Ben Mafani
Ben Mafani is an activist from Glenmore in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He is a member of the Unemployed Peoples' Movement. He has been referred to as 'the Mandela of Glenmore'.[1]
History
In 1979 Mafani was arrested while leading the resistance to a forced removal in Coega, near Port Elizabeth.[2] People were forcibly removed to Glenmore in the former Bantustan known as the Ciskei.[3] A number of people died soon after the forced removal, as a result of the conditions in Glenmore, including Mafani's wife and three children.[4]
After apartheid he wrote numerous letters to officials requesting restitution for the forced removal. When these were ignored he threw three painted stones[5] through the window of the High Court in Grahamstown in 2004 and 2007[6] and again in 2012.[7][8] He has been found guilty of breaking windows in the High Court on three occasions.[9]
He has spent several periods in prison.[10]
He also attempted, thus far without success, to get restitution through the courts.[11]
References
- ^ The Mandela of Glenmore, Richard Stupart, Grocott's Mail, 16 March 2010
- ^ 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
- ^ Glenmore, the story of the forgotten, Haily Gaunt, 20 August 2010,Grocott's Mail
- ^ A community betrayed Archived May 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily Dispatch
- ^ Mafani's burning questions unanswered, Ben Macleannan, 22 November 2007, IOL News
- ^ 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
- ^ A community betrayed Archived May 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily Dispatch
- ^ Glenmore activist stones High Court window for third time, Odwa Funeka, 9 January 2012, Grocott's Mail
- ^ Activist in dramatic plea as delays add up Archived 2012-08-17 at the Wayback Machine, David Macgregor, The Herald, 16 August 2012
- ^ 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
- ^ The Fight for Glenmore Takes Shape, Andile Nayika, Fri 17 Sep 2010, Grahamstown Now
Further reading and information
- 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
- Ghost of Glenmore holds one-man picket, Asanda Naketi, 30 October 2009, Grocott's Mail
- Glenmore, the story of the forgotten, Haily Gaunt, 20 August 2010,Grocott's Mail
- Mr. Velile Ben Mafani Will Throw Three Stones Through the Window of the High Court in Grahamstown Tomorrow, Unemployed People's Movement Press Statement, 5 January 2012
- A community betrayed, David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily Dispatch
Short film
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- Housing in South Africa
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- Members of the South African Unemployed Peoples' Movement
- Living people
- 20th-century squatters
- South African squatter leaders
- Year of birth missing (living people)