On the whole, I thought this was a very fair piece by Jennifer Crocker. I could quibble over a few minor details (organisers didn’t miss the meeting, they arrived late etc.) but the mood and feeling more than make up for that.
Yes, I too feel distressed and sickened by these events – and primarily by the way that a few individuals have tainted the entire process, primarily by setting themselves up as leaders (whether from within the movement, eg. Mario Wanza, or without, eg. Tony Ehrenreich) in complete contravention of the guiding principles agreed to by the organisers.
But the main gist of this message is to just remind Ms Crocker that she should know better than to take what happens on Facebook seriously.
Of the 500+ members of the Occupy Rondebosch Common group and the 1600+ members of the Occupy Cape Town group, only around a dozen are actually people who were part of the March & Summit – the rest are “slacktivists”, trolls, or observers from other areas & countries.
The behaviour in groups like this should not be taken as representative of the coalition of community workers, activists, indigenous peoples and occupiers who showed their commitment to working towards a more just society through many meetings, and the work of trying to make the event happen. - Gizelle Rush
Jenny, I am saddened by your sickness for Cape Town.
What really saddens me is that you only see the picture you choose.
Rondebosch Common was bequeathed to all the residents of Cape Town by Cecil Rhodes in perpetuity. To be a green lung and recreation area for all to enjoy.
The city needs these open spaces and the desire to use it for housing - be it for rich or poor is not negotiable. This is just cheap politicking.
As for Erinreich, it is such a pity that he is silent when his coalition party is exposed for the waste, corruption and poor governance. He really has no credibility at all.
It is about time that people understand that breaking the law has consequences. They were law breakers and deserved what they got.
Let's be sensible here. - Roger Molyneux
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