Millions of South Africans at the end of apartheid dreamed of living in a house one day. This was the hope offered by the Reconstruction and Development Programme. Eighteen years later there has been progress. The Department of Housing says that over 3 million houses have been built sheltering over 13 million people. But there is a terribly long way to go.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
Feature | 21 November 2012
There are two Commissions of Inquiry underway in South Africa (SA) that involve the SA Police Service (SAPS), the Police Minister and Police Commissioner, that we should be interrogating, examining, monitoring, overseeing and following with equal vigour.
Fatima Hassan
Opinion | 14 November 2012
Its fine wines are known around the world and the City Sightseeing bus takes regular journeys through its beautiful grounds beneath Table Mountain. But the community who live and work at Groot Constantia estate say that the charitable trust that owns the farm pays female vineyard workers less than their male counterparts. They also accuse management of reducing their benefits.
Tessa Gooding
News | 14 November 2012
On 22 August, in response to a call made in November 2011 from several social justice organisations, Premier Helen Zille established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged police inefficiency and a breakdown in relations between police and communities in Khayelitsha. The commission is being chaired by former Constitutional Court judge, Kate O'Regan and Advocate Vusi Pikoli.
Tessa Gooding
News | 7 November 2012
Our lead story today is that local business organisations are mobilising against Somali shops in Khayelitsha.
GroundUp Editor
News | 7 November 2012
Over a hundred community members marched to Lingelethu Police Station in Khayelitsha on Friday demanding a greater police presence in high-crime areas in the township.
Nokubonga Yawa
News | 5 November 2012
Baphumelele Children's Home is a home for children who are orphaned, abandoned, abused or neglected. It is located in Khayelitsha's Site B, Z section.
Nokubonga Yawa
News | 17 October 2012
A soup kitchen serving poor people in Somerset West struggles to stay open following pressure for it to relocate from the ward councillor and a business woman.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 17 October 2012
The Constitutional Court is proving that there is life after Chaskalson, Langa, O’Regan and Ngcobo. Many feared that new Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng would usher in an era of slavish Executive-mindedness – and that may still come true – but recent judgments of the Court are quite the opposite.
Doron Isaacs
Opinion | 10 October 2012
Sbu Jakavula is 14 years old. He lives in Du Noon township. He does not go to school. Instead he sells furniture from an informal stand.
Nokubonga Yawa
News | 3 October 2012
In a little over a month Equal Education (EE) head to the Bhisho High Court, to continue their fight for minimum norms and standards, and they are pulling out all the stops.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 3 October 2012
“I have seen no one fixing any toilet. They are blocked right now as we speak.” These are the words of 29-year-old Zoliswa Mampofu, a Khayelitsha resident and mother of two.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 2 October 2012
South Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. The Constitution states that everyone has the right to basic healthcare, education and shelter, but upon reading further, there are limitations placed on these rights such as the state acting "within its available resources".
Zamandaba Sibiya
Opinion | 12 September 2012
Dudley Lee contracted TB while he was an awaiting trial prisoner. Now he's suing the state.
Mary-Jane Matsolo and GroundUp Staff
News | 29 August 2012
At least 40 immigrants trading since 2010 at the Soko African Market, next to Green Market Square, face imminent eviction. Their attempts to negotiate for more notice time before eviction from the Kings Hotel, which owns the property, have failed.
Tariro Washinyira
News | 29 August 2012
Several protests in Cape Town's informal settlements have turned violent in recent weeks. Residents, activist groups and the city's political parties are blaming each other for the violence and lack of service delivery.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 8 August 2012