Another winter after 22 years waiting for a house

“I doubt that I will get my house while I am still alive”, says wheelchair-bound Mbuyiselo Vena who has been on a waiting list for a house since 1992. But the City of Cape Town says Vena no longer wants his house built via the Iqhayiyalethu project, and that he needs to join a different housing project.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 19 June 2014

Angy Peter application to have case thrown out unsuccessful

Advocate William King for the defence applied under Section 174 of the Criminal Justice Act to have the case against Angie Peter quashed. The section allows for a case to be discharged if after the prosecution has outlined its case, there is a lack of evidence. But on 18 June the application was dismissed.

Adam Armstrong

News | 19 June 2014

MyCiTi bus soon for Khayelitsha - Mitchell’s Plain

After a six-month delay, the first MyCiTi buses serving Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain are scheduled to set out for the Cape Town Civic Centre at 5:30am on July 5. This will launch stage one of the N2 Express Line.

Joy Shan

News | 19 June 2014

Mining town residents voice health concerns

Polluted water, shattered windows and cracked walls were among the concerns voiced by Middelburg residents during a workshop hosted by the Centre for Environmental Rights on 18 June.

Barbara Maregele

News | 19 June 2014

Khayelitsha Film Festival a “great basis to grow from”

The second day of the first Khayelitsha film festival at the Khayelitsha’s Hubspace, fragrant with freshly popped corn, was attended by members of MOSAIC, Equal Education, Treatment Action Campaign, and Social Justice Coalition.

Katy Osborn

News | 18 June 2014

The environmental legacy of mining on the Mpumalanga Highveld

The pungent smell of burning coal as one flies over mining plants and power stations in close proximity to each other on the Mpumalanga Highveld area is testimony to the dangerous effects these industries have had on the people who live in nearby communities.

Barbara Maregele

News | 18 June 2014

Zimbabwean man sues SAPS

A 39-year-old Zimbabwean man, Samson Chifamba, is suing the South African Police Service (SAPS) for R300,000 in damages after an assault at his house at Asanda Village in Strand in January.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 18 June 2014

Protests at State of the Nation address

Over 50 protesters huddled behind barricades outside parliament on 17 June before President Jacob Zuma arrived to deliver the State of the Nation address that opened South Africa’s fifth parliament.

Lara Sokoloff

News | 18 June 2014

My brother was my best friend, says sister of slain Ceres man

Though it had taken her years to accept that he was gay, her brother had become her best friend, the sister of murdered Ceres 21-year-old David Olyn said last week.

Pharie Sefali

News | 18 June 2014

How we’re fixing the health worker shortage in rural hospitals

Umthombo Youth Development Foundation (UYDF) is a non-profit organisation with a simple mission: address the shortage of qualified healthcare staff in rural hospitals. Why? To improve healthcare delivery to these underserved communities.

Jen Strydom

Opinion | 18 June 2014

The environmental legacy of mining on the Mpumalanga Highveld

The pungent smell of burning coal as one flies over mining plants and power stations in close proximity to each other on the Mpumalanga Highveld area is testimony to the dangerous effects these industries have had on the people who live in nearby communities.

Barbara Maregele

News | 18 June 2014

Pastor accused of rape granted bail

The Khayelitsha pastor accused of rape has been granted bail at the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 17 June 2014

Plan to extend unemployment payouts

More than 8.5 million people are receiving payments from the Unemployment Insurance Fund. If a bill before parliament’s labour committee is passed, benefits could be extended to a year.

GroundUp Staff

News | 17 June 2014

Minister Ramathlodi: more of the same, or the same, just more?

In the mining villages of Ga-Pila where Anglo Platinum continues to profit from land grabbed from the traditional communities just west of Mokopane, the appointment of the new Minister of Mineral Resources, Advocate Ngoako Ramathlodi, has been met with a sense of betrayal.

Christopher Rutledge

Opinion | 16 June 2014

Bail for pastor accused of rape to be decided tomorrow

Themba Mathibela will learn tomorrow if he has been granted bail. The Khayelitsha pastor is charged with rape.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 16 June 2014

Youth Day: Struggle for equal education continues

Nearly 40 years ago on 16 June 1976, there was a youth uprising in Soweto. This was evoked by the learners at the time who did not want to be taught in Afrikaans. Their struggle was against an inferior education system that was setting them up for failure.

Sizwe Zubenathi Mapapu

Opinion | 16 June 2014