News

Art in a Khayelitsha fruit & veg shack

Mpho Mathebula rents a small space in a fruit and vegetable shop in Khayelitsha to sell his paintings and beadwork.

Pharie Sefali

News | 25 September 2015

Teaching drama in Ndevana

Mbulelo Nkwali and Zolani Seyisi had one idea when they founded Suppermix in 2008 in King William’s Town’s Ndevana settlement: to take young people off the streets. Today the film and drama company performs at weddings, church events, and the Buffalo City carnival.

Siphesihle Matyila

News | 25 September 2015

Strike at West Coast sand mine turns nasty

Workers at Australian-owned Tormin mine on the west coast are still on strike after a protest two weeks ago in which a police officer and a worker were injured, and 27 people were arrested.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 23 September 2015

Jet customer sold insurance he didn’t want

GroundUp photographer Masixole Feni tried to open an account at Jet stores last month - and found himself signed up for a handful of insurance policies he didn’t want.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 September 2015

‘One day, people will watch me dance’

“When I finish school, I want to be in a ballet skirt and do ballet for a big crowd,” says six-year-old Anathi Dakuse from Imizamo Yethu.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 September 2015

Challenges of playing ‘white music’ in Gugs

Masixole Dunjana aka Dida Dunjana is a name most hadn’t heard of until he was announced as part of the Rocking the Daisies 2015 lineup, set to perform on the Bridges for Music stage. The 20-year-old DJ now faces the challenge of learning to calm his nerves ahead of what he calls his ‘biggest performance to date’. The time has come for him to step out of his comfort zone and take his music beyond his small bedroom in Gugulethu.

Zethu Gqola

News | 22 September 2015

From Flavier to Flavina: a refugee’s story of courage and survival

When Flavina walks the streets of Delft, with her long earrings, nose piercing and colourful clothes, people turn around to stare. Tall, elegant and feminine, Flavina used to be Flavier. Born as a male in Burundi 33 years ago, she came to South Africa to live openly as a woman.

Juliette Garms

News | 22 September 2015

Top dancers show Gugulethu kids their moves

A group of 11 dancers from the Zama Dance School in Gugulethu had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in a workshop with members of the critically-acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre on Saturday.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 September 2015

We’re all scared, say Blikkiesdorp residents

Blikkiesdorp residents are calling for better policing after a spike in crime in the area. Seven families have already been moved to Wolwerivier at their request by the City of Cape Town.

Barbara Maregele

News | 21 September 2015

More cops for Masiphumelele

Seven new constables will be joining Ocean View police station, which serves Ocean View, Kommetjie and Masiphumelele. This news follows a week of violence in Masiphumelele, and months of community dissatisfaction with insufficient policing in the township.

Pasqua Heard

News | 18 September 2015

The long walk to social grants

From Elandskop in Pietermaritzburg to the nearest SA Social Security Agency (SASSA) office is 53 kilometres, a journey which is not possible for Gabisile Gcumisa. Gcumisa, who weighs 268kg and has a heart condition, would not have been able to access her social grant without the help of community caregivers.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 18 September 2015

Battle over Mfuleni housing sites

The drawn out struggle for serviced sites in Ward 108 in Bardale, Mfuleni, has led to allegations of mismanagement and corruption. These allegations emerged following the removal of 45 illegally erected structures in the area on Monday by the City of Cape Town’s Anti-Land Invasion Unit (ALIU). Stones were thrown and rubber bullets fired. About 16 people were arrested.

Ashleigh Furlong

News | 17 September 2015

Free pet sterilisation campaign in Khayelitsha

In the canine sterilisation ward of the South African Mass Sterilisation Trust (SA.MAST) in Khayelitsha, several dogs lie in cages, unconscious, with their tongues out. Others are brought in on stretchers, after being successfully sterilised.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 17 September 2015

Making bricks for a living

A group of young men from Ndevana location near King William’s Town have found a way to put food on their families’ tables: making bricks.

Siphesihle Matyila

News | 17 September 2015

Capetonians rally to help family with epilepsy

People from various parts of Cape Town have rallied to help a Site C family with a disabled teenager who, like her father, has epilepsy.

Pharie Sefali

News | 17 September 2015

Where are the cops, ask Masiphumelele residents

Masiphumelele residents gathered in shock today around the ashes of a young man killed in a mob justice attack in Myeza Road last night. Residents have been complaining about inadequate policing in the township, which does not have its own police station.

Bernard Chiguvare and Pasqua Heard

News | 16 September 2015