Author Archives: Abahlali_3

Spatial reorganisation, decentralisation and dignity: Applying a Fanonian lens to a Grahamstown shack settlement

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Spatial reorganisation, decentralisation and dignity: Applying a Fanonian lens to a Grahamstown shack settlement

This paper intends to show how the experiences of residents in eThembeni, a shack settlement in Grahamstown, resonate with Fanon’s discussion of a failing post-colony. Further, this paper discusses how attempts by eThembeni’s residents, and other shackdwellers across the country, to reorganise their space are underscored by calls for dignity. Those whose humanness has been denied are appealing to a humanist consciousness that the post-colonial nationalist party failed to develop. For Fanon, practises and ideas of becoming human are essential to any successful decolonisation (Gibson, 2011). Considering this, the calls and demands of the spatially damned of South Africa could represent a move towards a true decolonisation.

Click here to read this essay at the Fanon Blog.

Dear Mandela screenings: 10 December, The Fugard Theatre, Cape Town & 14-19 December at The Bioscope, Johannesburg

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Dear Mandela screenings: 10 December, The Fugard Theatre, Cape Town & 14-19 December at The Bioscope, Johannesburg

DEAR MANDELA
Award-winning documentary screens in Cape Town & Johannesburg
Presented by Encounters

“STIRRING…evocatively shot, lucidly edited” – Variety
“BEAUTIFUL and INSIGHTFUL” – Africa Is A Country
“GRIPPING” – Charl Blignaut, City Press
“ENTHRALLING” – Mahala Magazine

WATCH THE DEAR MANDELA TRAILER: www.vimeo.com/dear_mandela
More info at: www.dearmandela.com

When their shantytowns are threatened with mass eviction, three ‘young lions’ of
South Africa’s new generation rise from the shacks and take their government to
the highest court in the land, putting the promises of democracy to the test.

CAPE TOWN: The Fugard Theatre. 10th DECEMBER, 8PM
ONE NIGHT ONLY!
Award-winning documentary DEAR MANDELA comes to The Fugard Theatre on Monday the 10th December at 8pm for a special screening in honour of International Human Rights Day. Screening followed by Q&A with filmmakers Dara Kell & Christopher Nizza along with special guests.
Tickets available at Computicket. Ticket Price: R40
http://online.computicket.com/web/event/dear_mandela_documentary/697744583/0/52013574

JOHANNESBURG: The Bioscope. 14th – 19th DECEMBER
ONE WEEK EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT!
Dear Mandela will be screening all week, with Q&A after screenings with the filmmakers and special guests.
Screening times: Friday Dec 14 8pm; Saturday Dec 15 3 & 5pm; Sat Dec 16 3pm ; Tues Dec 18 19h30 ; Thurs Dec 20 19h30.
Buy tickets online directly from The Bioscope: http://www.thebioscope.co.za Ticket price R40

WINNER, GRAND JURY PRIZE, BROOKLYN FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER, BEST DOCUMENTARY, MONTREAL INT’L BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER, BEST DOCUMENTARY, BROOKLYN FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER, BEST SOUTH AFRICAN DOCUMENTARY, DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
AFRICAN ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
WINNER, GOLDEN BUTTERFLY AWARD, MOVIES THAT MATTER FILM FESTIVAL

Abahlali baseMjondolo Takes the Minister of Police to Court to Account for Police Repression in Durban

4 December 2012
Abahlali baseMjondolo Press Statement

Abahlali baseMjondolo Takes the Minister of Police to Court to Account for Police Repression in Durban

On the 12th of September 2006 S'bu Zikode and Philani Zungu, then the chairperson and deputy chairperson of Abahlali baseMjondolo, were arrested on their way to a radio interview and subject to severe assault in the Sydenham Police Station. When people in the nearby Kennedy Road shack settlement rallied in support of Zikode and Zungu they were attacked by the police and Nondumiso Mke was shot in her knee with live ammunition. The arrest and assault from police at the hands of the police was highly politicised and followed intimidation from senior politicians that including a warning that the movement must stop its communication with the media. For background to this see the statement online at http://abahlali.org//////node/72

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Political Life in Cairo’s New Quarters

Political Life in Cairo’s New Quarters

by Salwa Ismail, 2006

Since the 1970s, Cairo has experienced tremendous growth and change. Salwa Ismail examines the effects of these changes in Political Life in Cairo's New Quarters. Rich in ethnographic detail, this work reveals the city's new urban quarters as sites not only of opposition, but also under governmental surveillance, situating the everyday within the context of developments in Cairo.

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Salwa Ismail Political Life in Cairos New Quarters Encountering the Everyday State 2006 (1)