INLSA

Tony Ehrenreich

Babalo Ndenze and Yazeed Kamaldien

RONDEBOSCH Common will again be the focus on the weekend as activists gather for a land, jobs and housing summit at the venue tomorrow.

Last week the planned Occupy Rondebosch Common campaign, which was headed by Mario Wanza of Proudly Manenberg, ended with 40 people being arrested on the common for arriving at what was described as an “illegal gathering” by the police.

Cosatu provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich said the union gave notice of its intention last week on Friday and was granted permission.

“People are meeting at the common from 11am onwards. Activity starts in Sawkins Road. Everyone is invited and the focus is to build integrated non-racial communities and the right to protest,” said Ehrenreich. He said he expected a strong turn-out.

Earlier this week, Wanza met the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and made a call for a public inquiry into his arrest and into legislation regulating public gatherings.

Wanza was arrested in Manenberg while 40 other protesters were arrested when they gathered on the common.

Almost 30 civil society groups say they are ready for round two of the campaign tomorrow at the Common.

Participants include the Congress of SA Trade Unions, SA Council of Churches, SA Communist Party and the SA NGO Coalition. Chief Appollis Matroos, one of the leaders of nine customary councils that represent 20 000 persons of Khoi San heritage in the Western Cape, said that they would also rename Rondebosch Common this weekend.

“We are taking back the Khoi San people’s land and renaming it. We will reveal a new name for Rondebosch Common on Sunday,” he said.

Jackson Mxolisi, chairperson of the Kraaifontein Backyarders Association, said that they also wanted houses from the government.

“We live in shacks at the back of someone’s house. The government provided them with houses. We also want houses,” said Mxolisi.

“We are more than 6 000 backyarders in Kraaifontein. We want to discuss the problems and come up with solutions.”

John Adams, secretary for the Ruyterwacht Tenants Committee, said that they represent residents who face eviction.

“Ruyterwacht is a poor community. We joined up with this movement because we face eviction and have a housing shortage,” said Adams.

Occupy Cape Town, a group of various activists, will not return to Rondebosch Common tomorrow though. Gizelle Rush from Occupy Cape Town said that they viewed the gathering as a “publicity stunt”.

“It is meant to be a celebration. I don’t even know what we are celebrating. They are not planning to achieve anything productive,” she said.

“Those of us who want real change are planning a summit in April. We often have white middle-class liberals who have finances and education to make things happen in poor, black communities. More of us need to go out into communities and address real issues.”