By Matshidiso Selebeleng
In the dusty streets of what is now called Winnie Mandela Town, House 802 rises as both a monument and a memory — a silent witness to the injustices of the past.
It was here that the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, revered as the “Mother of the Nation,” endured eight years of banishment under apartheid, from 1977 to 1985.
On 28 January 1977, she was served with her third banning order by the apartheid Minister of Justice and forced into exile in the small Free State town of Brandfort — about 60 kilometres north of Bloemfontein.
What was once a place of isolation has today been transformed into a powerful site of remembrance.
The Free State Department of Sport, Arts and Culture refurbished the crumbling house and turned it into a museum that tells the story of her years in exile. Today, the house, once on the brink of collapse, stands firm as a community landmark.
For security guard Lebogang Moloisane, watching over the museum is more than a job — it is a link to his childhood memories.
“I am part of her history, and it brings me joy to ensure everything here stays intact,” he said, pointing to an old photograph in which he appears as a young boy. “I still remember going to one of the soup kitchens she served at. Back then, it didn’t mean much because I was so young, but today it makes me happy and proud.”
He also recalls the trauma of 1987, when the township’s clinic was set alight, allegedly in retaliation for car bombings in Johannesburg. That clinic, which once stood within the museum precinct, remains a scar in the community’s memory.
The restoration of House number 802 cost more than R700,000. While the project was clouded by corruption allegations that led to arrests, the house was ultimately completed and opened to the public.
According to departmental spokesperson Tankiso Zola, the museum’s restoration marks just the beginning.
“The restoration process has been completed, including the exhibition content. What remains outstanding is the rebuilding of the clinic that was bombed during Mama Winnie Mandela’s banishment. The national department is in the process of appointing a service provider for that work,” he explained.
The Winnie Mandela House Museum is now open for visitors on weekdays from 09:00 to 15:00, with weekend visits available by arrangement.
For the people of Brandfort, the museum is not just about history — it is about pride, memory, and a legacy that continues to live on in their community.
Anti-Corruption organisation, Public Interest SA says the Whistleblowers Awards on the 27th of next month seeks to break the silence on corruption in the country.
The awards will take place at Melrose Arch in Johannesburg.
Security will be beefed up at the venue.
Chairperson of Public Interest SA Tebogo Khaas says remaining silent amid wrongdoing just leads to even more corruption.
“We live in a society where we believe that we have to wrestle back our freedoms, we have to wrestle back our liberties. Because the more we speak out, the more we come out of our dungeons, the less space those who are criminals will have to actually make sure that we can execute it. Because if you all speak up, all who stand up behind those who speak out, it becomes difficult for people to hide. In fact, look at what General Mkhwanazi has done. If he hadn’t spoken out, we just don’t know what could have happened to him or any other people who were otherwise able to share the light on what’s happening in the police system.”
*This article was first published by SABC News
The National Liquor Traders Council (NLTC) says a sustainable solution is needed to address the rise in substance abuse among youth, which does not include banning alcohol advertising.
The remarks follow concerns raised by the Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who highlighted that substance abuse not only harms young lives but also contributes to unemployment and crime.
Critics believe that alcohol advertising plays a significant role in promoting alcohol consumption among young people.
NLTC convenor, Lucky Ntimane, says banning alcohol advertising is a short-sighted approach to the issue.
“We are also saying that he highlighted the issue around unemployment, that yes, indeed, as much as the alcohol abuse and also drug abuse will contribute to unemployment, but if you ban the advertisement of alcohol, we are also perpetuating unemployment in our country, where the economy is growing at less than one percent on an annual basis, where 37 percent of black people in the country are unemployed, where three million graduates in our country are unemployed. So we need to find a sustainable way in which we will address our issues, but also maintain or even sustain the issue of job creation in our country.”
This follows the tabling of the Liquor Amendment Bill in Parliament, which seeks to ban the advertisement, promotion and product placement of alcohol across all media platforms.
The Bill also calls for the state to actively counter the normalisation of alcohol use and curb alcohol-related harm by reducing the visibility and consumption of liquor.
*This article was first published by SABC News
The South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (SASOG), together with the Society of Obstetric Medicine South Africa (SOOMSA) and the South African Society for Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (SASUOG), has dismissed recent claims suggesting a connection between paracetamol use during pregnancy and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In a joint statement issued by the Alkemi Collective on behalf of these organisations, they confirmed that “there is no evidence that taking paracetamol in pregnancy at recommended therapeutic doses causes autism in children.”
The statement comes in response to media reports and studies that raised concerns about a possible link between prenatal paracetamol exposure and ASD.
While some early observational studies indicated a small association, these were criticised for being vulnerable to confounding factors such as genetics, family environment, and unreliable self-reporting.
More robust research, including sibling-controlled analyses and large population studies, notably a Swedish study, found that once shared familial factors were accounted for, the association between paracetamol and ASD disappeared. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses further support the conclusion that earlier observed links were due to confounding rather than causation.
The medical bodies emphasised the risks of untreated maternal symptoms during pregnancy.
“Fever in pregnancy is not benign; it has been associated with miscarriage, congenital malformations including neural tube defects and cardiac defects, preterm delivery and intrauterine fetal demise,” they said.
They added that untreated pain can also have severe effects on maternal mental health, affecting both mother and fetus.
Given this context, paracetamol remains “the safest and most effective first-line treatment for pain and fever in pregnancy,” with no alternative offering a better safety profile.
At standard therapeutic doses, it is “not associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy or child health outcomes,” the statement reassured.
“There is no reliable evidence that paracetamol use in pregnancy causes ASD. Apparent associations are explained by confounding, not causation. Clinical practice should not change.
Paracetamol remains an essential, safe, and effective treatment for fever and pain in pregnancy, and pregnant women should not be denied appropriate care because of unsubstantiated claims,'' said the collective.
*This article was first published by IOL News
AN uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party councillor, Doshie “Gaddafi” Govender, has spoken out about an alleged elaborate scheme by suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu to have him arrested shortly before he was set to participate in a by-election in the KwaDukuza Municipality.
Govender stated that he learned of his impending arrest a few days before the by-elections in April. Reports indicate that KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lt General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, informed the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry that Mchunu allegedly used the police to undermine Govender in KwaDukuza.
Mkhwanazi also told the commission that Mchunu interfered in police work to have Govender arrested before the by-elections. Govender claimed that Mchunu called a North Coast station commander, Major General Antony Gopal, to a meeting to discuss a case that he and his ANC colleagues believed involved him.
At that time, Govender had left the ANC, citing accusations of discrimination, and joined the MK Party. In a statement to The Mercury, Govender detailed the unfolding events:
“On the 19th of September 2025, day 3 of the Madlanga Commission took place. General Mkhwanazi made a statement highlighting an important aspect of my by-election campaign.
“He stated the involvement of the Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, and his attempts to derail my candidacy in the by-election for Ward 28. The admission made by General Mkhwanazi was indeed correct and true.”
Govender added that the Minister of Police played a significant role in campaigning for his rival party, the ANC.
He received insight about the plot against him on the 24th of March 2025, after being contacted by a senior ANC official who insisted he withdraw his candidacy with the IEC and the MK Party.
The official promised him a top deployment in the KwaDukuza Municipality, as well as a position as a PR Councillor. However, Govender made it clear that he had left the ANC due to their racial stance within the Indian, Coloured and White community in the Ilembe Region.
Despite the official’s attempts, Govender rejected the offer. “For anyone who knows me, they know I am a strong individual who does things for my community rather than for self-gain,” he stated. On the 29th of March, Govender received a warning call from a close associate within the ANC, advising him to be cautious.
He alleged that General Gizenga Mpanza Region officials, under the leadership of an ex-mayor, along with the police minister, were trying to prevent him from contesting the election.
They had allegedly orchestrated a plan to have him arrested the day before the election, fearing he would win Ward 28 under the MK Party banner.
“On the same day, the Minister of Police conducted a ‘shop-to-shop’ visit in Shakaskraal CBD, attempting to solicit negative feedback about me. This effort failed miserably as local businesses clearly expressed their support for me, reaffirming my strong leadership qualities.
Govender said that as a last resort, the Minister of Police reportedly set up a meeting with the station commander, requesting all past files on Govender to see what could be reopened to justify an arrest.
“Upon verifying this information with General Gopal, he was assured that there was no reason for (me) to be arrested, reflecting Gopal’s commitment to maintaining a strong, honest, and sincere work ethic free from political influence,” he said.
When asked about the allegations, Police Minister Mchunu said, “Yes, I’m aware; I still have to listen to more of these, they are coming. I will, however, be responding at the Commission itself since they were aired there; they require to be rebutted there, my apology.”
*This article was first published by IOL News
More than 111,000 patients living with HIV have defaulted on their treatment in the past two years, a figure health experts warn is deeply concerning and largely linked to mental health challenges. While the numbers are worrying, professionals stress they are not new, and that addressing the mental health burden is critical to improving adherence.
According to Professor Ashraf Kagee, Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Stellenbosch University, co-director of the Alan Fisher Centre for Public Mental Health, and member of the Academy of Science of South Africa, stigma, depression, and the daily grind of poverty all contribute to patients falling out of care.
“I don’t know if it’s possible to break the stigma overnight. It’s a long process of educating people, of exposing them to alternative ways of thinking,” said Kagee. “Some decades ago, there was a big stigma around cancer. People didn’t talk about it, it was mysterious. Now, there’s far less stigma about most forms of cancer. The same shift is possible for HIV, but it takes time.”
He added that many who default on treatment may have competing demands on their attention. Some people may be struggling with depression and anxiety on top of social stressors.
“For a lot of people who are poor, in a country like South Africa and a city like Cape Town, daily life is a challenge. If people are living in unsafe neighbourhoods, if there’s unemployment, if you don’t have a job, if you’re living in a shack that’s not properly equipped with water and electricity, if it’s overcrowded the daily grind is a challenge. In that context, adhering to medication if people are asymptomatic, if they don’t necessarily feel ill, may not be highly salient.”
Kagee emphasised that treatment defaulting is not an individual failure but a systemic issue. “There are many structural factors at play, such as stigma and the burden of long queues at clinics when people need to work or care for children.”
Despite these challenges, he stressed that treatment is effective. “The key message is that adherence to HIV medication is extremely important. People can live long, healthy lives if they take their medication as prescribed.”
Kagee praised the Western Cape Health Department for their efforts and offered advice for patients.
“If patients experience depression, anxiety or trauma, they should seek help. Services such as Cape Mental Health or the Counselling Hub in Woodstock can assist, and doctors at clinics can refer patients to psychologists or psychiatrists in the public system. Additionally, following medication instructions, maintaining good nutrition, exercising, managing stress, and engaging socially all support overall health.”
He also highlighted barriers for men and young people. “Many public clinics are feminised spaces where most nurses and patients, even doctors are women, Some men uncomfortable there as if they don't belong. We need to place extra emphasis on men’s engagement in care.”
He said young people face their own challenges around disclosure, particularly those infected vertically from their mothers or through sexual activity, making adherence more complex.
Kagee said that one way the challenge of treatment adherence can be addressed is by tackling stigma, strengthening healthcare access, and expanding psychosocial support. “Adherence to treatment should be seen not as an individual failing, but as a collective responsibility shaped by the conditions in which people live.”
A professional nurse working with ARV patients said mental health and stigma are central issues. “If you can fix the mind, we can conquer the stigma around HIV. Many patients grow tired; it is a lifetime treatment, and the stigma makes it harder. Some still believe HIV can be contracted through sharing a toilet or kissing. Education from a young age is vital.”
The nurse added that some patients ask for unlabelled containers for their medication. “They put pills into another container because of how family or community perceive HIV-positive people.”
On Tuesday, the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, together with the National Department of Health, hosted a campaign encouraging people to start or restart HIV or TB treatment. The Close the Gap Community Outreach event also marked the official launch of the Close the Gap campaign in the province.
Department spokesperson Shimoney Regter said the initiative aims to support patients and raise awareness about treatment adherence and mental health support.
Dr Melané van Zyl, member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists, highlighted the psychological and social barriers that prevent patients from staying in care.
“People suffering from HIV often have to deal with psychological barriers that impede access to care. This includes suffering from depression and anxiety, which impede the motivation and energy to access care.
“They often have to face stigma and have a fear of disclosure of the HIV status. They have to deal with low social support and isolation, and they often have to deal with their condition alone. They struggle with feelings of hopelessness. They are scared of the future and often live with denial and avoidance,” Dr van Zyl said.
Structural and socioeconomic factors also play a role. Patients must negotiate poverty, previous trauma, substance abuse, and the daily stresses of life, which often make adherence to lifelong treatment challenging.
She added that adolescents and young women are particularly vulnerable, with only 38% remaining in care for two years due to discrimination from families and healthcare workers. Men, rural populations, and marginalised groups also face barriers, including clinic access, stigma, and unsafe or unsupportive environments.
To support patients, Dr van Zyl advocates for person-centred care, rapid treatment initiation, and psychosocial interventions.
“It is important that counselling is provided at the time of return to service and that treatment can be initiated rapidly again with a non-judgmental attitude towards patients. Peer and community support structures and outreach programmes, including home visits, phone calls, SMS reminders, and community-based engagement, are also vital.”
She emphasised the importance of addressing stigma and social barriers: “Stigma is difficult but not impossible to overcome. Sharing experiences, community support, and accessible care are crucial. HIV is a very treatable condition, and with proper support, patients can lead long and fulfilling lives.”
*This article was first published by IOL News
