Ahead of local government elections in South Africa–scheduled for May–the Democratic Alliance, which governs Cape Town and the Western Cape, spins about its “service delivery successes.” Of course they’re taking of downtown Cape Town and its surrounding, historically white, suburbs, but tell that to the country’s mainstream media. The truth is the DA’s electoral successes are more a mix of the ANC’s excesses and blunders, racial pandering and good PR.

For most of Cape Town’s inhabitants, life is still one of substandard, overcrowded housing, forced evictions, non-existent primary health care, bad schools and, crucially, no access to proper sanitation facilities. We’ve detailed the city’s policies on AIAC, here and here.

Anyway, to show up the DA’s empty spin, the Social Justice Coalition–an organization we like here at AIAC–are planning “toilet queues” this month–to coincide with the 17th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic elections.  Research shows that 10,5 million people don’t have access to a toilet countrywide. Half of a million of these in Cape Town. The Social Justice Coalition’s “build-up event” will take place in Khayelitsha this coming Saturday 16 April. The “main event” is scheduled on Freedom Day, 27 April. They plan to hold an inter-faith service at the historical St. George’s Cathedral. Protesters will then march on the city council’s offices “where a symbolic queue for toilets will be held.” If you’re in Cape Town, get in the queue.

Details

Further Reading

Drip is temporary

The apparel brand Drip was meant to prove that South Africa’s townships could inspire global style. Instead, it revealed how easily black success stories are consumed and undone by the contradictions of neoliberal aspiration.

Energy for whom?

Behind the fanfare of the Africa Climate Summit, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline shows how neocolonial extraction still drives Africa’s energy future.

The sound of revolt

On his third album, Afro-Portuguese artist Scúru Fitchádu fuses ancestral wisdom with urban revolt, turning memory and militancy into a soundtrack for resistance.

O som da revolta

No seu terceiro álbum, o artista afro-português Scúru Fitchádu funde a sabedoria ancestral com a revolta urbana, transformando memória e militância em uma trilha sonora para a resistência.

Biya forever

As Cameroon nears its presidential elections, a disintegrated opposition paves the way for the world’s oldest leader to claim a fresh mandate.

From Cornell to conscience

Hounded out of the United States for his pro-Palestine activism, Momodou Taal insists that the struggle is global, drawing strength from Malcolm X, faith, and solidarity across borders.