07 April - Human Rights

Today we were joined instudio by Jane Levinson – Project Manager at Mdzananda Animal Clinic, which is the only clinic providing permanent primary veterinary healthcare support to the dogs and cats in the Khayelitsha community. Last Saturday they hosted a dog show for pet owners in Khayelitsha supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. They see thousands of dogs and cats every year. They specialize in sterilising animals to reduce overpopulation and the breeding of unwanted puppies, vaccinating against disease and prevention of parasites. Jane explained more about their services. For more information on such services contact (021) 367 2302 or (021) 689 4091 alternatively visit www.mdzananda.co.za

We also heard from Gilad Isaacs – from the Social Justice Coalition. The Social Justice Coalition is an independent group that believes in freedom, equality, non-violence and human rights, and was launched last year in June. One of their aims is to actively use the South African Constitution to ensure that private and governmental policies and conduct are always based on consideration of the needs of poor and marginalised people. They say the refusal to grant a visa to the Dalai Lama prompted the Coalition to call a pre-election mass public gathering to protest the lack of accountability, transparency and moral leadership in government and political parties. According to the Social Justice Coalition the Dalai Lama debacle is symbolic of the many persistent obstacles to social justice in South Africa. Last Saturday they met in Thibault Square for a Human Rights Protest. The event was organised in conjunction with other organisations and individuals including the faith based sector. If you have any queries about the SCJ, please visit their website on www.socialjusticecoalition.org


We closed off the show with an interview with Sophie van der Berg – from the Clothing Industry Health Care Fund. We were talking about the Substance Abuse Indaba that they hosted last week Thursday. The Clothing Industry Health Care Fund is a non-profit organisation privately funded by contributions from employers and employees of the clothing Industry and provides a core package of primary care services to clothing workers and their families who are from previously disadvantaged communities. Sophie explained more about the objectives and the outcome of the Indaba. For more information contact the Clothing Industry Health Care Fund on (021) 460 4111.

PICS:by Busi Mtabane

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