Register to vote now

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 lobby who demand that Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane withdraw from the Miss Universe Pageant in Eilat, suddenly Minister Mthetwa finds his voice.

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 and even violence to enforce their agenda.

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 of KwaZulu-Natal Jewry and the Durban Jewish Club. For thirty years, he sat on the National Executive Council of the SAJBD.