Tensions remain following dismissals of workers in De Doorns

Hundreds of farmworkers in the De Doorns area have been fired after the end of the farmworkers strike in the area on 22 January. The strike had been called off by COSATU the week before, but the seemingly dominant union in the area, the Bawsi Agriculture Workers Union of South Africa (Bawusa), suspended the strike days later. Clashes between police and protesters resulted in at least one death, many injuries and 181 arrests of striking farmworkers.

Ben Fogel

Opinion | 30 January 2013

Are the lights coming back on in Khayelitsha?

Broken streetlights in Khayelitsha are at the centre of a debate between civil society activists, Premier Helen Zille, Mayor Patricia De Lille and several councillors responsible for wards along Lansdowne Road.

Nokubonga Yawa, Mihle Pike and GroundUp Staff

News | 30 January 2013

Residents, Parents from Zwelitsha and Nkanini call for new school

On Friday, 25th of January, residents and parents from Zwelitsha and Nkanini gathered to protest at the legislative buildings in Wale Street, demanding a new school for their children.

Mihle Pike

News | 30 January 2013

Man loses use of hand at work, but can’t get compensated

A Zimbabwean man, Farai Chawasema, who lost all use of his hand in an injury at work on 29 November last year, is accusing his employer, Patrick Pieterse, of Pat's Engineering and a medical practitioner, Ajmal Ikram, of Melomed Gatesville Medical Centre, of failing to get him workman's compensation.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 30 January 2013

After the fire

Families are affected by township fires. We follow the lives of these individuals as they recount their tragic stories and how they have picked up the pieces and moved on with their lives.

Chume Ntuli and Buchule Putini

News | 30 January 2013

From the streets of Khayelitsha to the Cape Town All Stars

GroundUp speaks to Cape Town All Stars 23 year old attacking midfielder Bongolwethu Ncusana about how he started playing football and what his aspirations are.

Margo Fortune

News | 30 January 2013

After the fire

News | 29 January 2013

Farm strikes: Radical changes needed

Farm workers began the centennial year of the 1913 Land Act with a continuation of the most militant industrial action in the sector in decades. On January 9th, various Western Cape farming towns were turned into warzones as protestors demanding an increase to a minimum R150 per day for farm workers, blockaded highways and set vineyards alight with police using rubber bullets and tear gas.

Niall Reddy

News | 24 January 2013

Cash Paymaster Services go on strike - company accused of racism

GroundUp journalist Mihle Pike received a call this morning that employees at Cash Paymaster Services had gone on strike. She went to see what was going on. Here is her account.

Mihle Pike

News | 23 January 2013

Government deregisters thousands of non-profit organisations without warning

The NPO Directorate, which is part of the Department of Social Development, has deregistered about 50 000 non-profit organsations (NPOs) who it has deemed as non-compliant. This is according to Inyathelo, a Cape Town based organisation that assists NPOs.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 23 January 2013

Playing politics while the Boland burns

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille is correct in claiming that there is
political interference in the strikes and recurrent violence in the Boland. And the
DA is as responsible as any other political grouping for being involved in โ€” or
โ€œinterferingโ€ โ€” in the ongoing upheaval.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 23 January 2013

Crossroads residents burn tyres in housing protest

BREAKING NEWS: This morning, residents of Crossroads protested and burned tyres in protest against a housing project.

GroundUp Staff

Brief | 23 January 2013

Your views on Bafana Bafana’s performance

We asked people for their views on Bafana Bafana's performance after the dull 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. Some of the responses were unprintable! But here are a few of the more polite ones.

Margo Fortune

News | 23 January 2013

Umemulo for him

News | 23 January 2013

Eastern Cape man abuses dog

News | 23 January 2013

BM fire victims to be moved to Mfuleni

Fire left about 800 households destitute on new years day in BM Section, Khayelitsha. Many of these families are sheltering at the O.R Tambo hall a short distance from the scene of the fire.

Mary-Jane Matsolo

News | 23 January 2013