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Ben Mafani

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Ben Mafani is an activist from Glenmore in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He is a member of the Unemployed Peoples' Movement. He has been referred to as 'the Mandela of Glenmore'.[1]

History

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In 1979 Mafani was arrested while leading the resistance to a forced removal in Coega, near Port Elizabeth.[2] People were forcibly removed to Glenmore in the former Bantustan known as the Ciskei.[3] A number of people died soon after the forced removal, as a result of the conditions in Glenmore, including Mafani's wife and three children.[4]

After apartheid he wrote numerous letters to officials requesting restitution for the forced removal. When these were ignored he threw three painted stones[5] through the window of the High Court in Grahamstown in 2004 and 2007[6] and again in 2012.[7][8] He has been found guilty of breaking windows in the High Court on three occasions.[9]

He has spent several periods in prison.[10]

He also attempted, thus far without success, to get restitution through the courts.[11]

References

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  1. ^ The Mandela of Glenmore, Richard Stupart, Grocott's Mail, 16 March 2010
  2. ^ 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
  3. ^ Glenmore, the story of the forgotten, Haily Gaunt, 20 August 2010,Grocott's Mail
  4. ^ A community betrayed Archived May 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily Dispatch
  5. ^ Mafani's burning questions unanswered, Ben Macleannan, 22 November 2007, IOL News
  6. ^ 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
  7. ^ A community betrayed Archived May 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily Dispatch
  8. ^ Glenmore activist stones High Court window for third time, Odwa Funeka, 9 January 2012, Grocott's Mail
  9. ^ Activist in dramatic plea as delays add up Archived 2012-08-17 at the Wayback Machine, David Macgregor, The Herald, 16 August 2012
  10. ^ 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
  11. ^ The Fight for Glenmore Takes Shape, Andile Nayika, Fri 17 Sep 2010, Grahamstown Now

Further reading and information

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Short film

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