Election special: What the DA promises Cape Town’s majority

In the run-up to the May 7 elections, GroundUp asked a set of questions to leading Western Cape representatives of the Democratic Alliance, the ANC and the Economic Freedom Fighters. Here is our interview with Masizole Mnqasela, MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Member of the DA Federal Council and a Khayelitsha Constituency Head.

Pharie Sefali

News | 9 April 2014

The week in political activism

This week we cover a helpful guide to whistleblowing from Corruption Watch and a further victory for informal traders who were unlawfully removed by the City of Johannesburg.

Brent Meersman

News | 9 April 2014

Big year for Aka and Da L.E.S

Since partnering up with Da L.E.S, Kiernan Forbes, whose stage name is AKA, has been headlining more gigs now than ever before, not only for his strikingly unconventional Kanye-esqe style and entourage, but mainly for his lyrics.

Zethu Gqola

News | 9 April 2014

Kramer has it wrong says City

Paul Boughey, chief of staff to the executive mayor of Cape Town, takes issue with Dustin Kramer's article on GroundUp.

Paul Boughey

Opinion | 9 April 2014

Can the Seriti Commission into Arms Deal succeed?

The Commission of Inquiry into the 1999 arms deal has been underway for two years. Is it meeting its responsibility to uncover the truth?

Sibusiso Tshabalala

Feature | 9 April 2014

Official threatens to withhold disability grant

Nyanga resident Violet Mkhape, 45, has been waiting for eight months for her monthly disability grant - and one official told her she wouldn’t get it because she told her story to GroundUp.

Pharie Sefali

News | 9 April 2014

Mamela Nyamza: dancing in Singapore, Cairo and Berlin

Mamela Nyamza started dancing at the age of eight at Zama dance school in Gugulethu in the late 1980s. Today she is a highly acclaimed choreographer and performer.

Pharie Sefali

News | 8 April 2014

Mobile phone rates and putting people before profits

You’ve probably heard the news that MTN and Vodacom have gone to court to stop new regulations. The court ruled that the regulations should go head. What does this mean for the people’s right to communicate?

John Haffner

Opinion | 8 April 2014

Strike focus must be on jobs, not wages

A crunch point has this week been reached in the platinum sector. Stockpiles are all but exhausted and striking miners are starving. In normal circumstances this would be the time when compromise is reached, a matter of who blinks first.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 8 April 2014

Metropolitan U19 Premier Cup: Beacon Spurs bite the Chilli Boys

In preparation for the Metropolitan U19 Premier Cup, Beacon Spurs from Mitchell's Plain took on Chippa United, last year's Premier Cup participants at Philippi stadium. Spurs used the game to try out new combinations before the big tournament on Easter weekend.

Siyabonga Kalipa

News | 8 April 2014

Where do political parties stand on health issues?

The People’s Health Manifesto is an initiative of the Treatment Action Campaign. With elections upon us, the TAC wanted to know what political parties proposed to do for healthcare. They put 11 questions to them. This is what they discovered.

Brent Meersman

Opinion | 7 April 2014

Artists and publicists making media synergy

Artists are by nature creative, but many struggle to take their talent to the public. A good publicist might be a wise investment.

Dumisani Dabadini

News | 7 April 2014

Our Kind of People

In Our Kind of People, novelist Uzodinma Iweala reflects on the damaging misconceptions which shape the way the world sees HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Joshua Maserow

News | 7 April 2014

EFF is not a left alternative

This was written in September 2011 when Julius Malema was still riding high in the ANCYL. However, the arguments made are, I think vindicated by the subsequent emergence of the EFF. Anyone who thinks the EFF represents a Left alternative is badly — and dangerously — mistaken. I put it out again now because it appears that there are still some otherwise sensible comrades who are considering a vote for the EFF. WASP, for all its faults, is at least a Left bet.

Terry Bell

Opinion | 7 April 2014

What immigrants think of SA elections

GroundUp reporter Tariro Washyinyira asked immigrants what they thought of the South African elections. Some did not want to say anything, but others gave fascinating perspectives. The views expressed by the people Washinyira interviewed, some of which are racist, obviously do not reflect of those of GroundUp or Washinyira.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 4 April 2014

If you’re well-off this is what you can do to reduce poverty

The Five Plus Project was launched on 17 March this year. Its goal is to get as many well-off South Africans as possible to give at least 5% of their income to organisations and initiatives helping to reduce poverty in South Africa or alleviate its effects.

Hugh Corder and Anton Fagan

Opinion | 3 April 2014