By Susan Mwape
Cultural and Traditional songs, dances and solidarity messages formed the opening expression of the 3rd edition of the Southern Africa Social Forum (SASF) convened at the Civil Stadium in the capital Lilongwe, Malawi.
Over two thousand social activists from Southern African countries will be together at this ‘bwalo’ (gathering) from this Friday to Sunday, 13th to 15th October 2006 deliberating on the region’s social economic and social challenges.
SASF is a prelude to the Africa Social Forum (ASF) and the World Social Forum (WSF) which are a people’s platform, opposed to the profit driven World Economic Forum. The First and Second editions of SASF were held in Zambia and Zimbabwe 2004 and 2005 respectively.
In his welcoming speech, Collins Magalasi of the host Malawi was full of praise for the delegates saying their presence was manifestation of solidarity saying being the host Malawi’s expectation were that social forum principles of freedom of expression and freedom be maintained.
“People should take up their own issues and not expect things to be done for them. This gathering is a clear indication of solidarity. Major problems in southern Africa are mostly relate to neo-liberalism and capitalism, but we are happy that since 2001 when the first World Social Forum (WSF) took place it has never stopped but instead is moving forward and getting stronger despite being obstructed by neo-liberalism and capitalism which we will hit and chase,” said Collins.
Patricia Kasiyamhuru a veteran activist from Zimbabwe who was standing on behalf of Southern Africa People’s Solidarity Network (SAPSN) a regional network for Civil Society Activists stressed the importance of people’s solidarity as was the case during the liberation of Southern Africa.
“At that time countries came together to fighter against colonialism, fighters housed in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. People of southern Africa are still being urged to carry the same spirit and fight against neo-liberal policies in SADC”, said Kasiyamhuru
“Let’s reclaim SADC for people’s Development,” she appealed.
Zambia Sara Longwe as one the founder of the SASF stressed the importance of civil society’s solidarity against poverty and poverty. She said Zambia had recently held its 2nd edition of the Zambia Social Forum dubbed “people claim governance”, she said Zambia had the forum because it had its tripartite elections, she advised that SASF should not be used in a partisan to claim governance. Zambia brought to the forum some traditional leaders because they govern in a non partisan way over their subjects.
Nelson Manjata from Mozambique noted that the Southern Africa has common struggles related to governance and diseases among other things. He said Mozambique shared the SASF vision which is why it will from 25th – 29th October hold its 1st social forum.
Nelson added that the forum will be a moment of sharing with Civil Society Organisations and activists from around their country.
Charles Khumalo of Swaziland said among other problems that SADC faces are cross border issues, he said SADC is still governed by the white rule which is being used by black people to oppress fellow blacks. He advised that the Social Movement should fight and remove border control; he gave an example of visas that some countries use that restrict the movement of other Southern African Country members to travel to other countries.
In Swaziland the at hand according to Khumalo is of lack of land. Khumalo cited the case of a chief who died four years ago but has not be buried due to lack of land. The country is also reeling under problems of low standards of education, brain drain and an underpaid civil service. “As SASF lets walk the talk”, said Khumalo.
In his solidarity remarks, Silumko Radebe of the Anti-Privatisation Forum, South Africa called upon youth workers to unite in the struggle against neo-liberal oppression. “Lets make sure we do not inherit what colonialism did to us, lets not fight one another through xenophobia and racism”, he said.
Some of the Issues that will be discussed during the Social Forum are Gender, Governance, Debt, Trade & Regional Intergration, Food Security and Land, Human Rights, Labour, Education and Health, HIV & AIDS.
Cultural and Traditional songs, dances and solidarity messages formed the opening expression of the 3rd edition of the Southern Africa Social Forum (SASF) convened at the Civil Stadium in the capital Lilongwe, Malawi.
Over two thousand social activists from Southern African countries will be together at this ‘bwalo’ (gathering) from this Friday to Sunday, 13th to 15th October 2006 deliberating on the region’s social economic and social challenges.
SASF is a prelude to the Africa Social Forum (ASF) and the World Social Forum (WSF) which are a people’s platform, opposed to the profit driven World Economic Forum. The First and Second editions of SASF were held in Zambia and Zimbabwe 2004 and 2005 respectively.
In his welcoming speech, Collins Magalasi of the host Malawi was full of praise for the delegates saying their presence was manifestation of solidarity saying being the host Malawi’s expectation were that social forum principles of freedom of expression and freedom be maintained.
“People should take up their own issues and not expect things to be done for them. This gathering is a clear indication of solidarity. Major problems in southern Africa are mostly relate to neo-liberalism and capitalism, but we are happy that since 2001 when the first World Social Forum (WSF) took place it has never stopped but instead is moving forward and getting stronger despite being obstructed by neo-liberalism and capitalism which we will hit and chase,” said Collins.
Patricia Kasiyamhuru a veteran activist from Zimbabwe who was standing on behalf of Southern Africa People’s Solidarity Network (SAPSN) a regional network for Civil Society Activists stressed the importance of people’s solidarity as was the case during the liberation of Southern Africa.
“At that time countries came together to fighter against colonialism, fighters housed in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. People of southern Africa are still being urged to carry the same spirit and fight against neo-liberal policies in SADC”, said Kasiyamhuru
“Let’s reclaim SADC for people’s Development,” she appealed.
Zambia Sara Longwe as one the founder of the SASF stressed the importance of civil society’s solidarity against poverty and poverty. She said Zambia had recently held its 2nd edition of the Zambia Social Forum dubbed “people claim governance”, she said Zambia had the forum because it had its tripartite elections, she advised that SASF should not be used in a partisan to claim governance. Zambia brought to the forum some traditional leaders because they govern in a non partisan way over their subjects.
Nelson Manjata from Mozambique noted that the Southern Africa has common struggles related to governance and diseases among other things. He said Mozambique shared the SASF vision which is why it will from 25th – 29th October hold its 1st social forum.
Nelson added that the forum will be a moment of sharing with Civil Society Organisations and activists from around their country.
Charles Khumalo of Swaziland said among other problems that SADC faces are cross border issues, he said SADC is still governed by the white rule which is being used by black people to oppress fellow blacks. He advised that the Social Movement should fight and remove border control; he gave an example of visas that some countries use that restrict the movement of other Southern African Country members to travel to other countries.
In Swaziland the at hand according to Khumalo is of lack of land. Khumalo cited the case of a chief who died four years ago but has not be buried due to lack of land. The country is also reeling under problems of low standards of education, brain drain and an underpaid civil service. “As SASF lets walk the talk”, said Khumalo.
In his solidarity remarks, Silumko Radebe of the Anti-Privatisation Forum, South Africa called upon youth workers to unite in the struggle against neo-liberal oppression. “Lets make sure we do not inherit what colonialism did to us, lets not fight one another through xenophobia and racism”, he said.
Some of the Issues that will be discussed during the Social Forum are Gender, Governance, Debt, Trade & Regional Intergration, Food Security and Land, Human Rights, Labour, Education and Health, HIV & AIDS.
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