12 Nov 2013 5:00pm - 7:00pm CRASSH Seminar room SG2, Ground floor

Description

S’bu Zikode (Founder of Abahlali baseMjondolo)
 

Abstract

Abahlali baseMjondolo – the largest social movement in South Africa – brings together shack dwellers across the country in the struggle for a life of dignity for all. Under the South African constitution signed into law by Mandela, everyone must have access to a house, yet one in four South Africans still live in overcrowded shack settlements without even basic services. The Marikana miners’ strike highlighted how poor South Africans are still facing repression. Abahlali has also faced violence and crackdowns in their campaigns, but have continued to fight for a decent life for all and what was promised in the new South Africa.

S’bu Zikode founded Abahlali baseMjondolo in KwaZulu-Natal, his home province, in 2005 and was the first President. He founded it on a strong belief of equality for all and that governments and academics all too often speak about the poor, but not to the poor. As a leader and founder of the movement, he has faced on-going repression, including being tortured in police custody, being the target of two nights of attacks on the movement in 2009 and a number of death threats following the attacks that have forced his family to live clandestinely ever since.

S’bu Zikode’s talk will be preceded by a screening of excerpts from the film “Dear Mandela” by Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza.

 

Open to all.  No registration required

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