Ayanda Kota
Ayanda Kota is an activist who was the founding chairperson of the Unemployed Peoples' Movement in Grahamstown, South Africa.[1][2][3] He is also the President of the Makana Football Association.[4] His political roots are in the black consciousness movement[5] and he is strongly critical of the ruling African National Congress.[6][7][8] He is currently the organiser for the Unemployed People's Movement.[9]
Arrest and Alleged Assault
On 12 January 2012 he was arrested on a charge of theft after failing to return three communist books that he had borrowed from a local academic. It has been alleged[10] that he was subject to serious police assault while in custody.[11][12][13][14] A number of organisations issued statements in response to the arrest.[15][16][17][18] Kota later stated that he had misplaced the books in question and had repeatedly offered to replace them and that this offer had been clearly communicated to the police.[19]
All charges against Kota were withdrawn a month after the arrest.[20]
Role During 2015 Xenophobia Crisis
In October 2015 Grahamstown was wracked by serious xenophobic violence. Kota played a key role in grassroots work to oppose xenophobia.,[21]
Selected Articles by Ayanda Kota
- SA, we cannot say we are free, Ayanda Kota, Afro-Spear, 2011
- Malema does not speak for poor youths, Ayanda Kota, Mail & Guardian, 2011
- Secrecy Bill shows ANC's historic mission is over, Ayanda Kota, Mail & Guardian, December 2011
- ANC centenary a display of elite power, Ayanda Kota, Links, January 2012
- Time for radical action on the unemployment crisis, Ayanda Kota, Pambazuka, 17 May 2012
- Apartheid petty and grand, old and new is evil, Ayanda Kota, Pambazuka, 26 April 2012
- The Marikana mine workers massacre: a massive escalation in the war on the poor, Ayanda Kota, San Francisco Bay View, 18 August 2012
- Biko’s struggle goes on, Ayanda Kota, Grocott's Mail, 12 September 2013
- Don’t vote for these messiahs, Ayanda Kota, GroundUp, 2 April 2014
References
- ↑ Occupy South Africa on the Global Occupy Map
- ↑ Mixed feelings after Centenary celebrations, South African Broadcasting Corporation, 9 January 2012
- ↑ Kota steps down, Stuart Thembisile Lewis, Student News Grid, 10 May 2012
- ↑ Makana stars shine at soccer awards, Malibongwe Maxhawulana, Grocott's Mail, 14 March 2011
- ↑ Dissident Voices from South Africa, IndyMedia UK
- ↑ Ayanda Kota: Unapologetic ANC apostate, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 7 February 2012
- ↑ Eastern Cape's so-called health system: In dire need of resuscitation, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, June 2012
- ↑ State to get tough on violent protesters, The Herald, 15 February 2013 Quinton Mtyala
- ↑ Picket sparks City Hall action, Thembani Onceya. Grocott's Mail, 3 May 2013
- ↑ Ayanda Kota Assaulted in the Grahamstown Police Station - Under Arrest, Unemployed People's Movement
- ↑ Outcry over ‘savage assault’, ADRIENNE CARLISLE and DAVID MACGREGOR, The Daily Dispatch, 14 January 2012
- ↑ Grahamstown activist arrested for book theft FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, Jan 13 2012
- ↑ UPM leader arrested and allegedly beaten by police, Desiree Schirlinger & Michael Salzwedel, Grocott's Mail, 13 January 2012
- ↑ Amnesty International Annual Report - South Africa,2013
- ↑ Students for Social Justice Statement on the Arrest of Ayanda Kota, Students for Social Justice
- ↑ Ayanda Kota: We are all in the same boat, The Mandela Park Backyarders
- ↑ Drop Charges Against Ayanda Kota, Democratic Left Front
- ↑ Release Ayanda Kota Now!, Abahlali baseMjondolo
- ↑ Ayanda Kota's Response to Claudia Martinez-Mullen, January 2012
- ↑ No charges, but cops still want to throw the book at Kota, FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, 2012
- ↑ Xenophobia in Grahamstown: 'We are not leaving!', KJ VAN RENSBURG, F MTHONTI & M ERSKOG, The Daily Maverick, 29 October 2015