Human Rights
From Flavier to Flavina: a refugee’s story of courage and survival
When Flavina walks the streets of Delft, with her long earrings, nose piercing and colourful clothes, people turn around to stare. Tall, elegant and feminine, Flavina used to be Flavier. Born as a male in Burundi 33 years ago, she came to South Africa to live openly as a woman.
Juliette Garms
News | 22 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
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
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
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
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 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