Society

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

We’re all scared, say Blikkiesdorp residents

Blikkiesdorp residents are calling for better policing after a spike in crime in the area. Seven families have already been moved to Wolwerivier at their request by the City of Cape Town.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 September 2015

Free pet sterilisation campaign in Khayelitsha

In the canine sterilisation ward of the South African Mass Sterilisation Trust (SA.MAST) in Khayelitsha, several dogs lie in cages, unconscious, with their tongues out. Others are brought in on stretchers, after being successfully sterilised.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 17 September 2015

Big Issue vendor goes the extra mile

Simphiwe Mabuwa (45) goes beyond the call of duty as a Big Issue and Funny Money salesman at the intersection between Newlands Avenue and Dean Street in Newlands. Over the five years he has worked in the area, he has also taken on the role of community watchman and good friend to many passers-by.

Pasqua Heard

Feature | 16 September 2015

Open Streets comes to Bellville

The Open Streets concept, which originated in Colombia, is coming to Bellville. Open Streets Co-founder and Director Marcela Guerrero Casas explains why her organisation has chosen Bellville.

Marcela Guerrero Casas

News | 11 September 2015

Cape Town’s informal recycling squad

Robert Thompson has been collecting material for recycling in Cape Town since 1999. On an average day he makes R100, selling the cardboard and paper he collects to Harrington Buy Back Centre (HBBC) in the city centre.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 7 September 2015

GroundUp opens in Eastern Cape

We are pleased to announce that GroundUp has opened an Eastern Cape office in East London. This is our first office outside Cape Town.

GroundUp Staff

News | 3 September 2015

Hip hop brings peace to the street

Andile Thetha turned his love for hip hop into a way to spread peace in a community plagued by crime, unemployment and drugs.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 24 August 2015

Dismissed trucking company employee fights back

Johannes Chakuvinga lodged complaints of assault and unfair dismissal against Stikland company GSP Trucking in May with the industry bargaining council. Under the impression the company was closing, Chakuvinga was persuaded in July to settle for R5,750. But the company has not closed, and he wants to re-open his complaint.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 August 2015

New township hotspot for gays and lesbians

Gays and lesbians in the townships donโ€™t have to travel to town and other suburbs for entertainment. The vibe and the chillaz are brought to them in a full bucket by Bambeke NgeNtanjana Entertainment in their own Kasi (township).

Pharie Sefali

News | 20 August 2015

Living permanently disabled after violent rape

A 43-year-old woman who was raped, and stabbed three times in her spine has been left disabled, paralyzed in her right arm and left leg, and unable to speak.

Pharie Sefali

News | 17 August 2015

Shortage of local heroes: temporary care volunteers needed

Over the past month, the Western Cape Department of Social Development [DSD] in Athlone has been searching for temporary care volunteers to be trained to house and care for vulnerable children who have either been removed from their homes by a social worker. This can happen for various reasons such as behavioural problems, becoming orphaned or parental neglect and abandonment.

Barbara Maregele

News | 17 August 2015

Trending hairstyles in the township

From the German cut to the razor cut and from dreadlocks to braids, men and women in Cape Townโ€™s townships have plenty of imagination when it comes to trending hairstyles.

Photos by Masixole FeniText by Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 14 August 2015

Community steps in to help family with epilepsy

Residents in Khayelitsha came out in their numbers at the weekend to celebrate the donation of a wheelchair and food parcel to a father and daughter who have epilepsy.

Pharie Sefali

News | 12 August 2015

Early childhood development: the children can’t wait

Scientists, economists, policy makers and child-rights advocates agree: there is growing scientific evidence that investment in early childhood development is the most cost-effective route to the sustainable development of children and their communities.

Patricia Martin

Opinion | 7 August 2015

Perhaps it’s time you cleaned your tackies?

Because two brothers hated getting their sneakers dirty and could not bear wearing dirty shoes, they came up with the unique idea of opening a tackie laundry.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 27 July 2015