The strike wave and what it means

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said last week that if South Africa wants to achieve higher growth and cut unemployment “a social bargain” is needed that would pull together trade unions, business and the government to implement the NDP (National Development Plan). It also suggests that trade unions moderate wage demands and that the State implement its massive infrastructure spending plans. The IMF flagged "escalating labour tensions" as a "key domestic risk".

Jack Lewis

Opinion | 10 October 2013

Wind turbine

News | 9 October 2013

Zambian government continues prosecution of gay-rights activist

On 15 August 2013 the Zambian High Court refused to hear a constitutional application by Paul Kasonkomona regarding his right to freedom of expression being violated by police charges against him.

Jonathan Dockney

News | 9 October 2013

Golden shackles

News | 9 October 2013

Too many bad apples: IPID report reveals unacceptable levels of criminality within the police

Over the past year, people filed 6 728 cases of criminal and professional misconduct against police officers with the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). This number represents 4.3% of active police officers (officers employed in terms of the SAPS Act).

Craig Oosthuizen

News | 9 October 2013

#DoubleBillTour

Award-winning South African poet Vus'umuzi Phakathi will be at the Baxter from 01 October till 13 October, the middle of his one-man tour -- the #DoubleBillTour. Phakathi, also known as Romeo the poet/Lil' Hussil, is touring nine South African provinces,12 African countries and four continents. Phakathi is also the writer and producer.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 9 October 2013

HIV vaccine: some progress, but we’re not there yet

While antiretroviral drugs against HIV are getting more effective and allow HIV-positive people to live longer, the ultimate prize is to find a way to cure people of the virus, the best hope being a vaccine.

Kerry Gordon

News | 9 October 2013

Everything you need to know about funding your post-matric studies

Getting funding for post-matric studies is very important for many students. There are many ways to get funding, whether through a bursary or loan. While you don’t have to pay a bursary back, you do need to pay a loan back.

Kesia Lilenstein

News | 9 October 2013

Khayelitsha residents on the O’Regan/Pikoli Commission

The O'Regan/Pikoli Commision of Inquiry into policing in Khayelitsha is to go ahead after a Constitutional Court ruling last week. GroundUp went to the streets of Khayelitsha to gauge people’s reaction to the ruling.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

Opinion | 9 October 2013

Responsible investment in the wake of Marikana

For the first time since its inception in 2006, the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) conference was held on the African continent during the first week of October. This event brought together a wide variety of stakeholders, from banking groups to mining giants, as well as consultancy and investment firms from around the globe.

Delphine Pedeboy

Opinion | 9 October 2013

Netball - a game for all

Doctor Daniel Siduie, a 20-year-old man hailing from Mpumalanga has been playing netball with girls since 2004.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 9 October 2013

Success against the odds for Khayelitsha learner

At this time of the year, grade 12 learners are busy preparing for their final exams; an exciting but stressful time in their lives. For 21-year-old Athenkosi Ngqunguza, a grade 12 learner from Thembelihle High School in Khayelitsha, studying is not the only challenge he faces. He has been living alone since he was 19, with no adult supervision or financial support, yet he has still remained one of the top students in his school.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 9 October 2013

We need to change how we think (and talk) about social grants

On September 30, the government announced the second increase this year in disability grants, old age pensions, care dependency grants and war veterans' pensions. These increases will come in addition to the child support grant and grant-in-aid increases, which were already budgeted for in March. Although the increase is only R10, it will equate to a R41 million increase in government spending per month.

Gabrielle Kelly

Opinion | 7 October 2013

Junior school raises awareness about breast cancer

On October 4, Rustenburg Girls Junior School celebrated two of its teachers who have survived breast cancer by hosting two fundraising events to raise funds for cancer awareness.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

Brief | 7 October 2013

Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry to go ahead

Civil society organisations and communities are rejoicing after the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled for the O’Regan/Pikoli Commission of Inquiry into policing to go ahead.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 2 October 2013

Blind sidelined by Department of Trade and Industry

South Africa’s draft intellectual property policy fails to make any mention of the most progressive copyright treaty in years. Blind and visually impaired people will pay the price if this is not rectified in the final policy.

Marcus Low

Opinion | 2 October 2013