Nishtara Recovery and Wellness Centre annual AGM

The Nishtara Recovery and Wellness Centre will be holding its 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, 23 November 2024, at their centre located on Capella Street, Ext 9, Lenasia. The meeting will begin at 2:00 PM. 

The AGM is open to the public at large, and everyone is welcome to be part of this important event. The meeting encourages active participation, whether through attendance, listening to the discussions, or contributing your thoughts and ideas. This is a great opportunity for the community to engage with the Nishtara Recovery and Wellness Centre's activities and future plans.

“We are hoping for a good attendance to the AGM as this is an elective AGM where we will be electing a new board of management to govern Nishtara. This, an appeal to community members skilled in various sectors to join the Board in order to enhance the Nishtara profile and to ensure progressive growth of the services we offer,” said the director Shahida Kazie

The Agenda for the AGM is:

Opening and welcome 

Presentation of Reports

Keynote Address

Election of Board Members

Closure and Vote of Thanks 

Please RSVP by the 20th November 2024

For more information contact, 0118545988/0118522176/0118522657

Disability Rights Awareness month launched at JOCOD

The Minister for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikungu, launched the Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM) 2024 in Johannesburg. This event took place on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the Johannesburg Council for the Disabled (JOCOD) on Peshwar Street, Ext 11, Lenasia. 

This launch was an important step in raising awareness about disability rights, advocating for the inclusion of persons with disabilities, and promoting initiatives that address their needs and challenges in society. DRAM is observed to highlight the rights of disabled individuals, celebrate achievements, and engage the public in discussions about creating a more inclusive society. 

“The theme for this year’s campaign, Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy: Creating a Disability-Inclusive Society for a Better Quality of Life and Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, highlights South Africa’s commitment to inclusivity and equality for persons with disabilities,” said Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, the ministry's spokesperson 

The launch of DRAM was attended by several key dignitaries and partners who are influential in advocating for the rights of persons with disabilities. Among the attendees were:

- Mr. Baker Amoojee, Chairperson of JOCOD (Johannesburg Council for the Disabled)

- Ms. Linda Ponnusammy, (Director of JOCOD)

- Ms. Elizabeth Ramashala, (Head of Transformation at African Bank)

- Ms. Edna Sathekhe Montse, (Chief Transformation and Sustainability Officer)

- Mr. Godfrey (Ward 8 Councillor)

- Hon. Meagan Chauke (Member of Parliament and Whip of the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities)

- Adv. Mikateko Maluleke(Director General)

The individuals, alongside the Minister, played significant roles in emphasizing the importance of disability inclusion, social transformation, and advancing disability rights throughout the month and beyond. Their collaboration underscores the commitment to fostering a society where people with disabilities are empowered and supported.

Following her tour of the JOCOD facility, Minister Chikunga engaged deeply with the center's leadership and learners. She received a comprehensive briefing on the center's impactful work, which focuses on empowering persons with disabilities through skills development and inclusion initiatives.

Minister Chikunga expressed confidence that JOCOD’s model could serve as a catalyst for the establishment of similar centers across the country. She added that these centers could play a pivotal role in ensuring the skilling and empowerment of persons with disabilities, thus creating more opportunities for them to contribute meaningfully to society and the economy. 

“This approach aligns with the broader goals of Disability Rights Awareness Month (DRAM), which emphasizes the importance of accessible education, training, and employment for individuals with disabilities,” the Minister said 

The Minister’s endorsement highlights the importance of creating sustainable programs and institutions that equip persons with disabilities with the skills they need to thrive. 

Sathekhe Montse from African Bank expressed her commitment to supporting future endeavors by the Department and JOCOD to further disability inclusion, ensuring that issues affecting persons with disabilities are championed on a national level. 

JOCOD, was established in 1995, and provides essential services aimed at limproving the lives of persons with disabilities. 

Their programs include: 

- Social Work and Related Services: Providing individualized support and therapeutic interventions. 

- Further Education and Training: Offering ongoing education and skills training to empower beneficiaries.

- Enterprise Development: Supporting income-generating activities like farming, sewing, and wheelchair repair.

- Learnership Programmes and Skills Training: Preparing individuals for employability and entrepreneurship. 

- Sports and Recreation: Fostering physical and mental well-being through sports and inclusive activities. 

Minister Chikunga emphasized the month-long commitment to raising awareness and building a disability-inclusive society. “Through dedicated programs like those at JOCOD, we can create a society where persons with disabilities are not only supported but celebrated for their contributions,” she said. 

Minister Sindisiwe Chikunga has said the importance of keeping disability issues at the forefront of national policy is to solidify this. Ssjr will present am official ministerial statement in the National Assembly on December 3, 2024, during a debate that will allow Parliament to engage on key objectives and future directions for disability inclusion. This marks an important step in ensuring that disability-related matters are prioritized in the legislative agenda.

In addition to the launch of DRAM the Minister announced that DRAM activities will continue throughout November 2024. These events will be led by various stakeholders, including government departments, provincial governments, municipalities, state entities, and civil society organizations. The activities will align with this year’s theme, "Nothing About Us, Without Us," which underscores the importance of involving persons with disabilities in decision-making processes that affect their lives.

Minister Chikunga also professed hope that the private sector would come on board and contribute to these initiatives, ensuring that efforts to promote inclusion and accessibility extend beyond just one month. She articulated that these programs should become a year-round commitment, advocating for interventions that extend over the full 365 days of the year, ultimately creating long-lasting, systemic change for persons with disabilities.

This approach reflects the broader vision of building a fully inclusive society where persons with disabilities have equal opportunities and participation in all aspects of life.

Photos: Supplied 

Johannesburg Water receives a huge backlashe at Phumlaqashi Informal Settlement

Johannesburg Water (JW) faced significant opposition from the residents of Phumla Mqashi, an informal settlement in Lenasia South, when they attempted to disconnect illegal water connections in the area. The operation, aimed at curbing illegal water use, was met with a strong backlash from the community on Tuesday, 12 November 2024. 

The situation in Phumla Mqashi escalated dramatically as residents, in protest against Johannesburg Water's disconnection operation, took to the streets along the Golden Highway. Their anger turned violent, with crowds stoning police vehicles, muncipal vehicles and passing cars. Tensions further intensified as the unrest led to looting of shops in the area. This eruption of violence underscored the deep frustration and desperation felt by the residents.

Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) officials, who were on-site alongside JW officials, were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the angry residents. 

“This operation was part of the Entity’s ongoing efforts to address the substantial challenges posed by unauthorised connections to the city’s water network, which are also a major contributor to water losses, and escalating the non-revenue water,” said Johannesburg Water spokesperson Nombuso Shabalala.  

She added that Johannesburg Water was accompanied by JMPD officials. However, the operation was met with hostility and was abandoned shortly after it began. 

“Community members mobilised and a stand-off ensued between JMPD and community members, who blocked off the two main entrances into the area the disconnections were taking place.  Residents then threw rocks at Johannesburg Water and JMPD officials, who used rubber bullets to disperse the angry crowd. The operation was subsequently called off,” Shabalala explained 

The protests in Phumla Mqashi took a more disruptive turn when protesters barricaded a section of the Golden Highway, specifically between Wimbledon and Sheffield Street, which connects Lenasia South and the informal settlement. This blockage not only intensified the tension but also paralyzed traffic in the area, further escalating the conflict between residents and authorities.

“Phumla Mqashi, is an area without a formal water supply infrastructure, was initially served by water tanks to meet residents' needs. However, due to ongoing land invasions and subsequent illegal water connections, these tanks were vandalised, leading to increased strain on the local water supply network,” she further added.  

Shabala ended by saying that the operations team will discuss a way forward regarding implementing disconnections following the incident, as well as restoring water tank services in the area to assist in maintaining basic services for the community. 

Johannesburg Metro Police Department spokesperson Xolani Fihla said in a statememt that motorists were advised to be aware of a closure on Golden Highway between Wimbledon and Sheffield Street in Lenasia South and Unaville due to ongoing protest action.

“The roads were barricaded by residents (at the time of the operation) in response to an  illegal water connection operation conducted by Joburg Water, which involved the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and a private security company,” he said .

Fihla explained that during the operation, the team was met with hostility and pelted with stones, resulting in damage to three Joburg Water vehicles and one security vehicle. JMPD officers used rubber bullets to disperse the volatile crowd, and the operation was subsequently halted. A case of public violence will be opened at Lenasia South SAPS.

At the time of the protests Fihla had advised that the Golden Highway was currently blocked from traffic, motorists were  advised to exercise caution and consider using alternative routes, such as Wimbledon, Sheffield Street, Drakensburg Road, or the N1 Highway.