Wednesday, 4 September 2019
Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement
Abahlali baseMjondolo Condemns the Xenophobic Attacks
The recent attacks on our brothers and sisters in Pretoria and Johannesburg are a disgrace that needs to be condemned in the strongest possible way. Abahlali baseMjondolo have always condemned this kind of inhumanity. We have always understood that the old Bantustans, now turned into provinces, and the colonial boarders, were created by the colonisers to be able rule and control us. We have always understood that we were made poor by racial capitalism and that it is the alliance between the ANC and racial capitalism that keeps us poor.
Our movement was formed on the foundation of Ubuntu, where the spirit of community and working together is encouraged. Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. A person is a person whenever and wherever they find themselves, and must be respected as a person. A neighbour is a neighbour and a comrade is a comrade without regard for the province or country in which they were born, or which language they speak.
Our oppressors work very hard to hard divide us because they want to weaken us. They tell impoverished people that we do not have jobs, or houses, or services, or decent health, care because of people from other provinces and countries. This is a lie. The government does not give us the means to a dignified life because it holds all impoverished people in contempt, because it is in a self-serving alliance with capital and because is run more like a Mafia looking after its own interests than a tool of the people.
We have always worked to build the unity of the oppressed from below, and in struggle. There has never been a xenophobic attack in any of our branches, or in any area where we are strong. Since 2008 we have committed ourselves to shelter and defend anyone under attack and we remain committed to a living politic of solidarity. This is made clear in all our political education and we work closely with a number of migrant organisations. Comrades born in other countries are included as prominent speakers in our meetings and rallies.
Let us not allow our minds to be colonised even though we have fought against colonialism. Anyone who tries to tell us that our neighbours are our enemies is an enemy of our unity, and our work to build the democratic power of the oppressed from below.
Let us build the unity and power of the oppressed in South Africa, in Africa and in the world. Let us build a world in which land, wealth and power are shared, and the dignity of all human beings is respected.
We would like to work with all progressive membership-based organisations, including our comrades in the trade union movement and progressive church leaders, to build a broad and strong alliance against all forms of xenophobia, including the xenophobia in the ANC, the DA, the state and all these small organisations spreading such dangerous lies and hatred on social media.
The is time for clarity and courage.
Unyawo Alunampumulo.
Mqapheli Bonono: 073 067 3274
Nomsa Sizani: 081 005 2686
Melitah Ngcobo: 079 630 8005
Vusi Khoza: 082 483 3120