Religious leaders inspect Khayelitsha’s sanitation

Members of the Western Cape Religious Leaders Forum led a sanitation walkabout in Khayelitsha to collect evidence to present to the City of Cape Town, about the huge problem of sanitation in the township.

Amelia Earnest

News | 14 August 2013

Specialised Sexual Offences Court coming to Khayelitsha

GroundUp has learned that Khayelitsha will be getting a specialised Sexual Offences Court. Government announced that 22 new Sexual Offenses Courts are to be set up by the end of 2013.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 13 August 2013

Malawian man paralysed after brutal assault

A Malawian man, Simon Phiri, 44, was attacked by three robbers in Masiphumelele, Fish Hoek in April 2013, on his way home from the shopping mall. The robbers searched his pockets, took his phone and money, then struck him with a golf stick on the head.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 13 August 2013

Do companies have the right to own your genes?

Patenting of genes incentivises research and the discovery of new treatments, tests and drugs. But does the exclusive ownership of biological material stop the sharing of information and prevent treatment getting to the people that need it?

Kerry Gordon

Opinion | 12 August 2013

Are we ready for universal breastfeeding in South Africa? A response to Vuyiseka Dubula

Vuyiseka Dubula’s opinion piece published in GroundUp raises some important issues concerning the promotion of breastfeeding in South Africa. Vuyiseka is correct: breastfeeding is much safer than formula feeding.

David Sanders, Tanya Doherty, Debra Jackson, Ameena Goga

Opinion | 12 August 2013

Khayelitsha residents march in support of police inquiry, as court hears case

On Tuesday judgement for the O’Regan/Pikoli Commission of Inquiry (COI) into policing in Khayelitsha was reserved by the Constitutional Court. A full bench of 11 justices heard the case.

Mary-anne Gontsana

News | 8 August 2013

How to reduce the fuel price and grow the economy

Today the fuel price goes up 32 cents per litre. This means diesel, which drives our big trucks that distribute food and other goods across the country, will be over R13 a litre. Commuter transport will become more expensive as will the price of paraffin used by by the poor for cooking and lighting.

Jack Lewis

Opinion | 7 August 2013

Autistic child still has to be tied to couch

Three months ago we told the story of Patricia who raises her autistic son, Teko, in a shack in Khayelitsha. Patricia sometimes ties Teko to a couch for his own safety to prevent him wandering off. We followed up to see if life has become easier for them. [Patricia’s and Teko’s names have been changed.]

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 7 August 2013

I’m flying

News | 7 August 2013

Disability not a barrier to Talking Souls visual artists

Free tickets to watch an intriguing international collaborative production.

Pharie Sefali

Brief | 7 August 2013

What now for Zimbabweans?

89-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who has been in power since Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980, is set to lead the country for yet another five years.

Tariro Washinyira, Mpho Mabhena and GroundUp Staff

News | 6 August 2013

Dying with dignity

Nelson Mandela may not be aware of it but he has got us talking about death; something we have never had the courage to do before. This is certainly a discussion he wanted us to have. As President of the country he appointed the South African Law Commission to write a report on end-of life issues, and it was Nelson Mandela himself who tabled this in parliament.

Sean Davison

Opinion | 6 August 2013

“The police & I”: a sex worker’s story

Richard is a 38-year-old, gay male sex worker. He was born in East London and has been based in Cape Town since 1999. He has been in “the business” (the sex work industry) for over 20 years.

Jonathan Dockney

News | 6 August 2013

Fire detectors can help to prevent shack fires

Shack fires are an unremitting scourge facing urban townships. In South Africa, between 2000 and 2010, over 230 000 people were made homeless by fires. Growing urban populations together with inadequate services, in particular electricity and water, means urban shack fires will continue to take their toll. There is an urgent need for effective solutions to address the major causes.

Fergus Turner

News | 5 August 2013

The Kurdish Question: Is a political solution possible?

A process has begun in Turkey which has the potential to find solutions to the Kurdish question.

Mansoor Jaffer

Opinion | 5 August 2013