Society

Parow soup kitchen offers vital service to hungry and homeless

Louis Titus, a 60-year-old married man from Elsies River, was introduced to the Vineyard soup kitchen in Parow four months ago by a friend. Titus worked for the City of Cape Town for 20 years. He currently receives a R1,500 monthly pension. His wife is unemployed. Titus takes the food he receives home to his four children.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 20 November 2013

The Sculptors of Mapungubwe: an extract from Zakes Mda’s latest novel

Zake Mda’s lyrical novel is set in the mists of time, in the Southern African kingdom of Mapungubwe. (Mda has based his story on a wealth of archaeological evidence and research into oral tradition.) It is a tale of the rivalry between the two artistically gifted sons of the royal sculptor; rivalry in love and rivalry for two competing visions of what society should be.

Zakes Mda

News | 18 November 2013

Lingua Franca poets celebrate first anniversary

On 9 November, Lingua Franca, a spoken word and music movement, celebrated their first anniversary. At a sold out show at the Baxter Theatre, more than 15 poets graced the stage to recite their work.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 13 November 2013

Parents take out loans for matric dances

Parents every year complain about the demands grade 12 learners have for their end of the year matric dances.

Pharie Sefali

News | 13 November 2013

Blowing fortunes on weddings

Weddings today have become more about flaunting status and wealth than tying the knot. Couples are left with financial debt and worse.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 13 November 2013

A man who is not a man

It is not every day that a book like A man who is not a man comes along. Thando Mgqolozana's debut novel is a courageous book. It is a sensitive but merciless interrogation of the Xhosa custom of male circumcision today. What happens to the boys--emotionally, spiritually and socially--when things go wrong, the fault of which is not of their own making?

Thando Mgqolozana

News | 12 November 2013

Planet Savage: an extract from Tuelo Gabonewe’s book

Tuelo Gabonewe's is an exciting, new young voice in South African literature. His first novel, Planet Savage, is narrated by Leungo, a nine-year old with an unusual, often sacrosanct, outlook on life.

Tuelo Gabonewe

News | 4 November 2013

Amber lives her dream behind the scenes of the Phantom

Not every parent would be pleased to hear their child is determined to make a life in the theatre. But Amber Mgushelwa’s family has been supportive of her career choice. Her father reassured her all the way; her mother had some concerns.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 30 October 2013

School was key to Mandla Khusela escaping poverty

Mandla Khusela was born in Guguletu and grew up in Langa.

Pharie Sefali

News | 29 October 2013

Copyright, credit, Woolworths and the hummingbird

A Twitter storm erupted on 18 October after South African artist Euodia Roets published a blog post titled ‘How Woolworths Really Operates!’. Roets believes her design of a hummingbird on a cushion was used by Woolworths without the company acknowledging it as her work.

Delphine Pedeboy and GroundUp Editor

News | 21 October 2013

Khayelitsha turns 30

Khayelitsha is officially turning 30. Plans to build Khayelitsha were announced by the notorious Minister of Co-operation and Development, Dr Piet Koornhof, in 1983. By 1985, the suburb Site C had 30,000 people. *

Pharie Sefali and GroundUp staff

News | 16 October 2013

UWC students celebrate gay rights

On Monday student organisations at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) launched an awareness week called "From the same soil."

Pharie Sefali

News | 16 October 2013

Empowerment through art

Hand in Hand Creatives (HHC) is a not-for-profit organisation (NPO) that aims to provide young people from disadvantaged communities with access to the creative arts through workshops, running outings, and planning festivals. The organisation believes that the arts can empower individuals and nurture self-respect.

Fergus Turner

News | 16 October 2013

Growing food in Cape Town’s homes

Local organisation SEED has pledged to make 100 homes in Cape Town more sustainable this year by encouraging residents to grow their own food and eventually achieve ‘food freedom’.

Delphine Pedeboy

News | 16 October 2013

The Gugulethu Seven remembered 27 years later

Mandla Mxinwa, Jabulani Miya, Themba Molefi, Christopher Piet, Zola Swelani, Zabonkwe Konile and Zandisile Mjobo -- the Gugulethu Seven -- will once again be honoured for the role they played in the struggle against the apartheid regime.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 15 October 2013

#DoubleBillTour

Award-winning South African poet Vus'umuzi Phakathi will be at the Baxter from 01 October till 13 October, the middle of his one-man tour -- the #DoubleBillTour. Phakathi, also known as Romeo the poet/Lil' Hussil, is touring nine South African provinces,12 African countries and four continents. Phakathi is also the writer and producer.

Nwabisa Pondoyi

News | 9 October 2013