MEDIA RELEASE

Immediate Release

Heritage Day celebrations a success!

This week the Johannesburg South Constituency celebrated Heritage day in the community of Vrededorp. Over 120 people, representative of the diverse South African community, gathered. At these celebrations some dressed in traditional gear to show their heritage.

Manny de Freitas, Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South explained that various types of pootjies were cooked for lunch. “We were spoilt for choice in deciding what to have for lunch as the delicious smells made us even more eager to try the variety of delicious food,” explained de Freitas.

When welcoming and addressing everyone present Manny de Freitas said that Heritage day is an opportunity to celebrate our various heritages yet at the same time united as South Africans. “We have a vision of building a united and reconciled country. A country that will ensure that our people are able to economically grow by having jobs, have the best possible education for our children and a bright future for generations to come,” said de Freitas.

Manny de Freitas explained that one should be proud of one’s heritage as South Africa is made up of many people. “This should be used as a unifying factor as South Africans; this is what makes up the wonderful Rainbow Nation that Mandela dreamt about,” de Freitas. He concluded by saying that we will continue to build this wonderful Rainbow Nation. This is what Heritage Day reminds us to do.

Photo 1 Caption: At the Heritage Day celebrations (from left to right); Cllr Rashieda Landis, Steve Williams, DA activist, Nazley Khan Sharif, DA activist and DA Youth Regional Deputy Chair, Manny de Freitas MP (Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South), Tania Turk (DA Activist), Cllr Bev Turk and Luyolo Mphithi (SA Student’s Organisation Leader).

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

A new sensible Home Affairs Minister is indeed needed

I must completely agree with the out-going Home Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma that her successor should be “sensible” and continue where she left off rather than change the way the department is currently being run.

It is true that the Department of Home Affairs has a long way to go to get to where it should be.  Dr Nkosazana-Zuma however has made many dramatically positive changes when it comes to basic services delivered by the Department.  This project therefore needs to continue under the leadership of the new Minister once Dlamni-Zuma leaves for Addis Ababa to take her new position as African Union Chair.

President Zuma needs to be mindful of this: he needs to appoint someone who is tough and ready to confront this challenge.

Alas, I suspect that that won’t be the criteria that he’ll use to appoint the new Home Affairs Minister.  His criteria will be who will be best to serve in his plan to be re-elected in December.

Manny de Freitas MP

Member of Parliament

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs

Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South

Democratic Alliance

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

It’s now official: Zuma doesn’t understand democracy

Last week’s Questions to the President Parliamentary Plenary proved to be most revealing. The Democratic Alliance Parliamentary Leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko challenged President Zuma on the Marikana issue. Put simply, the industrial relations regime is skewed in favour of only big unions (who coincidently are in alliance with the ANC). Smaller unions like the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (Amcu) are excluded from wage negotiations. Therefore this system ensures that the small politically connected elite are kept in the system and everyone else is kept out.

Zuma’s response demonstrated his true colours. The President said that in a democracy it is the majority that prevails. In the interim the Presidency released a statement denying that the President said this and that President Zuma’s statement was misconstrued by the DA.

So that I don’t get accused of misconstruing what the President said, I quote exactly what is recorded in the Hansard; -

“You can’t have a union of half a thousand people because you have declared it as the union then expect to have the same rights.  Sorry, we have more rights here because we are a majority.  You have fewer rights because you are a minority.  Absolutely, that’s how democracy works.  So, it is a question of accepting the rules within democracy and you must operate in them.”

So there you have it, directly from the horse’s mouth!  I was in the House and heard exactly the same thing.

Based on the President’s statements, the following can be concluded;-

1.    The President does not support or agree with the Constitution;

2.    The President supports a one party state provided it is the ANC that is in Government;

3.    Only those aligned with the ANC have more rights that anyone else;

4.    Some rights are worth more than others, in the same way that existed in various fascist states.

These conclusions are supported by Zuma’s historical demagogic attitude; he has previously argued that the ANC is more important than the constitution and that it exists only to “regulate matters”.

Clearly, our President doesn’t understand or cares for democracy or our Constitution. Each one of us has to therefore ensure that our democracy and Constitution is protected.

Yours Sincerely,

Manny de Freitas MP

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs

Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South

Democratic Alliance

Chairperson’s Report: Northern Business Unit Annual General Meeting

Introduction

Today is a historical day; it’s the very first AGM of the NBU. These new structures are very new so we are all learning as we progress so that we can ensure that CANSA delivers as effectively and efficiently as possible.

The Northern Business Unit serves the Greater Gauteng, Vaal Triangle area, North West Province, Waterberg area and Limpopo provinces.

Key highlights

Some key highlights for the last year are:

·         Ouma Yvonne Terblanche, a long time Volunteer in Polokwane, was rewarded with an outstanding award for exceptional service by the local Rotaries. We are proud of this hard-working, dedicated Volunteer who is a huge asset to CANSA.

·         Polokwane CANSA Care Centre, as well as our Stoma division in Pretoria, introduced new medical software programmes, enabling us to exercise better control delivers a more efficient service to patients.

·         In August 2011 the NBU launched six CANSA Care Clinics in Pretoria, Roodepoort, Houghton, Rustenburg Klerksdorp and Polokwane. All six Clinics are managed by Registered Nurses.

Our flagship is the newly launched Tough Living with Cancer (TLC) programme in Polokwane.  We were able to refurbish a wing of the Polokwane Hospital. The children now have lovely rooms, colourful tables and chairs, games to keep them busy and space where they can run around and play. This does wonders for their mental and emotional well-being while their little bodies are fighting the disease. Parents are able to stay in a CANSA Care Home close to the children, affording them the love and support they need during these times.

Prevention and Early Detection

Health Awareness programmes took on a new meaning with the introduction of the Sure Touch machine that enables us to screen for Breast cancer. Together with the FotoFinder machine doing screening for Skin cancer, we are able to expand this service to the community at large and reach many more people.

Inca Portfolio Managers put up a generous sponsorship by presenting a golf day, enabling us to upgrade our Mobile Health Unit.  We launched several programmes in rural areas with the new Mobile Unit. 

The Mobile Health Unit also served us well at the ‘Pink Cricket’ – a first in South Africa this year.  The event was first launched in Australia by the McGrath Foundation in memory of former fast bowler Glenn McGrath’s wife, Jane, who passed away in 2008 due to breast cancer. 

 The launch of ‘Pink Cricket’ in South Africa was at a cricket match between South Africa and Australia during the Aussies’ 2011 tour of South Africa. South African men turned out in their thousands wearing pink and sporting false beards to assist us in creating awareness of early detection. We utilised our Mobile Health Unit to do screenings and give out information to the cricket fans.

A couple of Regions dusted off their Toktokkies (Tap-Tap) and together with the Pulani show programme, we were able to reach our Youth through various education programmes.

Dr Annemarie Oberholzer who has had much success utilising animals to help the healing process in kids affected with cancer - has now introduced art programmes at primary schools to create awareness.  She also appointed ‘ambassadors’ in High Schools in order to create peer awareness, as well as to create a volunteer spirit amongst kids.

Rustenburg region reached more than 2 000 men with health talks at community centres, schools, church groups and at social institutions. 

Etana hosted the annual Daredevil Run to create cancer awareness amongst men. This event is in its fourth year and Durban and Cape Town have now joined in to make this a meaningful annual event.  In Gauteng more than 700 men which included me shared in the fun and raised the tidy sum of R60 000.

Advocacy

As far as advocacy work goes;

·         An informative and successful symposium on ‘Cancer in the Workplace’ was held in Potchefstroom.

·         In Pretoria guest speaker Dr Hans Jekel spoke at the symposium, addressing the topic ‘Healthy Balanced Lifestyle’.

·         Dr Carl Albrecht addressed guests at a symposium held in Vereeniging, speaking on the topic ‘Environmental Factors and cancer’.

Our staff attended 12 Symposiums held by outside parties and hosted 25 events (Corporate Wellness Days).

Fund Development

Relay For Life:                    R  4 511 032

Shavathon:                         R  2 848 966

Cuppa for CANSA :          R     345 983

SCC Golf:                             R     757 753

Special Events:                  R  2 175 100

Rooi Rose Tea:                  R     280 000

Teledonations:                  R  2 832 719

Our Relay for Life (RFL) events were a great success this year.  Rina Burke from Eastern Gauteng excelled in making the best ever income at a Relay in South Africa, whilst Central Gauteng Region added an innovative twist by hosting a very successful Ice Skating RFL Event at Northgate Mall.

Launch of CUPPA for CANSA was held on the 4^th June 2011 at the Grey Owl shopping centre in Pretoria.

Sanlam Golf Day is going from strength to strength, 186 golf clubs participated in this challenge.

As far as the Shavathon is concerned the NBU won Gold by raising the most money nationally with Shavathon: a staggering R2 848 966. Thanks to all the 124 malls, numerous schools, corporates and the public that took part in our Shavathon.

Provincial and Regional Events

Our Regional Council Committee in Mafikeng hosted a ‘Bollywood Extravaganza’.   The event was well attended by more than 500 people from all communities and R180 000 was raised.

Polokwane region held a well-sponsored and well-supported bazaar.  The generous people of Polokwane donated so much fresh food that we were able to channel some of it into poorer communities making this a double benefit from the occasion.  This bazaar is held annually to raise funds on behalf of people who cannot afford to stay at our CANSA Care Homes.  We have also, with the aid of our generous sponsors, been able to increase the number of beds in the CANSA Hospitium in Polokwane to meet the growing demand for accommodation from patients.

Copperstone Promotions and Silverstar Casino, in aid of CANSA, raised a handsome sum of R117 000 with their annual Bachelor and Bachelorette Event, whilst the Rooi Rose Tea raised R280 000. This annual prestige event is done in partnership with Spar and Rooi Rose magazine.

Chellaine Gieske and Theresa Wilson run the Comrades marathon annually to raise funds for CANSA West Rand. They collected R150 000 during the year adding great value and awareness for the West Rand Region.

Partners and Sponsors

The Phakamisa Project in partnership with the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD) and Astra Zeneca we trained 128 volunteers on Breast Cancer in Pretoria, Vereeniging, Potchefstroom, Klerksdorp Polokwane, Soweto, Waterberg, Rustenburg, Brits and Roodepoort. These volunteers render support to women diagnosed with breast cancer at the clinics and do awareness talks in their communities.

A special thanks to our volunteers

We express our thanks and appreciation to all our volunteers, donors and supporters for their kindness, commitment and continued support to us and for the cause of Cancer control in South Africa. You have worked side by side with us and your support has inspired us when it mattered most. The success of this organisation is your success.

To all our staff and families, thank you for your commitment, hard work, time and sacrifices for the greater cause of fighting Cancer and providing support to all those affected by Cancer. We Salute you and thank you.

Allow me to congratulate in advance all those who will be receiving awards.

I thank you.

Manny de Freitas

Chairperson: Northern Business Unit

CANSA

Address by Manny de Freitas MP at the Closing Festa of Madeira Day celebrations in Durban, Kwazulu-Natal Province

Introduction

The Honorary Consul of Portugal, Mr de Sousa,

Mr. De Gouveia,

Ladies and Gentlemen and friends.

First of all I must thank all concerned for inviting me so that I not only have the honour of being present at these celebrations but also for the privilege to speak to you today.

Younger generations and their continuation of Portuguese culture and traditions

When I was briefed on what I should speak about, I was advised that I should touch on the subject of our younger generations and their continuation with Portuguese traditions and culture. This is something very close to my heart. However the environment and circumstances are today very different to those of previous generations that immigrated to South Africa from Portugal.

The landscape before

Allow me to explain. The great modern Portuguese diaspora took place mainly during the 1950’s and 60’s under the Portuguese Salazar dictatorship that was under political pressure to deliver to the Portuguese Empire at the time. This was not happening. As a result many sections of the population looked for opportunities internationally. Many at the time, mainly from the poorest section of the then Luso-Empire, the inhabitants of the Madeira Islands, took the opportunities offered by the then South African Nationalist government. As a result hundreds of thousands of people flocked to our shores. They arrived knowing little about local culture, conditions and language.

The Portuguese at the time thus gravitated to the familar; to those that could speak their mother tongue, understood their culture back home but more importantly where they were at emotionally and psychologically in this foreign land. It was thus appropriate that support systems such as social and cultural clubs were established. At the time these organisations thrived. As the Portuguese community prospered so did these organisations as they were an intrigral part of the lives of these people.

The landscape today

Now let’s fast-forward to 2012. These immigrants, such as my parents, now have children and grandchildren who are well established as South Africans, understand and relate to this culture which is actually their own. They appreciate their origins and love the Portuguese culture and language but in reality feel like foreigners when visiting Portugal. They are actually proud South Africans who form part of its society. Many have married South Africans and all have South African friends.

With this background, it makes perfect sense that the associations formed as support systems for the Portuguese community 60 years ago are relevant only to the older generations, and only a section thereof at that. Younger generations have no requirement for such support systems. Younger people who wish to get involved in these organisations, should be encouraged and their innovative and even radical ideas should be considered.

The face of the future Portuguese Community?

At a meeting in June in Cascais of Luso-Elected public representatives I met a Luso-descendent American who cannot speak a single word of Portuguese. His parents in turn also did not speak any Portuguese but he maintains and practices the traditions, culture and norms of all that is Portuguese. This is the reality and needs to be accepted.    

This acceptance that our community is evolving and changing doesn’t mean that we should be complacent. The responsibility is thus ours to recognise that our communities are constantly changing and evolving. The dynamics of the community is constantly shifting; this should be seen as a good and positive thing and not a threat. In so doing we should also adapt our strategies and outlook towards our community.

It is true, for example, that a growing percentage of younger Portuguese and Luso-descendants speak little or no Portuguese. But whose fault is that? Did their parents ensure that they learnt the language? Were these young people exposed to Portuguese culture and traditions? My answer is probably ‘no’ on all accounts. To now cry foul that their children are Portuguese-illiterate is disingenuous as they caused this problem in the first place! The fault lies totally at the feet of those parents. Without fail, every time I’ve spoken to a Luso-descendant who doesn’t speak the Luso language, they have expressed regret that they are unable to speak it – thanks to the environment created by their parents that disallowed them to learn the 7^th most spoken language on the planet.

Young Luso-South Africans should be encouraged to become as successful as possible. In doing this they will also be adding prestige to the Portuguese community but also being even great South Africans, being part of building our Rainbow nation.

Conclusion

I conclude with something that I have said many times: I am a proud and patriotic South African and love South Africa and believe and have great hopes for my wonderful country. However, this takes nothing away from the pride, love and fondness I have for Portugal, its culture and history. They are my original roots before becoming an African. I thus love South Africa and Portugal equally but in different ways just like the deep love I have for my father that takes nothing away from the deep love I have for my mother.

This, I believe, should be the attitude we should all have.

Manny de Freitas MP

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs

Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South

Democratic Alliance

Letter

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Deafening silence as human rights abuses prevail

Why is the world so silent?  Why is nothing being said about the gross human-rights abuses taking place throughout the world against Christians?  As we stand today, the Middle East remains the most dangerous place for Christians to live in where attacks occur with frightening regularly.  In Iran Christians meet secretly in private homes.  Once discovered by authorities, they are rounded up and imprisoned.

In their 2012 report, the organisation Open Doors which focuses on the plight of Christians, listed Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and even the Maldives as the worlds’ worst offenders.  So called “blasphemy laws” are used against Christians in Pakistan.

These human-rights violations are not restricted to the Muslim world.  In February this year a car bomb that exploded near a church in Northern Nigeria made world headline news.  Over 500 Christians were killed in the last year in Nigeria simply for practicing their faith.

The Voice of the Martyrs Organisation reports that persecution of Christians rose “significantly” from 2010 to 2011.  India, a country that likes to be seen as tolerant, is also a scene of mass attacks on our Christian brethren.  In 2011 alone at least 1000 cases of anti-Christian violence and hatred was reported across that country.

But by far, the world’s worst offender is without doubt North Korea.  Various reports indicate the existence of labour camps filled with Christian in slave-like conditions!

Despite all the anti-Christian violence, intimidation and even killings happening in the world indifference in this regard is common-place.  Government, even those of predominantly Christian countries sit on their hands and say very little, if anything.  The media and people in general appear to look away.   Except for a few organisations little attention is given to what is happening.

Why is nothing being said or done?  Why are large organisations such as the European Union, or the African Union and the United Nations in particular been so quiet on this?

This is an important issue and will remain so.  The Pew Forum confirms that at least 10% of the world’s Christians live in societies as a minority group.  These communities simply wish to practice their faith peacefully.  As things stand, this will not happen as people are still fleeing into exile because of their faith. 

It is time for each one of us to educate ourselves on this matter and to fight for every person’s right to practice the faith they wish.

Yours Sincerely,

Manny de Freitas

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

DA continues to grow because voters are making their mark

This month sees a number of communities throughout South Africa where by-elections will be taking place.  These by-elections will show what last month’s by-elections unambiguously did; that more and more people are voting for the DA.  Communities are seeing for themselves that the alternative to the ANC can only be the Democratic Alliance.

If the August by-election results are anything to go by, the DA will do well in the September by-election.  In every instance the DA grew. Allow me to illustrate; in Govan Mbeki, Mpumalanga the DA grew by 19% since the last elections, whilst the ANC lost 18%.  This is a clear swing of votes away from the ANC and towards the DA.

The DA saw dramatic growth when in the by-election in Ngwathe , Free State the DA obtained 89,7% up from  55,67% in the 2009 National Election.  On the other hand, the ANC dropped equally dramatically from 24,18% in 2009 to 3,15% in the by-election last month.

In Abaqulisi in Kwazulu-Natal the DA grew to 72,75% in the by-election from 56,7% in the 2009 National Election.  The ANC remained static at around 20% from the last election.

Clearly the September by-elections in Polokwane, Ekurhuleni and Cape Town will continue to show that increasingly more and more South Africans are tired of the ANC’s continued corruption, maladministration, non-delivery and want to be associated with the DA’s vision of a united, redressed and prosperous future for all.

Yours Sincerely,

Manny de Freitas MP

Member of Parliament

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs

Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South

Democratic Alliance

Government needs to prioritise certain countries when it comes to visas

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

Government needs to prioritise certain countries when it comes to visas

At a recent question time session in Parliament the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Fatima Chohan advised that presently there are still “negotiations” on the lifting of visa requirements of South African citizens visiting Britain. Considering the high volume and number of South Africans visiting Britain and our important trade relations between the two countries, this issue demands priority attention.

The Deputy Minister further stated that discussions are underway on lifting or relaxing visa requirements in a number of other countries. It appears that little is actually happening on this matter when it comes to important countries which would benefit our economy and as a result possibly even create jobs locally. Certain European countries with which we have great trade relations come to mind. Exactly what is the hold up? Why is our government not working with urgency on this considering the much needed growth for our economy?

Although it is welcomed that visa requirements have either been lifted or relaxed with Latvia and Lithuania, they are not high priority trade countries for South Africa.

Yours Sincerely,

Manny de Freitas MP

Member of Parliament

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs

Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South

Democratic Alliance

6 September 2012

Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor,

We can be proud of our very own Olympic Games Gold Medallist

I recently had the opportunity to meet our very own Olympic Games gold medallist, Lawrence Sizwe Ndlovu. He is “our own” as he is a South boy who went to Mondeor High School. It was there that he was given the exposure and opportunity in the rowing sports code. So successful has he been that he returned from the recent Olympic Games held in London with a gold medal for South Africa.

I was privileged to have met Lawrence not once but twice within a week. I recently met him at the Miss Earth SA (also proudly led by a South Girl, Catherine Constantinides as Miss Earth SA
National Director) Gala dinner. Only three days later Parliament officially congratulated the full sports team that represented South Africa at the Olympic Games.

It never ceases to amaze me at how filled with talented and special people the South is. Not once have I ever felt “behind” despite what Joburgers from other parts of our beautiful city may say or think. Here is an opportunity for Southerners to boast about the Beautiful People of the South!

Yours Sincerely,

Manny de Freitas MP

Shadow Minister of Home Affairs

Member of Parliament for Johannesburg South

Democratic Alliance

(Transmitted electronically unsigned)