Yesterday, exactly 40 years ago, the modern trade union movement arrived on the
South African scene. Its birth was heralded by a wave of strikes in Durban that had
gestated over 22 days from the time 2,000 workers at Coronation Brick and Tile
downed tools.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 5 February 2013
The Auditor-General’s (AG) report on the use of consultants and contractors demonstrates some very important facts. It shows that government is operating in an environment where financial and other controls are lacking. This not only creates an atmosphere in which corruption blossoms, but also allows for those contractors appointed in good faith to take chances and not perform their contractual obligations properly.
Daniel Hofmeyr and Zackie Achmat
Opinion | 30 January 2013
This is an open letter sent this morning by Doron Isaacs to Radio 786. In it, he explains why he refuses to be interviewed by the station.
Doron Isaacs
Opinion | 30 January 2013
Broken streetlights in Khayelitsha are at the centre of a debate between civil society activists, Premier Helen Zille, Mayor Patricia De Lille and several councillors responsible for wards along Lansdowne Road.
Nokubonga Yawa, Mihle Pike and GroundUp Staff
News | 30 January 2013
Hundreds of farmworkers in the De Doorns area have been fired after the end of the farmworkers strike in the area on 22 January. The strike had been called off by COSATU the week before, but the seemingly dominant union in the area, the Bawsi Agriculture Workers Union of South Africa (Bawusa), suspended the strike days later. Clashes between police and protesters resulted in at least one death, many injuries and 181 arrests of striking farmworkers.
Ben Fogel
Opinion | 30 January 2013
A Zimbabwean man, Farai Chawasema, who lost all use of his hand in an injury at work on 29 November last year, is accusing his employer, Patrick Pieterse, of Pat's Engineering and a medical practitioner, Ajmal Ikram, of Melomed Gatesville Medical Centre, of failing to get him workman's compensation.
Tariro Washinyira
News | 30 January 2013
On Friday, 25th of January, residents and parents from Zwelitsha and Nkanini gathered to protest at the legislative buildings in Wale Street, demanding a new school for their children.
Mihle Pike
News | 30 January 2013
Families are affected by township fires. We follow the lives of these individuals as they recount their tragic stories and how they have picked up the pieces and moved on with their lives.
Chume Ntuli and Buchule Putini
News | 30 January 2013
GroundUp speaks to Cape Town All Stars 23 year old attacking midfielder Bongolwethu Ncusana about how he started playing football and what his aspirations are.
Margo Fortune
News | 30 January 2013
Farm workers began the centennial year of the 1913 Land Act with a continuation of the most militant industrial action in the sector in decades. On January 9th, various Western Cape farming towns were turned into warzones as protestors demanding an increase to a minimum R150 per day for farm workers, blockaded highways and set vineyards alight with police using rubber bullets and tear gas.
Niall Reddy
News | 24 January 2013
GroundUp journalist Mihle Pike received a call this morning that employees at Cash Paymaster Services had gone on strike. She went to see what was going on. Here is her account.
Mihle Pike
News | 23 January 2013
The NPO Directorate, which is part of the Department of Social Development, has deregistered about 50 000 non-profit organsations (NPOs) who it has deemed as non-compliant. This is according to Inyathelo, a Cape Town based organisation that assists NPOs.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 23 January 2013
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille is correct in claiming that there is
political interference in the strikes and recurrent violence in the Boland. And the
DA is as responsible as any other political grouping for being involved in — or
“interfering” — in the ongoing upheaval.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 23 January 2013
BREAKING NEWS: This morning, residents of Crossroads protested and burned tyres in protest against a housing project.
GroundUp Staff
Brief | 23 January 2013
We asked people for their views on Bafana Bafana's performance after the dull 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. Some of the responses were unprintable! But here are a few of the more polite ones.
Margo Fortune
News | 23 January 2013
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