Human Rights

“You are responsible for creating a historical sadness” - Archbishop

Nearly 2,000 people braved the cold and rain to join the Unite Against Corruption march to Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday. Between 3,000 and 5,000 people participated in the main march in Pretoria. Smaller marches also took place in other cities, including Durban and Grahamstown.

GroundUp Staff

News | 30 September 2015

We shouldn’t have to apply to protest, say activists

Right2Know campaign members and other civil organisation leaders held a picket outside the Civic Centre today calling for the City of Cape Town to respect their right to protest.

Barbara Maregele

News | 28 September 2015

I’ve been raped. What do I do now?

“There are so many things that rapists and communities do that feed myths and false notions about rape,” says Rape Crisis director Kathleen Dey.

Barbara Maregele

News | 28 September 2015

The banal evil of drug pricing

Martin Shkreli was the most hated man on the internet for a brief time this week. His company, Turing Pharmaceuticals, pushed up the price of a medicine, pyrimethamine, used to treat a life-threatening disease from $13.50 (approx R185) to $750 (approx R10,250) a pill.

Nathan Geffen

Opinion | 23 September 2015

Corruption in schools: stealing our children’s future

On 30 September 2015, thousands will march in Pretoria and Cape Town under the banner of Unite Against Corruption. This is a call across our country to reject maladministration and theft in the public and private sectors.

Amanda Rinquest

Opinion | 22 September 2015

From Flavier to Flavina: a refugee’s story of courage and survival

When Flavina walks the streets of Delft, with her long earrings, nose piercing and colourful clothes, people turn around to stare. Tall, elegant and feminine, Flavina used to be Flavier. Born as a male in Burundi 33 years ago, she came to South Africa to live openly as a woman.

Juliette Garms

News | 22 September 2015

Wolwerivier gets its first taste of violence

It was a weekend of flaring emotions and violence at Wolwerivier relocation area. On Friday, residents protested against the City’s relocation of strangers into empty units sought by the community to alleviate the overcrowding at the settlement. Rubber bullets were fired into crowds containing mostly women and children. People were arrested and beaten when they refused to disperse.

Daneel Knoetze

Feature | 21 September 2015

More cops for Masiphumelele

Seven new constables will be joining Ocean View police station, which serves Ocean View, Kommetjie and Masiphumelele. This news follows a week of violence in Masiphumelele, and months of community dissatisfaction with insufficient policing in the township.

Pasqua Heard

News | 18 September 2015

The long walk to social grants

From Elandskop in Pietermaritzburg to the nearest SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) office is 53 kilometres, a journey which is not possible for Gabisile Gcumisa. Gcumisa, who weighs 268kg and has a heart condition, would not have been able to access her social grant without the help of community caregivers.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 18 September 2015

Where are the cops, ask Masiphumelele residents

Masiphumelele residents gathered in shock today around the ashes of a young man killed in a mob justice attack in Myeza Road last night. Residents have been complaining about inadequate policing in the township, which does not have its own police station.

Bernard Chiguvare and Pasqua Heard

News | 16 September 2015

The harm of quackery

There are at least three clear ways in which pseudoscience or bad science can harm consumers.

Jacques Rousseau

Opinion | 16 September 2015

USN sues consumer activist

R2 million. That’s how much sport supplement company Ultimate Sports Nutrition (USN) wants consumer activist Harris Steinman to pay for calling its owner, Albe Geldenhuys, a “scam artist”, “liar”, “quack”, “fraud” and “snake oil salesman”.

GroundUp Staff

News | 16 September 2015

Media24’s failed attempt to stifle diversity

Last week the Competition Tribunal found Media24 guilty of predatory pricing after one of its Free State publications sank a competitor. Yet this is only one example of numerous cynical attempts by the country’s largest print media company to stifle media diversity in its quest for monopoly control, argue Micah Reddy and Carina Conradie.

Micah Reddy and Carina Conradie

Opinion | 16 September 2015

Dunoon schools: when lawyers go beyond the courtroom

The struggle to ensure access to schools for Dunoon learners illustrates the value of social justice lawyers engaging in work beyond the courtroom.

Sherylle Dass and Demichelle Petherbridge

Opinion | 15 September 2015

Changing your gender in South Africa

“I have some very vivid memories of when I was really young, say four or five years old, my grandmother would dress me in women’s clothing and say, ‘Look at my granddaughter’, but also in a playful way,' says Sandile Ndelu, a transgender woman, who is a law student at UCT.

Ashleigh Furlong

Feature | 15 September 2015

Keep fish factory open, demand Hout Bay residents

About 100 people marched through the streets of Cape Town on Friday against the possible closure of Oceana's Hout Bay Fishmeal Factory.

Barbara Maregele

News | 11 September 2015