insert_link South Africa The World Court rescues international law from the Gaza rubble At the International Court of Justice, Nadeli Pandor, left, South Africa’s foreign minister, and Vusimuzi Madonsela, who led South Africa’s delegation to the reading of the court’s order concerning their country’s case accusing Israel of genocide, Jan. 26, 2024. The court found the allegations of such acts “plausible.” UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/Frank van Beek. Courtesy of the ICJ In a speech on Dec. 4, 1997, commemorating the International Day of […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 5
insert_link Opinion Pieces ICJ ruling is a victory for human rights and justice “The Peace Palace, seat of the International Court of Justice, the Hague, Netherlands. The court is the principal judicial body of the United Nations.” Photo: United Nations via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Deed) By GroundUp Editors via GroundUp The ruling on Friday by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is a victory for human rights and justice. Fifteen of the seventeen judges found that South Africa made a plausible case that the dreadful […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 13
insert_link Opinion Pieces UN genocide ruling won’t change Israel’s behaviour: three reasons why By Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, University of South Africa South Africa took Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the latter’s military operation in Gaza, which South Africa calls acts of genocide. The excessive bombing campaign and wilful destruction of property, life and limb is hardly in dispute. Israel calls it legitimate acts of self-defense, following Hamas’s murderous incursion from Gaza on Israeli terrain on 7 October […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 6
insert_link South Africa Uncontrolled Fires Ravage Breede Valley and Witzenberg Areas in Cape Winelands District The Fire Services of the Cape Winelands District Municipality have reported that fires in the Breede Valley and Witzenberg areas persist uncontrollably. According to spokesperson Jo-Anne Otto, the escalation is attributed to robust north-westerly winds. The flames have intensified notably at Bains Kloof and Fairy Glen, leading to flare-ups in areas previously deemed contained. Otto expresses hope that the fire in Elandsberg will eventually extinguish itself. todayJanuary 29, 2024 17
insert_link South Africa South Africa’s African Christian Democratic Party to Challenge President Ramaphosa in Parliament Over Stance on Israel-Palestine Kenneth Meshoe, leader of South Africa's African Christian Democratic Party, has announced the party's intention to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament over his remarks on the International Court of Justice's judgment and the Palestinian state. Meshoe contends that nations advocating for peace should encourage Hamas to acknowledge Israel's right to exist within secure borders. The ACDP believes that the judgment should serve as a catalyst for renewed efforts towards […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 19
insert_link South Africa Appointment of Thulasizwe Buthelezi as AmaZulu Prime Minister Sparks Hope for Royal House’s Future Kuthula Thwala, a lecturer in Historical Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, expresses optimism about the appointment of Thulasizwe Buthelezi as the AmaZulu prime minister, seeing it as a source of renewed hope for the Royal House. The announcement of Buthelezi's appointment was made by King MisuZulu kaZwelithini during the Battle of Isandlwana commemoration. Following the passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, Thulasizwe Buthelezi takes on the responsibilities. Thwala, in a […] todayJanuary 29, 2024 4
insert_link Opinion Pieces The two faces of Jacob Zuma – former South African president campaigns to unseat the ANC he once led. Who supports him and why? By Susan Booysen, University of the Witwatersrand Former South African president Jacob Zuma’s political comeback builds on support from marginalised and angry constituencies within or close to the governing African National Congress (ANC). His vengeful but “loyal” rebellion against the ANC resonates with these political constituencies. In mid-December 2023, Zuma announced that he would be supporting the newly formed uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), rather than the ANC, […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 18
insert_link South Africa The wind is hampering efforts to contain a serious fire near Kluitjieskraal in the Western Cape A change in wind direction is hampering efforts to control the Kluitjieskraal fire near Wolseley in the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Western Cape. The fire in the Suurvlakte area split into two lines, one line on the Wolseley side of the Obiqua Mountain and another on the Wellington side. The municipality’s spokesperson, Jo-Anne Otto, says the fire on Wolseley’s side in the Verrekyker area just above the Kluitjieskraal moved rapidly […] todayJanuary 26, 2024 5
insert_link South Africa ActionSA formally lodges a complaint to the Human Rights Commission against WesBank ActionSA says it has officially lodged a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission to investigate Wesbank. The is over allegations that the finance provider is using a specific system to overcharge black clients. Wesbank has refuted allegations of discrimination against customers based on race, gender, or age. ActionSA’s spokesperson, Lerato Ngobeni, says they cannot condone nor tolerate the covert racism the bank represents. todayJanuary 26, 2024 8
