Making pregnancy safe: Is South Africa on track?
Having a baby in South Africa can be dangerous. Despite a large government budget for maternal health and free maternity care in the public health system, the rate at which pregnant women die is troubling.
Kerry Gordon
News | 29 July 2013
The rights role of the labour movement
The discussion of socialism and nationalisation in this column last week has upset some trade unionists and at least one academic. They felt that the demands of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of Julius Malema were equated with those of movements of the traditional Left.
Terry Bell
Opinion | 29 July 2013
Chaotic language policy goes to rights commission
Mr. Zolile Prusente is the curriculum specialist with the regional education department in Upington. Recently, he sent a complaint to the South African Human Rights Commission regarding a problematic shift in language policy in the past year.
Selby Nomnganga
News | 26 July 2013
14-year-old can’t find school to finish Grade 2
Olwethu is a 14-year-old boy whose dreams have been shattered. Due to his upbringing, Olwethu is only doing Grade 2 now at 14 instead of the usual age of 8.
Pharie Sefali
News | 24 July 2013
Police target homeless in Somerset West
Last year GroundUp ran a story about the Helderberg Street People’s Centre (HSPC), a soup kitchen in Somerset West. They were being forced to close down. The situation “has since gotten worse” according to chairman of the centre, Ian Greer.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 24 July 2013
Sex work and disability: a crucial need seldom spoken about
On 19 July 2013, the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) hosted the Sisonke Open University Seminar on sex workers and people with disabilities. Ntokozo Yingwana, an Advocacy Officer at SWEAT, said that the seminar dealt with disability in the sex industry. She said she hoped the conference would help lift the stigma on this topic.
Jonathan Dockney
News | 24 July 2013
Initiation deaths can be stopped
As this year’s winter circumcision season comes to a close, communities across the country are mourning the decline of a respected tradition that has fallen into criminal hands.
Edirin Okoloko and Thandile Majivolo
Feature | 24 July 2013
Youth consider Mandela Day
We interviewed a small cross-section of South African society about Mandela Day. Some of the answers were surprising.
Pharie Sefali
News | 24 July 2013