid? By Faranaaz Veriava

Ride the Beloved Country – Joberg-2-C – An Odyssey by Mark Heywood

The week that was:

Congratulations to SLSJ Fellow Mphumeleli Mnqobi Sikhosana who graduated with a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Fort Hare on 05 May 2017.