20 Years Later, Apartheid Style Forced Removals Prevail Amidst 2010 World Cup Celebrations

*for immediate release*

24 February 2010

 

 

The Ithemba Farmers Association consists of 300 poor black households who have practiced subsistence agriculture for as long as 25 years on a piece of land between Khayelitsha and Eersterivier. These farmers now face eviction threats from the Provincial Department of Housing to make room for a temporary relocation area (informal settlement) which the government wants to build in place of the farms.

However, the land is still zoned for agriculture, and the government has not followed the proper procedures to gain feedback from the public in order to re-zone the land for housing. It is doubtful whether the land is even suitable for housing, given its flood-prone condition, proximity to mining, and its lack of access to basic services such as water, sanitation, transportation, police, and health facilities. This is just a repeat of the way land was used in Apartheid.   People must be put in communities that are sustainable and not dumped on land unsuitable for housing. 

Craig Jonkers, chair of the Ithemba Small Farmers Association, says “We farmers have been trying to sustain ourselves through crop and livestock farming for years, but are being kicked off. They want to build shacks on our farmland, but it will lead to unhealthy conditions, increased poverty and underdevelopment. The government complains about crime, but by taking away peoples ability to provide for themselves, they are increasing crime and poverty. We the poor have a right to the city and we will reclaim that right whatever it takes”

 

As the government celebrates the 20^th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s release from Robben Island, and the 2010 World Cup, which will add R55.7 billion to South Africa’s economy, the case of the Ithemba farmers reminds us that poor black people in this country continue to be subjected to Apartheid-style land-use policies. “I understand they want to build houses everywhere, but what about farmers? How will we feed ourselves?” asks Craig Jonkers. This eviction will happen despite the promise of the MEC for Housing B.S. Madikezela that there must be room for urban agriculture in the city and that they simple cannot just build houses on every piece of land.

 

In resistance, the farmers are asking for public support for an upcoming series of direct actions against the city of Cape Town and Department of Housing.

 

Please contact Criag Jonkers 0781536783, Nombeko Nonti 0745134711 and Johan 0790277853