Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is thrilled to hear that Dr Quangule (CEO of the Dora Nginza Hospital) has, after much deliberation, committed to sign for the Enzyme Replacement Therapy that will save 5 year old Alrene Scheepers' life! This little girl from the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth suffers from an extremely rare genetic condition known as Gauchers Disease. Without medical intervention and Enzyme Replacement Therapy Gauchers Disease is fatal and causes bruising, extreme … [Read more...] about Medical intervention will save PE girl
celeste barker
Shock at callous attitude of EC DOH
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is shocked by the seemingly callous attitude of the East Cape Department of Health (DOH) in the case of 5 year old Arlene Scheepers, who needs a year's worth of drugs. (The Herald: 19 June 2015). According to media reports, the DOH is dithering over a decision to pay for medication for Arlene, who is suffering from a rare genetic condition called Gaucher's Disease. She was admitted to Dora Nginza Hospital in Port Elizabeth. In a fair society, a 5 year … [Read more...] about Shock at callous attitude of EC DOH
Van Der Linden sentence pleases DAWN
Dear MyPE DAWN (Democratic Alliance Women's Network) is satisfied with the sentencing of Morne van der Linden for the brutal murder of his wife Roxanne's grandmother, Catherine Stofberg, 79, and her uncle, Kenneth Morar, 54, at their Salsoneville home in the Northern Areas on 9 August 2014. The 22 year jail sentence will allow Van der Linden enough time to rehabilitate while reflecting on his excessive violence. The accused snapped in a fit of rage and murdered the victims with a hammer … [Read more...] about Van Der Linden sentence pleases DAWN
Dawn to monitor hammer killer court case
Dear MyPE Dawn (the DA Women's Network) will observe and monitor the Morné van der Linden case in the interest of justice and Women's rights. Our court presence visibly demonstrates our commitment and determination to assist with the transformation of a cruel culture which devalues and dehumanizes South African women. Van der Linden is accused of murdering his wife Roxanne's grandmother, Catherine Stofberg, 79, and her uncle, Kenneth Morar, 54, at their Salsoneville home on 9 August … [Read more...] about Dawn to monitor hammer killer court case
Out the sex pests
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance is relieved to note that the Provincial Legislature is starting a probe into the "Sex for Jobs" scandal. We call on the victims of this reprehensible scandal to break the silence around their commodification and dehumanisation. Such abuse harkens to the abuse of slave women as broodmares for slave owners. The Democratic Alliance will fight for gender justice until every single woman in the Eastern Cape is safe from sex pests! Regards Celeste … [Read more...] about Out the sex pests
NMBMM Immunisation March
Dear MyPE This is an extract of a speech delivered by Celeste Barker (MPL) in Nelson Mandela Bay today during a protest march against the Department of Health's decision to stop supplying baby immunisation meds to private clinics. This is fundamentally a rights-based health event. The South African Constitution enshrines the rights of all our people to- inter alia - decent healthcare and freedom of choice. However these rights can be - and are - infringed when the state makes ill … [Read more...] about NMBMM Immunisation March
MPL will not back down after stoning at picket against sexual abuse
Dear MyPE The DA is shocked and saddened by Thursday morning's incident at the Qaqamba High School in Duncan Village where a journalist, photographer and I were stoned by pupils during a DA-picket against sexual abuse. This illustrates that there is something to hide at this school. We will not be deterred by people who instigate children to intimidate us. We will continue to fight for what is right and to support girls who have the courage to make a stand by saying no to sexual abuse … [Read more...] about MPL will not back down after stoning at picket against sexual abuse
No to violence against women
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance Women’s Network (DAWN) in the Eastern Cape will be standing and picketing with justice for Jayde Panayiotou posters outside the Magistrate Court in Port Elizabeth today. Christopher Panayiotou who is accused of murdering his wife will be appealing for bail. DAWN will also be picketing outside Qaqamba High School in Duncan Village, East London where the acting Principal is accused of making sexual advances towards a grade 11 pupil. We are delighted to … [Read more...] about No to violence against women
DOH Rides Roughshod Over Clinic Staff in the NMBM
Dear MyPE There are substantial differences between a circular regarding the retention of Beyond Zero nursing staff and a whatsapp instruction last week to dismiss staff at clinics in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM). The circular states unequivocally that “…funding has been secured/ confirmed and approval granted by the Superintendent General for the retention of staff currently attached and remunerated by Beyond Zero.” The DA is most disturbed by what appears to be an unfair labour … [Read more...] about DOH Rides Roughshod Over Clinic Staff in the NMBM
Staff booted out of clinics via Whatsapp
Dear MyPE On Monday, 13 April 2015, clinic staff from Beyond Zero were "unceremoniously booted out" of clinics in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro (NMBM). Facilities Manager at Zwide clinic, Mrs Monteith, was instructed to dismiss the staff by the Department of Health (DOH) via a whatsapp message. Despite staff appeals for reasons for their dismissals, the DOH District office in the NMBM have refused to engage with the clinic staff on this unacceptable treatment. Beyond Zero is a … [Read more...] about Staff booted out of clinics via Whatsapp
No Violence against Women
This is an extract of a speech delivered by Celeste Barker, MPL in Molteno today. The Democratic Alliance Women's Network (DAWN) launched a rape awareness DVD: Today, 25 November is the international day of "No Violence against Women". This campaign closes on 10 December - Human Rights Day. It is therefore no coincidence that Eastern Cape DAWN (Democratic Alliance Women’s Network) stands united in the fight to secure women's rights as Human rights today and every other day of every other … [Read more...] about No Violence against Women
Sex for jobs
In a speech during a discussion on 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children at the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature on Wednesday by Celeste Barker, the DAWN Provincial Chairperson, the following were highlighted: The 16 days of Activism against Gender Violence campaign offers us, and the Leaders of our Legislature, an opportunity to commit to genuine gender equality and to circulate one single, true story. The fifth term of office in the Provincial Legislature … [Read more...] about Sex for jobs
Women’s rights are human rights
Dear MyPE Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) recently released a Gender Series Report which reveals that the labour participation rate of females scored 43.5% in the ANC-led Eastern Cape this year. In the DA-led Western Cape there is a 60.4% participation score for women. Given the substantial difference of 16.9% DAWN, the Democratic Alliance Women's Network, urges the Eastern Cape government to step up to meet the standard of the DA-led Western Cape and to consciously prioritize women and … [Read more...] about Women’s rights are human rights
Motion to address ambulance shortfall tabled
Dear MyPE The DA tabled a motion in the Eastern Cape Legislature in Bhisho on Thursday 2 October, to address the shortfall of 234 Emergency Medical Service (EMS) vehicles in the province. We raised this motion with deep compassion and concern for the health and survival of patients dependent on statement EMS vehicles. As Shadow MEC for Health in the Eastern Cape, I receive a steady flow of appeals for help because of a spectacular lack of competent EMS in both the rural and urban areas … [Read more...] about Motion to address ambulance shortfall tabled
Goods are safer than MPLs
Dear MyPE Every MPL in a rented state house at Bhisho is in danger because locks and keys are not changed after each five-year appointment period. Given that South Africa has the highest rape statistics in the world female MPLs are exceptionally vulnerable. I am a first term Democratic Alliance MPL from Port Elizabeth. My office is in Bhisho and I have been allocated a state house in King William's Town. This is well and good and I am grateful to the Department of Public Works and the … [Read more...] about Goods are safer than MPLs
