News

Harare crime even higher despite urban upgrade

The recently released Western Cape crime statistics of 2014 deem Harare as one of the worst of 10 areas in Khayelitsha, plagued with increasing crime despite the Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrade Programme (VPUU).

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 26 September 2014

Lwandle residents return

It is nearly a month since residents evicted from Lwandle in Strand returned to the land owned by the South African National Road Agency Limited, but they still face an uncertain future.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 26 September 2014

The boy from Masiphumelele who rapped for Obama

For some teenagers hip hop music means money, cars and fame, but for others, it has a much deeper meaning.

Zintle Swana

News | 25 September 2014

Swag is the new “˜ish’ in the townships

Many youngsters in the township are taking Swag style to a new level. GroundUp spoke to several young people in the township about the meaning of Swag and how they relate to it.

Pharie Sefali

News | 25 September 2014

Secrecy shrouds Blikkiesdorp relocation plans

Blikkiesdorp community leaders are demanding access to an agreement between council and Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) for the relocation of the settlement.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 25 September 2014

The week in activism

This week we look at a settlement on a land reform matter by Legal Resource Centre, a SWEAT dialogue to commemorate National Heritage Day, and Sonke’s call on government.

Thembela Ntongana

News | 25 September 2014

Big week for Bridges for Music

Bridges for Music has announced plans to build a music school in Langa.

Zethu Gqola

News | 25 September 2014

A Heritage Day celebration with Pollsmoor prison staff

‘My culture, your culture, our culture, one nation’ was the banner for Heritage Day in Pollsmoor under which prison employees, who come from many cultural backgrounds, celebrated South Africa’s heritage.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 24 September 2014

National tshisa nyama day

For many township residents, Heritage Day means a good braai, and there is no shortage of popular braai spots in Khayelitsha and Nyanga, a GroundUp team found.

Joyce Xi and Pharie Sefali

News | 23 September 2014

Will there be an investigation into police shooting?

The man shot by police during evictions in Philippi East a month ago is back at work -- and still waiting for police investigators to contact him.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 23 September 2014

Western Cape crime stats to be monthly

According to a report by the Khayelitsha Commission of Inquiry released in August, the crime statistics for the three police stations in Khayelitsha when combined, record the highest number of violent crimes in the country year on year. The national crime statistics were released on Friday in Pretoria and they show that there has been a decrease in contact crimes (such as murder, sexual crimes, assault and robbery) from last year in Khayelitsha.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 22 September 2014

Pollsmoor inmates give back to society

On the weekend, Pollsmoor Prison inmates gave a helping hand to assemble wheelchairs for donation to communities in Ocean View, Masiphumelele, Retreat, Muizenberg and Capricorn.

Johnnie Isaac

News | 22 September 2014

Marikana evictees granted bail

Residents from Marikana informal settlement were jubilant outside Athlone Magistrates Court today when twelve of their neighbours were granted bail. The men had been in custody since 22 August for resisting evictions at the settlement in Philippi East.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 22 September 2014

Community hotline to Khayelitsha’s top cops

The cell phone numbers of Khayelitsha's top cops will be posted in newspapers this week in a bid to increase the responsiveness of the police in the area.

Daneel Knoetze

News | 22 September 2014

The rise of female township gangs

When people think of gangs in the townships of Cape Town, they mostly picture young boys and men -- the Vato, Vura, Hardlivings, Palestinians and such. But there are also female gangs, rarely noticed, because they act differently from the male gangs. GroundUp went to talk to some of the “babes”.

Pharie Sefali

News | 18 September 2014

17-year-old who tried to make a difference shot and killed in Manenberg

Galiema Kenny broke down as she recalled her son’s last words to her after he was shot by gangsters in Manenberg. Kenny laid her 17-year-old son, Yusriy Kenny, to rest on Tuesday afternoon.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 17 September 2014