The Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) said that the number of protests decreased in the fourth quarter of 2023 to reach 600 protests (86.5% of them are organized protests) compared to 680 protests during the third quarter of the same year, 894 protests during the second quarter, and 1,262 protests during the first quarter of 2023.
Despite the continued decline in the number of protests, the governorate of Gafsa ranks first nationally during the third and fourth quarters of last year by attracting the largest number of protests. It recorded 107 protests in October, November and December 2023, while the governorate of Tunis ranks second with 105 protests during the same months.
Schools occupied the first place in the ranking of protest sites by hosting 140 demonstrations during the last quarter of 2023, followed by the media sector with 93 demonstrations, and the Compagnie des Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG) which experienced a slight decline compared to recent months.
In its monthly report on
social protests, the Forum indicated that 209 protests were recorded in various regions in Tunisia last December.
Most of these protests took place in the governorate of Tunis (49), followed by the governorate of Gafsa (39) then in the governorates of Nabeul, Médenine and Tataouine, according to the same report.
These protests focused on financial demands, workers’ rights, and the regularization of the professional situation of substitute teachers and other employees.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse
Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa has handed over an outdoor gym and sporting clothes to a community in Mpumalanga.
‘Government’s intervention to build outdoor gyms in Royal Great Places is a commitment to develop sport in rural communities. Further to this, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is also building multipurpose sports courts in rural and township communities,’ the Minister said on Tuesday.
He said historically, rural communities have lacked these sport and recreational facilities.
‘This has meant that there are not enough resources available in these communities for people, and the youth in particular, to exercise and play sport. By focusing on sport development in rural communities, we are inspiring communities to live active lifestyles.
‘We are also addressing the issue of youths needing to go to towns and cities to play sport, where there are more resources. By prioritising sport development in rural communities, we are also working to ensure that sport talent is identif
ied in these communities, and that sport talent is given opportunities to flourish. It is in communities such as KwaMhlanga where the next Trevor Nyakane or Caster Semenya will be discovered,’ Kodwa said.
He said the outdoor gym, which is located in Royal Great Places, means that communities can exercise in a safe environment, and the gym equipment can be well looked after.
‘This year, South Africa celebrates 30 years of freedom. One of the mandates of our government over the past 30 years has been to ensure social transformation in South African society through promoting social cohesion, social integration, and social inclusion.
‘Sport plays a critical role in realising this goal. Just as President Nelson Mandela said, sport unifies people in ways little else can. Sport brings hope where there was once despair,’ he said.
Source: South African Government News Agency