News

Police soft on crimes against foreigners, say Westlake residents

The murder of a 24-year-old Malawian has increased tensions in Westlake. Residents complain that the Kirstenhof police do not take attacks on foreigners seriously enough.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 25 March 2015

Manenberg residents tired of living in containers

Some of the Manenberg residents who were temporarily relocated to containers more than five months ago say they are eager to move back to their homes. Dozens of families that have been living for decades in the council-owned flat of Eva Court were moved from their homes to make way for its refurbishment in October last year. But a three-month long gang war in the area, rampant vandalism and a delay in payment to contractors by the City of Cape Town has delayed work for months. The upgrade is expected to be only completed by May.

Barbara Maregele

News | 25 March 2015

MPs urged to get tested for TB

All MPs should get themselves tested for TB, the Treatment Action Campaign says.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 24 March 2015

Langa’s new king of electronic dance music

Born and raised in Langa township, Makonwabe Bekwa aka AudioJerk is a dance floor magnet with his unique electronic, techno and dubstep sound. He is also fast becoming one of the Mother City's most sought after DJs.

Zethu Gqola

News | 24 March 2015

Athlone asbestos victim gets his money

Cassiem Mohammed, who worked for 40 years at the Athlone Power Station, has finally been paid compensation for the lung disease he developed from contact with deadly asbestos fibres at work.

Pete Lewis

News | 24 March 2015

Ex-offenders call for an end to crime in Gugulethu

For over 10 years, Mabhuti Godla was known for tormenting the Gugulethu community. He had been arrested for various crimes, including drug possession and armed robbery. But since joining Realistic, a non-profit organisation, two years ago, Godla says he is determined to dissuade others from a life of crime.

Barbara Maregele

News | 23 March 2015

Down with xenophobia! say Khayelitsha organisations

To commemorate Human Rights Day and raise awareness about xenophobia, around 80 South Africans and Somalis marched in Khayelitsha Site C at an event organised by the Social Justice Coalition (SJC).

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 March 2015

Fate of Ottery school for child offenders uncertain

Michael Jackson impersonations, singing, rapping and gumboot dancing were on display Friday morning when boys from the Ottery Youth and Education Centre celebrated for Human Rights Day. The centre's hall was filled with students, one after another performing a song, a dance piece or reading a passage to describe what Human Rights Day meant to them.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 23 March 2015

ANC councillors in dock for murder of activist

The ANC in KwaZulu Natal says it has decided to suspend two ward councillors, including Mduduzi Ngcobo, who face charges relating to the murder of Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM) activist Thuli Ndlovu in September last year.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 20 March 2015

Zimbabweans remain unhappy with special permit process

After Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba gave the media an update on the Zimbabwe Special Permit (ZSP) in Midrand on Monday, Zimbabweans who spoke to GroundUp claim there were challenges with the ZSP which the minister did not address. These included delays and rejections.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 March 2015

Free speech vs copyright: Battle over Bushman legacy on steps of Labia

An old dispute over representing the family legacy of Khomani San leader Dawid Kruiper has resurfaced in a public furore between writer Patricia Glyn and filmmaker Richard Wicksteed.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 17 March 2015

Consumer activist forced to move website offshore

A consumer activist who runs a blog exposing misleading claims about health products has been forced to move his website offshore after a run-in with sports supplement company USN.

Barbara Maregele

News | 17 March 2015

Hope and hatred in South Africa: an interview with Jonny Steinberg

Civil war, betrayal and murder are what Asad Abdullahi left behind in his childhood to travel thousands of kilometres to the land of Mandela, the country of his dreams. But in South Africa he’d experience violence unlike anywhere else in Africa. Mandy de Waal speaks to Jonny Steinberg about his new book β€˜A Man of Good Hope’.

Mandy de Waal

News | 17 March 2015

Innovations at Groote Schuur offer hope to patients and nurses

A year after receiving a kidney transplant, Vuyo [not his real name] travelled to the Eastern Cape to visit his grandmother. A young man of 19, Vuyo had been making good progress after the operation, but he still had to take medication daily.

Jon Pienaar

News | 17 March 2015

Treachery and the quest for truth: review of Jacob Dlamini’s Askari

Not wishing to sound derivative I was left grasping for fresh superlatives when I finished reading Askari. Earlier reviewers had already hailed this latest offering by Jacob Dlamini in terms with which I wholly agreed.

Terry Bell

News | 16 March 2015