Paul Kasonkomona found not guilty

Paul Kasonkomona, a human rights activists working in Zambia, has been acquitted after almost a year of legal proceedings.

Jonathan Dockney

News | 26 February 2014

The week in political activism

This week we have reports on civil society’s response to the budget and a documentary hosted by Sonke Gender Justice.

Compiled by Brent Meersman

News | 26 February 2014

Chicken

News | 26 February 2014

How the state delivered PR instead of services to Madibeng

Public outrage followed after protestors died in January while demonstrating against problems with water service delivery in Madibeng. Until then the state’s actions in Madibeng produced PR, but failed to lead to any meaningful engagement with those directly affected by the failures of the municipality.

Koketso Moeti

Opinion | 26 February 2014

Teachers face disciplinary charges for teaching in mother-tongue

Two teachers at Vela-Langa Primary school in Upington are facing a disciplinary hearing today and tomorrow for teaching their grade two classes in SeTswana and Afrikaans.

Selby Nomnganga

News | 25 February 2014

Refugee facing arrest in Congo ordered to leave SA

A 47 year old Congo-Brazzaville man has been told to leave South Africa though there is a search warrant (avis de recherche) out for him in his own country.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 25 February 2014

Back to the land: an interview with Constance Mogale

“This is my passion -- what I’ve known half my life,” fulminates Constance Mogale, the director the Land Action Movement of South Africa (LAMOSA), from her fifth floor office in Khotso House, Johannesburg.

Joshua Maserow

News | 25 February 2014

Manenberg schools battle for safety

Lesley Knight has been teaching at Edendale Primary School for 27 years. She has witnessed some of the worst incidents of gang violence in Manenberg.

Sibusiso Tshabalala

News | 25 February 2014

Battle against Uganda’s anti-homosexual law is not over

The battle against Uganda’s anti-homosexual law is not over. Health and HIV may be the new frontier to confront homophobia explains Dr Andrew Tucker.

Andrew Tucker

Opinion | 24 February 2014

Why is there a homophobe on the Global Fund?

In March 2013, Dr Patrobas Mufubenga, a malaria expert, was unanimously appointed a member of the Developing Country NGO Delegation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria for a two-year renewable term. It is a key position at arguably the most important health funding mechanism in the world.

GroundUp Staff

News | 24 February 2014

Stumbling across vigilante violence

Yet another vigilante incident took place in Endlovini, Khayelitsha, at 5pm on 20 February on the open field at the corner of Mew Way and Steve Biko Road.

Adam Armstrong

News | 24 February 2014

How I narrowly avoided being conned

As an investigative journalist I’ve come face-to-face with grifters. I’ve interviewed fraudsters and studied sociopathy extensively. I’m fascinated by psychopaths and the peculiarities of the brain that make them different to the rest of us. Trying to understand the mental workings of good and evil is a hobby of mine.

Mandy de Waal

News | 21 February 2014

Ugandan doctor, released by Home Affairs, thanks South African activists

Paul Semugoma is free and can live and work in South Africa. This followed a dramatic day of court action and negotiations between lawyers representing Semugoma and the Department of Home Affairs.

GroundUp Staff

News | 20 February 2014

Tense student protest outside False Bay College

Students protested outside the Khayelitsha Campus of False Bay College this morning. A crowd of about 300 people blocked access to the main gate. Police attended the scene.

Adam Armstrong

Brief | 20 February 2014

SASSA still failing to pay grants in Gugulethu and Mitchell’s Plain

On January 17, Anthea Qonga was told by South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) officials at the Mitchell’s Plain branch that she cannot receive her grant money because its managers were unavailable to sign the papers.

Pharie Sefali

News | 20 February 2014

Gay rights doctor narrowly avoids deportation to Uganda - Home Affairs accused of contempt of court

Release Paul Nsubuga Semugoma. That was the essence of a court order against the Minister of Home Affairs yesterday. Yet, Home Affairs proceeded to attempt to deport him after the court order was made. As of last night he was reportedly still in custody.

GroundUp Staff

News | 20 February 2014