Top dancers show Gugulethu kids their moves

A group of 11 dancers from the Zama Dance School in Gugulethu had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a workshop with members of the critically-acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre on Saturday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 September 2015

Wolwerivier gets its first taste of violence

It was a weekend of flaring emotions and violence at Wolwerivier relocation area. On Friday, residents protested against the City’s relocation of strangers into empty units sought by the community to alleviate the overcrowding at the settlement. Rubber bullets were fired into crowds containing mostly women and children. People were arrested and beaten when they refused to disperse.

Daneel Knoetze

Feature | 21 September 2015

We’re all scared, say Blikkiesdorp residents

Blikkiesdorp residents are calling for better policing after a spike in crime in the area. Seven families have already been moved to Wolwerivier at their request by the City of Cape Town.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 September 2015

More cops for Masiphumelele

Seven new constables will be joining Ocean View police station, which serves Ocean View, Kommetjie and Masiphumelele. This news follows a week of violence in Masiphumelele, and months of community dissatisfaction with insufficient policing in the township.

Pasqua Heard

News | 18 September 2015

Barcelona’s garbage finally collected

The City of Cape Town has begun collecting the rubbish that has been piling up in front of people's homes in Barcelona informal settlement.

Bernard Chiguvare

Brief | 18 September 2015

The long walk to social grants

From Elandskop in Pietermaritzburg to the nearest SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) office is 53 kilometres, a journey which is not possible for Gabisile Gcumisa. Gcumisa, who weighs 268kg and has a heart condition, would not have been able to access her social grant without the help of community caregivers.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 18 September 2015

Battle over Mfuleni housing sites

The drawn out struggle for serviced sites in Ward 108 in Bardale, Mfuleni, has led to allegations of mismanagement and corruption. These allegations emerged following the removal of 45 illegally erected structures in the area on Monday by the City of Cape Town’s Anti-Land Invasion Unit (ALIU). Stones were thrown and rubber bullets fired. About 16 people were arrested.

Ashleigh Furlong

News | 17 September 2015

Free pet sterilisation campaign in Khayelitsha

In the canine sterilisation ward of the South African Mass Sterilisation Trust (SA.MAST) in Khayelitsha, several dogs lie in cages, unconscious, with their tongues out. Others are brought in on stretchers, after being successfully sterilised.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 17 September 2015

Capetonians rally to help family with epilepsy

People from various parts of Cape Town have rallied to help a Site C family with a disabled teenager who, like her father, has epilepsy.

Pharie Sefali

News | 17 September 2015

Where are the cops, ask Masiphumelele residents

Masiphumelele residents gathered in shock today around the ashes of a young man killed in a mob justice attack in Myeza Road last night. Residents have been complaining about inadequate policing in the township, which does not have its own police station.

Bernard Chiguvare and Pasqua Heard

News | 16 September 2015

The harm of quackery

There are at least three clear ways in which pseudoscience or bad science can harm consumers.

Jacques Rousseau

Opinion | 16 September 2015

USN sues consumer activist

R2 million. That’s how much sport supplement company Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN) wants consumer activist Harris Steinman to pay for calling its owner, Albe Geldenhuys, a “scam artist”, “liar”, “quack”, “fraud” and “snake oil salesman”.

GroundUp Staff

News | 16 September 2015

Big Issue vendor goes the extra mile

Simphiwe Mabuwa (45) goes beyond the call of duty as a Big Issue and Funny Money salesman at the intersection between Newlands Avenue and Dean Street in Newlands. Over the five years he has worked in the area, he has also taken on the role of community watchman and good friend to many passers-by.

Pasqua Heard

Feature | 16 September 2015

Media24’s failed attempt to stifle diversity

Last week the Competition Tribunal found Media24 guilty of predatory pricing after one of its Free State publications sank a competitor. Yet this is only one example of numerous cynical attempts by the country’s largest print media company to stifle media diversity in its quest for monopoly control, argue Micah Reddy and Carina Conradie.

Micah Reddy and Carina Conradie

Opinion | 16 September 2015

Dunoon family face eviction after father sells their house

Two brothers and a sister face eviction from their home by a man who bought the house from their father without the children’s knowledge.

Pharie Sefali

News | 16 September 2015

Dunoon schools: when lawyers go beyond the courtroom

The struggle to ensure access to schools for Dunoon learners illustrates the value of social justice lawyers engaging in work beyond the courtroom.

Sherylle Dass and Demichelle Petherbridge

Opinion | 15 September 2015