67 minutes for Madiba Day altering the youth in drugs

By Sthembiso Shozi

The Department of Social Development in conjunction with Ukhozi FM fight against crime and drug abuse as part of 67 minutes for Mandela Day.

The unpleasantly-cold and windy weather did not stop the Durbanites and notorious Durban’s drug users from coming to the event premeditated by Social Development in fighting against drug abuse and crime in Durban at the Albert Luthuli Park as part of commemorating Madiba day. The event was essentially intended for the homeless, living in the streets of Durban and renowned as whoonga boys-girls.

Former Abahlali baseMjondolo’s Youth League President Mazwi Nzimande and current president Lisa Nene attended the event to signify Abahlali.

This day is a yearly international day in Honour of Nelson Mandela celebrated each 18 July which is on Mandela’s birthday who remains in a critical condition in hospital as he turned 95 this year. Mandela Day is also a worldwide call to action that celebrates the idea that each individual has the influence to transform the world and the ability to make an impact.

Nzimande described this day as where people should celebrate Mandela, “So everybody needs to play a part. We all know Mandela as a hero, by us doing great things for the community as Abahlali each and every day is a Mandela day, so this is the day where all people be looking at what is happening around them nonetheless it is an important day”, said Nzimande. He added saying Mandela’s life is not about minutes nor hours but years.

Main speakers for the occasion were the convalescing drug users from diverse rehabs, Dumisani Buthelezi who runs a rehab, guests from the municipality and many more, not to forget famous musician DJ Sox who shared his experience in drugs with the youth. It was also a great opportunity for the parents and families to come forward claim their missing children who ran from their homes and took to the streets of Durban as results of drugs; whoonga was the main concern for the event.

Should no land! No house! No vote! battles take place in the 2014’s elections?

By Sthembiso Shozi

This was the main topic and question raised by the Former president of Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement, S’bu Zikode in a meeting held on the 20th of July, attended by members from different branches of the movement.

Under its banner, ‘No house! No land! No vote!’ the movement has been boycotting the elections in the past few years. The campaign suffered a severe subjugation from political parties and police; it was then barred by the Durban municipality.

Speaking in this meeting under the topic Zikode asked Abahlali to articulate their observations regarding to this campaign which resulted in an absorbing discussion. Abahlali uttered their diverse political charged views which ended with different views.

Stating their views, some were saying the battle is the only way ahead as they’ve been voting since 1994 and have seen no change for the poor but only deceit within the municipality of housing all over South Africa, “we vote for people who then come back to kill us. We have a preference of withholding our votes rather than wasting them.”, said one member.

However some were obstinate that Abahlali should vote but by only forming an alliance with one political party that they will vote for in the next year’s elections. “We should have an agreement with one political party that we’re going vote for as Abahlali”, said another member.

During the 2006 Local government election Abahlali adopted the ‘No land! No house! No vote!’ campaign. In 2011 the movement continued to boycott the the government election and was shown support by many other organisations such as the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign, some in the Landless People’ Movement, Mandela Park Backyarders; conversely this battle has received a lot of disapproval from many government bodies including President Jacob Zuma himself. It all rests in the hands of Abahlali to settle on participating in the next year’s elections or hold their votes as customary. Zikode urged the members to also look at how the prior No Vote battles have assisted them.