Progress in public sector wage negotiations, but key issues remain unresolved

My column last week, comparing the pay and conditions of nurses and teachers to those of cabinet ministers, seems to have touched a raw nerve. And mainly among both national and local government employees that I failed to mention.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 25 May 2015

Lukewarm response to new toilets in Khayelitsha

Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane announced in Khayelitsha on Friday the launch of pilot projects of new mobile toilets. But residents’ reactions were somewhat sceptical.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 25 May 2015

Conflict in Stellenbosch mars housing development

Stellenbosch shack fire survivors have expressed anxiety about the involvement of the ANC dominated Kayamandi Development Forum (KDF) in their new government housing development project.

Mandla Mnyakama and GroundUp Staff

News | 25 May 2015

Help Idrissa Kargbo run the Cape Town marathon

Until 2013 Sierra Leone was mostly known as a country of civil war and child soldiers. Although the war had ended a decade before, the country was still far from back on its feet. When Ebola struck in 2014 Sierra Leone was once again thrust grudgingly into the spotlight.

Tom Boyles

News | 25 May 2015

From Masiphumelele to the Waterfront

Ndileka Biyo, owner of Rockasa Design in Masiphumelele, has set her sights on a place in the affluent Waterfront.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 25 May 2015

Province to NUM: prove your allegations

The Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works has asked the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to present proof of their allegation that Good Hope Construction (GHC) has been hiring gangsters to do their security.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 22 May 2015

When the state neglects property rights

Fridges, stoves, furniture, televisions and microwaves are just some of the goods that residents claim are taken or damaged during evictions. Shack building materials are taken too. But what exactly happens to these goods once they are taken away? And what does the law say?

Mary-Anne Gontsana

Feature | 22 May 2015

Textbook shortage causes Cape Town school’s exams to be postponed

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and Maitland High School have agreed to postpone second term exams following complaints of shortages of text books at the school.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 22 May 2015

Why mining communities will take government to court

Mining companies and the government are ignoring the interests of the communities that should be benefiting from mining, writes the author. Now civil society organisations intend to take legal action.

Christopher Rutledge

Opinion | 21 May 2015

N2 golfer joins club

Vuyo Sontsonga used to play golf between two roads, the N2 and Borcherds Quarry, nearly everyday. But now his dream of golf club membership has been realised.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 21 May 2015

Tensions escalate in school builders strike

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members encountered closed doors and security guards with dogs when they marched to the offices of Good Hope Construction (GHC) in Parow yesterday. The strikers are facing disciplinary action from GHC for alleged gross misconduct.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 21 May 2015

Cape Flats residents demand better policing

Cape Flats Concerned Residents (CFCR) protested in front of parliament yesterday morning and handed over a memorandum to the provincial and national government demanding better policing on the Cape Flats.

Armand Hough

Brief | 20 May 2015

“I burnt my client’s scalp” and other load shedding horror stories

Business owners in Langa township are fed up with load shedding. And residents complain that the rolling blackouts makes their neighbourhoods unsafe.

Pharie Sefali

News | 20 May 2015

“After we treat them, they say you kwere kwere”

Burundian nurse Elvira Modesero was a victim of the xenophobic violence that took place in Kwazulu-Natal in April. She told her story to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This is an edited and shortened transcript of her interview.

Elvira Modesero, as told to Doctors Without Borders

News | 20 May 2015

Worker killed as NUM strike enters fifth week

About 174 construction workers involved in building schools in the Western Cape have been on an unprotected strike for nearly five weeks. One person died when violence broke out between the strikers, who are members of the National Union of Mineworkers, and security guards.

Nombulelo Damba

Feature | 19 May 2015