Press Statement: Update on the basic services protest held on the 22 of March 2021

An update on the march for basic services.   On the 22 of March 2021, 22 communities across the City of Cape Town held a protest in demonstration against the gross human rights violations they are constantly subjected to by the City Of Cape Town. The protest was a peaceful demonstration held  at Sea Point…

Media Statement:The Social Justice Coalition’s reaction to recent Western Cape government budget speech.

On the 16th of March 2021, the Western Cape Finance MEC David Maynier delivered his budget speech outlining the Western Cape’s planning for a possible COVID-19 third wave. Maynier termed this budget a budget of hope. While the budget details the plan in place to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the province, it failed…

Community members from Island, Ses'khona, Philippi, Greenpoint & KK Section protest for dignified sanitation outside the Cape Town Civic Centre on 31 January 2019.

[PRESS STATEMENT]: CoCT & SAPS’ violence against poor, Black activists is abhorrent & reminiscent of apartheid

On Thursday 31 January 2019 public order police from the South African Police Service (SAPS) once again perpetrated a violent, heavy-handed and unnecessary apartheid-style “dispersal” of poor, Black activists outside the Cape Town Civic Centre. A group of less than 50 peaceful protestors were singing outside the doors of the Civic Centre, some with empty…

Open Letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa

Dear Mr President, Your morning walks could get you a criminal record. Yes, this is absurd. Yes, this is unconstitutional. But that is the law. According to the Regulation of Gatherings Act, which the Social Justice Coalition (SJC) has challenged, you can be criminalised for your healthy lifestyle morning walks with more than 15 people…

SJC To Co-Host Collaborative Design Storming For Urban Change

Cape Town, in bidding for World Design Capital 2014, committed itself to transforming lives by design – rebuilding community cohesion; reconnecting communities through infrastructural enhancement; and repositioning the city for the knowledge economy. A grand vision, no doubt, but how do we get designers and communities talking the same language and collectively solving pressing social problems to get us there?