GroundUp News
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GroundUp brings you #NewsThatMatters.
We report human rights stories across South Africa.
Visit https://groundup.org.za/
We report human rights stories across South Africa.
Visit https://groundup.org.za/
Médecins Sans Frontières , Treatment Action Campaign and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia have gone to the South Gauteng High Court to compel the state to ensure that people have safe and unhindered physical access to clinics
Read groundup.org.za/article/cour... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Read groundup.org.za/article/cour... by Kimberly Mutandiro
State must stop xenophobic vigilantism at clinics, court told
Médecins Sans Frontières, Treatment Action Campaign and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia launched an application in the South Gauteng High Court
groundup.org.za
November 26, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Médecins Sans Frontières , Treatment Action Campaign and Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia have gone to the South Gauteng High Court to compel the state to ensure that people have safe and unhindered physical access to clinics
Read groundup.org.za/article/cour... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Read groundup.org.za/article/cour... by Kimberly Mutandiro
A group of residents of Centane in the Eastern Cape, alongside the Masifundise Development Trust, have gone to court to force the government to provide them with water.
Read groundup.org.za/article/east... by Liezl Human
Read groundup.org.za/article/east... by Liezl Human
Eastern Cape families go to court over water
Despite a court order, the Amathole District Municipality has not provided water to Centane villages, they say
groundup.org.za
November 26, 2025 at 9:53 AM
A group of residents of Centane in the Eastern Cape, alongside the Masifundise Development Trust, have gone to court to force the government to provide them with water.
Read groundup.org.za/article/east... by Liezl Human
Read groundup.org.za/article/east... by Liezl Human
The controversial police headquarters at the Telkom Towers Complex remains unfit for use about 18 months after it was evacuated due to health and safety concerns.
Read groundup.org.za/article/saps... by Matthew Hirsch
Read groundup.org.za/article/saps... by Matthew Hirsch
SAPS won’t return to Telkom Towers despite millions spent
The complex was evacuated in February 2024 amid safety concerns
groundup.org.za
November 26, 2025 at 8:38 AM
The controversial police headquarters at the Telkom Towers Complex remains unfit for use about 18 months after it was evacuated due to health and safety concerns.
Read groundup.org.za/article/saps... by Matthew Hirsch
Read groundup.org.za/article/saps... by Matthew Hirsch
The instantaneous and chaotic way in which USAID funding was cut earlier this year has caused conflict between 2 southern African organisations, both of whom appear to have been placed into extremely difficult situations beyond their control.
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Lesotho and South African organisations at loggerheads after USAID funding cuts
The Mosepele Foundation Development Forum has accused Mothers2Mothers South Africa of withholding funds but the latter says it has no choice
groundup.org.za
November 26, 2025 at 7:46 AM
The instantaneous and chaotic way in which USAID funding was cut earlier this year has caused conflict between 2 southern African organisations, both of whom appear to have been placed into extremely difficult situations beyond their control.
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Around 2014, the sports facility and stadium at Alra Park, near Nigel, was left unguarded. Poorly maintained to begin with, it was then severely vandalised. It closed in 2018, according to community representatives.
Read groundup.org.za/article/alra... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Read groundup.org.za/article/alra... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Stadium in Ekurhuleni unused for seven years
Alra Park’s swimming pool is not operational either
groundup.org.za
November 26, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Around 2014, the sports facility and stadium at Alra Park, near Nigel, was left unguarded. Poorly maintained to begin with, it was then severely vandalised. It closed in 2018, according to community representatives.
Read groundup.org.za/article/alra... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Read groundup.org.za/article/alra... by Kimberly Mutandiro
The City of Cape Town will soon be relocating dozens of families in Town Two, Khayelitsha, who are living above collapsing sewer pipes.
Read groundup.org.za/article/peop... by Vincent Lali and GroundUp Staff
Read groundup.org.za/article/peop... by Vincent Lali and GroundUp Staff
Khayelitsha families living above collapsing sewer pipe to be moved
The Public Protector is investigating alleged failures by the City of Cape Town to provide basic services to residents of Langa and Khayelitsha
groundup.org.za
November 26, 2025 at 7:18 AM
The City of Cape Town will soon be relocating dozens of families in Town Two, Khayelitsha, who are living above collapsing sewer pipes.
Read groundup.org.za/article/peop... by Vincent Lali and GroundUp Staff
Read groundup.org.za/article/peop... by Vincent Lali and GroundUp Staff
Inflation is measured by the rise in the consumer price index (CPI), as monitored by StatsSA. The CPI measures the cost of a basket of goods and services representative of the monthly spending of average South African households.
Read groundup.org.za/article/quic... by GroundUp Staff
Read groundup.org.za/article/quic... by GroundUp Staff
Quick explainer: the new inflation target
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana has announced a new inflation target of 3% a year. What does this mean and why does it matter?
groundup.org.za
November 25, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Inflation is measured by the rise in the consumer price index (CPI), as monitored by StatsSA. The CPI measures the cost of a basket of goods and services representative of the monthly spending of average South African households.
Read groundup.org.za/article/quic... by GroundUp Staff
Read groundup.org.za/article/quic... by GroundUp Staff
A picture of a neutron star taken by South African astronomer Kelebogile Gasealahwe has been featured as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Read groundup.org.za/article/uct-... by Michael Cherry
Read groundup.org.za/article/uct-... by Michael Cherry
UCT astronomer’s photo of neutron star makes headlines
Kelebogile Gasealahwe’s work could shed light on jets emitted by these stars
groundup.org.za
November 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
A picture of a neutron star taken by South African astronomer Kelebogile Gasealahwe has been featured as NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day.
Read groundup.org.za/article/uct-... by Michael Cherry
Read groundup.org.za/article/uct-... by Michael Cherry
A group of 20 African civil society organisations, including three from South Africa, have written an open letter to Nestlé, demanding the company stop adding sugar to baby food products.
Read groundup.org.za/article/call... by Joan van Dyk
Read groundup.org.za/article/call... by Joan van Dyk
Calls for Nestlé to remove sugar from baby foods
Swiss investigative outlet claims Nestlé is misrepresenting sugar content
groundup.org.za
November 25, 2025 at 8:44 AM
A group of 20 African civil society organisations, including three from South Africa, have written an open letter to Nestlé, demanding the company stop adding sugar to baby food products.
Read groundup.org.za/article/call... by Joan van Dyk
Read groundup.org.za/article/call... by Joan van Dyk
Ngoqokazi and Amatikwe informal settlements, near Inanda, have been without tap water since 2017.
Read groundup.org.za/article/durb... by Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Read groundup.org.za/article/durb... by Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Durban residents demand tap water and an end to water tankers
People in Ngoqokazi and Amatikwe, near Inanda, have been without running water since 2017
groundup.org.za
November 25, 2025 at 7:27 AM
Ngoqokazi and Amatikwe informal settlements, near Inanda, have been without tap water since 2017.
Read groundup.org.za/article/durb... by Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Read groundup.org.za/article/durb... by Tsoanelo Sefoloko
Performers who took the stage at this year’s Unmute ArtsAbility Arts Festival were applauded by audience members waving their hands in the air.
Read groundup.org.za/article/lawn... by Mary-Anne Gontsana and Ashraf Hendricks
Read groundup.org.za/article/lawn... by Mary-Anne Gontsana and Ashraf Hendricks
Lawns outside Cape Town manor lit up for Unmute ArtsAbility festival
The three-day festival aimed to create awareness about people with disabilities in the arts sector
groundup.org.za
November 25, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Performers who took the stage at this year’s Unmute ArtsAbility Arts Festival were applauded by audience members waving their hands in the air.
Read groundup.org.za/article/lawn... by Mary-Anne Gontsana and Ashraf Hendricks
Read groundup.org.za/article/lawn... by Mary-Anne Gontsana and Ashraf Hendricks
We spoke to immigrants who claim they have been blocked from accessing medicines at Johannesburg clinics. They accuse the anti-immigrant group Operation Dudula of blocking their access, sometimes in collaboration with clinic staff.
Read groundup.org.za/article/immi... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Read groundup.org.za/article/immi... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Operation Dudula blocks access to clinics, violating court order
Witness testimony plus a visit by GroundUp to clinics confirms this. Clinic security guards are also blocking access to immigrants.
groundup.org.za
November 24, 2025 at 12:40 PM
We spoke to immigrants who claim they have been blocked from accessing medicines at Johannesburg clinics. They accuse the anti-immigrant group Operation Dudula of blocking their access, sometimes in collaboration with clinic staff.
Read groundup.org.za/article/immi... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Read groundup.org.za/article/immi... by Kimberly Mutandiro
Lesotho is releasing some prisoners early in an effort to alleviate chronic overcrowding and to address a humanitarian crisis inside its correctional institutions.
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Lesotho to release hundreds of prisoners to reduce overcrowding
The government says it is busy implementing recommendations made 22 years ago by the Judge White Commission into prison conditions
groundup.org.za
November 24, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Lesotho is releasing some prisoners early in an effort to alleviate chronic overcrowding and to address a humanitarian crisis inside its correctional institutions.
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/leso... by Sechaba Mokhethi
The R22-million Makhuvha Sports Complex, opened for the public in December 2012 to host Premier Soccer League games, is today just a shadow of itself.
Read groundup.org.za/article/r22-... by Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
Read groundup.org.za/article/r22-... by Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
R22-million Limpopo sports complex stands unused
Makhuvha Sports Complex outside Thohoyandou has been left to ruin
groundup.org.za
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The R22-million Makhuvha Sports Complex, opened for the public in December 2012 to host Premier Soccer League games, is today just a shadow of itself.
Read groundup.org.za/article/r22-... by Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
Read groundup.org.za/article/r22-... by Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
An unlikely group of Orange Farm residents — usually identified by their bright blue jackets and bicycles — are taking crime head on in their community.
Read groundup.org.za/article/oran... by Shaun Smillie
Read groundup.org.za/article/oran... by Shaun Smillie
Orange Farm’s crime fighting patrollers
Community members have lauded efforts by the crime patrollers to make their streets safer, with over 400 people already part of the initiative
groundup.org.za
November 24, 2025 at 7:03 AM
An unlikely group of Orange Farm residents — usually identified by their bright blue jackets and bicycles — are taking crime head on in their community.
Read groundup.org.za/article/oran... by Shaun Smillie
Read groundup.org.za/article/oran... by Shaun Smillie
Large demonstrations were held across the country on Friday against GBV, in answer to a nationwide call by what has become known as the Purple Movement.
Read groundup.org.za/article/it-i... by Ashraf Hendricks, Ihsaan Haffejee, Ishmail Mabena, Johnnie Isaacs, Thamsanqa Mbovane and Tsoanelo
Read groundup.org.za/article/it-i... by Ashraf Hendricks, Ihsaan Haffejee, Ishmail Mabena, Johnnie Isaacs, Thamsanqa Mbovane and Tsoanelo
In photos: Thousands protest to end violence against women
Government classifies GBV and femicide a national disaster, but it’s unclear what policies will follow from this
groundup.org.za
November 21, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Large demonstrations were held across the country on Friday against GBV, in answer to a nationwide call by what has become known as the Purple Movement.
Read groundup.org.za/article/it-i... by Ashraf Hendricks, Ihsaan Haffejee, Ishmail Mabena, Johnnie Isaacs, Thamsanqa Mbovane and Tsoanelo
Read groundup.org.za/article/it-i... by Ashraf Hendricks, Ihsaan Haffejee, Ishmail Mabena, Johnnie Isaacs, Thamsanqa Mbovane and Tsoanelo
The Court of Appeal has ordered the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority to pay compensation owed since 2013 to more than 600 villagers in Bobete whose livelihoods were disrupted by construction of the Katse Dam.
Read groundup.org.za/article/appe... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/appe... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Court orders Lesotho dams authority to pay 600 villagers compensation
Villagers in Bobete lost access to riverine resources since the Katse Dam was built
groundup.org.za
November 21, 2025 at 8:46 AM
The Court of Appeal has ordered the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority to pay compensation owed since 2013 to more than 600 villagers in Bobete whose livelihoods were disrupted by construction of the Katse Dam.
Read groundup.org.za/article/appe... by Sechaba Mokhethi
Read groundup.org.za/article/appe... by Sechaba Mokhethi
There are no shelters for women and children survivors of gender based violence in Beaufort West in the Western Cape’s Central Karoo region. This means they have to travel up to two hours to the nearest shelters.
Read groundup.org.za/article/vict... by Mary-Anne Gontsana
Read groundup.org.za/article/vict... by Mary-Anne Gontsana
GBV victims travel nearly 200km to reach nearest state shelter
A local resident has now turned her own four-room home into a safehouse for many women in Beaufort West who have nowhere to go
groundup.org.za
November 21, 2025 at 7:14 AM
There are no shelters for women and children survivors of gender based violence in Beaufort West in the Western Cape’s Central Karoo region. This means they have to travel up to two hours to the nearest shelters.
Read groundup.org.za/article/vict... by Mary-Anne Gontsana
Read groundup.org.za/article/vict... by Mary-Anne Gontsana
Over the past four years, the number of domestic violence incidents against women reported to police in South Africa has almost doubled, from 33,000 in 2020/23 to 63,000 in 2023/24.
Read groundup.org.za/article/poli... by The Outlier and GroundUp Staff
Read groundup.org.za/article/poli... by The Outlier and GroundUp Staff
Domestic violence against women: More cases are being reported to police
Women might be more likely to report cases than before, or violence is actually increasing.
groundup.org.za
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Over the past four years, the number of domestic violence incidents against women reported to police in South Africa has almost doubled, from 33,000 in 2020/23 to 63,000 in 2023/24.
Read groundup.org.za/article/poli... by The Outlier and GroundUp Staff
Read groundup.org.za/article/poli... by The Outlier and GroundUp Staff
The four blocks along Wynberg Main Road between Piers and Rockley Roads is a hive of activity with barber shops, an array of African cuisine and families from across the diaspora who call this old part of the southern suburbs home.
Read groundup.org.za/article/in-p... by David Harrison
Read groundup.org.za/article/in-p... by David Harrison
In photos: Wynberg main road — a safe haven for immigrant families
People from the diaspora call this old part of Cape Town home
groundup.org.za
November 21, 2025 at 7:05 AM
The four blocks along Wynberg Main Road between Piers and Rockley Roads is a hive of activity with barber shops, an array of African cuisine and families from across the diaspora who call this old part of the southern suburbs home.
Read groundup.org.za/article/in-p... by David Harrison
Read groundup.org.za/article/in-p... by David Harrison
Stalled social housing projects, which together have more than 3,800 housing units, could take years to complete.
Read groundup.org.za/article/parl... by Matthew Hirsch
Read groundup.org.za/article/parl... by Matthew Hirsch
Parliament takes social housing regulator to task over stalled projects
Ten projects with more than 3,800 units still need to be completed
groundup.org.za
November 20, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Stalled social housing projects, which together have more than 3,800 housing units, could take years to complete.
Read groundup.org.za/article/parl... by Matthew Hirsch
Read groundup.org.za/article/parl... by Matthew Hirsch
The iconic Brixton Tower in Johannesburg lit up on Wednesday night with messaging calling for an end to exploitative debt in poor countries. World leaders will be gathering in the city this weekend for the G20 summit.
Read groundup.org.za/article/arti... by Ihsaan Haffejee
Read groundup.org.za/article/arti... by Ihsaan Haffejee
Artists and activists take over Joburg skyline ahead of G20 summit
They projected a series of illustrations, demanding urgent action on the global debt crisis and climate accountability
groundup.org.za
November 20, 2025 at 8:59 AM
The iconic Brixton Tower in Johannesburg lit up on Wednesday night with messaging calling for an end to exploitative debt in poor countries. World leaders will be gathering in the city this weekend for the G20 summit.
Read groundup.org.za/article/arti... by Ihsaan Haffejee
Read groundup.org.za/article/arti... by Ihsaan Haffejee
SASSA expects to save more than R341-million in the next financial year after about 35,000 grants were ended following recent reviews.
Read groundup.org.za/article/sass... by Marecia Damons
Read groundup.org.za/article/sass... by Marecia Damons
SASSA expects to save R341-million by tightening screenings
Treasury has added new conditions to improve the monitoring of grants
groundup.org.za
November 20, 2025 at 8:10 AM
SASSA expects to save more than R341-million in the next financial year after about 35,000 grants were ended following recent reviews.
Read groundup.org.za/article/sass... by Marecia Damons
Read groundup.org.za/article/sass... by Marecia Damons
Foreign shopkeepers in Cape Town live in fear of extortion gangs. On the weekend, three Somali shop owners were shot in three separate incidents in Harare, Khayelitsha.
Read groundup.org.za/article/exto... by Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and Phumeza Halonisi
Read groundup.org.za/article/exto... by Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and Phumeza Halonisi
Extortion gangs terrorise Cape Town’s immigrant shop owners
Vigilantism on the rise as people accuse the police of failing them
groundup.org.za
November 20, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Foreign shopkeepers in Cape Town live in fear of extortion gangs. On the weekend, three Somali shop owners were shot in three separate incidents in Harare, Khayelitsha.
Read groundup.org.za/article/exto... by Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and Phumeza Halonisi
Read groundup.org.za/article/exto... by Nombulelo Damba-Hendrik and Phumeza Halonisi
A man believed to be a scrap metal collector from Makhanda was killed in late September when unexploded ordnance detonated while he was trespassing at the 6 SA Infantry Battalion’s training area.
Read groundup.org.za/article/unfe... by Lucas Nowicki
Read groundup.org.za/article/unfe... by Lucas Nowicki
Unfenced army base outside Makhanda claims another life
At least six people have been killed or injured by explosives from the largely unfenced 6 SA Infantry Battalion training area
groundup.org.za
November 20, 2025 at 7:22 AM
A man believed to be a scrap metal collector from Makhanda was killed in late September when unexploded ordnance detonated while he was trespassing at the 6 SA Infantry Battalion’s training area.
Read groundup.org.za/article/unfe... by Lucas Nowicki
Read groundup.org.za/article/unfe... by Lucas Nowicki