Defrauded Nyanga man refunded after GroundUp reports his story

After having half his salary deducted every month for over a year to pay for furniture which he did not buy, a Nyanga man has now been refunded.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 15 April 2015

No running water and toilets for Kayamandi hostel residents

A large grey plastic bucket stands nearby one of several doorways in a derelict hostel in Kayamandi near Stellenbosch where Mhlangabezi Jobela has lived for more than 20 years.

Barbara Maregele

News | 15 April 2015

Residents demand clarity on R60 million Langa Junction complex

Management of the R60 million Langa Junction complex has promised to make information available to angry residents who have complained about a lack of transparency in the building and leasing of the 5,000 square metre space.

Pharie Sefali and Nombulelo Damba

News | 14 April 2015

South Africa’s questionable silence about human rights violations in Swaziland

The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), campaigning groups and labour supporting members of the European parliament this month launched protests about the continued harassment and jailing of trade unionists and democracy campaigners in Swaziland. ITUC general secretary Sharan Burrow has noted that, in Swaziland, “Violations against the fundamental rights of workers have become systemic.”

Terry Bell

Opinion | 13 April 2015

How 1Life agent ripped off pensioners

Nearly six months ago Helena Davids was coerced into taking out additional life cover by an agent representing the 1Life company.

Barbara Maregele

News | 13 April 2015

Land Affairs Director General could face jail

A Land Claims Court judge could opt to jail the Director-General of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, Mdu Shabane, for contempt of court. Such a decision, however, may still be too late for Zabalaza Mshengu, who turned 101 in January, and has waited 14 years for his claim to land as a labour tenant to be processed. The case also raises uncomfortable questions about how far government will go to push judicial tolerance in order to avoid implementing constitutional rights.

Donna Hornby

Opinion | 13 April 2015

Zimbabwean family struggling to cope with rape case

Michael is a Zimbabwean asylum seeker who is struggling to put food on the table for his family. His situation became worse in 2014 when his 14-year-old girl fell pregnant after she was allegedly raped by his 43-year-old friend. She delivered a baby boy on 11 March 2015.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 10 April 2015

Big dreams for Port Elizabeth cooperative for people with disabilities

A Port Elizabeth cooperative run by people living with disabilities is looking for funds to launch a business.

Joseph Chirume

News | 10 April 2015

Cops escort EFF march

About 100 supporters of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) marched around Khayelitsha calling on backyard dwellers to occupy land belonging to private owners.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 10 April 2015

Right to protest is under sustained attack

Equal Education’s recently concluded sleep-in protests in three cities have shown how disturbingly difficult it has become to hold legal protests, even for organisations fortunate enough to have access to resources and legal expertise.

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 10 April 2015

Rhodes falls

News | 9 April 2015

Athlone’s amazing pet hospital

Walking through the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) in Bridgetown, Athlone, is like walking through a hospital for humans - bare walls, corridors, operating rooms. Except, that is, for the barking and for the smell of dogs.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 9 April 2015

Riders of the trains

Whiteboy and Tupac are chilling on a bench in New Canada station before their usual high-octane commute to school. Whiteboy, aged 18 and in grade 11 at a former model C school in Jozi, wears a striped T-shirt, shorts and brown suede shoes. He’s smoking Dunhill Courtleigh blends. His “macala” (friend) Tupac is a year younger, with short hair, neat in school rig and black toughees (school shoes) with red laces, high as a kite on weed, with sleepy red eyes. Their excited schoolgirl fans can’t wait to see the action.

Mosa Damane

Feature | 9 April 2015

Looting in Khayelitsha: EFF blamed but denies involvement

There was chaos in Khayelitsha on Wednesday with battles between police and residents occupying land, and shops being looted. Members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Khayelitsha have distanced themselves from the looting, but residents say it was led by people wearing EFF T-shirts and berets.

Text by Nombulelo Damba. Photos by Masixole Feni.

Feature | 9 April 2015

UCT and transformation: Part one

Is the University of Cape Town (UCT) transforming? What does transformation mean? In a series of articles GroundUp provides the key facts and arguments on the main points of contention facing South Africa’s oldest tertiary institution.

GroundUp Staff

Feature | 9 April 2015