Category Archives: Constitution

Why the Wagon Wheel Distorts Customary Practices

On the 4-6 September 2014, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform (DRDLR) hosted the Land Tenure Summit. I joined the Communal Land Tenure session, which was attended by a large contingent of traditional leaders. The two presenters were Aninka Claasens from the Centre for Law and Society and Judge Ngwenya, the current chairperson […]

The “Protection of the Family” Resolution: The Role of South Africa

In April 2014, a resolution on ‘The Family’ (A/HRC/L26/L.20) was placed before the Human Rights Council.  The resolution in its current form was first tabled by Egypt in 2013.  They decided to withdraw it, given that it was viewed as being too controversial and due to a lack of support. This resolution links to initiatives […]

We do not have toilets

In a previous entry, Talita Mshweshwe, shared the story of Siyabonga, who attends school in what is known as a “mud school”. There are approximately 300 mud schools in the Eastern Cape, although the Department of Basic Education (DBE) is not exactly sure how many there are. It is concerning that the DBE has still […]

The Mud Schools of the Eastern Cape

Talita Mshweshwe is a law student from East London doing an internship at the Legal Resources Centre (LRC). She interviewed a young girl named Siyabonga, a grade 7 pupil at Ncincinikwe Senior Primary School in Votini in the Eastern Cape. Ncincinikwe Senior Primary School is one of approximately 300 mud schools in the province. This […]