21 July 2023, Johannesburg – SECTION27 is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms Sasha Stevenson as the next Executive…
Matthew Chersich
Board Member
Matthew Chersich is Research Professor in the Climate and Health Directorate at Wits RHI, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He has worked on public health research across Africa for around 20 years, and with WHO and other international organisations.
After medical school at the University of Witwatersrand, he studied public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and doctoral studies at Ghent University, Belgium. He has written more than 200 peer-reviewed articles. His research projects focus on the impacts of climate change on health and interventions to reduce these impacts.
Several studies across Africa are testing interventions to reduce the risks of exposure to extreme heat, especially among pregnant women and newborns.
MEDIA STATEMENT: SECTION27 and Blind SA launch a children’s storybook, ‘Crossing the Road’
Posted in: Media Statements
19 April 2023, Johannesburg – Today, SECTION27 and Blind SA, in partnership with Nal’ iBali, launch a storybook, Crossing the…
SECTION27 to make submissions to Appropriations Committees in Parliament on 11 November 2022 SECTION27 calls on Parliament to reverse real…
Politics of Food – News24
Posted in: S27 in the Media
On World Food Day, Equal Education and SECTION27 reflect on what the National School Nutrition Programme - and civil society activism - has meant for learners' right to food over the past 2 years.
Recent plans to eradicate pit toilets from schools in Limpopo are a step in the right direction, but still need work.
LDOE sanitation plans Komape 2021
Posted in: Uncategorized
Download the Limpopo Department of Education's first set of plans for eradicating pit toilets from schools in Limpopo here.
Socio-economic rights will never fully be realised if we do not prepare and address for the climate crisis. Read SECTION27's submissions to parliament on the Climate Change Bill here.
BELA Bill Submissions June 2022
Posted in: Submissions
Joint media statement: Civil society calls for key changes to BELA Bill, as Parliament considers the biggest amendments to basic…
FTPL Patent Law Reform June 2022
Posted in: Media Statements
As the World Trade Organisation again meets to debate South Africa and India’s proposed Waiver on intellectual property for COVID-19 medical technologies this week, Fix the Patent Laws Campaign adds its voice in support of increased access to COVID-19 medical tools for the African continent.
SECTION27 calls on Gauteng Health authorities to lift suspension of health whistleblower and address Gauteng Health Crisis
Communications Officer June 2022
Posted in: Uncategorized
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AT SECTION27 Communications Officer SECTION27 (S27) is a non-profit organisation that uses public interest law and advocacy to…
MEDIA ADVISORY: ACTIVISTS TO MARCH TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT TO #ENDTHEBOOKFAMINE FOR PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR VISUALLY IMPAIRED 12 MAY…
EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AT SECTION27 Communications Officer SECTION27 is a non-profit organisation that uses public interest law and advocacy to protect,…
BLIND SA AND SECTION27 TO TACKLE ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL’ COPYRIGHT ACT AT CONSTITUTIONAL COURT ON 12 MAY 2022 On World Book/Copyright Day,…
SECTION27 has filed heads of argument in support of continued vaccination against Covid-19 for teenagers in ACDP v Health Department case.
2022 Budget Statement and Analysis
Posted in: Budget
While some small upward adjustments will support school and health infrastructure rehabilitation and the much needed employment of medical interns and community service doctors, Finance Minister Enoch Gogongwana’s 2022 Budget continued to cut health and education budgets overall in real terms and fails to acknowledge the impact of Covid-19 on access to these fundamental rights.
SECTION27 is deeply saddened by the passing of its board member, Professor Eddie Mhlanga, on 5 February 2022.
SECTION27 calls on MEC Panyaza Lesufi and the Gauteng Department of Education to fix electrical equipment and security infrastructure at Geluksdal Secondary School.
LIFE ESIDIMENI INQUEST TO RESUME TODAY 17 January 2022, Johannesburg – The Inquest into the Life Esidimeni tragedy will be resuming today, Monday 17…
Health Reform – Perspectives and Proposals
Posted in: NHI
Health Reform - Perspectives and Proposals https://section27.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/S27-CA-healthsystemsreform2021-21.pdf Executive Summary of the report: Health system reform efforts in South Africa appear…
ON WORLD AIDS DAY, SECTION27 AND THE TREATMENT ACTION CAMPAIGN TO PRESENT ON NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENT 30…
SECTION27 applying to intervene in the ACDP case - vaccinations for adolescents must continue so schools can reopen fully and…
MEDIA STATEMENT: CALL IT WHAT IT IS, GAUTENG GOVERNMENT: THERE IS A CANCER CRISIS IN GAUTENG! Health activists to march…
SECTION27 receives Shuttleworth Foundation Flash Grant SECTION27 is proud to announce its receipt of a Shuttleworth Foundation Flash Grant to…
SECTION27 response to 2021 MTBPS
Posted in: Budget
MEDIA RELEASE: SECTION27 IS DISAPPOINTED BY YET ANOTHER MEDIUM-TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT THAT FAILS TO CONSIDER THE HUMAN COSTS OF…
Opportunity – researcher
Posted in: About SECTION27
OPPORTUNITY AT SECTION27 Researcher SECTION27 is a non-profit organisation that uses public interest law and advocacy to protect, promote and…
Media Statement: Thousands are dying and suffering because they can’t access patented medicines. The time to Fix South Africa’s Patent…
SECTION27 SEEKING TO INTERVENE IN YET ANOTHER UNSAFE SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE CASE TO CALL FOR BETTER SECURITY AT SCHOOLS TO PREVENT…
BLINDSA AND SECTION27 CELEBRATE COURT ORDER DECLARING COPYRIGHT ACT UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND ADVANCE TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT FOR CONFIRMATION 22 September 2021,…
MEDIA ADVISORY: SECTION27 TO PRESENT ON THE COPYRIGHT AMENDMENT BILL BEFORE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON 12 AUGUST 2021 10 August 2021…
We need action, not #ToiletPaperPromises! MEDIA ADVISORY: LIMPOPO SCHOOL PIT TOILET CASE TO BE HEARD TOMORROW 5 August 2021 – The…
Submission to the Portfolio Committee on Trade and Industry on the Copyright Amendment Bill [B13-2017]. 9 July 2021 - Executive…
21 July 2021 Joint media statement: Hope in the fight against child hunger, as court orders government to rethink its…
With our partners, we return to court for school meals for learners that education departments have left behind during COVID-19. #SchoolMealsNow!
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital reopening welcomed as victory for cancer patients.
Fix The Patent Laws Coalition will picket outside the Department of Trade and Industry to call for patent reform for access to medicines.
Over 200 social movements, trade unions, civil society organisations and individuals call on Parliament to reject the unconstitutional 2021 Budget and uphold human rights.
On International Women’s Day in 2021, SECTION27 salutes women on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite some promising developments, the 2021 budget reduces real term funding to basic education and healthcare sectors in the medium term.
Media Release: Basic Rights of blind and partially sighted people violated by Government Blind and partially sighted people’s basic human…
Johannesburg: 5 February 2021 The supply of safe and effective vaccines for all is being artificially rationed because of the…
Save lives now: support the Covid-19 TRIPS Waiver! South African Civil Society organisations call on countries blocking the proposal at the WTO to change their vote.
27 January 2021 Joint media statement: Minister Motshekga, don’t let child hunger continue! Honour the spirit of the court judgment…
Covid-19 Vaccine Q&A
Posted in: Right to Access Healthcare
Covid-19 Vaccine Q&A - vaccine literacy cards EnglishisiZuluseSotho isiXhosa Here we answer some frequently asked questions about the Covid-19 Vaccine.…
Dear Friends of SECTION27 What a year this has been! Our team has been busier than ever – we put…
SECTION27 calls for equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for all. COVID-19 vaccines, which have been developed using public money and…
Johannesburg 30 November 2020: Today, the HIV Policy Lab, a collaboration among academics, United Nations and civil society partners from…
Close to a year ago, the family of Michael Komape - a five-year-old learner, who fell into a pit toilet…
SECTION27's Executive Director, Umunyana Rugege, on the work of our organisation, her role and her thoughts on advancing social justice.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important it is to invest in social programmes. Many of South Africa’s public services,…
3 November 2020 Joint media statement: New Equaliser survey shows there are still problems with getting food to learners who…
The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement’s outlook for the healthcare system 3 November 2020 - The Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS)…
29 October 2020 Joint MTBPS media statement: No new money for schools, but SAA’s rescue plan equals almost a year’s…
Fix the Patent Laws Coalition supports South Africa and India’s proposal to facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccines 15 October 2020,…
Joint statement: Survey of Equalisers shows that most learners who are only in classrooms on certain days are not getting…
SECTION27 welcomes its new board members Prof Eddie Mhlanga, Prof Ann Skelton, Justice Johan Froneman and Shaeera Kalla.
8 September 2020 Joint statement: As the rollout of school meals continues to improve, education departments must ensure that learners…
SECTION27's Week Ahead: 31 August - 4 September 2020 "Fighting the good fights starts with foregrounding values that matter and…
This is a joint submission by SECTION27 and the Treatment Action Campaign in accordance with the Select Committee on Health…
12 September 2023 - SECTION27 and Blind SA will make oral submissions before the United Nations Committee on the Rights…
SECTION27 is a non-profit organisation that uses public interest law and advocacy to protect, promote and advance human rights and…
6 September 2023, Johannesburg – The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) and SECTION27 welcome the judgment handed down by…
Over the past 4 years, SECTION27 and TAC have diligently monitored abortion service access in the Eastern Cape. Through interviews,…
MEDIA ADVISORY: The Right to Read Campaign is launching to remedy the literacy crisis in schools
Posted in: Media Statements
24 August 2023, Johannesburg – The Right to Read Campaign, made up of organisations that include the South African Human…
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS ON THE CHILDREN’S ACT, 2005 DRAFT AMENDMENT REGULATION REGARDING CHILDREN
Posted in: Submissions
SECTION27 (Incorporating the Aids Law Project) and the Teddy Bear Foundation welcome the opportunity to make submissions on the Department of Social Development’s Draft Amendment Regulations Regarding Children, No. 3608, dated 27 June 2023 (“Draft Amendment”).
SECTION27 is a well-established and widely respected public interest law centre that seeks to achieve substantive equality and social justice…
SECTION27 and BLIND SA’s submission to the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Posted in: Submissions
SECTION27 and BLIND SA have raised concerns about the severe lack of reading material available to individuals who are blind and visually impaired in South Africa. This situation infringes upon their constitutional rights to basic education, equality, dignity, freedom of expression, and the right to participate in their preferred cultural life. Fortunately, South Africa's ratification of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled ("Marrakesh VIP Treaty") presents a significant opportunity for improvement.