Monthly Archives: February 2010

AbM Film Screening in London

http://abmsolidaritygroup.blogspot.com/

Abahlali baseMjondolo Solidarity group in association with SOAS War on Want Society Presents:

The Right to Know: The Fight for Open Democracy in South Africa

– A Short Film Showing and Discussion –

7pm – Wednesday 3rd March

Room 4418 (4th Floor, SOAS Main Building)

Since the mid-2000s, a number of social movements in South Africa have organised and acted to improve the lives of those living in substandard housing and working, if at all, precariously in the informal economy and fighting against privatization, evictions, water-collection and electricity turn-offs.

These community-oriented struggles are based in the “illegal” settlements which are mushroom in and around major cities and sections of the countryside because of South Africa’s ongoing housing crisis. Loosely linked together in the Poor People’s Alliance, movements like AbM, the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign, the Landless People’s Movement, and Abahali baseplasini (Rural Network), have taken direct action against government policy and official neglect.

UK group email list

Facebook event (please indicate if you’re coming)

All are welcome to enjoy the short film and discussion on these movements, as well as learn how YOU can help support their struggles.

Cities Without Citizens: A Perspective on the Struggle of Abahlali baseMjondolo, the Durban Shackdweller Movement

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Cities Without Citizens: A Perspective on the Struggle of Abahlali baseMjondolo, the Durban Shackdweller Movement

by Raj Patel, Chapter Three of Contesting Development Critical Struggles for Social Change, edited by Phillip McMichael, 2009

Abahlali baseMjondolo problematizes “ownership” as means of production
and self-improvement in the development narrative by investing it with the
right to a place in the city—as a question of social reproduction and cultural
entitlement (given the particular history of race and class in post-apartheid
South Africa). In contesting betrayal of their urban land claims, in an electoral
context, this movement brings a new sensibility into the public discourse
of rights and responsibilities, challenging its members’ impoverishment and
demobilization as citizens of the anti-apartheid struggle.

Click here to read this article in pdf.

Soccer & Society: The 2010 FIFA World Cup: critical voices from below

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The 2010 FIFA World Cup: critical voices from below

This essay presents a different perspective of the 2010 World Cup: that of critical voices which include social movements, labour formations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and ‘left’-leaning individuals. Drawing on interviews with activists, written documents, conventional and alternative media, the essay argues that criticism of the event falls within two categories. First, the tournament will not benefit the poor and the disadvantaged. On the contrary, given developments on the ground, the opposite is more likely to happen. Second, the expenditure of billions of rands on the ‘elitist’ World Cup constitutes a misdirection of resources needed to meet a wide range of pressing social needs. These ‘voices from below’ also raise important questions pertaining to the projected economic spin-offs and the alleged ‘development’ and ‘anti poverty’ component of 2010. A number of community-based activities addressing the impact of World Cup preparations on the urban working class are given attention.

Click here to read this paper in pdf.

Solidarity March in Balfour

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SOLIDARITY MARCH TO BE HELD:

Our Struggle in Balfour is the struggle in all poor communities that have not benefited from the fruits of this so-called democracy

When: 4 March 2010 at 10:00am

Where: Library Gardens, Corner Fraser & Market Streets in Town and march to Luthuli House, ANC Head Office

The struggle of Balfour is the struggle of Diepsloot, Soweto, Alexandra, Kennedy Road, Motse, Sharpville, Orange Farm, across the Vaal and all poor communities that suffer from government neglect and repression. We have been pressuring the government for community control over basic rights such as land, housing, jobs, education, healthcare and sports facilities. The government has resorted to police repression including by shooting us with rubber bullets and arresting key leaders. Some of us have been forced into exile away from our friends and families. But, we are planning to continue with the struggle. We are saying “Aluta Continua!” even if they arrest us or kill us. It was happening in the struggle against apartheid where some were killed or tortured and this will not stop us today. We call all activists to create a common agenda that will advance and champion everyone who has been cheated by the government and excluded from the fruits of democracy.

· When government fails to keep promises, we must force them to listen!

· Working together we become stronger!

· We must have freedom to express ourselves without fear or intimidation by the police or government authorities!

· Private sector must stop exploiting workers and communities and taking our resources for their own benefit! Fat cats must not grow rich at the expense of the majority!

· The majority must benefit from Democracy! Nationalise the wealth of the country! Free education! Free health! Jobs and Recreation for all!

Contact:

Thabo 078 129 7797
Lifu 072 999 6869
Luke 079 144 4323

Informal traders at Soccer city receive verbal eviction

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22 February 2010
Media Statement

Informal traders at Soccer city receive verbal eviction

The 12 informal traders selling fast food to the construction workers at Soccer City stadium were yesterday left distraught after being given verbal eviction notice to vacate their trading sites by the end of this weekend (28th February 2010).

The representatives who identified themselves as officials from the City of Johannesburg (2010 Directorate) convened an urgent meeting with the informal traders inside the Soccer City stadium yesterday to convey the verbal eviction notice. No explanation was given for the eviction to the traders, whom most started trading in the site since 2006 when the upgrade of Soccer City stadium began. Most of the informal traders at Soccer City are still coming to terms with an abrupt decision to force them to shut down their businesses, which are their own means of livelihood. The city of Johannesburg has neither showed any mercy by allocating an alternative trading space for these despondent traders, whom many are breadwinners in their families.

This harsh action taken by the city of Johannesburg is a vindication that the city is moving at an increased speed to attain its goal to display an esteemed world-class golden city during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup. Furthermore, this action does not reflect the recent enthralling headlines news in the mainstream media that affirm that: “Informal traders would score big and benefit in the Soccer World Cup”. Without doubt, the move taken by the City of Johannesburg also seem to contradict with Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan’s recent Budget Speech which promised creation of jobs as a solution to moderating the effects of recession amongst the most vulnerable.

For more information on this story, feel free to contact one of the informal traders at Soccer City: Ms Cecilia Dube – 078 722 0626