Society

A man who is not a man

It is not every day that a book like A man who is not a man comes along. Thando Mgqolozana's debut novel is a courageous book. It is a sensitive but merciless interrogation of the Xhosa custom of male circumcision today. What happens to the boys--emotionally, spiritually and socially--when things go wrong, the fault of which is not of their own making?

Thando Mgqolozana

News | 12 November 2013

Planet Savage: an extract from Tuelo Gabonewe’s book

Tuelo Gabonewe's is an exciting, new young voice in South African literature. His first novel, Planet Savage, is narrated by Leungo, a nine-year old with an unusual, often sacrosanct, outlook on life.

Tuelo Gabonewe

News | 4 November 2013

Amber lives her dream behind the scenes of the Phantom

Not every parent would be pleased to hear their child is determined to make a life in the theatre. But Amber Mgushelwa’s family has been supportive of her career choice. Her father reassured her all the way; her mother had some concerns.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 30 October 2013

School was key to Mandla Khusela escaping poverty

Mandla Khusela was born in Guguletu and grew up in Langa.

Pharie Sefali

News | 29 October 2013

Copyright, credit, Woolworths and the hummingbird

A Twitter storm erupted on 18 October after South African artist Euodia Roets published a blog post titled ‘How Woolworths Really Operates!’. Roets believes her design of a hummingbird on a cushion was used by Woolworths without the company acknowledging it as her work.

Delphine Pedeboy and GroundUp Editor

News | 21 October 2013

Khayelitsha turns 30

Khayelitsha is officially turning 30. Plans to build Khayelitsha were announced by the notorious Minister of Co-operation and Development, Dr Piet Koornhof, in 1983. By 1985, the suburb Site C had 30,000 people. *

Pharie Sefali and GroundUp staff

News | 16 October 2013

UWC students celebrate gay rights

On Monday student organisations at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) launched an awareness week called "From the same soil."

Pharie Sefali

News | 16 October 2013

Empowerment through art

Hand in Hand Creatives (HHC) is a not-for-profit organisation (NPO) that aims to provide young people from disadvantaged communities with access to the creative arts through workshops, running outings, and planning festivals. The organisation believes that the arts can empower individuals and nurture self-respect.

Fergus Turner

News | 16 October 2013

Growing food in Cape Town’s homes

Local organisation SEED has pledged to make 100 homes in Cape Town more sustainable this year by encouraging residents to grow their own food and eventually achieve ‘food freedom’.

Delphine Pedeboy

News | 16 October 2013