Political parties should target new female voters with pledges to tackle cervical cancer

We are failing the thousands of women who die unnecessarily every year from cervical cancer in South Africa.

My f*ck, ANC!

Despite promising that they would not include ANC members who have been implicated in state capture and corruption, a number of these dubious characters made it back onto ANC lists in positions high enough to be guaranteed a seat.

Political commentary, CorruptionMelanie Verwoerd20 March 2024#Myf*ck!, #ANC, #candidatelists, #corruption, #RamaphosaComment

Legitimising misogyny: Zuma’s blaming and shaming of pregnant teenagers is misdirected and cruel

A few years ago, when he was still President, Jacob Zuma suggested that a university should be built on Robben Island and pregnant teenagers should be sent there to be educated.

Jacob Zuma and MK Party: just noise or will it really make a big impact?

Personally, I believe that an ANC/IFP/DA coalition would be ideal, not only for unity in that province, but also for the desperately needed improved service delivery.

Political commentaryMelanie Verwoerd07 February 2024#JacobZuma, #MKParty, #KZN, #voting, #elections, #provincialelections, #ANC-IFP-DACoalitionComment

Goodbye to my News24 readers

To the thousands of you who have read my column every week: Thank you. I’ve never taken your attention for granted and it has been a privilege to have shared my thoughts and feelings with you.

PersonalMelanie Verwoerd27 November 2023#goodbye, #News24, #lastcolumn Comments

We live in a complex country that requires complex, not lazy, thinking

I worry that in a time of Tik-Tok, X, Facebook and even mainstream media, where clicks are more important than substance or truth, we are losing our capacity and willingness to understand and engage with complexities.

When will South Africa be a place where women are safe and free?

I’m also tired of the platitudes of government when it comes to GBV. I want all of the politicians to stand up and say: “Real men don’t hurt women and girls” and for all the law enforcement agencies to take this seriously.

Social Justice, Social commentaryMelanie Verwoerd14 November 2023#GBV, #womensequality, #violenceagainstwomenComment

Gaza bombing: It is time for all of us to say, this must stop now!

As I have said before, Israel has a right to defend itself, but it does not have the right – morally or in terms of international law - to bomb hospitals, ambulances, UN schools and civilian neighbourhoods.

Political commentary, Social JusticeMelanie Verwoerd10 November 2023#Israel-Palestine, #Hamas, #stopthebombing, #gazabombingComment