Friday, 21 June 2013
Abahlali baseMjondolo press statement
New Abahlali baseMjondolo Branch Launched in the Kennedy Road Settlement Last Night
At 18:00 p.m. last night, 20 June 2013, the Abahlali leadership successfully launched the new Kennedy Abahlali baseMjondolo branch. The Kennedy Road Community Hall was fully packed with Abahlali baseMjondolo members and friends.
During the launching the Abahlali Executive Committee took the opportunity to officially hand over the famous Abahlali Cup that was won by the Kennedy Road Soccer Team on the 17 June during the Abahlali Soccer Tournament. This event was enjoyed by many young people who danced as DJ Khanyile was playing music.
This launch comes after a very long time of organizing under the shadow of threats and intimidation in the Kennedy Road settlement by a self-appointed committees known as the Committee of Vouchers. This committee only became active when there were disasters like shack fires so that they could receive food vouchers meant for the victims, for themselves. For too long the community has been without a legitimate elected committee. For too long they have been subjected to all kinds of threats without even having community meeting to discuss development and other urgent issues. For too long they have been without a crèche for kids, without an HIV/AIDS projects, without feeding schemes and community gardens etc. The ANC mob that forcibly drove the elected Abahlali leadership out of Kennedy Road in 2009 failed to maintain or bring new community projects. They failed to make any progress in accessing housing. In fact living conditions in Kennedy Road went from bad to worse.
We are now hoping that the community, individuals, and the state, including the police and municipality, can work with this elected committee to avoid mispresentation and corruption. The community has vowed to support its newly elected leadership so that housing and any development in the area can have a fair community deal.
Abahlali are very proud of this progress after many years of struggle to rebuild a democratic politics in the settlement after the attack on the movement in 2009 and the intimidation that followed. At first Abahlali members had to organize underground but the movement was steadily able to rebuild its strength despite intimidation. There were calls and calls requesting the returns of the displacees. Last night democracy was restored to the Kennedy Road settlement.
The following comrades were elected to leadership position in Kennedy Road last night:
1. Chairperson: Mbusiswa Sibethwa 072 3063782
2. Deputy Chairperson: Bangeni Gumede 079 9771723
3. Secretary: Sash Xulu 082 7057494
4. Deputy Secretary: Thoko Zikode
5. Treasurer: Vusi Xulu
6. Organizer: Zwelemfundo Sbiya
7. Deputy Organizer: Nonhlanhla Maphumulo
8. Additional member: Dudu Mzolo
Please contact
Bangeni Gumede, Abahlali baseMjondolo Kennedy branch Deputy Chairperson, 079 9771723
Thina Khanyile, Abahlali baseMjondolo Deputy Secretary, 078 2891314
Bandile Mdlalose, Abahlali baseMjondolo Deputy Secretary, 084 5575090/031 3046420