Join us to hear S’bu Zikode and Marie Huchzermeyer

Zikode, chairperson of the South African shack-dweller movement, Abahlali baseMjondolo, is widely acknowledged for his courageous articulation of a ‘living politics’ that emerged from within the thought and struggles of shackdwellers. S’bu will speak to a recent short paper he was asked to prepare on “Rethinking the State’s Housing Programme” (at: http://abahlali.org/node/8807). He argues that “[t]here will only be laws and policies that take the lives of poor people seriously when the poor have built our own power in society. …To solve our problems we would have to somehow think about a society driven economy, that is an economy designed and led by people”.

Huchzermeyer, is Professor in the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of the Witwatersrand. Marie is one of a small minority of academics whose work is informed not only by very rigorous research and a globally-respected intellectual engagement but a deeply respectful attentiveness to what actual people actually think and say and do. Responding to Zikode’s input, she will offer insights from her important new book, Cities with slums: From informal settlement eradication to a right to the city in Africa(UCT Press, 2011). The book “aims to inspire a wider understanding of, sympathy for and solidarity with struggles against informal settlement eradication in South Africa and beyond, and argues that the right to the city, in its original conception, has direct relevance for urban contestations in Africa today”.

This is an extraordinary opportunity for our Padkos comrades to listen to, and engage with, thinking and ideas that really matter. After the discussion, Nosihe on vocals and keyboards, joins the Afrocentrics – back by popular demand! – for an afternoon of great live music. CLP will supply some drinks and snacks but it’s up to you to make the party happen – so join us on Friday! (And please let Cindy know that you’re coming.)