On 30 November 2018 the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) will launch a new research publication, a community practice note entitled Inner City Federation: Fighting for Decent Housing in Inner-City Johannesburg, in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The community practice note documents the struggle of the Inner City Federation (the ICF), a self-organising coalition of tenants and unlawful occupiers from over 40 buildings in inner-city Johannesburg that advocates for better housing and basic services and challenges the stigma associated with low-income residents in the inner-city. The ICF is the first self-organised group of low-income residents living in Johannesburg's so-called 'bad buildings' in over a decade. It's main aim is to challenge the lack of well-located, affordable housing.
The community practice note examines the strategies and tactics used by poor inner-city residents to resist evictions, harassment and displacement; establish and maintain effective self-management structures in dilapidated buildings; collectively mobilise; and advocated for better housing.
This is the first community practice note in the Social Movements Series, a new series of community practice notes which aims to document how different social movements and community-based networks advocate for socio-economic development for poor and vulnerable people in different contexts.
The launch will include a panel discussion with activists and representatives from various social movements and community-based networks, including Siyabonga Mahlangu (Inner City Federation), Bonga Zamisa (Social Justice Coalition), and Lukhanyo Madyibi and Neziwe Cekiso (both from Reclaim the City). Edward Molopi, a researcher at SERI, will also speak.