News

Fatal shack fire shatters a Khayelitsha family

Four young cousins died in a shack fire in Golishe Crescent, U-Section, Site B, Khayelitsha on Monday night.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 26 May 2015

Helping youths in care prepare for life

Tasks like applying for an ID, opening your first bank account or even learning how to budget from a small allowance may seem trivial to most teenagers transitioning into adulthood. However, for youths leaving child and youth care centres (CYCC) for the first time, there is often no support and guidance on how to deal with these day-to-day challenges.

Barbara Maregele

News | 26 May 2015

Slow Home Affairs prevents Zimbabweans from making ends meet

Zimbabweans whose business permit applications have been rejected are hoping that the decision will be reversed, but the Department of Home Affairs is dragging its heels.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 26 May 2015

Lukewarm response to new toilets in Khayelitsha

Minister of Water Affairs and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane announced in Khayelitsha on Friday the launch of pilot projects of new mobile toilets. But residentsโ€™ reactions were somewhat sceptical.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 25 May 2015

Conflict in Stellenbosch mars housing development

Stellenbosch shack fire survivors have expressed anxiety about the involvement of the ANC dominated Kayamandi Development Forum (KDF) in their new government housing development project.

Mandla Mnyakama and GroundUp Staff

News | 25 May 2015

Help Idrissa Kargbo run the Cape Town marathon

Until 2013 Sierra Leone was mostly known as a country of civil war and child soldiers. Although the war had ended a decade before, the country was still far from back on its feet. When Ebola struck in 2014 Sierra Leone was once again thrust grudgingly into the spotlight.

Tom Boyles

News | 25 May 2015

From Masiphumelele to the Waterfront

Ndileka Biyo, owner of Rockasa Design in Masiphumelele, has set her sights on a place in the affluent Waterfront.

Bernard Chiguvare

News | 25 May 2015

Province to NUM: prove your allegations

The Provincial Department of Transport and Public Works has asked the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) to present proof of their allegation that Good Hope Construction (GHC) has been hiring gangsters to do their security.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 22 May 2015

Textbook shortage causes Cape Town school’s exams to be postponed

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) and Maitland High School have agreed to postpone second term exams following complaints of shortages of text books at the school.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 22 May 2015

N2 golfer joins club

Vuyo Sontsonga used to play golf between two roads, the N2 and Borcherds Quarry, nearly everyday. But now his dream of golf club membership has been realised.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 21 May 2015

Tensions escalate in school builders strike

National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members encountered closed doors and security guards with dogs when they marched to the offices of Good Hope Construction (GHC) in Parow yesterday. The strikers are facing disciplinary action from GHC for alleged gross misconduct.

Nombulelo Damba

News | 21 May 2015

“I burnt my client’s scalp” and other load shedding horror stories

Business owners in Langa township are fed up with load shedding. And residents complain that the rolling blackouts makes their neighbourhoods unsafe.

Pharie Sefali

News | 20 May 2015

“After we treat them, they say you kwere kwere”

Burundian nurse Elvira Modesero was a victim of the xenophobic violence that took place in Kwazulu-Natal in April. She told her story to Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This is an edited and shortened transcript of her interview.

Elvira Modesero, as told to Doctors Without Borders

News | 20 May 2015

When will the trains run on time?

City Press reported on Sunday the names of some people involved in a R51 billion PRASA tender for new train coaches. These included businessmen with close ties to the ANC, such as Thalente Myeni, son of Dudu Myeni who is the chairperson of SAA, as well as Pearl Zuma, a distant cousin of the president.

Text by GroundUp Staff. Photos by Masixole Feni.

News | 19 May 2015

Living in a bathroom for 20 years

Nomusa Mthembu, 57, has been living in a bathroom in Thornville, Pietermaritzburg, for more than two decades.

Ntombi Mbomvu

News | 19 May 2015