Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to lead the state of world population report launch focusing on the impact of unintended pregnancy in her capacity as the Acting Minister of the Department of Social Development, the Minister of Tourism – Ms Lindiwe Sisulu, will deliver a keynote address at the State of the World Population (SWOP) launch today, Thursday 23 June 2022, in KwaZulu-Natal.

Nearly half of all pregnancies, totalling 121 million each year throughout the world, are unintended. In Southern Africa, 65 percent of pregnancies between 2015 and 2019 were unintended and 36 percent resulted in abortion.

For the women and girls affected, the most life-altering reproductive choice – whether or not to become pregnant – is not a choice at all.

It is in this context that the Department of Social Development, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), is launching the State of World Population 2022 report focusing on the unseen crisis of unintended pregnancies.

Titled: “Seeing the Unseen: The case for action in the neglected crisis of unintended pregnancy”, the State of World Population 2022 report highlights the 121 million unintended pregnancies every year as a global failure of basic human rights, and a neglected crisis.

It reveals the scope and impact of unplanned pregnancy on women, girls, households, societies, countries, and global development.

The launch will take a South Africa-led multi-country format, which entails a dialogue with senior government officials, to be followed by youth engagement activities facilitated by young people from youth networks in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

This engagement will be attended by SADC region dignitaries, and cabinet ministers from countries including Malawi, Zimbabwe, the DRC, and eSwatini. The Premier of the KwaZulu-Natal Province, Mr Sihle Zikalala, and the MEC of the Department of Social Development in the province, Ms Nonhlanhla Khoza, will also join the delegation.

The Extraordinary Summit of the Organ Troika of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) plus SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) Personnel Contributing Countries (PCCs) and the Republic of Mozambique, was held virtually on 12th April, 2022.

The summit was officially opened and chaired by His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation.

The summit was attended by SADC Heads of State and Government, their representatives and members of the Troika of the Ministerial Committee of the Organ (MCO), Ministers from the SAMIM Personnel Contributing Countries, the SADC Executive Secretary and Head of the SADC Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM).

The progress of SAMIM was noted by the summit, as presented by the Head of the SADC Mission in Mozambique, and commended SAMIM leadership, including men and women on the ground for their sacrifices and commitment to the fight against terrorists acts in some parts of Cabo Delgado Province.

The transition of SAMIM from Scenario 6, (Rapid Deployment Capability) to Scenario 5 (Multidimensional Force), with a robust mandate was approved and the summit commended SAMIM Personnel Contributing Countries for their continued support by pledging capabilities and personnel to enhance the effectiveness of SAMIM operations, and urged Member States to continue supporting the mission.

The summit expressed its appreciation to the African Union (AU) and the International Cooperating Partners (ICP’s) for the support towards stabilization of the security situation as well as the socio-economic recovery and development of Cabo Delgado Province.

Expressing solidarity with the Republics of Botswana, South Africa, Kingdom of Lesotho and the United Republic of Tanzania for the demise of soldiers serving the Mission, the summit expressed words of comfort for those wounded in action.

The Republics of Zimbabwe and Malawi were commended by the summit for the spirit of solidarity expressed through delivery of the pledged donation of foodstuff in 3 support of Humanitarian assistance to the affected population of Cabo Delgado.

The Head of Mission was directed to coordinate with the Republic of Mozambique on the implementation of the comprehensive Integrated Reconstruction and Development Plan of Cabo Delgado.

The summit acknowledged the expression of gratitude by His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique for SADC’s continued support, collaboration and cooperation towards attainment of sustainable peace and security in the Cabo Delgado Province.

His Excellency Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa and the Chairperson of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, was commended for his leadership in steering the work of the Organ in pursuit of lasting peace, security and stability in the SADC region.

Speaking after the summit, Mr. Tinashe Mpasiri, a member of Justice Under Rule of Law (JUROL), an initiative of the Banking On Africa’s Future (BOAF), said, “Peace is not simply about the absence of violence. It is defined by the presence of fundamental liberties and the prevalence of economic opportunities. Justice under rule of law is a step towards prevalence of economic opportunities. Absent the rule of law economic development is a mirage and it is the duty of the citizens to ensure that public office bearers who have taken an oath to uphold, promote and defend the constitution of the republic, are held accountable for their conduct.”

In a remarkable development, IDC’s spokesperson, Mr. Tshepo Ramodibe, who was quoted in an article published by the Sunday World in relation to a judgement granted by Judge Motsamai Makume on 23 March 2022, in which he confirmed that, it was the IDC, a public institution, that had initiated the the litigation.

In a new twist, when Ramodibe was confronted to provide evidence that the litigation was authorized by the IDC and the use of public funds was justified, he threatened this publication, was evasive, abusive, refused and failed to provide the basis of the authority relied upon to prosecute the claim.

A dispute was registered as to whether a presiding judge could discuss a rescinding application without dealing with the challenge of IDC, Plaintiff’s authority to litigate in the case 13276/14.

The suit was instituted by IDC in the high court of South Africa South Gauteng Local Division. In relation to this challenge on authority, it would appear it has taken IDC eight years to furnish the resolution binding this public institution to this litigation.

Mr. Peter Smith said, “what is puzzling about this matter is that IDC commented about a judgement in which Mr. Tshepo Ramodibe could not supply the impugned resolution. This raises a question of how public funds can be used for litigating a matter without the public institution, obeying the law. Rule 7 (seven) is a rule of court that provides for a litigant to challenge authority and therefore place a bar or any next step be taken prior to a court of law granting leave or being satisfied that the challenging authority does exist. Having looked at the record of exchanges between the reporters of IniAfrica.com with Mr. Tshepo Ramodibe, the inescapable conclusion is that IDC and its attorneys Werksmans, clearly have no obligation to observe the law and rules of court because after seven years, IDC has failed, refused and neglected to play its part in complying with this requirement.”

Ms. Lara Geach said, she found the exchange between Mr. Tshepo Ramodibe and Mr. Peter Smith not only interesting, but thought provoking if not classic and below is the said exchange:

Tshepo Ramodibe	Mon, 4 Apr, 17:47 (20 hours ago)
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