What are the financial implications of insourcing at UCT?

On 28 October, University of Cape Town management signed an agreement with NEHAWU (the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union) which commits the university to employ catering, transport, cleaning, security, and maintenance workers who work at UCT but are employed by outside companies. This promise of “insourcing” came in response to longstanding worker demands, and a period of intense protest in which outsourced workers were joined by many students and some UCT staff.

Ben Stanwix

Analysis | 26 November 2015

Survey shows how unsafe Khayelitsha residents feel

Most of the Harare, Khayelitsha, residents who participated in a survey campaign launched by Rape Crisis this week as part of 16 Days of Activism believe that robbery and housebreaking are the main problems in the area.

Barbara Maregele

News | 26 November 2015

Socialism: myths, prejudices and reality

The global economic crisis continues and makes for a widespread and desperate need among the lowly paid, the poor and the hungry for something better to look forward to.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 26 November 2015

Gigaba releases stats on Zimbabwean Special Permit

At a press briefing at Parliament today, Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba released statistics on the Zimbabwe Special Dispensation Permit (ZSP).

Tariro Washinyira

Brief | 25 November 2015

Zimbabwean consular official pelted with plastic bottles

Supporters of the main Zimbabwean opposition party threw plastic bottles at a Zimbabwean consular official today after marching on the consulate to hand over a memorandum.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 25 November 2015

How to get a Lesotho Special Permit

The Department of Home Affairs has introduced a Lesotho Special Permit. This will allow people from Lesotho currently staying in South Africa but who are undocumented or have incorrect or expired documents, to stay lawfully in the country.

Tariro Washinyira

Brief | 25 November 2015

Textbooks matter: the state goes to court AGAIN

SECTION27 has been engaging with the Department of Basic Education (DBE) about the ongoing textbooks crisis in Limpopo since early 2012. There have been four high court orders saying that the state’s failure to give learners their full complement of textbooks is a violation of their right to education. Tuesday was the fifth time this matter has been in court.

Kate Paterson

Opinion | 25 November 2015

Khayelitsha residents protest after Metrorail cuts electricity connections

Angry residents of Khayelitsha Site C blocked railway tracks and roads, and burned tyres today after their electricity connections were cut by a Metrorail team.

Siyavuya Khaya

News | 25 November 2015

Residents in Khayelitsha take on Big Five

Tensions are high in Isiqalo informal settlement after violent clashes between residents and former community leaders who have refused to step down.

Siyavuya Khaya

News | 25 November 2015

National minimum wage part two: What will happen to jobs?

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting a social dialogue between business, labour and other constituencies over setting a national minimum wage (NMW). This is the second of a three part series by two University of Cape Town professors. Part one looked at South African minimum wage-setting in comparative context. Here they discuss the relationship between minimum wages and employment.

Nicoli Nattrass and Jeremy Seekings

Analysis | 25 November 2015

Home Affairs detentions challenged in Concourt

On Thursday, the Constitutional Court will hear the matter between Minister of Home Affairs v Rahim and Others, concerning the detention of foreign nationals in places that are not designed as immigration detention facilities, such as police holding cells. The Legal Resource Centre (LRC) will appear on behalf of People against Suffering and Oppression (PASSOP).

Tariro Washinyira

News | 25 November 2015

Mitchells Plain marches against violence

About 150 people from Mitchells Plain, supported by many organisations, marched against gender-based violence to start the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign.

Ashraf Hendricks

News | 25 November 2015

Audit finds serious problems at Wolwerivier. But will City listen?

Overcrowding, high unemployment rates and fire safety are just some of the concerns raised by a social audit of Wolwerivier, a low-cost housing project north of Cape Town.

Barbara Maregele

News | 24 November 2015

The rabbi, the president and the Palestinians

On 23 November, Geoff Sifrin's book Chief Rabbi Cyril Harris – How humanity, morality and humour helped lead a community was launched at the Great Synagogue in Johannesburg. Judge Edwin Cameron delivered this speech. He addressed Harris's commitment to reaching out across the divides in the South African Jewish community as well as perhaps the most vexing question facing many Jews: the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Edwin Cameron

Opinion | 24 November 2015

National minimum wage part one: Comparing South Africa to other countries

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is hosting a social dialogue between business, labour and other constituencies over setting a national minimum wage (NMW). Minimum wages currently vary from sector to sector. A NMW would set a national wage floor applying to all workers irrespective of existing collective agreements and sectoral wage determinations. What level should the NMW be? This is the first of a three part series by two University of Cape Town professors.

Nicoli Nattrass and Jeremy Seekings

Analysis | 24 November 2015

We will close the N2, threaten fed-up residents

More than 1,000 residents of KwaMsane in Mtubatuba, KZN, took to the street last week to demand services. After years of fruitless complaints and meetings, the protesters plan to close the N2 on Thursday.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 23 November 2015