In a constantly changing world, marked by incessant struggles for dignity and freedom, Abahlali baseMjondolo emerges as a fervent defender of the most deprived. Since its creation in 2005, this movement of socialist shack dwellers has engaged in a fierce fight against oppression and in favor of access to land. Their demands were echoed in substantive actions: land occupations, mobilizations in the streets, media pleas, legal battles, and various negotiations. Abahlali has forged strong links with radical movements and intellectuals around the world, making the voices of the oppressed heard on a global scale.
Faced with the obvious failure of the ANC and its brutal repression of the movement, Abahlali adopted bold political strategies. The boycott of elections before 2014, the pressure exerted by a protest vote in favor of the Democratic Alliance in 2014 to stop the assassinations of its leaders, then the critical support given to the Socialist Revolutionary Workers’ Party (SRWP) during the elections national elections of 2019, illustrate the movement’s determination to take advantage of every opportunity to advance its cause.
However, the repression intensified in 2022, hitting Abahlali hard. Three of its leaders were assassinated at eKhenana Commune in Durban. Ayanda Ngila, Nokuthula Mabaso, and Lindokuhle Mnguni paid with their lives for their commitment to social justice. These tragic losses add to an already long list of activists murdered or victims of police violence, a poignant reminder of the structural violence plaguing South African society.
Despite these titanic challenges, Abahlali continues to resist and mobilize its members. During their general assembly last February, the movement began a deep reflection on the electoral strategy to adopt this year. The need to send a strong message of refusal of repression was clearly underlined, with a burning desire to see the ANC removed from power. However, the current political landscape does not seem to offer any solid alternative in favor of building grassroots democratic socialism.
Through this period of uncertainty and mourning, Abahlali remains committed to upholding the principles of social justice and fighting against the oppressive forces that threaten its members. Their fight for dignity and equality resonates as a universal call for solidarity and resistance. Despite the odds, the flame of hope continues to burn at the heart of the shack dweller movement, ready to inspire new generations of fighters for social justice and freedom.