11 March 2022
Abahlali baseMjondolo Press statement
We honour our leader Ayanda Ngila this Sunday
This Sunday, 13th March 2022 at 10 am, we will be holding a memorial service for our fallen hero, Ayanda Ngila, whose blood has nourished our struggle for land, housing, dignity and socialism. The memorial service will take place in eKhenana, where his life was finally taken.
When he was assassinated Ayanda was wearing a Steve Biko T-shirt with the writing “It’s better to die for an idea that is going to live than to live for an idea that is going to die”. He looked up to Biko’s ideal. After the assassination Ayanda’s uncle told us that well before the killers came for him the family had accepted that Ayanda would have to give his life to the struggle, and that they understood and respected his decision to commit to the struggle.
Ayanda was clear that he believed that it was either his life or victory in the occupation. Outside the Frantz Fanon School in eKhenana the writing speaks for itself, “Steve Biko Lives!” This writing on the wall of the school speaks for itself that dying for the struggle for Land, Decent Housing, Dignity, Freedom and Socialism is what the militants in eKhenana Occupation prepared themselves for. Everyone who accepts a position of leadership in our movement has to accept the possibility of death.
The ANC thugs continue to walk around with guns after the assassination of our leader. The corrupt police from the KwaKwito Police station continue to take orders from the local ANC. We lost trust in the police system in this country many, many years ago. The police are not independent and impartial. They are told what to do by politicians in Cato Manor. They are serving the interests of the ANC. They are captured, and function as an instrument of repression and oppression.
Our occupation in eKhenana is a symbol of what a living communism can be. The ANC , which is alliance with the SACP, are destroying this commune because our autonomy is a threat to their power. They hate communism. The ANC is a corrupt party that promotes capitalism and political gangsterism. It has never been a socialist party. It is always important to remember that communism is a living movement, a living practice, and not just some ideas in books.
How do you kill people with such ideals as those held by Ayanda?
After the assassination the ANC went to the home of Ayanda’s uncle with some groceries. Of course he refused the groceries. The ANC tries to make a joke of poverty, to treat us with contempt. It is a party that will kill you and then offer to bury you.
We continue to mourn and to give hope to each other during these trying times. Solidarity will carry us through. Noba kukubi kunje phambili yilapho siya khona.
We continue to resist, we continue to build a strong movement with the ideals of Steve Biko, Frantz Fanon and Kwame Nkrumah – and our own fallen heroes like Thuli Ndlovu, Nqobile Nzuza, Nkululeko Gwala, Sifiso Ngcobo and many others. We will not give in to capitalism or political gangsterism, not now, not ever. Even if they kill all of us our ideas will remain.
We wish to express our deep gratitude to all our comrades across the country, across Africa and around the world who have moved so quickly to express their solidarity.
We know that we are not alone.
The struggle continues.
Contact:
Mqapheli Bonono 073 067 3274
Thapelo Mohapi 084 576 5117
Maphiwe Gasela 062 5954 221