Month: Jun 2025

Shincheonji Volunteers were recognised with a Silver Award at the 2025 World Blood Donor Day Recognition Ceremony hosted by the Namibia Blood Transfusion Service (NamBTS) on Wednesday, June 12. The ceremony, held at the NUST Hotel School in Windhoek, celebrated outstanding contributions to voluntary blood donation across the country.

The prestigious accolade was presented to Shincheonji Volunteers by Windhoek Deputy Mayor, Mr. Joseph Uapingene, in recognition of the group’s consistent and organised blood drives that contributed significantly to the national blood bank over the past year.

“This award affirms what we’ve always believed: genuine love for life and service will always make a difference,” said Shincheonji Volunteers representative, Ethel Akayombokwa. “We’re proud to serve Namibia and inspired to keep going.”

The event brought together over 100 stakeholders, including government officials, health professionals, educators, and civil society leaders. Among the evening’s most memorable moments was when the MC mispronounced “Shincheonji,” prompting a lighthearted moment as the audience collectively repeated the name. It was an unexpected gesture that helped normalise and familiarise the faith-based group’s presence.

“When you see a room of Namibian leaders saying our name, laughing with us, and clapping for our efforts… it means so much. It shows that what unites us is greater than what divides us,” said Akayombokwa.

This year’s ceremony placed special focus on community engagement and healing strained partnerships, with organisers noting the growing collaboration between Shincheonji Volunteers and NamBTS. Once distanced by misunderstanding, the relationship has evolved through transparent cooperation and shared humanitarian goals.

World Blood Donor Day, commemorated globally on June 14, aims to raise awareness around the need for safe blood and honour unpaid donors for their life-saving generosity. In Namibia, where volunteer donors are a cornerstone of public health, such recognition plays a vital role in inspiring continued civic participation.

Shincheonji Volunteers expressed deep gratitude for the acknowledgment and pledged to continue their service, setting their sights on next year’s Gold Award.

IWPG South Africa Successfully Hosts the 7th International Loving Peace Art Competition

‘The 7^th International Loving Peace Art Competition’ held on June 16, at Bonteheuwel High School, concluded successfully. This event aimed to naturally instill the significance of peace in children, encouraging them to creatively express ways to achieve peace through art.

Organized by the Bonteheuwel IWPG (International Women’s Peace Group) Peace Committee, the contest welcomed a total of 146 participants at the school, where they conveyed messages of peace through their drawings. Contestants passionately created their artworks based on the given evaluation criteria, and the judging panel selected outstanding pieces.

Under the theme “Peace, Let’s Be Friends! What can we do to achieve peace?”, participants explored the concept of peace through their own unique perspectives. Their works featured scenes of empathy, cultural harmony, and a world without conflict—each painting capturing the sincere hopes of a younger generation dreaming of a better future.

Cllr McKenzie, Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor said “I’ve watched this competition over the years and seen real change—kids growing stronger, the community becoming more active and safer. Thanks to IWPG and BWL(Bonteheuwel Walking Ladies), who truly engage with children, not just tick boxes, but nurture their talents and dreams.”

An IWPG official stated, “We will continue supporting children in expressing peace through their drawings and fostering awareness of peace. Our goal is to ensure that more schools hold peace drawing contests in the future.”

IWPG is an international women’s NGO registered in UN ECOSOC and UN DGC. It has 115 branches in 122 countries, and 808 partner organizations in 68 countries. Under the vision “achieving sustainable world peace,” IWPG is actively working to build peace networks, spread peace culture, conduct women’s peace education, and support the legislation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

In a powerful blend of heritage and high-performance design, Nike and SA Rugby have unveiled the 2025 Springboks kit, paying tribute to one of the most iconic moments in South African sporting history — the 1995 Rugby World Cup victory. The newly released kit features both a modern playing strip and a retro-inspired heritage jersey that honours the historic triumph and the unity it symbolized.

The unveiling took place on a deeply significant date: exactly 30 years since then-President Nelson Mandela handed the Webb Ellis Cup to Springbok captain Francois Pienaar, a moment that became a global symbol of post-apartheid reconciliation. The heritage jersey, part of the commemorative release, channels the design of that legendary 1995 shirt — deep green with a traditional white collar, gold detailing, and a badge that mirrors the one worn during the World Cup campaign three decades ago.

“This jersey is more than just a kit — it’s a story of pride, unity, and legacy,” said Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby. “To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the 1995 victory with this design reminds us where we’ve come from, and what we represent every time we wear green and gold.”

Nike, in collaboration with SA Rugby, has crafted the 2025 playing jersey with cutting-edge fabric technology to meet the demands of the modern game, while staying true to the Springboks’ identity. The combination of tradition and innovation symbolizes the team’s commitment to both honoring its roots and looking ahead to continued excellence on the field.

Special Test Match in Gqeberha

The Springboks will don the new kit for the first time in a highly anticipated test match against Italy on July 12, 2025, at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The match forms part of the Castle Lager Incoming Series and will mark a poignant return to the venue for the Boks, who last played there in 2021 against Argentina — a series held without fans due to COVID-19 restrictions.

This upcoming fixture will be the first Springbok match at the stadium with spectators in four years and promises to be a festive celebration of rugby and heritage. It’s also fitting that the match will take place in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, named after the man who helped forge the legacy being honoured by the new kit.

Fans Can Get Involved

Both the playing kit and the limited-edition heritage jersey will be made available to fans nationwide, with pre-orders launching later this week. Rugby supporters are already expressing excitement on social media, eager to get their hands on a piece of history.

With the 2025 season underway and the Springboks preparing to defend their world champion status, the release of this kit serves as a powerful reminder of where South African rugby has come from — and where it’s headed.

Every year on June 16, South Africa marks Youth Day—a national commemoration of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when thousands of students rose up against the apartheid regime’s oppressive education system. Their courage and sacrifice, symbolized by the haunting image of Hector Pieterson, galvanized international awareness and intensified the struggle for freedom. Nearly five decades later, Youth Day remains a powerful reminder of the role young people have played—and continue to play—in shaping the nation’s future.

But as we observe Youth Day in 2025, the question arises: what does this day truly mean for today’s youth? Is it merely a moment to look back, or a call to action in the present?

A Generation in Crisis

South Africa’s youth are facing a different kind of battle. While the oppressive system of apartheid is behind us, the lingering effects of structural inequality remain deeply entrenched. The most glaring example is youth unemployment. As of early 2025, the official youth unemployment rate hovers around 46.1%¹, a staggering figure that speaks to lost potential, growing frustration, and widening inequality.

For many young South Africans, having a matric certificate or even a university degree no longer guarantees economic security. The job market is tight, with limited opportunities, particularly for those from under-resourced communities. The digital economy, while growing, remains largely inaccessible to youth lacking internet access, digital literacy, or capital to start entrepreneurial ventures.

Gender-Based Violence: A Silent War

Another crisis plaguing the youth—particularly young women and LGBTQIA+ individuals—is gender-based violence (GBV). Despite national awareness campaigns and government pledges, GBV remains widespread and underreported. Schools and universities, which should be spaces of safety and growth, are often sites of harassment and violence.

Young women in South Africa live in a constant state of alertness—walking home with phones clutched tightly, avoiding certain taxis, fearing the shadows. Youth Day in 2025 cannot ignore their reality. Just as students in 1976 defied an unjust system, today’s youth are pushing back against a culture of violence, demanding protection, accountability, and social transformation.

Voices of Change

Despite these challenges, today’s youth are not silent. Across the country, they are organizing, innovating, and speaking out—on TikTok, in community meetings, through art and music, and in protest. Movements like #FeesMustFall, #AmINext, and various youth-led climate action groups show that the spirit of resistance and advocacy lives on.

But they need more than symbolic recognition. They need platforms, resources, and genuine inclusion in decision-making processes. Token consultations and youth-themed campaigns are not enough. Real progress requires structural change—investment in education and skills development, support for youth entrepreneurship, mental health services, and strong legal action against GBV perpetrators.

From Protest to Progress

Youth Day in 2025 should not just be about remembering the past—it must be about acting in the present. It must ask tough questions of our leaders and ourselves: Have we done enough to empower young people? Are we building a society that values their voices, protects their bodies, and nurtures their dreams?

The legacy of 1976 compels us to do more than honour history. It calls us to action. In the words of Nelson Mandela: “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

This Youth Day, let us remember—but more importantly, let us respond. The youth have always led. It’s time the country followed through.

_1. South Africa’s Youth in the Labour Market: A Decade in Review

The Peace Art Competition turns Manchester Museum into a canvas for hope and harmony.

Cape Town, 28 May 2025 – The 7th International Loving Peace Art Competition, hosted by the South Africa branch of the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG), was successfully held at Sherwood Community Hall in Manenberg. The event gathered enthusiastic participation from children and youth representing 11 local schools, who expressed their visions of peace through powerful and heartfelt artwork.

Under the theme “Peace, Let’s Be Friends! What can we do to achieve peace?”, participants explored the concept of peace through their own unique perspectives. Their works featured scenes of empathy, cultural harmony, and a world without conflict—each painting capturing the sincere hopes of a younger generation dreaming of a better future.

The event began at 10:00 a.m. with an opening prayer and dua, followed by a welcome address by IWPG and local representative Patsy Daniels, a peace message from a guest speaker, a cultural performance, and the art competition itself. The program concluded with adjudication, lunch, and an award ceremony recognizing the most outstanding pieces.

Judging was conducted by artists Gardie Judge, Preyser-Grantham, and Raeff John from the Butterfly Art Foundation, who praised the creativity and sincerity expressed in the students’ works. Select winning pieces may also be featured in upcoming international exhibitions hosted by IWPG.

The event was made possible through the generous support of local organizations. The Butterfly Art Foundation sponsored all necessary art materials and paper, while the Ward Councillor, Food for Life and Mustadafin Foundation provided nourishing meals for all participants and attendees. The Manenberg Drivers Club also volunteered transport services, to transport the students to and from their schools to the competition venue, free of charge. The venue was graciously provided free of charge, reflecting the strong spirit of community collaboration.

“This competition was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the true value of peace through the eyes of children,” said an IWPG representative. “We hope this event has planted seeds of peace within the community of Manenberg.”

The competition concluded on a high note, with warm support from parents, teachers, local leaders, and community members who joined in to witness and celebrate the voices of peace expressed through art.

IWPG is an international women’s NGO registered in UN ECOSOC and UN DGC. It has 115 branches in 122 countries, and 808 partner organizations in 68 countries. Under the vision “achieving sustainable world peace,” IWPG is actively working to build peace networks, spread peace culture, conduct women’s peace education, and support the legislation of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).