Category Archives: Loyiso Mfuku

In Memory of our fallen African brothers in Marikana

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http://mpbackyarders.org.za/2012/08/25/in-memory-of-our-fallen-african-brothers-in-marikana/

In Memory of our fallen African brothers in Marikana

by Loyiso Mfuku Mandela Park Backyarders

We hereby send heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families who recently lost their loved ones through state brutality on Thursday, 18th August 2012, in what has been dubbed “the Marikana Massacre”.

This is written to all those who still feel oppressed by anti-poor laws of this country and to the optimism that still thrives underneath the anti-poor economic establishments of the government. We are all bound by our conscience to identify injustices committed against those who demand their right to a dignified life.

All of us by now, through the atrocity committed by Lonmin, the government and the dominant trade unions, got a comprehensible illustration what happens to those who radically put forward their legitimate grievances. The constitutional obligations of this country protect “the right to life” for all our citizens until proven guilty in the court of law. Thus, the police had no right to “shoot to kill”, no matter what ill conceived justifications they put forth.

This tragic massacre has brought a feeling of sadness to almost all South Africans – except the government itself. The lack of leadership and vision in our country is a cause of extreme concern.

It is one thing for the state president to call for calm in the country and declare a period of mourning. It is another to hear the new police commissioner Riyah Phiyega making arrogant public pronouncements that spit in the faces and graves of the people that we were requested to honour and mourn.

The citizens of this country must put to scrutiny the media coverage on this matter regardless of their said claim of independence. The daily inhumane and violent conditions those workers live under – itself a form of violence – has been cast into the periphery of the media coverage.

Instead the primary focus is on the investors and the country’s reputation internationally. Have we regressed to a level where the lives of our people are juxtaposed with their monetary value?

The government has dismally failed to ask: How did we end up here? What type of the country allows its people to be exploited by wealthy foreigners in this diabolic manner?

If the are hundreds of workers arrested for the suspected killing of two police officers during the strike, why are there no police arrested for mass-murder which is also linked to the same event?

One does not need to be a rocket scientist to anticipate what will transpire in the Zuma-appointed commission of inquiry. We are already too suspicious and doubtful about the outcomes of the inquiry as it already seems to us biased in favour of those who oppress us.

The above questions seek to invoke critical thinking about the characteristics of this country.

We have bared witness to President Zuma in a business press conference reading a speech of sympathy rather than outrage.

This clearly shows what he read on that speech did not come from his heart, but were the words of someone else. He is painted as a sympathetic leader when he does not actually care at all, else resignations would have taken immediate effect. The mere fact he read a speech to console his people is not expected from an African elder, especially, a leader of his caliber given the fact that he was positioned as “a leader of the people”.

The very same President Zuma was heard uttering, “what have our nation become when we see people licking spears like that?”

This was a clear direct attack to the workers of this country. The nation can only speculate about what President Zuma told the Lomnin Mine bosses when he met them instead of meeting with the bereaved workers: “Let us create an investor friendly climate.”

We might be wrong, but given how our leaders have reacted to this matter, it leaves a lot to be desired.

As Mandela Park Backyarders:

* We condemn state response with high-level contempt.
* We support the inquiry but it should not be limited internally, SADEC should also appoint an inquiry that will also look deep into this matter.
* We also call on Lomnin mine bosses to be accountable about the mass slaughter.
* We also demand the employees to be granted their demand of R12 500 before they return to work.
* The president should issue a warrant of arrest to all 3000-armed police that murdered the workers.
* We also welcome the call that national MEC of police Nathi Mthethwa and Commissioner Phiyega should step down.
* We also plead with all social movements locally and internationally to pledge solidarity with the Marikana mineworkers.

Cape Times: Do not vote, shack dwellers told

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http://www.capetimes.co.za/do-not-vote-shack-dwellers-told-1.1061832

Do not vote, shack dwellers told

April 28 2011

A SHACK-DWELLERS’ movement, Abahlali Basemjondolo, has urged people not to vote in the May 18 local government election because “politicians are self-centred”.

“By voting you are giving away your powers to politicians. Your vote is not your voice and politicians use poor people as a ladder to enhance the rich and their interests,” its chairman, Mzonke Poni, said to loud cheers at a meeting of about 100 people in a tent in Khayelitsha’s QQ section.

Abahlali had called the meeting to look into what caused shack fires, how adequate government intervention programmes were and how best residents could react in a fire, but speakers instead voiced concern about a lack of service delivery.

Community members demanded that the City of Cape Town provide electricity to their shacks to prevent the loss of life and property.

With Freedom Day yesterday, Poni said: “The people living in informal settlements cannot celebrate 17 years into democracy because there is nothing to celebrate.”

He urged the crowd not to “liaise” with political parties and to hold back from taking part in the election.

Although he acknowledged every individual’s right to cast a vote on May 18, he discouraged those who were enthusiastic about voting, declaring: “The freedom we have is so limited. People are still living in appalling conditions.”

Referring to residents who were leaving the ANC to join the DA, Poni said: “People are not joining these political parties because they have confidence in them, but because they are disappointed with empty promises.

“Politicians should be ashamed that old-age people in the townships still use plastics when they want to relieve themselves because services to the people are lacking.”

Another speaker, Loyiso Mfuku, the chairman of the Mandela Park Backyarders Association, told the crowd that “if politicians cannot tell us what they will be doing in the next five years, we should not vote. As long as people don’t govern, there is no democracy”. Nolusindiso Ketani, 29, whose baby was permanently disabled by injuries sustained in a shack fire that swept through Langa’s Joe Slovo informal settlement in 2005, could not hold back tears.

She said that next week her family and neighbours will gather again in commemoration of the tragedy. Today, the six-year-old Indiphile Ketani’s right side is not functioning properly and he cannot go to school. He has been in and out of Red Cross Children’s Hospital 10 times already, she said.

Another speaker, controversial pastor Xola Skosana, who made headlines for saying Jesus was HIV-positive, said the electorate should think twice before casting votes.

“Any government that allows its people to continuously live in shanty conditions is an evil government. Why vote if the people still live in houses with broken windows and doors, leaking roofs and littered streets?” asked Skosana.

He said until the government had put its house in order, people should not think about voting.

The crowd, led by Skosana, marched through some Khayelitsha streets, singing and holding placards and photos of shack fires, and returned to the tent to light candles in remembrance of those who had lost their lives in the fires.

Mandela Park 5 and My next Project – Letter to the Mayor

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Mandela Park 5 and My next Project – Letter to the Mayor
3 05 2010

Hi Cde’s

Today is marked the 8weeks since the decision to handover the remaining 5 houses to the Mandela Park 5 was taken by the Mandela Park Steering Commitee & the community at large.

The Mandela Park steering committee which include councillor Mkhutshwana had discussed the subject and as normal it was expected that its decision be forwarded to the HD (Housing Department) on time. 4 weeks later since the decision was taken the M.E.C for housing was spotted at the Look-Out-Hill in his address to a group of Khayelitsha back yard dwellers particularly from H-section, whereafter he met a serious confrontation by Mandela Park Back Yarders in relation to his next project in Mandela Park & Mandela Park 5.

The M.E.C told us he was not aware of the Mandela Park 5 as the matter was never brought forward to his office.

He further pledged he was planning to visit Mandela Park area in April at an unspecified date but definitely in April. Today is the 29 April 2010 almost 5 weeks after he made this promise.

We regard his silence as not only a sign of ignorance but also proving his sentiments about Mandela Park area as a whole. Mandela Park is being taken for granted by all lumpen politicians who lack proper understanding of what democracy is about. They think democracy is about them telling us what to do and not the other way around, they think democracy is about us giving them respect without them giving it back to us. For so long we have been waiting for an IDP (Integrated Development Strategy) in our area to no avail.

As a resident in Mandela Park i wouldl like those closer to the MEC to remind him about Mandela Park once more.

I would like the MEC to understand that every action has its own reaction. In summary if you promise to marry your girlfriend tomorrow you cant turnaround tomorrow and say I will marry you when I like.

Regards

Loyiso