Autistic child still has to be tied to couch

Three months ago we told the story of Patricia who raises her autistic son, Teko, in a shack in Khayelitsha. Patricia sometimes ties Teko to a couch for his own safety to prevent him wandering off. We followed up to see if life has become easier for them. [Patricia’s and Teko’s names have been changed.]

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 7 August 2013

I’m flying

News | 7 August 2013

Disability not a barrier to Talking Souls visual artists

Free tickets to watch an intriguing international collaborative production.

Pharie Sefali

Brief | 7 August 2013

What now for Zimbabweans?

89-year-old President Robert Mugabe, who has been in power since Zimbabwe gained its independence in 1980, is set to lead the country for yet another five years.

Tariro Washinyira, Mpho Mabhena and GroundUp Staff

News | 6 August 2013

Dying with dignity

Nelson Mandela may not be aware of it but he has got us talking about death; something we have never had the courage to do before. This is certainly a discussion he wanted us to have. As President of the country he appointed the South African Law Commission to write a report on end-of life issues, and it was Nelson Mandela himself who tabled this in parliament.

Sean Davison

Opinion | 6 August 2013

“The police & I”: a sex worker’s story

Richard is a 38-year-old, gay male sex worker. He was born in East London and has been based in Cape Town since 1999. He has been in “the business” (the sex work industry) for over 20 years.

Jonathan Dockney

News | 6 August 2013

Fire detectors can help to prevent shack fires

Shack fires are an unremitting scourge facing urban townships. In South Africa, between 2000 and 2010, over 230 000 people were made homeless by fires. Growing urban populations together with inadequate services, in particular electricity and water, means urban shack fires will continue to take their toll. There is an urgent need for effective solutions to address the major causes.

Fergus Turner

News | 5 August 2013

The Kurdish Question: Is a political solution possible?

A process has begun in Turkey which has the potential to find solutions to the Kurdish question.

Mansoor Jaffer

Opinion | 5 August 2013