AFRICAN DIASPORA FORUM: ACTIONS

ADF’s actions

Conflict resolution in tense communities (Orange Farm, Ramaphosa, Diepsloot, Katlehong, Alexandra..etc)

Awareness campaigns and integrated activities for the youth : school workshops & soccer competitions …etc.

Events for social cohesion: Pan African Carnival on Africa Day 25 May 2015 (JHB inner city), Heritage Day, Human Rights event, World Social Forum on Migrations

Engaging with South African institutions: partnership with SAPS; engaging with councilors, City administration, JMAP, Gauteng Community Safety

a) In May 2015 ADF was selected by a coalition of civil society organisations to lead the organization of an event outside the venue of the AU summit to raise awareness on xenophobia. The event is organized in collaboration with Foundation for Human Rights and took place in June 2015. Sponsored by the Foundation of Human Rights (FHR)

b) In May 2015, the ADF organized Africa Week where we held events promoting social cohesion in Yeoville which attracted over 3000 people including school learners and residents of Yeoville. Sponsored by the Foundation of Human Rights (FHR) and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS).

c) In the same month, the ADF organized a commemoration of the victims of 2008 and 2015 xenophobic violence. The event was attended by nearly 300 people. The panelists included Elinor Sisulu, Zwelinzima Vavi, David Cote of Lawyers for Human Rights and MEC for Arts and Culture, Molebatsi Bopape. Sponsored by the Department of Sport, Art and Culture and Recreation.

d) ADF became a member of a civil societies’ coalition called the ‘People’s March Against Xenophobia’ in May 2015 in response to the recent xenophobic attacks. The ADF participated in a march organized by the coalition. The Premier of Gauteng, Mr David Makura and the Mayor of Johannesburg Mr Parks Tau were also in attendance. Over 40 000 members of the public attended. Sponsored by Doctors without borders, Section 27, Office of the Premier.

e) Earlier in April 2015, we organized a press conference in which we brought King TB Molefe to call for peace after the xenophobic remarks made by King Goodwill Zwelethini. The event was publicized by ANN7, SAB, ENCA, Al Jazeera and New Age. Sponsored by the FHR.

f) On 12 April 2015, ADF wrote a letter to the African Union Commission requesting the inclusion of the issue of Population Mobility and Human Security on the 25th AU Summit agenda to be held in South Africa. This included adding xenophobia as one of the issues affecting the continent at the moment.

g) ADF have also actively denounced Operation Fiela on various media including SABC, New Age, the Star, Radio 2000, Kaya FM, Radio Islamic, Radio 786, Radio 702, SAFm, BBC, RFI and ANN7.

h) In April 2015, the ADF opened a case with the South African Human Rights Commission against King Goodwill Zwelithini of hate speech. The SAHRC has advised that the update will be posted on their website.

i) Additionally, the ADF had to expand its function beyond advocacy. With the help of an announcement on Channel O, we collected items such as clothing, blankets for distribution to the people that had been displaced in Germiston, Mayfair, Durban, this year 2015.

j) On 24 January 2015, ADF wrote an open letter to President Zuma requesting an adequate response to xenophobic occurrences. The letter requested that the presidency includes xenophobia as a form of discrimination. The letter requested that xenophobic hate speech in public be prohibited and stressed the need for punitive measures for perpetrators of the violence. We are aware that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development is considering criminalizing xenophobia.