Archive for June, 2010
SA homophobia at UN body & Role in detention Zimbabwean researcher
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Africa, Politics, Economics and History, crime and safety on 28/06/2010
Homophobia must be condemned wherever it occurs and it cannot be divorced from broader struggles for democracy. Two posts are carried below. Both involve South African public representatives doing international work relating to human rights. The first is a response by a range of organisations to the homophobia by Jerry Matjila South Africa’s representative to [...]
The Vuvuzela, Queer Toronto and Israel
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 25/06/2010
Vuvuzelas, Queer Toronto and Israel? Activist pressure has once again defeated the apologists for Israel. Pride Toronto has now rescinded its ban of the words “apartheid Israel”. This post carries an expanded version of the statement that i would have sent to them, their statement and the Vuvuzela by John Greysonby film-maker John Greyson who [...]
Israel: New bill seeks to outlaw boycott
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 24/06/2010
Israel continues to restrict free speech and political protest. Below is an article from JNews and a Bill that will outlaw calling for boycotts, divestment and sanctions of Israel. Thanks to Indrajit Ghosh for drawing my attention to it. Apartheid Israel is desperately borrowing apartheid South Africa’s law books on boycotts, non-violent resistance and sanctions. [...]
Western Cape textbooks reply unsatisfactory and evasive
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 24/06/2010
Today, Western Cape Education Department (WCED) replied to Equal Education’s legal representatives letter of Demand, mainly stating that the department will conduct a further survey to find out about textbook shortages. The MEC’s reply states that Chris Hani and Kwamfundo Senior Secondary Schools needs will be considered and actions will be informed by the outcome [...]
Ronald Louw died of HIV-related TB on 26 June 2005
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 23/06/2010
Five years ago Ronald Louw died of HIV-related TB. He was a friend and comrade. He is remembered by thousands of people whose lives he touched. Below is an obituary I wrote after his death and a video insert by Jack Lewis and the Community Media Trust team.
Zackie Achmat
Israel vows to punish professors who back academic boycott
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 23/06/2010
The state of Israel is increasingly becoming undemocratic. The fundamental civil and political rights of all people (its Jewish and Palestinian citizens) who support an end to the unlawful Occupation of Palestine as well as freedom and equality within Israel are being deliberately and consciously violated. The latest example of this is the deliberate intimidation [...]
Pierre de Vos on Toilets, Helen Zille and the Human Rights Commission
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Social Justice Coalition, South African politics on 22/06/2010
Premier Helen Zille attacked the Human Rights Commission report on the Makhaza toilets. Pierre de Vos ‘s analysis exposes the DA “Defend The Constitution” hypocrisy. Premier Zille: Will the DA City of Cape Town administration accept, appeal or ignore the Human Rights Commission findings? Human Rights Commission pro-poor stance must be applauded June 21st, 2010 [...]
Protest Against Menachem Begin founder of Likud by Albert Einstein, Hannah Arendt and Others
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 22/06/2010
In 1948 Hannah Arendt, one of the 20th centuries great philosophers and Albert Einstein one of the world’s greatest scientists supported the creation of the State of Israel but they demanded co-existence between Palestinian and Jewish people. Following the Holocaust, many thinking people would have shared their views. The Deir Yassin massacre in April 1948 [...]
Equal Education May Sue Western Cape Government — No textbooks
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 21/06/2010
Learners in Khayelitsha still remain without textbooks after more than half the school-year is over. Yoliswa Dwane’s press release below explains why Equal Education is considering taking the Western cape education department to Court. How efficient is the Western Cape DA government? Your views. Zackie Achmat Western Cape Scandal: No Textbooks for grade 12s after [...]
Vuvuzelas, Racism and The World Cup
Posted by Zackie Achmat in Uncategorized on 21/06/2010
A White critic of the vuvuzela writes: You know what vuvuzela stands for? Its the sound of the vacuum cleaner your african auntie is hearing each day all day long in her misserable [sic] job in Europe. After fleeing from vuvuzela sound through Sahara and Mediterenean [sic] Sea for 2 years. har har har har. [...]
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