Abahlali baseMjondolo condemns recent xenophobic attacks in Pretoria and Johannesburg, stating that they have always opposed this kind of inhumanity. The organization was founded on principles of Ubuntu, where community and solidarity are encouraged regardless of origin. They believe oppressors intentionally divide the poor by blaming problems on other groups. Abahlali baseMjondolo has worked since 2008 to shelter those under attack and defend migrant communities, committed to a living politics of solidarity across borders. They call for building unity and power among all oppressed groups to create a more just world with dignity for all.

1. Abahlali baseMjondolo Condemns the Xenophobia Attacks
The recent attacks on our brothers and sisters in Pretoria and
Johannesburg are a disgrace that needs to be condemned in
the strongest possible way. Abahlali baseMjondolo have always
condemned this kind of inhumanity. We have always
understood that the old Bantustans, now turned into provinces,
and the colonial boarders, were created by the colonisers to be
able rule and control us. We have always understood that we
were made poor by racial capitalism and that it is the alliance
between the ANC and racial capitalism that keeps us poor.
Our movement was formed on the foundation of Ubuntu, where
the spirit of community and working together is encouraged.
Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu. A person is a person whenever
and wherever they find themselves, and must be respected as
a person. A neighbour is a neighbour and a comrade is a
comrade without regard for which province or country in which
they were born, or which language they speak.
Our oppressors work very hard to hard divide us because they
want to weaken us. They tell impoverished people that we do
not have jobs, or houses, or services, or decent health care,
because of people from other provinces and countries. This is a
lie. The government does not give us the means to a dignified
life because it holds all impoverished people in contempt,
because it is in a self-serving alliance with capital and because
is run more like a Mafia looking after its own interests than a
tool of the people.

2.
We have always worked to build the unity of the oppressed
from below, and in struggle. There has never been a
xenophobic attack in any of our branches, or in any area where
we are strong. Since 2008 we have committed ourselves to
shelter and defend anyone under attack and we remain
committed to a living politic of solidarity. This is made clear in
all our political education and we work closely with a number of
migrant organisations. Comrades born in other countries are
included as prominent speakers in our meetings and rallies.
Let us not allow our minds to be colonised even though we
have fought against colonialism. Anyone who tries to tell us that
our neighbours are our enemies is an enemy of our unity, and
our work to build the democratic power of the oppressed from
below.
Let us build the unity and power of the oppressed in South
Africa, in Africa and in the world. Let us build a world in which
land, wealth and power are shared, and the dignity of all human
beings is respected.
We would like to work with all progressive membership-based
organisations, including our comrades in the trade union
movement and progressive church leaders, to build a broad
and strong alliance against all forms of xenophobia, including
the xenophobia in the ANC, the DA, the state and all these
small organisations spreading such dangerous lies and hatred
on social media.

3.
The is time for clarity and courage.
Unyawo Alunampumulo.