Pictures by Sihle Sidisi

Abahlali to Launch New Film on 16 June at Kennedy Road

Abahlali and the Open Democracy Advice Centre will be launching a new documentary film, The Right to Know , at the Kennedy Road Settlement on 16 June 2007.

All welcome.

Time : 10:00am
Date : 16 June 2007
Place: Kennedy Road Community Hall

We have chosen this day because we feel that the kids who died in 1976 never thought that we would be fighting the same battle in 2007 but now against the people who are supposed to be serving us. The generation of 76 will not be able to rest in peace until the battle for human dignity has been won in full. Right now the battle that they stood up to fight is only half won. The people in power want us to forget what the heroes of 76 died for. We won t forget. We will remember their struggle by taking forward our struggle. Our struggle is their struggle and their struggle is our struggle.

The documentary film to be launched on 16 June has been made by the Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC) and is about Abahlali s use of the Promotion of Access to Information Act to force the eThekweni Municipality to give Abahlali information about their plans for shack dwellers, their land holdings in the city etc. ODAC is an NGO that has talked to and not for Abahlali and we are very happy to work with them.

The Right to Know: The Fight for Open Democracy in South Africa follows Abahlali baseMjondolo as they seek information for the eThekwini Municipality on its plans for shack dwellers. After years of trying to get answers from the Municipality Abahlali resorted to using their constitutionally guaranteed right of access to information by filing requests for access to information in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act. The film also follows the endeavours of a group of women in a village in the north of KwaZulu-Natal trying to realise their right to water. It is by making use of their right to information that this group of women successfully challenged their right municipality to provide water.

All Abahlali branches across Durban, Pinetown and Maritzburg will be sending representatives to this launch. We will also screen Sarafina because the old struggle continues in new ways.

For more information please contact:

Abahlali: Zodwa Nsibande – 0828302707, Philani Zungu – 0721168520 or Mazwi Nzimande – 0838645945

ODAC: Mukelani Dimba – 0826996586