The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) is calling on all concerned organisations living or working in the city, to participate in a day long summit on 7 October in Brixton, to discuss what must be done together to save the city, on a verge of collapse. “All concerned organisations from across the city must send two representatives to the gathering, looking at what possibilities citizens can focus on, and what’s the big solutions,” said chief executive director of the AKF, Nishan Bolton.

Holding government accountable and demanding citizens rights in an orderly way is an urgent necessity, as a sense of despair, anger and frustration prevails in communities. Bolton said: “We think government must consider changing the mayoral committee and doing away with small parties which current legislation allows.

“Fundamentally it is an unstable poor coalition.. which at the heart is why the city is so dysfunctional.” He said ideas were pouring in with various thoughts of placing the city under administration for running or calling for new elections in the city.

Various other options are being considered, such as rates boycotts.

The upcoming summit follows a highly successful public meeting held by the Civacts team for Action for Accountability in Lenasia on 30 August 2023.

At the Lenasia meeting, guest speaker Rashid Seedat, executive director of the Gauteng City Region Observatory, explained the problems within the departments, at the event themed, ‘A City In Crisis’, and ‘How it affects you as a resident and what u can do about it.’

Zaakirah Vadi from Defend our Democracy, said “active citizenry is necessary when the city is collapsing.”

Zarina Motala, facilitator for Lenasia, for CivActs team for Action for Accountability, has called upon volunteers to join their team. “They will receive training on issues of accountability and the COJ process. ” She can be contacted on 071 851 3627.

Bolton explained that “out of this gathering we can see best coordinated action to achieve the kind of objectives and steering work on implementation.”

He said various ideas were already flowing in and there was a need “to hold the city accountable, put pressure on the city entities, and do whatever is necessary to gather cooperation during these difficult times.”

To confirm attendance to the summit, people are requested to fill in the registration form in the following link: https://forms.gle/YtadfnYcBW2aS2pr7