Aftermath of a protest over lack of basic municipal services. Antonio Muchave/ © Sowetan” Luke Sinwell – 1 July 2024 Popular protests have surged around the world over the last decade. But do they work? And what lessons can be learnt from communities who have a history of militant protests? When the African National Congress (ANC)…
Who were the first Africans at the Olympics? The disturbing story of two 1904 marathon runners
1904 Olympic marathon participants Len Tau (left) and Jan Mashiani (right) of South Africa. Image: Missouri History Museum Francois Cleophas – 26 July 2024 Jan Mashiani and Len Tau apparently found themselves in the US in 1904 as part of a world’s fair displaying ‘savages’. Who were the first Africans to compete in the modern…
Not a tap nor a toilet for the 200 people living in this Cape Town informal settlement
The Gate 7 residents say they live an undignified and insecure life without water and toilets. All photos by Chris Gilili Chris Gilili – 4 July 2024 The private owners of the land will not apply to the City of Cape Town for services to be extended to the occupants and are applying for their…
City installs waste interceptors at Princess Vlei and other waterways
24 July 2024 The City achieved one of its top priorities, to combat water pollution during the 2023/2024 financial year, by installing eight waste interceptors in rivers and waterways across the city. The interceptors were installed using cost-effective methods, to trap litter and prevent waste, protecting the ecosystem. The Water and Sanitation, Catchment Stormwater and…
When it comes to power, solar is about to leave nuclear and everything else in the shade
Peter Martin – 2 July 2024 Opposition leader Peter Dutton might have been hoping for an endorsement from economists for his plan to take Australian nuclear. He shouldn’t expect one from The Economist. The Economist is a British weekly news magazine that has reported on economic thinking and served as a place for economists to exchange views…
‘All of Our Tricks Worked’: Spoof ExxonMobil Ad Nails Just How Easy It’s Been for Big Oil
Climate activists protest outside the New York State Supreme Court building during the Exxon trial on October 22, 2019 in New York City. (Photo: Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images) Brett Wilkins – 9 July 2024 “Do you have any idea how easy it is to get you off our backs with a little bullsh*t about…
Mancomm Meeting
Reminder that our next Mancomm meeting will be held on Tuesday 30 July 2024 at the Observatory Community Centre at 18:00. Zoom invitations are available on request to [email protected] Mancomm meeting Date: Tue 30 July 2024 Time: 18h00 Venue: Observatory Community Centre (room 1) or via Zoom (upon request) To attend our Mancomm meetings online,…
Friends of the Liesbeek 2024 AGM
Loaves and Fishes in Observatory
Have you heard of Loaves and Fishes? It is a second phase shelter in Observatory. They are in dire financial straits at the moment as the Department of Social Services have not paid the 3 month stipend to them (they get a small amount of money for each resident from the DSS). Apparently this was…
Cold reality – many of us are closer to living on the street than we think
Inus Gouws at his shelter on the corner of Strand & Buitengracht Street in the Cape Town, 17 July 2024. Inus & others in encampments around the CBD will be forced to move at the end of the month when a City of Cape Town eviction court order takes effect. (Photo: David Harrison) Tamsin Metelerkamp…