Tuesday, 22 March 2016
Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement
A Special Announcement on the Local Government Elections
On the 13th of March we held a policy conference to discuss a number of important issues. Each of the 28 branches currently in good standing in KwaZulu-Natal was invited to nominate 9 delegates to the conference.
One of the issues that was discussed at the conference was the matter of the upcoming local government elections. There was a long process, prior to the conference, in which this matter was discussed in our branches and in all other movement structures.
In ten years of struggle to build the power of the poor from below we have faced serious repression, including assault, imprisonment, torture and murder. More than twenty years after apartheid millions of our people remain impoverished. We are still living like pigs in the mud. Our dignity has not be restored to us. Our land has not been restored to us. We are told that we are living in a democracy but we are ruled with violence and intimidation.
We all know that many South Africans, especially black South Africans, had to pay a heavy price of death in order for those who are left behind to enjoy freedom. We were living in crisis during apartheid and we continue to live in crisis today. Our situation is urgent. Therefore the movement feels that it has a duty to decisively and consciously respond to all aspects of the crisis that we are confronting.
We would like to invite the media to a press conference where we will announce our decision about the local government elections.
Details regarding the press briefing are as follows:
DATE: 24TH MARCH 2016
TIME: 10: 00
VENUE: ABAHLALIBASEMJONDOLO HEADQUATERS
347- 351 Dr Prixley ka Seme aka West Street
Suite 517- 20 Tower B
Durban CBD
Office number: 031 304 6420
For further information please contact:
Thapelo Mohapi: 0761861884
T. J Ngongoma : 078 5280810/ 084 6139772
Zandile Nsibande: 062 947 1947