On Thursday 27 July, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) will be holding a meeting in Extension 10 to allow the community to speak about their struggles to get housing.
On Thursday 27 July, the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) will be holding a meeting in Extension 10 to allow the community to speak about their struggles to get housing.
This meeting arose out of the growing frustrations of people in Grahamstown and the surrounding constituencies who feel that they are still not being provided for by the local municipality and government.
It is intended to be a dialogue where people can voice their complaints and challenge authorities to make positive changes.
Xola Mali and Siyasanga Bentele of the UPM are doing their best to mobilize the Grahamstown community to attend the meeting and have their say. To this end, there will also be a broadcast about the meeting on Radio Grahamstown between 9-12am on Wednesday.
Mali explains the impetus behind this discussion forum.
“We are providing a platform for complaints and engagement. People must be aware; they must know how the government treats them. People need to understand the context of their struggles.”
The UPM says that they are greatly aggrieved by the waiting list system that the municipality uses to determine who will receive RDP houses next.
“People don’t know if they are on the waiting list.” Mali explains. “You see your name on the list one day, and the next day it’s gone. None of the councilors are accountable.”
In addition, the UDM expressed concerns regarding the legitimacy of promises that are being made now.
“Elections are coming next year. We are suspicious as the list keeps changing. The government lobby funding in the name of the poor, but the poor’s living conditions aren’t changing.”
“It’s not just about ‘service delivery’, it’s about dignity. When you don’t have a toilet, what does that do to your dignity?”
The UPM have invited the mayor Zamuxolo Peter to the meeting, which coincides with the opening of the National Arts Festival.
The UPM would like to remind the people who attend the meeting of the South African Constitution.
“You have a right to vote,” said Mali, “but you also have a right not to vote.”
