http://rioonwatch.org/?p=12402
Can you talk a little about Abahali’s organizational structure?
S’Bu Zikode: It’s based on organization and education at the grassroots level–and crucial to all this is that people are made aware of their rights and the legal structures around what is happening. The basics are Section 26 of our constitution, which means that you need a court order to evict families. People need to know the law so they can govern, which is part of South Africa’s Freedom Charter of 1955: “The People Will Govern.” It’s this kind of education that empowered us to our victory in the courts in 2009 against the Slums Act.
Do you ally with anyone for organization and training?
Bandile Mdlalose: There have been some academics who show support for our work, which we gladly accept as long as they do not try to control it or overly define it. Another great resource has been the group SERI which gives free paralegal trainings for how to defend ourselves in court without lawyers. There’s a different language they teach us to speak. In the street you can vomit your anger, and speak with passion, but in court you need to be cool and use the language of the law.
How do you get people mobilized?
Bandile: Our movement grew because of the needs of ordinary men and women and through their anger, hunger, and frustration. We are fighting to protect our well-being. But I also believe that if you are doing high-quality, important work, you will become known for your work and people will come to you without you needing much publicity.
What about balancing the successes and the difficulties?
S’Bu: We’ve certainly had both. Sometimes you have a legal success but a political failure. That is, the court rules in your favor but repression and illegal activities continue. That’s why the political element and simply people being involved and participating is so important as well–it makes a statement about our participation. We know the country will not change on its own. People will change the country. And it’s the place of the majority of the people who are being affected to correct the minority of the people who are doing wrong.
What kind of response have you been getting recently from the government for acting in this way?
Bandile: Police come through our communities with knives and guns, looking for specific people. The president of the movement got his house sacked. We have both received death threats that we should stop our work and not return.
And so are you going to keep quiet?
Bandile: Oh, you have to go back. You can’t let things like that scare you. Plus, I need to finish the certificate program I’m currently in.
What are you getting a certificate in?
Bandile: Participatory democracy.
What would you say to the people involved in this issue that you’ve met in Brazil?
Bandile: They need to be united. That is the most important thing. And that you empower groups through the empowerment of individual people. When people ask, “Why do the youth play such an important role in the development of South Africa?” The answer cannot be anything less than, “Because we are the future.