Arts and culture
Mannenberg duo teach more than music
In a classroom at Phoenix Secondary School in Mannenberg, GroundUp spoke to Zakie Johnson and Aziza Davids. They are skilled participants working for the Community Work Programme, a poverty relief government initiative that provides a job safety net for the unemployed. The average daily rate is R63,18.
Katy Scott
News | 10 September 2014
Things look up for township DJs
More DJs are being recruited from our local townships to showcase their talents on international stages, thanks to organisations such as Bridges for Music and Redbull. However, it seems as though Cape Town itself is not so accommodating.
Zethu Gqola
News | 8 September 2014
The Warongx of Khayelitsha
Despite the positive role Khayelitsha band Warongx and their Khayelitsha Music Academy play in the community, official and formal support for them is largely absent.
Nicholas Ashby
News | 4 September 2014
The slow rise of the female DJ
There are very few top female DJs in the official charts, but things are changing; being a DJ is no longer a boy’s club. For Women’s Month, Zethu Gqola speaks to two Cape Town trailblazers, DJs Sideshow and DJ Ruthy Pearl, on what it means to be female on the decks.
Zethu Gqola
Feature | 28 August 2014
Amakrwala
Young Xhosa men are welcomed back by the community after spending a month undergoing initiation and circumcision in the open veld in Philippi. It was on a Friday and mostly older brothers and young children cheered on the three young men at New crossroads, Nyanga. The women waited patiently at the family home, preparing food and peeling vegetables, while the elders chatted and drank African beer waiting to share words of wisdom with the new men.
Masixole Feni and Hugo Bobeheman
News | 21 August 2014
Women who beat the odds: Langa’s Nomzamo Mbete
72-year-old Nomzamo Mbete is determined to do her bit to help young township girls through dance.
Pharie Sefali
News | 21 August 2014
Amakrwala
Young Xhosa men are welcomed back by the community after spending a month undergoing initiation and circumcision in the open veld in Philippi. It was on a Friday and mostly older brothers and young children cheered on the three young men at New crossroads, Nyanga. The women waited patiently at the family home, preparing food and peeling vegetables, while the elders chatted and drank African beer waiting to share words of wisdom with the new men.
Masixole Feni and Hugo Bobeheman
News | 21 August 2014
Do big electronic dance music festivals spread the love?
From Miami’s supercharged Ultra Music festival to Rocking the Daisies, Cape Town has become home to some of the highest grossing music festivals in the country. Our music journalist, Zethu Gqola, takes a look at how, if at all, four of the biggest festivals have benefitted struggling communities in and around Cape Town.
Zethu Gqola
Opinion | 20 August 2014
I am a sex worker …
Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) has staged a photo exhibition at its head office in Observatory, Cape Town, aimed at the ignorance and prejudice that comes with being labelled a sex worker.
Simbonile Mkwambi
News | 20 August 2014