Human Rights
Langa residents and police clash over houses
People who live in shacks and backyards burnt tyres and rubbish earlier today in Langa. They alleged that other people have jumped the waiting list for units in a new block of flats, leaving them without homes.
Masixole Feni and GroundUp Staff
Brief | 1 September 2015
City must re-serve eviction notice to Khayelitsha residents
Western Cape High Court Judge Babalwa Mantame has instructed the City of Cape Town to “re-serve” the eviction order granted against Newcastle Informal Settlement residents.
Barbara Maregele
Brief | 1 September 2015
Rhodes Must Fall, UCT, Lonmin and pension funds
As it started, by targeting the legacy of one dead white male, the Rhodes Must Fall campaign claimed morality. As it progresses, by targeting the activity of two living white males, the rump of campaigners cannot claim credibility. Members of a university as distinguished as UCT might have been expected to prefer substance over sloganeering.
Allan Greenblo
Opinion | 1 September 2015
What solution to a world in crisis?
Oh, when will they ever learn? It’s the last line in every stanza of a famous Pete Seeger anti-war song. And it is wholly appropriate this week as we digest the latest GDP figures against a background of ongoing crises especially in the steel, mining and manufacturing sectors. Along with, of course, the continuing collapse of the rand.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 31 August 2015
Copyright bill will empower blind people
Just over two years after the books for the blind treaty was signed in Marrakesh, Morocco, South Africa has finally taken steps toward ratifying the treaty.
Marcus Low
Analysis | 26 August 2015
Campaigning for clean toilets and good cops: an interview with the SJC’s Axolile Notywala
The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) has been at the forefront of two campaigns in recent years: improved toilet provision and better policing in Cape Town's townships. GroundUp did an in-depth interview with the organisation's Axolile Notywala.
GroundUp Staff
News | 21 August 2015
High time to decriminalise sex work
This month, international human rights body Amnesty International voted to “pursue a policy to protect the human rights of sex workers.” Its decision has generated much media attention and debate and has been opposed by many well-intentioned people and institutions.
Marlise Richter and Ruvimbo Tenga
Opinion | 21 August 2015
Victory for democracy in rural Eastern Cape
Being able to vote for our leaders is what it means to live in a democracy. Yet the Eastern Cape government tried to block a rural Eastern Cape community from electing their leader. Yesterday the community won an important court victory. Wilmien Wicomb of the Legal Resources Centre explains.
Wilmien Wicomb
Analysis | 19 August 2015
When temporary housing isn’t temporary
“They promised us that we would stay for a short period of time. They didn’t keep their promise,” says Amelia Nono, who came to Intersite, a temporary relocation area (TRA) in Langa, nine years ago.
Ashleigh Furlong
Feature | 18 August 2015