In 2011, a new Backlogs Grant was introduced. The National Treasury allocated R700 million to it. The grant's main purpose was to eradicate inappropriate structures and mud schools as well as the provision of basic services to schools such as water, electricity and toilets.
Yoliswa Dwane
Opinion | 18 September 2012
South Africa's tag rugby team recently visited a township school, Masiphumelele primary school, in Makhaza, Khayelitsha. This was a very exciting visit for the learners of Masiphumelele, who only get to see the Bokke on television.
Nokubonga Yawa
Brief | 17 September 2012
Some spaza shop owners in Khayelitsha are selling Department of Health (DoH) formula milk that is marked "Not for resale". This milk is supposed to be given free to HIV-positive mothers to give to their babies instead of breast milk.
Mary-Jane Matsolo
News | 12 September 2012
Providing working street lights is an important part of a city administration's duties. Street lights help people to walk or drive safely after dark. Last week it was reported that half the road deaths in the Western Cape are pedestrians. Lack of lighting as well as walkways across busy roads are likely among the causes of this.
GroundUp Editor
News | 12 September 2012
Earlier this year, GroundUp published a story on the issue of street lights not working on Lansdowne Road in Khayelitsha.
Nokubonga Yawa
News | 12 September 2012
About 10 parents and Equal Education (EE) members donned their aprons and yellow gloves at Sakumlandela Primary School and started cleaning the toilets as part of a new project to keep schools in Khayelitsha clean.
Mary-Anne Gontsana
News | 12 September 2012
GroundUp interviewed Chippa United's 25-year mid-fielder and left back, Diego Brown.
Margo Fortune
News | 12 September 2012
South Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions in the world. The Constitution states that everyone has the right to basic healthcare, education and shelter, but upon reading further, there are limitations placed on these rights such as the state acting "within its available resources".
Zamandaba Sibiya
Opinion | 12 September 2012
More than 300 new asylum-seekers staged a protest outside the Department of Home Affairs' Refugee Centre on Cape Town's Foreshore yesterday. The protest comes after Home Affairs turned away hundreds of asylum-seekers in defiance of a Western Cape High Court judgement instructing the department to process new applicants at the service centre.
Tariro Washinyira
News | 12 September 2012
Sbongiseni Mveya narrowly escaped death when he found himself trapped inside a burning house in Phillipi due to a suspected electric malfunction.
Mary-Jane Matsolo
News | 12 September 2012
Delft ward councillor Michael Sandile Toko is in charge of ward 20 which includes Voorbrug, Eindhoven and Delft South. His duties include bringing services and projects provided by the City of Cape Town to the people of these areas.
Mary-Jane Matsolo
News | 12 September 2012
Last year Rhodes University academic Jane Duncan warned of "proto fascism" emerging in South Africa. At the same time, in an article for a local publication, I wrote that "the first loud, trumpet calls to fascism in modern South Africa have been sounded".
Terry Bell
Opinion | 12 September 2012
Umrhabulo Triangle is the name of ward 96 in Makhaza Khayelitsha. Former ward councilor, Thabile Maxon Ludidi, had to step down when he faced corruption charges. Now 34-year old Councillor, Danile Khatshwa, is having to pick up the pieces.
Nokubonga Yawa
News | 12 September 2012
Nineteen-year-old Shane Petersen talks about growing up in a community surrounded by drugs and how soccer gave him a chance.
Margo Fortune
News | 5 September 2012
Professional soccer players who are refugees in South Africa have found comfort in establishing an informal soccer club, with the objective of being recognized and playing professionally again, like they did in their birth countries.
Tariro Washinyira
News | 5 September 2012
To help us and our readers better understand local government service delivery, GroundUp has been interviewing ward councillors and residents.
GroundUp Editor
News | 5 September 2012
Being aware of your humble beginnings as my car watch supervisor in Brackenfell in 2002, it is a gr… Read more
This municipality cares not for the livelihood of fisherfolk, some of them subsistence. The excuses… Read more
It all started before the 2010 world cup in South Africa. We, the fisher folks, were banned from us… Read more
This happens in Kuruman as well. The municipality just ignores the many complaints, while these sha… Read more
I live in Uvongo. Alongside my house is a stormwater drain. When we had our property pegged by a la… Read more