In many African cultures, boys from age 14 must go through the process of initiation, where they are circumcised in order to be recognized as men by the community. But how relevant is the ceremony for todayâs urban youth and are the traditions being upheld in the cities?
Pharie Sefali
News | 20 November 2014
Dance is fast becoming a tool used for building confidence and self-expression among kids. Zethu Gqola looks at some of the top township-based dance schools that have for years provided a supportive space for children.
Zethu Gqola
News | 20 November 2014
Next to a small fruit stand and across the street from a hodgepodge of street vendors, Cuiyi Lin sits in front of her furniture store every day waiting for customers. She is the only non-African in the area.
Joyce Xi
Feature | 19 November 2014
Bheki Kunene started his own business, Mind Trix Media, in 2009 with just R600 and a computer. Today he has eight employees and clients across the globe.
Siyabonga Kalipa
News | 18 November 2014
Guerrilla graffiti artist group Tokolos Stencil Collective struck again on Monday night, this time targeting Michael Elionâs controversial giant Ray-Ban sunglasses on Sea Point promenade.
Brent Meersman
Brief | 18 November 2014
Three cans, an old pantihose or rope and a handful of stones. These are the ingredients you need to have a whole day of outdoor fun, no matter what age.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 14 November 2014
Several Cape Town landmarks have been defaced in recent weeks. Here members of The Tokolos Stencil Collective explain why they have done this.
Members of the Tokolos Stencil Collective
Opinion | 13 November 2014
A year ago, Ntombikayise Matyumza of Jeffreys Bay in the Eastern Cape started a Facebook page aimed at gay and lesbian youth. Today she has more than 14,000 followers across the country.
Pharie Sefali
News | 12 November 2014
On Thursday, staff at the Brundyn+ gallery in Buitengracht found that their building had been graffiti bombed by one of the art collectives, tokolos-stencils, invited to exhibit work at the gallery this month.
GroundUp Staff
News | 6 November 2014
Zethu Gqola looks at four bands from the townships that have gone overseas, released high-selling albums and have come back to inspire their communities, mentoring the youth and getting children back in school.
Zethu Gqola
News | 6 November 2014
South Africaâs dance community has come together to support prize-winning Cape Town choreographer and dancer Christopher Kindo who is battling cancer.
Lea Bork
News | 29 October 2014
Nosisa Bhomela is one of 12 Khayelitsha women who slaughter, pluck and clean chickens in exchange for chicken heads and feet to sell and take home for their meals.
Johnnie Isaac
News | 28 October 2014
Bukelwa Qebeyi moved to Mfuleni from the Eastern Cape in 1994 hoping to find a job, but like many others she never found one. So she decided to make a living from what she knew bestâbrewing traditional African beer.
Joyce Xi
News | 27 October 2014
Daars a nuwe hond in die omgewing en hy raas soos ân baas! Kak gevaarlik and here to claim back the throne as the original Afrikaans gangsters, Dookoom have dropped a 4-track EP, A Gangster Called Big Times, and with the controversy caused by the debut single âLarney Jou Poesâ, there are no sorryâs here.
Zethu Gqola
Opinion | 15 October 2014
For some teenagers hip hop music means money, cars and fame, but for others, it has a much deeper meaning.
Zintle Swana
News | 25 September 2014
Many youngsters in the township are taking Swag style to a new level. GroundUp spoke to several young people in the township about the meaning of Swag and how they relate to it.
Pharie Sefali
News | 25 September 2014