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22 June 2020 |
| The South African Coalition for Transitional Justice (SACTJ) notes with deep concern the decision by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) that it does not intend to pursue charges against two apartheid Security Branch police officers, Seth Sons and Ne | |
| > read more |
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30 May 2020 |
| In a precedent setting judgment handed down by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) on Friday 29 May 2020 the South African History Archive SAHA prevailed in a six year long battle for access to information. | |
| > read more |
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16 March 2020 |
| Following the declaration of a national state of disaster by President Cyril Ramaphosa, we thought it prudent to help unpack the Disaster Management Act No. 57 of 2002 which enabled the announcement made by the president.
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| > read more |
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25 February 2020 |
| On March 3, 2020, SAHA and the SARB appear before a court of law once again. This time, to argue and appeal lodged by SAHA following the March 2018 ruling from the High Court. | |
| > read more |
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21 January 2020 |
| The inquest into the death of Dr. Neil Aggett has been re-opened and commenced on 20 January, 2020. | |
| > read more |
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29 November 2019 |
| This brief write up was written by Andile (the Canadian Bar Association Intern) in commemoration of this year's International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. | |
| > read more |
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28 November 2019 |
| The Wits History Workshop, Historical Papers Research Archive, South African History Archive and the Public Affairs Research Institute are proud to announce the launch of ‘A People's Guide to Archives in South Africa’, with the support of the Rosa Lux | |
| > read more |
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27 November 2019 |
| The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, is an annual international campaign that starts on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until December 10, Human Rights Day. | |
| > read more |
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27 September 2019 |
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18 March 2019 |
| During the past year, SAHA celebrated 30 years of its existence as an activist archive rooted in the principles of human rights and the advancement of struggles for justice. Founded by liberation struggle activists, from its inception in 1988, SAHA mobili | |
| > read more |
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18 March 2019 |
| In light of Human Rights Day we reflect on those who had their rights denied them whilst in detention under the apartheid regime. | |
| > read more |
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18 February 2019 |
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06 December 2018 |
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29 October 2018 |
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08 August 2018 |
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08 August 2018 |
| As South Africa celebrates women’s month this August SAHA looks back on the valuable yet undervalued contributions by women during the armed struggle. | |
| > read more |
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14 June 2018 |
| Years after the end of the mass #FessMustFall protests, many of the student activists find themselves trapped in the criminal legal system. There is a need for justice to prevail, restorative justice that considers the greater needs of society, by ensurin | |
| > read more |
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25 May 2018 |
| SAHA takes a closer look at Africa day, a day set aside by the African Union to celebrate all that makes us unique and binds us together as Africans. | |
| > read more |
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30 April 2018 |
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25 April 2018 |
| Braille is progressively showing up everywhere and visually impaired or blind members of our community who read braille are more empowered to live fully independent lives. In the past, sadly many expected blind and visually impaired individuals to be full | |
| > read more |
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20 March 2018 |
| SAHA's statement concerning the judgement handed down in the South African History Archive v South African Reserve Bank and another case. SAHA is disappointed but not deterred, and will continue to fight for transparency. | |
| > read more |
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06 February 2018 |
| SAHA put up an exhibition for the duration of the Peoples Tribunal Against Economic Crime. | |
| > read more |
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12 December 2017 |
| SAHA attended the civil society briefing on the People’s Tribunal on Economic Crime in South Africa (the People’s Tribunal), held in Johannesburg on the 7th of November 2017. | |
| > read more |
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07 December 2017 |
| SAHA is looking for a dynamic, committed attorney with an interest in access to information and human rights advocacy to coordinate its Freedom of Information Programme. | |
| > read more |
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06 December 2017 |
| SAHA has launched its latest publications in a series of publications aimed at assisting the public with requesting information using the Promotion of Access to Information Act. | |
| > read more |
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04 December 2017 |
| On 27 October 2017 SAHA officially launch the latest publications in a series of publications aimed at supporting the use of and compliance with access to information legislation. | |
| > read more |
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25 October 2017 |
| SAHA is looking for a dynamic professional with an interest in public interest litigation, practice-based research and the use of access to information and technology as tools for social justice to join its Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP). | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2017 |
| SAHA launches resources for local community activists and local government officials alike to help forward the right of access to information at the local level. | |
| > read more |
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27 September 2017 |
| In order to exercise your right to protest you will need to know the contact details of the responsible person and authorised member of your locality. SAHA can assist! | |
| > read more |
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14 September 2017 |
| SAHA will this year be participating in a celebration of Universal Access to Information Day, co-hosted by the SA Human Rights Commission, ODAC and the Information Regulator. | |
| > read more |
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02 August 2017 |
| A 46 year old inquest, that of Ahmed Timol who died after falling from the 10th floor of John Vorster Square, has been reopened. This is the first such inquest where testimonies and expert witnesses examine this event which happened during apartheid in th | |
| > read more |
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31 July 2017 |
| Goal 16 has been lauded as an extremely important right due to its ability to enable other Goals. SAHA attends a talk on its importance. | |
| > read more |
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31 July 2017 |
| Why SAHA is going to court to gain access to apartheid-era records held by the South African Reserve Bank. | |
| > read more |
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24 July 2017 |
| We take a look at some of the key submissions made to Parliament on the issue of regulating the funding of political parties. | |
| > read more |
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13 June 2017 |
| We take a look at the outcome of PAIA requests to various Departments of Education, for information regarding the implementation of the Primary Schools’ Feeding Scheme. | |
| > read more |
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31 May 2017 |
| A variety of posters were collected during the anti- Zuma marches to be added to the ever growing SAHA poster collection. | |
| > read more |
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22 May 2017 |
| We take a closer look at a PAIA request to the office of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) for information about advertising spaces purchased by government and, more importantly, at why you should care to know more about that too. | |
| > read more |
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24 April 2017 |
| SAHA recently had an opportunity to meet the founder of Indigo Trust, which generously funded our Requestee Tool, at an intimate gathering in the Mother City. | |
| > read more |
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28 March 2017 |
| SAHA's Freedom of Information Programme Coordinator reports back from the conference | |
| > read more |
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15 March 2017 |
| Having submitted the final report to the funders for the Requestee page we reflect on the impact the tool has had | |
| > read more |
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23 February 2017 |
| An Intern Reflects: The Freedom to Access Information Programme interns participate the 2-day Right 2 Know Gauteng Provincial Summit commission on access to information. | |
| > read more |
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23 February 2017 |
| New report reveals shocking failure by public and private bodies to uphold South Africans’ right of access to information | |
| > read more |
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17 February 2017 |
| Mayor of Polokwane and sister of the late Nokuthula Simelane seeks leave to intervene in legal defence costs matter | |
| > read more |
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27 January 2017 |
| Various indicators are being developed to measure how successful the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals will be. SAHA seeks to weigh in on the discussions around the development. | |
| > read more |
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27 January 2017 |
| An intern reflects on the South African media's use of PAIA to access information for purposes of shaping national debate. | |
| > read more |
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23 January 2017 |
| Women's marches in the United States sparks new wave of activism and protest. And with that comes the art of protest. | |
| > read more |
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05 December 2016 |
| We highlight requests submitted throughout the year, not yet featured in a story, for insight into the length and breadth of our Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA) requests in 2016. | |
| > read more |
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29 November 2016 |
| SAHA is looking for recent South African graduates with a keen interest in activism and struggles for justice and accountability in South Africa to apply for upcoming internship opportunities at SAHA. | |
| > read more |
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10 November 2016 |
| Representatives of the FOIP team attended the public session of the LRC and INCLO privacy rights conference with the highlight being an online audience with Edward Snowden. | |
| > read more |
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28 October 2016 |
| Sometimes when asserting the right of access to information it is necessary to turn to the courts. SAHA provides an update on its current litigious matters. | |
| > read more |
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28 October 2016 |
| SAHA sent open letters to every municipality failing to publish a PAIA manual on their website. | |
| > read more |
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28 October 2016 |
| SAHA has sent open letters to every municipality failing to publish, on their website, certain key information that they are required, by law, to publish. | |
| > read more |
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26 October 2016 |
| FOIP interns reflect on the role of amnesty, forgiveness and the accountability of the judiciary in the TRC process, as discussed during SAHA's Spring School | |
| > read more |
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26 October 2016 |
| FOIP interns reflect on the role of amnesty, forgiveness and the accountability of the judiciary in the TRC process, as discussed during SAHA's Spring School | |
| > read more |
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25 October 2016 |
| While the SAPS appear to have relatively good access to information compliance figures there is in fact more to the story. Recently the SAPS left, without notice, a key record out of a release to SAHA. | |
| > read more |
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24 October 2016 |
| Amidst the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) announcement last week that it will reopen the inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist, Ahmed Timol, this year also marks 45 years since Timol fell to his death from the 10th floor of John Vorste | |
| > read more |
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10 October 2016 |
| A PAIA request was submitted to the Department of Correctional Services around their use of equipment in detaining prisoners. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2016 |
| The new interns reflect on their first week on the job as part of the Freedom of Information Programme. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2016 |
| Practical online tool from South African History Archive supports freedom of information rights by providing easy access to contact details and compliance statistics of information holders | |
| > read more |
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27 September 2016 |
| SAHA reflects on the final workshops presented to community activists and municipal officials as part of our Local Government Capacity Building Project. | |
| > read more |
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30 August 2016 |
| A request for records related to an unexplained death inside a South African prison. | |
| > read more |
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30 August 2016 |
| Attending the right to protest workshop at the Public Interest Law Gathering (PILG) provided an opportunity amongst others to see how SAHA has been using access to information to support others’ enabling of the right to protest. | |
| > read more |
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29 August 2016 |
| SAHA is looking for a creative, energetic professional with an understanding of, and commitment to, archival activism to lead the organisation, ensuring long-term impact and sustainability of the organisation in line with its mandate. | |
| > read more |
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19 August 2016 |
| In remembrance of the Marikana massacre, SAHA reflects on our requests to the South African Police Services in this year and others. | |
| > read more |
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10 August 2016 |
| Following on from successful local government elections in 2016 SAHA reminisces on some of the compliant decisions it received this year | |
| > read more |
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02 August 2016 |
| We are undeterred and have renewed our efforts to get municipal managers in the room for our final training session in September. | |
| > read more |
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27 July 2016 |
| Local government is important for more than one day a year, as many a municipal manager ought to know. | |
| > read more |
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01 July 2016 |
| A reflection on protests in the media today and the similarities to those under apartheid, in pictures. | |
| > read more |
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28 June 2016 |
| Following the #feesmustfall mass mobilisation SAHA requests copies of the interdicts obtained in response to protests by universities and received mixed responses | |
| > read more |
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15 June 2016 |
| SAHA invited activists and municipal employees for training on how best to use the Promotion of Access to Information Act on the local government level. | |
| > read more |
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08 June 2016 |
| SAHA along with other civil society organisations endorses open letter to World Bank President over access to information concerns | |
| > read more |
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24 May 2016 |
| SAHA is well aware of the critical role record keeping holds within access to information. This awareness was one of the motivations behind setting up the Freedom of Information Programme, as we recently saw in a request to the Presidency. | |
| > read more |
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19 May 2016 |
| We are looking for recent South African graduates with a keen interest in activism and struggles for justice and accountability in South Africa for the second phase of internships for 2016 | |
| > read more |
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06 May 2016 |
| A report back on the screening of "We Never Give Up II" in commemoration of 20 years since the TRC. | |
| > read more |
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06 May 2016 |
| The National Treasury regulations governing PPPs do not seem to have a retrospective effect on the "Pioneering PPP projects" | |
| > read more |
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06 May 2016 |
| Ahmed Timol is remembered during the screening of "Indians can't fly". There was a critical discussion of the TRC and how it failed Timol's family | |
| > read more |
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28 April 2016 |
| A report back on the screening of "A snake gives birth to a snake" in commemoration of 20 years since the TRC and 22 years since the Rwanda genocide in 1994. | |
| > read more |
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26 April 2016 |
| SAHA notes the critical role the Human Rights Commission has historically played as a watchdog over PAIA compliance and the need for the fast tracking of the setting up of the office of the Information Regulator. | |
| > read more |
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26 April 2016 |
| On Thursday 5 May 2016, the HMRC will be hosting a screening at Constitution Hill of "We Never Give Up II" which follow the stories of Khulumani Support Group members in the Western Cape, who suffered multiple atrocities during apartheid. | |
| > read more |
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26 April 2016 |
| The Timol Family Trust will be hosting a screening of the documentary Indians Can't Fly in the Old Fort at Constitution Hill on Tuesday 03/05/2016. | |
| > read more |
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22 April 2016 |
| Despite strict regulations put into place by Treasury Public-Private Partnerships are able to shift responsibility with relative ease and are avoiding transparency | |
| > read more |
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19 April 2016 |
| The SAHA team reports back on its "Teaching the TRC" workshop held last weekend in conjunction with 20th anniversary of first TRC public hearings | |
| > read more |
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18 April 2016 |
| Thursday 14/04, on the eve of the 20th anniversary of the first public hearings on the TRC, saw the launch of 2 exhibitions reflecting on the legacy of this much lauded memory for justice initiative | |
| > read more |
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15 April 2016 |
| The DOJ's inconsistent application of blanket over-redaction to TRC records once again demonstrates deeply worrying non-compliance with PAIA and failure to consider the public interest override. | |
| > read more |
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07 April 2016 |
| To mark 20 years since the first public hearings of South Africa’s TRC on 15 April 1996, SAHA and partners will be hosting a series of public exhibitions, film screenings, panel discussions and workshops at Constitution Hill | |
| > read more |
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06 April 2016 |
| SAHA recently submitted a request to Coronation Fund Managers and experienced a potential roadblock with respect to inconsistent information provided by the private body. | |
| > read more |
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04 April 2016 |
| SAHA has filed court papers requesting that the court declare that the Auditor General of South Africa’s decision not to grant access to records requested in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 is unlawful and unconstitutional. | |
| > read more |
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01 April 2016 |
| A comment piece by Open Secret's Hennie van Vuuren, first published in the Mail and Guardian newspaper, 11 March 2016. | |
| > read more |
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01 April 2016 |
| After a decade-long battle, SAHA has received the TRC database but cannot make it available until the DOJ completes the out-of-court settlement process | |
| > read more |
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30 March 2016 |
| SAHA has been engaged in an ongoing project surrounding access to information with respect to Public-Private Partnerships and this is the second news story in this special project | |
| > read more |
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30 March 2016 |
| The South African History Archive makes a submission to the Human Rights Commission based on its extensive experience in utilising PAIA detailing areas where improvements could be made | |
| > read more |
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30 March 2016 |
| Who watches the watchmen? When one of the few institutions charged with responsibility for ensuring compliance with PAIA fails to take steps to ensure it is itself compliant, what does this say about the state of access to information today | |
| > read more |
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23 March 2016 |
| NGOs are extremely concerned for safety of other activists of the Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC), after last night's assassination of ACC chairperson | |
| > read more |
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22 March 2016 |
| Press statement made by 17 NGOs calling on government to investigation raid on the offices of the Helen Suzman Foundation | |
| > read more |
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18 March 2016 |
| Who watches the watchmen? When one of the few institutions charged with responsibility for ensuring compliance with PAIA fails to take steps to ensure it itself is complaint, what does this say about the state of access to information in South Africa toda | |
| > read more |
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18 March 2016 |
| What happens when a public body complies, technically, with PAIA but the result is simply a waste of resources? The recent transfer of a PAIA request, submitted by SAHA, showcases a problematic aspect of a provision of PAIA, or rather lack thereof. | |
| > read more |
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09 March 2016 |
| Today, 15 years ago, the law intended to give effect to the constitutional right of access to information came into operation. The FOIP team at SAHA reflects on the state of the right & their work in forwarding PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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08 March 2016 |
| A review of SAHA's time spent engaging with partners in the right to information, R2K, whilst attending their National Summit in Durban | |
| > read more |
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08 March 2016 |
| The FOIP Advocacy Officer reflects on how research showing a need for better service delivery accountability can be incorporated into SAHA's training with local government. | |
| > read more |
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26 February 2016 |
| The South African History Archive (SAHA) has filed court papers seeking a final order compelling the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) to grant access to apartheid-era records of financial fraud. | |
| > read more |
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26 February 2016 |
| After more than two years of protracted communication with the Department of Defence SAHA has approached the court to gain access to records requested under PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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22 February 2016 |
| SAHA is looking for a creative, energetic professional with an understanding of, and commitment to, archival activism to coordinate its Struggles for Justice Programme (SFJP) | |
| > read more |
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21 February 2016 |
| A short look at what is in store for the Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) in 2016. | |
| > read more |
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10 December 2015 |
| South Africa was one of the eight founding members of the OGP, and at this year’s OGP Summit assumed the role of Chair of the OGP for a 12 month period. | |
| > read more |
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01 December 2015 |
| Please help SAHA to archive for justice and accountability by getting a free MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card, listing SAHA as a beneficiary, and swiping your card to donate each time you shop at a wide range of South African shops. | |
| > read more |
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30 October 2015 |
| The Department of Higher Education and Training, responding to a PAIA request submitted by SAHA, today released a copy of the “free education” report issued to Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande in 2012. | |
| > read more |
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30 September 2015 |
| SAHA's Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP), on International Right to Know Day (28 September 2015), attended the National Information Officers Forum (NIOF) hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) where SAHA was awarded a Golden Key | |
| > read more |
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30 September 2015 |
| Over a year and a half late, TRANSNET finally responds to SAHA's PAIA requests, saying that no records exist. | |
| > read more |
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30 September 2015 |
| On 29 September 2015 conjunction with International Right to Know Day (celebrated annually on 28 September) SAHA hosted a workshop to discuss and get feedback on its collation of PAIA training material for use at local government level. | |
| > read more |
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25 September 2015 |
| SAPS’ decision to refuse access to this information is as broad and ambiguous as its decisions to classify and declassify NKPs in the first place. | |
| > read more |
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02 September 2015 |
| The Right to Truth team were invited to present at a roundtable event co-hosted by the Wits Justice Project and Wits School of Governance. | |
| > read more |
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31 August 2015 |
| It is an ongoing cause for concern that opaque security policies governing undisclosed locations are in place and are as yet inaccessible to the public. | |
| > read more |
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27 August 2015 |
| The Right to Truth team was invited to the Wits Institute for Diversity Studies, to conduct a Wednesday seminar. | |
| > read more |
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27 August 2015 |
| SAHA has been running workshops for history educators since 2008 as part of SAHA's ongoing efforts to use history as a lens for exploring issues of justice, human rights and responsibilities. The most recent workshop - on the TRC - was held on 22 August 2 | |
| > read more |
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27 August 2015 |
| Read about how the TRC transfer list is helping SAHA's TRC-related PAIA requests. | |
| > read more |
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26 August 2015 |
| With more records being processed each week, SAHA is releasing an updated list of Section 29 records, indicating which are available online. | |
| > read more |
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11 August 2015 |
| Parliament calls for nominations of member of vital new regulator with extensive powers to investigate complaints in relation to the rights of access to, and privacy of, information. | |
| > read more |
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07 August 2015 |
| Women played an integral part of the struggle for liberation in South Africa, as well as a crucial role in testifying to the atrocities committed under apartheid. Read more about women and the TRC. | |
| > read more |
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06 August 2015 |
| Looking at some of the highlights coming out of the discussion at the PAIA CSN panel at PILG on the impact of recent litigation on the right of access to information broadly and the application and implementation of PAIA specifically | |
| > read more |
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15 July 2015 |
| Read Miranda West's reflections on her first week at SAHA, working with the Right to Truth team | |
| > read more |
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07 July 2015 |
| The second semester of 2015 sees us bidding farewell to one Intern and welcoming three! | |
| > read more |
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03 July 2015 |
| The new Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) collection (AL3299) at SAHA relates to CER's work in promoting transparency and accountability in environmental governance. | |
| > read more |
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15 June 2015 |
| On June 16 1976, 20 000 Soweto students marched against the discriminatory Bantu Education system, when the police opened fire with live ammunition and tears gas. We look back at the youth uprising, with lessons for the current youth. | |
| > read more |
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08 June 2015 |
| Read SAHA's latest press release regarding the release of the TRC Victims database. | |
| > read more |
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28 May 2015 |
| The Socio-Economic Rights Institution (SERI) & the History Workshop at University of the Witwatersrand hosted a 3 day convening from 7 - 9 May 2015, to investigate the Marikana Commission (also known as the Farlam Commission) | |
| > read more |
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28 May 2015 |
| On 22 May 2015, SAHA hosted the South African Coalition for Transitional Justice’s (SACTJ) press conference relating to the abduction and disappearance of Nokuthula Simelane. | |
| > read more |
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22 May 2015 |
| Marikana Support Campaign (MSC), Right2Know Campaign (R2K) and South African History Archive (SAHA) submit PAIA request for release of Farlam Commission Report. | |
| > read more |
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20 May 2015 |
| The South African Coalition for Transitional Justice (SACTJ) supports the landmark legal case in pursuit of justice for Nokuthula Simelane | |
| > read more |
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08 May 2015 |
| Recently Freedom House released their annual report on the state of press freedom around the world and South Africa’s decline on the list is largely related to limitations of the right of access to information. | |
| > read more |
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05 May 2015 |
| Professor Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, who served on the Human Right Violations Committee of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), has this to say about South Africa’s recent xenophobic attacks | |
| > read more |
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01 May 2015 |
| SAHA launched its new report on the shifting relationship between civil society and the Constitution in post-apartheid South Africa on 23 April 2015 | |
| > read more |
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19 April 2015 |
| Emergency Coalition announces People’s March Against Xenophobia in Johannesburg this Thursday 23/04 at 13h00 | |
| > read more |
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15 April 2015 |
| To mark the 19th anniversary of the first public hearing held by the TRC on 15 April 1995, SAHA publishes digitised copies of the first 5 s29 transcripts released by the DOJ | |
| > read more |
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14 April 2015 |
| Cast your vote for your favourite charity so they can win cash for the wonderful work that they do! | |
| > read more |
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02 April 2015 |
| SAHA is this year running a pilot capacity-building project targeting municipalities, particularly within the Eastern Cape, Free State and Gauteng Provinces and aimed at improving access to information at local level. | |
| > read more |
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02 April 2015 |
| Last week the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council passed a proposal for the establishment of a UN Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy | |
| > read more |
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30 March 2015 |
| In a ringing affirmation of the importance of open justice, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) today upheld the appeal of the City of Cape Town against a Western Cape High Court judgment handed down last August. | |
| > read more |
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24 March 2015 |
| As 2015’s International Right to Truth day arrives in South Africa, SAHA can announce that it has won an 11 year battle with the Department of Justice regarding the release of records from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s in-camera (Section 2 | |
| > read more |
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20 March 2015 |
| In South Africa, Human rights day is the day we commemorate the death of 67 civilians and 180 others injured on the 21st of March 1960 in Sharpeville, Johannesburg in the fight against the oppressive apartheid system. | |
| > read more |
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27 February 2015 |
| Setting a new standard in PAIA compliance the University of Johannesburg has applied its mind to a PAIA request and released records despite a third party raising objections. | |
| > read more |
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25 February 2015 |
| Mandela's first speeches after release had targeted messages to South Africans - messages which are still relevant today. | |
| > read more |
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23 February 2015 |
| Eleven civil society, academic and media groups will, following their admission as friends of court, be disputing the constitutionality of a retrogressive High Court judgment at the Supreme Court of Appeal. | |
| > read more |
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22 February 2015 |
| My Vote Counts asks the Constitutional Court to find that PAIA does not, and was never intended, by itself, to give full effect to the right of access to information as contained in section 32 of the Constitution. | |
| > read more |
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02 February 2015 |
| View Corruption Watch's visual summary of the PAIA Civil Society Network's Shadow Report 2013 / 2014 | |
| > read more |
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02 February 2015 |
| On 2 February 2000, South Africa's key transparency law, the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA), was signed into law. 15 years later, the PAIA Civil Society Network has released its annual ‘shadow report' on the state of access to infor | |
| > read more |
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02 February 2015 |
| From Eugene de Kock to Ferdi Barnard, some of apartheid's most notorious names are back in our headlines. SAHA's TRC collections provide insight and information on issues like de Kock's amnesty and Hani's murder. | |
| > read more |
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30 January 2015 |
| Former Transnet employees still await records, with some of the delays caused by technical interpretations of vague terminology in PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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30 January 2015 |
| The long two-year process of trying to obtain a list of the National Key Points shows a disregard by government for the processes prescribed in PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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23 January 2015 |
| R2K & SAHA welcome Police Ministry’s decision to release the National Key Points List | |
| > read more |
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10 December 2014 |
| After a protracted six year battle between the Mail & Guardian and the Presidency the Khampepe Report was finally released. | |
| > read more |
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10 December 2014 |
| The release of the Khampepe Report elicited various reactions and responses. | |
| > read more |
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10 December 2014 |
| Over the last month, SAHA has supported a collaborative series of events on 100 years of war, genocide and mass violence. | |
| > read more |
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23 November 2014 |
| On Monday 24 November 2014, the South Gauteng High Court will hear why the public should have access to a list of National Key Points. | |
| > read more |
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17 November 2014 |
| Nancy Nkoko is the FOIP intern at SAHA and she has been reading the Centre for Environmental Rights' Report titled Money Talks:Commerical Interests and Transparency in Environmental Governance. | |
| > read more |
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04 November 2014 |
| SAHA's Freedom of Information Programme bids a fond farewell to Kathryn Johnson and welcomes new staff! | |
| > read more |
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02 November 2014 |
| SAHA joins countless others in mourning the passing of long-time colleague, activist, funder and friend. Please join in celebrating an extraordinary South African and a life well lived in Cape Town this weekend. | |
| > read more |
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29 October 2014 |
| As we commemorate the anniversary of the handing over of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report to parliament in 1998, we take a look at how little has been done to build on the ideals that underpinned the TRC's initial establishment. | |
| > read more |
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27 October 2014 |
| SAHA, along with representatives from other organisations, addressed a local community on this topic at a Right2Know Campaign event held on Saturday, 25 October 2014 in Meadowlands, Soweto/ | |
| > read more |
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29 September 2014 |
| Civil society organisations have issued a joint statement calling for the Seriti Commission of Inquiry into the Arms Deal to be dissolved. | |
| > read more |
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12 September 2014 |
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| > read more |
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12 September 2014 |
| 3 February 1952 – 12 September 1989
12 September is the 25th anniversary of the assassination of Namibian lawyer and human rights activist Anton Lubowski by members of South Africa's Civil Cooperation Bureau (CBB). | |
| > read more |
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09 September 2014 |
| Today the Right2Know Campaign releases its 2014 ‘Secret State of the Nation' report, a snapshot study of trends, patterns and challenges with secrecy in South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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12 June 2014 |
| SAHA hosted a full day workshop for NGOs on how to use PAIA as an advocacy tool in the basic education sector. | |
| > read more |
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30 May 2014 |
| SAHA, with the PAIA CSN, recently provided feedback on amendments proposed by the Rules Board for Courts of Law, aimed at bringing uniformity to the Court rules in all courts. | |
| > read more |
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30 May 2014 |
| This month a number of former Transnet employees finally received records from First National Bank (FNB) after seeking help from SAHA to obtain their home loan records through the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA). | |
| > read more |
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30 May 2014 |
| The South African History Archive (SAHA) is an independent human rights archive committed to documenting and raising awareness of past struggles against apartheid, as well as ongoing struggles in the making of democracy in South Africa. In line with this | |
| > read more |
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29 May 2014 |
| SAHA is looking for a dedicated, thorough, meticulous individual with a keen interest in the history of struggles for justice in South Africa to work with the archival team for a 6-month internship starting in July 2014. | |
| > read more |
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13 May 2014 |
| Cartoons from Zapiro, depicting Wouter Basson, head of the SADF's notorious apartheid-era Chemical and Biological Warfare Programme, during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. | |
| > read more |
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09 May 2014 |
| By selecting SAHA as your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet beneficiary, you can support our work every time you shop at Woolworths, Engen Quikshops, Toys R Us, Waltons, Reggie’s, kalahari.com, Power24 and more. | |
| > read more |
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30 April 2014 |
| As ex-SADF psychiatrist Aubrey Levin starts his jail term in Canada, Terry Bell recalls the abuse endured by gays in the apartheid military, a dark chapter in South Africa's past also reflected in SAHA's archives. | |
| > read more |
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27 April 2014 |
| Sign a petition calling on the Health Professions Council of South Africa to remove Dr Wouter Basson, former head of apartheid South Africa's notorious chemical and biological warfare programme, from the register of medical practitioners. | |
| > read more |
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22 April 2014 |
| A new notice from the South African Human Rights Commission serves as reminder to public bodies that PAIA trumps other contrary legislation when it comes to information disclosure. | |
| > read more |
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17 April 2014 |
| After four years Morena Mofokeng, finally received a signed decision from the President on his kingship application after seeking the help of SAHA under PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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20 March 2014 |
| We've been reading up on the music movement that rocked apartheid South Africa, important global principles on national security & the right to information, and a back to basics introduction to digitisation for archives and libraries. | |
| > read more |
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10 February 2014 |
| SAHA is looking for up to two dedicated and dynamic individuals interested in learning more about building a career in human rights advocacy, to join its Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) for a 6 - 12 month internship starting from March 2014. | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2014 |
| Ryan Shapiro, a United States (US) citizen, has filed a lawsuit against the CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) for failure to respond to a request for Nelson Mandela’s arrest records. | |
| > read more |
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16 December 2013 |
| Messages from TRC posters in the SAHA Poster Collection: Let's speak out to each other. By telling the truth. By telling our stories of the past. So we can walk the road to reconciliation together. | |
| > read more |
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06 December 2013 |
| As the world mourns the loss of a renowned icon, Nelson Mandela, SAHA has pulled out some of the best Madiba posters from its archive to say 'siyabulela Tata, ulale ngoxolo!' | |
| > read more |
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06 December 2013 |
| As one of its achievements to end the year, SAHA has improved the functionality of the PAIA Request Tracker and has shared those developments with its network of users. | |
| > read more |
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05 December 2013 |
| As an organisation developed and strengthened by its volunteers, SAHA applaud all those who volunteer to make the world a better place. | |
| > read more |
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03 December 2013 |
| The Right2Know campaign has brought community leaders’ and activists to its inaugural leadership school. | |
| > read more |
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28 November 2013 |
| View posters pulled out of the rich SAHA archive resource for the 16 Days of Activism. Some of them will remain on display in the SAHA courtyard for the duration of the initiative. These posters are from AL2446 The SAHA Poster Collection. | |
| > read more |
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25 November 2013 |
| Today marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Child abuse under the theme, ‘From peace in the home to peace in the world. Let’s challenge militarism and end violence against women’. | |
| > read more |
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25 November 2013 |
| The findings of the PAIA Civil Society Network Shadow Report 2013 represented graphically, courtesy of PCSN member, Corruption Watch | |
| > read more |
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22 November 2013 |
| On the eve of the International Day to End Impunity, civil society report shows that the right of access to information, fundamental to promote accountability & combat impunity, remains under threat in South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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21 November 2013 |
| SAHA is looking for a dynamic individual with a strong commitment to building a career in human rights advocacy to join its Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP). | |
| > read more |
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13 November 2013 |
| On 12 November 2013, the National Assembly passed the Secrecy Bill with 255 votes in favour and 88 against. | |
| > read more |
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01 November 2013 |
| SAHA has completed the first phase of processing the Constitution Hill Trust collection that relates to the history, vision and development of the precinct and the Constitutional Court. | |
| > read more |
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31 October 2013 |
| An exciting collection of documents that shed light on the life of Dulcie Evon September, a renowned anti-apartheid activist, has finally been released to SAHA. | |
| > read more |
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16 October 2013 |
| Pro-Bono.org celebrated World Habitat Day, by hosting a housing information day themed “Responsible Urban Living”. | |
| > read more |
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16 September 2013 |
| President Jacob Zuma, has confirmed what a lot of Secrecy Bill critics have been saying; the Secrecy Bill does not pass Constitutional muster. | |
| > read more |
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13 September 2013 |
| The Right2Know Campaign welcomes President Zuma’s acknowledgement that the Secrecy Bill does not pass constitutional muster. | |
| > read more |
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11 September 2013 |
| Vaal Environmental Justice Alliance (VEJA) with the assistance of Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) and groundWork won a land mark case using PAIA against giant steel producer ArcelorMittal. | |
| > read more |
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10 September 2013 |
| On 5 September, the Right2Know Campaign and the South African History Archive (SAHA) served court papers on the Minister of Police and Minister of Defence and War Veterans, to access a public list of National Key Points. | |
| > read more |
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15 August 2013 |
| It has been a year since SAHA moved to the Constitution Hill heritage site in Braamfontein. As a human rights archive, this strategic move has improved the organisation’s outreach, accessibility, public interaction and profile. | |
| > read more |
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12 July 2013 |
| Over two months later the Bill still awaits the signature of President Zuma. | |
| > read more |
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10 July 2013 |
| Questions still remain despite 12,000 pages of documents about expenditure on Nkandla being released to amaBhungane in response to their 2012 PAIA request | |
| > read more |
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09 July 2013 |
| The Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIAnet) has released a report entitled 'Global Right to Information Update: An Analysis by Region' to which SAHA contributed. | |
| > read more |
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28 June 2013 |
| SAHA meets with local NGOs in Bunia to explore ways in which archival processes and outreach could be used to strengthen their work. | |
| > read more |
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27 June 2013 |
| SAHA is pleased to announce that the application has been granted to serve as amicus curiae in the Nkadlagate litigation with pro-bono legal representation from Cliff-Dekker Hofmeyer Incorporated. | |
| > read more |
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27 June 2013 |
| On 27 June 2013 SAHA attended a successful Business and Transparency conference hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to promote dialogue and advocacy on transparency in the private sector. | |
| > read more |
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26 June 2013 |
| On 26 June, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Khulumani calls on the country’s political leadership to fulfil its obligations with respect to reparations for gross human rights violations | |
| > read more |
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26 June 2013 |
| The new records shed some light on the provision of houses and the progress on water augmentation projects as announced in the state of the nation address by the president. | |
| > read more |
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24 June 2013 |
| Australian lawyer, Kathryn Johnson, joins SAHA's Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) | |
| > read more |
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21 June 2013 |
| SAHA has successfully trained NGO's, CBO's and Individuals in the Housing sector to use the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to access information. | |
| > read more |
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19 June 2013 |
| June 19, 2013, marks 100 years since the notorious Natives Land Act came into effect in South Africa, severely restricted land ownership and freedom of residence within South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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18 June 2013 |
| The G8 summit held at the Lough Erne, Northern Ireland on June 18, issues a declaration. | |
| > read more |
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13 June 2013 |
| After a 6 month battle, the Department of Human Settlements has finally complied with PAIA and released housing related records. | |
| > read more |
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12 June 2013 |
| The Justice Initiative and more than 16 partner organizations, will shortly release the Global Principles on National Security and Right to Information. | |
| > read more |
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06 June 2013 |
| Department of Transport's whistle-blower policy sets out the processes and procedures and the related structures that individual can approach when they are aware of corruption and or maladministration within the department. | |
| > read more |
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05 June 2013 |
| Aimed at educating people on how to reduce foodprints on our natural environment, the UNEP adopted the theme ‘Think. Eat. Save.' as this year's celebration of World Environment Day. | |
| > read more |
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04 June 2013 |
| Open Government Partnership members in Africa met in Mombasa, Kenya from 28 to 30 May to discuss how to broaden and strengthen a strong civil society and government networks in Africa. | |
| > read more |
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03 June 2013 |
| The Right2Know Campaign has welcomed the decision by Minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa to review the constitutionality of the National Key Points Act. | |
| > read more |
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23 May 2013 |
| Ireland and Australia join the OGP whilst Russia sends a letter indicating its withdrawal and the reasons are still unknown. | |
| > read more |
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22 May 2013 |
| Help us to identify areas which have been dedicated as national key points under the National Key Points Act (NKPA), Act 102 of 1980. | |
| > read more |
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07 May 2013 |
| SAHA compares PAIA and the Model law this is a first of 11 comaprison that pit existing African ATI laws and the recently released Model Law. | |
| > read more |
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03 May 2013 |
| Posters from the archives reflect the long struggle for press freedom in South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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26 April 2013 |
| As South Africa prepares to celebrate Freedom Day, the National Assembly votes in favour of a flawed draft that will undermine freedom of information in the country. | |
| > read more |
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26 April 2013 |
| SAHA prepares to go to court after the DOJ fails to comply with instruction to release a copy of the TRC database to SAHA under PAIA made in 2009. | |
| > read more |
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23 April 2013 |
| History educators are invited to participate in a series of mini-workshops in May 2013 on teaching about the South African TRC. | |
| > read more |
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23 April 2013 |
| National Department of Public Service and Administration which is the custodian of the Open Government Partnership in South Africa, publishes SA’s OGP self assessment report. | |
| > read more |
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15 April 2013 |
| The African Commission on Human and People’s Rights on 12 April 2013 officially launched its Model Law on Access to Information | |
| > read more |
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11 April 2013 |
| The Right2Know Campaign wishes to address recent comments in Parliament that seek to suggest that the outstanding problems with the Secrecy Bill are all but fixed | |
| > read more |
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10 April 2013 |
| April 10 marks 20 years since the assassination of the South African Communist Party leader and Commander of uMkhonto weSizwe (ANC military wing), Chris Hani in 1993 aged 47. | |
| > read more |
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09 April 2013 |
| Department of Correctional Services releases corruption records related to PAIA request SAH-2012-DCS-0004 | |
| > read more |
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28 March 2013 |
| The Right2Know Campaign notes that the 'General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill' (the 'Spy Bill') has been finalised in the National Assembly committee and is all but ready for adoption. | |
| > read more |
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26 March 2013 |
| Disgruntled SABC Board members resign from their positions as past unresolved problems crop up again. Records released to SAHA demonstrate on-going frustrations. | |
| > read more |
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25 March 2013 |
| SAHA and the South African Human Rights Commission host the last in a series of three community training workshop in Soweto. | |
| > read more |
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24 March 2013 |
| The International Day for the Right to the Truth was proclaimed by the UN in December 2010 in honour of human rights violation victims. | |
| > read more |
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19 March 2013 |
| On Friday, the Supreme Court of Appeal ordered Eskom to disclose how much it charges BHP Billiton aluminum smelters for electricity. | |
| > read more |
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18 March 2013 |
| The Right to Know (R2K) Campaign held its 3rd annual summit 15 to 17 March 2013. The summit, attended by over 60 activists, professionals, community leaders and ordinary individuals representing communities, NGO's and CBO's, was hosted by the R2K Kwa-Zulu | |
| > read more |
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04 March 2013 |
| The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights adopts a Model Law on Access to Information for Africa | |
| > read more |
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04 March 2013 |
| The Rwandan government adopted the access to information legislation, making it the 11th country in Africa to adopt the law. | |
| > read more |
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28 February 2013 |
| While Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has announced he will publicize the names of officials convicted of corruption, SAHA has been working to find out whether government departments try to prevent it before it happens. | |
| > read more |
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28 February 2013 |
| To mark Human Rights Month, SAHA and the SABC, are launching a new website centering on the 87-part ‘Truth Commission Special Report' television series, last broadcast 15 years ago. | |
| > read more |
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27 February 2013 |
| No policies, processes or procedures. Outdated archival tools and recording materials. No budget allocated for over 5 years. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the sad state of the South African Police video archives. | |
| > read more |
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18 February 2013 |
| Today the Right2Know Campaign releases its 'Secret State of the Nation' report, highlighting the state of secrecy and openness in South Africa today. | |
| > read more |
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14 February 2013 |
| Gauteng Right2Know campaign picketed outside Constitution Hill precinct in protest of the Secrecy Bill | |
| > read more |
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14 February 2013 |
| Established as the highest legal authority in the land in all constitutional matters, this court is a key institution in ensuring that the country's democratic principles are upheld. | |
| > read more |
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12 February 2013 |
| The National Assembly Committee considering the Spy Bill is scheduled to have its first meeting today, to discuss amendments to the bill proposed by the committee members. | |
| > read more |
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08 February 2013 |
| The South African History Archive trains the housing sector on PAIA, tool that will be instrumental in assisting the housing sector in their advocacy work to protect their rights. | |
| > read more |
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01 February 2013 |
| SAHRC and SAHA continue to work together to support Soweto residents in their fight for access to information. | |
| > read more |
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01 February 2013 |
| Onkgopotse Tiro was assassinated by apartheid agents and the TRC failed to conduct an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2013 |
| Developed by the Colombian Historical Memory Group in collaboration with the University of British Columbia & memory workers from around the world, including SAHA, this resource is now available for download. | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2013 |
| As part of our commitment to fostering an open information culture, SAHA has developed
"PAIA Unpacked: A Resource for Lawyers and Paralegals." | |
| > read more |
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25 January 2013 |
| SAHA has obtained information from the City of Cape Town that is useful for advocates who are pressing for better transparency, accountability, and good governance in the housing sector. | |
| > read more |
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22 January 2013 |
| Lecture on Codes of Practice on Public Consultation was presented by Edward Andersson of Involve | |
| > read more |
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19 December 2012 |
| Kenyan Minister plans to compel public institutions to release information for Kenya's Open Data Initiative. | |
| > read more |
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18 December 2012 |
| The Right2Know campaign has put together a 2013 calendar that celebrates whistle-blowers and honours the sacrifices they have made to speak out against injustice. | |
| > read more |
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18 December 2012 |
| The Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD) is today releasing a Report – Making the OGP Effective: Guidelines for Assessing OGP Action Plans – which presents nine guidelines for assessing Open Government Partnership (OGP) Participating States’ action pl | |
| > read more |
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14 December 2012 |
| Nigerian Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku has called on the countries Commissioners for Information to champion the implementation of Freedom of Information in their respective states. | |
| > read more |
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10 December 2012 |
| Today is Human Rights Day – a day to recognize the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. | |
| > read more |
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09 December 2012 |
| In recognition of International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, Transparency International has published their annual Corruption Perceptions Index. | |
| > read more |
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08 December 2012 |
| SAHA launched the ZAPU report and exhibition, ZAPU Through Zenzo Nkobi's Lens, at Constitution Hill on December 8 where ex-combatants had the opportunity of reuniting to share stories of the Zimbabwean struggle for independence. | |
| > read more |
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30 November 2012 |
| Two collections relating to the history of Zimbabwe, particularly the history of ZAPU and its armed wing, ZPRA have recently been processed and are now available for consultation at SAHA. | |
| > read more |
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29 November 2012 |
| SAHA would like to invite NGOs involved in housing matters to a series of capacity-building workshops. The workshops are centered on access to information and in particular, the right to information. | |
| > read more |
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28 November 2012 |
| National Council of Provinces issues a statement which signals the end of consultations on the Secrecy Bill | |
| > read more |
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27 November 2012 |
| Freedominfo.org reports that the drafters of Zimbabwe’s constitution are considering including a provision on the right to information. | |
| > read more |
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27 November 2012 |
| The Right2Know campaign in Gauteng has released a press statement inviting its supporters and members of the public to a night vigil. | |
| > read more |
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27 November 2012 |
| 27 November marks the day where Neil was arrested and detained by security police for his involvement in labour movement. 3 months later he died in police custody at John Vorster Square. | |
| > read more |
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26 November 2012 |
| The Right2Know Campaign Gauteng invites all its supporters to attend a two day activist training on 4 and 5 December 2012 | |
| > read more |
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23 November 2012 |
| Parliament’s deliberations on the Protection of State Information Bill (dubbed “the Secrecy bill”) drew to a close on 21 November 2012 | |
| > read more |
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19 November 2012 |
| The South African Human Rights Commission and SAHA have teamed up to promote access to information in Soweto | |
| > read more |
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16 November 2012 |
| SAPS denies SAHA access to records that were never requested, citing of section 38(a) and 38(b)(i)(aa) of PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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13 November 2012 |
| On 12 November 2012 the Open Government Partnerships Networking Mechanisms held a webinar entitled “Measuring Implementation of Access to Information Legislation.” | |
| > read more |
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12 November 2012 |
| The World Bank Executive Board may require Tunisia to improve its access to information practices before approving a $500 million loan to the country. | |
| > read more |
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09 November 2012 |
| The Right to Know Campaign is planning a ‘campout for openness’ outside Parliament from 19 November. | |
| > read more |
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06 November 2012 |
| Right to Know has produced a tool intended to assist citizens to recognise the important role that access to information can play in the achievement of their advocacy goals and the protection of their rights. | |
| > read more |
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31 October 2012 |
| The 2012 Aid Transparency Index, released by Publish What You Fund, indicates that while aid transparency has improved, most donors continue to fall far short of best practice. | |
| > read more |
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31 October 2012 |
| In anticipation of International Anti-Corruption Day SAHA has begun making access to information requests to government departments about how corruption is handled. | |
| > read more |
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31 October 2012 |
| Minister Cwele has urged the NCOP committee considering the secrecy bill to reinstate a provision that would see restrictions on access to information in the bill prevail over the right of access to information in PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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29 October 2012 |
| It has been 25 years since the death of 20-year old Ashley Kriel died in police cells yet, little is known about events leading to his death. | |
| > read more |
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27 October 2012 |
| MISA Zambia remains optimistic that the governement will table an access to information law, despite delays. | |
| > read more |
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24 October 2012 |
| The Maldives could pass an access to information law by the end of the year according to Speaker of Parliament, Abdulla Shahid. | |
| > read more |
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23 October 2012 |
| Ahmed was one of the victims who plunged to his death from the notorious 10th floor of John Vorster Square, now Johannesburg Central Police Station, in 1971. | |
| > read more |
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19 October 2012 |
| Records released to SAHA under PAIA reveal that the Departments of Health, Environmental Affairs and Transport spent almost R150 million on catering between 2010 and 2012. | |
| > read more |
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11 October 2012 |
| Several civil society organizations continue to urge Mozambique’s parliament to debate a freedom of information bill. | |
| > read more |
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08 October 2012 |
| Open Government Standards, a civil society iniative led by Access Info Europe, has released draft principles on transparency, participation and accountability for public comment. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2012 |
| The Right2Know campaign will march on the Union Buildings on 28 September and issue a statement of demands to the Office of the Presidency, demanding greater transparency and accountability from state institutions. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2012 |
| The Freedom of Information Advocates Network has released a statement reflecting on its achievements, challenges and goals over the last decade to celebrate its tenth anniversary. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2012 |
| Records released to SAHA under the Promotion of Access to Information Act show that the Department of Basic Education spent over R100 million on travel and events for the 2011/2012 financial year. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2012 |
| The tenth International Right to Know day on 28 September was celebrated by civil society groups around the globe, many hosting events to campaign for government transparency, effective legislation, and public awareness about the right to know. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2012 |
| On 28 September SAHA was awarded the ‘best promoter' of PAIA by the South African Human Rights Commission at the Golden Key Awards. | |
| > read more |
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26 September 2012 |
| SAHA hosted a dialogue forum on 26 September to discuss the implementation challenges associated with the right to know and consider what steps must be taken to transform the right from paper to reality. | |
| > read more |
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12 September 2012 |
| Right2Know Campaign statement on back peddling on secrecy bill concessions by the ANC. | |
| > read more |
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11 September 2012 |
| The Protection of Personal Information Bill, passed by the National Assembly on 11 September, includes exciting changes for access to information but deals a severe blow to the archival sector already struggling to meet the demands of national heritage. | |
| > read more |
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07 September 2012 |
| Right 2 Know campaign pickets against the secrecy bill at the Chief Albert Luthuli House. | |
| > read more |
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05 September 2012 |
| OPEN LETTER: A call to all political parties: Don’t rush the ‘Secrecy Bill’, and don’t rush it in secret. Address all seven unresolved problems. | |
| > read more |
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03 September 2012 |
| The State Security Agency has refused to provide SAHA with records detailing expenditure by the agency on items such as catering, travel, accommodation, vehicles and office space. | |
| > read more |
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31 August 2012 |
| The UDF, a former struggle movement, was launched during the month of August and was also dissolved in August. Recently, some activists have been pushing for it to be resuscitated, a call that has been criticised by others. | |
| > read more |
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30 August 2012 |
| The 31st of August marks 18 months since the Jobs Fund was officially launched. | |
| > read more |
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29 August 2012 |
| Members of the NCOP Ad Hoc Committee considering the secrecy bill have held private meetings to reach agreement on amendments to the bill. | |
| > read more |
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29 August 2012 |
| Reports that an amendment to the secrecy bill will protect the right to information under PAIA are inaccurate. | |
| > read more |
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28 August 2012 |
| The Israeli Supreme Court has ordered the Israeli Ministry of Education to release data about the scores of individual schools in national and international comparative studies to concerned parents. | |
| > read more |
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27 August 2012 |
| The struggle stalwart, Neville Alexander, died aged 75 at his home in Grassy Park on the Cape Flats, in the Western Cape Province, after a long battle with cancer. | |
| > read more |
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24 August 2012 |
| The Right2Know campaign has issued a statement on what it views as the remaining issues with the secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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22 August 2012 |
| The Open Government Partnership Steering Committee is seeking comments on its draft two-year strategic plan. | |
| > read more |
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22 August 2012 |
| On 22 August the South Gauteng High Court issued an order requiring the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency to release records to SA Airlink (Pty) Limited in terms of PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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20 August 2012 |
| SAHA has moved from Wits University to new offices in Johannesburg's Constitution Hill complex in Braamfontein. Contact details have also changed. | |
| > read more |
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13 August 2012 |
| The Department of Health is currently paying a R1 000 000.00 retainer for the maintenance of its headquarters, Civitas Building in Pretoria. | |
| > read more |
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03 August 2012 |
| SAHA has moved to new offices from Wits University to Johannesburg's Constitution Hill complex in Braamfontein. | |
| > read more |
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31 July 2012 |
| The UK government has overruled a decision of the independent Information Commissioner to release the minutes of cabinet meetings held immediately before the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. | |
| > read more |
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31 July 2012 |
| SAHA will be hosting a programme of activities in the week commencing 24 September 2012 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of International Right to Know Day. | |
| > read more |
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26 July 2012 |
| The City of Johannesburg has refused to show copies of contracts it considers confidential to the Municipal Public Accounts Committee, unless MPAC members sign confidentiality agreements. | |
| > read more |
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25 July 2012 |
| State Security Minister Siyanbonga Cwele is rethiking his refusal to engage with parliament or the public on the spy bill. | |
| > read more |
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19 July 2012 |
| SAHA has joined international access to information activists in urging the Phillipines to adopt an access to information law by signing an open letter to the President of the country. | |
| > read more |
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17 July 2012 |
| Records releases to SAHA by the National Department of Basic Education indicate the shockingly low standard of South African Matric (Grade 12) pass requirements. | |
| > read more |
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16 July 2012 |
| Earlier in the year residents of Diepsloot took to the streets after their water supplier, Johannesburg Water, shut down their water supply after tests confirmed that the water was contaminated. | |
| > read more |
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14 July 2012 |
| Tshwane residents get trained on their right to information and the Promotion of Access to Information Act. | |
| > read more |
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11 July 2012 |
| The Centre for Law and Democracy has criticised participating states in the OGP for a 'conspicuous weakness' of commitments to reform access to information laws. | |
| > read more |
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03 July 2012 |
| Government and civil society representatives from African states participating in the OGP met on 3 July to discuss their action plans. | |
| > read more |
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29 June 2012 |
| SAHA has released a new access to information publication aimed at raising awareness of the right to information and its importance to everyday struggles faced by communities. | |
| > read more |
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28 June 2012 |
| Jeanette and her husband Marius were anti-apartheid activists who paid the ultimate price for their involvement in the fight against apartheid. | |
| > read more |
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26 June 2012 |
| The Abuja Federal High Court has ordered the National Assembly of Nigeria to release details of the salaries and allowances paid to its members between 2007 and 2011. | |
| > read more |
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26 June 2012 |
| As the world commemorates the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26, civil society organisations in South Africa bemoan the leniency with which torture is treated in the country. | |
| > read more |
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22 June 2012 |
| The Freedom of Information Programme at SAHA has embarked on an exercise to determine how government departments have spent their budget allocations. | |
| > read more |
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20 June 2012 |
| The majority leader of the Ghanaian Parliament has indicated that he hopes an access to information bill will be signed into law by the President in July 2012. | |
| > read more |
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20 June 2012 |
| This day is intended to honour the courage, strength and determination of all those who are forced to flee from their homes under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. | |
| > read more |
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19 June 2012 |
| The NCOP Ad Hoc Committee on the secrecy bill will now have until 30 September 2012 to report to the house on the bill. | |
| > read more |
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17 June 2012 |
| The final sub-regional consultation on the draft model law on access to information for African Union member states was held in Tunis on 16 and 17 June 2012. | |
| > read more |
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15 June 2012 |
| SACTJ warns that process for pardoning those responsible for mass atrocities committed during and immediately after apartheid is deeply flawed and unconstitutional. | |
| > read more |
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12 June 2012 |
| The Department of State Security has rejected proposals to amend the secrecy bill to protect the right of ordinary people to access information, insisting it is necessary to broaden the protection of information related to national security. | |
| > read more |
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12 June 2012 |
| The Department of State Security has rejected amendments to the secrecy bill proposed by the National Council of Provinces Ad Hoc Committee considering the bill. | |
| > read more |
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09 June 2012 |
| SAHA and the Right2Know Campaign met to run the second awareness raising session with community members in Kgugersdorp on their right to information. | |
| > read more |
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07 June 2012 |
| Press release from the Right 2 Know campaign in relation to the rejection of a public interest defence by the Department of State Security. | |
| > read more |
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07 June 2012 |
| Records released to SAHA through the Promotion of Access to Information Act, by the SAPS indicate that our men and women in uniform face the same HIV and AIDS scourge as other professions. | |
| > read more |
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06 June 2012 |
| Possessing a copy of the presentation of the Department of State Security to Parliament on the secrecy bill could lead to a jail term of up to 10 years if that bill were enacted. | |
| > read more |
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30 May 2012 |
| As part of the country's reconciliation efforts, Sierra Leone has made available records of its TRC's process on a newly launched website. | |
| > read more |
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29 May 2012 |
| The NCOP Ad Hoc Committee considering the secrecy bill has postponed meetings scheduled for 29 May to 1 June to discuss amendments to the bill. | |
| > read more |
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28 May 2012 |
| May 28 was marked as World Hunger Day to recognise the plight of those living in poverty, to raise awareness about the problem of hunger, as well as to come up with initiatives to deal with this human right issue. | |
| > read more |
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28 May 2012 |
| According to documents released to SAHA under PAIA, members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Intersex community are realising their dreams to wed. | |
| > read more |
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26 May 2012 |
| SAHA and the Right2Know Campaign met with community members in Sebokeng to raise awareness about the right to information. | |
| > read more |
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24 May 2012 |
| More than 180 people died in the crossfire between the police and members of the Israelites' church. They had gathered on a piece of land they had been instructed to vacate. | |
| > read more |
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18 May 2012 |
| On 18 May experts debated the changes to the press code recommended by the Press Freedom Commission. | |
| > read more |
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17 May 2012 |
| Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf appoints an Information Commissioner in line with Liberian Access to Information legislation. | |
| > read more |
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17 May 2012 |
| This day was launched in 2004 where initiatives and events are coordinated worldwide to garner support for the respect and recognition of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.
| |
| > read more |
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15 May 2012 |
| As the world commemorates this day, SAHA hopes that its virtual exhibition on the End Conscription Campaign will demonstrate the ongoing relevance of the movement and its influence on the world stage on issues of struggles for justice. | |
| > read more |
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14 May 2012 |
| The Indian government is seeking to establish a call centre and online portal to assist people seeking access to information to complete requests and appeals. | |
| > read more |
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14 May 2012 |
| Lask week members of the NCOP Ad Hoc Committee on the secrecy bill proposed amendments to the legislation. | |
| > read more |
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11 May 2012 |
| The NCOP seem set to refuse to adopt amendments to the secrecy bill that would protect the right to information afforded under PAIA, but is the decision based on a misunderstanding of PAIA? | |
| > read more |
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11 May 2012 |
| Press statement from the Right 2 Know Campaign on the ANC proposed amendments to the secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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08 May 2012 |
| Adopted on 8 May 1996, this document guarantees rights to everyone within SA borders. The socio-economic situation and the proposed regressive laws threaten the very same principles it seeks to enforce. | |
| > read more |
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07 May 2012 |
| Fuming Sierra Leone Parliamentarian, Sheku Dumbuya, threatens to block FOI Bill | |
| > read more |
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04 May 2012 |
| The Ad Hoc Committee of the National Aseembly considering the spy bill has delayed its meetings until after the finalisation of the budget votes on 31 May. | |
| > read more |
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03 May 2012 |
| The revised meeting schedule of the NCOP Ad Hoc Committee on the secrecy bill will allow insufficient time for a thorough examination of issues raised by the public. | |
| > read more |
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03 May 2012 |
| 3 May marks World Press Freedom Day. | |
| > read more |
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27 April 2012 |
| Records obtained by SAHA reveal that while South Africa celebrates freedom day, the vulnerable continue to be oppressed by sexual assault crime. | |
| > read more |
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25 April 2012 |
| The Right2Know Campaign is hosting a series of events to mark South African \"Freedom Week\" which includes Freedom Day, Workers\' Day and World Press Freedom Day. | |
| > read more |
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25 April 2012 |
| The Right2Know campaign is hosting a series of events to mark South African "Freedom Week" - 27 April (Freedom Day), 1 May (Worker's Day) and 3 May (World Press Freedom Day) in recognition and celebration of the struggles and victories that all citizens, | |
| > read more |
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25 April 2012 |
| The Right2Know campaign is hosting a series of events to mark South African "Freedom Week" - 27 April (Freedom Day), 1 May (Worker's Day) and 3 May (World Press Freedom Day) - in recognition and celebration of the struggles and victories that all citizens | |
| > read more |
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24 April 2012 |
| Press release from the Africa Freedom of Information Centre. | |
| > read more |
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18 April 2012 |
| The Open Government Partnership's second meeting ends with clear commitments for countries to improve open governance. | |
| > read more |
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18 April 2012 |
| The ASA has refused to investigate a complaint made by R2K regarding government advertising promoting the secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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11 April 2012 |
| The Open Society Monitoring Index, released by OSF, has revealed that perceptions of openness within South African society remain low. | |
| > read more |
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10 April 2012 |
| Similar to the trend toward secrecy in South Africa, represented by the secrecy bill and spy bill, the UK is considering proposals for secret courts and surveillance of citizens. | |
| > read more |
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05 April 2012 |
| The Freedom of Information Bill tabled in Botswana by a Member of Parliament is still not ready to see the light of day. | |
| > read more |
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02 April 2012 |
| The new Tunisian dispensation is hard at work on a new constitution for the country. | |
| > read more |
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31 March 2012 |
| The NCOP Ad Hoc Committee has afforded itself more time to deal with the overwhelming submissions against the secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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31 March 2012 |
| In a move to improve access to information matters, India has appointed three commissioners to its Central Information Commission. | |
| > read more |
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31 March 2012 |
| 98% of NGOs deregistered by DSD in the last seven years were due to non-compliance with strategies of sustaining a successful NGO in a sector plagued by lack of funding. | |
| > read more |
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31 March 2012 |
| The OGP, an initiative aimed at promoting freedom of information, has tabled the agenda for the upcoming meeting to be held in Brazil in April. | |
| > read more |
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31 March 2012 |
| Inconsistencies between Jacob Zuma's assertions about the provision of electricity in the country and the Department of Minerals and Energy's reports. | |
| > read more |
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30 March 2012 |
| Read SAHA's open letter to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) regarding the exclusion of SAHA from the list of organisations/individuals invited to make oral submissions about the secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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30 March 2012 |
| SAHA is plesed to announce the release of new materials developed to assist the LGBTI sector in utilising the right to information. | |
| > read more |
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23 March 2012 |
| The courts of Kenya are outlining the scope of the constitutional right to information through their decisions in two recent cases. | |
| > read more |
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21 March 2012 |
| The community of Rysmierbult is still battling to access their land long after the land restitution process has been concluded. | |
| > read more |
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16 March 2012 |
| SAHA has made a submission to the Ad Hoc Committee considering the General Intelligence Laws Amendment Bill on the transparency and privacy issues in the bill. | |
| > read more |
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01 March 2012 |
| Liberia has entered into an agreement with The Carter Center for assistance with the implementation of its Freedom of Information Act. | |
| > read more |
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29 February 2012 |
| An exhibition, drawing on SAHA's archival collections to reflect on the unfinished business of the TRC, will be on display at Constitution Hil until June 2012l. | |
| > read more |
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28 February 2012 |
| Recent events reveal government's tendency to conceal corruption and punish whistleblowers. | |
| > read more |
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28 February 2012 |
| In materials released to SAHA the Department of Health through SANAC is still to implement HIV and AIDS interventions for Men who have Sex with Men | |
| > read more |
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27 February 2012 |
| One document released under PAIA reveals true owner of the Kwa Masiza hostel and raises questions about ill-gotten gains resulting from its sale. | |
| > read more |
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22 February 2012 |
| Read on how the Freedom Of Information Programme finally received information from DHET using PAIA | |
| > read more |
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22 February 2012 |
| South Africa involved in secretive deal that allowed ousted Madagascan President to avoid customs when moving weapons across borders. | |
| > read more |
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20 February 2012 |
| This initiative was adopted by the United Nations with an aim to eradicate poverty, unemployment and to promote social integration. | |
| > read more |
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20 February 2012 |
| South Africa moves closer to implementing secrecy bill while public dissent in Nepal forces government to reconsider implementation of similar document. | |
| > read more |
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17 February 2012 |
| New bill would allow government to snoop on citizens and operate in the dark | |
| > read more |
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17 February 2012 |
| SAHA has made a submission to the National Council of Provinces on its concerns with the secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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16 February 2012 |
| The State of Ogun in Nigeria prepares to adopt Freedom of Information law | |
| > read more |
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15 February 2012 |
| Unreasonable delays impacting on victim involvement and fundamental flaws in the consideration of pardon applications may lead to the pardon of criminal acts unrelated to the fight for freedom and democracy in South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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04 February 2012 |
| Hailed as one of the best written constitutions in the world, this document now celebrates 15 years of its existence. | |
| > read more |
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03 February 2012 |
| See the revised amendments to the secrecy bill public hearings schedule. | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2012 |
| The South African Special Investigations Unit is to submit a PAIA request to obtain records of conversations between Faiek Davids and Leonard McCathy | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2012 |
| See the list of SAHA's educational resources developed to assist history learners and educators in schools. | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2012 |
| A review of the materials released to SAHA by the Department of Education based on the 2011 State of the Nation Address | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2012 |
| Using the Promotion of Access to Information Act, SAHA has obtained documents from SANRAL which demonstrate that public consultation on the Gauteng e-tolling system was inadequate. | |
| > read more |
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30 January 2012 |
| The South African public have a chance to offer amendments to the secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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25 January 2012 |
| The recent death of this renowned photographer has left a void hard to fill. Her passion for exposing social injustices by using her camera made a considerable impact in the struggle for just social change. | |
| > read more |
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25 January 2012 |
| Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex participants are empowered to use PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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24 January 2012 |
| State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele has implied that continued opposition to the secrecy bill is uninformed and misplaced. | |
| > read more |
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16 January 2012 |
| Over 18,000 police firearms lost or stolen from 2005 to 2011. | |
| > read more |
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13 January 2012 |
| European Parliament takes steps to improve access to information held by the European Union | |
| > read more |
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13 January 2012 |
| Member of parliament for Gaborone Central in Botswana, Dumelang Saleshando tables the Freedom of Information Bill of 2011. | |
| > read more |
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03 January 2012 |
| The exemption from the requirement that private bodies produce PAIA manuals has been extended to 31 December 2015. | |
| > read more |
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15 December 2011 |
| Secrecy bill raises concern over South Africa's presence on the Open Government Partnership steering committee | |
| > read more |
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15 December 2011 |
| Crime statistics reveal trends of decreased violence but highlight problems tied to financial and drug crimes. | |
| > read more |
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15 December 2011 |
| Local leaders use PAIA to bring positive change to their community. | |
| > read more |
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15 December 2011 |
| The controversial Vlakplaas masterminds may soon be free should their parole application be approved. By law, they are now eligible. | |
| > read more |
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07 December 2011 |
| The Make Aid Transparent campaign recently encouraged donor states and organisations to improve the efficiency of their aid by publishing their contributions to the developing world. | |
| > read more |
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07 December 2011 |
| The Associated Press shows that access to information laws are not functioning properly in most states around the world. | |
| > read more |
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25 November 2011 |
| This is an annual international initiative aimed at curbing violent crimes committed against women and children. This year's theme is 'From peace in the home to peace in the world'. | |
| > read more |
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25 November 2011 |
| Several key groups release their plan of attack aimed at toppling the contentious secrecy bill. | |
| > read more |
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24 November 2011 |
| International news sources, facebook, and twitter shed light on South Africa's controversial secrecy bill | |
| > read more |
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23 November 2011 |
| Yesterday, 22 November, the National Assembly passed the Protection of State Information Bill. | |
| > read more |
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23 November 2011 |
| The passing of the Secrecy Bill in South Africa is in stark contrast to the surge in the acknowledgement of the right to information elsewhere in Africa. | |
| > read more |
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22 November 2011 |
| Pending vote on the secrecy bill heats up the debate on freedom of information in South Africa | |
| > read more |
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22 November 2011 |
| Following the passing of the "secrecy bill" in parliament on Tuesday, those opposed to it deemed the day Black Tuesday - equating it to Black Wednesday where the apartheid government shut down three publications for exposing its dirty work. | |
| > read more |
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19 November 2011 |
| It was the 19th of November 1981 when this great political activist was assassinated by the apartheid secret police in Umlazi, a township south of Durban, KwaZulu Natal. His crime: Fighting for freedom! | |
| > read more |
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19 November 2011 |
| A former SA cricketer who emigrated to England to escape discriminatory apartheid laws which threatened to limit his sporting career because of his race. | |
| > read more |
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18 November 2011 |
| To the astonishment of right to know activists the Secrecy Bill returned to the National Assembly on Wednesday. | |
| > read more |
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15 November 2011 |
| Media law specialist criticizes South African freedom of information laws at recent awards ceremony | |
| > read more |
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14 November 2011 |
| Secrecy bill debate scheduled despite lack of public consultation | |
| > read more |
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29 October 2011 |
| The Open Government Partnership is seeking input on a draft policy on the disclosure of information. | |
| > read more |
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29 October 2011 |
| The PAIA CSN has released a review of the Promotion of Access to Information Act based on its members' experience with the law. | |
| > read more |
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27 October 2011 |
| The PAIA Civil Society Network has released its parliamentary submission indicating the effect of the Secrecy Bill on PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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07 October 2011 |
| New studies have ranked South Africa 12th in an analysis of ATI laws and 13th in implementation. | |
| > read more |
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29 September 2011 |
| Speakers at the National Information Officers Forum hosted by the SAHRC on Right to Know Day discussed the challenges associated with the implementation of the right to information in South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2011 |
| On 28 September 2011, the 9th annual Right to Know Day was celebrated around the globe. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2011 |
| On Right to Know Day, 28 September, the PAIA Civil Society Network released a report detailing the practical experiences of users of the South African access to information legislation. | |
| > read more |
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28 September 2011 |
| Edited by Kate Allan, this publication reflects upon the work SAHA has done around testing the parameters of South Africa’s freedom of information legislation. | |
| > read more |
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20 September 2011 |
| The ANC announced on 19 September that the Secrecy Bill had been withdrawn from the National Assembly for further consultation. | |
| > read more |
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19 September 2011 |
| The African Platform on Access to Information Declaration was signed on 19 September. | |
| > read more |
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09 September 2011 |
| SAHA reaches out to the LGBTI sector on PAIA matters. | |
| > read more |
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01 September 2011 |
| The ANC members of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Secrecy Bill have proposed that the Bill override the right to information in PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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01 September 2011 |
| The Deputy Minister for Public Service and Administration is calling for submissions on the Open Government Partnership (OGP) process.
| |
| > read more |
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29 August 2011 |
| The Rwandan Minister for Cabinet Affairs today described access to information as a tool that can be used to achieve poverty reduction, food security and economic development. | |
| > read more |
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29 August 2011 |
| On 25 August 2011 SAHA and the South African Human Rights Commission began the first of a series of capacity building sessions on access to information in Diepsloot. | |
| > read more |
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29 August 2011 |
| South Africa is falling behind its African and international counterparts in providing accessible processes for obtaining information. | |
| > read more |
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15 August 2011 |
| On Saturday 13 August 2011 approximately 700 people attended a Right2Know rally at the Wits Great Hall to express their opposition to the Protection of Information Bill. | |
| > read more |
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09 August 2011 |
| In one of the largest demonstrations staged in this country's history, 55 years ago, 20 000 women of all races marched to Pretoria's Union Buildings on 9 August 1956, to present a petition against the carrying of passes. | |
| > read more |
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08 August 2011 |
| On 13 August 2011 the Right2Know campaign will host a rally and march against the Protection of Information Bill in Johannesburg. | |
| > read more |
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13 July 2011 |
| On Monday 11 July 2011 Talk Radio 702's Redi Tlhabi hosted a round table discussion on the Protection of Information Bill | |
| > read more |
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13 July 2011 |
| On 7 July 2011 the Make Aid Transparent campaign delivered a petition calling for greater transparency in aid to the OECD Working Party on Aid Effectiveness. | |
| > read more |
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13 July 2011 |
| The Faster FOIA Act is currently before the United States House of Representatives and if passed will establish a Commission to consider strategies for addressing time delays currently experienced in obtaining access to information. | |
| > read more |
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30 June 2011 |
| The first sub-regional consultation on the draft model law on access to information for African Union member states was held in Maputo from 28 June to 30 June 2011. | |
| > read more |
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27 June 2011 |
| Developments continue with the drafting of the contentious Protection of Information Bill, with several notable concessions recently being made by the ANC. | |
| > read more |
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24 June 2011 |
| There have been several developments in recent months which have furthered the promotion of access to information laws in Africa. | |
| > read more |
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17 June 2011 |
| On 16 May 2011, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression released a report acknowledging the internet as a fundamental human right. | |
| > read more |
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08 June 2011 |
| SACTJ has submitted comments on regulations gazetted by the DOJCD for the payment on educational assistance and health benefits exclusively to victims identified by the TRC. | |
| > read more |
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30 May 2011 |
| The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development has gazetted draft regulations for the payment of reparations to victims of apartheid from the Presidents Fund. | |
| > read more |
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24 May 2011 |
| 15 May 2011 commemorated the launch of CODESA 2. To mark the occasion, the Freedom of Information Programme has launched a series of strategic PAIA requests. | |
| > read more |
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23 May 2011 |
| The Special Rapporteur for freedom of expression and access to information in Africa is requesting comments on a draft model access to information law for African Union member states | |
| > read more |
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17 May 2011 |
| To commemorate World Information Day on 17 May 2011, SAHA reflects on the state of internet freedom in South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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12 May 2011 |
| On 12 May 2011 SAHA were forced to lodge a complaint with the Public Protector against the Makana Municipality's continued failures in terms of PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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04 May 2011 |
| As the world celebrated Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2011, SAHA has noted with concern some declines in the state of press freedom in South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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16 April 2011 |
| On 15 April 1996, the first nation-wide TRC hearings opened in the East London City Hall. On 16 April 1996, the first victims' testimonies were heard, setting the tone for a process towards truth, justice and reconciliation which continues to this day. | |
| > read more |
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14 April 2011 |
| The PAIA Unit at the DOJCD still refuses to comply with Minister Radebe's instructions in September 2009 to release a usable copy of the TRC Victim's Database to SAHA in terms of PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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08 April 2011 |
| On 08 April 2011 the Constitutional Court handed down judgment in the case of The Citizen and Others v McBride. | |
| > read more |
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29 March 2011 |
| On 21 March 2011, SAHA and the Right2Know Campaign celebrated Human rights Day at a special event held in Sebokeng. | |
| > read more |
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24 March 2011 |
| Access to information of documents arising from the European Council, Parliament and Commission is under threat by new regulation. | |
| > read more |
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28 February 2011 |
| On 24 February 2011 SAHA co-hosted a dialogue forum in relation to access to information in South Africa with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. | |
| > read more |
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28 February 2011 |
| The Freedom of Information Programme successfully launched their new PAIA DVD and Workshop Guide in February. | |
| > read more |
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28 February 2011 |
| On Saturday 26 February 2011, the South African History Archive (SAHA) held a pilot workshop for Grade 11 and 12 history educators on teaching the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in the classroom. | |
| > read more |
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17 February 2011 |
| As uprisings spread through the Arab nations, the role of information in this discontent should be reflected on. | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2011 |
| SAHA will launch new PAIA educational tools in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg on 11, 16 and 18 February 2011, respectively. | |
| > read more |
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31 January 2011 |
| SAHA will be conducting workshops on the TRC for history educators and learners at Constitution Hill in February and March 2011. | |
| > read more |
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28 January 2011 |
| On 24 January 2011 a call for public comment on an amendment to PAIA was published in the Government Gazette. | |
| > read more |
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28 January 2011 |
| The Right2Know Campaign is continuing to resist the passing of the Protection of Information Bill, which has been revealed to be applicable to 1 001 organs of state. | |
| > read more |
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19 January 2011 |
| On 19 January 2011 the Freedom of Information Programme joined the call on the European Parliament to adhere to its commitment to advance access to information at the EU. | |
| > read more |
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15 December 2010 |
| On 14 December 2010 judgment was delivered in the Supreme Court of Appeal in a case where the Mail & Guardian were seeking release of the Khampepe-Moseneke report from the Presidency in terms of PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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10 December 2010 |
| On the occasion of the 60th International Human Rights Day, SAHA hosted the launch of the Truth Commission Special Report Multimedia Product at the Ramparts at Constitution Hill, accompanied by an exhibition comprised of numerous SAHA collections. | |
| > read more |
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10 December 2010 |
| On 10 December 1996 Nelson Mandela signed the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa into law. | |
| > read more |
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30 November 2010 |
| SAHA, in conjunction with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), is launching its multimedia product on 9 December, with an accompanying exhibition at the Ramparts at Constitution Hill. | |
| > read more |
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12 November 2010 |
| A coalition of NGOs for transitional justice (including SAHA) have developed pro-forma letters that may be used by persons wishing to lodge an objection to a proposed presidential pardon. | |
| > read more |
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26 October 2010 |
| Demonstrate your opposition to the Secrecy Bill and protect your right to know by participating in Right2Know Campaign marches in Cape Town and Durban. | |
| > read more |
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22 October 2010 |
| On 18 October 2010 the Department of Justice released a list of 149 criminals currently being considered for a presidential pardon. | |
| > read more |
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22 October 2010 |
| On 19 October 2010 approximately 600 people took part in a march to Constitutional Hill against the Protection of Information Bill. | |
| > read more |
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15 October 2010 |
| On 19 October 2010, SAHA and other members of the Right2Know Campaign will be leading a march from outside the University of Witwatersrand, Jorissen Street to Constitutional Hill. | |
| > read more |
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29 September 2010 |
| On 28 September 2010 the world celebrated Right to Know Day. In South Africa, the day was marked by the hosting of the National Information Officers' Forum at the Sunnyside Park Hotel in Johannesburg. | |
| > read more |
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23 September 2010 |
| On 15 September 2010, the Right2Know campaign was officially launched in the Gauteng region. | |
| > read more |
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12 September 2010 |
| Black Consciousness Movement leader, Steve Biko, died of head injuries sustained under mysterious circumstances while in detention on 12 September, 1977. | |
| > read more |
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12 September 2010 |
| Anton Lubowski, Namibian human rights advocate and executive member of the South West Africa People's Organisation (SWAPO), was assassinated by the Civil Cooperation Bureau on 12 September 1989. | |
| > read more |
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25 August 2010 |
| On Tuesday 24 August 2010 David Beresford released Truth is a Strange Fruit: A Personal Journey Through the Apartheid War, a book utilising rare material from SAHA's John Harris Collection. | |
| > read more |
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23 August 2010 |
| John Vorster Square was officially opened on 23 August 1968, during the height of racial segregation and political oppression in apartheid South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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10 August 2010 |
| The opposition to the Protection of Information Bill currently before Parliament has been gaining momentum in the civil society sector in recent weeks. | |
| > read more |
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03 August 2010 |
| The response to the criticism of civil society on the Protection of Information Bill has left an unsatisfied conclusion to the public participation process. | |
| > read more |
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05 July 2010 |
| The secret Tuynhuys meeting between Nelson Mandela and P.W. Botha on 5 July 1989 set the course for a five year process of negotiations that would end apartheid and bring peace and democracy to South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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29 June 2010 |
| On 29 June 2010 SAHA and the Ceasefire Campaign held a joint press conference to reveal details of the South African arms exports to foreign countries over the past several years. | |
| > read more |
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27 June 2010 |
| Twenty five years ago, Matthew Goniwe, Fort Calata, Sparrow Mkonto and Sicelo Mhlauli were captured and murdered by security police. This marked a turning point for the South African struggle, but their deaths remained a mystery for decades to come. | |
| > read more |
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12 June 2010 |
| The World Day against Child Labour was adopted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2002 as a way of drawing attention to international efforts aimed at ending child labour. | |
| > read more |
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11 June 2010 |
| The Mail & Guardian have won an important decision in the North Gauteng High Court which could have a signifcant effect on PAIA implementation. | |
| > read more |
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31 May 2010 |
| The Freedom of Information Programme has continued to maintain and contribute not only to the local campaign for the right to know, but to its global campaign as well. | |
| > read more |
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25 May 2010 |
| Controversy about apartheid era government documents suggesting nuclear ties between Israel and South Africa, some of which are in the SAHA archives, hit the media this week. | |
| > read more |
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19 May 2010 |
| On 17 May 2010 SAHA reappeared in court to try and uncover reports from the NCACC which should already be public. These same questions have now been put to parliament for 2009, which has caused the need for a joint response from ODAC and SAHA. | |
| > read more |
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15 May 2010 |
| International Conscientious Objectors' Day focuses on the global struggles of COs against conscription and state militarism. | |
| > read more |
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14 May 2010 |
| Frederick Van Zyl Slabbert passed away on the 14th of May, 2010. His work in both South African politics and civil society was central to the process of multiracial negotiations which took place from the late 1980s. | |
| > read more |
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12 May 2010 |
| A new form of hate crime emerged in May 2008 when xenophobic attacks broke out throughout the country, creating an unprecedented refugee crisis. | |
| > read more |
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08 May 2010 |
| Three members of the Port Elizabeth Black Civic Organisation were abducted and murdered by Vlakplaas hit squad operatives on May 8, 1985, but details of their disappearance only emerged during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. | |
| > read more |
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03 May 2010 |
| With a special focus on the right to know, this year's World Press Freedom Day begs the question: what is access to information law in South Africa able to contribute to maintaining the freedom of our press? | |
| > read more |
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26 April 2010 |
| Film maker David Forbes has worked tirelessly for the past seven years, using PAIA to research the previously undisclosed story of the murder of the Cradock Four to produce both a full-length feature, and a made-for-television production. | |
| > read more |
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19 April 2010 |
| SAHA is developing a DVD of case studies aimed as demonstrating how different organisations and communities have used PAIA to assert or their human rights | |
| > read more |
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29 March 2010 |
| On 26 March 2010 the Coordinating Committee of the Deputy Information Officers Forum hosted an Indaba in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. | |
| > read more |
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25 March 2010 |
| On 25 March 2010 SAHA, and others, will be participating in a talk with UK journalist Ben Leapman about the value of Freedom of Information Law for the media. | |
| > read more |
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21 March 2010 |
| SAHA reflects on the tragic events that took place at Sharpeville on this day 50 years ago. | |
| > read more |
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23 February 2010 |
| Today, on 23 February 2010, the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of SAHA and its Coalition partners, holding that victims are required to participate in the Special Dispensation pardons process for such a process to be rational. | |
| > read more |
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23 February 2010 |
| In a landmark judgment, the Constitutional Court affirmed today that victims have a right to be heard in the special pardons process | |
| > read more |
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03 February 2010 |
| On 03 February 2010 SAHA, in asssociation with its Pardons Coalition members, released a press statement calling on the DA to apologise for its involvement in the exclusion of victims from the special pardons process. | |
| > read more |
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15 January 2010 |
| On 15 January 2010, SAHA released a statement to the Media notifying them that, through the Freedom of Information Programme, SAHA had received copies of Eugene De Kock's amnesty application to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. | |
| > read more |
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13 January 2010 |
| A renewed interest in the Presidential pardons process has created a need to restate the significance of Albutt v the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation and Others. | |
| > read more |
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12 January 2010 |
| On the anniversary of the Nangalembe Night Vigil Massacre, SAHA looks at the role of crime during South Africa's interregnum. | |
| > read more |
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08 December 2009 |
| ODAC is attempting to protect the rights of a shop steward, Mr Aphane, who was fired after alerting the Minister of Finance to serious financial irregularities within his Municipality. These actions significantly mark International Anti-Corruption Day, 9 | |
| > read more |
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01 December 2009 |
| Khulumani Support Group has launched a claim in a New York court against multi-national corporations which supported the Apartheid government. The United States has recently issued a Green Paper lending its support to the Khulumani case at this stage. | |
| > read more |
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17 November 2009 |
| On 17 November 2009 ODAC held the Rusty Padlock Awards to help identify the public bodies which consistently fail in their implementation of PAIA. | |
| > read more |
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11 November 2009 |
| On 10 November SAHA and a coalition of other civil society organisations appeared in the Constitutional Court to oppose an application by a former AWB member to restart the pardons process. | |
| > read more |
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20 October 2009 |
| SAHA will be acting as the Fifth Respondent in a case before the Constitutional Court concerning Presidential Pardons. | |
| > read more |
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07 October 2009 |
| The Nelson Mandela Foundation and SAHA have prepared a joint submission on the Protection of Personal Information Bill currently before parliament. | |
| > read more |
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27 September 2009 |
| Monday 28 September 2009 is the 7th International Right to Know Day. The aim of this day is to raise global awareness of each citizen's right to access information. | |
| > read more |
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15 September 2009 |
| Minister Radebe has ruled that the TRC's victims database as well as Eugene De Kock's amnesty application be released. | |
| > read more |
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20 August 2009 |
| The constitutional Court has ruled that section 78(2) of PAIA is unconstitutional | |
| > read more |
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20 July 2009 |
| SAHA is amongst numerous South African NGO’s and human rights activists objecting to South Africa’s refusal to co-operate with ICC in their efforts to prosecute Al Bashir | |
| > read more |
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09 July 2009 |
| The pardons process was intended to be a means of resolving the unfinished business of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
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| > read more |
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01 June 2009 |
| SAHA seek access to General’s report on violence in Zimbabwe | |
| > read more |
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29 May 2009 |
| South African civil society groupings and individuals are calling on the Swiss government to respond to the findings of research that it commissioned in 2001 into Swiss foreign and economic policy towards apartheid South Africa. | |
| > read more |
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20 April 2009 |
| Posters, documents and ephemera relating to the UDF, SACP and trade unions from SAHA's collections are now available on the DISA website... | |
| > read more |
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20 April 2009 |
| Materials from SAHA's poster and ephemera collections are being profiled in the USA in a major new exhibition organised by Exit Art, chronicling over forty years of political graphics, media and social protest movements.
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| > read more |
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10 February 2009 |
| SAHAs Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) declared its support today for Biowatch as it prepares to take its case to the Constitutional Court on 17 February 2009 | |
| > read more |
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10 February 2009 |
| Towards the end of 2008, FOIP attained details from the Department of Justice of the names of all the people who applied for Presidential Pardons in the most recent window period for such applications. | |
| > read more |
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07 December 2008 |
| SAHAs FOIP is in the initial stages of setting up a PAIA Civil Society Network. The initial meeting for the group will be held in the first quarter of 2009. | |
| > read more |
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07 December 2008 |
| SAHAs Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) Team attended a seminar hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission on Thursday 04 December which sought to share details of PAIA Tools that may assist Local Government with Community Interventions. | |
| > read more |
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12 November 2008 |
| On 21 October 2008, SAHA in conjunction with Jacana Media launched Great Lives, Pivotal Moments at Constitution Hill... | |
| > read more |
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12 November 2008 |
| SAHAs Freedom of Information Project: Capacity Building in the Community-based Sector (PAIA) has commenced a series of workshops... | |
| > read more |
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14 October 2008 |
| The committed work of SAHAs Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) was recognised on Monday (29 September 08) night at the Golden Key Awards ceremony hosted by the South African Human Rights Commission.. | |
| > read more |
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08 September 2008 |
| SAHAs Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) has been nominated by The Human Rights Foundation of South Africa for the 2008 Golden Key award for the effective use of the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA). | |
| > read more |
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02 September 2008 |
| In anticipation of the finals of the Nkosi Albert Luthuli Young Historians' Competition in October 2008, SAHA has made Meeting history face-to-face: a guide to oral history freely available for download | |
| > read more |
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19 August 2008 |
| To mark the 25th anniversary of the founding of the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the South African History Archive (SAHA) have developed a virtual exhibition... | |
| > read more |
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17 August 2008 |
| SAHA's Freedom of Information Programme (FOIP) recently provided a short workshop on PAIA to over 40 Community-based organisations in the Environmental Sector. The workshop was offered as part of the FOIP Capacity Building Project. | |
| > read more |
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08 August 2008 |
| Despite SAHAs efforts to settle the maladministration conducted by the Department of the Presidency in connection with the PAIA Request for records concerning Presidential Pardons granted in 2006-2007... | |
| > read more |
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24 July 2008 |
| SAHA has been successful in attaining records detailing the crimes for which 515 individuals were granted Presidential Pardons in 2006-2007. However this is not a simple case... | |
| > read more |
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30 June 2008 |
| In response to an access to information request submitted by SAHA in 2006, statistics released this week by South Africas Department of Home Affairs show the number of Zimbabweans... | |
| > read more |
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24 June 2008 |
| In June 2008, SAHA and Nelson Mandela Foundation have submitted recommendations on the existing draft of the Protection of Information Bill to parliaments ad hoc committee on intelligence legislation. | |
| > read more |
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08 May 2008 |
| In response to the Internal Appeal submitted by SAHA on 4 February 2008, the Department of the Presidency (PRE) has recently sent out 515 letters to the individuals who were granted a Presidential Pardon in 2006-2007 | |
| > read more |
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23 April 2008 |
| Funding has been approved by the Ford Foundation for SAHA's pilot project entitled FOIP Capacity Building Project. This pilot project will run from 1 April 2008 - 30 September 2009. | |
| > read more |
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12 March 2008 |
| SAHA goes to court on 13 March 2008 in relation to its application for access under PAIA to Military Intelligence records in the possession of the Ministry of Defence and the unlawful transfer of these requested records to Zimbabwe. | |
| > read more |
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09 February 2008 |
| This year, FOIP will move in a new direction towards more outreach work through the commencement of a PAIA pilot project in the community based sector. | |
| > read more |
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03 February 2008 |
| The Freedom of Information Programme at SAHA has submitted an appeal in response to the Department of the Presidencys recent refusal to release further detail of the '515 Presidential Pardons... | |
| > read more |
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31 October 2007 |
| Over the course of the last six years SAHA has had a difficult relationship with the Department of Justice. We have made numerous public statements about the problems experienced in accessing, in particular, TRC records and have litigated in two matters a | |
| > read more |
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25 May 2007 |
| A collection of Verne Harris's best writing during the first decade of South Africa's postapartheid democracy. | |
| > read more |
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12 December 2006 |
| The South African History Archive welcomes the decision of the Supreme Court in Claase v Information Officer of South African Airways [2006] SCA 163 (RSA) in which it granted access to records requested by the Applicant. | |
| > read more |
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