After the SONA: questions for President Zuma

President Zuma's State of the Nation Address was thin on detail. Here are a list of questions that we suggest Members of Parliament could ask, so that people living in South Africa will be better informed.

GroundUp Staff

Analysis | 13 February 2015

A Langa team qualifies for prestigious U19 soccer tournament for first time

On the weekend, the Metropolitan U19 Cup play-offs come to an end with the round-robin stage at the Bayhill United Legacy grounds in Mitchell’s Plain. 14 teams from the Western Cape will join host club Bayhill United, reigning champions Ajax Cape Town and Morgenster United champions in the Mitchell’s Plain LFA.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 13 February 2015

Corruption busting vs defamation in Lowveld court case

A well-known Limpopo businessman is suing the editor of a small Lowveld newspaper, Kruger2Canyon, for R500 000 in a defamation case described by the Freedom of Expression Institute (FXI) as having “elements of intimidation and censorship by individuals with significant power”.

Pharie Sefali

Feature | 13 February 2015

Angy Peter trial: prosecution and defence spar over restorative justice process

The relatives of Rowan du Preez, who was kidnapped and necklaced more than two years ago, are “ready and willing” to participate in mediated talks with the four convicted of his murder, the Cape High Court heard this morning.

Barbara Maregele

News | 12 February 2015

Prejudice is one of the biggest obstacles for township wheelchair users

Left disabled by a gunshot wound in 2011, Anda Mthulu from Taiwan in Khayelitsha faces much hardship in his township, through both physical and social obstacles.

Text by Kevin Elliott. Photos by Masixole Feni.

Feature | 12 February 2015

What immigrants would like President Zuma to say

GroundUp asked four immigrants to South Africa what they would like President Jacob Zuma to say in his State of the Nation Address tonight.

Zintle Swana. Photos by Masixole Feni.

News | 12 February 2015

“We don’t feel safe walking the streets” - Khayelitsha resident to President Zuma

Four Khayelitsha residents shared their views with us on what they would like President Jacob Zuma to talk about in the State of the Nation Address tonight.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 12 February 2015

Why mining industry leaders should drive to Woodstock this week

The annual Investing in African Mining Indaba is once again under way at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. It is a rather depressed affair this year, with an unresolved regulatory regime, looming labour disputes and an energy crisis that makes investing in South Africa look a lot less interesting than in other countries in Africa.

Melissa Fourie

Opinion | 12 February 2015

Convicted activists vow to challenge gatherings law

A Cape Town magistrate has convicted ten activists from the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) for convening an illegal gathering. Although they were discharged with a caution, the group has vowed to appeal the conviction, and to have the Regulations of Gatherings Act declared unconstitutional by a higher court.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 11 February 2015

Call for deregistration of Jewish students receives uncompromising response from vice-chancellor

In a strongly worded response to a memorandum received from the Student Representative Council (SRC) and the Progressive Youth Alliance at the Durban University of Technology, vice-chancellor Ahmed Bawa has written that it is "outrageous, preposterous and a deep violation of our National Constitution and every human rights principle" for these organisations to have demanded the deregistration of Jewish students.

GroundUp Staff

Brief | 11 February 2015

Blue Downs stadium brings schools together

On Monday 9 February, five schools took part in an athletics competition at the Blue Downs stadium. Here is a selection of photos.

Photos by Masixole Feni

News | 11 February 2015

SONA Teletubby nightmares

'Twas the night before the SONA, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse ...

Stacey Stent

News | 11 February 2015

Flamingo Crescent upgrade shows what can be done

The first few months of Margaret Papier’s stay in Flamingo Crescent, a shanty town in Lansdowne, were so rough that she considered moving back to her former home underneath Lansdowne Bridge. Now, after three years of upgrading, she and her partner have a modest yet comfortable and electrified home, with access to clean drinking water and a flush toilet outside their front door.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 11 February 2015

Curro schools and segregation: back to the future

Today, Equal Education is protesting outside the Public Investment Corporation because it is an investor in the Curro private school chain. DORON ISAACS, Equal Education's Deputy General Secretary, explains his organisation's concerns with Curro.

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 10 February 2015