The recent xenophobic attacks were centred in Gauteng, and they continue in various neighbourhoods. In a number of neighbourhoods people continue to be removed from their homes by xenophobic mobs. Some of our members tell us that they are still sleeping with their IDs under their pillows.

Our members in Gauteng have been doing excellent work, often in solidarity with our comrades in NUMSA, to build popular solidarity and opposition to xenophobia.

It is vital that we work with all our members, and other progressive forces, to continue to build a politic based on solidarity among the oppressed in Gauteng.

On Saturday 28 September we will hold a Heritage celebration in Vusumuzi section, Tembisa in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The event starts at 10 a.m. S’bu Zikode will address the gathering.

The theme of this year’s Heritage event is “Our unity is our weapon of success”. We will be celebrating our diverse cultures, and making it clear that for us a comrade is a comrade and a neighbour is neighbour without regard for the province or country in which they were born, or what language they speak at home. We will also be taking a clear position for the full equality of women in communities, in the struggle and in society, and against the ongoing attacks on women.

We invite all those who are opposed to xenophobia, and for the full equality of women, to join us in Tembisa as we work to build a progressive and democratic politics from below.

We will also take clear positions against evictions and repression, for land, wealth and power to be shared equally and fairly, and for the dignity of all people to be recognised and defended.

South Africa belongs to all who live in it. Every person should be able to live freely, in safety, with dignity, and without the fear that their humanity will be vandalised.

Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu.

Contacts:

Melita Ngcobo: 079 630 8005
Nomsa Sizani: 081 005 3686
Mqapheli Bonono: 073 067 3274