Tensions rise in Masiphumelele after shack demolitions

Victims of the Masiphumelele fire that left thousands homeless marched with the sun shining on their faces to the office of ward councillor Felicity Purchase today.

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News | 18 December 2015

NHI white paper: the good and the bad

South Africa is one of the most unequal nations in the world, and despite having the highest GDP on the continent, it boasts poor health indicators and faces a high burden of disease, both communicable like HIV and non-communicable like diabetes; high rates of violence and injury and mortality.

Kathryn Stinson and the Writing Group for the People’s Health Movement South Africa

Opinion | 18 December 2015

Home Affairs incompetence causes refugees to lose jobs, money and bank accounts

“I am sick and tired and wish I could be resettled to another country. They should not treat people like animals,” says a man trying to renew his refugee status. He is one of many complaining about the service at Home Affairs on Cape Town's foreshore.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 18 December 2015

Watch champion speedcuber Lonwabo Mvovo in action

Most people take hours, days or never to solve the Rubik's Cube. This is not the case for 15-year-old Lonwabo Mvovo who has recently been awarded the top spot in South Africa for completing the puzzle blindfolded in minutes.

Barbara Maregele

News | 17 December 2015

“I would never borrow again from a loan shark”

As the festive season approaches, many poor families are visiting moneylenders for help in the endless challenge of making ends meet. Some will give up their IDs and even bank cards.

Siyavuya Khaya

News | 17 December 2015

Most people feel unsafe in Khayelitsha, survey shows

Only 5% of women and 8% of men feel “totally safe” in Khayelitsha, according to a survey of about 500 residents conducted by Rape Crisis.

Barbara Maregele

News | 17 December 2015

2015 in photos

From the horrors of the Free State health system to student protests and the demands for President Zuma to fall, here is a collection of some of GroundUp's finest photos and stories from 2015.

Patients turned away from Mfuleni clinic

Mfuleni community clinic turned away some patients on Friday as staff went to an end-of-the-year function.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 15 December 2015

Klipheuwel movement responds to City councillor

Andile Tumana, Executive Director: Kingdom Change Agents Movement, responds to statements made by Councillor Benedicta van Minnen, Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, about who represents the residents of Klipheuwel.

Andile Tumana

Opinion | 15 December 2015

The Rwandan student who hung on to her dream

Alice Wamundiya comes from a background where the importance of education is emphasised. When she settled in South Africa after her family fled the Rwandan genocide, she decided to help other refugees and asylum-seekers with their education.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 15 December 2015

Wolwerivier residents track down city councillor at the beach

Wolwerivier residents and Ndifuna Ukwazi activists tracked down the City Council's Benedicta van Minnen at Camps Bay beach today after she was not available to meet them at the Civic Centre.

Barbara Maregele

News | 14 December 2015

Recall President Zuma!

The South African Presidency should be a site to advance the struggle for social equality, for the righting of historic crimes against black people, for jobs, houses, healthcare and education, for human rights globally and at home. This struggle can no longer be lead by a person as compromised, divisive and ineffective as President Jacob Zuma. He must be recalled by the ANC.

Tshepo Motsepe

Opinion | 14 December 2015

Inner city revamp to benefit street people

Trees are to be planted in the open space off Canterbury Street in the city centre as part of a project designed to improve the lives of street people and others using the area. The project includes a mural on the wall of the Fruit and Veg City store to which street people will contribute.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 14 December 2015

Zuma must go, says ANC struggle veteran Barbara Hogan

Barbara Hogan has called for ANC members to demand that President Zuma must go. Hogan, who has been a leading ANC member, spent nine years in prison for treason under the apartheid government. She served as Minister of Health (2008 to 2009) and Minister of Public Enterprises (2009 to 2010). She also chaired the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance from 1999 to 2004. She is credited with being the first Minister of Health in the post AIDS denialism period.

GroundUp staff

Brief | 11 December 2015

Snags as Masiphumelele rebuilds after fire

It has been almost two weeks since a fire burnt down over a 1,000 homes in Masiphumelele’s Section E and Section D. While efforts are underway to rebuild, many residents are encountering snags.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 11 December 2015

Old and on the street

Theresa Fisher was born in what was then Rhodesia, in 1950. Simon Jacobs was born in what was then Transkei, in 1957. Both of them have ended up, in 2015, begging on the same street corner in Rondebosch.

Tariro Washinyira

Feature | 11 December 2015