More than a decade after apartheid ended millions of South
Africans still live in basic home-made shacks. We hear from the inhabitants as
they eloquently argue their case for real citizenship rights.
The shack dwellers movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo, began in
2005. Their slogan is 'Talk to us, not about us.' 'It's not that people like to
live in shacks. No one will ever want to live in these conditions but they need
to be close to their work' explains S'bu Zikode, Abahlali's elected leader.
However, the group has not been welcomed by the ANC. They've been met with
aggression rather than with negotiations. Police shot Mariet Kikine with six
rubber bullets at a peaceful demonstration. 'I'm not stopping to fight the
government for my rights. Now they've made me brave.' In the build-up to the
2010 soccer World Cup, Durban shack dwellers fear they will be bulldozed out of
the city, or arrested. 'This new legislation makes it a crime to build shacks
or resist demolition and eviction.' But the shack dwellers are determined not
to give up
