Help us help you, Minister Nene
For 21 years, the Minister of Finance has tabled budgets announcing that large amounts of money will go to social services that are meant to improve the lives of the poor. But, even the staunchest government supporter would agree that the country has not derived full benefit from this money. Year after year the Auditor General, Public Protector and others report on inefficiency, poor accounting and corruption in all categories of public spending.
Albert van Zyl
Analysis | 27 February 2015
Philippi East foreigners say xenophobic hatred fuelled attacks
While community leaders in Philippi East's Marikana informal settlement quibble over the cause of Wednesday's attacks on foreign business owners, the victims testify to long-standing xenophobic undercurrents in the community.
Daneel Knoetze
News | 26 February 2015
Residents blame local authorities for Kimberley floods
A violent rain storm that hit Kimberley on Tuesday has set flooded residents on a collision course with the local authorities.
Douglas Mthukwane
News | 26 February 2015
Meet Rabelani Madula aka Rabs Vhafuwi
With a firm belief that some of the greatest music talent in our country lies within the townships, Rabs Vhafuwi has made it his mission to tap into that market. Seemingly, whatever he touches turns to gold. GroundUp interviewed the producer on his inspirations, how he got into music and how he is changing the game.
Zethu Gqola
News | 26 February 2015
West Papua’s “Cry for help, Cry for Freedom”
On 17 February Equal Education hosted a talk by Benny Wenda of the Free West Papua Campaign at the Wits School of Education. He is in South Africa to spread awareness about the West Papuan fight against Indonesian colonialism and gross human rights abuses of the West Papuan people. He said he was also here to "learn how [South African] leaders fought against apartheid, for justice and against [racial] discrimination."
Joshua Maserow
Opinion | 25 February 2015
Residents welcome Siqalo clean-up
Siqalo residents have welcomed the City of Cape Town’s quick action to remove rubbish dumps that have spiraled out of control in recent weeks.
Daneel Knoetze
Brief | 25 February 2015
Budget 2015: What leading activist organisations want to hear from Nene
Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene will present the budget speech to Parliament today. GroundUp spoke to several social movements and leading civil society organisations to find out what they would like him to address.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 25 February 2015
Child rape case - how poor families struggle for justice
A last minute intervention by community leaders from Siqalo settlement, in Mitchells Plain, has prevented an accused child rapist from being released without charge.
Daneel Knoetze
Feature | 24 February 2015