Download PDFAfrican Reclaimers Organisations
By Linda Zantsi
Today, in an interview with two women activists who are part of the African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO), the importance of recycling in managing the environment became clear. The ladies’ names are Mamaili Manosa and Nonkuthalo Pinky Tyebisani, they live in Johannesburg and work as ‘Bakgerezi’ aka the people who survive by using recycling to make money to survive. The organisation was formed in late 2018 by the time Covid-19 hit our doors, it had a recognisable footprint around Johannesburg.
ARO was founded by Cde Elijah Kodisang after seeing how hard it was for people struggling to survive. The warehouse used by ARO is located around Faraday, Johannesburg. He started the organisation to help those people with recycling equipment and a space where they can sort their collection and take it to the scrapyards. That was not the only challenge that the Bakgerezi were facing, some lived in shacks and sometimes lost their belongings in a fire.
For example, a passport, clothing, food, and in some cases, they get arrested because they lost their legal documents. Reclaimers who run into problems with the authorities such as the Department of Home Affairs and for example, get arrested over their documentation, have an opportunity to alert ARO and request help. African Reclaimers Organisation is not only for South Africans it’s for all the Africans who live in South Africa.
This is a beautiful story of solidarity and mutual aid in our country. Now, the African Reclaimers Organisation owns trucks that go around Johannesburg to collect recyclable material and the reclaimers who are at the sorting stating then sort the material before it can go to the scrapyard.
ABAHLALI BASE FREEDOM PARK
By Life Sithole
ABAHLALI BASE FREEDOM PARK was founded by parents and workers who lost their jobs in Freedom Park. It operates in Gauteng, primarily in Freedom Park and Johannesburg South. The organisation provides support in relation to housing, social struggles, water, sanitation, and workers’ rights. It offers a workers’ advice office, education programs, and agriculture projects. The community leads the organisation, making decisions collectively, and leaders are chosen by the community.
Abahlali base Freedom Park has more than 5,000 members. One of their biggest campaigns is the annual UnFreedom Day event where they meet to protest against Freedom Day and update their members on progress made in their struggle for land. ABAHLALI BASE FREEDOM PARK collaborates with other groups in the community to assist those in need. Despite challenges, it has served the community for over 30 years, addressing social and economic issues.
The organisation’s democratic leadership and partnerships drive positive change. It is a shining example of community-driven action, making a real difference in many lives. As it grows and evolves, it remains a vital force for change in the community.
Sikhalo Women’s Movement
By Sinalo Peyi
Isikhalo Womens Movement was formed in July 2021 by Anelisa Bentele who was a victim of Gender-Based Violence together with Sibongile Jonas who is an activist. Both live in Grahamstown located in the Eastern Cape. The Movement intends to decrease one of the biggest problems in Grahamstown – which is the attack and killing of women and children around the town. Both Bentele and Jonas have been going around the Ndlambe Municipality and also the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality teaching women and children about their values and how they must respond to the high rate of crime not only in one or two towns but also in other places.
Isikhalo was founded in many provinces, and women’s activism work was previously suppressed now women take part in activism, in protests, and also in workshops where they speak about different kinds of abuse and how each affected the mentality of women. Isikhalo was also introduced to a small location called Bathurst in the Eastern Cape to break the chains of silence. The Bathurst community has high levels of illiteracy and in many cases, the women do not understand when they are abused since they do not understand the different acts that lead to abuse or that result in abuse.
Isikhalo has representatives around the region and one of the representatives is Sinalo Peyi who take part in all the activities. Some of the activities were a protest after an 18-year-old Zandile Sibani was gang-raped on her way home and could not remember the suspects. A call-out was made on social media for anyone with information and a “No bail” March was made by the community carrying plague cards that said, “My body is no crime scene” and “My body my choice” and moved the whole community. The movement is also involved in activities such as talks regarding substance abuse where the church SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH had a drug DAY when they invited Isikhalo and also victims of substance abuse.
The church together with the Isikhalo movement taught the people of Bathurst about dangers behind drugs and its dangers. Isikhalo movement is in the process of opening a white door all around to ensure the Safety of Women who want to come out of abusive relationships but have nowhere to go and also try to build they self-confidence as Women and build their personality from scratch as they also teach them how to respond to such situations. The Police Captain in the Bathurst Location promised to work with Isikhalo and help them rebuild themselves as the organisation is doing an amazing job and difference in the community as well as all the community stakeholders in solidarity.
This article was submitted as part of the Imbila Yesu publication produced daily for the duration of the Winter School in 2024 (14-20 July 2024). It appeared in Edition 4, released on 19 July 2024. You may republish this article, so long as you credit the author and Karibu! Online (www.Karibu.org.za), and do not change the text. Please include a link back to the original article.
