Latest news with #IlithaLabantu
IOL News
3 days ago
- IOL News
Community anger as rape accused granted bail in Khayelitsha case
Concerns after Ongeziwe Poni's alleged rapist was granted bail. Image: Ayanda Ndamane Civil society organisations and community members in Khayelitsha have voiced outrage over the decision to grant bail to a man accused of the kidnapping and repeated rape of 20-year-old Ongeziwe Poni, a promising young boxer. Siyabonga Zono, who stands accused of abducting and raping Poni during a 12-hour ordeal on the night of 30 March 2025, was released on bail following his fifth court appearance at the Khayelitsha Magistrates' Court on 28 May. The case has faced multiple delays, with the most recent postponement due to the absence of the investigating officer, who reportedly has not visited all the crime scenes. According to the victim's statement, she was attacked at knifepoint and raped multiple times in separate locations, including a public toilet, an open field, and a shack where she was held overnight. Zono was arrested in connection with the case and charged with kidnapping and rape. Ilitha Labantu, a longstanding organisation advocating for the rights of women and children, condemned the court's decision to release the accused. REMANDED: Accused Siyabonga Zono Image: Ayanda Ndamane The organisation described the ruling as 'a gross miscarriage of justice' and said it reflected a broader systemic failure to prioritise survivors of gender-based violence. 'Despite the severity of the allegations, the investigation has been marked by a disturbing lack of urgency and seriousness,' said Ilitha Labantu spokesperson Siyabulela Monakali. 'Such failures by law enforcement not only compromise the integrity of the case but send a demoralising message to survivors about the state's commitment to justice.' The group cited the accused's release as further traumatising the survivor and noted that more than 1,800 members of the public had signed a petition opposing bail. They called on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to review and appeal the bail decision urgently. "We call on the NPA to urgently review and appeal the bail decision. We further demand accountability for the failures in the investigative process and the immediate prioritisation of this case to ensure that justice is not delayed or denied. Survivors like Ongeziwe deserve more than our sympathy. They deserve action, dignity, protection, and justice." Adding to public criticism is men's social movement Amadoda Qotho founder Lumkile Sizila, who expressed support for Poni and called for accountability in policing and prosecution. The organisation, which advocates against gender-based violence, substance abuse, and crime, said it supported the establishment of a commission of inquiry into policing failures in Khayelitsha. 'We are not tolerant of any form of abuse and crime,' said the group. 'Every day, women are raped and their rights to dignity, life and freedom of movement are violated. The Constitution obliges the state to respect, protect, promote and fulfil these rights.' Sizila added that the laws meant to protect women are 'not taken seriously' and urged communities to unite in holding the justice system accountable. 'We will fight for Ongeziwe Poni. We will win this case,' the statement concluded. Further concerns were raised by staff at the Grassroots Youth Academy, where Poni trains. Coach Jongi Kamko, who also acts as a mentor to many of the young girls at the academy, said the court's decision had sent shockwaves through the community. 'These girls looked up to Ongeziwe as a symbol of strength and resilience,' he said. 'Now they are struggling to concentrate. The news of the accused's release has instilled fear and undermined the safe and supportive space we have worked hard to create.' Kamko said the decision had eroded public confidence in the justice system. 'It suggests that the perpetrator's rights are being prioritised over the safety of victims and the broader community. This undermines trust in the legal system and discourages other survivors from speaking out.'
IOL News
5 days ago
- IOL News
Youth Day: Advocacy groups demand stronger government action to combat GBV in South Africa
NGOs share their insights on the mental impact that GBV has on the country's younger population Image: Pixabay IN SPITE of all the campaigning, advocacy and awareness programmes the scourge of gender-based violence and femicide continues to hover ominously over South Africa as the country celebrates Youth Month. At a time when young people should be celebrated and given every encouragement to pursue excellence, instead, the overshadowing reality of reported ever increasing incidents of murder, rape, and kidnapping escalate douses optimism. While the government continue to ring the alarm bells about the the dire state of GBV in the country, damning is the prevailing view from advocacy groups that the government's actions in response thus far have proven insufficient. The statistics are stark: between January and March 2025, 966 women and 314 children fell victim to murder. "These are not mere statistics; they represent lives lost amid a system that too often fails to protect the most vulnerable," warns Siyabulela Monakali, communications manager for Ilitha Labantu, a non-profit organisation founded in 1989. 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 ✕ Monakali elaborates that the pervasive underfunding of support programmes, lack of enforcement of existing laws, and an overloaded legal system contribute to a culture of failure that retraumatises survivors. He criticises the government's approach to combatting GBVF as reactive, often characterised by bursts of activity that fizzle out without meaningful change. "Many of the government's interventions are mere band-aids," he continues, asserting that they sidestep deeper issues such as misogyny and toxic masculinity. "Until there is meaningful, coordinated, and well-resourced action that tackles these root causes, the crisis will continue unabated." The youth of 2025 are facing several challenges, including GBV Image: File The advocacy group Women For Change underscores this sentiment, asserting that the government has significantly underprioritised the fight against GBVF. They have initiated a petition to have GBVF declared a national disaster. "The government's bureaucracy and their lack of accountability, transparency, and responsiveness are key reasons why more women will be killed in this country," the group states. South Africa's Constitution, rich with protections against GBVF, establishes a framework that includes the right to equality, human dignity, and personal security. Yet, despite these legal advancements, the persistently low conviction rates reveal a justice system struggling to uphold these rights. "To protect the dignity and freedom of women and children, government departments can no longer fail to prioritise GBVF policies and programmes," cautions Women For Change. Activist Mukhethwa Dzhugudzha echoes these findings, urging a shift in focus from punitive measures to preventative strategies. "We need to move beyond reacting to violence and start implementing measures that protect women and children before they fall victim," he states, clearly identifying the need to address underlying issues like economic dependency and victim-blaming mindsets. The alarming rise in violent incidents against women serves as a stark reflection of South Africa's social challenges. "This is an indictment on all of us that our society is exposed to GBVF, sexual violence, murder, and assault in such alarming numbers," notes Bafana Khumalo of Sonke Gender Justice. He calls for intensified efforts to implement the National Strategic Plan on GBVF, a global call to action that South Africa must heed to forge a path away from this crisis. Advocacy groups across the country roundly maintain their zero tolerance stance on violence against women and girls. They call on leaders to acknowledge the enormity of the challenge before them and to commit to substantive actions that can bring meaningful change. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
6 days ago
- IOL News
Advocacy groups demand more from government to fight GBV scourge in SA
Advocacy groups believe stronger action needs to be taken to end GBV. Image: File As South Africa commemorates Youth Month, the terror of gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) looms large over the country as countless women and children fall victim to unthinkable crimes on a daily basis. The government has made noise around this scourge; yet, the number of murders, rape and kidnapping cases continues to rise. Women's rights advocacy groups and activists have continued to call for the government to step up and protect all of its citizens. Siyabulela Monakali, the communications manager for Ilitha Labantu, a non-profit organisation founded in 1989 in Gugulethu, in the Western Cape said that the government has failed in addressing GBVF. "Despite declaring GBVF a national crisis and rolling out progressive legal frameworks, the harsh reality tells a very different story. Between January and March 2025 alone, 966 women and 314 children were murdered. These are not mere statistics; they represent lives lost amid a system that too often fails to protect the most vulnerable," said Monakali. Chronic underfunding of programmes, inadequate enforcement of existing laws, a lack of political will, and an overburdened legal system have retraumatised survivors and made justice elusive according to Monakali. A peaceful protest held Vhembe District, Limpopo Province to bring attention to GBV matters Image: SAPS 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 ✕ "The government's response remains reactive rather than proactive, marked by bursts of noise, marches, and declarations that quickly fade into short-term memory, only for new tragedies to emerge," he added. "Many of the government's interventions are mere band-aids, failing to confront the deeper, systemic issues of misogyny, toxic masculinity, and entrenched gender inequality that fuel GBVF. Until there is meaningful, coordinated, and well-resourced action that tackles these root causes, the crisis will continue unabated." Monakali went on to say that the legal system also fails women and children despite the presence of regulatory frameworks to fight GBVF. So, the country finds itself in a paradoxical scenario where the high prevalence rate of GBVF remains with a consistently low conviction rate. For Women For Change, the government's failure of addressing GBVF is due to not prioritising the issue. The organisation created a petition for the government to declare GBVF a national disaster. "Government's bureaucracy and their lack of accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the scourge of GBVF is one of the key reasons why more women will be killed in this country," said the advocacy group. "We urge the State that the Constitution places an obligation on them to respect, protect, promote, and fulfil the rights in the Bill of Rights and we expect the State to act decisively and with intent to eradicate GBVF." Woman For Change highlighted that South Africa's Constitution provides many protections against GBVF. These include the right to equality (section 9), which encompasses equality before the law and equal protection and benefit under the law for everyone, as well as the prohibition of unjust discrimination by the State and people on a variety of grounds, including gender. Section 10 of the Constitution provides the right to human dignity, whilst Section 11 ensures the right to life. Importantly, Section 12 of the Constitution provides the right to personal liberty and security, which includes the right of everyone to be free from all types of physical violence. "Despite progressive developments, incidences of GBVF in South Africa remain extremely high due to the failures in the criminal justice system. To protect the dignity and freedom of women and children, government departments can no longer fail to prioritise GBVF policies and programmes to eradicate GBVF." Activist Mukhethwa Dzhugudzha expressed similar belief to the groups, claiming that the government only steps in after a woman has been raped or murdered. "We need to shift to preventative measures," he added. "Young women and children are still unsafe because the government focuses on punishment rather than protection. Until we address root causes of GBVF such as economic dependency, policing and victim blaming, we will continue to fail the people we claim to protect." "The rise in the country's violent cases against women is an indictment on all of us that our society is exposed to GBVF, sexual violence, murder and assault in such alarming numbers. "We need to redouble our efforts in ensuring the effective implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBVF which provides a useful pathway out of this crisis," added Bafana Khumalo of Sonke Gender Justice. The advocacy group said it maintains zero tolerance on all forms of violence against women and girls and joins the globe to raise awareness on the scourge of violence and calls for substantive actions by leaders to end these crimes.
IOL News
7 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Tackling the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa
Organisations speak on how the system has failed the youth as many are left jobless and have to fend for themselves. Image: File As youth unemployment rises to 46.1% in the first quarter of 2025, a 9.2% point increase over the past decade, organisations working with young people warn that a generation is being systematically excluded from the economy, despite meeting educational requirements. Oliver Meth, communications manager at Black Sash, said this is a national crisis. 'The latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey revealing an expanded unemployment rate of 56.3% among youth aged 18–34 is a devastating indictment of the country's failure to secure the future of its young people. 'This figure is not only alarmingly high, it reflects chronic structural inequality, policy inaction, and a growing disconnect between the promises of democracy and the lived reality of many young South Africans.' Meth added: 'The government is failing its youth by underinvesting in inclusive economic development and failing to deliver on targeted, sustained, and accountable youth employment strategies. Initiatives such as the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention have been poorly coordinated, underfunded, and disconnected from grassroots realities. 'Moreover, there is insufficient political will to address corruption and inefficiency that diverts public funds from critical job-creation initiatives. The social grant system, while vital, is not being fully leveraged as a developmental tool for youth.' 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 ✕ Ad loading Siyabulela Monakali, spokesperson for advocacy group Ilitha Labantu, said the crisis reflects a 'structural lockout,' not a lack of education or ambition. 'This is not a skills gap. Even education no longer guarantees employment,' the organisation stated. 'Most of those affected are black youth from townships and rural areas, where access to opportunity remains severely limited.' The organisation added that many unemployed youth have matric, TVET qualifications, or university degrees but remain outside the formal job market. They argue that the education system continues to produce paper qualifications with little real-world value, particularly in under-resourced schools. According to the organisation, over half of young South Africans do not complete matric. Those who do often lack digital, critical thinking, or entrepreneurial skills relevant to the modern economy. 'South Africa remains a country where your birthplace often determines your outcome,' said the organisation. 'Beyond the classroom, young people face a second layer of exclusion: limited access to mentorship, transport, the internet, and guidance on how to apply for jobs, bursaries, or skills programmes. 'Without these basics, even the best-intentioned policies remain out of reach for many. 'Without mentors, there is no one to show the way. Without training, there is no confidence to step forward. Without resources, the concept of 'opportunity' becomes abstract.' The youth of 2025 are facing several challenges, from high unemployment rates to substance abuse. Image: File Ilitha Labantu also criticised the private sector, saying most companies have failed to transform their leadership and are not doing enough to create pathways for youth. 'Corporate South Africa continues to hold the country at ransom. Most companies remain white-owned, with white-dominated leadership that bears no resemblance to the nation's demographics or aspirations.' The group said the most effective job creation sectors, care work, green energy, construction, agro-processing, digital services and creative industries, remain out of reach without proper investment and training infrastructure. 'There is high demand for skills in coding, solar installation, caregiving and data analysis, but access to this training is limited,' it said. It called for urgent improvements to TVET colleges, including updated curricula, reliable infrastructure, and stronger links to local employers. Ilitha Labantu drew a direct connection between unemployment and youth crime, particularly gang activity. In areas with few job prospects, gangs are often the only available source of income and belonging. 'It is easier to make R200 a day through crime than to spend six months applying for jobs that do not exist,' the group said. The fear and distrust of law enforcement were also raised. 'For many, fear of the police rivals fear of criminals,' the group stated, calling for trauma-informed policing and collaboration with social workers and NGOs. Long-term youth unemployment, they argue, is not just an economic issue, it is a threat to national stability. 'The longer we leave youth excluded, the more likely they will turn to alternatives that offer what the state has failed to: a sense of identity, control and power.' Abigail Moyo, spokesperson for the trade union United Association of South Africa (UASA), also raised concerns about exclusion in government policy discussions. Responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent National Dialogue initiative, Moyo asked: 'Where are the young people who face the daily challenges of unemployment and inequality? We want to see the young unemployed youth contributing to these dialogues.' She called for the establishment of forums that include graduates and job seekers, saying the most practical solutions often come from those directly affected. Meanwhile, employment platform Lulaway's CEO Jake Willis said South Africa is confronting 'a national emergency that threatens the future of an entire generation'. Lulaway has connected thousands of young job seekers to employers through a mix of technology, work readiness training, and mentorship. Business Partners Limited, a major financier of small businesses, said the country's future may lie in youth-led entrepreneurship. Area Manager Lawrance Ramotala said SMEs are playing a critical role in creating jobs, transferring skills, and mentoring first-time entrepreneurs. 'In many cases, SMEs are the first to take a chance on young people,' he said. 'What we're seeing is a groundswell of youth entrepreneurship rooted in community enterprise.' Ramotala said young entrepreneurs are not just surviving, but building businesses that tackle social issues, from education to mental health. But he warned that without support, these efforts are at risk. 'It's not enough to encourage youth to start businesses. They need support to stay the course, particularly in the early stages when failures can be discouraging and resources are limited.' He added that many young business owners are creating peer-to-peer support systems that go beyond what large companies can offer, using their platforms to share opportunities, funding, and mentorship. 'If we want to build a more inclusive, sustainable economy, we must invest in our youth, not just as jobseekers but as job creators. By backing youth entrepreneurship, we're not only building businesses, we're building futures.'
IOL News
04-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Pride Month in South Africa: the gap between legal rights and lived realities
June is Pride Month Image: Unsplash As June dawns and South Africa steps into Pride Month, the contradiction between what is promised and what is lived becomes impossible to ignore. On paper, South Africa boasts one of the most progressive constitutions in the world — a beacon of equality, dignity, and protection for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. But for many in the LGBTQIA+ community, especially those living on the margins, that promise remains unfulfilled. Legal protections offer hope, but discrimination persists, violence goes unchecked, and many queer South Africans still live in fear, forced to justify their existence in a society that too often refuse to see them. For organisations like Ilitha Labantu, Pride Month is not just about rainbow flags and celebration — it is a solemn call to affirm the rights, dignity, and safety of LGBTQIA+ persons. Siya Monakali of Ilitha Labantu said: 'The LGBTQIA+ community is not a homogenous group. Our experiences are shaped by race, class, gender, and geography — and too often, those at the intersection of these identities bear the brunt of exclusion and violence.' Monakali explained that while the Constitution offers strong protections, systemic discrimination persists — particularly against Black lesbian women, transgender individuals, and those living in poverty. This is a reality Taswald Ruiters, a transgender woman based in Cape Town, has experienced first hand. 'There is no question that the Constitution is set to protect the transgender community,' Ruiters said. 'It makes us feel seen and heard. However, there is still work that needs to be done.'Despite legal protections, economic exclusion remains widespread. 'Our brothers and sisters are jobless. The Constitution says no person should be discriminated against based on sexual orientation or gender identity — but that's just not enough. The public sees you as different, and that is not what the workforce wants.' She recalled an incident in which she was discriminated against for using a female restroom in a government building. 'The facility had no specific protections in place for transgender persons. When I reported it, the response I received from authorities was that they would look into it and update the regulations in due time. These are not future issues — they are happening now. My question is: is this missed communication, or just disregard?' 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 ✕ Taswald Ruiters Image: Supplied Ruiters began her transition at the age of 30. 'It felt impossible at first, like it was too late in my life — but I regret nothing,' she said. After five years on hormone replacement therapy, she saw improvements — but recent funding cuts have limited access. 'The medications we need to aid in our transition are no longer being provided. The influence of other countries has unfortunately diminished the efforts we've made towards inclusivity.' She reflected on how the gap between law and lived experience affects dignity. 'This country has come far. It sometimes feels like a privilege just to be able to practice your basic human rights. But why should we be made to feel privileged when, for the rest of society, it's just life as normal? 'I cannot blame anyone for their ignorance if they've never been educated about what a transgender person is, or how the Constitution protects us. But people must know — every action gets a reaction. Treat others the way you want to be treated.' She called for inclusive LGBTQIA+ education in high schools. 'We have progressive young people. Education would help promote inclusivity and allow them to make positive changes in their homes and communities,' she said. As a parent to a five-year-old, she said that primary school learners may not yet be ready for conversations about gender identity — but respect can and should be taught early. Globally, increasing anti-trans rhetoric — especially in the United States — casts a shadow. Former President Donald Trump has pledged to ban gender-affirming healthcare and restrict transgender participation in sport if re-elected, a stance that emboldened right-wing movements worldwide. South African advocates warn these ideas, spread online and through media, risk reversing hard-won progress. Luiz De Barros, founder and editor of — South Africa's largest LGBTQIA+ news platform noted even the most advanced legal systems can fall short. 'Although South Africa's Constitution and legal framework offer strong protections for LGBTQ+ people, these rights often do not translate into lived realities. Discrimination, stigma, and violence remain persistent challenges in our communities,' said De Barros. 'Although the Hate Crimes Act was passed in 2023, it has yet to be fully implemented. SAPS continues to struggle with providing appropriate and sensitive services to LGBTQ+ survivors.'On transgender exclusion in sports, De Barros challenged the idea of unfair advantage. 'The notion of an 'unfair physical advantage' as grounds to exclude transgender athletes is often based on misinformation, sensationalism, and a lack of scientific understanding… If trans women had a consistent competitive advantage, we would expect to see them dominating podiums and breaking records regularly but this is not the case.' 'All individuals, including transgender and intersex athletes, deserve the right to participate in sports,' he added. 'We must work together across sectors — sports, science, and civil society — to develop equitable, inclusive, and evidence-based policies that uphold the dignity and rights of all athletes.' Weekend Argus
