Politics

Why Abahlali endorsed the DA: S’bu Zikode speaks to GroundUp

On 2 May 2014 Abahlali baseMjondolo (ABM) --a social movement of shack dwellers-- endorsed the Democratic Alliance (DA) for the 2014 general elections. Abahlali baseMjondolo are better known for their protests against unlawful evictions and their advocacy for public housing and urban land for the poor. Sibusiso Tshabalala of GroundUp spoke to S’bu Zikode, leader of Abahlali baseMjondolo, to find out why they took this decision.

Sibusiso Tshabalala

News | 5 May 2014

Democracy the winner: a response to Rhoda Kadalie

Never one to disguise her spleen Rhoda Kadalie takes issue with what she alleges is “my temerity to lead the electorate astray”. What Kadalie is taking issue with, but conceals, is I am no lone voice but in partnership with numerous others, of note, in a campaign which calls on all registered voters not to abstain but use their vote on 7 May.

Ronnie Kasrils

Opinion | 1 May 2014

UCT students grill political parties

Representatives of political parties got a grilling from UCT students last night at a debate on the university campus.

Pharie Sefali

News | 24 April 2014

Sanitation Summit: “Our dignity is undermined”

“Lack of access to water and sanitation is an insult to human dignity,” emphasised the Social Justice Coalition (SJC)in a National Sanitation Summit held at Community House in Salt River yesterday.

Bulelani Ngovi

News | 24 April 2014

Zackie Achmat says why he won’t vote ANC

In an interview with GroundUp, former TAC leader and current director of Ndifuna Ukwazi Zackie Achmat said this time he will not be voting for the ANC in the 7 May elections.

GroundUp Staff

News | 24 April 2014

Dalindyebo, the DA’s kingmaker

In the Eastern Cape, the Democratic Alliance is in bed with a despot convicted of homicide, attempted murder, kidnapping, arson and a range of other heinous crimes. Mandy de Waal asks whether the opposition is wise to hug a tyrant close to its breast, in the hope of defeating the ANC.

Mandy de Waal

Analysis | 22 April 2014

COSATU schisms make for a rocky road

We are in the midst of all the usual fanfare, the pledges, promises, rows and contradictions that accompany any run-up to a major election. But the scheduled national poll on 7 May seems to be beset by more bickering, bitterness and fragmentation than normal — and this is a clear portent for the future.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 22 April 2014

Pastor leads march through “hell”

Under a banner that read “Welcome to Hell - SA Townships” Pastor Xola Skosana of the Way of Life Church led a march through Khayelitsha on Easter weekend. For the fourth year, the pastor carried a wooden cross.

Bulelani Ngovi

News | 20 April 2014

Elections: more views from people on the street

In our on-going series of interviews with the public, GroundUp asks if people intend to vote, for which party, and why.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 17 April 2014

Elections: what people are saying

GroundUp spoke to people about the elections, asking whether they would vote, who they would vote for and why. This is the first of a series GroundUp will be running.

Mary-Anne Gontsana and Pharie Sefali

News | 16 April 2014

Transparency is what is needed SJC tells City

Deputy General Secretary of the Social Justice Coalition Dustin Kramer continues his exchange with the City’s Paul Boughey, Chief of Staff to the Executive Mayor of Cape Town.

Dustin Kramer

News | 14 April 2014

Unimportance: an extract from Thando Mgqolozana’s latest novel

Unimportance, Thando Mgqolozana’s latest novel was launched at the Book Lounge, Roeland Street, Cape Town on 11 April.

Thando Mgqolozana

News | 14 April 2014

Still seeking fairness on the farms

Farm employer organisation AgriSA last week met with trade union representatives in an effort to strike a deal to allow unionisation on farms — and especially in the winelands of the Western Cape. “Most farmers still will not allow union representatives onto their properties,” says Federation of Unions (Fedusa) general secretary Dennis George.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 14 April 2014

Party supporters embarrass their leaders at Khayelitsha election debate

On April 10, an election debate convened by Equal Education and Ndifuna Ukwazi in Khayelitsha with the DA, EFF, Agang and Cosatu, was disrupted by unruly party members.

Pharie Sefali

News | 11 April 2014

20 years later, Rwandans still struggling to reconcile

Rwandan Hutu cousins, Hakizimana and Kwizera (not their real names), aged 30 and 35, believe the 1994 genocide story is told in a partisan manner, and they say the reconciliation and unity policy is government imposed.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 11 April 2014

Election debate in Khayelitsha

On April 10, at Lookout Hill, Khayelitsha, representatives of the ANC, DA, EFF, and Agang SA spoke about their parties’ policies. But the debate ended, before many questions could be asked.

Craig Oosthuizen

News | 11 April 2014