Social and Justice issues
Taverns feel the Covid pinch
. . . No booze, less meat
“There is no business at the moment, it is bad” by Tariro Washinyira | Western Cape First published by GroundUp Parow taverns are feeling the impact of the alcohol ban announced in late December. The ban was designed to relieve the pressure on hospital beds. “People who drink alcohol need to learn to control themselves,” says tavern and butchery owner Paul de Gouveia. The ban has served its purpose and should be lifted, says Western Cape MEC for Agriculture, Ivan Meyer.
The story behind the murder of anti-mining activist, Fikile Ntshangase
Fikile Ntshangase will be buried tomorrow. Roving Reporters looks into the background to her murder last Thursday evening. Mine boss links the killing and other recent incidents of violence and intimidation to concerns in the community about job losses should be the mine be forced to close Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife – the custodian of Kwazulu-Natal’s protected parks – wants Tendele Coal Mining to fund a comprehensive study on the adverse impacts its operations have on the iMfolozi wilderness area Commentators
Trad medicine matters:
WHO woos in Africa’s Covid cure search
Where Covid-19 treatments have divided the world and brought opprobrium to Donald Trump, a controversial African medicine has helped forge some common purpose, writes Fatima Khan
Covid-19 has not dampened a young girl’s joyous spirit
We managed to end apartheid and survived HIV and AIDS. What will stop us from overcoming Covid-19? asks 12-year-old, Iviwe Blaai, a Grade 7 learner at Ithuba Wild Coast Community College near Mzamba Mouth in the Eastern Cape. As I am sitting at my desk, I can already hear the president says this pandemic is over. I can imagine people walking up and down in the community. Taxis are full, passengers not wearing masks. Ah, and the travelling! How I
Rainbow’s end?
Dairymen rise to Covid-19 challenge but question own future
Times have long been tough for the country’s dairy farmers, squeezed between rising costs and flat prices. Under lockdown they are, for the most part, bearing up well. Fatima Khan reports
Written from the heart: Wild Coast learners document their hopes and fears
Amid the invisible threat of Covid-19, a series of writing competitions looks set to spark creative spirit among learners missing out on classes. William Western reports. 12-year-old Wild Coast lad Mfundo Tshezi says he “feels like the breadwinner of his family” after winning second prize in a writing competition – a R750 food hamper. Such is life in Mzamba, a rural village adjacent to the plush Wild Coast Casino. The contrasts between the two are immense – a microcosm of
Local inventor breathes hope into Covid-19 battle
An inventor working day and night in his home garage during lockdown has come up with a cheap ventilator that has won a national competition and will now be assessed by Denel and other experts for production. Jess Nicholson reports
Pandemic punishes but powers school digital switch
South Africa’s basic education system is subpar. Fixing it has proven hard to do, but the country’s response to coronavirus offers hope and some pointers for the future, writes Dr Andrew Venter
Stay at home, South Africans!
The Kiffness’s Dave Scott yesterday posted this powerful video, Toto – Africa (Covid 19 version), urging people to stay at home to slow down the spread of coronavirus. As the video goes viral, we await the latest updates from government on how what they intend to do address the pandemic . The Health Ministry yesterday confirmed 34 new additional cases of coronavirus in South Africa bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases to 274. Earlier this week, less than 48 hours
An oasis of hope:
Wild Coast school helps
break cycle of violence and poverty
In an impoverished community, a well-run school breaks the cycle of violence and poverty, reports Mlu Mdletshe
