Anc Today Voice of the African National Congress

ANC TODAY VOICE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

15–21 May 2020 Conversations with the President

THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 IT IS UPON THE CONDUCT OF EACH THAT DEPENDS THE FATE OF ALL

INCE THE BEGINNING treme precautions remain in place the virus will remain a threat to glob- of May, when we began to limit community transmission. Our al public health for some time. the gradual easing of the goal is to steadily reduce the alert nation-wide coronavirus level by keeping the rate of infection We must therefore be prepared to lockdown,S many people have start- down and getting our health system continue to live with the corona- ed returning to work. As part of the ready for the inevitable increase in virus among us for a year or even phased recovery of the economy, cases. more. We must be prepared for a companies in certain specified in- new reality in which the fight against dustries have been able to resume As the lockdown is gradually eased, COVID-19 becomes part of our daily part or all of their operations. life will slowly return. But it will not be existence. life as we knew it before. While there The national coronavirus alert level is still much about the pandemic that Our success in overcoming the coro- is now at 4, which means that ex- is unknown, experts now agree that navirus will ultimately be determined

A VERY DIFFERENT Dear Mr President ENGAGING SOUTH AFRICA COVID-19: BRETTON AND WORLD SALUTE TO ALL IN WOODS AWAIT US 4 THE FRONTLINE 8 INSTITUTIONS 10 2 ANC Today MAY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT Africa Month

President Ramaphosa on a walkabout at the Agricultural Royal Showgrounds in Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal. The site has been designated as a quarantine/ isolation facility for COVID-19 patients. by the changes we make in our be- At the same time, health experts haviour. Even after lockdown – es- around the globe are warning of a pecially after lockdown – we will still The transition to the next ‘second wave’ of infections as public need to observe social distancing, life resumes. A number of countries wear face masks, wash hands reg- phase of the coronavirus including Germany, Iran and China ularly, and avoid contact with other have seen a rise in new infections people. We will need to re-organise response, that of recovery, since they relaxed certain restric- workplaces, schools, universities, tions. We will be no different. We colleges and other public places to will be more difficult than can and must expect infections to limit transmission. rise as more people return to work. the present one. The risk We must accept the reality, prepare We will need to adapt to new ways of for it and adapt to it. worshipping, socialising, exercising and meeting that minimise oppor- of infection outbreaks will The next phase of our national re- tunities for the virus to spread. This sponse is as much about continuity

is a reality that countries across the increase. The demands on as it is about change or innovation. world are having to confront. Even We will step up our intensive screen- those countries that have started our clinics and hospitals and ing, testing and case management ‘ easing their lockdown restrictions ‘ programme. We will introduce new are doing so tentatively and with ex- medical personnel will grow. measures to make contact tracing treme caution. more effective. We will need to im- plement mass sanitisation of work- Like we have done, many coun- places, public transport and other tries are implementing extensive spaces. stimulus packages to strengthen to heed calls for economic activity their respective health care sectors, to resume. Like our citizens, their Since the nationwide lockdown be- support ailing industries and work- populations are restive and frustrat- gan, most South Africans have ob- ers and provide relief to vulnerable ed with the curtailment of personal served the regulations that are in households. Like us, they have had freedoms. place for their own health and safe- 3 ANC Today MAY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT Africa Month

Imposing a nation-wide lockdown gave our country a strategic advan- tage. It bought us valuable time to prepare our health system and put in place containment measures. This has slowed transmission and saved lives. The transition to the next phase of the coronavirus response, that of recovery, will be more difficult than the present one. The risk of infection outbreaks will increase. The demands on our clinics and hospitals and medical personnel will grow. That is why easing the lockdown restrictions must not result in careless behaviour by individuals or reckless practices by businesses keen to resume activity at the cost of human health. The coronavirus crisis will pass. But for as long as it remains a threat to the lives of our people, we must remain vigilant, diligent and responsible. Now, more than ever, it is upon the conduct of each that depends the fate of all. ty. They have made an informed decision to do so, understanding it is necessary for their own lives and for the lives of those around them. As the restrictions on economic activity and daily life are eased, it is vital that all South Africans maintain that firm sense of personal responsibility. In all that we do, in every sphere of life, we must take care of our own health and the health of others. Whether as individuals, employers, employees, government, civil society, trade unions or businesses, we will all continue to have a role to play in fighting the pandemic. In the same way that we had to change our behaviour to prevent the spread of HIV, now we need to change our behaviour to stop the coronavirus. 4 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month A VERY DIFFERENT SOUTH AFRICA AND WORLD AWAIT US

EXCERPTS FROM THE STATEMENT BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON SOUTH AFRICA’S RESPONSE TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, 13 MAY 2020

HIS WEEK, our country It is nearly 7 weeks since we imple- The experiences that other nations reached a sad moment in the mented a nation-wide lockdown. have been through have also given progression of the coronavi- During this time, South Africans have us invaluable insights. rus pandemic, as we record- demonstrated great courage, resil- Ted our 219th death from the disease. ience and responsibility. We should never forget that the pur- Every life lost is a tragedy. pose of the lockdown was to delay I once again thank you for the sacrific- the spread of the virus and prevent a These 219 people who passed away es you have made thus far. huge surge of infections. had families, they had dependents, friends and colleagues. Their lives I would like to say, as I have said be- So far, we have been successful in were cut short by a virus that has fore, that despite its duration and its the manner we as South Africans caused human and economic devas- severity, the lockdown was absolutely have responded and dealt with this tation across the world. necessary. virus. In recording and reporting on the daily Without the lockdown the number of By delaying the spread of the disease, figures of new infections, deaths and coronavirus infections would have we have been able to strengthen the recoveries –– we can too easily lose soared uncontrollably, our health fa- capacity of our health system and sight of the fact that we are dealing cilities would have been overwhelmed to put in place wide-ranging public with human lives. and many thousands more South Afri- health programmes to better manage cans would have died. the inevitable increase in infections. This coronavirus is taking a heavy toll not only on the health of our people, From the very beginning, our re- We now have nearly 25,000 addition- but also on our people’s ability to earn sponse has been guided by advice al beds available for quarantine. a living, to feed themselves and their from world-leading experts from our families, to learn and to develop, and own country and across the globe. We We have been able to source and to enjoy many of the basic freedoms have also benefited from the guidance produce substantial quantities of per- that we daily take for granted. from the World Health Organisation. sonal protective equipment for health 5 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month workers, vital medical equipment and other supplies. Using the valuable time which the lockdown gave us, we have managed to significantly expand our screening and testing programme. In all, our field workers have now screened over 9 million people, and we have conducted nearly 370,000 coronavirus tests. This is the largest and most extensive public health mobilisation in the history of our country. It has been made possible by the hard work and dedication of thousands of community workers, nurses, doctors and other health workers. They made enormous sacrifices to ensure the success of the lockdown. By answering the call to stay at home and stay safe, you, the people of South Africa, have helped us to save many lives. As we have strengthened our public health response, we have introduced several vital measures to support the companies, workers and households that have been severely affected by the lockdown. We have introduced an economic and social relief package worth over R500 billion to help companies in distress, to save jobs and to provide some income to informal workers and poor households. Since it was established, the special COVID-19 relief scheme of the Un- employment Insurance Fund has paid out over R11 billion to 2 million employees employed by over 160,000 companies in distress. This will help to keep companies afloat and save millions of jobs. At the beginning of this month, government paid out an additional R5 billion to social grant recipients to assist poor households at a time when other sources of income have been disrupted. 6 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month

We have opened applications for the through which we sought to slow As I indicated then, some areas of the special COVID-19 grant of R350 a down the rate of infection and flatten country may be designated at a par- month for unemployed South Africans the curve. ticular alert level, while others may be who receive no other form of assis- designated at other levels. tance from government. We are now preparing for a further easing of the lockdown and a gradual This would be done according to the We are determined that our response opening of the economy. rate of infection in an area and the matches the proportions of the crisis state of readiness and the capacity of and helps to ensure that the founda- I will repeat what I have said before: its health facilities to cope with treat- tions of our economy are protected. if we lift the lockdown too abruptly ing infected people. and too quickly, we risk a rapid and There have been very disturbing unmanageable surge in infections. For now, infections are mostly con- reports of increased levels of gen- centrated in a few metropolitan mu- der-based violence since the lock- We will therefore continue to proceed nicipalities and districts in the country. down started. cautiously, informed by the best avail- It is important that we maintain strin- able evidence and guided by the ad- gent restrictions in these areas and The scourge of gender-based vio- vice of local and international experts. restrict travel out of these areas to lence continues to stalk our country Our goal is to steadily increase eco- parts of the country with lower rates as the men of our country declared of infection. war on the women. nomic activity while putting measures in place to reduce the transmission of We will immediately begin a process We have developed an emergency the virus and provide adequate care of consultation with relevant stake- pathway for survivors to ensure that for those who become infected and holders on a proposal that by the end the victims of gender-based violence need treatment. of May, most of the country be placed are assisted. on alert level 3, but that those parts When I last addressed you, I outlined of the country with the highest rates One of the interventions we have the five level alert system that we of infection remain on level 4. We will made is to ensure lockdown regula- have introduced to guide this process. tions be structured in a manner that a make further announcements after woman can leave her home to report At the time, the country was at alert the completion of the consultations. abuse without the fear of a fine, intim- level 5, which has the most stringent Some have questioned whether our idation or further violence. restrictions on movement and eco- approach in dealing with the corona- nomic activity. Now, two months after we declared virus has been at the expense of the a national state of disaster, we are Alert level 4 – which is the current lev- livelihoods of our people. ready to shift to a new phase in our re- el across the country – retains most Our strategic approach has been sponse to the coronavirus pandemic. of the lockdown regulations but per- based on saving lives and preserving mits the gradual opening up of certain livelihoods. Our key objective has al- On the first of May, we moved to Alert parts of the economy. Level 4 and began the phased eas- ways been to slow down the infection ing of the national lockdown. This was Alert levels 3 to 1 allow a progressive- rate through a number of interventions in line with our risk-adjusted strategy ly greater relaxation of restrictions. in our coronavirus prevention toolbox. 7 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month

Each of these prevention measures these measures are necessary for the A very different South Africa and world are crucial and non-negotiable. They health and the well-being – indeed the awaits us. The greatest test will be are: survival – of our young nation. our willingness to embrace change. • Lockdown (to achieve extreme Let us rise to meet this challenge. Let In return for everything that is being social distancing). us stand as one family and one nation asked of you, there are a few funda- to build a new and stronger society. • Social distancing. mental things that you ask of us, your • Adopting hand hygiene practic- leaders. And that is why we must ac- The days before us will be difficult. es by washing hands regularly knowledge that as we have confront- But we will draw strength from what with water and soap or sanitiser. ed this unprecedented challenge, we have achieved. there may have been times when we • Cough etiquette including cough- have fallen short of your expectations. We should recall the words spoken by ing into your elbow or a tissue. President Nelson Mandela 20 years Some of the actions we have taken • Wearing cloth masks whenever ago when our country was being dev- have been unclear, some have been you are in public places. astated by another pandemic. contradictory and some have been • Use of personal protection poorly explained. Implementation has He said: equipment by all health workers sometimes been slow and enforce- “In the face of the grave threat • Frequent cleaning of the work ment has sometimes been inconsis- posed by HIV/AIDS, we have to rise environment and other public tent and too harsh. above our differences and com- bine our efforts to save our people. spaces. As your President, as this govern- • Symptom screening. ment, we are firmly committed to “History will judge us harshly if we meeting the expectations you rightly • Testing, isolation, quarantine fail to do so now.” have of us. Where we have disap- and contact tracing. pointed, we will continue to make As I end, let me offer the words of It is in the implementation of all these amends. Where we make mistakes, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, delivered preventative measures that we will we will continue to correct them. at a difficult time in the life of his own country: overcome this disease. Our collective struggles over the past Most importantly, this new phase will months have taught us much about The state of this nation is good. require each of us to change our own ourselves and about each other. We The heart of this nation is sound. have also learnt a lot about this virus. behaviour in profound ways. The spirit of this nation is strong. There needs to be a fundamental shift Although there may have been differ- The faith of this nation is eternal. in our thinking and our way of life. We ences and disagreements, there has need to take personal responsibility also been kindness, empathy and May God bless South Africa for our own health and the health of compassion. There has been courage and protect her people. and solidarity. others. Let us remember that although the lockdown has slowed down the rate of transmission, the coronavirus is very much still present – and will be present among us for a long time to come. We have been warned that infections will inevitably rise as the lockdown measures are eased, as has happened in many countries. We also know that the coronavirus will continue to be a global health threat for some time to come, and that the fight against COVID-19 needs to become part of our daily lives. On more than one occasion, I have stood before you and asked you to accept stringent restrictions on your daily lives, knowing that these will bring great hardship. You have heed- ed these calls, firmly convinced that 8 ANC Today MAY COMMENT & ANALYSIS Africa Month SALUTE TO ALL IN THE FRONTLINE

Dear Mr President distance from their loved ones.

LL OUR earthly endeavours The healthcare workers also bear the and material possessions brunt of the coronavirus and many count for nothing when we have laid down their lives after being Ado not enjoy good health. infected in the line of duty. As the whole world is engulfed by Closer to home, we have lost scien- the threat of the novel COVID-19, we tist and researcher, Professor Gita paused briefly this week to acknowl- Ramjee to COVID-19 related illness edge the role played by the health- in March. Ramjee felt unwell on her care workers in the front line of fight- return from London where she deliv- ing this pestilence. ered a lecture at the London School of Hygiene and tropical Medicine. The International Nurses’ Day which falls on May 12 was an auspicious This week, the chairman of the Coun- day as it came when these unsung cil of Medical Schemes, Dr Clarence heroes and heroines were poised By Pule Mabe Mini succumbed to COVID-19 related to risk their own lives in the quest to complications after spending a month heal the world. hours when things could have gone in hospital. either way.” The coronavirus pandemic has mag- South Africa also lost Josephine nified the role played by the nurses in Indeed Mr President, the coronavirus Manini Peter to coronavirus while on ensuring that we receive proper care. has shown that things would go either duty at Southport Hospital in London We are all exposed and threatened way for any one of us who come into last month. Peter, who left the coun- by its venomous intent. It has already contact with it and many lives have try 18 years ago, had bought a ticket infected commoners and royalty, the already been lost across the world. back home before COVID-19 started. rich and the poor, the famous and the Health Minister Zweli Mkhize com- ordinary. For those who develop severe respi- mended the nurses for remain- ratory syndrome which requires hospi- ing steadfast in the fight against British Prime Minister Boris Johnson talisation, contact with their next-of-kin COVID-19 at the commemoration in came out of hospital during his spell has been out of the question to avoid KwaZulu Natal and added that the in the intensive care (ICU) after a bout further infection. Fortunately, they nursing profession needed to be pri- of COVID-19, singing praises of the have nurses by the bedside to comfort oritised by strengthening education nurses who cared for him. In a video them on top of administering medical and training in the field. message, the prime minister thanked care required by their career choices. several medical workers who tended The minister further announced the to him while he was in a London hos- These brave nurses live with the fear “Caring for the Carers” programme pital last month, but he singled out of bringing the virus home to their which seeks to protect healthcare two nurses – Jenny McGee from new families when they return from work. workers’ mental and physical wellbe- Zealand and Luis Pitarma from Portu- The coronavirus has placed an add- ing both during and beyond the coro- gal who stood by his bedside for “48 ed burden of having to keep a safe navirus. 9 ANC Today MAY COMMENT & ANALYSIS Africa Month

While the nurses have always worked under intense psychological pressure, the current pandemic is making an extraordinary demand on them. The Minister said the contribu- tion made by the nurses to the fight against COVID-19 was “immeasur- able”. Amid the worldwide shortage of protective equipment at this time, the Minister made a commitment that no nurse would be allowed to care for patients without appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

In celebrating their unwavering commitment, Minister Mkhize offered a moral bolster: “For most of our communities, the nurse is the first to be seen at the time of birth; the heart- beat of the health system throughout the lifespan....and often the last to help them close their eyes at the end of life,”

Mr President, the dedication of nurses to their profession is a defining character and commitment to their cause that even when they are asked to come out of retirement, they do not a slow start, South Africa has reg- with better pay and working condi- hesitate. After working as a nurse for istered more than 12 000 infections tions, the coronavirus has demon- 30 years and 14 years at a hospital in and, while the national lockdown strated that we all need one another. Saudi Arabia, Baronice Andrews re- bought us the time to prepare facili- tired to her hometown in Cape Town. ties and equipment to deal with high- Mr President, the coronavirus can But after her arrival at Kuils River in er infections, the healthcare sector only be defeated if all nations act in March, a lockdown was declared and requires qualified personnel to deal concert and none hog equipment and she promptly responded to a plea by with the expected peak. poach medical personnel the others the health minister to retired medical require at crucial moments in the bat- professionals to rejoin the health ser- Mr President, we join you and the rest tle against COVID-19. vice. of peace loving South Africans in ex- pressing our gratitude to the Republic To all those in the forefront of We salute Andrews and many of of Cuba for their humanitarian action fighting this global threat, we her colleagues, who remind us of – deploying a brigade of 217 medical owe a debt of gratitude. We the dedication of Cecilia Makiwane, doctors to bolster our efforts to fight salute their bravery and com- the first African to be registered as a and defeat the Coronavirus. After the mitment and we believe that professional nurse in South Africa in mandatory quarantine upon their ar- with them by our side, we will 1908. An activist for women’s rights, rival on our Freedom Day, the Army- triumph over this pandemic. Makiwane took part in what was in-White has been cleared to resume probably the first women’s anti-pass with the most daunting task of saving Long Live the Nurse! campaign in 1912. humanity. Yours sincerely, In the fight against the coronavirus, While the whole world faces the the world needs as many masks and shortage of nurses and other health- Pule Mabe ventilators as it needs nurses and care professionals and the first world National Spokesperson and Head of the other healthcare professionals. After countries have often enticed them Department of Information and Publicity 10 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month Engaging Bretton Woods institutions is in line with ANC policy, but struggle for reform must be intensified

By Zamani Saul, ANC Provincial Chairperson, Northern Cape

HE RECENT REMARKS by the South African government and the subsequent ANC Na- tional Executive Committee de- Tcision to approach the Bretton Woods financial institutions for funding of the extensive COVID-19 responses in the country ignited intense debate about the political correctness or otherwise of such a move. The government announced R500 billion to be used for various programmes, which are meant to sharpen the approach of the government in addressing the pandemic. This includes funding for public health care, rescue for small businesses, and socio-economic programmes to cushion Protesters accuse the IMF and World Bank of perpetuating poverty the poor. The virus found its foothold in the coun- response facility and is amongst the ably attracted scathing criticism. Some try at a time when it is struggling to global financial institutions to be ap- critics argue that this decision will com- come to terms with a runaway budget proached, but it is important to note that promise national sovereignty and goes deficit, a technical recession, junk sta- the quantum of the facility is limited and against the character of the African Na- tus downgrade and increasing sover- will be unable to cover the extensive tional Congress as an anti-imperialist eign debt. These economic terms have cost of South Africa’s response pack- movement. a human face for those who care, which age. Similarly, the International Mon- etary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Such attacks are based on the fact that translate into high levels of poverty, un- the evolution of the Bretton Woods in- employment and inequality. It is com- (Bretton Woods institutions) have introduced COVID-19 emergency response stitutions, since their establishment in monplace politics that the government July 1944 by representatives from 44 needs money to fight the virus and al- packages and for obvious reasons, the maximum amounts the country can ac- nations was enmeshed in controversy; leviate its devastating socio-economic hence, the agitated response in South impact. cess here are quite substantial and at more favourable funding costs. Africa about the political correctness of Various measures were announced to this decision. The controversy is main- mobilise for the R500 billion which in- Considering the ravages of the Struc- ly generated by the loan conditionality cludes reprioritisation of the 2020/21 tural Adjustment Programme (SAP) which was introduced by both institu- budget, state capital and global finan- during the latter half of the 20thcentury, tions in the late 1960s. Such condition- cial institutions. The African Develop- this decision by the ANC and the South ality gave rise to the SAP, which sharp- ment Bank developed a COVID-19 African government has understand- ened the controversies on the purpose 11 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month and legitimacy of these Bretton Woods all” approach to macroeconomic pol- institutions to the extent of threatening icy prescriptions. The criticisms from their existence. emerging economies, including democratic South Africa, resulted in the intro- During the early 2000s, the crisis of le- duction of some loan facility reforms. gitimacy resulted in declining demand for loans from the Bretton Woods in- The IMF introduced reformed loan facil- stitutions, supported by the increased ities with low conditionality. The Rapid availability of funds from private inter- Credit Facility (RCF) is one such loan national markets and the accumulation facility introduced by the IMF to pro- of large foreign exchange reserves by vide emergency assistance to member emerging economies. At present 189 countries facing the economic impact countries, including South Africa, have of the pandemic. The RCF has limited membership with Bretton Woods insti- conditionality attached and is tailored tutions. to country needs, with access being determined on a case-by-case basis. The policy position of the ANC on the It is important to note that the RCF relationship between the ANC-led gov- support is provided without ex-post ernment and the Bretton Woods insti- programme-based conditionality or re- tutions is abundantly clear and easy to views, and this means that it is substan- comprehend. The 1992 Ready to Gov- The 1992 Ready to Govern tially different from the SAP. Unlike the ern Policy Document and later the 1994 SAP, the RCF is a concessional lending RDP do not preclude building relation- facility with very low cost of funding; it ship with international financial institu- Policy Document and later also supports the country’s poverty re- tions and utilizing their loan facilities, duction and growth objectives without but prescribe four stringent conditions the 1994 RDP do not imposing “one-size-fits-all” policy pre- for such engagements, which are: preclude building scriptions. 1. Protection of the integrity of the In turn, the World Bank launched the domestic policy formulation (sover- relationship with Contingency Emergency Facility and eignty); expects to deploy up to $160 billion 2. Promotion of the interest of South international financial over the next 15 months to help coun- African population; tries protect their poor and vulnerable citizens and develop health responses 3. Protection of the economy; and institutions and utilizing to the COVID-19 challenges. This facility is available to countries under more 4. Pursuance of policies that enhance their loan facilities, but favourable conditions, and with a great-

self-sufficiency and reduce depen- er level of transparency.

dence on international financial in- prescribe four stringent

stitutions. The loan conditionality framework for both these Bretton Woods institutions ‘ conditions ‘ for such The legitimacy of Bretton Woods insti- continues to evolve, not due to gratu- tutions has been challenged on four itous favour by these institutions, but fronts: loan conditionality, governance, engagements. rather as a product of pressure by glob- dominance, and quota system. This ar- al progressives, although this pressure ticle focuses on loan conditionality. The needs to be consolidated and intensi- Bretton Woods institutions were estab- fied. lished to shape the post-war global financial system, and initially there was The conditionality measures of the Taking into cognisance the precarious no conditionality attached to the loans. Bretton Woods institutions undermined financial position of the country, to ap- However, over the years, loan condi- the sovereignty of the borrowing coun- proach the Bretton Woods institutions tions became more onerous, especially tries, and the “straitjacket” macroeco- for loans with flexible conditions is un- after the Extended Fund Facility was set nomic policies that were imposed failed derstandable. This will help to strength- up in 1974. In the late 1970s, only 26% to address the economic challenges en the country’s response to the pan- of the IMF loan disbursements involved confronted by the emerging economies, demic and the vast socio-economic substantial conditionalities, but the Lat- and in some countries even exacerbat- challenges. Already, an immediate debt in American debt crisis and the expan- ed the economic challenges. The Bret- service relief to 19 African countries sion of lending to Africa increased that ton Woods institutions were severely has been approved and more than $9,5 figure to 66% in the 1980s. criticised for applying a “one-size-fits- continues on page 16 12 ANC Today MAY IN MEMORIUM Africa Month ANC VETERANS LEAGUE MOURNS THE UNTIMELY PASSING OF COMRADE DR BOY CLARENCE MINI

HE ANC Veterans League is sad- a medical doctor at Parirenyantwa Cde Bizzah did not tolerate mediocri- dened by the passing away of Hospital. He assisted and treated our ty and took action against those who TCde Boy Clarence Mini. comrades who were injured during mil- were involved in corrupt activities. itary operations, especially in the then Cde Bizzah as he was affectionate- Northern Transvaal. He was committed to renewing and ly known in our political circles was a rebuilding the ANC and the Veterans calm, compassionate, dedicated and Back in South Africa Cde Bizzah Mini League to be the leader of society selfless cadre of the African National was fully involved in the medical field again. Congress. Cde Bizzah was part of the and served our communities and re- June 16 detachment. storing their dignity. Comrade Bizzah, as the Veterans League we will not disappoint you as He received his military training from In 2010, he was appointed by the then it is our responsibility to reinforce the the ANC’s Umkhonto We Sizwe in An- Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi values, traditions and policies of our gola between 1976 and 1977. Initially as the head of the medical schemes glorious movement. he was based at Benguela Camp but regulator a position he held until his un- was later sent to Novo Catengue in timely death. We will ensure that our glorious move- Angola. Cde Bizzah played a leader- ment strengthens governance and ship role when he helped more than Comrade Boy Mini was developing tackles corruption, and that all appoin- 500 cadres of uMkhonto we Sizwe who a concept document of establishing tees are fit for purpose, demonstrating were poisoned by counter revolution- a Health Desk for the ANC Veterans the highest levels on integrity. League. He was concerned about the ary elements on 28 September 1977 in As the Veterans League we would like Novo Catengue camp. healthcare care of veterans as they are the most vulnerable, especially now to send our condolences to his family, Cde Bizzah later went to study medi- during the COVID -19 pandemic. the ANC community and friends. cine in Varna in Bulgaria. This is where MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN I first met, interacted and shared ANC Like a committed cadre of the move- political work with him. Together, with ment, Cde Bizzah was concerned INTERNAL PEACE. more than 150 ANC students, we mo- about how the ANC lost the confidence bilised students from Bulgaria, Greece, of society and how we veered off track. Lala Ngoxolo Cde Bizzah. Palestine and Latin America’s communities to stand side by side with us in support of our struggle against apartheid. In Varna, Cde Bizzah was responsible for counselling emotionally distressed ANC students. “When I joined Cde Bizzah in Varna, I was distraught and down emotionally. He received me like an elder sibling. He had a rich political outlook and stature,” says Cde Sandile Mfenyana. Upon completing his medical studies in Bulgaria, Cde Bizzah was deployed in Harare, Zimbabwe and worked as 13 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month

THE FACE OF COVID-19, JUST LIKE POVERTY, IS A WOMAN

(PART 1) By Precious Banda

UR REVOLUTION is which affects black, poor, working class and stock up no matter how threatened not a public-speaking and rural women in a particular manner. they are. tournament. Our revo- So before Covid-19 arrived in South Af- lution is not a battle of rica, the working class whose majority The women who sell food, fruit and “Ofine phrases. Our revolution is not are women were already pre-disposed vegetables at taxi ranks and along the simply for spouting slogans that are to bearing the brunt of poverty, unem- streets usually target commuters who no more than signals used by manip- ployment and inequality. use public transport. Their biggest cash ulators trying to use them as catch- in time is during the social grant pay- words, as code words, as a foil for The hierarchy of vulnerability places the ment. While formal business and su- their own display. poor, especially women at the tail end permarkets were allowed to sell food, of all these, thus the most exposed. It including fruit and vegetables, no one Our revolution is, and should con- is important for me to acknowledge that thought about the informal traders until tinue to be, the collective effort of women of the bourgeoisie (white and after five days or more into the lock- revolutionaries to transform reality, black) may be at the tail end in relation down. The sad part is that they lost out to improve the concrete situation of to their male partners, but are not at the from the recipients of the social grant the masses of our country.” tail end in relation to working class men. this month who usually buy from them. Thomas Sankara The worrying factor is that there was inadequate thought of safety measures I will be showing how pandemics have a ECONOMIC AND LABOUR that must be implemented in informal general effect to exacerbate the pre-ex- DIMENSION business without disrupting their trade. isting inequalities. This means even Working class women faced with lock- with COVID-19 it will surely amplify the down and economic slowdown find it Most people who sell fruit and vegeta- gender inequality in the world including even more difficult to get a job. Those bles and cook by the streets are single in South Africa. who qualify remain condemned to so- mothers who carry the burden of feed- cial grants, but for those not on social ing their families from hand to mouth Towards the end of 2019, StatsSA re- grants it is worse. Many women survive through the very business activities that leased its inequality trends report that on scouting for daily piece jobs of wash- were disrupted. Though we are facing confirmed what we have generally ing and cleaning, and will no longer be a serious economic crisis as a result of referred to as the triple challenge of able to do such jobs. These are the the impact of COVID-19 on capitalist poverty, inequality and unemployment women who cannot afford to panic buy productivity and sustainability, the capi- 14 ANC Today MAY THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19 Africa Month talist retail sector continued came back home in con- to thrive and benefit from tact with her family, her panic buying mother, child and helper were found to be infected. The sex workers who are She stayed for more than mainly women are another 24hrs in a local District sector that has not been Hospital where the hos- considered or catered for pital didn’t want to treat during the lockdown. They nor help her, claiming that live from hand to mouth they were not trained to and also have to provide treat COVID-19 patients. for themselves and their As a consequence of her families. With the lock- infection, all of them had down, their activities have to be tested after a long been suspended and it wait and struggle, notwith- means no income to sus- standing the stigma in the tain and feed their families. Community. In defining interventions for different whose services are not essential, have sectors, the government must consid- forced their employees to take leave Most of these women do not have med- er allocating a grant that must benefit despite announcements made by our ical aid and will have to rely solely on sex workers. Such an intervention will ministers on behalf of the National the services of the public institutions also show our commitment to decrimi- Command Council. No mechanism has that are overburdened, and despite the nalising sex work. To allocate a grant to been put in place to ensure that work- efforts of the Department of Health, are sex workers will affirm that sex work is ers are not being compromised. We slow to test and respond to the pan- indeed work. need more vibrant and unflinching trade demic. The case for the National Health unions to be firm to respond to all these Insurance (NHI) has never been more The general skills profile in South Af- challenges because the future of work relevant than now. COVID-19 is a com- rica shows a narrow percentage of as we know it is at stake. Moreover, it pelling case for the urgent and swift im- skilled workforce with majority unskilled is at times like these when industries plementation for NHI in the interest of and low skilled workers being women may resort to using machines and ro- poor women of our Country. (QLFS of StatsSA). This means that in bots for production to continue while the non-essential services, labour as the human workforce is still dealing with Until the 7th of April 2020, baby clothes declared by National Command Coun- COVID-19. were not regarded as an essential cil, the unskilled and low skilled who are need. Expecting women mostly buy not essential workers are the primary COVID-19 has exposed the unequal baby clothes after they have delivered victims of being locked down. With the society we live in. It has posed a seri- the baby. This is a reality of working lockdown being extended, they may be ous threat in informal settlements and class mothers. But when planning for townships where the poor and the work- the first to lose their jobs with compa- the lockdown conditions, the NCC nev- ing class live in crowded and hungry nies restructuring their operations due er thought about this or reimagined this to the strain imposed by the lockdown. homes. The child-headed households critical reality that becomes a burden whose daily struggle is to at least have on women as they nurse their newly The majority of essential services work- bread have had to consider buying soap born. We came across new mothers ers in the supermarkets and in health and bleach in order to prevent infection and those who were due reaching out are women especially nursing ser- from this virus. The face of poverty is to express this frustration. It was only vices. They are exposed to the virus still a woman, meaning it is women that as frontline staff and may be required will have to oversee majority struggling attended to 12 days into the lockdown. to work extra hours, and institutions, families during this pandemic. I appreciate that South Africa has never due to pressure, are unwilling to give had a lockdown and so this is a massive leave. They are stretched to physical learning curve. These are the lessons and emotional limits, still with addition- HEALTH DIMENSION we learnt and were responded to. Go- al burden of women duties in the home In South Africa, the source of the virus ing forward, the relevant departments front. There should be an equal gender has been from those that travel or are like the Department of Women and division of labour in the household to from other countries where infection Social Development should be better address this. has been high. This has led to local equipped to look after the interests of infections that place an extreme health women throughout their life cycle, more Others have young children, and em- burden on women especially working especially during this pandemic. ployers may resist to give them family class women. A case in point in that responsibility leave during this time of a positive 28-year old in Khayelitsha Precious Banda is Convenor of the ANC arguing legalities. Other employers, who works in the suburbia. When she Women’s League Young Women Desk. 15 ANC Today MAY Q & A Africa Month Q&A By Amanda Tshemese

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sisi Ntombela MOTHERING OUR NATION DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME

1. Comrade Sisi Ntombela, you a special purpose in society. Noth- wear many and varied hats, but the ing brings me greater joy that seeing biggest hat is that of being a moth- young women succeed. er. How does it feel being a mother and its challenges? 4. As we celebrated Mother’s Day Being a mother has been the great- this past Sunday, what would you est joy of my life. I have four beautiful say to single mothers who are rais- children, and many other children that ing kids alone? I hold dear to my heart. The biggest I encourage them to be strong and challenging has been not always be- courageous because they are the ing physically there for them because leaders of tomorrow and the future is my work keeps me away from home. in their hands. Also, they must lean on In the meantime, they are growing and upright men of integrity in their fami- sometimes face challenges. I often lies and communities for support, so wonder if I have guided and supported that their children can have good male them enough to overcome the nev- role models e.g. grandfathers, uncles, er-ending tsunamis of life. neighbours.

2. There are a lot of women out there ANC Women’s League Deputy 5. To some children this day brings who are struggling to conceive and, nothing but tears into their eyes be- as a result some feel inadequate President and Free State Premier cause they have lost their mothers as women. What would you say to recently. As a mother what would them? you say to them? I have so much empathy for women country, especially young women. Losing a mother is very difficult, espe- who are not able to conceive, but they Where does this compassion come cially at a young age. One must try and can take courage. Children do not from? seek professional assistance to help necessarily belong to us. They come I have seen so many young women process the grief in a healthy man- from God, through us. Our only job is destroyed because they did not know ner. It takes a village to raise a child, to love, protect and guide them. There their own strength. Women must be so reach out to the mother figures in are so many children who need moth- guided and steered towards the right your family and community for mothers. Those women who can’t conceive path while they are still young so that erly support. I would also like to urge can surely create hope and fashion they reach their full potential with women to reach beyond their own bi- love for them. ease, and contribute towards building ological children. Our hearts have the our society. Young Women need to capacity to love more. Let’s be mindful 3. We know the love and affection get an education, follow their passion of all types of mothers: the ones who you have for the women of your and appreciate the fact that they have cannot conceive, who have miscar- 16 ANC Today MAY Q & A Africa Month ried, who have lost their children, the continued from page 11 stepmothers, the foster mothers - all these women are part of a beautiful ecosystem of what keeps our society ENGAGING BRETTON WOODS INSTITUTIONS together. IS IN LINE WITH ANC POLICY, BUT STRUGGLE 6. In some cases there are moth- FOR REFORM MUST BE INTENSIFIED ers who did not receive any gifts or even a call from their children because of family issues and fights. What would you say to such a situation? billion in emergency assistance loan Family is the cornerstone of our soci- applications has been granted to 26 Considering the policy ety. We need to nurture our families, Sub-Saharan African countries. position of the ANC, it is and learn to resolve conflict and move forward. Let us not allow wounds to Considering the policy position of the quite evident that the fester in our families because they can ANC, it is quite evident that the utilisa- create permanent rifts. As mothers, we tion of the reformed emergency funding utilisation of the reformed need to always remember to be the facilities offered by the Bretton Woods adults in the situation even if we did institutions cannot be construed, even emergency funding facilities not create the problem. at a distance, as a shift in the ideological outlook of the ANC as an anti-impe- offered by the Bretton Woods 7. Your messages to all the mothers rialist movement and a disciplined force institutions cannot be in our country? of the left. The way the government I hope you had a wonderful Mother’s intends to engage the Bretton Woods construed, even at a distance, Day last Sunday filled with love and institutions does not threaten to com- joy. We work so hard for our children promise any of the prescribed policy as a shift in the ideological

and we deserve a day to sit back, put conditions. South Africa will not lose its outlook of the ANC as an our feet up and be honoured. Wom- sovereignty by accessing these emer- en always put their best foot forward, gency flexible loan facilities as they do anti-imperialist movement ‘ and so much rests on our shoulders. not accompany the same conditionality ‘ A lovely massage to help unwind as SAP. and a disciplined force seems fitting! But most of all, at a time Furthermore, these loan facilities are when we are faced with this faceless of the left. procured to protect South Africans, monster called coronavirus, I wish all particularly the poor, by increasing the women of our country long life, to stay capacity of the public health care facil- home and stay safe. ities and cushioning the poor from the all” policy prescriptions which are not devastating impact of COVID-19. sensitive to the context of borrowing 8. If it wasn’t for the lockdown, what nations, but are more concerned with would you have done for mothers In line with the Ready to Govern and promoting the interests of major share- during Mother’s Day? the RDP, the country’s dependence holding countries at the expense of My greatest preoccupation as you on international financial institutions poor nations. know is women. I would have arranged was significantly reduced in the past a special day where the mothers in my 26 years as we are striving towards At the heart of the intensification of community could come together to self-sufficiency. Therefore, procuring the struggle for reform is a shift in the celebrate each other through among these loan facilities is strictly in line with governance structures as well as the others, song and dance. I want to see the ANC policy. composition of the Executive Boards mothers uniting. Women of 1956 had a of the Bretton Woods institutions to common purpose when they marched The flexible loan facilities by the Bret- ensure equitable participation in their in unison against the hated pass laws. ton Woods institutions are as a result of affairs. These reforms should also be fierce struggles for reforms that would They united and won. We have con- buttressed by a transparent process benefit poor and emerging economies. temporary challenges of COVID-19 of expanding IMF lending facilities to But these reforms should not make the less developed countries on conditions and Gender Based Violence. We need global progressive forces complacent, which are sensitive to their develop- to assume our natural purpose of as the struggle for substantive reform mental needs. Of equal importance is mothering our nation during this of these Bretton Woods institutions re- the need to embark on intensive work difficult time. We will win this war. mains relevant and must be intensified. to strengthen the loan disbursement ca- For now, we stay home in fighting This would be the only way to bring to pacity of both the African Development this pandemic and we will win. an end the superficial “one-size-fits- Bank and the BRICS Bank. 17 ANC Today MAY THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Africa Month

16–21 May 2020 Source: SA History Online (www.sahistory.org.za)

16 May 1977 Winnie Mandela banished to Brandfort On this day, Mam Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, was banished to the dusty town of Brandfort in the Free State where she was unceremoniously dumped at house 802 in Majwemasweu township with her youngest daughter, Zinzi. There was no running water or electricity and the house had no floors or ceilings. She spent nine years in Brandfort with continuous harassment by the security forces, and she could not practice as a social worker. The banishment of Mam Winnie to Brandfort by the apartheid regime sought to silence one of their most potent threats but instead ignited the resistance movement in the forgotten dusty town. When the Security Branch exiled the revered freedom fighter, it had no idea she would recruit dozens of activ- ists for the liberation struggle. As the years passed, the ANC’s support in the area grew. Through her influence, Mam Winnie established the township’s first Congress of South African Students and ANC Women’s League branches.

16 May 1976 17 May 1995 18 May 1899 Pupils boycott classes in defiance Parliament establishes Truth and Van Riebeeck Statute unveiled by of the use of Afrikaans in their Reconciliation Commission Cecil Joh Rhodes in Cape Town schools The South African parliament approved On 18 May 1899, a statue of the first Pupils at Phefeni Secondary School legislation to set up the Truth and Rec- European to settle at the Cape, Jan started boycotting classes in protest onciliation Commission in 1995. The van Riebeeck, was unveiled. The stat- against the use of Afrikaans as medi- Commission, based on the Promotion ue stands on Heerengracht Street in um of instruction in certain subjects in of National Unity and Reconciliation Cape Town. It was sculpted in bronze schools. The unrest spread to Belle Act, No 34 of 1995, investigated what by John Tweed and donated to the city Higher Primary School, Thulasizwe happened under apartheid between by Cecil John Rhodes, a politician and Higher Primary School, and Emthonjeni 1960 and 1994. Archbishop Tutu was financier of the late 19th century. Near Khula Ngolwazi Higher Primary School. appointed as TRC Chairperson and Dr this statue, at the bottom end of Adder- These boycotts were daily occurrences Alex Borraine as vice-chairperson. ley Street, are statues of Bartholomew until the ultimate breaking point on 16 Dias, a Portuguese explorer who was June 1976, when the Soweto uprising the first European to reach the Cape took place that caused uproar in South of Good Hope in 1487, and Maria van Africa and abroad, where it became the Riebeeck, wife of Jan van Riebeeck. most talked about South African event These statues were donated by the internationally since the Durban Strike Portuguese and Dutch governments of 1973. respectively in 1952, for Cape Town’s tercentenary celebrations. 16 May 1992 CODESA II Talks end in deadlock 18 May 1912 The second Convention for a Demo- Isithwalandwe/Seaparankwe cratic South Africa, or CODESA II, ends Walter Sisulu born in a deadlock. The negotiating parties Walter Ulyate Max Sisulu was born in ie. The South African Government and the village of Qutubeni in the Engco- the country’s liberation movements bo district of the Transkei on 18 May including the African National Con- 1912. Sisulu joined the African Nation- gress (ANC) fail to reach agreement al Congress (ANC) at the age of 28. on certain key issues. CODESA was a An active trade unionist, he was fired negotiating forum created to facilitate from his job in 1940. In 1944 Sisulu a new constitutional dispensation for attended the ANC annual national con- a post-apartheid South Africa. Estab- ference in Bloemfontein as a delegate lished by the end of 1991, it included of the ANC Orlando branch. It was at diverse political representation. this conference that Leslie Gama pro- 18 ANC Today MAY THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Africa Month

president at the ANC’s first national a weekly Afrikaans-language general conference after its unbanning the year interest magazine. It was founded in before. He remained in the position un- 1916 as De Huisgenoot, then a monthly til after South Africa’s first democratic magazine, to financially support the election in 1994. newspaper, Die Burger. It appeared just ten months after Die Burger. To- 19 May 1930 day, the weekly magazine, it has the White women gain the right to Vote highest circulation figures of any South White women suffragette campaigns African magazine. It has also acquired is traced back to the formation of the two sister magazines, YOU, its English Women’s Christian Temperance Union version, and Drum, which is targeted at in 1899, who campaigned against al- the black market. cohol, but later formed a department on women’s right to vote because they 21 May 1946 realise that only through political power Women Lead Food Raid could they influence this. The Wom- In the 1940s, as a result of the Second posed that the ANC should establish a en’s Enfranchisement Movement of the World War, the economy was in a dire Youth League. Walter Sisulu, along with Union was formed later, along the line of state, with the working and lower class- William Nkomo and Lionel Majombozi, the British Suffragette movements. The es being the most vulnerable. There both active members of the Communist issue of votes for women was delayed, were major food scarcities and the Party, were responsible for mobilising because it became linked to votes for cost of living became a heavy burden. others to give effect to the conference all South Africans, black and white, men Community based organizations grew resolution and establish a youth wing of and women. In his 1930s campaign, as people mobilised for the provision of the ANC. JB Hertzog promised to support white basic needs. women’s suffrage, in exchange for sup- Walter Sisulu, along with Lembede, port on removing the remaining black In 1946, a non-racial Women’s Food Mandela, Oliver Tambo, and Ashley and coloured voters from the voters Committee was formed, with a strong Mda, was elected to the executive roll. Hertzog made good on his election working class leadership. On the 21st committee of the newly established promise and on 19 May 1930, white of May 1946, women decided to take ANC Youth League in 1944. He served women were granted the vote. It was action against hoarders. They went to as Secretary General of the ANC from only sixty four years later, in 1994 that wholesalers and shops that were sus- 1949 to 1954. Along with Nelson Man- South Africa had a true universal fran- pected of hoarding food – in the end dela, Govan Mbeki, Ahmed Kathrada chise, where all adult women and men, these entities gave up bags of rice and and other Rivonia Trailists, he was irrespective of race could vote. sugar to the protestors. The raids con- sentenced to life imprisonment at Rob- tinued into the week. The motto of the ben Island. In October 1989, he was 20 May 1916 Women’s Food Committee was “Today released after 26 years in prison, and Huisgenoot magazine founded we fight for food, tomorrow for the vote, in July 1991 was elected ANC deputy Huisgenoot (meaning companion) is and then freedom for all.” 19 ANC Today MAY THIS WEEK IN HISTORY Africa Month INTERNATIONAL DAYS 16–22 May 2020 Source: https://www.un.org

16 May International Day 18 May International Museums Day of Living Together in Peace International Museum Day was celebrated for the first time, Living together in peace is all 1977, 42 years ago. The objective of International Museum about accepting differences Day (IMD) is to raise awareness of the fact that, “Museums and having the ability to lis- are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of ten to, recognize, respect and cultures and development of mutual understanding, coopera- appreciate others, as well as tion and peace among peoples.” living in a peaceful and united way. “In a world in which we 18 May International Day against Homophobia, regularly witness tensions, acts Transphobia and Biphobia of hatred, rejection of others The day raises awareness of the realities of discrimination and discrimination, the pursuit of peace and the will to live against the LGBTQI+ communities and to help erase these together harmoniously is more crucial than ever.” Audrey phobias through understanding. Azoulay UNESCO Director-General 20 May World Bee Day 16 May International Day of Light Scientists, farmers and gardeners have been raising con- Light plays a central role in our lives. On the most funda- cerns about bee populations becoming endangered. World mental level, through photosynthesis, light is at the origin of Bee Day is to educate people about the importance of bees life itself. The day celebrates the role light plays in science, and how we can protect them, for the sake of our future. The culture and art, education, sustainable development, and in theme for 2020 is “Save the Bees.” fields as diverse as medicine, communications and energy. 21 May International Tea Day 16 May World Plant a Lemon Tree Day Kenya is the largest tea producer in Africa, whilst Malawi has The day was established to help bring lemon trees to com- some of the oldest tea plantations. South Africa is a major ex- munities everywhere, it is a nutritious and multi-purpose food, porter of Rooibos tea; whilst Morocco is known for its mint tea good for health, fresh smells and can also be used for clean- blend and Ethiopia for its moringa tea. Other tea producing ing. Lemon trees are amongst the most popular fruit trees nations on the continent are Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Mo- sold in South Africa today and are easy to grow. zambique, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, DRC, Mauritius, Zambia, Madagascar, Mali and Seychelles. 17 May World Telecommunications and Information Society Day 21 May Global Accessibility Awareness Day The purpose of World Telecommunication and Information The day is dedicated to raising awareness on making the web Society Day (WTISD) is to help raise awareness of the possi- accessible for people who are blind, deaf or living with other bilities that the use of the Internet and other information and disabilities that makes access to information on the internet communication technologies (ICT) can bring to societies and difficult. economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide. The origins of World Telecommunication and Information Society 21 May World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue Day date back to the signing of the First International Tele- and Development graph Convention on 17 May 1865, which marked the estab- The World Day promotes cul- lishment of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). tural diversity as an agent of The theme for 2020 “Connect 2030: ICTs for the Sustain- inclusion and positive change. able Development Goals (SDGs)” highlights the ICT ad- It celebrates culture’s mani- vances for transition to smart and sustainable development. fold forms, from the tangible and intangible, to creative industries, to the diversity of cultural expressions. The day is used to reflect on how cultural diversity contributes to dialogue, mutual understanding and the social, environmental and economic vectors of sustainable development.

22 May International Day for Biological Diversity The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme for this year is “Our Solutions are in Nature.” 20 ANC Today MAY BOOK REVIEW Africa Month #Lockdown READING LIST 7 FOOD AND SPICE

Reviewed by Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule

HE Coronavirus lockdown for sikbāj, a meat and herb dish from Isaacs; Traditional West African across the world has seen food Mesopotamia. There is also the medi- Recipes; Gogo’s Kitchen by the SA security come into sharp relief, eval 13th century Egyptian cookbook, Embassy in Poland; Indian Delights with people queuing for food with a fish recipe using flour. by Zulekha Mayat (Ed); Johanne 14 Tfrom Geneva in Switzerland to Pretoria by Hope Malau; Cape Cookery, by in Mzansi, and neigbourhoods organize Although recipe books often focus on C Louis Leipoldt; Sugar & Spice by soup kitchens. For those who are lucky ‘authentic’ cooking from one culture or Heilie Pienaar; The Complete South to have access to sufficient food, the the other, it also shows how intercon- African Vegetarian Cookbook by Til- issue is often a longing for take aways nected our world is. South Africa has da Cahill; Cooking the West African (now available under lockdown level 4) its own collection of recipe books, with Way by Bertha Montgomery and Con- and favourite restaurants. Bottomline, a growing number published by black stance Nabwire; Kook saam Kaaps we all have to spent more time cooking chefs and cooks. Here is a collage of by Koelsoem Kamalie and Flori meals. some of them, including a few from oth- Schrikker; The Lazy Makoti’s Guide er parts of the continent, now available to the Kitchen by Mogau Seshoene; Whilst in today’s connected world you at good bookstores near you! can go online, search for recipe and A Slice of Africa by Chidi Asika-Ena- any dish or ingredient, difficult or easy, Featured in the pictures are Simply horo; Cooking African by ME Chidi- meat, vegetarian or halaal, the history Delicious by Zola Nene; African ac; Ethiopian Feast by Mulunesh Be- of recipe books is an interesting story. Cookbook: Recipes from Ethiopia, lay; The Ghana Cookbook by Fran The oldest known recipes, according Nigeria, Kenya by Rachel Pambrun; Osseo-Asare and Barbara Baeta; Jan to Dana Staves (Book Riot, 2018) are Beautiful Foods. The Art of African Braai Shisanyama and Through the the Yale Tablets, for clay tablets dated Catering by Carol Bimbo Afolalu; My Eyes of an African Chef by Nompu- around 1700 BC, which contain a recipe Cape Malay Kitchen by Cariema melelo Mowebu. 21 ANC Today MAY POETRY Africa Month

TO ALLAH From your humble citizens of MZANSI You have shown us compassion To be a God of mercy The poor, the downtrodden You have shown compassion, empathy For 46 years of toiling by us, suffering and towards that end We noticed a flickering Light at the end of that tunnel arriving there Looking back We perceive A countless number Of crude mutilated bodies of those in the bloody struggle We hoist the MZANSI FLAG Bearing the colours Of all in For granting us a respite To reduce the sentence To 27 years from life imprisonment You are surely a God of Mercy AMEN

by Sol C. Rachilo Poet | Author | Publisher 22 ANC Today MAY X-WORD | World’s Women in Mathematics Day 12 May Africa Month

Across Down 4. Tunisian applied maths professor who introduced concept of 1. First African-American woman awarded PhD in Mathematics. Reciprocity Gap. 2. Author of isiZulu Mathematical Logic. 8. English mathematician and programmer. 3. Book and movie about women mathematicians and programmers 9. Greek mathematician who lived 1500 years ago in Egypt. role in NASA space missions. 10. Self taught Chinese astronomer, wrote over ten books on astronomy 5. Italian who wrote text book on calculus in 1748, first female and mathematics. professor of mathematics in history, University of Bologna. 11. First Association for Women in Mathematics established in 1971 in 6. First woman to be a professional academic mathematician, which country? Russian Sofia .. 12. 12 May is also the birthday of this Iranian mathematician, Maryam ... 7. First woman elected as fellow of Cambridge Royal Society, but not deem worthy of a professorship!

WORD BANK United States Mirzakhani Hypatia Ada Lovelace Hidden Figures Maria Agnesi Kovalevskaya Amel Ben Abda Mary Cartwright Wang Zhenyi Euphemia Haynes Makhosi Khoza

Sources: “Women in Mathematics. The history behind the gender gap”, by Dr. June Barrow-Green, Open University and “Why are there so few women in Mathematics?” by Jane C Chu, The Atlantic, 4 November 2016.

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