On 4 October 2025, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) joined thousands of people at the Curries Fountain Stadium in Durban to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Abahlali baseMjondolo (Abahlali), marking an important milestone in the movement’s journey of struggle and resistance. Over the past twenty years, Abahlali has remained firm in its commitment to participatory democracy, emancipatory forms of politics, and social justice for impoverished people. It has stood firm as an inspiring beacon for people and social movements around the world.
The movement has grown to over 180,000 members living in informal settlements in provinces across South Africa. This membership comprises of men, women and youth who have found an ideological home that has given expression to their needs as landless people seeking to restore their dignity. Moreover, Abahlali has a global footprint with strong connections to similar movements on the continent and around the world.
As we reflect on Abahlali’s remarkable journey, it is important to recall the circumstances that led to its formation. Abahlali was formed in March 2005, a decade into South Africa’s democracy, when residents of the Kennedy Road informal settlement in Durban blocked a road in protest. Local government had sold land earmarked for a social housing project for these residents to a private developer without consulting the residents. For Abahlali, this was a betrayal, emblematic of the ongoing exclusion of the poor from decision-making. It served as a catalyst for a series of demonstrations by informal settlement residents demanding an end to the violation of the constitutional promise of an egalitarian society. In October 2005, shack dwellers organised themselves and committed to confronting the prioritisation of private property interests above impoverished people living in our cities.
In the past 20 years, Abahlali have remained steadfast in upholding the right to the city. The movement’s annual commemoration of “Unfreedom Day”, held on 27 April when South Africa celebrates Freedom Day, highlights that for many shack dwellers, true freedom remains elusive. On this day, Abahlali highlights the difficult living conditions of shack dwellers who endure displacement by shack fires and floods, and live in densely populated spaces without sanitation, water and electricity.
Abahlali’s fight for access to land and adequate housing has found expression in courts and on the streets enriching our democracy and jurisprudence. A defining moment came in October 2009 when the movement successfully challenged the KwaZulu-Natal Elimination and Prevention of Re-emergence of Slums Act in the Constitutional Court. Abahlali rejected government’s policy of developing a ‘city without slums’, representing a repackaged apartheid policy of ‘influx controls.’ Abahlali’s victory at the Constitutional Court laid the ground for informal settlements across the country to insist on their existence and access to basic services, as well as the right to be developed in situ (where they are). It is this legacy and impact that SERI’s wishes to remember and salute. The milestone comes at a time when politicians have developed an appetite to reverse hard fought victories, which have affirmed the rights of shack dwellers to defend themselves against arbitrary eviction, without a court order.
Abahlali has grown despite relentless repression from both the state and non-state actors. Since 2009 the movement has lost 24 members to targeted assassinations and excessive force by the police. SERI salutes the courage of the movement’s members and its leadership for refusing to capitulate in the face of such violence.
We remember the activists who lost their lives, and their families, defending their rights to dignity, access to land and to live in decent, safe and healthy conditions, with honour and respect.
SERI has had the privilege of a front row seat witnessing the movement’s growth. SERI executive director, Nomzamo Zondo reflects on the movement’s importance: “Abahlali’s presence is a powerful reminder that the poor are not a problem to be managed, but people whose rights, voices, and struggles must shape our democracy. Without them, our democracy would be poorer. We salute Abahlali on their 20th anniversary and honour their unwavering commitment to justice and dignity.”
Contact details:
- Edward Molopi, SERI senior communications and advocacy officer: edward[at]seri-sa.org / 082 590 9638.
>> Download the full statement here.