Society

Problems and prejudice face Nigerians in Cape Town

After two months in Cape Town, Oscar (name changed), 40, has decided to go back to Nigeria. Like many of his compatriots, he is tired of the work permit problems and the way Nigerians are treated in South Africa.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 18 December 2014

Donors respond generously to GroundUp article on sanitary pads

In November, GroundUp published an article on learners using socks and all manner of items as sanitary pads. Donations have been streaming in to the GroundUp offices ever since. These will be distributed to schools.

GroundUp staff

Brief | 2 December 2014

Khayelitsha police, community and activists find ways to tackle crime

The police, civil society and Khayelitsha community activists are beginning to work together to give effect to the commission of inquiry into policing's recommendations. Here's an update on progress so far, and plans for next year.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 28 November 2014

Amidst acrimony, Somerset West soup kitchen to be replaced by transport hub

The Helderberg Street People’s Centre (HSPC), a soup kitchen for the poor in Somerset West, has been given notice by the City to quit its premises by 31 January 2015.

Katy Scott

News | 24 November 2014

We know how to bear hardships, says Chinese trader in Khayelitsha

Next to a small fruit stand and across the street from a hodgepodge of street vendors, Cuiyi Lin sits in front of her furniture store every day waiting for customers. She is the only non-African in the area.

Joyce Xi

Feature | 19 November 2014

Small Claims court opens its doors in Khayelitsha

The Khayelitsha Community has been urged to use the small claims court to resolve financial disputes for amounts of up to R15,000. The court was relaunched on Friday. It was established in 2010, but never functioned.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 17 November 2014

Who is behind Confessions of a Bisexual Chick?

A year ago, Ntombikayise Matyumza of Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape started a Facebook page aimed at gay and lesbian youth. Today she has more than 14,000 followers across the country.

Pharie Sefali

News | 12 November 2014

I use a sock as a sanitary pad, says Langa learner

Akhona is in grade eight. Like many of her classmates, she often misses school when she has her periods because her family cannot afford sanitary pads. When she has to write a test, she uses a sock, she says.

Pharie Sefali

News | 6 November 2014

Cape Town’s popular public swimming pools: a joy for all but not equally spread

Summer is here and people in Cape Town have begun enjoying swimming pools, either their own or one of the city's public pools. But how evenly spread are the city's pools?

Lea Bork

News | 3 November 2014

Keeping children safe in traffic

Posters have been put up in four high-risk areas of the city reminding motorists to be aware of child pedestrians in traffic.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 29 October 2014

A tribute to Gerald Kraak

Gerald Kraak (1956-2014), who was responsible for organising funding for many leading civil society organisations, died of cancer on Sunday night. Zackie Achmat pays tribute to his old friend.

Zackie Achmat

News | 21 October 2014

Dookoom: screaming about injustice

Daars a nuwe hond in die omgewing en hy raas soos ‘n baas! Kak gevaarlik and here to claim back the throne as the original Afrikaans gangsters, Dookoom have dropped a 4-track EP, A Gangster Called Big Times, and with the controversy caused by the debut single ‘Larney Jou Poes’, there are no sorry’s here.

Zethu Gqola

Opinion | 15 October 2014

Road Accident Fund goes to communities

People involved in a road accident where someone is injured or killed should come directly to the Road Accident Fund, Communications Manager for RAF Jacqui Sobantu said at a briefing in Mfuleni at the weekend.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 14 October 2014

Hangberg on a knife-edge

Four years after the riots of 2010, Hangberg is on the edge of rebellion. Protests after the arrest of resident Santonio Jonkers engulfed the neighbourhood last week and a traditional leader has warned of impending bloodshed. GroundUp finds out why the 2011 Peace Accord between the community and the authorities seems to be in tatters.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 8 October 2014

TAC workshop highlights domestic violence

Khayelitsha community members voiced their concerns on how the police deal with gender-based violence such as rape.

Joyce Xi

News | 30 September 2014

Adoption and race: we unpack the issues

Adoption of children across the the old apartheid categories is on the increase, according to the Department of Social Development. There were 936 such adoptions in the last three years. GroundUp unpacks some of the issues on what the department calls “trans-racial” adoption.

Thembela Ntongana and GroundUp staff

News | 29 September 2014