Civil Society

Gay sangomas demand recognition

It’s hard being gay and a sangoma, traditional healer Michael Khumalo told a workshop organised as part of the Khumbulani Pride events in Cape Town last Thursday.

Pharie Sefali

News | 18 May 2015

“What is your business in Council?” - My experience trying to participate in the City of Cape Town’s budget

Every year the mayor calls for residents to participate in the budget process by making submissions on Cape Town's draft budget. Last year fewer than forty people wrote submissions and only 23 were from the public. This has been the trend for the last couple of years.

Axolile Notywala

Opinion | 14 May 2015

Legalise pot, demand protestors

A few hundred people marched through Cape Town this morning, demanding that dagga be legalised.

Photos: Bernard Chiguvare. Text: GroundUp Staff.

News | 9 May 2015

SANCO chairperson asks foreigners for protection money

Mthethwa Filita, chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation in Mayibuye, Makhaza, has been asking for protection money from shops owned by foreign nationals.

Pharie Sefali

News | 7 May 2015

Zimbabweans fund raise for young and old

It is better to give than to receive. Say no to xenophobia and say yes to assisting and uplifting your community. These were the sentiments of Zimbabwean business people in Cape Town. On Sunday in Muizenberg, they sponsored a charity fundraising event for Marinatha Home for the Elderly and the Mother’s Love Educare crèche in Capricorn.

Tariro Washinyira

News | 4 May 2015

The rebellion of the poor

Today, 1 May, South Africa celebrates Workers’ Day. In the third and last in a series of articles, Leonard Gentle argues that a new labour movement will have to be part of a broader social movement.

Leonard Gentle

Opinion | 1 May 2015

Khayelitsha residents hand over 600 submissions on City’s draft budget

About 150 Social Justice Coalition (SJC) members, supported by Ndifuna Ukwazi, formed a queue behind a toilet outside the Civic Centre and chanted struggle songs on Thursday, as they waited for their individual submissions on the City of Cape Town's draft budget for the 2015/2016 financial year to be collected.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 23 April 2015

Big dreams for Port Elizabeth cooperative for people with disabilities

A Port Elizabeth cooperative run by people living with disabilities is looking for funds to launch a business.

Joseph Chirume

News | 10 April 2015

Right to protest is under sustained attack

Equal Education’s recently concluded sleep-in protests in three cities have shown how disturbingly difficult it has become to hold legal protests, even for organisations fortunate enough to have access to resources and legal expertise.

Doron Isaacs

Opinion | 10 April 2015

UCT and transformation: Part one

Is the University of Cape Town (UCT) transforming? What does transformation mean? In a series of articles GroundUp provides the key facts and arguments on the main points of contention facing South Africa’s oldest tertiary institution.

GroundUp Staff

Feature | 9 April 2015

SJC only prove their ignorance

The Social Justice Coalition (SJC) has once again proven their obsession with budgets, and their incompetence at interpreting them.

Ernest Sonnenberg

Opinion | 1 April 2015

Concourt gives Sassa seven months for R10 billion tender

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) has been given seven months to award a new contract for the payment of social welfare grants, the Constitutional Court ruled this week.

Barbara Maregele

News | 26 March 2015

Down with xenophobia! say Khayelitsha organisations

To commemorate Human Rights Day and raise awareness about xenophobia, around 80 South Africans and Somalis marched in Khayelitsha Site C at an event organised by the Social Justice Coalition (SJC).

Tariro Washinyira

News | 23 March 2015

By ignoring petitions, government encourages violent protest

The Eastern Cape government has failed to even acknowledge a petition from a group of housing project beneficiaries. What options does this leave aggrieved citizens, asks Mimosa Delgaro?

Mimosa Delgaro

Opinion | 20 March 2015

TAC calls on Free State premier to fire MEC

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) has called on Free State Premier Ace Magashule to fire or suspend health MEC Benny Malakoane, after the release of a letter from doctors about the Free State healthcare system.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

Brief | 5 March 2015

Sibongile - help for children with disabilities

Nomasango Xabanisa knows only too well how time-consuming it is to look after a disabled child. Her own daughter, Sibongile, had cerebral palsy.

Mary-Anne Gontsana

News | 3 March 2015