During the period 8-12 April 2022 parts of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) experienced extraordinary high rainfall. The resulting floods destroyed vital infrastructure and devastated many neighbourhoods. A number of organisations involved with the affected communities took up the enormous task of providing emergency shelter, food and general assistance. Abahlali baseMjondolo and Gift of the Givers are some of the organisations that got involved from the outset. With the resultant water shortages, certain civic structures scrambled to ensure access to safe water to consume. These battles are ongoing. Some of these are constituted as NGOs, others as location specific organisations.
The current system of wards and local councillors has proven itself to not address and meet the interests of the communities they are meant to serve. These structures act under the aegis and control of a national system of government – mostly run by ANC officials – and operating a constitution of a bourgeois ruling class. We are compelled to demand and struggle for democratic control of municipal and disaster funding, as part of broader democratic control over the lives of communities. This means direct involvement of communities in the running of municipal governing bodies. It has become a matter of urgency to raise this demand insofar as saving lives under disaster conditions are concerned. Raising this demand must state that the affected communities must be central in the control and distribution of funds for repairs and rehabilitation projects. From bitter struggle experience we must conclude that this cannot happen without self-organisation and independent organisation linked to a progressive political programme. Let it be said again: anything else is bound to fail.
The rescue efforts undertaken in many instances were done by community members themselves. This was due to rescue teams arriving too late to save lives. It follows that it makes practical and political sense that disaster management must have local communities at the centre of the organisation and execution of rescue attempts. This means local control, local coordination. Quick responses are essential. It means the development and existence of a much higher level of social organisation in the name and in the interests of those communities themselves. In this regard, the Cuban system of disaster management is worthwhile investigating. The entire country – from national to local level – is geared to meet disasters head-on, to save lives. In South Africa we sit with numerous government departments; the one being more ham-fisted than the other about how to efficiently handle natural and other disasters.
A Call for Organisation beyond NGOs
NGOs like Abahlali base Mjondolo, Gift of the Givers and Rhiza Babuyile, amongst others, became involved in relief efforts. What does this say of disaster management in South Africa? These organisations operate as NGOs and receive millions of Rand in donor funding. The decimation of progressive civic structures under ANC neo-liberal rule and its wholesale substitution with electoral municipal structures and NGOs of all persuasions, have left a huge gap in progressive grassroots organisation across the country. Those controlling the purse strings of NGOs – no matter how progressive the actions of the NGOs might appear – despise the building of such independent, fighting organisations. The electoral system has demonstrably failed to meet the needs of millions of South Africans at municipal level- specifically the poor majority. The tasks of progressive forces and independent organisations are to expose the limitations of the electoral system while at the same time build these community, political alternatives. Two months after being displaced by the floods and temporarily housed in transit camps and community halls, residents were evicted from Durban City Hall where they took up residence. Claims were made that many buildings in Durban are standing empty. An organisation by the name of Umsinsi WokuZimilela The Native Movement became involved in this battle for decent shelter. News reports also circulated, suggesting that ANC councillors bluntly told residents that they will only assist ANC members. Again, decisions are made for residents without them having any say in matters that affect their lives. Democratic control of and over independent people’s organisations is crucial.
We must demand, with the full participation of the affected communities, a roll out plan for the creation of jobs that will contribute to safeguarding communities against the worst effects of climate or other disasters. We reject government’s “plans on paper”. Plans can only be meaningful if the poor majority are part of drawing them up and implementing them.
BUILD PEOPLE’S ORGANISATIONS FOR ORGANISED COMMUNITY POWER