How will these commitments be realized?
- Employ all the unemployed graduates in the city, half the unemployment rate in 5 years, and insource all jobs in the city/municipality
A Black First Land First (BLF) controlled municipality shall pass a by-law that compels both the Local Municipality and the businesses within the municipality to employ graduates. No one shall hold a post matric qualification and stay home. Furthermore, the Municipality shall be compelled by by-law to reduce the unemployment rate by half in 5 years. In this regard, yearly targets would be set. All municipality jobs shall be insourced and no labour brokering shall be allowed in the city.
- Stop ALL evictions of the poor; end water and electricity cut-offs for household use
A BLF controlled municipality shall pass a by-law to stop all forced evictions, whether by court order or otherwise. Where removal of people is necessary it shall be done through dialogue, consultation and persuasion. Desperate people are not criminals. Water and electricity are not commodities and must be provided to the citizens for free for household needs. Multiple measures shall be implemented to realise this objective, including alternative energy sources.
- Give land to the landless and municipality land to the church
All land within the municipality shall be made available to the people. Where people have already occupied land illegally, their situations shall be treated as emergencies and to this end means to regularise the relevant settlements shall be implemented. Congested spaces shall be decongested. Where necessary, to respond to housing needs land shall be allocated on serviced sites.
Land shall be allocated to all the churches that need land based on an agreed criteria with the faith based organizations
- Stop the use of rubber bullets on service delivery protests
A BLF controlled municipality shall pass a by-law that makes it possible to address the grievances of the people within 24 hours of any complaint being lodged via a signed petition by at least 30% of the ward voters. In the event that the people are pushed to engage in protest action, the use of rubber bullets shall be prohibited. The people are not criminals.
- Reserve the township economy for township people and establish a Municipality Bank
A BLF controlled municipality shall ensure that 100% of all businesses in the township are in the hands of the people of the township. BLF shall pass a by-law compelling all businesses operating in the township to be at least 51% township owned. This shall apply to all businesses from spaza shops to the Malls. Also, strict adherence to the immigration employment legislation shall be compelled. Employers cannot be allowed to break the law with impunity.
- Publish the housing waiting list on the public notice board, and make public the ward budget
A BLF controlled municipality shall pass a by-law to make budgeting a participatory process. Each ward shall submit its list of developmental priorities through a public participation process. Once the funds are allocated, each household in the ward shall receive a confirmation of the allocated funds by sms and letter. Furthermore a notice board bearing a declaration of these funds and the relevant line items shall be erected in the public space.
- 90% of the municipality budget must be spent on townships and informal settlements
A BLF controlled municipality shall make by-laws to spend 90% of the budget on the townships and informal settlements as part of bridging the apartheid spacial design and quality of amenities. These funds shall assist in developing all the necessary amenities such as soccer fields, community halls, community centers and community swimming pools, amongst others.
- Adopt and implement the Thomas Sankara Oath for Local Government
A BLF controlled municipality shall adopt the Sankarist People’s Local Government Manifesto which, amongst other things, shall compel the Local Government representatives to serve the people (see the Thomas Sankara Oath).
- Establish an Anti Racism Unit
A BLF controlled municipality shall pass a by-law which shall provide for the establishment of an Anti Racism Unit. This unit shall respond to all complaints of racism. Furthermore the unit shall be empowered to enforce the by-law and impose punitive measures against racist establishments. Individuals who commit acts of racism shall also face the total might of the law. This unit shall be staffed by at least 100 well trained anti-racism officers and thousands of anti-racism volunteers. BLF controlled municipalities shall be zero tolerant of racism for real.
- Provide free safe wifi for all
A BLF controlled municipality shall pass a by-law that decrees all citizens to have access to free safe wifi which ensures secure, reliable and efficient communication.
- Build community awareness through the arts and sports.
Arts and sports are key to the physical and intellectual health of a nation. A nation which doesn’t help to facilitate the development of its artists, is a soulless nation. Sport is the glue that keeps the body healthy and community together.
It’s time to revive the great culture of community art centers and return to school sports and township tournaments. A BLF controlled municipality shall do this.
- Stop the violations of immigration laws by white capital
White monopoly capital is creating black on black violence by violating immigration laws and then sponsoring politicians to divert attention from its criminality.
It’s time to focus on the real culprits by enforcing immigration laws against white capital, which a BLF controlled municipality shall do.
- End Gender Based Violence
Deterrent measures to prevent Gender Based Violence shall be implemented by a BLF controlled municipality, including education, restorative justice and intervention to improve the wellbeing of the people so that they take charge of their lives and hope is restored.
- Save the youth from drugs
Intensive compulsory measures to assist victims of drugs addiction shall be implemented by a BLF controlled municipality. Rehabilitation centres shall be well funded. The youth shall get the means to live responsible and productive lives through economic empowerment.
- Promote Black Love
A BLF controlled municipality shall employ measures to promote black love.
Issued by the National Coordinating Committee of Black First Land First (BLF NCC)
BLACK1st LAND1st 