News

From Masiphumelele to the Waterfront

Ndileka Biyo, owner of Rockasa Design in Masiphumelele, has set her sights on a place in the affluent Waterfront.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 25 May 2015

Province to NUM: prove your allegations

The Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works has asked the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to present proof of their allegation that Good Hope Construction (GHC) has been hiring gangsters to do their security.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 22 May 2015

Textbook shortage causes Cape Town school’s exams to be postponed

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and Maitland High School have agreed to postpone second term exams following complaints of shortages of text books at the school.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 22 May 2015

N2 golfer joins club

Vuyo Sontsonga used to play golf between two roads, the N2 and Borcherds Quarry, nearly everyday. But now his dream of golf club membership has been realised.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 21 May 2015

Tensions escalate in school builders strike

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members encountered closed doors and security guards with dogs when they marched to the offices of Good Hope Construction (GHC) in Parow yesterday. The strikers are facing disciplinary action from GHC for alleged gross misconduct.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 21 May 2015

“I burnt my client’s scalp” and other load shedding horror stories

Business owners in Langa township are fed up with load shedding. And residents complain that the rolling blackouts makes their neighbourhoods unsafe.

Pharie Sefali

News | 20 May 2015

“After we treat them, they say you kwere kwere”

Burundian nurse Elvira Modesero was a victim of the xenophobic violence that took place in Kwazulu-Natal in April. She told her story to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This is an edited and shortened transcript of her interview.

Elvira Modesero, as told to Doctors Without Borders

News | 20 May 2015

When will the trains run on time?

City Press reported on Sunday the names of some people involved in a R51 billion PRASA tender for new train coaches. These included businessmen with close ties to the ANC, such as Thalente Myeni, son of Dudu Myeni who is the chairperson of SAA, as well as Pearl Zuma, a distant cousin of the president.

Text by GroundUp Staff. Photos by Masixole Feni.

News | 19 May 2015

Living in a bathroom for 20 years

Nomusa Mthembu, 57, has been living in a bathroom in Thornville, Pietermaritzburg, for more than two decades.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 19 May 2015

Mfuleni vegetable garden gives people dignity

It's all smiles and happiness as five men and women go about their work at the Bambanani Food Garden. Project manager Theresa Falatsa explains that it is passion that drives them.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 19 May 2015

Gay sangomas demand recognition

It’s hard being gay and a sangoma, traditional healer Michael Khumalo told a workshop organised as part of the Khumbulani Pride events in Cape Town last Thursday.

Pharie Sefali

News | 18 May 2015

Athlone residents oppose informal settlement upgrade

Some residents of the predominantly coloured lower-middle class suburb of Belgravia Estate in Athlone are opposed to an upgrade of the neighbouring predominantly black informal settlement of Vygieskraal.

Barbara Maregele

News | 18 May 2015

Zambian High Court rejects state’s appeal against activist

The Lusaka High Court formally dismissed the charges against Zambian human rights activist Paul Kasonkomona on Friday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 15 May 2015

Gays and lesbians will march in Khayelitsha

This week the third Khumbulani LGBTI Pride is taking place in Khayelitsha and Cape Town city centre. The main event, a march, will be held on Saturday in Khayelitsha. It starts at 9:30am from OR Tambo Hall.

Pharie Sefali

News | 14 May 2015

Bus on the way for Masiphumelele students

Masiphumelele High School students who have been walking and hitchhiking 15 kilometres to get to school will soon have their own transport.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 14 May 2015