Today, Saturday 1 December, our eNkanini Branch in Cato Manor, will officially open its new community hall. The land was first occupied early last year and the occupation faced serious and often brutal resistance from the local ANC and middle-class residents living on nearby land. It took sustained courage to hold and win the land. The alliance between the middle class residents, the ANC and the police did not stop the inkani of community. 

The struggle resulted in many comrades being arrested, and many were seriously injured. Comrades were evicted from the land during at least twenty-two separate attacks. The City would burn their belongings and building materials after each and every eviction. They never gave up.

We have had to go to court on the 27 July 2017 where we had obtained a court interdict against the evictions. But City would continue to evict residents in brazen violation of the court order. At the end of last year we had to bring an application for contempt of court. We wanted to hold the Mayor of eThekwini, Mam Zandile Gumede, and the City Manager, Dr Nzuza, personally liable for contempt. That matter is set to be heard in March 2019.

We have called on South Africans to come to eNkanini to learn what the expropriation of land from below could look like if fully support by the state and public at large. The land was occupied by the residents. The community was formed and built by the occupiers. They have built their own homes. They have connected themselves to water, sanitation and electricity by themselves without the support of the municipality. They have also built the hall themselves. This is land reform, and urban planning, planned and carried out from below.

Today we are pleased to say that not only have we won land and built our homes but we have also built our community, our lives and our dignity.

The event will start at 10am. We have asked comrade S’bu Zikode to cut our ribbon as a symbol of courage. The hall will be used to build ubuhlali.

Contact:

Smallboy Mokoena: 065 238 2625
Vusi Mazubane: 073 567 6512
Nhlanhla Mtshali: 079 604 3508
Mqapheli Bonono: 073 067 3274