Citizen’s movement calls for collective humanitarian conscience
The group's acting chairperson, Yashica Padia, said members were active in supporting food relief programmes for people in need, as well as in structured collection and distribution.
STRUGGLE stalwarts of the Active Citizens Movement (ACM) welcomed the generous and spontaneous show of support by the general public to address the food crisis in the province.
They further appeal that the distribution of food be fair and equitable to serve all communities.
Prof Jerry Coovadia, 81, Zuleikha Mayat, 96, Coral Vinsen, 90, Ela Gandhi, 81, and Judge Thumba Pillay, 85, are the front line stalwarts who made this call.
The patrons and executive members of the ACM said in response to the recent unrest in the province, various relief organisations and businesses came forward to make food, medicines, and other supplies available.
They further encourage those involved in distribution to consider vulnerable communities and urge that resources be shared in a manner that embraces everyone in need.
They advised that frail care facilities, children’s homes, hospitals, and clinics be prioritised for goods in short supply.
The group’s acting chairperson, Yashica Padia, said members were active in supporting food relief programmes for people in need, as well as in structured collection and distribution.
“Supplies and resources are directed to all communities in an effort to build social cohesion and racial harmony in a practical way. The youth of ACM has also been working to assist UKZN students to source food supplies after shops and malls were looted or closed.”
“In the Durban South area, members were recently involved in a rolling mass action campaign where activists and supporters rolled out approximately 2000 rotis and distributed to neighbouring communities,” she said.
She added that patrons also call for calm and peace during this turbulent time as the ACM stands for harmonious relations between communities, and justice for all.
“In this regard, we call on the authorities to investigate all acts of criminality and prosecute those who are implicated.”
“Nobody should take the law into their own hands. This is a grave humanitarian crisis and we should use our collective goodwill and humanity to build bridges, not destroy them,” Padia added.
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