http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20090419064424658C843460

'No land, no home, no vote'

By Susan Comrie

The new bank-bonded houses on Symphony Way in Delft are standing empty - bright signs invite people to "come in and have a look" - but around the perimeter the razor-wire fence sends a different message.

Just metres away, the Symphony Way pavement dwellers look on angrily.

They have spent the past 14 months living in makeshift homes along this small section of road in Delft after they were evicted from houses they illegally occupied in the N2 Gateway Project in February last year.

http://www.themercury.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=4943041

Shack-dwellers ask Minto to revive protest era

April 20, 2009 Edition 2

Mercury reporter

A former anti-apartheid activist, New Zealander John Minto, has been approached by the Durban-based shack-dwellers' organisation, Abahlali baseMjondolo to help shack-dwellers in South Africa by talking to the government on their behalf, according to the SABC news website.

Minto attended Abahlali's meeting in Durban at the weekend.

The organisation invited Minto to witness the plight of shack-dwellers and use his international clout to assist them in getting proper houses.

Open letter to the President of South Africa

Tena koe Thabo Mbeki,

I understand a nomination has been put forward for me to receive a South African honour later this year, the Companions of O R Tambo Award, on behalf of HART and the anti-apartheid movement of New Zealand for our work campaigning to end apartheid in South Africa.

I note the particular honour is conferred by the President of South Africa and awarded to “foreign citizens who have promoted South African interests and aspirations through co-operation, solidarity and support”.

We are proud of the role played by the movement here to assist the struggle against apartheid and I appreciate the sentiment behind the nomination. However after the most careful consideration I respectfully request the nomination proceed no further. Were an award to be made I would decline to accept it either personally or on behalf of the movement.