Poor People's Alliance

The Poor People's Alliance was network of radical grassroots movements in South Africa.[1][2] It was formed in 2008 after the Action Alliance, formed in December 2006, was expanded to include two more organisations.[3] It become defunct following the collapse of two of its affiliated movements, the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign and the Landless People's Movement.

Members of the Poor People's Alliance Outside the Constitutional Court, 14 May 2009

The following organisations were members of the alliance:

  1. Abahlali baseMjondolo in the province of KwaZulu-Natal.
  2. Abahlali baseMjondolo in the province of the Western Cape.
  3. The Landless People's Movement in the province of Gauteng.
  4. The Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign in the province of the Western Cape.
  5. The Rural Network of KwaZulu-Natal.[4][5]

The Poor People's Alliance refused electoral politics[6] and resolved to boycott the 2009 national elections under the slogan "No Land! No House! No Vote!".[7][8][9]

The Poor People's Alliance supported the struggle of the eMacambini Community against mass eviction by Ruwaad Holdings and KwaZulu-Natal Premier S'bu Ndebele and the African National Congress Provincial Government of KwaZulu-Natal.[10]

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The Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign stated that it has been influenced by the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign and the Poor People's Alliance.[11]

Notes and references

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  1. ^ Voices of poor must be heard, Editorial, Business Day, 25 October 2010
  2. ^ South Africa: A Revolution in Progress Archived 14 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Ceasefire, 9 January 2009
  3. ^ The Struggle for Land & Housing in Post-Apartheid South Africa by Toussaint Losier, Left Turn, January 2009
  4. ^ 'Participatory Society: Urban Space & Freedom', by Chris Spannos, Z-Net, 29 May 2009 Archived 6 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ South Africa: A Revolution in Progress Archived 14 January 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Ceasefire, 9 January 2009
  6. ^ [1] Possibilities for other options at polls, Imraan Buccus, Sunday Tribune, 28 February 2010
  7. ^ See 'Post Annual General Meeting Speech by S'bu Zikode' at http://www.abahlali.org/node/4666
  8. ^ ANC Attacks Shack Dwellers Movements
  9. ^ By Voting We Are Only Choosing Our Oppressors, Soundz of the South
  10. ^ See 'Ten Thousand to March on S’bu Ndebele in Protest at eMacambini Evictions' at http://www.abahlali.org/node/4584
  11. ^ February "Rent Party" Fundraiser for Freedom, Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign