Abahlali baseMjondolo

Today all the councils of Abahlali held a joint meeting to reflect on our struggles, assess progress, and strengthen collective organisation. We continue building unity, accountability, and people-driven action in our communities.

📢 Today, Abahlali baseMjondolo held a presentation in the Kings Rest community in the Bluff on the ongoing eviction case. Together we continue to defend land, housing, and dignity for all.

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In protest against a proposed law that would criminalize the land struggles of the urban poor, thousands of members of Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), South Africa’s shack dwellers’ movement, took to the streets in three cities in coordinated actions on Friday, June 12.

Shack dwellers protest bill that would criminalize land struggles in South Africa​ - BT News Allowing courts to order evictions without a provision for alternative accommodation, the PIE Amendment Bill also criminalizes activism for the land rights of the urban poor, protests Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM), South Africa's radical shack dwellers' movement.

16 June 2026
ABAHLALI BASEMJONDOLO YOUTH LEAGUE YOUTH DAY STATEMENT

50 Years of 1976: Bridging the Gap Between the Youth of 1976 and the Youth of Today

As the Abahlali baseMjondolo Youth League, we commemorate Youth Day by honouring the courage and sacrifices of the youth of 1976, who stood against oppression and injustice. Their struggle continues to inspire young people today as we confront the challenges of poverty, unemployment, inequality, landlessness, and homelessness.

Our movement was formed ten years after the so-called democratic freedom of 1994 because many people remained excluded from land, housing, and dignity. The promises of freedom have not reached everyone. As young people living in impoverished and working-class communities and shack settlements, we continue to experience the daily realities of inequality and exclusion.

During our *50 Years of 1976 Conscientization Camp*, we reflected on the lessons of the youth of 1976 and the role of young people in the struggle today. We also payed tribute to the youth of Abahlali baseMjondolo who, since 2008, have taken a stand for justice and have never looked back. Their courage, commitment, and sacrifices have strengthened our movement and inspired a new generation of activists.

The camp closed with the lighting of candles in remembrance of the youth of 1976 and all fallen comrades who dedicated their lives to the struggle for freedom, justice, land, housing, and human dignity. We honour their memory by continuing the struggle they began.

Through the Abahlali University, we continue political education and conscientization, building a movement that serves the interests of the working class and the poor. We believe that young people must be organised, educated, and united in the struggle for social justice.

We call for unity among African people and all oppressed communities. Under *UBUHLALISM*, our humanity begins with unity, solidarity, and collective action. We reject division, discrimination, and all forms of oppression.

The Abahlali baseMjondolo Youth League fully rejects the proposed PIE Amendment Bill. We do not need laws that make it easier to remove poor people from land and homes. What we need is the full implementation of Section 26 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to adequate housing. We need land, housing, and dignity for all.

We are not youth only on the 16th of June. We are young people who face daily struggles and daily challenges. Every day we organise, learn, resist, and build alternatives. Every day we continue the struggle for a better future.

As we mark 50 years since the 1976 uprising, we recommit ourselves to carrying forward the vision of those who came before us and to building a South Africa where land, housing, dignity, justice, and freedom are realities for all.

Amandla! Awethu!
Aluta Continua!
Land, Housing and Dignity for All!

Contact:

Simi 067 750 9918
Nomkhosi 066 576 8076

More photographs from the youth camp last night.

Underway: Abahlali Youth League 50 Years of 1976 Conscientization Camp.

This camp brings together the youth of 1976 and the youth of today to bridge the generational gap, strengthen political education, share experiences of struggle, and build a united working-class movement for social justice, land, housing, and dignity.

"The youth of today carry forward the unfinished struggle of 1976."