Happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year
to all.
May blessings be with you and your loved ones
at this time of peace, joy and goodwill.
We pray for an end to the war in Ukraine.
A candle has been lit by Lumiere in
remembrance of all who are suffering
or have lost their lives during the year.
Our thoughts are with their families,
colleagues and friends.
THE COUNCIL OF BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH, AND POOLE IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND HAS MADE MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS AND PRAYER ILLEGAL IN PUBLIC AREAS AROUND AN ABORTION CLINIC; ALLEGED NEWS. [1] The Council of Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole has drawn red lines around an abortion provider and designated the area a "safe zone"; Alleged News. [1] Any individual caught crossing themselves, reciting Scripture, or sprinkling holy water behind these lines can be fined 100 pounds or risk a court conviction; Alleged News. [1]
According to tweet reportedly by Twitter user Gavin Ashenden, a visual of Safe Zone Public Spaces Protection Order includes counselling as a prohibited activity; Alleged News. [1]
Penalties provided by PSPO
Under penalty provided by the PSPO, the council forbids a number of behaviors from Monday to Friday between 7am and 7pm, including vigils where members audibly pray, recite Scripture, genuflect, sprinkle holy water on the ground, cross themselves; Alleged News. [1] Further prohibited behaviors can include prayer or counselling; Alleged News. [1]
Abortion clients under possible ban
Abortion clients who access abortion services within the PSPO safe zone, and who experience trauma during abortion, possibly will be banned (under restraint of possible fine or conviction) from practice of personal religious beliefs or freedom of access to post-counselling support within the safe zone.
Abortion may prove a traumatic event. Results from the study by Alipanahpour et al. found that the mean (SD) of post-traumatic stress scores was 83.87 (18.35) and 77.40 (9.88) in spontaneous abortion, 82.28 (13.27) and 75.71 (14.73) in FMC permitted abortions, and 86.66 (10.10) and 74.98 (12.99) in induced abortions immediately and 1 month after abortion, respectively. [2]
Further studies show that abortion increases the risk of suicide. [3] and [4]
Rights to freedom of religion and belief protected in UK
In the United Kingdom, human rights are protected by the Human Rights Act 1998; Alleged News. [5] The Act gives effect to the human rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights; Alleged News. [5]
Article 9 - the right to freedom of religion and belief is one of the rights protected by the Human Rights Act, Alleged News. [5]
Article 9 protects the human right to hold both religious and non-religious beliefs, Alleged News. [5] This is an absolute right, which means it cannot be interfered with by the State, Alleged News. [5] Article 9 also protects the right to manifest beliefs; Alleged News. [5]
The right to manifest beliefs is qualified, Alleged News. [5] This means it can be interfered with in certain situations - for example, to protect the rights of others; Alleged News. [5]
Banning the sign of the cross
The use of the sign of the cross traces back to early Christianity, with the second century Apostolic tradition directing that it be used during the minor exorcism of baptism, during ablutions before praying at fixed prayer times, and in times of temptation.
Making the sign of the cross (Latin: signum crucis) or blessing oneself or crossing oneself, is a ritual blessing made by members of some branches of Christianity, such as Catholicism, Anglicanism, Methodism, Church of Scotland, Presbyterian Church (USA), Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Armenian Apostolic, Assyrian Church of the East and some Independent Churches.
The sign of the cross
The sign of the cross is used as -
- a sign of our redemption
- a sign of belief in Almighty God
- a sign to invoke blessing
- a sign to ward off evil
- the sign of the cross is made before and at the end of the private or public devotional holy rosary and other devotions
- the sign of the cross is used as invocation of God's Benediction and/or Protection in a difficult situation
- the sign of the cross is made when passing nearby a church in order to acknowledge the Holy Presence of God in His House of worship
- the sign of the cross is used when a sign if imminent death - personal or other - is feared
- the sign of the cross is used when the believer is faced with a temptation to wrong. The religious sign is made in order to request special strength and Grace from God in order to resist the temptation to do wrong
The banning of the sign of the cross may mean that -
- the believer may not make the holy sign if in proximity to a holy church
- the believer may not make the holy sign if a personal heart attack begins and fear of death is experienced
- the believer may not invoke the Protection of God if personal difficulty is experienced
- the believer may not pray with personal religious expression without looking for Public Space Protection Order signs which may render such personal prayer open to misinterpretation and possibility of court conviction with resultant criminal record
- the believer may not invoke the aid of Almighty God when faced with personal temptation to do wrong
Counselling
Those who leave an abortion center may find themselves in need of counselling after traumatic event. Counselling may prove of assistance in a difficult life event such as bereavement, a relationship breakdown, work-related stress or recent abortion.
Counselling is a talking therapy which involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues. [6] It is possible that counsellors not only practice in professional setting, but also find their skills called upon in a general public area when an individual is undergoing an emotional situation.
The banning of counselling is a certain area may mean that -
- a counsellor possibly may not offer counsel assistance to a passer-by experiencing post-traumatic emotional distress without first looking for Public Space Protection Order signs which may render such assistance open to misinterpretation and possibility of court conviction with resultant criminal record
- an abortion service client possibly may not request counsel assistance immediately post-abortion without looking for Public Space Protection Order signs which may render the request of such assistance open to misinterpretation and possibility of court conviction.
[1] English town forbids making sign of the cross, using holy water near abortion center; Alleged News
[2] Alipanahpour et.al., The severity of post-abortion stress in spontaneous, induced and forensic medical center permitted abortion in Shiraz, Iran, in 2018
Alipanahpour S, Zarshenas M, Ghodrati F, Akbarzadeh M. The severity of post-abortion stress in spontaneous, induced and forensic medical center permitted abortion in Shiraz, Iran, in 2018. Iranian J Nursing Midwifery Res [serial online] 2020 [cited 2022 Oct 30];25:84-90. Available from: https://www.ijnmrjournal.net/text.asp?2020/25/1/84/274129 |
[3] Suicide after abortion, Alleged News
https://thelifeinstitute.net/learning-centre/abortion-effects/suicide-after-abortion
[4] Link between abortion and suicide, Alleged News
https://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2016/12/link-between-abortion-and-suicide.html
[5] Your right to freedom of religion and belief; Alleged News
[6] NHS Counselling, Alleged News
With thanks to catholicnewsagency.com, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, thelifeinstitute.net, citizensadvice,org.uk and nhs.uk
SOUTH AFRICA: PROTEST MARCHES TAKE TO THE STREETS AS OUTRAGE AGAINST BACKSTREET ABORTIONS CONTINUES TO GROW. In April 2022, Lumiere Charity published the call by Director Jones to make illegal posters, including those selling " 'quick abortions' which are inevitably done by unlicensed practitioners in unsafe conditions", a public issue. [1]
Public protest
Since then, public feeling has spilled into the streets. Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, accompanied by Gauteng Health MEC Dr Nomathemba Mokgethi and Ekurhuleni Mayor Tania Campbell, led a march against illegal and unsafe abortions; Alleged News. [2]
Say no to backstreet abortions
The march took to the streets where participants carried signs and banners which included "Backstreet abortion lead to long-term health complications and even death", calling for young people to speak up and say no to backstreet abortions; Alleged News. [2] "My sister, don't risk your life with backstreet abortions. These fly-by-night abortions have many side effects including infections, severe blood loss, damage to the cervix or not falling pregnant again, and loss of life in some cases. Speak out, say no to backstreet abortions!" the Department said; Alleged News. [2]
Removal of illegal advertisements
Doctors Dhlomo and Mokgethi, Mayor Campbell and youth who came out in support of the march, removed advertisements from illegal abortionists which were unlawfully pasted on municipality infrastructure; Alleged News. [2]
Abbandonati
Most of the numbers of unidentified infant bodies received by the Johannesburg Forensic Pathology Services (FPS) medico-legal mortuary in Braamfontein are foetuses; Alleged News. [3] They are abandoned - discarded around the city; Alleged News. [3] Foetal osteologist Roxanne Thornton works with these deceased infants, specializing in perinatal forensic identification criteria and developmental biology; Alleged News. [3]
The dead babies come in as viable foetuses (more than 26 weeks), and as non-viable foetuses (those who would not survive outside the womb); Alleged News. [3] Osteologist Thornton said many of the abandoned foetuses are illegal abortion cases, mostly stillborn and abandoned; Alleged News. [3]
Aborted children should have a voice
Osteologist Thornton said, "I work with foetal prenatal bones. The goal is to prove the case forensically. The reason I do this is because there are hardly any inquests for the dumped [foetuses] - they don't get investigated and they are forgotten. This is an injustice.
"I believe these children should have a voice. A lot are dumped just around the corner from a shelter or abortion clinic," Alleged News. [3]
Conviction for pro-life stickers over illegal abortion stickers
In February 2013, Mr Peter Throp received a conviction for damaging property by placing pro-life stickers over illegal abortion stickers; Alleged News. [4] Mr Throp received sentence of a fine of R5 000 or three months imprisonment, suspended for five years; Alleged News. [4] In March 2014, the Cape Town High Court upheld Mr Throp's appeal; Alleged News. [4]
15 percent of maternal deaths due to abortion complications
Unsafe, illegal pregnancy terminations lead to 15 % of SA's maternal deaths; Alleged News. [5] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in South Africa 15 % of maternal deaths are due to abortion complications, Alleged News. [5]
Abortion is legal for children in South Africa
On December 11, 1996, South Africa enacted the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act. [6] This Act gives women of any age or marital status access to abortion services upon request during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and, in certain cases, extends access to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. [6] Currently, in South Africa, children are legally barred from drinking alcohol and from driving cars until they are 18 years of age. [6]
Currently, in South Africa, children between 12-14 years of age are being granted abortions, many of them without their parents' knowledge. [6] In 2018, it was estimated that there were around 260,000 abortions in South Africa. [6]
Preying on the poor, desperate and marginalized
Director Justin Jones noted that "you cannot drive anywhere in a South African city these days without seeing illegal posters selling prophets, potions . . . Then there are also the ones that are selling things like "quick abortions" . . . which are inevitably done by unlicensed practitioners in unsafe conditions."
"When the various posters are analysed, it becomes noticeably clear as to why the originator or owner uses the illegal (guerilla type) approach to advertise.
The practices they are advertising are normally illegal, and they are preying on the poor, the desperate and the marginalised." [1]
Illegal abortion stickers
Illegal abortion stickers continue to proliferate on municipality infrastructure. Many citizens have torn off stickers as they do not agree with murder of unborn infants. In recent months, attempts to remove some illegal abortion stickers have become extremely difficult due to affixment of the illegal stickers with almost irremovable glue.
Recently in some areas of South Africa, almost irremovable illegal abortion stickers have been affixed to road traffic signs.
IN THE SPIRIT OF LUMIERE, IS THERE
ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP?
[1] South Africa: Call to stop Illegal Abortion Advertisements
https://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2022/04/south-africa-call-to-stop-illegal.html
[2] Speak up, say no to backstreet abortions, Alleged News
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/speak-up-say-no-to-backstreet-abortions/ar-AA11gA4r
[3] Why women still go for backstreet abortions, dump babies; Alleged News
[4] Cape Town pro-life activist gets another summons days before court date; Alleged News
https://gatewaynews.co.za/pro-life-activist-gets-another-summons-days-before-court-date/
[5] The Citizen. Lunga Simelane. 16 September 2022. "Unsafe, illegal pregnancy terminations lead to 15% of SA's maternal deaths"; Alleged News
[6] Abortion in South Africa: a shocking state of affairs; Alleged News
https://joynews.co.za/abortion-in-south-africa-a-shocking-state-of-affairs/
With thanks to msn.com, timeslive.co.za, gatewaynews.co.za, citizen.co.za and joynews.co.za
DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA: SATANIC "CHURCH" CO-FOUNDER RIAAN SWIEGELAAR HAS LEFT THE MOVEMENT AFTER JESUS CHRIST APPEARED TO HIM, ALLEGED NEWS. [1] Mr Riaan Swiegelaar announced his resignation from the satanic "church" organization on June 29, 2022; Alleged News. [1]
RESIGNATION
Mr Riaan Swiegelaar resigned as the presiding leader of the SASC (South African satanic "church" on May 30, 2022; Alleged News. [1] Mr Swiegelaar further stepped down from the satanic "church" council as well as dissolved his membership with the organization, Alleged News. [1]
FAITH DIFFICULTY
Mr Swiegelaar had expressed faith difficulty during an interview, Alleged News. [1] In a Facebook Live interview, Mr Swiegelaar said in May 2022, he had been interviewed on a Cape Town radio station, where he proclaimed that he did not believe in the existence of Jesus Christ; Alleged News. [1] Mr Swiegelaar said that after the interview, a staffer from the radio station walked up to him and hugged him in a way that he had never been hugged before; Alleged News. [1]
APPARITION OF JESUS
Mr Swiegelaar said a week later, he had to perform a ritual to see “how to get more power and influence”, and Jesus appeared to him; Alleged News. [1]
“I said, if you are Jesus, you need to prove it. And he flooded me with the most beautiful love and energy, and I recognized that immediately because the woman at the radio station showed that to me. That’s how I recognized the love of Christ. Because four Christians showed it to me, not the others,” Mr Swiegelaar said; Alleged News. [1]
EMOTIONAL PAIN
In a lengthy Facebook video, Mr Swiegelaar explained how he made the decision:
"I was very sad and very broken, without realizing it. I think a lot of people resonate with satanism when they come from a very broken place. [2]
I have met thousands of satanists over the past year and they are extremely hurt and broken - that's the one thing we all have in common." [2]
An emotional Mr Swiegelaar said, "To this day, there have only been four Christians in my entire life who have shown me what unconditional love is." [2]
He said that Ms Adele Frey, one of the people who supported him, messaged him, saying she just did a simple thing by showing him love. [2]
Mr Swiegelaar further said, "People, showing love for others is everything, it is not a simple thing. You showed me the love of Christ; I've seen it in you," Alleged News. [2]
[1] satanic church wishes former co-founder 'success' after he finds Jesus, Alleged News
[2] Co-founder of SA satanic church RESIGNS after turning to GOD (Watch)
With thanks to msn.com and thesouthafrica.com
Jesus cited the oldest law, the Lex Talionis. This law is to be found in the earliest code of laws, the Code of Hammurabi, king of Babylon from 2285 to 2242 BC. It was believed that if society was not bound by this type of law, then people would look to seek revenge upon their evil-doer and punish them beyond the damage received; possibly leading to the one's death.
The Lex Talionis law was equal justice for any situation. So if an individual cause the loss of another’s eye, the eye of the one responsible should be forfeit.
The Old Testament echoed this Law three times. “If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” [Exodus 21:23-35]. This law is echoed in Leviticus 24; 19,20 and Deuteronomy 19:21.
The Lex Talionis was not meant to be a harsh law; it was the beginning of mercy. The law set out to limit vengeance. In ancient time vendetta and blood feuds were the norm. If one tribe member injured a member of another tribe, the full tribe of the injured set out to kill all members of the tribe of the individual responsible. The law limited the vengeance to the extent that only the one responsible could be punished, and then no more than the equivalent of the injury inflicted and the damage done. [1].
Jesus obliterated this law when He made it clear that retaliation and vengeance are not acceptable to God. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.’” [Matthew 5:38-39]
Jesus thus abolished the old law of limited vengeance and instituted the new spirit of non-violence and forgiveness.
[1] Barclay, William. Daily Study Bible: Gospel of Matthew, p.164
Jesus commands that when one has to say yes, the person should say yes and nothing more. When one has to say no, the person should say no, and nothing more. The ideal is that no-one should need an oath to affirm the truth of their words. The person’s character should be morally irreproachable, and thus an oath unnecessary.
Jesus is telling us that the truly good person will never need to take an oath. The truth of our speech should be impeccable, and the reality of our promises such as to require no guarantee. The Savior placed this guidance before us so that we may become faultless in character and honesty. If all were irreproachable with regard to the truth, there would be no need for oaths.
Jesus addressed the marriage bond situation which has relevance for break-up of marriage, collapse of the home with far-reaching consequences – most especially for the children of the union.
At the time of Jesus, the status of a woman was that of a chattel. She had almost no legal rights. A woman could not divorce her husband for any reason whatsoever. The husband, however, could divorce his wife for any reason.
Deuteronomy 24:1 stated, “When a man takes his wife and marries her, if then she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some indecency in her, and he writes her a bill of divorce and puts it in her hand and send her out of his house.” The procedure of divorcement was for the man to hand his wife the document in the presence of witnesses and she stood divorced.
In other words, the man could put an uneducated woman out of his house with no recourse to shelter, food or employment. Two fates faced her, either starvation or prostitution. The children apparently remained with her husband. The woman thus lost her marital status, home and her children. Many situations must have presented; if the woman were pregnant at the time of her divorce, what future did her child have?
Deuteronomy was interpreted by two school of thought: Shammai and Hillel. Shammai and his school defined some indecency as unchastity, and nothing but unchastity. Hillel interpreted this text in a wide manner. A man could divorce his wife for putting too much salt in the food, if she walked in town with her head uncovered, if she brawled, if she spoke with men in the street, if she was quarrelsome.
One Rabbi Akiba held that a man might divorce a woman if she found no favor in his sight, in that he found a woman he considered more attractive than her. So the dedicated wife and mother with figure, face and health changed due to childbearing and devoted parenting, could be legally discarded for another.
Apparently Hillel’s school of thought proved more popular. Jesus directly challenged this, explaining that “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” [Matthew 5:32]
It is clear that Jesus considers the bond between husband and wife a sacred one. Elsewhere the Savior explains, “What God has put together, let no man put asunder.” [Matthew 19:6]
God, called upon to bless the marriage bond, considers it binding and sacred. Marriage is a commitment not to be undertaken lightly.
A LIT CANDLE HAS BEEN BURNING
IN REMEMBRANCE OF
THE YOUTH WHO HAVE DIED IN ENYOBENI TAVERN,
EAST LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA: R.I.P.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE
WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.
MAY STRENGTH AND BLESSINGS
BE THEIRS AT THIS TIME
OF GRIEF AND MOURNING.
1. Enyobeni tavern deaths: all were minors, age of youngest victim confirmed; Alleged News
2. South Africa: Groups call for extension of deadline for
public comments on "Bela Bill" amid concerns
https://lumierecharity.blogspot.com/2022/06/south-africa-concerns-over-bela-bill.html
With thanks to msn.com
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: THE SUPREME COURT HAS OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE, WITH A 6-3 MAJORITY RULING IN THE DOBBS CASE THAT 'THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT CONFER A RIGHT TO ABORTION," ALLEGED NEWS. [1] “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority; Alleged News. [1]
No right to abortion
“The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely—the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,” Justice Alito continued. “That provision has been held to guarantee some rights that are not mentioned in the Constitution, but any such right must be ‘deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition’ and ‘implicit in the concept of ordered liberty,’” Alleged News. [1]
Dobbs upheld
Justices ruled to uphold Dobbs, which limits abortion to 15-weeks in Mississippi, thus effectively overturning Roe v. Wade. This action has returned abortion law to the states, Alleged News. [1]
“Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives,” Justice Alito wrote, Alleged News. [1]
Roe egregiously wrong
“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences,” Justice Alito wrote. “And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division,” Alleged News. [1]
Roe responsible for over 60 million deaths
Pro-life groups welcomed the decision, including Ms Kim Schwartz of Texas Right to Life, Alleged News. [1]
“After nearly 50 years, Roe has been responsible for the deaths of over 60 million preborn American children. Today, the Supreme Court has finally overturned the grievous error of Roe v. Wade that has cost so many precious lives,” Ms Schwartz said, Alleged News. “Now, the abortion question will return to the states, authorizing state governments to set their own laws without being suffocated by federal courts,” Alleged News. [1]
[1] Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade: "Constitution does not confer right to abortion," Alleged News
With thanks to lifenews.com
SOUTH AFRICA: GROUPS CALL FOR EXTENSION OF DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON "BELA BILL" [1] AMID CONCERNS REGARDING THE BILL.
Widespread public outcry
There has been a widespread public outcry against elements of the BELA Bill, [2] and more than 13,000 people have signed the Democratic Alliance petitions opposing this Bill, Alleged News. [3]
SAAPA concern regarding liquor
The Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance in SA (SAAPA SA) has noted with concern the inclusion in the BELA Bill of a recommendation that liquor be allowed on school premises, and at school functions on and off school premises, for purposes of fund-raising: Alleged News. [4]
This is regarded as an issue of concern because of the multiple risks this poses to learners at schools. [4]
The Basic Education Laws Bill (BELA Bill)
The Basic Education Laws Bill, also referred to as the Bela Bill, which is before Parliament's portfolio committee on basic education, calls for the amendment of the SA Schools Act of 1996 and the Employment of Educators Act of 1998: Alleged News. [1]
A section of the bill that proposes allowing alcohol sale and consumption on school premises by adult guests and not pupils during fundraising activities has become a contentious issue; Alleged news. [1] Part of the bill also proposes that alcohol be allowed in school halls which are hired for church or weddings and for functions held by the staff; Alleged News. [1]
Alcohol problem
Advocacy group SAAPA SA expressed that "There is a huge problem around alcohol in our country"; Alleged News. [1]
SAAPA Executive Director Maurice Smithers apprised that there are existing problems in schools around alcohol; Alleged News. [1]
Opposition to alcohol in schools
Executive Director Smithers said that the position of SAAPA and its 58 civil society alliance partners is that alcohol has no place in schools, Alleged News. [1]
"We call on learners, parents, teachers and other school staff, as well as community members generally, to voice their opposition, through whatever means possible, to the liquor clauses in the bill that will legitimise the use of alcohol on school premises and during school activities," Alleged News. [1]
On 8 November 2012, SAAPA was established at the inaugural Southern African Alcohol Policy Forum in Johannesburg, South Africa. Attending the forum were delegates selected from civil society organizations from regional countries Namibia, Malawi, Madagascar, Zambia, Botswana, Lesotho and South Africa, as well as organizations from Kenya, Sierra Leone, Sweden and Norway; Alleged News. [5]
Inkatha Freedom Party
Committee member Siphosethu Ngcobo from the IFP (Inkatha Freedom Party) also rejected the parts of the proposed legislation, Alleged News. [1]
Democratic Alliance concerns
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has several concerns with the BELA Bill, as well as with the method of calling for public participation, which the DA political party believes will disadvantage wide portions of the South African public; Alleged News. [2]
School admission policies
The Democratic Alliance opposes Clause 4 as the party believes that local communities should have the right to determine their own school admission policies, Alleged News. [2]
Power of determination
In respect of Clause 19, the Democratic Alliance believes that the power of determination of number of School Governing Body Members, and their Manner of Election at Public Schools for Learners with Special Needs, should remain with the MEC; Alleged News. [2]
Home Schooling concerns
Clause 37 regarding Home Schooling provides that parents of a home-schooled child must apply to the Head of Department to register their learner, as well as requiring additional assessments of a child's educational attainment up to the age of 15 or grade 9; Alleged News. [2]
A delegated official may also be required to perform a pre-registration home education site visit; Alleged News. [2]
While the Democratic Alliance believes that there must be accountability measures in place to ensure home schools provide quality education standards, the party believes that there is a need for greater consultation with the home schooling sector to determine their views, and to consider their concerns with Clause 37; Alleged News. [2]
DA "BELA Bill" submissions
The Democratic Alliance Party submitted comments on the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill, and encourages the public to submit their concerns to Parliament by 15 June 2022; Alleged News. [3]
African Christian Democratic Party
ACDP Member of Parliament Marie Sukers called for the home education sections of the proposed Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA) to be removed and sent back to the Department of Basic Education (DBE), in order for it to be redrafted, as adequate research was was not conducted into home education," Alleged News. [6]
WHY NOT SUBMIT A COMMENT
BY 15 JUNE 2022?
Members of the public can read the BELA Bill and related documents at https://pmg.org.za/bill/1055/. They can write to Parliament to say they don't want alcohol in school - belabill02@parliament.gov.za - or send written objections by 15 June 2022 addressed to Ms B P Mbinqo-Gigaba, Chairperson, Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Parliament, Cape Town and emailed, for the attention of Portfolio Committee Secretary Llewellyn Brown, to lbrown@parliament.gov.za [4]
[1] Concerns over bill allowing alcohol sales at schools, Alleged News
[2] DA. Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill (BELA), 2022 Public Submission of the Democratic Alliance, Alleged News
https://press-admin.voteda.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/DA-Submissions-BELA-Bill.pdf
[3] DA submits BELA Bill submissions - Bax Nodada; Alleged News
https://www.politicsweb.co.za/politics/da-submits-bela-bill-submissions--bax-nodada
[4] Child Protection Week and the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill; Alleged News
[5] SAAPA Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance; Alleged News
https://saapa.africa/about-saapa/
[6] ACDP MP calls for a halt to proposed Home Education Law; Alleged News
https://www.acdp.org.za/acdp-mp-calls-for-a-halt-to-proposed-home-education-law/
With thanks to sowetanlive.co, press-admin.voteda.org, politicsweb.co.za, roadsafety.co.za, saapa.africa and acdp.org.za
