Opinion

Premier’s excuses leave the lights off

Last week GroundUp and the Cape Times published Doron Isaacs's detailed account of his repeated but unsuccessful attempts to have authorities repair dysfunctional streetlights in Khayelitsha.

Gavin Silber

Opinion | 23 January 2013

Preposterous that rhinoceros is newsmaker of year

I first heard of the National Press Club (NPC) via twitter when the news that they had declared the rhino the newsmaker of 2012 hit social media. My immediate reaction, probably like many other journalists was a mixture of surprise and anger: How could the rhino emerge as victor in the year of Marikana?

Ben Fogel

Opinion | 22 January 2013

The Boland upheaval and failing the children of the poor

South Africa has continued to fail the children of the poor and is once again reaping
the results of that failure. Nowhere is this more evident than in the recurrent violent
eruptions in the fruit and wine farm regions of the Western Cape.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 16 January 2013

The DA is more efficient at Twitter spin than at delivering basic services to Khayelitsha

I work every day in Khayelitsha. From time to time I am there at night, usually to drop somebody at home after a meeting or social event. In the daytime I am as good as any taxi driver at avoiding the potholes that litter the streets. At nights it’s not so simple.

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 16 January 2013

What the UK could learn from Cape Town’s civil society

Before I came to South Africa, I was warned how dangerous the place was. I was asked, ''Why do you think so many South Africans are emigrating to Australia'' and, ''Are you sure you really want to go there?'' I'm relieved this negativity didn't stop me. If you don't come to South Africa because of fear, you are missing out.

Tessa Gooding

Opinion | 19 December 2012

An alternative to more chaos and destruction?

The promises and the policies, the personalities elected, even the potential political
punch-ups at Mangaung are basically irrelevant.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 19 December 2012

A tribute to Arthur Chaskalson

This is a tribute by Advocate Geoff Budlender to the late Chief Justice Arthur Chaskalson at a memorial service in Johannesburg City Hall on 5 December.

Geoff Budlender

Opinion | 18 December 2012

Holocaust denial is hateful, immoral and factually wrong

Holocaust denialism is hateful, immoral and factually wrong. It legitimises the taking of measures by individuals, organisations and governments that lead to the destruction of human dignity and life. This destruction of dignity and life is based on ideologies of hate and profit.

Zackie Achmat

Opinion | 14 December 2012

Nelson Mandela is going to die - it’s sad, but it’s ok

Madiba is in hospital. Spokespeople assure us he is doing well. That he is old, sick and likely to die soon are avoided or dealt with euphemistically.

Nathan Geffen, Editor GroundUp

Opinion | 12 December 2012

Residents of Khayelitsha stand behind Commission of Inquiry

As a 21-year-old member of the Khayelitsha community, I firmly support the Commission of Inquiry into the Police in Khayelitsha.

Sifiso Zitwana

Opinion | 12 December 2012

Desperate cry for victim counselling in Khayelitsha

It is well-known that those who report crimes to the police stations in Khayelitsha are not likely to receive a great deal of help. This leads to a situation where many victims of crime simply do not come forward to open a case.

Andiswa Hala

Opinion | 12 December 2012

Time to find a new way forward

The Bill of Rights is rightly hailed throughout the labour movement and beyond as
perhaps the finest exposition of the desire of the bulk of humanity for a world that
guarantees the maximum level of dignity, equality and freedom for all.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 12 December 2012

What should the state do now that it has lost the Dudley Lee case?

The Constitutional Court gave judgment in the matter between Dudley Lee and the Minister of Correctional Services on 11 December 2012. The court ruled in favour of Lee. Thus, yesterday almost marked the end of Mr Lee’s seven-year journey through three courts; the Cape High Court will still have to determine the amount the state must pay him.

John Stephens

Opinion | 12 December 2012

Youth of the 21st century must speak maths

Some people say that maths is not for everyone. Many say that we should value people for their differing strengths, whether mathematic, dramatic or athletic.

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 12 December 2012

Marikana, farms and forestry

There are none so blind as those that will not see. It is a saying popularised more
than 300 years ago and it has had marked resonance following the bloody events at
Marikana and the more recent upheavals among the fruit and wine farms of the
Western Cape.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 28 November 2012

My Mother’s Black Eye

There is only one thing in this world that infuriates me and that is the abuse of women. I can't stand it. The thought of it unleashes this rage within that makes me want to scream and destroy every man that has ever laid a hand on a woman.

Baldi Lox

Opinion | 28 November 2012