White South Africans male and female, young and old are learning to use guns and rifles (despite it being illegal to poses a weapon in the country, without license) in order to protect themselves. Fearing that the growing demands for land redistribution will become more militant as in Zimbabwe they are "preparing for when the enemy comes"

Meanwhile the movement for land redistribution continues to organize and protest with and without government authority.

And in some districts the government are attempting to reclaim land owned by African farmers for a house building programme.

South Africa a land of protest and Resistance still. Although the media would have you believe that it's only problem was HIV and AID's

War On Want : Food Justice : The Landless of South Africa



The policies of international financial institutions have meant that the racially-skewed distribution of land has barely been altered in the 12 years following the birth of the ‘new’ South Africa. Under apartheid, the black majority were confined to 13% of the land, whilst the white minority controlled the remaining 87%. Despite years of 'land reform', 85% of the country remains under white ownership.

Meanwhile, 19 million black South Africans eke out a living on the remaining 15% of land and millions of urban black South Africans face eviction from the ‘illegal’ informal settlements that surround the cities.

The rural poor have pushed for their problems to be addressed, but there is a lack of political will on the part of government to challenge the powerful white agricultural lobby and others with property interests in South Africa.

The situation worsened at the end of the 1990s following the introduction of a new policy that leaves land redistribution primarily to market forces, a policy promoted by the World Bank across the world. Neoliberal economic policies have not improved the lives of the poor, and the government has closed its ears to public consultation.

Many poor rural constituencies across the country have grown tired of the government's broken promises on land reform. In July 2001 a decision was made by various community leaders to form a new national Landless People’s Movement. A plan of action was drawn up, beginning with the formation of a Landless People’s Assembly and a march to coincide with the World Conference Against Racism in Durban.

The LPM is still at the early stages of mobilising people. It is working on building up the movement's leadership and profile, developing ways to attract new members, and forming relations with the government and other social movements. War on Want supports and assists their work.

Tahliba... Maybe you should PM this to Fred Black & Le moor as they appear to believe the 'Great' Mandela did a fantastic job in Azania...

Well he did as a prisoner, it's when they released him it all went to pot.

But to be fair K, I still give the man some respect...The ANC leadership on the otherhand continue to betray Azania's liberation.

The key bit is that his capture LET HIM OUT and made him a poster boy for their regime.. the ANC has just carried on HIS legacy?

I heard the Sugerbabes will be performing lol

I also heard Oprah will be presnt

As said I still hold respect for Mandella. And I believe that it is after his death we will find out his true opinions on the 'New South Africa' and the ANC.

The ANC leadership are continuing their own (and international finance) interests.
The deals were already agreed long before Mandella publicly walked out of those gates. And I am convinced that the leadership had more influence on his decision to get rid of Whinnie and the scandal surrounding her fall from grace.

To be honest I didn't realise till Kunjufu's post the inference of my title. My intention was to highlight that while the world celebrates NM's Birthday shit is happening in South Africa. I had not intended it to be a slant on Nelson Mandella as such. But I do wish he would use the opportunity to highlight the plight of the people of Azania (other than HIV/AID's crisis) Or at least make the link between HIV/AIDs and poverty.

I do know he as been critical of the ANC and it's policy but is comments have been ignored by the international media.

I overs what your saying about deadstock.

Please let the man enjoy himself damn!!...man is 90 spent almost a quarter or more of his most productive years spent behind bars still ...let the man be he has done his bit some wrong some right there are people that can alter things at least he passed on the baton to the next man....

@K
You cannot have it both ways just as Obama's Presidency is a futility for most African people such was Mandela's own predicament their hands are tied in countries where the economy is run by and dictated by YTs...that was your argument so on that tip you need to give Mandela a pass...

I wouldn't disagree too much with this.

Tahilba, I'll never forget exactly how much Mandela committed and sacrificed for South Africa. He is 90 yrs old now and the fact hes still travelling the globe and continuing with his passion is amazing in itself. As much as i would like to see SA's issues solved, i stopped looking toward Mandela to solve them 9yrs ago when he retired from office. I dont know of any other ex-leader who is still looked upon to solve todays issues in his Country. Imagine pointing the finger at Ronald Regan for the recent breakdown in the American Sub-Prime market.

46664.com

i bet as soon as one white farmer is displaced the media will be all over SA and say it's a repeat of zimbabwae ....