23th February 2010
“We are demanding the inclusion of the urban poor in the preparations and plans for the World Cup FIFA Games being hosted in South Africa during June and July 2010,” Paul Shambira said today on the occasion of the inauguration of a first of a series of events to call for a xenophobia free World Cup.Paul Shambira is one of the coordinators of the World Class Cities fo AllCampaign, led by StreetNet International.
Shambira continued: “We need firm commitments and action from municipal authorities to address the needs of the urban poor if we do not want to run the risk of seeing more attacks and riots against foreigners. It is vital that the host cities establish consultation mechanisms with representative associations of the informal economy so as to ensure `Xenophobia-Free Games`.”
The World Class Cities For ALL (WCCA) Campaign is holding a two-day Anti-Xenophobia workshop on 24th and 25th February in Nelson Mandela Bay as part of a series of workshops, forums, marches and other events in South African host cities to ensure a Xenophobia-free World Cup in 2010.
The workshop will address the issues around Xenophobia and the informal economy as the city gears up to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay has been invited to give the opening address at the workshop.
Two international guest speakers will address the meeting from neighbouring Zimbabwe and Mozambique on the issue of Xenophobia . They will also celebrate a shared African heritage and discuss the common concern of the need for inclusive urban planning and the recognition of the informal economy by African cities.
The international guests are Mr Benjamin Moyo from the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations and Ms Maria Da Gloria Joaquim Nhavene from the national organisation of market and traders ASSOTSI in Mozambique. The venue is Daku Hall in Daku township, Port Elizabeth. The workshop begins at 8am and runs until 4pm on both days.
For more information:
Paul Shambira – WCCA Campaign Organiser
Cell 073 6245389 e-mail chitownsocialforum@yahoo.co.nz
Nkosinathi Jikeka – WCCA Campaign Organiser
041 5856684 jikekan@yahoo.com
