Philippi East foreigners say xenophobic hatred fuelled attacks

While community leaders in Philippi East's Marikana informal settlement quibble over the cause of Wednesday's attacks on foreign business owners, the victims testify to long-standing xenophobic undercurrents in the community.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 26 February 2015

Residents blame local authorities for Kimberley floods

A violent rain storm that hit Kimberley on Tuesday has set flooded residents on a collision course with the local authorities.

Douglas Mthukwane

News | 26 February 2015

Meet Rabelani Madula aka Rabs Vhafuwi

With a firm belief that some of the greatest music talent in our country lies within the townships, Rabs Vhafuwi has made it his mission to tap into that market. Seemingly, whatever he touches turns to gold. GroundUp interviewed the producer on his inspirations, how he got into music and how he is changing the game.

Zethu Gqola

News | 26 February 2015

West Papua’s “Cry for help, Cry for Freedom”

On 17 February Equal Education hosted a talk by Benny Wenda of the Free West Papua Campaign at the Wits School of Education. He is in South Africa to spread awareness about the West Papuan fight against Indonesian colonialism and gross human rights abuses of the West Papuan people. He said he was also here to "learn how [South African] leaders fought against apartheid, for justice and against [racial] discrimination."

Joshua Maserow

Opinion | 25 February 2015

Residents welcome Siqalo clean-up

Siqalo residents have welcomed the City of Cape Town’s quick action to remove rubbish dumps that have spiraled out of control in recent weeks.

Daneel Knoetze

Brief | 25 February 2015

Budget 2015: What leading activist organisations want to hear from Nene

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene will present the budget speech to Parliament today. GroundUp spoke to several social movements and leading civil society organisations to find out what they would like him to address.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 25 February 2015

Child rape case - how poor families struggle for justice

A last minute intervention by community leaders from Siqalo settlement, in Mitchells Plain, has prevented an accused child rapist from being released without charge.

Daneel Knoetze

Feature | 24 February 2015

“Consumers in debt should ask for help” - Flemix Advocate

Consumers who are struggling to repay their loans should take the first step and ask for help, advocate Piet Louw SC told the court on Monday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 24 February 2015

“I loved my job,” says man dismissed by Independent Media

Bongani Peterson Fani says he only knows one thing that he does very well and that is delivering newspapers. Now that he is suddenly out of a job, he doesn't know where to begin looking for work.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

Feature | 24 February 2015

Metrorail detains customers without tickets. Is it legal?

Metrorail security guards have been holding passengers found without tickets. For example, on Steenberg station, commuters are ushered into a cage on the platform and told they will be held until they pay.

GroundUp Staff

News | 23 February 2015

Making music stars at Mzoli’s

Out of 50 performers, 15 managed to sail through the first stage of ‘Make you a star’ music auditions held at Mzolis, Gugulethu.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 23 February 2015

Dibana neqembu le-rap yesiXhosa yakwaLanga naseLwandle

Sandisile 'Skillz' Ntleki noSilindokuhle 'Slie' Baka benza iqembu le-rap ebizwa Xhosa Tribe. Lamachule engoma wakwaLanga naseLwandle ngentlonipho nabo banomhluzi womelana no-iFani, bangenza kwano Khuli Chana atsho ukubila.

Zethu Gqola

News | 23 February 2015

A R12,500 spectre, cool heads and wage talks

Although there is speculation that the spectre of the R12,500 a month minimum wage demand is stalking the gold mines, no mandates have yet been received by the unions involved. This pay demand came to prominence at Lonmin’s Marikana platinum mine in August 2012. It has now developed something of an iconic status among mine workers.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 23 February 2015

Flemix advocate: poor should be free to make bad deals

The group of consumers who are hoping to have their emolument attachment orders (EAO) declared invalid had the freedom to choose and “to make a bad deal,” Advocate Piet Louw SC told the court on Thursday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 20 February 2015

City of Cape Town: Unauthorised extensions to homes hamper housing delivery

The City of Cape Town has policies in place, not to make it more difficult for our residents to live dignified lives, but to ensure that land use and housing delivery is equitable. The undeniable fact is, there is limited land available. And there are many people coming into our city for a better life. So, we have to be as fair as we can.

Priya Reddy

Opinion | 20 February 2015

Farm workers still fighting for dignity and their rights in the Western Cape

All kinds of nice things are being said and promises are once again being made by all the political parties around the State of the Nation speech and debate in parliament, writes Henriette Abrahams. But the reality on the ground for farm workers is very different.

Henriette Abrahams

Opinion | 20 February 2015