‘Talk to us not about us’ Abahlali baseMjondolo in Hackney, London 4 & 5 September 2009

Posted on | August 22, 2009 |

Abahlali baseMjondolo the shack dwellers movement from South Africa visit Hackney

BENEFIT Fri 4 Sept 7.30pm-2am@ the Belgrade Social Centre, 2a Belgrade Rd, London N16 8DJ

Films and discussion with representatives from the South African shack dwellers’ movement, followed by uplifting African music from Jally Kebba Susso (kora master), Kodjovi Kush from the Soothsayers, Jah Warrior and Bubble-Wap featuring Isa GT.

£3 donation, free to hostel residents.

TALK Sat 5 Sept 3-5.30pm @ Navarino Mansions Community Hall, Dalston Lane, London E8 1AJ

‘Talk to us, not about us’ - talk and discussion with representatives from Abahlali baseMjondolo and Church Land Programme.

Fifteen years after the end of apartheid, poverty and inequality in South Africa have increased. The heritage of the liberation struggle means that today many communities are taking action to challenge this injustice. Durban’s shack dwellers started to build a movement in 2005 and Abahlali baseMjondolo is now the largest social movement of the poor in post-apartheid South Africa. The movement’s key demand is for ‘Land & Housing in the City’ but it has also successfully politicized and fought for an end to forced removals and for access to education and the provision of water, electricity, sanitation, health care and refuse removal as well as bottom up popular democracy. Amongst other victories the Abahlali have democratized the governance of many settlements, stopped evictions in a number of settlements, won access to schools and forced numerous government officials to ‘come down to the people’.

Children welcome at the talk. Venue is wheelchair accessible and has accessible toilets.

Contact londoncoalitionagainstpoverty@gmail.com with any questions.

For more info visit lcap.org.uk / abahlali.org