Day: October 30, 2022

Posted on

Sec. Hillary Clinton, Canada’s Deputy PM Chrystia Freeland, Oprah Winfrey, Malala, Christine Lagarde, Michelle Obama & Global Women Leaders from Over 14 Countries Sign an Open Letter Calling for UN Action Against Iran

The Open Letter, Published in Sunday’s New York Times, Calls for the Immediate Expulsion of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the UN Commission on the Status of Women

WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 30, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The world’s preeminent women leaders in business, politics, advocacy and the arts published an open letter in Sunday’s New York Times calling for the immediate removal of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) from the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Signatories of the letter include Sec. Hillary Clinton, Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, Media Leader & Philanthropist Oprah Winfrey, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & Education Activist Malala Yousafzai, Economic & Political Leader Christine Lagarde, former First Lady of the United States & Advocate of Girls Education Michelle Obama, former Executive Director of UN Women Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former head of UN Climate Change Convention Christiana Figueres DBE, former First Lady of the United States & Education Advocate Laura Bush, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate & Human Rights Activist Nadia Murad and women in leadership positions from 14 countries (and counting).

This global effort—a partnership between Vital Voices, For Freedoms and a coalition of Iranian women leaders—comes amid more than 40 days of worldwide protests launched and led by Iranian women and girls after the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini. The protestors are demanding justice after Amini died on September 16, 2022 while in police custody. Amini was arrested by the Islamic Republic of Iran’s “morality police” for allegedly not complying with mandatory hijab laws.

Reports of extreme punishments and harsh crackdowns against protestors by Iranian authorities have flooded international headlines and social media feeds in the weeks since Amini’s death, gaining worldwide attention and scrutiny.

The group of women leaders who signed on to the letter came together in solidarity with Iranian women and girls with a clear call to action: the immediate removal of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women.

Within the first few days of going live, the letter received more than 21,000 signatures and growing. Additionally, more than 130,000 petitioners have also signed a letter asking for the same outcome on Change.org.

The open letter states: “We condemn the brutal violence of security forces against peaceful protesters … Earlier this year, to the dismay of women’s rights advocates around the world, Iran began a four–year term on the UN’s 45–member Commission on the Status of Women. This preeminent global body is exclusively dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s long–standing, systematic oppression of women should have disqualified them from election to the CSW.”

The letter also laments the Islamic Republic of Iran’s record on women’s rights, citing gender inequality and legalized discrimination against women regarding marriage, divorce, inheritance, child custody cases and attire. These restrictions include the mandate that requires women to wear head coverings at the onset of puberty.

The signatories of the letter warn that the violence and loss of life will continue without global intervention at the highest levels, and that the Commission on the Status of Women will lose credibility each day the Islamic Republic of Iran remains a member.

“This is a critical moment for leaders in the international community to vocally and unequivocally demonstrate their support for women’s rights by standing in solidarity with Iranian women and girls,” states the letter.

Members of the public are invited to read the full letter here. To join the movement, sign on here.

About Vital Voices Global Partnership
Now celebrating 25 years, Vital Voices Global Partnership has directly invested in more than 20,000 women leaders across 184 countries and territories since its inception in 1997. Driven by the universal truth that women are the key to progress in their communities and nations cannot move forward without women in leadership positions, Vital Voices has provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, U.S. Youth Poet Laureates, prime ministers, award-winning innovators, pioneering human rights defenders, and breakthrough social entrepreneurs, including Amanda Gorman and Malala Yousafzai. In an effort to advance and expand this work, in 2022 Vital Voices opened the doors to the world’s first global embassy for women, the Vital Voices Global Headquarters for Women’s Leadership. It is a first-of-its-kind space that allows for convening, innovation, planning, and action—all in the pursuit of serving women leaders who are taking on the world’s greatest challenges.
www.vitalvoices.org

About For Freedoms
For Freedoms is an artist collective that centers art and creativity as a catalyst for transformative connection and collective liberation.

By wielding the power of art, we aim to deepen and expand our capacity to interrogate what is and imagine what could be.

Together, we seek infinite expansion.
www.forfreedoms.com

Attachments

Vital Voices Global Partnership
media@vitalvoices.org

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8685121

Posted on

Mega party as South Africa crowns new Zulu king

DURBAN— South Africa’s new Zulu King was formally declared the head of the country’s most influential traditional monarchy at a colourful ceremony presided over by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday.

 Ramaphosa handed over the giant framed certificate to formally recognise the 48-year-old new ruler Misuzulu Zulu before tens of thousands of people in colourful regalia gathered at a huge soccer stadium in the coastal city of Durban.

 Misuzulu Zulu ascended the throne once held by his late father, Goodwill Zwelithini, who died in March 2021 — after more than 50 years on the throne.

 The crowning which followed a traditional coronation ceremony in August, is the first South Africa has witnessed in more than half a century.

 Although the title of king does not bestow executive power, the monarchs wield great moral influence over more than 11 million Zulus, who make up nearly a fifth of South Africa’s population of 60 million people.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed government to work with King Misuzulu KaZwelithini to change the lives of the people, and transform rural areas into places of development and prosperity.

“Our traditional leaders are the custodians of the cultures, customs and traditions that make us who we are,” Ramaphosa said.

“I do so to fulfil my duty under our Constitution, which affirms the role of our kings and queens. Today, we are here to witness a new epoch in the history of AmaZulu.

“We pray that His Majesty’s reign will be a long and glorious one. May your hand be guided by the Almighty. May your rule be one of justice, compassion, peace and unity.

“May your rule be one of justice, compassion, peace and unity. Your Majesty, Hlanga Lomhlabathi, your people look to you to lead them to a bright, glorious new future. It is a heavy responsibility, but also an illustrious one,” Ramaphosa said.

“Millions of our people are unemployed and live in poverty. Substance abuse, crime and the abuse of women, children and the elderly are devastating our communities. Many of our rural areas suffer from poor services and lack of jobs. Land reform remains a huge problem.

“As government at local, provincial and national level, we continue to make several interventions to address all these challenges and will want to rely on you, Your Majesty, to work with us to address the problems that our people are facing on a daily basis.”

Ramaphosa said King Misuzulu is a leader who enjoys the respect and confidence of the people. “A leader that governs with compassion and kindness, especially to the most vulnerable, is loved.”

Addressing the ceremony, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said today marks a time, as the province, they finally leave behind the pain they felt as a nation when they lost in quick succession their beloved King Zwelithini and the Regent Queen Mantfombi.

“You are the hope and father of the Zulu nation, irrespective of political affiliations or religious dominations. We are particularly grateful that Your Majesty is following firmly on the late father’s footsteps in preaching unity among the people of KwaZulu-Natal.

“The provincial government will continue to honour the throne by providing all the necessary support to the Royal Family and the institution of traditional leadership,” she said.

The certificate handover ceremony of the ninth AmaZulu King takes place after King Misuzulu ascended to the throne following the passing of his father, King Goodwill Zwelithini Zulu in March last year and the subsequent passing away of the Regent Queen Mantfombi Dlamini in 2021.

Misuzulu was recognised as the King-elect of the Zulu nation by President Cyril Ramaphosa after consultation with the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and the then Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

Today’s ceremony was attended by Cabinet Ministers, politicians and dignitaries from other countries.

 Among the delegates were King Mswati III of Africa’s last absolute monarchy, Eswatini, who is also an uncle to the new Zulu king. Two of South Africa’s ex-presidents, Jacob Zuma and Thabo Mbeki, were also present.

 Zulu kings are descendants of King Shaka, the 19th-century leader still revered for having united a large swathe of the country as the Zulu nation, which fought bloody battles against the British colonisers.

 King Zwelithini, who died after more than 50 years in charge, left six wives and at least 28 children.

 Misuzulu is the first son of Zwelithini’s third wife, who he designated as regent in his will. The queen however died suddenly a month after Zwelithini, leaving a will naming Misuzulu as the next king.

Source: Nam News Network

Posted on

13 African countries report 6,883 monkeypox cases in 2022: Africa CDC

ADDIS ABABA— Some 13 African countries have reported 6,883 monkeypox cases since the start of 2022, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

According to data released by the Africa CDC, 173 deaths and a case-fatality ratio of 2.5 percent have also been registered during the same period.

The continental health agency noted that out of the 6,883 cases, 5,992 are suspected cases while 891 are confirmed cases.

The monkeypox cases were reported from eight endemic and five non-endemic countries.

The eight endemic countries are Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria; the five non-endemic countries are Egypt, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa and Sudan, according to the Africa CDC.

Following the announcement by the World Health Organization that declared monkeypox a global public health emergency of international concern in July this year, the Africa CDC has been calling on African countries to strengthen laboratory diagnostic capacities and genomic sequencing capacity for monkeypox.

The continental health body also called on African states to develop and distribute both general and tailored risk communication messages for communities and vulnerable population groups.

Monkeypox, first detected in laboratory monkeys in 1958, is assumed to transmit from wild animals such as rodents to people, or from human to human. It is a rare viral disease usually transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets and other contaminated materials. The infection usually results in fever, rash and swollen lymph nodes.

Source: Nam News Network

Posted on

New spinning pitch a positive shift for road safety

The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith joined the leadership of the Western Cape Motor Club to officially open a new spinning pitch at Killarney International Raceway. The unveiling was part of the City-sponsored Killarney Motor Show hosted today.

The 4 500m² spinning pitch will benefit Cape Town’s large drifting and spinning community that has been calling for a dedicated facility to practice their sport.   

Previously, spinners had to use a section of Killarney’s track system also used by other motorsport codes.

The pitch will be open to all spinning groups through a booking system at the Killarney International Raceway.  

Spinning crews from various communities across the city were among the first to put the new pitch to the test. 

‘This new spinning pitch is a victory for Cape Town on many fronts. It provides a fit-for-purpose platform where spinning and motorsport enthusiasts can enjoy their sport in a safe environment with proper safety measures in place. For the City of Cape Town, this contributes greatly to our campaign to get racing off public roads and into more legal environments.  

‘We would like to express gratitude to the Western Cape Motor Club for initiating this project and we are proud to be working with Killarney to promote road safety.  We would like to invite those spinners who are still taking part in dangerous illegal street events to this skid pan and keep the spinning out of unsafe public spaces,’ said Alderman Smith. 

The new spinning pitch was just one of a few attractions at the Killarney Motor Show which also featured new, classic, vintage, modified, stance and race displays of vehicles for public viewing. 

The motor show, the largest motor show in the Western Cape with approximately 10 000 visitors annually, also had some 2 000 exhibitors and vendors on site.  

The City’s Safety and Security cluster including Traffic Services, Metro Police, Disaster Risk Management, Fire and Rescue, and Law Enforcement were among the exhibitors at the motor show. 

They used the opportunity to educate the public on road safety, fire safety and general safety ahead of the upcoming Festive Season.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Posted on

Cape Town sets wheels in motion on 13th Wines2Whales event

The City of Cape Town is the partner of the FNB Wines2Whales which set off from the Lourensford Wine Estate yesterday Friday 28 October 2022. The nine-day mountain bike stage race, now in its 13th year, features 650 teams of 2 riders per event on an inter-town competition.

Over the next week, approximately 3 900 riders will take on the 208 km journey from Somerset West to Hermanus via Grabouw in three separate race events.

All three events will set off from the Lourensford Wine Estate, with the second batch starting on Monday before reaching the finish line in Hermanus on Wednesday 2 November 2022.  

The final group of riders will set off from 4 – 6 November 2022. 

A group of City of Cape Town officials, in their respective teams, will be taking on this leg of the race. 

‘We are thrilled that Cape Town is one of the hosts for Wines2Whales, which has been voted as the most popular stage race in the country. Because a majority of the participants come from outside the Western Cape, this race provides us with an opportunity to promote Cape Town to these riders and the international audience watching the race. It is a wonderful showcase of the Western Cape’s natural beauty. 

‘We would also like to wish our City of Cape Town colleagues, who will be riding the race route, well as they navigate the gruelling route on the way to Hermanus,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.     

The 2022 edition of the FNB Wines2Whales is also assisting in fundraising for the Botrivier Educational Foundation, Groenlandberg Conservancy, De Rust Futura, Cape Leopard Trust, Timothy James Harlow Foundation, Ann Foundation and the Pebbles Project.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Posted on

City enables thousands of new homeowners

Council recently, on 27 October 2022, approved the No Cost Transfer Programme which will enable beneficiaries of Community Residential Units (CRUs) and similar municipal-owned housing properties to purchase their homes with the transfer costs paid for by the City. Some 22 000 Council-owned properties in various areas of the metro are available to qualifying beneficiaries for purchasing so they may become property owners, now without the additional financial burden of transfer costs.

‘The City is committed to empowering more Capetonians in becoming homeowners to enable them to leverage their homes as financial, social, and economic assets. The City has for many years encouraged residents to purchase their units. However, a number of residents struggled to fulfill all of the financial requirements to purchase their properties and become property owners. To overcome this barrier, the City will fund the attorney transfer fees and fix same at R2 500 per property irrespective of the property purchase price, on behalf of the beneficiaries.

‘The long-term benefits of becoming a  property owner is far-reaching and includes having the security of owning property. In addition, the house can be added to the owner’s estate so that it can be included in their wills to secure their homes for their children and grandchildren in future. 

‘This is an exciting opportunity for the City and we encourage all qualifying beneficiaries to take this step toward owning their own property. If our beneficiaries have any questions regarding this opportunity, they are encouraged to visit their local housing office where they will be assisted. For residents of the City, now there is truly no place like home,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Malusi Booi. 

Anonymous tip-offs welcomed to help the City protect its projects and operations:

Residents can give anonymous tip offs if they are aware of illegal activity that is taking place; that has happened or is still to happen. Please call 112 from a cell phone (toll free) and 107 from a landline or 021 480 7700 for emergencies.

Source: City Of Cape Town

Posted on

Police request the community to assist in tracing the family of unknown woman

POTCHEFSTROOM – Police in Groot Marico request the community’s assistance in tracing the family or relatives of an unknown woman who was spotted around in the vicinity of Mogopa Village on Monday, 24 October 2022. The woman who seems to be mentally challenged, informed the police that her name is Ngileni Tandeka and that she is from Swazine village.

The police request anyone who may assist in identifying and reuniting the woman with her family to call Warrant Officer Abotseng Ndebele on 073 594 1074 or Captain Molatlhegi Maimane on 076 510 9675.

Source: South African Police Service