Illustration: Tania Broughton A mother desperate to save her son has secured an interim order forcing Medihelp Medical Scheme to pay for an expensive drug to treat a rare medical condition. The medical scheme refused twice to pay for Elaprase, the only registered treatment for Hunter Syndrome in South Africa. The legal dispute revolved around whether the treatment falls under … [Read more...] about Mom wins court battle against medical scheme
GroundUp
Cape Town is letting the flowers grow
Wildflowers in Lincoln Park, Cape Town. Delaying the mowing season in the city’s parks is a boost for biodiversity, says the author. Photo: Rupert Koopman With the coming of spring, displays of flowers in parks in Cape Town can easily rival the famous daisies of Namaqualand. This is because the City of Cape Town stops mowing in spring, and mowing will start even later this … [Read more...] about Cape Town is letting the flowers grow
Farm workers in Robertson’s “dumping ground” call for better services
Deneco Dube of the Commercial, Stevedoring, Agricultural and Allied Workers Union (CSAAWU) led over 200 people on Wednesday through Robertson, demanding the Langeberg Municipality provide basic services for farm workers living on the outskirts of the town. Photos: Ashraf Hendricks Oppiekoppie informal settlement, on the outskirts of Robertson, has been dubbed locally as “the … [Read more...] about Farm workers in Robertson’s “dumping ground” call for better services
Delays with R350-grant payments expected
Addressing Parliament’s Select Committee for Health and Social Services earlier this week, SASSA said it experienced “teething problems” with the payment of the grant after the new system of monitoring applicants’ bank accounts for income was introduced. Archive photo: Ashraf Hendricks Delays with the R350 Social Relief of Distress grant payments are expected in August, says … [Read more...] about Delays with R350-grant payments expected
Mobile showers for homeless people: “mother of water” bus launched
Nina Manzi is South Africa’s first mobile wash service for the homeless. The bus has four showers and four toilets. Photos: Ashraf Hendricks Nina Manzi (mother of water), a mobile shower and ablution facility servicing homeless people, goes into full operation on Friday in Cape Town. People living on the streets of the city struggle to access decent washing and toilet … [Read more...] about Mobile showers for homeless people: “mother of water” bus launched
