Abahlali baseMjondolo closed Heritage Month with a mother of all celebrations held at Vusumuzi Section on Saturday.
The movement’s executive structure, led by their president S’bu Zikode, attended, as well as delegates from other provinces and unions affiliated and in partnership with this organisation.
Abahlali baseMjondolo is a grassroots democratic social movement that was formed in 2005, by shack dwellers. It has representation throughout the country.
Speaking during this event, Zikode spoke strongly against tribalism and xenophobic attacks.
“We need to end tribalism and stop discriminating one another based on our ethnicity. This was created by the apartheid system. They wanted to divide so they can come in-between and make us fight against each other as Africans.
“They created homelands according to our ethnic groupings.
“The amaZulu were taken to KwaZulu-Natal and amaNdebele to Kwandebele. They did this just to create divisions among ourselves. And it is painful to see that even today under democracy we still continue to discriminate each other based on origins or ethnic groupings.
“As we celebrate and close this Heritage Month, we must go back to basics and bring back the spirit of Ubuntu. We must be the advocates of love and peace. Now, it is the perfect time to fix this and start treating one another with love and respect. Let us create one united nation,” said Zikode.
Tembisa leader Melita Ngcobo also called for unity and tolerance among Africans.
“As we celebrate our heritage, it is important for us to know who we are and where we come from as Africans. I want to call on every one to stop discriminating against each other. I also wish to stress the need for us to refrain from attacking people from foreign countries. It is a disgrace that we can boldly shout on top of our lungs and say foreigners are aliens. How can they be aliens and non-Africans in Africa? We need to start embracing and be tolerant towards them. After all, we are all Africans,” said Ngcobo.
Different traditional groups and musicians showcased their different cultural moves as they entertained guests.
