Abahlali Basemjondolo**Abahlali baseMjondolo (AbM)** is the largest social movement to emerge in South Africa since the end of apartheid and is recognised as one of the largest movements of the urban poor globally. Founded in 2005, this movement of shack dwellers now boats over **180,000 members** across four provinces. AbM emerged from the struggle against deep poverty, life-threatening conditions (such as shack fires), and the systematic betrayal by the democratic state concerning land and housing. The movement is firmly committed to ethical and humanist principles, based on the belief that **"no one is illegal, everyone thinks and everyone must be counted and heard"**. Abahlali strives to build **democracy and socialism from below** and insists on the fundamental right to collectively occupy land and build occupations collectively. A central tenet is the **total decommodification of land**, insisting it be recognised as a public good. AbM practices "abolition in action" by building new communal forms of life, such as political schools, food gardens, and working **communes** like eKhenana. This quest for dignity has come at a tremendous cost. The movement has faced severe repression, including police violence, torture, and the **assassination of many activists** by state forces and party thugs. Despite this history of loss, AbM persists, offering a map for global movements fighting inequality and authoritarianism. Read More Read Less