Latest news with #CharlotteMaxeke
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Water restored to 23 NGOs after Joburg High Court order
The High Court ruled in favour of 23 NGOs after water was cut illegally at their premises, disrupting child welfare services. The Johannesburg High Court ordered the City of Johannesburg and Johannesburg Water to restore water to a building that houses 23 NGOs, including organisations focused on children's rights and rehabilitation. The city and Johannesburg Water have reached a settlement with Section27, representing the Children's Memorial Institute (CMI), to reconnect the water supply to the property situated at 13 Joubert Street in Parktown. Water cut at property housing NGOs This occurred after the water supply to the building was cut on 14 June 2024, without following the procedural requirements outlined in Section 62 of the city's by-law. CMI is occupied by 23 NGOs operating on the property. These NGOs provide a safe refuge for abused children, offer therapy and counselling – particularly for children with disabilities – and run psychosocial programmes for disadvantaged youth. ALSO READ: NGOs say foreigners in SA told to return to their countries when opening cases against Operation Dudula The registered owner of the property is the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure and Development (GDID). The main occupants of the building are the School of Autism, a public school, and Charlotte Maxeke's laundry services. Section 27 said that the Gauteng Department of Health and the Gauteng Department of Education are responsible for covering the basic municipal fees for the School of Autism, as well as the laundry services. 'The 23 NGOs based on the property have been adversely affected by the disconnection of water services. Despite efforts to resolve the matter with the GDID and the city, no resolution was reached,' the organisation said. Property owned by GDID On 8 July 2025, the CMI filed an urgent application with the Johannesburg High Court. The institute requested that the water supply be restored immediately and that the city and Johannesburg Water not cut off water services until the necessary procedures are completed. ALSO READ: Gauteng NPOs struggle as social development cuts funding, says DA In response, the city and Johannesburg Water argued that the owner's account statement, which included a pre-termination notification, was sufficient to trigger service termination. These notices were issued to the owner, the GDID. 'However, the NGOs received no such notice and, as a result, were adversely impacted by the disconnection. The city's conduct is contrary to their city by-laws,' Section27 said. Court order to restore water supply within 48 hours On Tuesday, Judge Mudunwazi Makamu granted an order directing the city to restore the water supply within 48 hours and instructed the parties to engage in settlement and the resolution of accounts. The GDID, as the owner of the property, was also ordered to facilitate the division of accounts for services commencing 1 August 2025. ALSO READ: MES says CEO 'absolved' after claims of BEE violations and financial misconduct The department is required to report to the court on the facilitation process for dividing the account within 14 days of the court order. Section27 and the CMI welcomed the order. 'The water restoration brings much-needed reprieve to 23 NGOs who have experienced severe challenges without a water supply,' Section27 said. 'The NGOs are now able to continue their vital services in a hygienic and dignified manner and can continue serving their beneficiaries with the professionalism that they deserve.'
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Telephone lines down at two major Gauteng hospitals
Technicians are working to restore connectivity at Charlotte Maxeke and Chris Hani Baragwanath hospitals. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has confirmed that telephone lines at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital are currently offline due to suspected damage to optical fibre cables. According to the department, the disruption has affected both incoming and outgoing calls at the two major public healthcare facilities, severely limiting telephone communication with patients, staff, and service providers. Fibre cable damage suspected In a statement on Sunday, the department said technical teams had been dispatched and were working to resolve the issue. 'Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital are currently experiencing technical difficulties with their telephone systems, suspected to be linked to damaged optical fibre cables,' said the department. 'Two separate cases have been logged with Telkom, and technicians are actively working to resolve the issue and restore full telephone functionality as soon as possible.' ALSO READ: Alarm raised over 'R1.7bn fire safety gap' at Charlotte Maxeke hospital While efforts to repair the fibre cables are underway, members of the public have been urged to use temporary contact numbers to reach the hospitals. 'In the meantime, the public can contact the hospitals using the alternative numbers provided to reach the appropriate service points,' the department advised. These alternative numbers are available on the department's website and official social media platforms. The department apologised for the inconvenience caused and called for patience as technicians work to resolve the problem. 'We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time,' the statement concluded. ALSO READ: Gauteng health officials raise alarm over baby abductions Water supply restored to Gauteng health facilities Furthermore, water supply has been restored to nearly all Gauteng public health facilities that were affected by Johannesburg Water's ongoing infrastructure maintenance. Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba confirmed on Saturday that Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, South Rand Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and Alexandra Community Health Centre (CHC) were now back to full water supply. 'We are pleased that most of our facilities impacted by the ongoing maintenance work have had their water supply restored as of Thursday afternoon,' said Modiba. ALSO READ: Gauteng health rubbishes claims of corpses left in 'limbo' at Helen Joseph Hospital Hillbrow CHC still affected However, Hillbrow Community Health Centre remains affected due to ongoing water supply issues in the surrounding area. 'The entire Hillbrow area is still impacted. We continue to rely on Johannesburg Water to supply tankers to refill JoJo tanks on site,' Modiba said, adding that services at the facility have not been interrupted. Call for cooperation and understanding Modiba thanked the public for their patience and emphasised the importance of ongoing infrastructure maintenance. 'This maintenance work is critical for the future security of the water supply in the province,' he said. 'We must continue cooperating with utilities like Rand Water and Johannesburg Water, especially when they issue notices about planned interruptions.' He reiterated that while emergency plans remain in place, the department is working closely with water utilities and municipalities to minimise disruptions. 'We truly appreciate the work being done in this area,' Modiba said. NOW READ: Water interruptions affect major Gauteng hospitals
The Herald
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Herald
Water supply interruptions affecting some Joburg health facilities
Helen Joseph Hospital on Tuesday experienced water supply interruptions which are affecting parts of the hospital and surrounding communities. This follows a notice issued by Rand Water regarding scheduled water supply interruptions due to infrastructure maintenance at Eikenhof, Zwartkopjes and Palmiet pumping stations planned for June 30 to July 21. 'Johannesburg Water tankers have been dispatched to pump water into the hospital tanks to ensure continuity of services,' the Gauteng health department said. It said Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital was affected by the Zwartkopjes water system interruption, with no pumping to the Parktown 2 Reservoir since Monday morning. 'However, the facility is still receiving water through gravity feed from the reservoir and tanks continue to be supplied for the time being.' The department said the Alexandra and Hillbrow community health centres were also affected and were now relying on JoJo tanks for water. TimesLIVE
News24
23-06-2025
- Health
- News24
No money for fire safety: Charlotte Maxeke Hospital's R1.7bn budget crisis
Parts of the facility are currently undergoing repairs following a devastating fire incident in April 2021. The repair work is progressing well and on track, but the total budget required to ensure fire compliance was not funded. The department is actively exploring various funding options and private investments to support this critical phase. The Gauteng department of health has confirmed that there is no budget allocated for the R1.7 billion required for fire compliance measures to prevent future fires at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital. Parts of the facility are currently undergoing repairs following a devastating fire incident in April 2021. While the repair work is progressing well and on track, the department lamented that the total budget required to ensure fire compliance was not funded. Department spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said: The department is actively exploring various funding options and private investments to support this critical phase. Already, the initial feasibility report and the concept report have been approved, and a business case is being developed. He said, remarkably, the hospital was currently operating at a bed capacity that exceeds pre-fire levels, ensuring that patient care continues uninterrupted despite the ongoing construction. Modiba explained that the repairs were structured in two phases, saying Phase 1 focused on repairing Blocks 4 and 5 North, with completion targeted for August next year. Phase 1 has been allocated a budget of R426 million, with R139 million already spent as of April 2025. Major milestones achieved so far include the completion of the radiation oncology unit and the accident and emergency department, which are now fully operational. A new state-of-the-art dry store facility has been built, and fire doors have been installed throughout most parts of the hospital. Additionally, according to the department, a temporary access ramp has been constructed, providing 300 parking bays at the P3 level. Modiba said to minimise disruption, the hospital has implemented an operational strategy that keeps services within the facility rather than dispersing them across other locations. Jack Bloom DA member of the Gauteng legislature Jack Bloom has charged that it was completely unacceptable that it will take more than five years to restore the hospital, only for it to remain non-compliant with basic fire prevention laws. Bloom said: 'The DA calls for an urgent, fast-tracked public-private partnership to bring in private expertise, complete the repairs, and ensure the entire facility is fully compliant with fire safety standards without further delay.' He added that this would never be tolerated in the private sector and that patients paid the price, shuffled from one area to another, and were forced to endure long distances due to inadequate parking.
News24
25-04-2025
- Politics
- News24
Freedom worn in heels: Nompendulo Mkhatshwa and more Black women activists
Sometimes when we hear the word 'elections,' it feels like a buzzword we've heard too many times and let's be honest, 1994 can feel like a lifetime ago. For many, it's easy to think we should move on and stop holding onto the past. But remembering what happened on 27 April 1994 isn't about getting stuck there, but rather about recognising what that day unlocked for us. This Freedom Day observed, we're shining a light on the powerful legacy of Black women in politics, from icons like Charlotte Maxeke, whose spirit still lives on, to the bold and brilliant women of today who continue to lead and fight for justice. 1. Koketso Moeti: As the executive director of a mobile-based advocacy platform that enables low-income Black South Africans, particularly women, to organise and take collective action on issues such as gender-based violence, housing rights and public safety, she bridges digital divides, allowing people to participate in campaigns regardless of internet access. Her work has earned her multiple international accolades among others including: She is a reminder of the spirit of Ubuntu. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Koketso (@kmoeti) 2. Charlotte Maxeke As the first Black South African woman to graduate with a university degree, she founded the Bantu Women's League in 1918, a precursor to the ANC Women's League. Charlotte, who died in 1939 and has subsequently had the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital named after her, was an activist for women's education and social justice. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MyANC (@myanc_) 3. Thuli Mandonsela As the former public protector of South Africa, she has played a critical role in exposing corruption, notably the Nkandla scandal. She is a huge advocate for social justice, constitutional democracy and integrity in public office. View this post on Instagram A post shared by TRUELOVE Magazine (@truelovemagazine) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marc Gregory (@marcgregoryart) 4. Nompendulo Mkhatshwa Previously the Wits SRC president and leader during the #FeesMustFall movement, she has once been a member of parliament, focusing on higher education reform and youth empowerment. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nompendulo Thobile Mkhatshwa (@nompendulo_m) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nompendulo Thobile Mkhatshwa (@nompendulo_m) 5. Zukiswa White As the director of programmes at Equal Education, she focuses on education justice and equality in South African public schools. She has played a key role in holding the government accountable for unsafe school infrastructure, lack of resources, and the poor implementation of education policies. She speaks out on the intersection of race, class and gender in education. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ngwako T. Malakalaka (@officialngwako)
