15 May 2021
A statement of solidarity with Mqapheli Bonono and Abahlali baseMjondolo
It has been a great honour for me to journey with Abahlali baseMjondolo over the last fifteen years. The movement’s insistence on the imperative to recognise the full and equal dignity of every human person has been an inspiration that renews my own commitments to justice.
The movement has grown in reach, influence and stature in a way that no one could have imagined when it began, in 2005, in the dilapidated hall in the Kennedy Road settlement in Clare Estate in Durban. Today it has branches in five provinces and strong connections with emancipatory movements around the world.
But, like other movements around the world, standing up to oppression comes with a serious price. Abahlali baseMjondolo has suffered repeated waves of violent oppression. There have been a number of assassinations. There have also been a large number of arrests on trumped up criminal charges, charges that are usually not brought to trial. When criminal charges have been brought to trial they have not withstood judicial scrutiny.
Abahlali baseMjondolo has many thousands of members and it is their collective dedication that has built this movement and sustained its commitment to the dignity and equality of all people. But among the thousands of ordinary people who have made this movement there are some who have made an extraordinary personal contribution. One of these people is Mqapheli Bonono, known to many as George.
He is an indefatigable organiser, often arranging and participating in four or five meetings in a single weekend. He also works to support other oppressed groups to organise, and to unite the organisations of the poor.
Bonono is not only remarkable for his day to day organising work. He has also become an important public figure, especially in the isiZulu and isiXhosa media. He never hesitates to speak truth to power. I so admire Bonono’s courage to speak truth to power, a quality we should all emulate. We cannot choose the safe options in the face of growing poverty, police abuse, corruption and so many other social ills. In these times we are all called to conscience.
The arrest of Bonono on 4 May on serious but plainly trumped up charges is an outrage. Abahlali baseMjondolo have been down this road many times before, and have always been vindicated.
I add my voice to the rapidly growing flow of national and international expressions of solidarity for Bonono, and his movement. I add my voice to the demand that the government learn to meet the organisations and movements of the oppressed with respectful discussion and negotiation rather than hostility and repression.
We need to move away from the safety of the shore. The time has come to move out to the waters deep. We need to begin to take real risks in the way we challenge those who are in authority, and rediscover the courage and resilience that are required to meet the challenges of these times.
Bonono and his family, friends and comrades are in my prayers at this time.
Bishop Rubin Phillip, Emeritus – Anglican Church of SA.