Attention: Editors and Reporters

Thursday, 11 March 2021

Today, 11 March 2021, the High Court in Pretoria made an order in the matter between the EFF Student Command v Minster of Higher Education and Others, to which the South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) was admitted as an amicus. This matter concerned a directive issued by the Minster of Higher Education for the University of South Africa (UNISA) to reduce its first-time student intake for the year 2021. As a result, UNISA accepted only 38 000 students, shy of the anticipated 58 000.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Monday, 08 March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (“the SAHRC”) is deeply concerned by the recent attacks on non-nationals, which commenced on Sunday 28 February 2021 at the Soldiers Way Market trading precinct / area in the Durban CBD that left several non-nationals including women injured and traumatised. It has also been alleged that members of the Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) attacked and assaulted non-nationals and petrol -bombed their shops / business in the Durban CBD on Monday 08 March 2021. The SAHRC condemns these on-going violent attacks and the looting and threats on businesses owned by non-nationals in the city.

By Bongani Majola

 
8 Mar 2021
 
   
The South African Human Rights Commission, and the rest of South Africa, felt a sense of relief when the first batch of Covid-19 vaccines arrived on 1 February.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Monday, 8th March 2021

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) has received a number of complaints from prospective TVET College and university students regarding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). These prospective students, and currently enrolled students at institutions of higher learning, have criticised the manner in which NSFAS has handled their applications for financial aid. Further, the complaints also deal with the accessibility and flaws in NSFAS’ appeal procedures for students who have been rejected by the scheme. The Commission is particularly concerned about the implications on inter alia the right to further education, in terms of section 29(1)(b) of the Constitution.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

Monday, 8th March 2021

Today, the 8th March 2021, marks International Women’s Day, globally. The United Nations celebrated International Women's Day for the first time in 1975. Then in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national traditions. South Africa recognises its National Women’s Day on the 9th August of every year, a commemoration of the historic march, led by women against the oppressive pass laws of the then Apartheid regime.

Thursday, 4 March 2021
Attention: Editors and Reporters


The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) has opened an own accord investigation following various complaints, including from the leader of the United Democratic Movement General Bantu Holomisa, against ENCA reporter Lindsay Dentlinger.

Thursday 4 March 2021

Attention: Editors and Reporters

The South African Human Rights Commission (Commission) commends the Competition Commission and various School Governing Bodies (SGBs) on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on school uniform prices and the procurement thereof on Monday, 01 March 2021. By signing the MOU, the SGBs concerned undertook to inter alia abide by the Undertaking on Best Practice Principles of Procurement which encourages school uniforms to be as generic as possible, enabling parents to have wider options from a number of suppliers. The SGBs also undertook to encourage their affiliates to appoint exclusive suppliers only after a competitive bidding process.

Tuesday, 3 March 2021.
Attention: Editors and Reporters

On the 3rd of March 2021, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC or Commission) and the Chief Whips Forum held a historic meeting that was the first of its kind.

03 March 2021

The Commissioner responsible for civil and political rights at the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Mr. Chris Nissen will be conducting a Provincial Visit in the Gauteng Province from 03 March 2021 until 05 March 2021.

Attention: Editors and Reporters

26 February 2021

To mark the 25th Anniversary of the SAHRC the Gauteng Provincial Office of the Commission has produced a five part podcast series looking at the work of the Commission.