Nomsa Sizani
Nomsa Sizani is the General Secretary of Abahlali baseMjondolo Movement SA (shack dwellers of South Africa). It is the largest popular movement outside of party politics and trade unions in South Africa but has it strongest base in Durban. The movement has faced serious repression including the destruction of its members’ homes, arrests, assaults and murder.
Before becoming a General Secretary, Nomsa was serving as a Deputy Chairperson in her branch in eKukhanyeni, Marianhill.
Nomsa has strongly campaigned for the Right to Housing in South Africa, Ghana, Serbia and Puerto Rico under the theme ‘Housing is a Human Right’. Her calling includes safe and dignified housing for all in our cities.
As a result of her political work of organizing resistance against violent and unlawful eviction Nomsa has lost her son Samuel Hloele. Samuel was allegedly shot dead by the City’s Land Invasion Unit in a broad day light during armed and unlawful eviction in her community. With the ultimate price of her son’s life her branch has now settled and no more evictions.
The Republic of South Africa voted for the adoption of the resolution on the protection of human rights defenders (HRDs) by the United Nations General Assembly on December 18th 2015. Nevertheless, HRDs face threats, intimidation, harassment, and physical attacks, sometimes resulting in death, by private individuals and members of the police force. This is especially true for those human rights defenders working on corporate accountability and the impact of extractive industries on local people and the environment. Moreover, suspected perpetrators often go unpunished. There is overwhelming impunity for those who violate the rights of human rights defenders.
