Poverty Hearings in Gauteng

A decade ago, the first Poverty Hearings were held across South Africa. How much has changed? Did the experiences and concerns of the poor find their way to the ears of policy makers or is life beset by the same issues and challenges? The recent xenophobic attacks, the ever increasing cost of living, and the unabated unemployment suggest that the amount of people living in poverty is increasing, and the fight for resources is deepening. This has prompted the various concerned partner organizations - namely African Monitor, Black Sash, CIVICUS, GCAP, COSATU, Hope Africa, SAHRC, IDASA, National Welfare Forum, SPII, Southern Africa Trust, SANGOCO and SACC - to initiate a follow-up to the 1998 poverty hearings called the 10th Anniversary Poverty Hearings.

The Poverty Hearings are again taking place in all provinces, the one in Gauteng will be held at the Johannesburg City Hall on the 12th September, 2008 from 10h00 to 14h30. In 1998, the National Poverty Hearings were organized by the SA National NGO Coalition (SANGOCO), together with the Human Rights and Gender Commissions, the UNDP, COSATU and SACC. This nation-wide process provided a platform for over 10 000 poor people to speak out about their experiences of poverty. The issues covered in the hearings included · access to land and rural development, · right to sufficient food and water, · right of access to adequate housing, · rights of access to healthcare services, · right to social security, · right to education, · labour rights, · macro-economic policy and social economic rights, among others. This time around, the organizers of the Gauteng Poverty hearings have invited 800 people, coming from communities all over the province, some of them having participated previously. The focus of the hearings will extend to other communities who did not participate, also heavily affected by poverty, to get a snap-shot view of their current situation and explore possible solutions. It is important to assess from the poor themselves the actions that have been taken to address their plight, actions that they have taken to improve their lives and their awareness of economic and social rights as enshrined in the Constitution. The strength of the hearings process is that it creates a platform where people living in poverty can speak for themselves, and have an opportunity to demand change. Also, it creates a needed dialogue between communities and decision makers. The SACC would like to invite you to attend and cover this day. For further questions please contact Sakina Mohamed at the South African Council of Churches (SACC)082 938 5445 or smo@sacc.org.za