GroundUp: South African news that matters

Foot-and-mouth disease hits Limpopo

Three recent outbreaks pose a threat to small-scale farmers’ livelihoods

Brief | 18 December 2025

Thousands of families live on railway reserves without water, electricity or rubbish collection

People have occupied the railway line between Langa and Bonteheuwel train stations since 2019 and at old Philippi depot since 2020

By Sandiso Phaliso

News | 18 December 2025

Municipality silent on why it can’t provide electricity

“We no longer care about bricks because we know they will take forever,” says Komani woman who has lived in shacks for 24 years

By Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

Brief | 18 December 2025

After years of sewage flooding their land, Joburg residents start rates revolt

Collapsing sewer line in Carlswald Valley has soaked properties with sewage for 20 years

By Sean Christie

News | 17 December 2025

How an arms company tried to block your right to know - and failed

Integrated Convoy Protection misled the court

By Ntokozo Dladla for Open Secrets

Opinion | 17 December 2025

Pensioners build their own community hall

Households donate a minimum of R100 to the project

By Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

Brief | 17 December 2025

Free State residents without water while municipal officials bicker

Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality will close down its failing water supply entity

By Tladi Moloi and Sean Christie

News | 16 December 2025

Solution to Dunoon’s railway occupation foiled

People living on Transnet land were meant to be relocated in 2013. But the plan stalled when more people moved onto the railway tracks.

By Peter Luhanga

News | 16 December 2025

City of Cape Town is a step closer to operating train services

Council approves business plan but devolution of rail will depend on funding from the Treasury

By Liezl Human

Brief | 16 December 2025

Former Lottery chair challenges Ramaphosa’s investigation

Alfred Nevhutanda, who used Lottery money meant for good causes to buy houses for himself, argues that the Lottery does not deal with public money

By Tania Broughton

Law | 15 December 2025

Thriving township karate dojos have struggle roots

“Karate is not only about kicking and punching but also building the character of the individual”

By David Harrison

Photo Essay | 15 December 2025

Literacy crisis: why Makhanda matters

Two interventions show what can and what can’t be done

By Jane Viedge

Feature | 15 December 2025

SAPS is drowning in unsolved dockets

There were 1.9-million unsolved cases by the end of the 2024 financial year

Chart by The Outlier. Text by GroundUp Staff.

News | 12 December 2025

City of Cape Town hits back against extortion

SANCO accused of threats and intimidation at MyCiTI bus depot; denies any link to extortion

By David Capel

Feature | 12 December 2025

“A soap opera with bodyslams”: meet Cape Town’s pro wrestlers

Unique characters take to the ring in an epic display of physicality

Text by Ishmael Mabena. Photos by Ashraf Hendricks.

Photo Essay | 12 December 2025

In photos: Homes destroyed in KZN storm

“I saw the corrugated iron roof blowing off”

By Bongane Motaung

Photo Essay | 11 December 2025