section27latest news & developments
After being diagnosed with HIV at 33, retired Constitutional Court justice Edwin Cameron never thought he’d make it to 40. He’s now 73 and part of a generation that is growing older thanks to antiretrovirals and, he says, the activism that made sure it was available in South Africa. Photo: Stefan Els
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HIV made him expect to die at 40. At 73, Edwin Cameron asks: Who’s planning for our ageing survivors?

At 33, the retired Constitutional Court justice thought he had, maybe, seven years left. His story traces the arc from certain death because of Aids to a chronic, manageable condition at 73. He asks what happens when the generation who fought for life finally get to grow old

  • Eyaaz
14 min read
What’s driving anti-immigrant healthcare blockades? Sharon Ekambaram from Lawyers for Human Rights says it’s everything from the sky-high cost of Zimbabwean passports and corruption to South Africa’s institutionalised xenophobia — and a growing global intolerance of migrants. (Bhekisisa team)
Video

Court orders government, police to block vigilantes from two clinics — and put up warnings at entrances

The judgment complements a November ruling meant to stop groups such as Operation Dudula from blocking foreign nationals from entering government hospitals and clinics and denying their constitutional right to healthcare

  • Eyaaz
8 min read
Members of Operation Dudula prevented people from other African countries from using South African health facilities. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy/M&G

ActionSA pushes for constitutional change as Operation Dudula  targets migrants at clinics

The Human Rights Commission and legal experts say the Constitution, the National Health Act, the UN Refugee Convention and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights obligate South Africa to provide basic healthcare to all people in its borders

  • Eyaaz
4 min read

Disability rights: Ramaphosa’s delay on Copyright Amendment Bill angers Blind SA

Blind SA has criticised the president for missing the signing deadline, which is impacting access to accessible formats for the visually impaired

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
Struggle: Schoolchildren often cannot go to school when roads and buildings have been damaged. Photo: Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images

Report: Schools unprepared for climate crisis

Learners have been adversely affected by damage to schools from extreme weather events such as floods

  • Umamah Bakharia
3 min read
Ministers will assess progress since the Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX 2024) commitment to end learning poverty within a decade, alongside the declarations from last year’s Continental Conference on Education in Mauritania. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Ramaphosa unlikely to sign Bela bill into law before new administration is in place

The Democratic Alliance has objected to amendments in the Basic Education Law Amendment Bill, saying that it takes power away from parents, and gives it to the government

  • Umamah Bakharia
6 min read
International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola defended South Africa’s involvement in the DRC, arguing that it would be “reckless” not to resolve the ongoing conflict in the country’s volatile eastern region. (File photo)

SANDF reinstates employee after HIV discrimination

The defence force only re-employed the woman after being threatened with litigation This content is restricted to registered users and subscribers. Get Your Free Account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience. Please register your free account now. Your registration is your first step to becoming an M&G community member. Register Registration enables: – M&G newsletters access – notifications – the best possible experience Already registered? Login here Want to subscribe and get even more benefits? Explore our subscription offers

  • Umamah Bakharia
1 min read