APF Johannesburg Region march on Friday 25th June to highlight the housing crisis in poor communities
The gathering point is at Johannesburg Library Gardens from 10h00. The march will start at 11h00 and will proceed to the Department of Housing on Sauer Street
(between Market and President Streets).
The APF Johannesburg Region invites all progressive community organisations, social movements, unions and other organs of civil society and individuals to join our march to highlight the ongoing and intensifying housing crisis in poor communities. Come join in the struggle to expose and turn back the neo-liberal policies that continue to impoverish the majority and make a small minority rich.
While billions are being made out of the present Soccer World Cup in South Africa, millions living in South Africa are falling ever-deeper into poverty. While additional billions have been, and continue to be, poured into building stadiums, urban highways and high-speed trains – infrastructure that will not directly benefit the poor – millions across the country still live in shacks and sub-standard housing far away from work places and other services. Thousands continue to be forcibly evicted and denied their rightful title deeds. Socio-economic inequality is reaching epidemic proportions.
Despite endless promises by national, provincial and local government, quality and affordable housing remains a pipe-dream for ever-increasing numbers of people. One of the main reasons for this is that government continues to rely on private banks and construction corporates as the main housing ‘delivery’ agent. To add insult to injury, where housing projects have been undertaken in poor communities, most have been completely abused and undermined by widespread corruption of public officials and ‘private’ tenderpreneurs. Besides the disappearing millions and the shoddy construction, there is also the illegal selling of people’s houses by these corrupt and venal criminals.
Without decent, affordable publicly provided housing, there can be no enjoyment of most basic services, no personal and community security, no human dignity. We will not stand idly by and accept this so-called ‘reality’. We want change and we want it now!
Phambili ngo mzabalazo we zindlu phambili
For more information contact:
Sibongile on 074 485 8127 or Ellen on 082 663 3133