Gender

Massive march to Parliament to demand Shabangu does more to end violence

“No more lip services, we want action. No more boardroom activism, no more!” shouted thousands of activists as they marched to parliament today.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 27 November 2014

I use a sock as a sanitary pad, says Langa learner

Akhona is in grade eight. Like many of her classmates, she often misses school when she has her periods because her family cannot afford sanitary pads. When she has to write a test, she uses a sock, she says.

Pharie Sefali

News | 6 November 2014

Getting health care to sex workers in Cape Town

Leigh Davids was born a boy, but when she was five, she realised she wanted to be a girl.

Katy Scott and GroundUp Staff

News | 20 October 2014

Tackling rape in Khayelitsha

Between two and three rapes are reported every day to a single centre in Khayelitsha. And the numbers will probably rise at the end of the year.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 20 October 2014

Ceres murder trial moved to High Court

The trial of Christo Oncker, 28, accused of the murder of a gay man in Ceres in April, is to be moved to the Western Cape High Court, magistrate Japie Mapomie said in the Ceres magistrate’s court on Thursday.

Pharie Sefali

News | 17 October 2014

Week in activism

This week we look at the SERI’s workshop on law related to eviction, the social dialogue for the gay and lesbian community, TAC’s march for better services and IOM’s public debate on human trafficking.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 8 October 2014

TAC workshop highlights domestic violence

Khayelitsha community members voiced their concerns on how the police deal with gender-based violence such as rape.

Joyce Xi

News | 30 September 2014

The rise of female township gangs

When people think of gangs in the townships of Cape Town, they mostly picture young boys and men -- the Vato, Vura, Hardlivings, Palestinians and such. But there are also female gangs, rarely noticed, because they act differently from the male gangs. GroundUp went to talk to some of the “babes”.

Pharie Sefali

News | 18 September 2014

Celebrate Global Female Condom Day

As we celebrate the second Global Female Condom Day on 16 September 2014, I join the celebrations with a wide smile and confidence, writes Nokhwezi Hoboyi.

Nokhwezi Hoboyi

News | 16 September 2014

Week in activism

This week in activism we cover the symposium on torture hosted by the Wits Justice Project, the march by Equal Education for better sanitation for schools in Gauteng, and the ‘What if Women’ challenge by WHEAT.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 11 September 2014

The week in activism

This week in political activism we look at calls for help from Grahamstown, the plight of coal communities, a symposium on gender equality, and documenting the struggles of four informal settlements in South Africa.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 27 August 2014

Women who beat the odds: Langa’s Nomzamo Mbete

72-year-old Nomzamo Mbete is determined to do her bit to help young township girls through dance.

Pharie Sefali

News | 21 August 2014

I am a sex worker …

Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) has staged a photo exhibition at its head office in Observatory, Cape Town, aimed at the ignorance and prejudice that comes with being labelled a sex worker.

Simbonile Mkwambi

News | 20 August 2014

Gay and not free in South Africa

A gay man from the DRC claims the Congolese community in South Africa will not rest until they kill him. Junior Miteo Kalonji, 34, wept hard as he talked about his life. GroundUp had to stop the interview three times when he broke down.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 19 August 2014

Women who beat the odds: Lydia Ntonga

Lydia Ntonga, 25, will not allow the loss of her eyesight to hold her back. With courage and help from Cape Town Society for the Blind and The League of Friends of the Blind she is determined to get what she wants from life.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 19 August 2014

South Africa leads in HIV prevention among gay groups

As homophobic discrimination continues to sweep across the African continent, we should be acutely mindful of the diverse ways it harms societies. While we are most aware of the direct effect homophobic physical violence has on sexual minority groups, it is also crucial that we be cognisant of the many insidious ways stigma and discrimination impact not only on sexual minorities but society at large.

Andrew Tucker

Opinion | 11 August 2014