Amakomiti : Grassroots democracy in South African shack settlements / Trevor Ngwane.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ngwane, Trevor, author.

Series:

Wildcat (Pluto Press)

Wildcat : workers' movements and global capitalism

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Citizens' associations--South Africa.

Citizens' associations.

Squatter settlements--South Africa.

Squatter settlements.

Slums--South Africa.

Slums.

Democracy--South Africa.

Democracy.

South Africa.

Physical Description:

xvii, 209 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

London : Pluto Press, 2021.

Summary:

Can people who live in shantytowns, shacks and favelas teach us anything about democracy? About how to govern society in a way that is inclusive, participatory and addresses popular needs? This book argues that they can. In a study conducted in dozens of South Africa's shack settlements, where more than 9 million people live, Trevor Ngwane finds thriving shack dwellers' committees that govern local life, are responsive to popular needs and provide a voice for the community. These committees, called 'amakomiti' in the Zulu language, organize the provision of basic services such as water, sanitation, public works and crime prevention especially during settlement establishment. Amakomiti argues that, contrary to common perception, slum dwellers are in fact an essential part of the urban population, whose political agency must be recognized and respected. In a world searching for democratic alternatives that serve the many and not the few, it is to the shantytowns, rather than the seats of political power, that we should turn.

Contents:

1 Introduction: Disrupting Private Land Ownership? p. 1

2 'The People Cannot Live in the Air': History of the Squatter Movement in South Africa p. 20

3 Amakomiti are Everywhere p. 38

4 Fatal Embrace by the ANC in Duncan Village p. 72

5 Iinkundla of Nkaneng: The Rural in the Urban Dialectic p. 95

6 Thembelihle Settlement: A Vision of Hope p. 114

7 Amakomiti: A Vision of Alternatives p. 134.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780745341996

0745341993

0745342000

9780745342009

OCLC:

1235761038

Publisher Number:

99986763716