Arts and culture

Treachery and the quest for truth: review of Jacob Dlamini’s Askari

Not wishing to sound derivative I was left grasping for fresh superlatives when I finished reading Askari. Earlier reviewers had already hailed this latest offering by Jacob Dlamini in terms with which I wholly agreed.

Terry Bell

News | 16 March 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

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

Fifty Shades of Grey: it makes On Golden Pond look erotic

I bring you an announcement of national, no, international import: I have watched 50 Shades so that you don’t have to. Sensitive souls and family members must stop reading this now.

Francois Venter

News | 19 February 2015

Meet the Xhosa rap duo from Langa and Lwandle

Sandisile 'Skillz' Ntleki and Silindokuhle 'Slie' Baka form rap duo Xhosa Tribe. These lyrical masterminds from Langa and Lwandle respectively have enough finesse and bars to rival iFani and maybe even cause Khuli Chana to break a sweat.

Zethu Gqola

News | 17 February 2015

Indlela uDJ osakhasayo waseKhayelitsha awavelisa ngayo eyona ngoma ithandiweyo enyakeni

Kwiinyanga ezimbalwa ezidlulileyo akukho mntu wayenokucingela ukuba uDJ osakhasayo waseKhayelitsha angavelisa enye yeengoma ezinkqenkqeza phambili zika-2014: ‘uKoze Kuse’.

NguZethu Gqola

News | 30 January 2015

How a small-time DJ from Khayelitsha produced the song of the year

A few months ago no one could have predicted that a small-time DJ from Khayelitsha would produce what would be one of the hits of 2014: ‘Koze Kuse’.

Zethu Gqola

News | 29 January 2015

Sexual trauma, a talking cat and a mid-life crisis

Nthikeng Mohlele’s latest novel, “Rusty Bell” will delight readers already won over by his previous two books “The Scent of Bliss” (2008) and “Small Things” (2013). Mohlele is a fine, literary novelist, a rarity on the South African publishing scene, who although receiving praise from significant quarters, should be enjoying much more attention.

Nthikeng Mohlele

News | 21 January 2015

South Africa gets its first chess grandmaster

Kenny Solomon from Mitchell's Plain has become the first South African to attain the coveted chess title of grandmaster.

GroundUp Staff

Brief | 7 January 2015

Township residents complain about festive season noise

Some townships residents are fed up with the noise from parties and street bashes that escalate at this time of the year.

Pharie Sefali

News | 19 December 2014

Problems and prejudice face Nigerians in Cape Town

After two months in Cape Town, Oscar (name changed), 40, has decided to go back to Nigeria. Like many of his compatriots, he is tired of the work permit problems and the way Nigerians are treated in South Africa.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 18 December 2014

Teaching Khayelitsha children to swim

Nondumiso Marman used to fear water but now she teaches Khayelitsha children how to swim.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 3 December 2014

Gugulethu showcase of talent

Gugulethu was at a standstill on the weekend when dancers and artists showed their talents at the Community Creative District launch. Houses were turned into art galleries, streets into stages, putting everyone in a jovial mood to see art in their area.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 2 December 2014

Running a vegetable shop from a wheelchair

Lulamile Witbooi lost his legs in a train accident in 1991. Today he runs the “Corner Market”, a thriving fruit and vegetable shop in Zwezwe, Khayelitsha.

Joyce Xi

News | 26 November 2014

Abuse allegations against Philippi farmer

Thirteen workers from a farm in Philippi have accused their employer of contract breaches, unfair dismissal and abuse. But farm owner Edgar Meyer denies the allegations, and says that the proper dismissal process was followed.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 24 November 2014