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File image: An informal settlement in South Africa.
Co-operative Governance Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa says he’s optimistic that his engagement with members of the civic organisation Abahlali BaseMjondolo will yield positive results.
Earlier this year, members of the organisation had marched to the Durban City Hall to demand decent housing.
Hlabisa explains the significance of the meeting.
“There must be bilateral discussions, not fighting in court with Abahlali BaseMjondolo, and that was a good step going forward because for whites sometimes, there was no talk between the municipality and Abahlali.
It was clear that it was not only a KZN problem, and the minister has opened the door for ongoing discussions about the needs for shelter of Abahlali BaseMjondolo.”
Abahlali BaseMjondolo leader Sbu Zikode has described the engagement as encouraging.
“As Abahlali, we are deeply humbled, and we have been encouraged by the meaningful engagement that was characterised by respect for the first time in the history of this country. Abahlali has been on the streets for the past 20 years, but no govt official, particularly at the level of minister, has ever come to lend an ear, not to deliver any services but to listen. Minister Hlabisa has shown that it is possible, but that can only be done when humility prevails and one just listens and makes sense of what people are suffering from.”
