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BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Basildon by-election sees Reform win first seat
Reform UK has won its first seat on Basildon Shields polled 922 votes in a by-election at Wickford Park, called following the death of an independent and long-serving councillor. Former mayor David Harrison, who was first elected in 1971, died in April after a long UK had already won four seats at other council by-elections in Essex in May - one seat on Castle Point, one seat on Harlow and two on Thurrock. In Basildon, the Conservatives polled 840 votes, the Liberal Democrats collected 171 and Wickford Independents - Harrison's former party - polled received 146 votes. The turnout for the by-election was 25.5%A further by-election is being held at St Martin's in Basildon on 17 July, due to the resignation of Labour's Maryam Yaqub. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Mail & Guardian
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Mail & Guardian
The future is now: A call to SA's youth to build social justice
Young people can lead the way to a fair and just society by volunteering in their communities, discussing social issues with peers, holding leaders to account, treating everyone with respect and not compromising on principles. Photo: David Harrison/M&G After 30 years of democracy, South Africa continues to grapple with poverty, unemployment and inequality. We remain a society defined by its dualities: rich versus poor, formal versus informal and insiders versus outsiders. Socio-economic statistics confirm the material effect of this reality. The richest 10% of the population own more than 85% of household wealth. Unemployment is at 32.78% — and even higher among youth aged 15 to 34, at 45.5%. The Gini coefficient is 0.63 and poverty stands at 21.6% with more than 10 million people living on less than R40 a day. As regards education, only 17.8% of the population have a tertiary qualification. It is within this reality — shaped by decades of formalised racial, spatial and economic inequality, and preceded by centuries of colonial domination — that social justice becomes a powerful rallying cry for a more equal, dignified and just society. Simply put, social justice advocates for a just and fair society where resources, opportunities and privileges are distributed equitably. It aims to ensure that society is founded on dignity and respect where all can enjoy equality of access and opportunity. On Youth Day, 16 June, it is worth highlighting that young people in South Africa are positioned to step up as champions of social justice and help transform the future of this country. The isiZulu proverb 'Ligotshwa lisemanzi' , which loosely translates to 'to teach or to shape while it is still wet', is appropriate. This proverb emphasises how crucial it is to mould people when they are still young, when their ideals are still developing and their minds are open. The call to social justice — which starts with establishing the values of equality, empathy and accountability from a young age — is powerfully captured by the insight provided by this proverb. It highlights the need to build a foundation for a generation that is not only knowledgeable, but also equipped to confront injustice and drive change by investing in the education and critical awareness of young people. The youth of 1976 did not have such a foundation. These brave young people led a popular uprising in Soweto against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools for black children. They did this without easy access to information, in the face of an oppressive regime and without fear of consequences they could suffer. Guided by a deep-seated belief in equality and social justice, they inspired, influenced, organised and led their peers in the fight for a more just and equitable society. For many, the promise of such a society has not been realised in the last 30 years of democratic government. Persistent poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, unequal access to education and stubborn economic inequality are indicators of the widening gap between the Constitution's ideals and the lives of millions of citizens. While the youth of 1976 fought for political freedom, this generation is called to struggle for the achievement of social justice. This struggle will require leadership firmly rooted in social justice. To paraphrase Black Consciousness leader Steve Biko, social justice should become more than just a theory; it should become 'an attitude of mind and a way of life' that makes young people aware of their generational responsibility of advocating for a better, more just and more humane tomorrow. Biko once said, 'the greatest weapon in the hand of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed'. This reminds us that consciousness must guide the actions of leaders because it is the starting point of action in a reality where many young people have become apathetic and disengaged from active citizenship. This consciousness begins with putting our shoulder to the wheel, volunteering in our communities, discussions with peers about social issues, providing thought leadership and holding our leaders accountable for their role in advancing our society. These actions all require leadership from the youth — a leadership that works hard, treats everyone with respect and remains uncompromising in its principles. History shows that the youth of this nation have been at the vanguard of change. Young people have continuously spoken up to confront injustice and demand a better future. The Soweto Uprising of 1976, the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements and the recent Justice for Cwecwe demonstrations are cases in point. That legacy calls upon us once more now, but this time it requires us to step up with ideas, compassion and principled leadership. Young people must lead the way in advocating for social justice. Our vigour, wisdom and inherent resistance to 'the way things are' can propel the change our nation so desperately needs. We cannot fail in this mission, for fear that we prove the popular saying, 'youth is wasted on the young', correct. Being a student at Stellenbosch University has made me aware of the value of participation and diversity in a socially just environment. I have been able to further these aspects of social justice through my involvement in the university's Zulu Society, which aims to create a space for cultural expression and community building where it previously did not exist. In spaces that have not yet healed from problematic views of Black people (in the Biko sense) and their cultural ways of being, free and respected cultural expression can be seen as a form of social justice because it allows for participation and a celebration of diversity that positively affects students' experience at SU. In all that I do, I 'walk the walk' and not just 'talk the talk'. As an advocate for substantive, actionable change that prioritises justice, representation and dignity, I firmly believe that today's youth have what it takes to become champions of social justice and help realise the promise of a just and equitable South Africa. Senzakahle Mazibuko is completing a postgraduate certificate in education (history and French) at Stellenbosch University.
Daily Maverick
12-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Maverick
Childhood stunting also stunts SA's economy — here are five ways to fix that
Make a list of the country's 10 priorities for national development. Now whittle them down to five. Does your shortlist include giving children enough nutritious food to eat? If not, you're missing an essential part of what countries need to grow their economies: children who are well nourished and ready to learn, and grow up to be skilled and productive workers who drive economic growth. At a glance South Africa has a high stunting rate, an indicator of chronic malnutrition that measures if a child is too short for their age, which has hovered around 25% since the 1990s. That impacts on our per capita GDP – a sign of a country's standard of living, which is 10% smaller than it could be if our children were not physically and intellectually damaged by a lack of nutritious food. Our Child Support Grant (CSG) has had an impact – but it's not keeping up with food inflation. DG Murray Trust's David Harrison has five low-cost strategies we could use to boost both child health and our economy. South Africa has a high stunting rate, an indicator of chronic malnutrition that measures if a child is too short for their age, which has hovered around 25% since the 1990s. That impacts on our per capita GDP – a sign of a country's standard of living, which is 10% smaller than it could be if our children were not physically and intellectually damaged by a lack of nutritious food. Our Child Support Grant (CSG) has had an impact – but it's not keeping up with food inflation. DG Murray Trust's David Harrison has five low-cost strategies we could use to boost both child health and our economy. South Africa has a stubbornly high stunting rate, an indicator of chronic malnutrition that measures if a child is too short for their age. It has hovered around 25% since the 1990s. Meanwhile, our per capita GDP – a measure of a country's standard of living – is 10% smaller than it could be if our children were not physically and intellectually damaged by a lack of nutritious food. Despite tough economic circumstances, we can make a massive difference to child nutrition. Peru halved its rate of stunting among children in just eight years (2008 to 2016), and Chile has pretty much eliminated it. Social grants played a large role in those countries. Here, the child support grant (CSG) has also had a significant impact, with stunting almost a third lower among eligible children who get the grant when compared with those who don't. But the CSG is not keeping up with food inflation. That means we need to use other strategies that could be implemented immediately. Make proteins cheaper The 15,000 children admitted annually to hospitals with severe acute malnutrition lack protein from food like fish or lentils, energy from carbohydrates like pap and essential minerals and vitamins (micronutrients) like iron, zinc and Vitamin A, which are found in fruit, vegetables and meat. Chronically malnourished children often get enough energy, but not enough protein and micronutrients for their bodies and brains to grow optimally. This is one of the main reasons why the proportion of underweight children younger than five years is 7.7%, but stunting, which is often linked to poor brain development, is almost four times higher. The body can convert excess carbohydrates into some amino acids – the building blocks of protein – but it can't produce nine amino acids that are essential for normal growth. Child obesity among poorer children is often linked to a shortage of protein as cash-strapped parents buy cheaper processed foods and starches. This is why we are seeing an increase in the percentage of children who are both overweight and stunted. All of society – government, business, civil society and trade unions – must unite to make a basket of protein-rich staples far more affordable. Shoprite, South Africa's largest retailer, has begun to take up the protein challenge by making ox liver burgers available for R5. Another protein-rich food that must be made more affordable is infant formula. Globally, the profit margin on infant formula is north of 20%. Government should cap the manufacturer and retail margins on infant formula at 10%, which is still enough incentive for stores to stock it. This suggestion may sit uncomfortably with some, who might view it as undermining the message that 'breast is best'. The reality is that over half of all infants are not exclusively breastfed by three months of age, often related to social and workplace stresses. These babies need the protein, vitamins and minerals that breast milk substitutes provide. At the same time, the industry's predatory marketing tactics, designed to undermine breastfeeding, must continue to be confronted, and the price cap should be accompanied by full enforcement of Regulation 991 of 2012, which aims to protect breastfeeding by regulating how infant formula is marketed and sold. Make sure minerals and vitamins are added to food Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals – such as iron, vitamin A and iodine – that our bodies need to grow and develop. Without them, even though we need very small amounts, we can end up with life-threatening illnesses. An effective way of making sure children are getting enough micronutrients is to add them to food staples like maize meal and wheat flour, and fortification of specific foods has been mandatory since 2002. Yet studies show that many industry players don't do it. A 2015 study by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition found that 83% of maize meal in Gauteng and 69% in the Eastern Cape was unfortified or insufficiently fortified. Stricter enforcement should improve compliance, but it would be better if the industry just did it without constant policing. There are other effective strategies to supplement micronutrients during pregnancy and the first two years of life. Instead of giving pregnant mothers iron and folate pills during pregnancy, they should get 15 minerals and vitamins combined in one daily pill. This approach works better in reducing low birth weight, preterm birth and six-month mortality among infants. It won't cost much more – perhaps even less than current tender prices for iron and folate. Among at-risk children aged six to 24 months, small quantity lipid nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) reduce the odds of stunting by up to 20%. These products should be made available to vulnerable babies through community health worker programmes. Help pregnant women get healthy food through grants and supplements Babies born with a birth weight below 2,500g, a Western Cape survey published in 2023 has shown, are three times more likely to be stunted at six to 24 months of age. The best way to lower the proportion of new cases of low birth weight is to ensure good healthcare and nutrition for pregnant women, and that includes giving either money or food to moms-to-be who are at risk. A review of 11 studies published in 2011 showed that balanced protein-energy supplementation reduces the risk of low birth weight by a third, with the effect most pronounced among underweight mothers. It also improves the ability to breastfeed. The Western Cape government recently announced a new pilot programme to provide monthly nutritional support to underweight pregnant women, women likely to give birth to underweight babies and new mothers of low birth weight babies as a way of reducing stunting in the first two years of life. Nationally, a maternal support grant is being considered, but policymaking has been slow. This would be a highly cost-effective use of social security, reducing the healthcare costs of low birth weight while also improving infant health. Give community health workers scales to weigh babies Countries that have significantly reduced stunting have one thing in common: they can measure a child's failure to grow and gain weight at an expected rate. When children start crossing the weight centiles on their growth charts – which shows how a child's growth compares with other children of the same age – it becomes evident when they are falling behind their peers. Community health workers are best placed to spot this problem because they visit families regularly, but they are not provided with basic scales to measure weight. Instead, they are issued with coloured tapes to measure mid-upper arm circumference, which detects some children with acute malnutrition. This is important, but we really want to identify and respond to problems early. There are about 60,000 community health workers in South Africa. Equipping each with a basic mechanical scale (of about R1,000 each) and teaching them to identify children at risk will easily pay back the about R60-million in equipment costs with major health benefits. Several community health worker programmes like Philani Health and Nutrition Project and Grow Great have successfully used scales to monitor children's growth in their homes. Limit the advertising of unhealthy foods Parents want what is best for their children. However, the messages they are most exposed to are not from advocates of healthy living, but from the Big Food industry, which often encourages eating habits that lead to high blood pressure and diabetes in adulthood. Government should convene a meeting of the dominant food players to forge an agreement towards a healthier nation, which should include constraints on the advertising of unhealthy foods. The five objectives outlined above are attainable even in a cash-constrained environment, but they won't happen without leadership and coordination. The National Food and Nutrition Council is yet to be constituted, but even if it were, its decisions would still need to be rolled out by departmental officials who are relatively junior in the government hierarchy. Good nutrition is so vital to socioeconomic progress that consideration should be given to appointing a 'nutrition czar' with enough authority to drive a strong national programme that could reset the country's trajectory of development over the next decade. DM David Harrison is a medical doctor and CEO of the
New York Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Manchester United in Kuala Lumpur: Defeat, boos and… an open-top bus?
To travel the public walkways around National Stadium Bukit Jalil three hours ahead of Manchester United's first game of this whistlestop tour was to be reminded of the enduring appeal of a club that finished the Premier League campaign with 18 defeats in 15th place. Logic dictates that a team so bad should not command an audience of this scale 6,600 miles away from home, but to weave through the masses of red shirts was to comprehend how football support is irrational. Advertisement This was United in Kuala Lumpur, a world away from Old Trafford. Instead of burger vans, there was the aroma of nasi lemak, the national dish, goat curry and satay skewers. The setting may have been different, but the crowd of 72,550, who rarely, if ever, get to see their team in the flesh were at least given an authentic Manchester United experience. Once again, Ruben Amorim shook his head and flapped his arm on the touchlines as his players toiled in the final third without penetration, so that for the second Wednesday in succession, United were forced to watch another team lift a trophy. The Maybank Challenge Cup is not quite as prestigious as the Europa League, but nonetheless the stony faces on the United players spoke to another blow to their egos. Twice they tried to leave the pitch before the ceremony was complete. David Harrison, United's outgoing director of football operations, had to usher Chido Obi away from the tunnel after the team had completed a lap of applause, and then, after the runners-up medals had been handed out, Carlos Fernandes chased Casemiro so that he returned to see the ASEAN All Stars presented with the silverware. It was all rather excruciating, given the bruises from Bilbao are still pronounced. This season of despair is being extended into an embarrassing epilogue. There was one difference, though. United's performance got booed at the final whistle. It had a tone of disappointment rather than anger, and claps followed, but it was telling that even these supporters, so eager to be positive, felt compelled to acknowledge the negative. It was something Amorim backed, and even suggested might be welcome at Old Trafford next season. 'I feel always guilty of the performance of the team since I am here in the first game,' he said. 'The boos from the fans, maybe it is something we need because every game that we lost in the Premier League they were always there. Let's see for next season.' Advertisement The result was decided when Maung Maung Lwin, the Myanmar captain, who plays for Thai side Lamphun Warriors, broke into the box down United's left and found a neat finish past Tom Heaton. It could have been worse for United had academy player Jim Thwaites not made a last-ditch tackle in a one-on-one during added time. United made substitutions in the first period, changed the entire XI at half-time, and were clearly suffering after a 14-hour flight and in 36-degree temperatures. Two water breaks were needed. But ASEAN All Stars, a mixed team pulled together from the 10 countries in the region, also rotated their whole side and are, of course, supposed to be several rungs below in terms of quality. But they kept United at bay and carried a sting on the counter. It was a far cry from United's game in this stadium during the 2001 pre-season tour when they thrashed another all-star XI 6-0 in a line-up that featured David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs among other big names. The atmosphere then was rapturous. This occasion was not a sell-out, with some 12,000 seats left empty, but as well as the absence of real draws aside from one or two players, that can in part be attributed to the pricing. The first tranche of tickets were very reasonable, less than £8, but the most expensive topped 1,500 Malaysian Ringgit, the equivalent to £260 — a month's salary for the average person. Andre Onana was, curiously, among those who gained the most attention, with fans chanting his name from the warm-up. The loudest cheers were reserved for when the announcer read out Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho, who both played the entire second half. Fernandes tried to bring the entertainment by flicking a rabona, while Garnacho attempted to take on defenders, and there was audible excitement when he got the ball, but he also looked exhausted, more than once sinking to his knees in the way that Amorim does when he gets low to the pitch. Garnacho had a particularly wayward shot that flew high over the bar that summed up his night. If this is to be one of his last appearances in a United shirt, as seems very likely, it would be a sad denouement to a bright career at the club. Jack Moorhouse, Reece Munro, Sekou Kone, Tyler Fletcher, Shea Lacey, Jaydan Kamason, Godwill Kukonki, Daniel Armer and Thwaites all featured for the first time at this senior level, which Amorim thinks will give them an impression of the pressure that comes with playing for United. Advertisement Nobody is pretending this journey across the globe is for sporting performance. The United executives who have travelled all have a strong commercial element to their jobs, with chief executive Omar Berrada, joined by chief business officer Marc Armstong, and chief operating officer Collette Roche. Technical director Jason Wilcox is not here. United arrived at the W Hotel, their base for this leg of the trip, at around 8pm local time on Monday, and a crowd of a few dozen had formed from three hours beforehand. They were left disgruntled when the players, who needed to get fed and sleep, largely failed to acknowledge them on their way in. Te-J Constant had flown over from England for this tour with his six-year-old son, who was in tears. Joshua Zirkzee encouraged a smile by firing back his gun celebration. After grumbles about some of the hotels United stayed in during the season, there could be few complaints about the W, a chain owned by United sponsor Marriott. A shimmering gold vending machine dispensed miniature bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne, though United, of course, have had no cause to pop corks this season. A few feet away, in the hotel's Living Room bar, Berrada and Armstrong took a business meeting, and with United deprived of the revenue for competing in the Champions League, not to mention the corresponding £10m cut to Adidas' £90m-per-year kit deal, bridging that gap will be a major focus of their work. Before training, United players took part in four simultaneous events with fans on their first full day in the country. At one of them, a signing and photo session at the Adidas shop in Exchange TRX mall, Garnacho allowed a yawn to escape. Fernandes, Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad, and Harry Amass also attended, with fans queuing for one of them based on which colour wristband they had. Fernandes, who carries his captain's responsibility on this aspect of the job very well, even signed shirts in the mixed zone after the game and is such a seasoned veteran he advised people to stretch the fabric so he could make a clean signature. Advertisement At another event, as Matthijs de Ligt sang 'Glory, Glory Man United' with gusto, Patrick Dorgu looked a little confused. Ayden Heaven got into the swing of things and Zirkzee conducted the tune in his usual nonchalant manner. Those players also travelled round the city on an open-top bus, which is as set up for a punchline as you can imagine. 🔥 OMG – The #MUFC Open-Top Bus Parade is underway in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 Absolute scenes 🤣🤣🤣 — AnfieldIndex (@AnfieldIndex) May 28, 2025 How successful those in charge at United are in shaping the squad this summer will dictate whether there is a parade in future that comes with some actual silverware. Speaking pitchside, Berrada said: 'We were ready for all the different scenarios and now know what we need to do. We have a very clear idea where we need to invest in the squad to improve. 'Jason, his team and Ruben have been in talks for many months. Now it's a question of executing that plan and doing it in a way that is prudent but, at the same time, with ambition.' Matheus Cunha is on the way after United triggered his £62.5million release from Wolves, and they have made their pitch to Liam Delap, who has also spoken to Chelsea, Everton, and Newcastle United and is expected to make his decision before flying out for the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia. Chelsea are seen as United's main rivals. Lee Carsley names his squad on June 6, by which point United will be long back from Hong Kong, their next and final stop.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Manchester United inform staff of 200 redundancies after Europa League final loss
Manchester United's football staff are finding out today (Friday) if they are at risk of redundancy with the club looking to cut another 200 jobs from the workforce. Members of the football department were informed by email they would be finding out their fate less than 48 hours on from assisting the team in the Europa League final. Advertisement United hosted a barbecue for these same employees at Carrington on Thursday evening, a day after the match against Tottenham Hotspur in Bilbao, and the timing has been badly received internally. It is expected physios and masseurs will be impacted. United wanted to provide clarity before the end of the Premier League campaign on Sunday, when the squad will fly to Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong on a post-season tour. The number of United's scouts is also being reduced, while The Athletic has previously reported on the upcoming exits of director of scouting Steve Brown, director of football operations David Harrison, and director of innovations Richard Hawkins. United confirmed in February that they were set to make 150 to 200 redundancies as part of wider cost-cutting measures under Sir Jim Ratcliffe's stewardship, following the 250 redundancies made the previous summer. This takes the number of redundancies at United to 450 since Ratcliffe completed his minority purchase of the club in February 2024. United had an average of 1,112 monthly employees according to club accounts for the year ending June 30, 2023. Ratcliffe has made a series of decisions aimed at reducing costs at Old Trafford since completing his minority investment in United and taking control of operations across the club. The announcement of the upcoming redundancies in February was also coupled with changes to provisions of food for employees. United, who remain majority owned by the Florida-based Glazer family, have posted five consecutive full-year losses since last achieving profitability during the 2018-19 season, totalling £373million. United were beaten in the Europa League final by Tottenham on Wednesday, with defeat meaning the club miss out on qualification for next season's Champions League and the subsequent financial benefits of European football.
