South African Unemployed Movement Begins Occupation

[Ed. note: This group is affiliated with the South African Shack Dwellers Movement; see our earlier articles on the Shack Dwellers and their youth movement.]

13 October 2011: Unemployed People’s Movement Press Statement

Occupy Grahamstown! Recapitalise the Poor!

As a movement of the poor we have taken great inspiration from the rebellion that has spread from Tahrir Square in Cairo to Syntagma Square in Athens, the Puerta del Sol in Madrid and now Liberty Plaza in New York. Our comrades in Students for Social Justice have been just as inspired by the growing spirit of rebellion that is jumping, like a fire, from country to country.

On Saturday we will occupy Grahamstown. The students will march into town from the Botanical Gardens. We will march into town from the township and the squatter camps. We will meet on the square at the Cathedral. We will turn that square into a people’s university, a people’s kitchen and a space of people’s power. Our aim is to bring the rebellion of the poor, the rebellion that has put thousands and thousands on the streets of South Africa in recent years, into dialogue with this global rebellion. The alliance between organised students and the organised unemployed is strong in Grahamstown. Together we can build strong foundations for the struggles to come.

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“What is the Future for the Youth of South Africa?”

Ed. Note:  We received this press release from the Abahlali baseMjondolo Youth League today. Abahlali baseMjondolo is the South African Shack Dwellers Movement, which we reported on previously.

15 September 2011: Abahlali baseMjondolo Youth League Press Statement

What is the Future for the Youth of South Africa?

The issues that are facing the youth are being ignored for eleven months of the year and only recognised on the youth month. But even on the youth month when the issues of the youth are being recognised there is a lack of seriousness about dealing with the crisis facing the current generation. There is a lot of talk and big speeches in stadiums and on TV but very little action.

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Urgent Appeal to Help East Africans Survive Famine

MHI just received the following information from a friend. If you would like to make a donation through our friend, you can use the donation page of this website, indicating it is for relief.  Or you can donate through the websites of the following organizations that are working in North Eastern Kenya and in Somalia: Red Cross, World Food Program, World Vision and Mercy Corps.–Editors

Today, I spoke to my family about the famine that is currently raging in Eastern Africa: Somalia is hard hit, as well as Ethiopia and Kenya. The situation is devastating. Drought compounded with high food prices, armed conflict, and abject poverty have left many without food and water. The government of Kenya and international humanitarian agencies are trying to help in areas that are particularly hard hit. Unfortunately, many people are not receiving the help they need and are ultimately succumbing to death. Read More

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