News

I don’t want to go back to the streets, says Sanna

Huddled with her partner Johan in their cardboard and plastic shack behind the Belville market, Sanna Hartnick mixes brandy with Smirnoff Ice. The winter wind whirls and howls but little by little Sanna feels less cold and less stressed.

Shireen Mukadam

News | 2 July 2014

Boxing ref shows it’s not just for men

Most women don’t go far in boxing, but Zodumo Ndude from Imizamo Yethu in Hout Bay did not let that stop her. Today she is a referee and a judge.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 1 July 2014

Mother of four battles to survive

HIV-positive Zuziwe* from Nyanga is worried about how she is going to survive this winter because she says she doesn’t have enough food or blankets for her children.

Pharie Sefali

News | 1 July 2014

Workers say Metrorail endangers their livelihoods and lives

Every morning at the TCI Apparel factory in Epping, shop steward Mymoena Williams writes down the names of the textile workers who arrive late. In this notebook are entire pages filled with employees being late for the same reason: the trains.

Joy Shan

News | 30 June 2014

Refugees enduring prejudice twofold

Junior Nsamia Mayema, 25, of Democratic Republic of Congo and Flavirina Naze, 32, from Burundi are refugees and activists. They have endured both xenophobia and homophobia. It has also been challenging for them to integrate with the South African lesbian and gay community.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 27 June 2014

Mathematics a key to Africa’s future

Hopes are high for 49 students from 20 different African countries who graduated with a master’s degree in Mathematics in Cape Town this week. The students – from countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Africa – completed their studies at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) located in Muizenberg.

Yazeed Kamaldien

News | 27 June 2014

War resisters across Africa headed for Cape Town

From 4 to 8 July, Cape Town will host the first ever War Resisters International Conference to be held in Africa. The Pan-African conference will bring together representatives of grassroots movements from over 25 African countries.

Shireen Mukadam

News | 27 June 2014

Life changing trials for Chilli Boys

Chippa United, recently promoted to the Premier Soccer League team, held the first of its open trials on 25 June. Over 100 players from around the Cape and the country made their way to the Philippi stadium, home of the Chilli Boys as Chippa United is affectionately known.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 27 June 2014

The plight of informal street traders

Last week, GroundUp witnessed law enforcement officers confiscating the fruit of two street vendors on the corners of Belmont and Main Road, Rondebosch. They are among thousands of informal vendors breaking city bylaws to sell their goods at traffic lights and intersections across the City in order to make their daily living.

Barbara Maregele and Adam Armstrong

News | 26 June 2014

Babies found abandoned in Khayelitsha

Residents of Site B in Khayelitsha were shocked and angered after the body of a baby was found in a toilet last week. The tiny body lay between pieces of paper inside the bucket system toilet.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 26 June 2014

Activists put mainstream media under the spotlight

On 24 June, Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa, in conjunction with the Mail & Guardian and SECTION27, hosted a breakfast seminar in Johannesburg on journalism and social justice in the country’s mainstream media.

Joshua Maserow

News | 26 June 2014

Alibi on trial in Angy Peter case

State prosecutor Phistus Pelesa concluded his cross-examination of Angy Peter on 25 June at the Western Cape High Court drawing into question Peter’s alibi.

Lara Sokoloff

News | 26 June 2014

Mayor promises to meet Macassar residents

The situation in Macassar remains volatile following two days of violent protests. Residents have been protesting against relocation of Strand residents who were evicted from Sanral land earlier in the month.The mayor has promised to meet with community leaders tonight, 7pm, 26 June.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 26 June 2014

Too few gay men get involved, says Khayelitsha activist

Too few gay men engage in gay issues, gay activist Sibusiso Nquqeka of Khulani Khayelitsha Queer Project told the audience at a memorial service this week for two murdered women.

Pharie Sefali

News | 25 June 2014

A week in political activism

This week we cover the imprisonment of Al Jazeera journalists in Egypt, demands for a regional seminar about gender-based discrimination, anti-xenophobia efforts in De Doorns, and environmental research in Mpumalanga.

Michelle Korte

News | 25 June 2014

The elderly supporting the elderly

Nearly six years ago, Sindiswa Tati of Mandela Park in Khayelitsha, was going blind and often spent her days alone at home. Now, Tati, 68, has recovered, and since joining the AgeWell programme, says she feels “younger, confident and empowered” to help others in need of a friend.

Barbara Maregele

News | 24 June 2014