South Africa: ‘White people in Sandton must share their empty rooms with the homeless’

The Black First land First (BLF) movement has proposed a controversial new housing plan that would see Alexandra’s homeless housed in sub-divided rooms in private residences throughout Sandton.

The BLF’s convenor – expelled EFF MP Andile Mngxitama – announced the formation of the movement about nine months ago, at which time no mention was made of political aspirations.

He’s since told City Press that a motion would be tabled to move the BLF into the political sphere.

"We will use politics to end politics. The purpose of the movement is to overthrow white supremacy and to win back the land. We want to occupy the land, there is no solution outside of that."

When asked about membership, Mngxitama insisted that every black person is a member of the BLF, whether they know it or not. He told City Press that about 1500 people would take part in the conference in Soweto, but by 2pm, yesterday only about 300 had pitched up.

He attributed the poor numbers to the BLF not being able to afford transport for everyone.

"Members of BLF, you must get arrested. You are not a real member if you have not been arrested. You must feel the sting of a rubber bullet and teargas; that is where the struggle is. Not in Parliament," Mngxitama told delegates.

His views on housing are equally ‘revolutionary’ in every sense of the word. Mngxitama said it’s not fair that some rich people in Sandton can have a house with 10 bedrooms and all aren’t even used.

"White people are always saying they are happy to live with us, this is the perfect opportunity to prove that," Mngxitama told delegates at the movement’s launch conference in Soweto yesterday.

The BLF suggests that rich people be taxed per unused room in their house in order to build houses for those without… or that the empty rooms in rich people’s houses be subdivided and given to the homeless.