News

What scares Khayelitsha’s budding cycling team?

Snethemba Vaphi (22) can't hide his excitement about being a cyclist. He wants to compete internationally.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 22 January 2015

Sports complex trashed after security withdrawn

Mfuleni’s sports complex was vandalised and looted over the festive season. A community leader, who is lobbying for the trashed buildings to be renovated, has blamed the City of Cape Town for cancelling a contract with a security company to protect the grounds.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 22 January 2015

“Enough is enough!” - Manenberg residents take to the streets

Instead of the familiar echo of bullets, the sound of dozens of Manenberg residents chanting “Enough is enough” could be heard last night through the streets notorious for the recent spate of gang violence in the area.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 January 2015

Sexual trauma, a talking cat and a mid-life crisis

Nthikeng Mohlele’s latest novel, “Rusty Bell” will delight readers already won over by his previous two books “The Scent of Bliss” (2008) and “Small Things” (2013). Mohlele is a fine, literary novelist, a rarity on the South African publishing scene, who although receiving praise from significant quarters, should be enjoying much more attention.

Nthikeng Mohlele

News | 21 January 2015

NSRI’s water safety education a “drop in the ocean”

The WaterWise Academy has taught water safety skills to over half a million children around the country. These skills are easy to learn and provide an effective way to reduce the number of drownings in South Africa, says the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI).

Kevin Elliott

News | 20 January 2015

City’s janitorial programme to be scrapped in some areas

The City of Cape Town will not be renewing the contracts of janitors employed to clean flush toilets in some informal settlements in the city.

Barbara Maragele

News | 19 January 2015

Role models and perseverance: how Kenny Solomon became South Africa’s first grandmaster

In December Kenny Solomon crossed the final hurdle needed to achieve what no other South African has. He won the African Individual Championship to become South Africa’s first chess grandmaster. Along the way he beat Egyptian grandmaster Ahmed Adly.

Nathan Geffen

News | 18 January 2015

Kraaifontein gets its first spray park

Residents of Kraaifontein can now cool off at a spray park opened by mayor Patricia de Lille on Wednesday.

Michael Nkalane

News | 16 January 2015

Lwandle’s forgotten evictees

Last year, the eviction of hundreds of shack dwellers from Lwandle, Strand on the eve of a winter storm sparked a national outcry. Seven months later, construction of alternative accommodation has ceased, and yet dozens of evictees remain homeless - holed up in a temporary relief shelter at a nearby community hall. They have been all but forgotten.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 16 January 2015

“We’re not going anywhere until we’re heard” - Mfuleni tent dwellers

A group of about 100 Mfuleni backyarders who raised eyebrows in the community after erecting and moving into a tent in an open space, more than five months ago, say they are not going anywhere until they are heard.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 16 January 2015

Returning Zimbabweans battle with bureaucracy

Zimbabweans who travelled to Zimbabwe before their Special Dispensation Permits were issued have complained of problems on their return to South Africa after the holidays.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 15 January 2015

Plasma TV rumour surfaces again

New rumours of a “plasma gang” stealing TVs in order to retrieve a powder have surfaced in Cape Town, but police and scientists are unconvinced.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 14 January 2015

Khayelitsha netball star to play in UK

A Khayelitsha woman has been spotted by English netball talent scouts and will play in the United Kingdom (UK) league on a four months contract.

Michael Nkalane

News | 14 January 2015

Hope Street carpenter evicted, again

Hope Street’s pavement carpenter Mark Philander again had his material confiscated by officers from the City of Cape Town Law Enforcement this morning. Now, a local councillor has committed to linking Philander to the City’s informal traders unit in an attempt to find a public space for him to work legally and unhindered.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 13 January 2015

From hiking to praying: Deer Park’s diversity in photos

Deer Park, which slopes its way from Table Mountain into the City Bowl, provides a fascinating view of Cape Town's diverse cultures. Besides being popular for picnics, cycling and hiking, it is also a source of water for some and where others perform religious activities.

Photos by Masixole Feni. Text by Kevin Elliott.

News | 12 January 2015

Meet the first Mitchell’s Plain school with a 100% matric pass rate

It has taken almost 50 years for a school in Mitchell's Plain to achieve a 100% matric pass rate. Not since the community’s inception in the 1970s has a school in the area managed to ensure that each of its pupils not only made the grade but also excelled at maths and science.

A’Eysha Kassiem

News | 12 January 2015