Abahlali baseMjondolo, South Africa’s largest grassroots movement for the landless and marginalized, hosted its National Elective Congress in Durban on November 16. This congress was part of a series of milestones for the movement in 2024, including the Women’s League Elective Congress on August 9 and the General Assembly on October 6. These events reaffirmed the movement’s dedication to land rights, equality, and grassroots democracy as it also marks 19 years since its formation in 2005. These milestones were achieved even as the movement faced a relentless wave of evictions in areas like Ballito, Umhlali, and other parts of the North Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
On the significance of the Congress Abahlali baseMjondolo President S’bu Zikode stressed the importance of democratic processes within the movement. “As leaders of the movement, we do not own Abahlali; we do not own the members of Abahlali,” he stated. “In fact, the organization itself belongs to Abahlali baseMjondolo. At every moment, democratic principles and practices are employed to make sure that their voices are listened to.”
Zikode reiterated the movement’s vision for a just and equal society, stating: “We are here to build a just, equal society and dignity. But to achieve that, we will have to continue organizing and build the power of the impoverished from below. We want to make sure that each and every space that Abahlali organizes becomes a base of dignity where everyone feels respected and emancipated. We want Abahlali to demonstrate the kind of society we want to build. We want the voice from below to be effective and courageous so we can turn the tides of oppression.”
AbM has become a powerful voice for the urban poor over its 19 years of existence. Operating under extreme adversity, including police brutality, assassinations, death threats, and systematic criminalization, the movement has overcome these challenges and continued to stand firm. Today, AbM continues to organize and mobilize local communities against systemic oppression and exclusion rooted in the apartheid legacy.
The congress also provided a platform to address the harsh realities facing the marginalized in South Africa and beyond. Secretary-General Thapelo told People Dispatch about the challenges faced under South Africa’s neoliberal policies. “The congress was actually affirming our commitment to the struggles of the marginalized and the poor,” Thapelo said. “In South Africa, people are facing brutal evictions and continue to suffer under this neoliberal system where profit is more important than people. Human life means nothing to the government of South Africa.”
He criticized the government’s focus on building an economy that benefits the elite while ignoring the needs of the working class and the poor. “This government of national unity is focused on building the economy for the rich and not for the poor and working class. Our commitment continues to be that we are going to protect the landless. We are going to continue to fight for a just society based on respect for everybody.”
Thapelo also emphasized Abahlali baseMjondolo’s commitment to regional and global solidarity. “We are going to fight against any form of xenophobia or discrimination against marginalized communities. We will continue to build our allies in the region to advance the interests of the poor and marginalized, not only in South Africa but as a whole,” he said.
Highlighting struggles across Africa, Thapelo added, “We will support the people suffering everywhere as a result of capitalism’s crises, including in Kenya, where people have risen against it. We will stand in solidarity with the people of Swaziland who continue to struggle under a monarchy. We will continue to fight for a just Africa and call for Africa’s resources to benefit us. We are a rich continent but made poor.”
The democratic processes that underpin Abahlali baseMjondolo are crucial for our movement “The ABM leadership that has been elected will advance the interests of the movement,” Thapelo further explained. “We believe in internal democracy. The movement does not belong to the leadership; it belongs to the masses on the ground. Every three years, members must elect their leadership at the national level. Every one year, branches must launch their structures, and every two years, provinces must launch theirs. This is part of internal democracy.”
The Congress reinvigorates Abahlali baseMjondolo resolve to continue building power from below, opposing oppression in all forms, and striving for a society rooted in justice and equality. “A human being is a human being wherever they find themselves,” Thapelo concluded. “Everybody needs dignity, and so it is the call of the movement to fight against what makes us poor.”
The newly elected leadership and the broader movement will now continue with the task to lead ABM’s long struggle for dignity and right to land.
