Ota Benga Alliance For Peace, Healing and Dignity

Dear Friends, Foes and all those in between,

Before May 2008, we only knew of Abahlalibase Mjondolo. (AbM), then
in May 2008, we met members of Abahalalibase Mjondolo, at the Kennedy Road Settlement. Each one spoke, expressing in various ways the meaning of emancipatory politics; and then, the next day, we met again with S’bu Zikode, the President of AbM.

After he described the situation in which they were living, we asked what was the way out. “Healing” he responded.

Given the coordinated attacks against the Kennedy Road Settlement of the AbM, given the silence from the authorities, given what the AbM have gone through before. Questions arise. These are questions, not affirmations, not speculation, not insinuations.

The questions are posed for those who have been silenced, arrested, killed
All in the name of an agenda which has deep roots in African history, spelled out over and over, like mantras:

Do not stand up against might
You might suffer irreparable damage
Justice is meant to sustain might
Ignoring this can lead to carnage
The poorest of the poorest have no rights
Other than paying homage
To the richest of the richest

Questions:

What is the point of having the best Constitution of the world if it is powerless against police abuse, against politically organized crime, against justice turned on its head?

What is the point of having heroes and heroines in the past who stood up against injustices if the same heroes and heroines, now, in power, now hand in hand with the richest of the richest (RoR), pretend not to have heard about the injustices because they have only listened to the media owned by the RoR.

Why is it so hard for the heroes and heroines of the past to listen to the voices of their conscience? Why is it so hard to admit that it is time to move from truth and reconciliation commissions to healing?

To the Foes:
Remember not so long ago, the powerful described those who fought for justice as terrorists, criminals. Some among you, it is certain, do hear a voice telling them that what they are doing against the AbM is criminal.

Questions:
You have been told the AbM are criminals. Think a bit, is it a crime to say, as the AbM keep saying: “we are poor, we deserve respect, we deserve to be treated with justice and dignity, we deserve access to electricity and water”?

Or is their biggest crime to have refused to go along with politics as defined by the party in power. Why should someone go a long with politics of self-annihilation?

Is it a crime to disagree with politics which state that you (the AbM) do not count, unless you submit to the dictates of the party in power. Else, you shall be hunted down till you submit.

(To be continued until the poorest of the poorest are treated with justice, respect and dignity)

Jacques Depelchin