Umamah Bakharia

Johannesburg, South Africa

News Reporter at Mail & Guardian

Journalist @mailandguardian

Featured in: Favicon

mg.co.za

radioislam.org.za Favicon

fullview.co.za

Articles

Labour department denies racial quotas in Employment Equity Amendment Act

1 week ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

The department of employment and labour has rejected claims by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that the Employment Equity Amendment Act, which came into effect in January 2025, has sectoral racial quotas. In April, the DA said it had filed an application in the Pretoria high court challenging the employment equity quotas in the Act which it says are merely “racial exclusion under a new name”.
Gen Z South Africans make ends meet through hustle and pragmatism

1 week ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

Despite earning less than R5 000 a month, more than half of South Africa’s Generation Z are somehow saving up to R1 800 a month. This is according to the Gen Z Economy Report by Student Village, which specialises in the youth market, and the trend analysis company, Flux Trends.
Reported cases of child abuse and neglect rose to 26 000 in 2024-25

2 weeks ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

More than 26 000 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported in the 2024-25 financial year, up from 23 732 during the same period last year, Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe has said.
National Register for Sex Offenders still in legislative process, justice department says

2 weeks ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

The National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO) is still in a “legislative review process” after its release was halted in February to address the confidentiality and disclosure clauses that prevent public access, the ministry of justice and constitutional development said. Ministry spokesperson Terrence Manase noted that the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act criminalises the disclosure of information on the register, with penalties including fines or imprisonment.
Only 0.1% of police officers checked for sexual offences

3 weeks ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

Build One South Africa (Bosa) has condemned the South African Police Service (SAPS) for what it describes as “dangerous negligence” after a revelation that less than 0.14% of police officers have been screened against the National Register for Sex Offenders (NRSO). Responding to a question in parliament posed by Bosa’s deputy leader, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, Police Minister Senzo Mchunu disclosed that only 245 members of police service’s 180 000 workforce have been screened against the register.
Calls grow to address marginalisation of boys in education system

3 weeks ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

With youth month around the corner, education support networks have raised the alarm on the persistent underperformance and marginalisation of boys in the education system. “Girls are now outperforming boys in National Senior Certificate results and bachelor’s degree graduations, which is a positive achievement, but why are boys not matching up to that percentage?” asked former Gauteng education minister, Mary Metcalfe.
State seeks life sentence for accused in Joslin Smith kidnapping

1 month ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

Sentencing proceedings in the Joslin Smith trial are underway in the Western Cape High Court, with the state calling for life imprisonment for the three accused in the disappearance of the child. On 19 February 2024, then six-year-old Joslin disappeared from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay. Her mother, Kelly Smith, reported the child missing that evening, claiming she had left Joslin in the care of her partner, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis.
Equal Education slams Gwarube over claim that 90% of schools now in a better condition

1 month ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

Civil society movement Equal Education accused Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube of failing to understand the reality of public schools after she said last week that 90% of them are now in a better condition, according to her department’s latest infrastructure assessments. Gwarube’s comments were not true, with some classrooms not having been renovated since 2008, said Equal Education’s spokesperson, Ayanda Sishi Wigzell. “I think the minister needs to visit more schools across the country.
Female & Guardian | ‘Policies skewed against women’

1 month ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

A report submitted to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights states that South Africa is failing to uphold women’s rights to land and housing, despite constitutional protections and international legal commitments.
SA risks losing tech dominance as Morocco positions itself as Africa’s AI powerhouse

1 month ago | mg.co.za | Umamah Bakharia

South Africa, once considered a continental leader in science, technology and innovation, has found itself at a crossroads in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). Despite its globally recognised research institutions and thriving tech start-up scene in cities like Cape Town and Johannesburg, the country has yet to implement a coordinated national AI policy or roadmap.