Hatched the day before Madiba’s release: a born-free speaks

I was born the day before Madiba's release from prison. Most of what I know about him I was told by my parents or I learnt at school. I never met him. Nevertheless, the way he shared his life made it feel as if I knew him personally.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

Opinion | 12 December 2013

If the boo fits …

In his 2004 Nelson Mandela lecture Desmond Tutu bravely suggested that an “uncritical, sycophantic, obsequious conformity” constituted a threat to democracy in South Africa. He said that “too many are foolhardy and opt for silence to become voting cattle for the party.”

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 12 December 2013

Humbug Dr Survè

Iqbal Survè, whose company Sekunjalo now owns Independent Newspapers, is not merely a profoundly disingenuous man. He has shown that he's willing to use his newly acquired media empire to support his disingenuity.

Nathan Geffen, GroundUp Editor

Opinion | 11 December 2013

Zimbabwean kids detained after being smuggled into SA

The parents and relatives of six Zimbabwean children and five adults have found themselves helpless after malaichas (their smugglers) were arrested for human trafficking.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 11 December 2013

Fears of surge in Manenberg gang violence

Some Manenberg residents are worried that gang violence has started again in their area, with two people allegedly shot and killed on Saturday.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 11 December 2013

Improvement in Khayelitsha street lights

On the evening of 2 December 2013, Groundup staff visited Lansdowne Road in Khayelitsha to assess the state of street lights in the area. We counted 29 lights that were not functional. Overall, it appears that the state of street lights has improved since our last report on the issue in August 2013.

Jonathan Dockney

News | 11 December 2013

Apartheid proponent comes to Madiba’s Memorial

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial decision not to attend Nelson Mandela’s funeral and to send Yuli Edelstein who is the current Speaker of the Knesset and a settler, is not only disgraceful, but has sent a clear message to the world that Netanyahu is a “leader” of the worst kind.

Shuaib Manjra

Opinion | 11 December 2013

Police throw victim in jail with perpetrators

Talent Chikwanha alleges he was brutalized by police officers on 29 November when they mistook him for a criminal. He was in fact the victim of an ATM robbery at Fairview, Grassy Park.

Nwabisa Pondoyi and Tariro Washinyira

News | 11 December 2013

Cape Town’s last refugee processing centre might close

Human rights organisations have opposed the possible closure of the Cape Town Refugee Reception offices on the foreshore.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 11 December 2013