Latest news:

Foreshore fracas – Prasa eviction turns violent

Elderly homeless man stabbed by guard during apparent unlawful eviction

Scores of homeless people who have been living next to Old Marine Drive on the Cape Town Foreshore for about a decade had their shelters destroyed by PRASA Protection Services and contracted security guards last week.… Read more

Rail revolution: Plans chug forward

City transport boss is hopeful the new transport minister will support plans for Metrorail to become a municipal responsibility

  • Rail, the backbone of public transport in Cape Town, has been broken for a decade under PRASA’s management.
  • Government policy allows passenger rail to be devolved from PRASA to the metropolitan municipality.
Read more

Spectre of new hotel looms over SA’s oldest mosque

Bo-Kaap residents appeal City’s decision to approve a new six-storey development in the historic suburb

By Matthew Hirsch/GroundUp

A new six-storey development planned for the Bo-Kaap will significantly impact the heritage of the picturesque, historic suburb in Cape Town, say local residents.… Read more

The Ugly Noo Noo: Astounding cricket capers remain contemporary

There were probably few, if any, people who, when they stood up to give The Ugly Noo Noo a standing ovation in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, thought it could be even more relevant in distant 2024.

After all, when Andrew Buckland wrote and performed it in 1988 it was, disguised beneath the surreal humour and superb physical comedy, an essentially political play.… Read more

How to roll in a Corolla

The most appropriate way to introduce the Toyota Corolla – drum roll – is to remind readers that it is the world’s most successful car, with about 45 million having been sold since its launch in 1966.

Of course, many versions of this global favourite have been produced, and the Corolla accounts for one out of every five Toyotas’ sold.… Read more

New shelter for homeless people opens in Green Point

Matthew Hirsch/GroundUp

A new 300-bed shelter for homeless people in Green Point run by the City of Cape Town opened its doors on Monday.

This is one of five Safe Spaces for homeless people funded by the City.

The site for the shelter, at the municipal depot on Ebenezer Road, was approved by the City’s municipal planning tribunal in July last year following extensive public participation.… Read more

Give people a basic income grant, say churches

Providing a guaranteed minimum level of income frees people from vicious cycles of poverty, says Archbishop Thabo Makgoba

By Marecia Damons/GroudUp

Hundreds of churches have joined civil society’s call for the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant to be made permanent and become a universal basic income grant (UBIG).… Read more

August gig guide

Boo! is back, and some of the best shows from Makhanda (Grahamstown) Fringe are coming for a visit.

Music

Boo! Were the antidote to the Springbok Nude Girls in the 90s. As hard and loud as the Nudies rocked, Arno couldn’t help getting a bit adult contemporary at times.… Read more