SAFTU in Solidarity with Abahlali baseMjondolo on the Occasion of their 20th Anniversary 

2 October 2025

SAFTU in Solidarity with Abahlali baseMjondolo on the Occasion of their 20th Anniversary 

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) salutes Abahlali baseMjondolo (ABM) on the momentous occasion of their twentieth anniversary. Formed in 2005 by shack dwellers determined to speak for themselves, ABM has grown into one of the most courageous and principled movements of the poor in our country, with more than 180,000 members across five provinces.

For two decades, Abahlali has carried the banner of dignity, equality, and justice under the most difficult conditions. They have faced relentless repression: unlawful bans on protest, police brutality, imprisonment, torture, assassinations, and the terror of izinkabi. Many comrades have been driven from their homes, many have been beaten, and too many have lost their lives. Yet, through sacrifice and unwavering commitment, Abahlali has stood firm and grown stronger.

We honour the courage with which Abahlali has defended democracy from below, confronting corruption within and outside the movement, resisting ethnic and xenophobic politics, and affirming the principle that every branch and every community must be democratic and accountable. We salute the transformation of occupations into working communes, where communities plan their future, produce food, and run political schools, true examples of socialism in practice.

The movement’s proud history is woven into the broader tapestry of the South African struggle. It is fitting that the twentieth anniversary will be celebrated at Curries Fountain Stadium in Durban, a site where generations of workers and poor people gathered under the banners of the ICU, the Black Consciousness Movement, the UDF, COSATU, and Chris Hani. Abahlali takes its place in this lineage of popular struggle with honour and integrity.

SAFTU joins you in mourning your martyrs and celebrating your victories. We share your determination to unite the working class and the poor, to build a movement of communes and a global movement of movements.

We echo your call: “Ukwabiwa komhlaba noma ukufa’’ Socialism or death!

Today, as we face the neoliberal attacks of the Government of National Unity and the deepening crisis of austerity, privatisation, and unemployment, SAFTU is renewing its efforts to reunite the working class. Guided by the resolutions of our Campaigns Committee (16 September 2025), we are building a broad front of trade unions, community organisations, and progressive movements of the poor to fight for land, jobs, housing, water, electricity, and dignity.

We are committed to breaking down divisions, overcoming the pettiness that has weakened our struggles, and forging unity of the exploited and dispossessed in action.

Your resilience, honesty, and revolutionary spirit are an inspiration to us all. As workers fighting against exploitation, austerity, and privatisation, we stand shoulder to shoulder with shack dwellers fighting for land, housing, dignity, and freedom.

Halala Abahlali baseMjondolo! Halala, the movement of the poor!

Together, let us march forward to build a South Africa where land, wealth, and power are shared fairly, and where every human being is valued and respected as an individual.

A statement issued on behalf of the SAFTU General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi

For more information, contact the National Spokesperson at:

Newton Masuku

Newtonmmasuku@saftu.org.za

0661682157

Media Officer

Asive Dyani

0719019564