Cape Town - Homeless people in Cape Town made their way to the civic centre on Monday to protest against treatment they believed rendered them undesirables.
Led by community activist Dean Ramjoomia and Pastor Conway Adonis, the group began at traditional protest gathering point Keizersgracht near the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
“Today we are marching to highlight the plight of the homeless,” said Adonis.
“All people have been created equal in the sight of God.”
However, said Adonis, many of the homeless were not treated as such.
This violation of human rights was why Ramjoomia had helped organise the march after working with the homeless for over a decade.
With a particular focus on the City of Cape Town, Ramjoomia said it was unacceptable that there be preferential treatment between varying communities.
“The City that granted Madiba his freedom cannot displace its very own people,” said Ramjoomia.
“Is Madiba some kind of super-creature? We are all the same.”
Ramjoomia added that it could not be tolerated that the rights of the homeless and the poor could be set aside in favour of tourists and wealth.
As they made their way from Keizersgracht traditional protest songs were sung, with “Amandla!” and its answer “Awethu!” heard throughout.
Some were happy to have their photos taken, others hid behind their protest signs, while a few of the protesters brought along their furry friends en route to the seat of the City.
African News Agency