In addition we collaborate with various partners in the NGO sector across the NC province such as LHR/Women on Farms. We can boast with an effective cooperative relationship with the other Chapter 9 institutions in NC such as Public Protector, CGE,IEC as well as IPID and the Parliamentary Democracy office.
In pursuance of our research mandate and in line with the Annual Performance Plan, the NC office conducted research at ordinary public schools to determine to which extent the right to basic education has been realised in the NC province. The methodology in conducting the research was in the form of surveys at quintile 1-3 schools in rural areas. Again we managed to conduct the survey in all five districts in the province. Our overall observations and findings will be shared with the relevant stakeholders.
The advocacy and legal component in the SAHRC -NC office is an important tool to ensure the education of our communities to ensure we transform society, restore dignity and secure rights for all citizens in moving the Northern Cape forward.
Nature of Complaints Addressed by this Provincial Office
Top 5 complaints in NC is the following:
- Equality – 24% mostly based on race (hate speech)currently having four matters pending in EQC in Kimberley /Kakamas/Upington/Springbok
- Health Care, Food, Water and Social security – 20%
- Education – 8%
- Human Dignity – 7%
- Arrested, Detained and Accused Persons – 6%
Achievements
The NC office of SAHRC is situated in Upington and was officially opened in October 2004 .Prior to this date all complaints was dealt with at the Western Cape and national office respectively. The first Provincial Manager was Ms Nomaliso Kgwasi and the first staff members was Martie, Shirley and Numbelelo. The location of the office was apparently informed by the number and nature of complaints originating from the Khomani-San indigenous community in the Andriesvale –Askam area in the Kalahari which is about 200 kilometres from Upington. The Khomani-San is believed to be the “first inhabitants” on South African soil and was thus the beneficiaries of a historic land claim in 1999 to the value of R15 million. Since 2004 the nature of complaints received from them included the land claim and resettlement, service delivery, policing, education and social security, which escalated into a public hearing into human rights violations in the Khomani –San community which was chaired by Judge Jody Kollapen who was at the time also the Chairperson of the SAHRC. A report with findings and recommendations was launched in November 2004 and which led to the successful prosecution and conviction of police officers responsible for the murder of Optel Rooi.
In Visagie , a complaint received in 2013 a grade 10 learner was expelled from a local High School in that his maths teacher discriminated against him on the grounds of sexual orientation. Thus behaviour was condoned by the school management insofar as the school principal himself took the learner home with orders that when he cut his hair and behave as a boy he can come back to school. Given the urgency of matter and the pending examination at the time ordinary complaints procedures was dispensed and the matter was successfully mediated by the NC office and the learner was admitted to school and the code of conduct was amended to reflect tolerance for diversity and a prohibition against discrimination.
In addition to this the NC office has since July 2012 successfully litigated in the Equality Court in a number of hate speech matters. In Sikhakane - matter we managed to obtain compensation of 10 000 for complainant for K-word. In Struis v Boesak the NC office successfully mediated a matter referred to us by the Equality Court in October 2015.The mediation agreement was made an order of court. The Kakamas Equality Court found in favour of the Applicant in Schoeman and held that the use of the word “baster” amounts hate speech which affects the dignity of a person –and ordered an unconditional apology. In Hoffman the EQC made judgement in favour of our complainant in use of K-word. To this extend the NC office can report on effectively pursuing the protection mandate in the Equality Courts.
In collaboration with BlackSash and Siyafunda, the NC office featured on Special Assignment in February 2015 to raise awareness of illegal deductions from social security grants and its adverse impact on the poor & vulnerable groups such as children and the disabled.
Provincial Manager:
Chantelle Williams
50 Mark Street
PO Box 1816
Ancorley Building
Upington
8800
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel:054 332 3993/4
Fax: 054 332 7750