A statement of solidarity from NUMSA

NUMSA SENDS ITS CONDOLENCES TO ABAHLALI BASEMJONDOLO ON THE ASSASSINATION OF NOKUTHULA MABASO

11 May 2022
For Immediate Release

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) sends its deepest condolences to all the members of Abahlali baseMjondolo (ABM) who are mourning the loss of Nokuthula Mabaso. Nokuthula Mabaso was a leader in the eKhenana Commune in Cato Manor in Durban and was assassinated at her home on the 5th of May. Mabaso was a heroine and a fighter. She has been described by ABM as a soldier, who worked hard to ensure that more than 100 people had a roof over their heads.  

Members of Abahlali are under siege. They have lost several leaders through violent attacks. Siyabonga Manqele was murdered by masked police offices in the nearby eNkanini occupation on 11 March. Ayanda Ngila, also a leader in the eKhenana Commune, was assassinated on 8 March as we marked International Womens’ Day.  Abahlali has lost three members, including two of its leaders to assassinations in the last two months.

NUMSA has built a close relationship with Abahlali baseMjondolo, which is an explicitly socialist organization held in high regard by left forces around the world. In South Africa, they are at the forefront of demanding dignity for the working class. Their struggle is for the full implementation of the Freedom Charter; for noble rights to land, housing and dignity. Like NUMSA, they are rejecting the oppression and exploitation of our people here in South Africa and throughout the world where we share close relations with progressive formations, including revolutionary organisations like the MST – the Landless Workers’ Movement in Brazil.

Abahlali baseMjondolo are the largest social movement to have emerged after apartheid, and it is often said that they are the largest movement of the urban poor in the world. ABM has major national and international significance. The continued attacks on the movement are therefore an attack on the struggles and aspirations of thousands of people.

Our leaders in Durban have been present at many events at the eKhenana Commune and some of our members have participated in courses run at the Frantz Fanon Political School which is located at the eKhenana Commune.

In the struggle to build socialism, it is imperative to organize on both the shop floor and in communities. We therefore see our alliance with the movement as critical as we build the struggle for socialism. We consider the struggle against private property, which is being led by Abahlali baseMjondolo, as an extension of our own struggle against the exploitation of workers.

NUMSA is in full solidarity with our comrades in Abahlali baseMjondolo and we encourage all progressive forces to rally to their banner in this hour of need. We demand that the highest levels of the state acknowledge the extent of the repression that the movement has faced, and treat this as a crisis. They must act rapidly and with all due seriousness to bring the perpetrators of these murders to book. We also add our voice to those demanding a massive program of urban land reform and the construction of dignified public housing.

Abahlali baseMjondolo will be holding a memorial service for Nokuthula Mabaso on Thursday the 12th of May.

An injury to one is an injury to all!
Aluta continua!
The struggle continues!
For more information, please contact:

Phakamile Hlubi-Majola
NUMSA National Spokesperson
0833767725
phakamileh@numsa.org.za