We need to realise that a time might be coming when we cannot rely on governments, police, corporations to protect us and supply our basic needs. We also need to stop seeing that as a tragedy as the author of this article does. We should see it as an opportunity to build a new society. We need to start to prepare now, by become less reliant on the role the government and corporations play in our lives and becoming more self-reliant. We need to start growing our own food, developing our own communications networks, we need to move away from reliance on gadgets, quick solutions and unsustainable growth, We need to build networks of people that can be relied on not to turn on each other in crisis but willing to work for the common good, people that are not corrupted by materialism and capitalism, people that are not buying into a fantasy of redemption from some external force, like a coming messiah, or a miraculous rapture. We need to move fast, as like the author of this article, I believe this time is coming faster than we realise.
This is not Armageddon or Ragnarok, the judgement of the gods for our imagined ungodly behaviour, This is a situation of our own design,
We have made it, and only we can unmake it
Friday 27 July 2018
Thursday 26 July 2018
The Problem with Protests
The problem with protests in this country is they all take place in little bubbles of insularity..... The government will not take us seriously until we learn to Stand together.... Black. White. Straight. Gay. Rich. Poor. Communist. Capitalist. Anarchist. We all want a better society. We are all sick and tired of the way things are. We need to identify the issues which concern us all and unite around those issues. To do that we need to get to know one another no matter our differences. Talk. Listen. Communicate. Make an effort today to get to know someone different to yourself. Someone you wouldn't usually talk to. Lets begin to stand together for real change.
Harm Reduction vs Recovery
There has been much debate lately around the pros and con of harm reduction vs recovery especially in light of the Durban mayors decision to suspend the needle exchange program. I find little understanding and dismissive attitudes on both sides,and little attempt at understanding and explaining the underlying philosophies.
As someone who lives by ,and has a deep gratitude for the 12 step recovery program and is also involved in harm reduction initiatives, I do not find the two approaches incompatible. I feel there is much common ground,in fact there is far more that connects us than divides us. We share a passion for healing: of the most vulnerable and despised members of our society, as well as the ills of the society that drive addiction. We should be working together to be more effective rather than fighting one another.
"Harm reduction is about meeting people where they are at, without judgement, and helping them find and achieve their drug use aims (including abstinence) in the way that causes the least harm to them, irrespective of the current legal and policy framework. This is the spirit of needle and syringe programs delivered by peers illegally out of backpacks, or of the testing of drugs at festivals under threat of arrest." Shaun Shelly. Full article @medium.com/@s
…/has-harm-reduction-lost-its-soul-bf5ef200e068
As someone who lives by ,and has a deep gratitude for the 12 step recovery program and is also involved in harm reduction initiatives, I do not find the two approaches incompatible. I feel there is much common ground,in fact there is far more that connects us than divides us. We share a passion for healing: of the most vulnerable and despised members of our society, as well as the ills of the society that drive addiction. We should be working together to be more effective rather than fighting one another.
"Harm reduction is about meeting people where they are at, without judgement, and helping them find and achieve their drug use aims (including abstinence) in the way that causes the least harm to them, irrespective of the current legal and policy framework. This is the spirit of needle and syringe programs delivered by peers illegally out of backpacks, or of the testing of drugs at festivals under threat of arrest." Shaun Shelly. Full article @medium.com/@s
The Treatment Dilllema
The problem is not that treatment doesn't work. The problem is what happens after treatment. People spent two, three months in treatment and return to their old lives, old problems. The things that caused them to use in the first place. You cannot overcome a long term heroin abuse problem in one or even 3 months. The 12 step program has proved solution for many of us. But what about the people on the streets, who have nothing to go back to: no jobs, no family, no education, no skills, no support structure? After treatment they return to the streets, where it is almost impossible to stay clean, What is needed is a long term recovery and reintegration program to address the personal and social problems of the recovering user and teach them the skills they need to face life and become productive members of society.
Why I do what I do
People ask me why I do what I do.. Here's why.... I have no family of my own, I'm gay, I have been a drug addict all my life ( 15 years on whoonga, 4.years in recovery) ....i have been around to long and been through to much to care about what society and individuals think of me... I have no career, reputation or commitments to damage, I have nothing to lose
Haiku
In March I attended a workshop on story telling and creativity in academic writing. We were asked to produce a haiku which encapsulated the essence of our dissertations. This is what I came up with:
Rats caught in a cage
Heroin the solution
Freedom? BREAK THE CAGE
Heroin the solution
Freedom? BREAK THE CAGE
Protests in Scottburgh
Here is the full story of events leading to my arrest On Wednesday 27th June
Just under a month ago there was a march in Scottburgh. Despite reports of violence and burning tyres in the township prior to the march, it was disciplined with no incidents reported. A memorandum, making the following demands were presented to the mayor:
Immediate suspension or resignation of three allegedly corrupt managers as per a report from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as findings submitted by the Auditor General.
Answers regarding the process of Gqolweni Road and why it has been delayed.
Demand that Umdoni implement an annual youth empowerment programme for unemployed youth and graduates with a budget of R3-million per year.
Demand answers regarding the posts for 50 general workers as advertised and whether people were employed or not – if employed, what was the criteria for shortlisting.
Further demands were made that Umdoni, when job opportunities become available, first prioritise local people.
Demand that all youth who have undergone training by the municipality in terms of specialised and scarce skills programmes, be ‘exhausted’ by the municipality permanently.
Managers must be obliged to sign a performance agreement which will allow leadership to dismiss incompetent managers with immediate effect.
Demands were made that all meetings called for by councillors belonging to the respective wards above, only be held on weekends.
Demands that the Demarcation Board revisit the demarcation of wards 14 and 16 since these have create mass confusion to the people of Amandawe and Amahlongwa.
Councillors are warned to stop interfering – in respect of graduates – on internship programmes which are meant to benefit successful graduates in order for them to acquire minimum experience for the work environment.
Demand that all construction companies with ties to Umdoni, or, contracted by Umdoni to render services on behalf of the municipality, to pay workers a minimum of R200 per day.
The community have voiced that they expect all of the above issues to be concluded within a period of 10 days.
These demands are not radical and certainly not targeted at white people, as many think. Yet many businesses were closed, and the people of Scottburgh were warned to stay at home fearing the worst. It is the fear-mongering in these situations that concerns me. People assume that when black people march or protest there will be violence and it will be targeted at whites. Yes, I am not naïve: I know things do get burned when people are angry. But I have also seen first hand how well-disciplined people can be under the instruction of an organization in a formal march. This is why I joined the march. To show white people they have nothing to fear. To show black people that there are whites who support them. If more white people supported such marches it would go along way to diffusing black anger. They are mostly angry because they ae not being listened to.
Protests started up last week in Amandawe about the fact that the mayor had not addressed their demands. The press and social media were full of stories about violence and rioting. Some of these were no doubt true; the people are angry and have a reason and a right to be so. So when I heard there was to be a legal march on Wednesday I decided to join.
We walked towards Amandawe hoping to meet the marchers approaching the town. They had been given permission to march to the Northern entrance to Scottburgh and assemble on the grass field on the bank of the Mpambonyani. By the time we got to the Highway about 2kms out of town there was still no sign of the marchers. About a km further there is a Shembe church where we saw the first police cars. There were about 20 assorted police cars and a good number of police. As we walked past one of the officers asked me where I was going. I said “Im here to support the march.” He replied “good luck”. At no stage did anyone try to stop me or inform me that the march was now illegal.
The people were assembled in scattered groups at the bottom of a steep hill just past the church. As far as I could see there were people just standing and sitting around. I would estimate around 5 or 6000. They seemed to be waiting for something. As I approached people looked at me warily. No-one said anything directly to me but I could sense all eyes on me and a lull in the general conversation. I raised both hands with open palms and said loudly: “I’m here to.support”. Some of the guys in the nearest group put out their fists in greeting, but most just carried on. So I wandered around for a while just greeting people. Some were openly friendly, others were sullen, but there was no open hostility. After about half an hour of this, a group of five young guys called me over. One handed me a red marshall’s shirt and said I should put it on “just to be safe.” A few people started to approach and ask questions and engage in conversation. They were waiting for a report back from a team of negotiators who had approached the police. Shortly after this a bakkie came down the hill. People began to congregate around the bakkie and started singing, toyi-toying. The people on the back had been negotiating with police. They addressed the crowd. It seems the police were willing to let the march continue if people would drop their sticks. Most of the people did so but some refused. People began to gather on the road to continue the march. However permission to continue did not come. Negotiators were sent back. At this point I witnessed just how disciplined the crowd could be. One word into the megaphone and the 2000 something people at the front of the march sat down in unison. We waited for about 15 minutes like this before negotiators came running down the hill. Tear gas was fired from a distance into a largely seated crowd. It was after this that four tyres were burned. This is the first and only time I saw tyres burnt. The crowd was now angry and restless and started to regroup, demanding they be allowed to march. One of the negotiators had been part of a group I had spoken to earlier. He came over and asked me if I wanted an escort to the police lines. I told him I was happy to stay as I had experienced no hostility from the people. He then told me that one of the policemen had threatened to shoot him, and he was worried they might target me as the only umlungu in the crowd. I was then asked to join with the marshalls at the front of the crowd. Some thought that having a white face there might protect them.
Police came down and put some tape across the road. Shortly after this a police van approached from the Amandawe side, hooting to get through. This was the one and only time when I thought things might turn ugly. People surrounded the van, singing and dancing, sticks were waved. Three youth stood at the front of the car, sticks held high. But the moment passed. At the urging of marshalls the crowd parted and the van was allowed to proceed.
A line of police men in full riot gear came down the hill followed by a number of vehicles. Marshalls again called for people to sit, which they did. One of the organisers addressed the crowd. The message was :The mayor is here. Please behave yourselves. At first the crowd listened in silence, but obviously they were not happy with his words. People started heckling and booing. This carried on for a few minutes. Suddenly a handful of stones came flying over our heads. They had obviously come from somewhere near the back of the crowd. Then there was chaos. Police began to fire teargas and charge the still seated crowd. Most turned and ran down the road. I decided to climb up the embankment, rising about 30 feet at the side of the road. At the top I stopped and turn to watch what was happening below.
At this point I need to address the legality of the march. Originally the march to Scottburgh had been given permission to proceed. At some point in the morning permission had been withdrawn. There is still some confusion as to why this was done and who made the decision. Some felt it may be due to the fact that the permit allowed for 4000 marchers and the crowd exceeded that size. Others have said that decision was made when one of the organisers withdrew. Perhaps the police can clarify. However the march did not proceed. People remained gathered at the bottom of the hill approaching the Shembe church and attempted to negotiate the continuation of the march. At no stage did the marchers attempt to proceed illegally. This then leaves in question the legal status of the gathering itself. It seems unreasonable to allow a number of thousand people to gather and then tell them to go home. To tell them the march cannot proceed is one thing, but to tell them they must disperse is stupid and asking for trouble. That’s just my opinion. As for the facts, one stands out for me: The mayor was brought in to address the crowd. Surely this would not be done if the gathering was considered illegal. Thus the mayors presence shows that, up until that point at least, police still regarded the gathering as a legal one.
From my vantage point at the top of the hill I watched proceedings below. Within a very short period the protestors and the police chasing them had disappeared into the distance and the surrounding buildings, leaving an eerily deserted scene, with a few police officers standing around. One of them called on me to come down. At first I hesitated, but thought that I had done nothing wrong and it seemed he only wanted to talk. As I got to the bottom of the hill, he was still around 20 to 30 feet away from me, he told me he was going to arrest me. It was then that I realised it was the same officer who had asked me where I was going earlier. He even asked me if I remembered him and what he had said. I did not resist arrest, but I did begin to loudly protest my innocence.
I was thrown in the back of the police van where I sat for nearly an hour, alone. It seemed no-one else had been arrested. We then proceeded to Scottburgh police station. I was taken to the cells where I found nine others who had been arrested at the march much earlier in the day. Three of them were youth of 15,16 and 17 years. They told me they had been among the first arrivals at the march and had been met with teargas. I proceeded to fill them in on the days events. I didn’t really keep track of time that day, but it must have been around 2’0 clock when we arrived in Scottburgh.
After about two hours we were told by police we were being released. Four people were taken out, and returned about an hour later. They then took me and another three out . We were told that we could be released if we made a statement. No lawyer was present for us to consult. We obviously refused and were returned to the cell. A while later the door opened again and they asked if anyone wanted tea and bread. We all refused. The others told me it was the first time they had offered food or drink all day. Later still they came and took the three youth out of the cell. I believe they were further pressured to make statements. We were eventually released around 8 o clock with no charges being brought. They did however ask us each to pose for a photograph before we left.
Just under a month ago there was a march in Scottburgh. Despite reports of violence and burning tyres in the township prior to the march, it was disciplined with no incidents reported. A memorandum, making the following demands were presented to the mayor:
Immediate suspension or resignation of three allegedly corrupt managers as per a report from Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs as well as findings submitted by the Auditor General.
Answers regarding the process of Gqolweni Road and why it has been delayed.
Demand that Umdoni implement an annual youth empowerment programme for unemployed youth and graduates with a budget of R3-million per year.
Demand answers regarding the posts for 50 general workers as advertised and whether people were employed or not – if employed, what was the criteria for shortlisting.
Further demands were made that Umdoni, when job opportunities become available, first prioritise local people.
Demand that all youth who have undergone training by the municipality in terms of specialised and scarce skills programmes, be ‘exhausted’ by the municipality permanently.
Managers must be obliged to sign a performance agreement which will allow leadership to dismiss incompetent managers with immediate effect.
Demands were made that all meetings called for by councillors belonging to the respective wards above, only be held on weekends.
Demands that the Demarcation Board revisit the demarcation of wards 14 and 16 since these have create mass confusion to the people of Amandawe and Amahlongwa.
Councillors are warned to stop interfering – in respect of graduates – on internship programmes which are meant to benefit successful graduates in order for them to acquire minimum experience for the work environment.
Demand that all construction companies with ties to Umdoni, or, contracted by Umdoni to render services on behalf of the municipality, to pay workers a minimum of R200 per day.
The community have voiced that they expect all of the above issues to be concluded within a period of 10 days.
These demands are not radical and certainly not targeted at white people, as many think. Yet many businesses were closed, and the people of Scottburgh were warned to stay at home fearing the worst. It is the fear-mongering in these situations that concerns me. People assume that when black people march or protest there will be violence and it will be targeted at whites. Yes, I am not naïve: I know things do get burned when people are angry. But I have also seen first hand how well-disciplined people can be under the instruction of an organization in a formal march. This is why I joined the march. To show white people they have nothing to fear. To show black people that there are whites who support them. If more white people supported such marches it would go along way to diffusing black anger. They are mostly angry because they ae not being listened to.
Protests started up last week in Amandawe about the fact that the mayor had not addressed their demands. The press and social media were full of stories about violence and rioting. Some of these were no doubt true; the people are angry and have a reason and a right to be so. So when I heard there was to be a legal march on Wednesday I decided to join.
We walked towards Amandawe hoping to meet the marchers approaching the town. They had been given permission to march to the Northern entrance to Scottburgh and assemble on the grass field on the bank of the Mpambonyani. By the time we got to the Highway about 2kms out of town there was still no sign of the marchers. About a km further there is a Shembe church where we saw the first police cars. There were about 20 assorted police cars and a good number of police. As we walked past one of the officers asked me where I was going. I said “Im here to support the march.” He replied “good luck”. At no stage did anyone try to stop me or inform me that the march was now illegal.
The people were assembled in scattered groups at the bottom of a steep hill just past the church. As far as I could see there were people just standing and sitting around. I would estimate around 5 or 6000. They seemed to be waiting for something. As I approached people looked at me warily. No-one said anything directly to me but I could sense all eyes on me and a lull in the general conversation. I raised both hands with open palms and said loudly: “I’m here to.support”. Some of the guys in the nearest group put out their fists in greeting, but most just carried on. So I wandered around for a while just greeting people. Some were openly friendly, others were sullen, but there was no open hostility. After about half an hour of this, a group of five young guys called me over. One handed me a red marshall’s shirt and said I should put it on “just to be safe.” A few people started to approach and ask questions and engage in conversation. They were waiting for a report back from a team of negotiators who had approached the police. Shortly after this a bakkie came down the hill. People began to congregate around the bakkie and started singing, toyi-toying. The people on the back had been negotiating with police. They addressed the crowd. It seems the police were willing to let the march continue if people would drop their sticks. Most of the people did so but some refused. People began to gather on the road to continue the march. However permission to continue did not come. Negotiators were sent back. At this point I witnessed just how disciplined the crowd could be. One word into the megaphone and the 2000 something people at the front of the march sat down in unison. We waited for about 15 minutes like this before negotiators came running down the hill. Tear gas was fired from a distance into a largely seated crowd. It was after this that four tyres were burned. This is the first and only time I saw tyres burnt. The crowd was now angry and restless and started to regroup, demanding they be allowed to march. One of the negotiators had been part of a group I had spoken to earlier. He came over and asked me if I wanted an escort to the police lines. I told him I was happy to stay as I had experienced no hostility from the people. He then told me that one of the policemen had threatened to shoot him, and he was worried they might target me as the only umlungu in the crowd. I was then asked to join with the marshalls at the front of the crowd. Some thought that having a white face there might protect them.
Police came down and put some tape across the road. Shortly after this a police van approached from the Amandawe side, hooting to get through. This was the one and only time when I thought things might turn ugly. People surrounded the van, singing and dancing, sticks were waved. Three youth stood at the front of the car, sticks held high. But the moment passed. At the urging of marshalls the crowd parted and the van was allowed to proceed.
A line of police men in full riot gear came down the hill followed by a number of vehicles. Marshalls again called for people to sit, which they did. One of the organisers addressed the crowd. The message was :The mayor is here. Please behave yourselves. At first the crowd listened in silence, but obviously they were not happy with his words. People started heckling and booing. This carried on for a few minutes. Suddenly a handful of stones came flying over our heads. They had obviously come from somewhere near the back of the crowd. Then there was chaos. Police began to fire teargas and charge the still seated crowd. Most turned and ran down the road. I decided to climb up the embankment, rising about 30 feet at the side of the road. At the top I stopped and turn to watch what was happening below.
At this point I need to address the legality of the march. Originally the march to Scottburgh had been given permission to proceed. At some point in the morning permission had been withdrawn. There is still some confusion as to why this was done and who made the decision. Some felt it may be due to the fact that the permit allowed for 4000 marchers and the crowd exceeded that size. Others have said that decision was made when one of the organisers withdrew. Perhaps the police can clarify. However the march did not proceed. People remained gathered at the bottom of the hill approaching the Shembe church and attempted to negotiate the continuation of the march. At no stage did the marchers attempt to proceed illegally. This then leaves in question the legal status of the gathering itself. It seems unreasonable to allow a number of thousand people to gather and then tell them to go home. To tell them the march cannot proceed is one thing, but to tell them they must disperse is stupid and asking for trouble. That’s just my opinion. As for the facts, one stands out for me: The mayor was brought in to address the crowd. Surely this would not be done if the gathering was considered illegal. Thus the mayors presence shows that, up until that point at least, police still regarded the gathering as a legal one.
From my vantage point at the top of the hill I watched proceedings below. Within a very short period the protestors and the police chasing them had disappeared into the distance and the surrounding buildings, leaving an eerily deserted scene, with a few police officers standing around. One of them called on me to come down. At first I hesitated, but thought that I had done nothing wrong and it seemed he only wanted to talk. As I got to the bottom of the hill, he was still around 20 to 30 feet away from me, he told me he was going to arrest me. It was then that I realised it was the same officer who had asked me where I was going earlier. He even asked me if I remembered him and what he had said. I did not resist arrest, but I did begin to loudly protest my innocence.
I was thrown in the back of the police van where I sat for nearly an hour, alone. It seemed no-one else had been arrested. We then proceeded to Scottburgh police station. I was taken to the cells where I found nine others who had been arrested at the march much earlier in the day. Three of them were youth of 15,16 and 17 years. They told me they had been among the first arrivals at the march and had been met with teargas. I proceeded to fill them in on the days events. I didn’t really keep track of time that day, but it must have been around 2’0 clock when we arrived in Scottburgh.
After about two hours we were told by police we were being released. Four people were taken out, and returned about an hour later. They then took me and another three out . We were told that we could be released if we made a statement. No lawyer was present for us to consult. We obviously refused and were returned to the cell. A while later the door opened again and they asked if anyone wanted tea and bread. We all refused. The others told me it was the first time they had offered food or drink all day. Later still they came and took the three youth out of the cell. I believe they were further pressured to make statements. We were eventually released around 8 o clock with no charges being brought. They did however ask us each to pose for a photograph before we left.
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