Sisonke Calls for Dignity, Safety and Equal Rights for Sex Workers
Sex workers in South Africa continue to face stigma, discrimination and challenges in accessing basic rights and services. This was highlighted during a conversation on Sakhisizwe - Building the nation bou die nasie with Yonella, Communications Officer at Sisonke National Movement, a movement led by and for sex workers that advocates for the decriminalisation of consensual adult sex work.
Speaking on the Sakhisizwe show, Yonella explained that Sisonke uses advocacy, awareness campaigns, social media and partnerships with other organisations to amplify the voices of sex workers and challenge the discrimination they experience.
A key issue discussed was the difference between legalisation and decriminalisation. Yonella explained that legalisation would allow sex work but could place strict government controls and conditions on how and where it takes place.
Decriminalisation, on the other hand, would remove criminal penalties for consensual adult sex work between consenting adults, allowing sex workers to have greater protection and recognition of their rights.
Yonella identified access to justice and healthcare as two of the biggest challenges facing sex workers. She explained that sex workers who report crimes such as rape may experience victim-blaming and judgement at police stations. According to her, this can discourage victims from reporting cases and can further contribute to their vulnerability.
Healthcare is another concern. Yonella said some sex workers experience judgement when accessing healthcare services, including when seeking condoms and other sexual health services. She stressed that these attitudes can prevent sex workers from accessing the services they need.
The conversation also explored the impact of stigma beyond the workplace. Yonella said discrimination can affect relationships with families and communities and may force some sex workers to hide their occupation from people close to them. She argued that this isolation can have serious consequences for their wellbeing.
Sisonke also emphasises inclusivity. Yonella said the movement does not discriminate based on gender or race and aims to represent sex workers from different backgrounds and communities.
Another important point raised was the need to distinguish between sex work and human trafficking. Yonella said the two are often confused, despite being different issues. She called on South Africans to understand that sex workers should not automatically be viewed as victims simply because of the work they do.
For Sisonke, the conversation is ultimately about more than changing laws. It is also about creating a society where sex workers can access justice and healthcare, report crimes without fear of judgement, and live and work with dignity.
The movement continues to call for greater understanding, reduced stigma and the recognition of sex workers’ human and labour rights in South Africa.
On Sakhisizwe - Building the nation - Bou die nasie we
were joined by Abeada van Neel from the Local Advice Office, who supports community
members navigating everyday rights and disputes, including elder abuse cases.
Masi Ncube from Probono.org, who works to connect vulnerable people with free legal
support. Victor Southwell, Director from NOAH Old Age Home, who works directly
with elderly residents every day and sees first-hand what abuse and neglect can
look like in care settings.
Elderly Abuse, also known as abuse of older persons, is intentionally
harming a person who is 60 years of age and older. According to a 2023 study by
the University of Cape Town, approximately, 1 in 10 elderly persons in South
African communities experience abuse.
Different Types of Elderly
Abuse
Elderly Abuse is rather a serious concern within and around our
communities and it is not just limited to physical abuse but may also disguise
itself in emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. According
to Victor Southwell, physical abuse is not the only type of abuse, we can think of
that elderly people experience, “It could also be the threat of physical abuse
but, then the emotional and psychological abuse that’s when one uses words or
actions to cause mental distress or fear, or even loneliness and it happens in
intimidation and yelling, humiliating somebody, ridiculing, ignoring them or
isolating somebody,” he said.
Other forms of abuse are in the form of financial abuse where elders
are pressured to change the ownership of their documents. Sexual abuse which is
non-consensual interaction and lastly neglect, which is the failure of a
caregiver, to meet the basic needs like food or medication, of a person.
Red flags to look out for
Substance abuse can also become an underlying factor amongst elderly
people and should be noted as one of the many red flags to look out for, “The
elderly can also become addicted to substance abuse, like alcohol, sleeping
tablets or pain medication just to get through the day, when they are being abused
at the home they are staying at,” Abeada explained.
How the Law interacts with
these types of abuse?
By law, Elderly people are entitled to a protection order which is a
court order issued by a judge. Under consideration that it is identified as
domestic violence. “When we talk about legislation the most important one we
think of is the older Persons Act. It’s a situation where you can go down the
criminal route or the civil route,” Masi, explained.
Solutions and Supportive
Systems to Help Elderly People Stay Safe
During the interview Victor Southwell, highlighted that NOAH Old Age
Home, has psycho social interventions to provide support to elderly people and
they can also request individual counselling. With the help of their social
worker, they also train community members for a trauma informed first
responders training. To teach elders to hold space to talk to other elders about
what they are dealing with.
If you know anyone suffering from elderly abuse, please reach out to
the NOAH Offices and contact them on 021 447 6334. Walk-ins are also available at
their centres in Woodstock, Athlone and Khayelitsha, which operates from
Mon-Fri 08H00 AM-16H00PM.
A conversation with Janek Wilimiec Legal Officer at UASA on
fighting for workers, from the shop floor to CCMA.
” When someone joins a union, they’re looking for assistance
in their workplace and it’s our job to make sure they never have to face that alone.”
Walk into the UASA offices on any given afternoon and you might find a miner
sitting across the table from a hairdresser. That unlikely pairing two workers
from completely different worlds, united by a shared need for protection captures
something essential about what UASA, actually is. Founded more than a century
ago in the mining sector, the union has grown to cover industries as varied as
cosmetology, sugar production, iron and steel, and even arms manufacturing.”
Janek, UASA's Legal Officer, has been in the union movement
for 35 years. His role is not confined to a courtroom or even a desk. On any
given week, he might be guiding a first-time member through the language of a
grievance form, coaching someone on how to cross-examine a witness in a
disciplinary hearing, or representing a worker in arbitration at the CCMA.
Often, he says, the job looks a lot less like legal counsel and a lot more like
social work.
"Sometimes I have to be able to listen to the
heart of the victim," he explains. "We are sometimes dealing with
people who are just victims of sexual harassment, not the person perpetrating
it, but the person being persecuted in the workplace because of it."
For most workers, a disciplinary hearing is a deeply
unfamiliar and frightening experience. The first task, Janek says, is
demystification. Members need to understand what procedure they're actually in,
what the charges mean, and how evidence works before they can begin to mount
any kind of defence.
UASA's approach is to capacitate the member at every stage.
That means helping them understand the employer's workplace policies, guiding
them in how to fill out a grievance, and choosing words that are more likely to
result in a constructive outcome. It means explaining what testimony looks
like, how video and audio recordings are handled, and how cross-examination
functions in practice. It also means helping workers understand how to lead
their own witnesses to make their case effectively.
If the grievance isn't resolved and escalates to a
disciplinary hearing, the union steps in more directly. If the employer proceeds
to dismiss the employee, something Janek describes without surprise as still
frustratingly common the matter is referred to the CCMA (Commission for
Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration), where UASA's legal team takes over
representation through conciliation and, if necessary, full arbitration.
How UASA Supports Members Through a Dispute
Initial consultation to understand the nature of the problem
and the appropriate process
Guidance on filing a grievance, including language and
workplace policy
Assistance preparing for a disciplinary hearing: evidence,
witnesses, cross-examination
Appeals support if the internal grievance is not resolved
Referral to the CCMA or relevant bargaining council if
dismissal occurs
Legal representation through conciliation and arbitration
proceedings
Common Employer Mistakes
After three and a half decades in this work, Janek has
noticed that employer’s large corporations and small businesses alike tend to
make the same mistakes. The most significant, he says, is the failure to follow
proper procedure. Despite the volumes written about it in employment law
resources, on LinkedIn, and in HR literature, it still happens every day:
employers deny employees the right to cross-examine witnesses, give
insufficient time to prepare a defence, or simply proceed with dismissal before
a fair process has run its course.
These procedural failings are where union representation
earns its value. A flawed process on the employer's side can change the outcome
entirely even when the underlying facts might appear unfavourable to the
worker. Janek is careful, however, not to frame this purely as exploiting
technicalities. The goal, he explains, is to ensure that the correct process is
followed so that the outcome is genuinely fair not just legally defensible for
the employer.
"Unions are there to take difficult workers'
technicalities and turn them into 100% plain-speaking language, straight on the
level that is understandable," he says. "That's where we come
in."
One of the most consistent pieces of advice Janek gives to
members is also one of the most contemporary: do not take your workplace
grievance to social media. In the age of X, Instagram, and WhatsApp groups, the
temptation to vent publicly is real and understandable. But it carries serious
legal risk.
Almost every employment contract contains a clause
protecting the reputation of the employer. Publishing a grievance on social
media even a legitimate one can result in an additional charge of bringing the
company into disrepute. What began as a complaint about a manager can suddenly
become evidence of misconduct by the very person raising it.
"That is not the best way to follow," Janek says
plainly. "Workers must please understand that running to social media is a
mistake. Deal with it through your union representative and our legal department."
UASA's work extends well beyond legal representation. The
union offers a funeral cover policy that has been updated over the years to
reflect South Africa's changing social landscape, it now extends to include
extended family members and various relationship structures. A new product, Janek
notes, allows members to access retail discounts through their funeral policy,
helping workers stretch their budgets further at the supermarket till.
The union also connects members with financial advisors who
can help with budgeting, investment planning, and pension preparation. Given
that many UASA members are supporting families of four, six, or more people on
a single income, this kind of structured financial support is not a luxury it
is a lifeline.
Through bargaining councils, UASA participates actively in
negotiating wages, securing provident and pension fund contributions, and
improving the socio-economic conditions of workers across the sectors it
represents. The union also maintains an ongoing research relationship with an
academic economist who provides regular economic briefings, helping shop
stewards and members understand the broader economic context in which wage
negotiations take place.
"Workers are always in the weakest spot. It doesn't
matter what level they're on. And that's exactly why unions are absolutely
imperative."
Contact UASA
Offices nationwide,
including in Bellville for Western Cape members.
Understanding Addiction Through the Eyes of Families conversations around addiction often focus on the individual struggling with substance use. But behind every person battling addiction is a family quietly carrying emotional pain, stress, fear, and uncertainty.
In a radio interview, Saadia Jackson Cassiem shed light on the realities families face when living alongside addiction and why their voices matter just as much.
With nearly two decades of experience in social work, addiction recovery, and family support, Saadia has dedicated her life to helping families navigate some of their darkest moments. Her work focuses not only on individuals using substances, but also on the mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses, and children who are deeply affected by addiction every single day.
From Chemical Engineering to Social Work
Interestingly, Saadia’s journey into social work was never part of the original plan. She initially studied chemical engineering before changing direction and pursuing social work at the University of the Western Cape.
What started as an unexpected career path eventually became a calling. Her first role at the Cape Town Drug Counselling Centre exposed her to the realities of addiction recovery. Later, while working at the Matrix Drug and Alcohol Centre, she began noticing something important: more family members were seeking help than the individuals struggling with addiction themselves.
This realization shaped the direction of her work.
Addiction Affects the Entire Family
One of the most important messages shared during the interview was that addiction never affects only one person. It impacts the entire family system.
Parents often arrive desperate for solutions, hoping someone can “fix” their child or loved one. But according to Saadia, recovery is far more complex than simply placing someone into rehabilitation.
She explained that families frequently experience:
Anxiety and emotional exhaustion
Shame and stigma from the community
Financial Strain
Health problems caused by stress
Feelings of helplessness and isolation
Many parents blame themselves, wondering where they “went wrong,” while others fear judgment from their communities. This stigma often prevents families from asking for help early enough.
The Importance of Education
According to Saadia, one of the biggest challenges is that many families do not fully understand addiction or recovery.
There is a common belief that if a person truly wanted to stop using substances, they simply would. But addiction is far more complicated. Without proper education, families struggle to protect themselves emotionally and make informed decisions.
Saadia believes education is the first step toward healing. Families need to understand:
What addiction actually is, How recovery works, What healthy boundaries look like, How to support a loved one without enabling destructive behavior, She emphasized that understanding addiction helps families regain a sense of control over their own lives and environments.
The interview also explored the impact addiction has on children growing up in unstable environments.
Exposure to substance abuse, violence, trauma, or emotional neglect can deeply affect a child’s development. Saadia highlighted the importance of open communication between parents and children, especially during adolescence.
Rather than only saying “don’t do drugs,” she believes young people should be taught how to make informed decisions by understanding consequences, risks, and healthy coping mechanisms.
Creating safe spaces for honest conversations can help prevent substance abuse before it starts.
Who Are the “Forgotten Voices”?
Saadia refers to family members affected by addiction as the “forgotten voices.”
While the focus is usually on the individual using substances, families are often overlooked despite carrying enormous emotional burdens themselves. Mothers, fathers, siblings, and spouses frequently lose parts of themselves while trying to save someone they love.
Their pain is often invisible.
Saadia’s work aims to remind families that their well-being matters too. They deserve support, healing, and recognition in their own right, not only as caregivers to someone struggling with addiction.
A Message of Hope
For families currently facing addiction at home, Saadia shared an important reminder: "you are not alone.
Healing begins when families recognize their own value and understand that their happiness cannot depend entirely on another person’s choices.
Breaking the silence around addiction, challenging stigma, and seeking support are powerful first steps toward recovery, not only for the individual, but for the entire family".
For support and assistance, families can contact Saadia Jackson Cassiem through her platforms under
On Sakhisizwe- Building the nation- Bou die nasie we had the
pleasure of speaking to an Entrepreneur discussing her journey, battles she
fights to start her own business in order to create sustainability. The
challenges she has and including how to run a business and believing in
yourself until you make it.
Yonela Blorho also known as Umama ka Palisa an Entrepreneur
and loving mother of two kids all the way back from Ekhayelitsha, Enkanini
close to Barden Powell Road. The community knows her as she serves the
delicious plates of sausages and including the beloved umbengo braai cow meat
that keeps people coming back again and again, she also has her own braai place
by the circle.
Maka Palisa didn't just became an entrepreneur she started
as a security but because of the love she had to have something of her own
ignited the fire for starting her own business.
Even on her leave and holidays during December she was doing business
and she saw it makes her money and she would survive, that's where she saw an
opportunity to become an entrepreneur.
We touched on many things during our conversation as she
said business is win and lose, you can work today and you cannot tomorrow and
to people who want to start their own they need to be patient, you must also
have a heart for peoples.
You must also be popular amongst everyone and don't be rude,
greet, treat your customers equally and so you can build yourself your own
business.
People who want to start their own businesses what they can
do to make a successful business, Maka Palisa shared "even it’s not easy to
work with people and to start a business, and you need to build your self-confidence
and people are not the same. So you need to trust the process, for instance
don't quit when you have not work for one day."
Which is actually good that's what you need as a person,
have courage on what you want and it helps a lot starting your own thing from
scratch till you make it.
Further more Maka Palisa was saying '' It’s hard to find jobs,
what I can advise to the youth is that if you have something you can do with
your own two hands, anything, you need to be serious about it and what you are
doing ''.
It was such an honour to speak to one of the hero's from our
community's as Bush Radio 89.5 Fm, Yonela Blorho. As we went deep into her
business journey.
As individuals from
the community we need to stand up together and support this kind of businesses.
Remember a person is a person through other people.
It was such an amazing experience to hear how business woman
such as Yonela, survive out there as she gets to serve every customer, the
delicious meat and sausage.
For many people, a home is more than just a roof over their heads it is access to work, education, healthcare and opportunities . For members of the Singabalapha community, the fight for housing in Cape Town’s city centre is about protecting those opportunities and challenging what they believe is the continued exclusion of Black people from the CBD.
Founded in 2022, Singabalapha is a housing movement made up of residents who have occupied vacant buildings and land in an effort to secure affordable housing close to places of employment. Since its formation, the group has faced repeated evictions, arrests and ongoing legal battles, yet its members remain determined to stay in the city rather than be relocated to the outskirts of Cape Town.
“Our aim is to get houses in Cape Town, not far away from the places of employment and everything,” one of the community leaders Babra explained during an interview. The community says it has occupied several vacant properties over the years, including Conradie Hospital, Military land in Blue Downs, Department of Education hostels in Harfield Road and the former Arcadia old-age home.
Each occupation ended in arrests or eviction, but the movement continued searching for a permanent solution within the CBD.Babra said these experiences reflect a much larger issue of spatial inequality that continues long after apartheid.
“They always send us to the peripheries,” she said, referring to communities being relocated to areas far from jobs, transport and essential services.
Today, Singabalapha’s current occupation site remains at the centre of another legal dispute. While residents wait for a court hearing that is to be held on Tuesday 28 July 2026. They continue living under extremely difficult conditions. They have no reliable access to water, toilets or electricity, and nearby construction has created dangerous living conditions. The leader described how dust from ongoing developments affects residents daily, particularly those with respiratory illnesses, while falling stones from construction sites pose a constant safety risk.“We are living with dust every day, and it is dangerous. Some of us have asthma, and we don’t even have proper access to water,” she said.
Residents say the City of Cape Town has proposed relocating them to temporary tent accommodation, but the community rejected the offer, arguing that it would compromise privacy, dignity and the safety of children. “We rejected the tent proposal,” Babra said. “There is no privacy, and it is not a safe place for families.”
Beyond demanding shelter, the movement argues that housing should allow people to remain connected to employment, schools and healthcare. Community members have also researched vacant land within the CBD, believing there is enough available space to accommodate affordable housing if the City chooses to act.
Fortunately for the Singabalapha community they are receiving advocacy from a public organisation known as Ndifuna Ukwazi . It is a South African no profit advocacy organization established in 2011. The organisation focuses on advocating for affordable housing in well-located urban spaces and challenges spatial injustice in Cape Town. The organization continues to help the Singabalapha community to challenge eviction orders through the courts and hopes the upcoming High Court hearing will recognize its right to remain. If unsuccessful, the group says it is prepared to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeal.
Perhaps the movement’s strongest message is that housing is not simply about buildings, but about belonging.
Women are being encouraged to prioritise their
cardiovascular health and not ignore warning signs that could point to heart
disease or stroke. Speaking on Bush Radio, Prof. Pamela Naidoo, CEO of the
Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, highlighted the importance of
prevention, regular health checks and healthy lifestyle choices on our
Sakhisizwe show.
Prof. Naidoo explained that cardiovascular disease includes
both heart disease and stroke, with risk factors ranging from family history to
high blood pressure, smoking, excessive alcohol use, poor diet, lack of
physical activity and ongoing stress. She warned that cardiovascular conditions
are increasingly affecting younger people, with strokes now being seen among
people in their 40s.
She also highlighted specific risks women may face during
pregnancy and menopause. High blood pressure during pregnancy can increase the
risk of serious complications, while hormonal changes during menopause can also
make women more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease.
Prof. Naidoo encouraged women to make affordable lifestyle
changes, even without access to a gym. Walking, exercising at home and strength
training can all contribute to better heart health. She also urged women to
make time for self-care, saying that looking after their own physical and
mental health is essential. “It’s so important for every woman to have
self-care.”
The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa continues to
run awareness and education programs throughout the year, with September
marking Heart Awareness Month and October focusing on Stroke Month.
