Orwellian trend emerges - DAILY NEWS (Deadline) 02 Sep 2010

Here is a picture of Joan Parker, member of Rondebosch branch of the Black Sash, was featured in an article about freedom of speech in the Daily News recently!

"Freedom of speech is much bigger than the ANC, or even the media. It's about people's right to express their thoughts, writes Abbey Makoe. I HAVE no doubt that even the most biased of journalists will concur that the ANC has some justification in feeling aggrieved over the periodic subjectivity with which certain sections of the mainstream media have treated the party and its leadership.

This is one point which is not difficult at all to illustrate. Reams of recent copy, which has been churned out in negation of the mooted media tribunal, is more telling in both subterfuge and nuance..."

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Yasmin - a human rights activist - RISING SUN (Lenasia) 11 Aug 2010 Page 13

YASMIN Louise Sookha (53) is undoubtedly a respected figure when it comes to human rights legislation.

Sookha, daughter of the late N. Rathinsamy (ex-principal of Nirvana Secondary School) is married and has three children. Having matriculated at the above school, she completed her B.Proc. LLI3 at the University of Witwatersrand. She was admitted as an attorney in 1984, qualified as a mediator/arbitrator in 1988, a conveyancer in 1992, and served as an Acting Judge in the Johannesburg High Couit Until 1994, Sookha was a practising attorney and partner in the firm Mahomed, Sookha and Seedat.

Read full article in the RISING SUN

Warrior at a tea party - Grocott's Mail, 29 July 2010

Rosemary van Wyk Smith is a warrior you'd meet at a tea party. When she says the words “Black Sash” it is with the inflection of an old soldier’s clipped allegiance. But she also reserves a gentle swish for the H in “white”.  

“It's like being in war situation” she says, raising her eyebrows as she escorts me into the past. She leans forward on thick forearms; hers is a body not grown soft like many women of her age. “I joined the Black Sash  in 1967 as a very timid mother of four,” she confides, although it’s clear her demure English manner is a courtesy now. 

If she was indeed “nervous” to meet me, something in her warmly impenetrable eyes quickly dismisses intimidation.  “As the situation deteriorated, I became more involved.” she nods, the soft light catching her cropped hair, “Nothing happens unless someone makes it happen.” And she's a veteran of making history happen. 

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A message from Sheena Duncan's daughter

Dear Friends, 

Lindsay and I have responded to repeated requests for a book on mum, Sheena Duncan, by engaging Charlene Smith, a well-known SA journalist and writer based in Johannesburg to research and write the book. We in the meantime are seeking an agent/publisher and if you can assist with leads or even sources to assist with funding research we would appreciate it. 

In the meantime Charlene would like to hear from you  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   +27 82 495 8716  with your memories of mum and her work and copies of any written, audio or visual material you may have.  She would prefer copies but undertakes to copy and return originals promptly by courier. 

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Mary Burton pays tribute to Tutu on his planned retirement - Cape Times, 23 July 2010

GLOWING tributes have followed the planned withdrawal from public life of Nobel Peace laureate and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu on his 79th birthday on October 7.
Retired Black Sash leader Mary Burton, who served with Tutu on the TRC, said: "He was a wonderful champion and leader of the TRC. He is an inspiring leader of our society with prophetic vision of care for the poorest and the vulnerable. He does not hesitate to speak his mind on controversial issues."

Read the full article in the Cape Times