A South African human rights advocate is throwing support behind the homeless camping in Christchurch’s redzone.
S’bu Zikode is a founding member and former president of the shackdwellers’ union Abahlali baseMjondolo, which campaigns for “land, housing and dignity”.
The Durban-based movement was formed in 2005 after residents of an informal settlement blockaded a road in protest over broken promises of land and housing. It has since faced violent opposition in South Africa, with several of its leaders killed.
He is in New Zealand to attend the Aotearoa New Zealand Federation of Socialist Societies National Conference and stopped by the redzone to show support.
'Surprised and disappointed'
The group have been told by the council they must be gone by the end of February. (Source: 1News)
Zikode told 1News he was “surprised” and “disappointed” to see people living in tents, cars, campervans and makeshift shelters, given New Zealand is a first world country.
“I am hoping that the city government, the state, can actually do something in terms of making sure that it treats the most vulnerable people such as this community with respect by providing housing.
“I know that it is possible and it's not too much to ask for them to be provided with basic services, to be welcomed, acknowledged as human beings,” said Zikode.
Council deadline looms
The Christchurch City Council has told the group it must be gone by the end of February, as it has plans to regenerate the land back into wetlands.
The area, part of the former residential red zone, had been home to thousands of households before the Canterbury earthquakes forced the land to be cleared.
Behind closed doors, the mayor and councillors were provided with an update this week, but the exact details are being kept private.
In a statement, a council spokesperson said work’s continuing with social agencies to connect people with support.
Zikode said it was important the redzone residents to be organised and to feel empowered as they make their case.
He said authorities should keep working with the community and let them stay on the land until a solution is found.
“No one should be rendered homeless without being given what is called as adequate alternative accommodation.
“These are human beings, this is a question of human rights and this is a responsibility not only of the state but it's a societal responsibility,” said Zikode.
The Christchurch City Mission has been engaging primarily through its Outreach Service.
A spokesperson said it has offered to help people find housing through its housing connections, “if that is what they want”.
They said the community is also being given access to the Mission’s wide range of services, including the foodbank and our emergency shelters for men and women.
“We are keeping an eye on developments and if we see new approaches that will help even more, or see promising new ideas that need us, we will move to support them,” the spokesperson said.
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