The SAJBD welcomes apology from Bongani Masuku, Cosatu The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) welcomes the apology to the Jewish community from Bongani Masuku and the Congress of South African Trade Unions. In terms of the judgment handed down last week by the Constitutional Court, Mr Masuku and Cosatu were required to apologise for a statement that the court ruled to be hate speech against the Jewish community. The apology received on the 23rd of February reads:

CHARISSE ZEIFERT: The line between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is clear Constitutional Court ruling means the likes of Bongani Masuku can no longer hide behind the cloak of legitimate criticism to propagate racist hate speech against Jews Last week Bongani Masuku, the former international relations secretary for the country’s biggest trade union federation and member of the country’s governing tripartite alliance, was found guilty by SA’s apex court of having crossed the l

‘Death and life are in the tongue’ – lessons from the Bongani Masuku hate speech case Given the enduring legacy of the Nazi horrors inflicted on European Jewry, it has become commonplace for antisemites of every stripe to level baseless, insulting and profoundly demeaning charges against Jews that they themselves have become like Nazis. After 13 years, a case that first came before the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and from there progressively worked its way t

ConCourt judgment confirms freedom of expression not a license for racism David Saks says ruling is likely to resonate widely in the ongoing battle against global anti-Semitism Masuku judgment confirms freedom of expression not a license for racism “The comments and statements made are of an extreme nature that advocate and imply that the Jewish and Israeli community are to be despised, scorned, ridiculed and thus subjecting them to ill-treatment on the basis of their religio

“We can make sure that for that side it will be hell … something that may necessarily cause what is regarded as harm”. These chilling words rang in my ears. As a young South African sitting in a university classroom, I never expected that my association with a group of people, a member of the South African Jewish community, would deem me a target for violence and unwelcome in my own country. It was March 2009 and I was attending an Israel Apartheid Week talk co-hosted by COSA

Wednesday 16 February 2022 The SA Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) welcomes today’s Constitutional Court judgment confirming that COSATU International Relations Secretary Bongani Masuku must apologise for offensive and inflammatory remarks he made against the Jewish community in 2009. The ruling substantially upholds the conclusions reached initially by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and thereafter by the Equality Court that Masuku was guilty of contravening s10 of th

Dear President Ramaphosa and Minister Pandor As you are aware, South African Jewry has strong religious, historical, familial and cultural ties with the State of Israel. In light of this the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, as the community’s representative spokesbody and civil rights lobby, takes a particular interest in the relationship between South Africa and Israel. It is for this reason that we wish to raise with you our unease and hurt regarding what can only be described

The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) commends President Cyril Ramaphosa for accepting the credentials of newly appointed Israeli Ambassador to South Africa, Mr Eliav Belotsecovsky. The SAJBD has consistently expressed the belief that our government can play an important and unique role in peace-making efforts between Israelis and Palestinians. Hopefully, the commencement of the new Israeli ambassador’s term will signal a change, resulting in South Africa re-enga

The SA Jewish Board of Deputies is saddened by the passing of the renowned human rights activist and anti-apartheid stalwart Max Coleman. During the 1980s Mr Coleman, together with his wife Audrey and sons Keith, Neil and Colin, was extensively involved in opposing the repressive and unjust policies of the apartheid regime. In response to the detaining without trial of political dissidents, he and Audrey founded the Detainees’ Parents Support Committee, which provided food cl

Archbishop Desmond Tutu was an internationally recognised symbol of South Africa's successful transition from Apartheid to democracy and the process of reconciliation that followed it. During the years of the anti-apartheid struggle, he was an inspirational figure for those committed to a just society free from the evils of racial prejudice and discrimination. The SAJBD extends its sincerest condolences to the Tutu family and to the Anglican community in South Africa.

Al Jama-ah Fails Joburg Residents The political party Al Jama-ah are seemingly attempting to stonewall and obstruct the functioning of the City of Johannesburg, by putting a foreign conflict above the interests of its own citizens. Our landscape is such that representatives from across the political spectrum are expected to work together to provide leadership and good governance. Joburg is currently struggling to provide its own residents with electricity, water, functioning

Our Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture has been noticeably absent these past eighteen months. He has been largely silent about artists who appealed to him for help during the COVID lockdown. His response to the closing down of national heritage treasures like the Apartheid Museum and Lilliesleaf Farm was appalling. His disinterest in upholding the real issues facing our arts and cultural imperatives have been palpable. Yet when it comes to placating the radical anti-Israel

BDS may have changed their name and branding to the PSA and Africa4Palestine but their aggressive, in-your-face bullying and harassment of people who hold an alternate view remains. For over a decade they have intimidated members of the SA Jewish community who have dared to oppose their radical anti-Israel narrative. SA Jewry have been threatened in the shops, at concerts and on University campuses where BDS groups routinely resort to threats, intimidation, smear campaigns an

View, the recording of the SAJBD National Conference 2021, as well the 2021 Report Back As the representative spokesbody of South African Jewry, the SAJBD ensures that the voice of the community is heard on all issues that concern it. To this end, it maintains effective channels of communication and forges sound working relationships with leading figures in the political, media, educational and civil society spheres. The Board safeguards the Jewish community against antisemit

The SAJBD is saddened to report the passing today of long-serving SAJBD member and doyen of the Jewish community of KwaZulu-Natal John Moshal. The scion of one of Durban Jewry’s leading families, John was inspired by his uncle, the distinguished community leader and philanthropist Sol Moshal, to become involved in Jewish communal affairs. Among other positions held, he served as Chairman of the United Communal Fund, as President (later Honorary Life President) of the Council

Register now at https://bit.ly/NavigatingElect ... Tuesday 12 October | 19.00 Are our upcoming elections the most important and unpredictable yet? Join journalist Stephen Grootes as he speaks to a panel of experts in helping us traverse the implications of these local government elections. Register now at https://bit.ly/NavigatingElect ...

Wednesday 6 October | 19:00 Register now at https://bit.ly/GreatDebate_Oct ... Get to know your politicians and ask the questions you want answers for at THE GREAT DEBATE. Hosted by Mandy Wiener with representatives from political parties and an introduction to Local Government elections by Thembelani Mazibuko, Researcher at the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. Register now at https://bit.ly/GreatDebate_Oct ...

It’s local government election time! Volunteer now to be a member of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies' 'Make us Count' Election Observer Team and witness South Africa's democracy in action. Accredited by the IEC, 'Make us Count' Election Observer Team will be involved in all aspects of voting day to ensure the process is free and fair. For more info, and to register to be part of this unique community initiative, sign up at https://bit.ly/3txoNPs or contact makeuscountsa@gmai

Don’t miss out on the final voter registration weekend before the local government elections 2021! Make sure you are registered and check your details by visiting your nearest polling station 18/19 September between 8am & 5pm (Voting station finder https://maps.elections.org.za/vsfinder/ ) or use the IEC’s online portal at https://registertovote.elections.org.za/Welcome . For more information contact the IEC on 0800 11 8000

OPINION | Charisse Zeifert: Growing antisemitism is alarming | News24