Poor People's Alliance Explained

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.

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]

International links

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

1. http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=124776 Voices of poor must be heard
2. http://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/columns/the-anti-imperialist/the-anti-imperialist-south-africa-a-revolution-in-progress/ South Africa: A Revolution in Progress
3. http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/01/12/18562116.php The Struggle for Land & Housing in Post-Apartheid South Africa by Toussaint Losier, Left Turn, January 2009
4. http://www.zcommunications.org/znet/viewArticle/21529 'Participatory Society: Urban Space & Freedom', by Chris Spannos, Z-Net, 29 May 2009
5. http://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/columns/the-anti-imperialist/the-anti-imperialist-south-africa-a-revolution-in-progress/ South Africa: A Revolution in Progress
6. http://www.sundaytribune.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5370984
7. See 'Post Annual General Meeting Speech by S'bu Zikode' at http://www.abahlali.org/node/4666
8. http://cozop.com/divergences_revue_libertaire_internationale_en_ligne/south_africa_anc_attacks_shack_dwellers_movements ANC Attacks Shack Dwellers Movements
9. http://soundzofthesouth.blogspot.com/2011/03/by-voting-we-are-only-choosing-our.html By Voting We Are Only Choosing Our Oppressors
10. See 'Ten Thousand to March on S’bu Ndebele in Protest at eMacambini Evictions' at http://www.abahlali.org/node/4584
11. http://chicagoantieviction.org/2012/02/february-rent-party-fundraiser-for.html February "Rent Party" Fundraiser for Freedom