CCMA’s attempt to restrain Socacof overturned
The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration has dropped its bid to deter a small activist organisation from aiding vulnerable workers in the security services sector.
Stories by: Daylin Paul
Lockdown tale of an enterprising recycler and vegan
Thulani Msibande moved to Johannesburg in the early 2000s in search of economic opportunity. He was on the verge of a business breakthrough when the coronavirus struck.
Activist Ayanda Kota fears for his life
The leader of the Unemployed People’s Movement is in hiding after being warned about a plan to assassinate him. It is no idle threat in a province where political murders are rife.
School readiness in question as coronavirus spreads
Science has given the green light to schools reopening as children are unlikely to catch or transmit Covid-19. But the lack of water and toilets in addition to overcrowding at no-fee schools poses a risk.
Life for the homeless locked out during lockdown
As South Africans stay at home, thousands of homeless people remain on the street. Cut off from their meagre sources of income, they face both police brutality and starvation.
Lockdown must not lead to creeping mass eviction
As South Africa navigates the uncharted waters of its lockdown, what it holds for people confined to densely populated and under-serviced shack settlements is of grave concern.
‘Fatvocate’ tackles body shaming through T-shirts
Driven by a quest to frame body positivity in a uniquely South African way, Zolisa Marawa has designed a clothing range that embraces the beauty of bigness.
Residents are dying a slow death in derelict hostel
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality promised to build new homes for the residents of a condemned hostel built almost eight decades ago. But they are still living in cramped, unsanitary conditions.
Trio blends creativity with social upliftment
Three creatives from Mthatha mix music and fashion to inspire and motivate Eastern Cape youth to overcome hardship, escape mental enslavement and move towards freer thinking.
Exploited security guards call out labour department
Private security guards in George have been reporting the unfair labour practices of their employers to various government bodies for years, but they have been largely ignored.
Lubabalo Kondlo a king abroad, unknown at home
The world’s No. 1 draughts player is royalty in his field, but in SA he is little known, has to hustle to make a living and needs funding to defend his world title on home soil.
Art on the street of life
Richard Kupeta’s paintings capture the essence of the people who move through his world. For this artist who sells his colourful portraits on the street, art is life.
Millennials living positively with HIV
HIV and AIDS remains the biggest conundrum in South Africa, but young people living with the virus have made it their mission to spread awareness and fight the existing stigma.
Healthy body, yes. Healthy mind?
Promoting a healthy mind, as opposed to waiting for people to become unwell, is the way to prevent the scourge of mental illness that is still stigmatised today.
Highlife music digs deep for its roots
Ghanaian guitarist Kyekyeku is bringing socially aware sounds to a new generation, making revolutions in people’s minds.
CCMA conference highlights minimum wage struggles
Numerous applications for exemption and institutional failure are hampering the government’s efforts to reach its target of six million workers being paid the minimum wage instituted in January.
Heritage and climate row at Methodist Church in Durban
The minister of Manning Road Methodist Church commissioned a mural by street artist Ewok on the church boundary wall, which is a heritage site, creating outrage in the community.
Small-scale farmers’ fight for grants
Though they battle to find good grazing land and water, impoverished farmers on small plots of land will not be deterred by government’s failure to follow up with promises of support.
No public land made available for farm animals
A lack of municipal grazing land for the livestock of township-based Eastern Cape farms results in them straying into streets, becoming impounded and incurring heavy costs for their owners.
Addo citrus workers accuse farmers of abuse
The Sundays Valley farmers’ association has denied the accusations of abuse levelled by the local farm workers’ forum in the Eastern Cape, despite what workers say they have experienced.
How Toni Morrison can help us fight xenophobia
Xenophobia is festering in South Africa, stoked by the actions of the state itself. How do we stop violence against migrants? The thoughts and words of the late Toni Morrison can help.