News Briefs

Freedom fighter Cachalia dies at 82

ANTI-APARTHEID struggle stalwart Amina Cachalia died yesterday at a Johannesburg hospital at the age of 82.

Political parties and NGOs paid tribute to her contribution to the liberation struggle.

The ANC saidCachalia would be remembered for her selflessness, steadfastness and commitment.

"She is among the women who are credited for having placed gender equity firmly as a site of struggle and aligned it to broader struggles led by the ANC," said ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu.

He said that Cachalia endured the pain of police harassment, imprisonment, house arrests, banning and humiliation in her fight for freedom.

DA leader Helen Zille said Cachalia was an "inspiration to us all".

Together with Helen Joseph, Lillian Ngoyi and Ida Mtwana, she led a 20000-strong women's march in Pretoria to protest against the apartheid regime's pass laws.

Cachalia was also in the forefront in the establishment of the Federation of South African Women, which led the historic march to Pretoria.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation and Wits University extended their condolences to Cachalia's family.

They praised her for having dedicated her life to the freedom of all South Africans. - Staff reporter

Freedom fighter Cachalia dies at 82

SOUTH Africa will soon issue only unabridged birth certificates, Home Affairs Minister Naledi Pandor said in Pretoria yesterday.

The documents, sometimes referred to as "full birth certificates", would be issued to the parents of new-borns from March, she said.

"From March 4 the department will end the practice of issuing abridged birth certificates and will only issue unabridged certificates," she said.

"The unabridged certificate contains the details of the child, the mother and the father, and their identity numbers," she said.

Pandor said the unabridged certificates would be issued at no cost.

The abridged certificates were prone to forgery.

They contained details of the child and the mother, but not the father, and took six to eight weeks to produce.

"We will improve our turnaround time and [provide] a speedy, efficient, and accurate service," Pandor said.

Security features on the unabridged certificates have been improved.

Abridged certificates will still be recognised. - Sapa