Started 10 years ago, South Africa’s shack dwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo has mounted a remarkable struggle – often at a terrible cost - to protect and promote the rights of impoverished people in the towns. This inspirational story shows what poor people can achieve when they organize themselves outside the state, political parties and NGOs.

September is a sad month for the South African shack-dwellers movement Abahlali baseMjondolo. A number of their members have been assassinated in recent years by thugs associated with the ruling ANC party. This lecture is a tribute to a fearless Abahlali woman leader murdered last year.

A lot has been achieved through the principled stand of the members of the shack-dwellers movement, with some of them paying the ultimate price for justice and freedom. Several other individuals and partner organisations have been an important part of the journey. The struggle continues.