Latest news with #BOSA
The South African
2 days ago
- Politics
- The South African
'False prophets': Mmusi Maimane takes swipe at Floyd, Bushiri
Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has taken a swipe at Floyd Shivambu's political standing with the MK Party and his controversial visit to Prophet Shepard Bushiri, a fugitive of South Africa. On Thursday, 19 June, the former secretary-general held a press briefing in which he expressed interest in forming his own party. He also used the opportunity to insult his former parties, the EFF and the ANC. Outspoken Floyd also indirectly threw shade at Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, the daughter of former president Jacob Zuma. With Floyd Shivambu's press conference a hot topic on social media, Mmusi Maimane used his X account to mock the MK MP's headlines. Hinting at his visit to the wanted Malawian pastor, and Floyd's prospective party, Mmusi posted: 'Join @BuildOneSA. We will not Bushiri you'. Addressing South Africans, Mmusi Maimane continued in another post: 'You deserve a political party that does not chase false prophets. You deserve a political party that is not a family business. 'Join the party of ubuntu and professionalism, not umuntu and bushirism'. Throwing more shade – this time at Mzansi's viral drug feind – he added: 'Others, they have Alostro'. Apart from politics, Mmusi Maimaine is also an ordained minister and an elder at the Liberty Church in Johannesburg. The father of three – who has a masters in theology – also regularly preaches at churches around South Africa and around the world. He said of his choice of career: 'Politics is about two things: it's about government and it's about influence…the only way they (Christians) will become in charge of the nation is if the nation votes for them.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 . Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
eNCA
6 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
BOSA introduces bill to end salary discrimination
JOHANNESBURG - Build One SA is using Youth Day to highlight unequal and unfair pay practices. It recently tabled its Fair Pay Bill in Parliament. It's aimed at tackling wage inequality and exploitative labour practices, especially among the youth. BOSA argues the labour market continues to reflect apartheid-era disparities.
IOL News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Urgent calls for better vetting in SAPS amid South Africa's sexual violence crisis
Recent revelations have cast a spotlight on the screening processes of state entities responsible for safeguarding South Africa's vulnerable populations. Image: AI Generated graphic Recent revelations have prompted a significant scrutiny of the vetting processes employed by South Africa's state entities tasked with protecting its most vulnerable populations. Foremost among these, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is facing intense criticism due to what has been described as inadequate screening procedures for its personnel. Build One South Africa (BOSA) has flagged alarming statistics: from SAPS's over 180,000 members, a mere 245 — or 0.14% — have been screened against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). This information comes against the backdrop of an ongoing epidemic of sexual violence in South Africa, with over 42,700 rapes reported in the 2023/24 financial year alone. As the nation grapples with this crisis, BOSA's spokesperson, Roger Solomon, did not mince words when he stated, 'South Africans cannot be expected to trust law enforcement to protect them from sexual violence when SAPS has failed to even vet its own officers.' BOSA's recommendations are urgent and clear. They are demanding mandatory NRSO screenings for all SAPS employees within the next three months, proposing that such vetting be included in recruitment, promotions, and disciplinary measures. Additionally, they urge for a public audit to review the dismissed officers over the past five years to ascertain how many had prior sexual offences. In contrast, there are highlights of proactive measures taken by other state entities, such as the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD). According to DSD spokesperson Esther Lewis, all prospective public service employees undergo criminal background checks before their appointments. Since 2024, the DSD has implemented a NRSO vetting procedure for all new hires working with children. Out of 69 cases submitted for screening, 62 have returned clear, with others still under review. The DSD has a stern policy that anyone within its ranks who is convicted of a sexual offence faces immediate dismissal proceedings. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Groups are calling for proper vetting of government employees working with children Image: Pete Linforth/Pixabay Efforts are under way to ensure safety extends to educational institutions as well. The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has reported a comprehensive screening process for its staff. Spokesperson Bronagh Hammond stated that 10,245 educators, 3,019 support staff, and 768 administrative personnel have undergone vetting against the NRSO. While the systems are largely in place, some documents are still pending to meet the Department of Justice's standards. The process involves obtaining a police clearance certificate from SAPS, which can take anywhere from one to four months, potentially causing delays. Additionally, the WCED employs rigorous checks during recruitment, including identity verification, criminal profiles, qualifications, and screening against the National Child Protection Register from the DSD. However, alongside these measures, troubling reports persist. According to a statement by the National Association of School Governing Bodies, over 16,000 teachers across South Africa have criminal records involving serious offences such as rape, murder, and assault.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Stella Must Go: Youth unemployment soars under her leadership
Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has presided over a department that has delivered little to nothing for SMMEs or the youth who rely on entrepreneurship for opportunity and survival. There has been a steady decline and collapse of support for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) under the leadership of Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams since her appointment 1400 days ago. Her tenure has delivered frustration for millions of young South Africans, be they job seekers or job creators. The recent appointment process for the Small Enterprise Ombud, which will be debated in Parliament today, is one more example of political patronage being placed ahead of championing SMMEs. Instead of appointing a credible, independent voice to advocate for struggling entrepreneurs, the process has been marred by backroom deals and insider politics. The very office that is meant to protect SMMEs from government red tape and corruption is being used as a reward mechanism for loyal cadres. Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams has presided over a department that has delivered little to nothing for SMMEs or the youth who rely on entrepreneurship for opportunity and survival. Despite numerous glossy presentations and photo ops, the facts speak for themselves: South Africa now has the highest youth unemployment rate in the world, with 4.7 million young people aged 15–34 not in employment, education, or training (NEET). In Q1 of 2025, the economy grew by a dismal 0.1%, confirming that the government's economic policy is directionless and anti-growth. Over 320,000 graduates remain unemployed, proving that education alone is not enough in a broken economy with no job pipeline and no enabling environment for new businesses. Young entrepreneurs trying to start or grow businesses face insurmountable obstacles: late payments from the government, lack of access to capital, bureaucratic red tape, and no safety net when disputes arise. Instead of reforming the system to support these youth-led enterprises, the department is busy recycling political appointees and rehashing failed strategies. It is time for Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams to step aside. South Africa needs a youth-focused, jobs-focused leader at the helm. Someone who understands the urgency of the unemployment crisis and who will fight for real reforms to unlock the full potential of the SMME sector. BOSA calls for: The immediate suspension of the current Ombud appointment process, pending a full review to ensure transparency and credibility. The resignation or dismissal of Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams, whose track record has become a barrier to growth, not a driver of it. The establishment of an independent SMME Red Tape Commission, led by private sector and youth representatives, to identify and remove the barriers preventing small business success. South Africa's young people are not lazy. They are not without ideas. They are without opportunity. If the government cannot get out of the way, it must be pushed out of the way. It is time for Stella to go. Roger Solomons - BOSA Spokesperson
Eyewitness News
04-06-2025
- General
- Eyewitness News
BOSA unhappy Justice Ministry won't grant it access to the National Register of Sex Offenders
JOHANNESBURG - Build One South Africa (BOSA) is displeased with the Justice Ministry's rejection of their request to gain access to the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mmamoloko Kubayi, had committed to releasing the list in February this year but retracted, citing legal concerns. In response, the party submitted an application in the form of a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to the department, which grants individuals access to information held by public or private bodies. ALSO READ: BOSA says public sexual offenders list important for parents to protect children A day after Child Protection Week started last week on Friday, the Department of Justice wrote back to the political party rejecting their application for the release of the sex offenders list. BOSA initially made the application for the release of the list in March, calling for the protection of children against predators. The department says Section 52 of the Sexual Offences and Related Crimes Act says anyone found to have disclosed the contents of the NRSO can be fined or jailed for up to three years. BOSA spokesperson Roger Solomons says it is disappointing as the country keeps seeing a rise in the abuse of children. "As BOSA, we note with great frustration and anger the Justice Ministry's rejection of our Promotion of Access to Information Act, where we requested to gain access to this highly secretive register of sex offenders, which government is hellbent on keeping under wraps." He says there is public interest in the matter, which should trump privacy laws.
