The Housing Debate

“The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.” – Robert M. Hutchins. The point made here is especially relevant to the South African youth today. As young South Africans we should take an active role in ensuring the values of the Constitution are upheld by those we elect to public office. The SSLSJ is a fine example of the youth playing such a role. I was privileged enough to attend the opening function of the Society at the University of the Western Cape on Thursday 13 March 2008. The event was a seminar on the government’s eviction proceedings against the occupiers of the N2 Gateway houses. The SSLSJ should be commended for attracting quality, high profile speakers representing various views and interests. As someone with a limited knowledge of the issues at play I felt that each speaker provided an interesting and informative perspective of the relevant issues from their points of view allowing me to become more informed about the issue and thus more empowered to make other people aware of what is going on. Furthermore, I thoroughly enjoyed coming into contact with other students from UWC with whom I was able to engage about this and various other issues. However, it was disappointing that student attendance was low and the floor seemed mainly to be made up of people with some kind of direct interest in the matter. On a positive note though, this in itself at least highlights the problem of student apathy and it is encouraging that an organisation such as the SSLSJ is attempting to address this problem. It is for creating an opportunity for people to become informed and engage with stakeholders that the SSLSJ should be congratulated. Organisations such as this ensure people are aware of important issues and thus cannot ignore their responsibility to contribute in some way to the resolution of society’s problems. I look forward to many more SSLSJ functions.