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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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