STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF ABAHLALI BASEMJONDOLO

Abahlali baseMjondolo is the shack dwellers movement of South Africa whose members are directly affected by the deep inequalities that exist in our society. It is a movement struggling for better living conditions in informal settlements across the country, working for access to basic infrastructure that is necessary for people to live dignified lives. Grassroots movements like AbM and Civil Society Organisations play an important role in our democracy by providing a platform for landless and marginalised people, who are socially and economically vulnerable and whose voices and stories are often not heard simply by virtue of their position within society. Our Constitution envisages South Africa as a democratic state founded on values of human dignity, the achievement of equality and the advancement of human rights and freedoms. However, under the current economic and social conditions, the opportunities for the poor to be able to meaningfully participate in decisions which directly affect their lives are often limited. This in turn undermines the vision of the Constitution. Through the work of AbM, this vision and the values of an open and democratic society are prevented from becoming empty rhetoric.