Society

21 at 21: The coming of age of a nation

In their newly released book, 21 at 21: The Coming of Age of a Nation, Melanie Verwoerd and Sonwabiso Ngcowa write that the term ‘born free’ is highly contested. ‘Many young people refuse to be labelled in this way, not least because of the level of poverty they still experience. As one ‘born free’ put it to us, “How can we be called born free when we live like this?”’

Melanie Verwoerd and Sonwabiso Ngcowa

News | 16 July 2015

Best friends have scales, wings and tails.

Photographer Masixole Feni has done a series of portraits of people and their pets and animals in Cape Town's townships. He found some surprising friendships.

Masixole Feni

News | 15 July 2015

I’m a lesbian sangoma from Nyanga

I was raised in a township that is known for its murders, rapes, hate crimes and robberies. Nyanga molded me with a strong personality, but has left me with challenges that will forever be rubbed in my face by those who see my sexuality as satanic.

Pharie Sefali

Opinion | 9 July 2015

GroundUp readers to the rescue of Sibhozo brothers

Generous GroundUp readers have made sure the Sibhozo brothers of Site C Taiwan informal settlement in Khayelitsha have enough to eat every day.

Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik

News | 11 June 2015

Urgent need to decriminalise sex work

If sex work was accepted as legitimate and legalised, much of the violence and abuse that sex workers face would be eliminated.

Savannah Russo. Photographs by Eric Miller.

Opinion | 2 June 2015

Shooting hoops through stereotypes: Philippi’s women basketball players

Even though Philippi female basketball player, Ziyanda Tyefi says the sport is still viewed as a male sport, she loves it and she cannot see herself playing anything else but it.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

Feature | 26 May 2015

How you can help the Sibhozo brothers

Last week we published the story of the Sibhozo brothers. Many readers asked how they could help. Here is how.

GroundUp Staff

News | 30 April 2015

Angry parents close Mfuleni school

About 40 Mfuleni parents closed down the New Parliament Street Primary School on Tuesday, demanding that the principal leave the school and withdraw their children.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 29 April 2015

Four men charged with robbing Ethiopian shop

Four men have been charged with robbing two Ethiopian nationals in Pietermaritzburg.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 28 April 2015