Ayanda Kota

Ayanda Kota is an activist who was the founding chairperson of the Unemployed Peoples' Movement in Grahamstown, South Africa.[1][2][3] He is also the President of the Makana Football Association.[4] His political roots are in the black consciousness movement[5] and he is strongly critical of the ruling African National Congress.[6][7][8] He is currently the organiser for the Unemployed People's Movement.[9]

Arrest and assault

On 12 January 2012 he was arrested on a charge of theft after failing to return three books that he had borrowed from a local academic institution. He was subject to police assault while in custody.[10][11][12][13][14] A number of organisations issued statements in response to the arrest.[15][16][17][18] Kota later stated that he had misplaced the books in question and had repeatedly offered to replace them and that this offer had been clearly communicated to the police.[19]

All charges against Kota were withdrawn a month after the arrest.[20]

In October 2016 the Minister of Police admitted that the assault had taken place and agreed to pay Kota R250 00 in compensation.[21]

Role during 2015 xenophobia crisis

In October 2015 Grahamstown was wracked by serious xenophobic violence. Kota played a key role in grassroots work to oppose xenophobia.[22][23]

Publications

Some of his published articles are:

References
  1. "Occupy South Africa on the Global Occupy Map". Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2011.
  2. Mixed feelings after Centenary celebrations, South African Broadcasting Corporation, 9 January 2012
  3. Kota steps down, Stuart Thembisile Lewis, Student News Grid, 10 May 2012
  4. Makana stars shine at soccer awards Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, Malibongwe Maxhawulana, Grocott's Mail, 14 March 2011
  5. Dissident Voices from South Africa, IndyMedia UK
  6. Ayanda Kota: Unapologetic ANC apostate, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 7 February 2012
  7. Eastern Cape's so-called health system: In dire need of resuscitation, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, June 2012
  8. State to get tough on violent protesters Archived 2013-02-18 at the Wayback Machine, The Herald, 15 February 2013 Quinton Mtyala
  9. Picket sparks City Hall action Archived 2013-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, Thembani Onceya. Grocott's Mail, 3 May 2013
  10. Outcry over ‘savage assault’ Archived January 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, ADRIENNE CARLISLE and DAVID MACGREGOR, The Daily Dispatch, 14 January 2012
  11. Grahamstown activist arrested for book theft FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, Jan 13 2012
  12. UPM leader arrested and allegedly beaten by police Archived 2012-03-13 at the Wayback Machine, Desiree Schirlinger & Michael Salzwedel, Grocott's Mail, 13 January 2012
  13. Amnesty International Annual Report - South Africa,2013
  14. Ayanda Kota Assaulted in the Grahamstown Police Station - Under Arrest, Unemployed People's Movement
  15. Students for Social Justice Statement on the Arrest of Ayanda Kota, Students for Social Justice
  16. Ayanda Kota: We are all in the same boat Archived April 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, The Mandela Park Backyarders
  17. Drop Charges Against Ayanda Kota Archived March 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Democratic Left Front
  18. Release Ayanda Kota Now!, Abahlali baseMjondolo
  19. Ayanda Kota's Response to Claudia Martinez-Mullen, January 2012
  20. No charges, but cops still want to throw the book at Kota, FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, 2012
  21. Activist to get compensated following police assault, David Doochin, GroundUp, 16 October 2016
  22. Xenophobia in Grahamstown: 'We are not leaving!', KJ VAN RENSBURG, F MTHONTI & M ERSKOG, The Daily Maverick, 29 October 2015
  23. OHalloran, P. (2016). "Contested Space and Citizenship in Grahamstown, South Africa". Journal of Asian and African Studies. 53: 20–33. doi:10.1177/0021909616664920. ISSN 0021-9096. S2CID 151789387.
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