Locating Fanon in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Mabogo More

There is a huge re-emergence of Frantz Fanon’s ideas and an equally huge interest in his work in post-apartheid South Africa, both in the academy and social movement and organizations. Contrary to some commentators, particularly his biographers, this article aims to locate Fanon within the South African struggle for liberation. It is argued here that Fanon, throughout his life, as evidenced by his writings, was highly concerned about apartheid just as he was about French Algerian colonialism. For him, the paper claims, apartheid was synonymous with colonialism and therefore his critique of colonialism was just as much a critique of apartheid. The resurgence of his name and ideas in the country is a consequence of this critique.

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Locating Frantz Fanon in Post-Apartheid South Africa

Our Deepest Condolences to Jeff Guy’s Family

Our Deepest Condolences to Jeff Guy’s Family

Jeff Guy was a comrade to us as Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA. He has been one of the very few academics who stood with us during the difficult time of our movement. When our movement was under attack by both the state and regressive forces in 2009 and ‘friends’ disappeared Guy availed himself and offered Abahlali his support and solidarity through documenting the circumstances surrounding the attack. Jeff was principled, humbled and stood by the truth he lived for.

Abahlali has lost a friend and a real comrade, May his soul rest in peace.

We extend our deepest condolences to his children and entire family. We believe he has fulfilled his mandate on earth.

S’bu Zikode

International organizations call on South Africa to protect leaders of shack-dwellers from attacks

New York, 8 December 2014. The International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net) sent a letter on December 5, 2014 to the President of the Republic of South Africa to express serious concern regarding a recent wave of alleged assassinations, threats, arbitrary detentions and other acts of violence and intimidation against leaders of Abahlali baseMjondolo.

Abahlali baseMjondolo (Abahlali) is a movement of shack dwellers of South Africa which campaigns to improve the living conditions of low income people living in informal settlements on the outskirts of South Africa’s major cities, in particular in relation to the right to adequate housing, access to essential services, and protection from forced evictions Continue reading →

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Press release-International organizations call on South Africa to protect leaders of shack-dwellers from attacks

Four Housing Activists Were Killed in South Africa: Protests in Budapest, London, New York & Chicago

http://avarosmindenkie.blog.hu/2014/11/27/four_housing_activists_were_killed_in_south_africa_protests_in_budapest_london_new_york_and_chicago

The City is for All Hungarian activists group (AVM) protested with a petition against the killing of four housing activists in front of the South African Embassy, on the 24th of November, 2014. The assassinations raised global attention, and last week a series of solidarity actions took place in Chicago, London, and New York to pay tribute to the victims.

AVM thinks it is unacceptable that the South African government responds with the most extreme suppression to citizens exercising their fundamental political rights. The Group demands that the South African Government investigate the assassinations of the activists through a formal investigation procedure, and that they provide secure conditions for social and political participation. Continue reading →

Daily Maverick: Life after Marikana

Stuart Wilson, The Daily Maverick

First the facts. In August 2012, a group of Rock Drill Operators, dissatisfied with their wages, and with the representation available from either of the labour unions with a presence at the Lonmin Marikana Shaft, embarked upon an unprotected strike to push Lonmin for higher wages. The strike, and its attendant protest, soon gained widespread support, and incited a violent response – both from union officials and the police. In the days before 16 August 2012, the striking miners, union officials, Lonmin security guards, and the police themselves, all took a small number of casualties. The striking miners – about 3,000 of them – retreated to the top of a small rocky outcrop just outside the Lonmin shaft compound. There they stayed for four days, demanding that Lonmin management come and address them on their demands. Continue reading →