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

When will the trains run on time?

City Press reported on Sunday the names of some people involved in a R51 billion PRASA tender for new train coaches. These included businessmen with close ties to the ANC, such as Thalente Myeni, son of Dudu Myeni who is the chairperson of SAA, as well as Pearl Zuma, a distant cousin of the president.

Text by GroundUp Staff. Photos by Masixole Feni.

News | 19 May 2015

Living in a bathroom for 20 years

Nomusa Mthembu, 57, has been living in a bathroom in Thornville, Pietermaritzburg, for more than two decades.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 19 May 2015

Mfuleni vegetable garden gives people dignity

It's all smiles and happiness as five men and women go about their work at the Bambanani Food Garden. Project manager Theresa Falatsa explains that it is passion that drives them.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 19 May 2015

Awful stench overwhelms neighbourhood

The smell from blocked drains and stagnant water in Philippi Temporary Relocation Area is so bad, that some residents hardly leave their houses.

Nombulelo Damba

Feature | 18 May 2015

“This is what Pride should be!” - Gays and lesbians march through Khayelitsha

Several hundred people participated in the Khumbulani LGBTI Pride march in Khayelitsha on Saturday.

Pharie Sefali

Brief | 18 May 2015

Gay sangomas demand recognition

It’s hard being gay and a sangoma, traditional healer Michael Khumalo told a workshop organised as part of the Khumbulani Pride events in Cape Town last Thursday.

Pharie Sefali

News | 18 May 2015

Athlone residents oppose informal settlement upgrade

Some residents of the predominantly coloured lower-middle class suburb of Belgravia Estate in Athlone are opposed to an upgrade of the neighbouring predominantly black informal settlement of Vygieskraal.

Barbara Maregele

News | 18 May 2015

City calls for homeless shelters to apply for aid

As the number of homeless people seeking assistance is expected to increase during winter, the City of Cape Town has invited non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and shelters to apply for aid.

Barbara Maregele

Brief | 18 May 2015

Operation Fiela: Sweeping Dignity Aside

Just under a month ago today, South Africa was shocked by the images on the cover of the Sunday Times on 19 April 2015. The images depicted Emmanuel Sithole, a Mozambican man and breadwinner for his family, lying on his back amongst rubbish as he pleaded with three men bearing knives standing above him, moments before they fatally stabbed him in cold blood.

Lara Wallis

Opinion | 18 May 2015

Extraordinary wage inequality among those paid with public money

South Africa is desperately short of nurses and many highly skilled practitioners are now over the age of 50 and nearing retirement. Yet there are estimated to be more than 30,000 South African nurses working abroad, everywhere from Dubai to Dublin.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 18 May 2015

Zambian High Court rejects state’s appeal against activist

The Lusaka High Court formally dismissed the charges against Zambian human rights activist Paul Kasonkomona on Friday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 15 May 2015

Gays and lesbians will march in Khayelitsha

This week the third Khumbulani LGBTI Pride is taking place in Khayelitsha and Cape Town city centre. The main event, a march, will be held on Saturday in Khayelitsha. It starts at 9:30am from OR Tambo Hall.

Pharie Sefali

News | 14 May 2015

“What is your business in Council?” - My experience trying to participate in the City of Cape Town’s budget

Every year the mayor calls for residents to participate in the budget process by making submissions on Cape Town's draft budget. Last year fewer than forty people wrote submissions and only 23 were from the public. This has been the trend for the last couple of years.

Axolile Notywala

Opinion | 14 May 2015

UCT and transformation part five: fees and finances

Studying at UCT is expensive and many students struggle to pay the fees, though both the university and the state do try to support students. In the fifth and final part of our series on UCT and transformation we look at fees and finances.

GroundUp Staff

Feature | 14 May 2015

Bus on the way for Masiphumelele students

Masiphumelele High School students who have been walking and hitchhiking 15 kilometres to get to school will soon have their own transport.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 14 May 2015