We are in conversation with the Minister of Social Development Department, Lindiwe Zulu.

We are in conversation with the Minister of Social Development Department, Lindiwe Zulu.

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

METRO FM Talk with Faith Mangope

Minister of Social Development Department, Lindiwe Zulu

For millions of blind and visually impaired people around the world, access to books remains a significant barrier to education, employment and full participation in society. Estimates suggest that only between 1% and 7% of published works are available in accessible formats, including braille,
large print and other formats that people with visual impairments can use. An international agreement known as the Marrakesh Visually Impaired Persons Treaty aims to address
this inequality by making it easier for countries to share accessible books across borders, allowing people to access a much wider range of reading material. South Africa has expressed its intention to join this treaty for years, but its accession remains outstanding. Now, Blind SA, represented by SECTION27, has taken the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Mpho Parks Tau, to court over his decision to delay the process until the Copyright Amendment Bill becomes law. The organisation argues that a Constitutional Court order handed down in May 2025 already provides the necessary copyright exceptions to facilitate access to accessible-format works and their cross-border exchange. So, why has South Africa still not joined an agreement that could open the doors to international digital libraries? What are the consequences of this delay for blind and visually impaired South Africans, particularly learners, students and people who rely on accessible reading material? And what does this legal challenge mean for the government’s responsibility to ensure
equal access to information? We speak to SECTION27 about the court challenge, the law and what needs to happen next.

For millions of blind and visually impaired people around the&nbsp;world, access to books remains a significant barrier to&nbsp;education, employment and full participation in society.&nbsp;Estimates suggest that only between 1% and 7% of published&nbsp;works are available in accessible formats, including braille, large print and other formats that people with visual&nbsp;impairments can use. An international agreement known as the&nbsp;Marrakesh Visually Impaired Persons Treaty aims to address this inequality by making it easier for countries to share&nbsp;accessible books across borders, allowing people to access a&nbsp;much wider range of reading material.&nbsp;South Africa has expressed its intention to join this treaty for&nbsp;years, but its accession remains outstanding. Now, Blind SA,&nbsp;represented by SECTION27, has taken the Minister of Trade,&nbsp;Industry and Competition, Mpho Parks Tau, to court over his&nbsp;decision to delay the process until the Copyright Amendment&nbsp;Bill becomes law. The organisation argues that a Constitutional&nbsp;Court order handed down in May 2025 already provides the&nbsp;necessary copyright exceptions to facilitate access to&nbsp;accessible-format works and their cross-border exchange.&nbsp;So, why has South Africa still not joined an agreement that&nbsp;could open the doors to international digital libraries? What are&nbsp;the consequences of this delay for blind and visually impaired&nbsp;South Africans, particularly learners, students and people who&nbsp;rely on accessible reading material? And what does this legal&nbsp;challenge mean for the government&rsquo;s responsibility to ensure equal access to information? We speak to SECTION27 about&nbsp;the court challenge, the law and what needs to happen next.

After 8 is After 8: A legal battle over the right to read

A woman accused of staging her own kidnapping is back in the spotlight, but beyond the criminal charges, the case raises an important question: what is the cost of false kidnapping reports? In KwaThema, a 37-year-old woman who was initially reported kidnapped has been arrested after police
investigations allegedly uncovered a plan to fake her abduction with the help of an accomplice. The alleged scheme was reportedly intended to extort money from her cousin. Cases like this highlight the potential consequences of deliberately misleading the police, from wasting valuable investigative
resources to diverting attention away from genuine kidnapping cases where victims may be in immediate danger. As the legal process unfolds, we look at the impact of false reports on law
enforcement and the people who depend on police to find their missing loved ones.

A woman accused of staging her own kidnapping is back in the&nbsp;spotlight, but beyond the criminal charges, the case raises an&nbsp;important question: what is the cost of false kidnapping&nbsp;reports? In KwaThema, a 37-year-old woman who was initially&nbsp;reported kidnapped has been arrested after police investigations allegedly uncovered a plan to fake her abduction&nbsp;with the help of an accomplice. The alleged scheme was&nbsp;reportedly intended to extort money from her cousin. Cases&nbsp;like this highlight the potential consequences of deliberately&nbsp;misleading the police, from wasting valuable investigative resources to diverting attention away from genuine kidnapping&nbsp;cases where victims may be in immediate danger. As the legal&nbsp;process unfolds, we look at the impact of false reports on law enforcement and the people who depend on police to find their&nbsp;missing loved ones.

KwaThema Woman Accused of Staging Her Own Kidnapping  Remains in Custody

Snuff has been part of many South African households and communities for generations. For some people, it is an everyday habit. For others, it carries a much deeper meaning, rooted in culture, tradition and, in certain practices, spirituality and the relationship with the ancestors. It is often shared among family members, offered to elders and used in traditional settings. But while the practice may be familiar, how much do we really know about what snuff does to the body? Snuff is a tobacco product, and depending on the type and how it is used, it can expose users to nicotine and other potentially harmful substances. Nicotine is addictive, and smokeless tobacco products have been linked to a range of health risks, including damage to oral health. Yet there are people who may assume that because snuff is not smoked, it is less harmful, or that a product used for generations
cannot pose a serious health threat. So, what does the scientific evidence actually tell us? Are people
aware of the risks associated with nasal snuff compared with oral snuff? What happens when regular use becomes dependence, and what are the possible long-term consequences? And how do we
have an honest conversation about these dangers without dismissing the cultural significance snuff holds for many people? Tonight, we separate perception from medical evidence and examine the hidden health risks of snuff, what users need to know, and whether enough is being done to educate our communities. 

Snuff has been part of many South African households and&nbsp;communities for generations. For some people, it is an everyday&nbsp;habit. For others, it carries a much deeper meaning, rooted in&nbsp;culture, tradition and, in certain practices, spirituality and the&nbsp;relationship with the ancestors. It is often shared among family&nbsp;members, offered to elders and used in traditional settings. But&nbsp;while the practice may be familiar, how much do we really know&nbsp;about what snuff does to the body?&nbsp;Snuff is a tobacco product, and depending on the type and how it is&nbsp;used, it can expose users to nicotine and other potentially harmful&nbsp;substances. Nicotine is addictive, and smokeless tobacco products&nbsp;have been linked to a range of health risks, including damage to oral&nbsp;health. Yet there are people who may assume that because snuff is&nbsp;not smoked, it is less harmful, or that a product used for generations cannot pose a serious health threat. So, what does the scientific evidence actually tell us? Are people aware of the risks associated with nasal snuff compared with oral&nbsp;snuff? What happens when regular use becomes dependence, and&nbsp;what are the possible long-term consequences? And how do we have an honest conversation about these dangers without&nbsp;dismissing the cultural significance snuff holds for many people?&nbsp;Tonight, we separate perception from medical evidence and&nbsp;examine the hidden health risks of snuff, what users need to know,&nbsp;and whether enough is being done to educate our communities.&nbsp;

Minister of Social Development Department, Lindiwe Zulu

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