Sibongile - help for children with disabilities

Nomasango Xabanisa knows only too well how time-consuming it is to look after a disabled child. Her own daughter, Sibongile, had cerebral palsy.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 3 March 2015

Life remains intolerably hard for most South Africans

Wednesday was Budget day in South Africa, an annual event for the state. But for most citizens, budget day is every day or, if they a slightly luckier, a weekly or monthly calculation to try to remain at least afloat economically. So what happened last week, along with the plaudits and the protests reflected in the media, will not cause any excitement for more than half the population.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 3 March 2015

Manenberg school highlights public versus private education debate

An independent school in Manenberg, one of Cape Town's most gang-ridden communities, had better matric results last year than any state school in the area has ever achieved. But educationalists are divided as to whether it is a model that should be scaled up.

Barbara Maregele

Feature | 2 March 2015

City does not care if it is wrong as long as no one else knows it

When the Madlingozi family in Mfuleni extended their shack without authorisation, the City of Cape Town removed the extensions, amidst a dispute over the facts. Jared Sacks argues that the City presented its position without checking the facts.

Jared Sacks

Opinion | 2 March 2015

Gay and lesbian activists call for “racist” Cape Town Pride to be more inclusive

For 25-year-old, Aphiwe Mikana from Gugulethu, raising awareness about what it means to be lesbian is more than brightly coloured floats or a day of dancing through city streets.

Barbara Maregele

News | 2 March 2015

Response by Free State government to whistleblowers

On Friday 27 February GroundUp published a whistleblowers' account of the state of the Free State health system. Before publishing GroundUp sent a list of questions to the Free State Department of Health and the office of Premier Ace Magashule. Here is a response written by Mondli Mvambi of the health department and Makalo Mohale of the premier's office.

Mondli Mvambi and Makalo Mohale for the Free State government

Opinion | 28 February 2015

Help us help you, Minister Nene

For 21 years, the Minister of Finance has tabled budgets announcing that large amounts of money will go to social services that are meant to improve the lives of the poor. But, even the staunchest government supporter would agree that the country has not derived full benefit from this money. Year after year the Auditor General, Public Protector and others report on inefficiency, poor accounting and corruption in all categories of public spending.

Albert van Zyl

Analysis | 27 February 2015

Philippi East foreigners say xenophobic hatred fuelled attacks

While community leaders in Philippi East's Marikana informal settlement quibble over the cause of Wednesday's attacks on foreign business owners, the victims testify to long-standing xenophobic undercurrents in the community.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 26 February 2015

Residents blame local authorities for Kimberley floods

A violent rain storm that hit Kimberley on Tuesday has set flooded residents on a collision course with the local authorities.

Douglas Mthukwane

News | 26 February 2015

Meet Rabelani Madula aka Rabs Vhafuwi

With a firm belief that some of the greatest music talent in our country lies within the townships, Rabs Vhafuwi has made it his mission to tap into that market. Seemingly, whatever he touches turns to gold. GroundUp interviewed the producer on his inspirations, how he got into music and how he is changing the game.

Zethu Gqola

News | 26 February 2015

West Papua’s “Cry for help, Cry for Freedom”

On 17 February Equal Education hosted a talk by Benny Wenda of the Free West Papua Campaign at the Wits School of Education. He is in South Africa to spread awareness about the West Papuan fight against Indonesian colonialism and gross human rights abuses of the West Papuan people. He said he was also here to "learn how [South African] leaders fought against apartheid, for justice and against [racial] discrimination."

Joshua Maserow

Opinion | 25 February 2015

Residents welcome Siqalo clean-up

Siqalo residents have welcomed the City of Cape Town’s quick action to remove rubbish dumps that have spiraled out of control in recent weeks.

Daneel Knoetze

Brief | 25 February 2015

Budget 2015: What leading activist organisations want to hear from Nene

Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene will present the budget speech to Parliament today. GroundUp spoke to several social movements and leading civil society organisations to find out what they would like him to address.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 25 February 2015

Child rape case - how poor families struggle for justice

A last minute intervention by community leaders from Siqalo settlement, in Mitchells Plain, has prevented an accused child rapist from being released without charge.

Daneel Knoetze

Feature | 24 February 2015

“Consumers in debt should ask for help” - Flemix Advocate

Consumers who are struggling to repay their loans should take the first step and ask for help, advocate Piet Louw SC told the court on Monday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 24 February 2015