Neo-Liberalism – Urbanisation Housing

Executive Summary

A group of 14 people gathered at a home in Kalk Bay during 2017 to discuss the meaning of ‘neo-liberalism’. Neo-liberalism – urbanisation housing. There is already an introductory trailer to this.

We are all involved in concern for where our society is going. We work in different, but interlinked, sectors. Which relate to neo-liberalism urbanisation housing. Overall we have a common concern for ‘development‘. Although the term might have slightly different meanings for some of us.

We each introduced ourselves and explained our motives for being present. And what we hoped to get out of the discussion.

Paul Hendler then presented the structure and a summary of the content of his presentation. The purpose of the presentation was to facilitate a focal point for later discussion. About neo-liberalism urbanisation housing

The main theme of the presentation is “Neo-liberalism and Class Struggle – Reflections on South Africa’s post-apartheid Urban and Housing Strategies. In other words a focus on neo-liberalism urbanisation housing. The reflection is backward, over 30 years of urban and housing policies and how these were implemented and how they developed (if at all).

Second, the presentation defines the ideology of neo-liberalism.

Third, there are Classical Economics and neo-Marxist critiques of the ideology of neo-Liberalism.

Fourth, examples of neo-liberal urban and housing strategies in South Africa, these past 35 years.

Final section, thinking of Theories of Change.

Transcription of Introduction to Neo-Liberalism Urbanisation Housing Discussion

Armien Abrahams, Psychoanalyst and anti-apartheid activist with Cape Action League (1970s, 1980s):

“Paul (Hendler) is going to talk about political economy. Paul is going to address something a bit more formal around those issues with analysis. I still think the old sort of activist in me yearns for a South Africa, what, what, what is South Africa, is it Xhosa, is it Zulu is it Venda? What is it to be South African? And that also brings up the issue of subjectivity for me. Can we ever cross these boundaries? Of ethnic, of race, of class, …. I am sure we are not going to find answers to it, but those are the interests and so I think that this discussion hopefully can catalyse you know, further discussions that include those issues of interest for me. But also I am very interested to hear what Paul has to say about political economy and the anti-capitalist, ….

I haven’t really followed the current issues around class struggle, revolutionary issues, I am much more into the psychoanalytic aspects, but I do think that it can dovetail, there is a place for …., especially since the re-emergence of Fanonian anti-colonial debates you know, I think there is a space for people like myself, who has a legacy not only in the psychoanalytic but also in the black consciousness movement, that I talked about but I am pleased that some of …… but anyway I don’t want to go on about it, the point is that this meeting I hope can catalyse further discussion, and I am very pleased that we have such a big turnout and I hand it over to Paul now. Or is it John? John do.. want say something?”

John Spiropolous, anti-Apartheid Activist and Development Practitioner and currently in post-Graduate studies around Economy and Jobs:

“No, I let’s have the discussion.“

Paul Hendler, Development Strategist, Owner of INSITE and Investigative Journalist Activist (Stellenbosch Transparency):

“I just thought that it would be useful for people, everybody here, who hasn’t had a chance to say who you are, just to say who you are, and to…..“

Yolande Hendler, Organisational Development Practitioner with Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC):

“I’m Yolande, and I am here partly because I don’t, … I am interested in the idea of neo-liberalism and what that means and it’s a word that gets thrown around a lot. I work also in the informal settlements sector and it’s not always clear to me what it means and how it manifests so I’m actually interested to understand more and I was attracted to the idea that it’s an open discussion and also interested to understand how this economic framework plays itself out practically in different spheres of our country and society”.

Nadine Coetzee, architect with Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC):

“I’m Nadine Coetzee, I recently came back to South Africa, having been taken away by my parents a long time ago. I’m kind of looking for conversation about what South Africa is and what it wants to be, it’s exciting for me, and I work at CORC, which, we all know what CORC is!“

Marcella Guerrero Casas, Urban Development Practitioner, then Director of Open Streets, Cape Town:

“I’m Marcella, and I was invited by Yoli, mainly why I’m here, I’m Colombian by birth but I have been in South Africa for 12 years and I feel like this is home and I’m quite interested to hear what people have to tell. Thank you“.

Moegsien Hendricks, Urban Planner, Development Practitioner and Project Manager at Community Organisation Resource Centre (CORC):

“Hello everyone. My name is Moegsien. And I am an urban planner. I’m here also because I was invited by Yolande. But the reason why I accepted the invitation was because I think the topic is quite interesting. We are working in a context which is very unworkable, unlike we managed South Africa to be post-apartheid. And we are working in this context of neo-liberalism and sometimes we do things that support that and sometimes things that start to undermine it. I think it is important that we have a sense of what we do and how we contribute, you know, to the system, and enable it. So I’m looking forward to hear your talk“.

Axolile Notywala, General Secretary, Social Justice Coalition (SJC):

“My name is Axolile Notywala. I was also invited by Yoli. Also because we have had discussions around the issues that you’ve mentioned. I work for the Social justice Coalition, which is based in Khayelitsha, so I work in Khayelitsha. And I think my interest relates to the work of SJC, has been around the current context, political climate in the country. Issues of power and participation in the economy but also in just spaces within government and how to start picking into those, from people who do not necessarily participate in those spaces“.

Barry Lewis, Architect, Community Development Worker and Director of Ubuhle Bakak Mbuhle (UBU):

“Hello. My name’s Barry. I am here because I was invited. By Yoli.. (General laughter…) there is only one networker in the room! But I literally, I think I responded because the invitation is a powerful thing. You’re invited to something. And you talk about power and participation, literally, I think, we must spend the rest of our lives inviting people to the table. That have not been invited to the table.

Because I think they, the people that we work with, you know the Abahlale baseMjondolos, and people in community, they know a lot more than we think they do. And, who are the experts, basically. And I think we need to, my thing is if it was all about money, resources, intelligence and consultants I think we would have the answer, but we don’t have the answer. And maybe we should spend more time in community. …inaudible…. (in isiXhosa) ‘Who is the expert?’ Participation and power, I am going to steal those from you (addressed to Axolile Notywala).”

Chas Unwin, Artist/Playwright/Poet, currently Post-Graduate Student in History:

“I’m a theatre maker and an artist and I am doing historical research into a rebellion in the Eastern Cape in 1850. And the thesis I’m writing is about Law, Representation and Divided Subjects in the Cape Colony of 200 years ago. So part of my issue in that is how you talk about history, you know, going into that, I am not a historian, I am suddenly going into this historical research. Start seeing echoes to today and so much going today carries complexes from the past.

So that’s what I am interested in, is finding ways of connecting that past to the present. So it’s got a lot to do with human relations. But then there’s a political economy attached to that because what the British brought was British political economy. Well, it’s so paradoxical. And what it’s done and how it’s and how it’s (inaudible) and how many people recur to debates back then“.

Carlotta von Maltzan, professor of German Language, Literature and Cultural Studies at Stellenbosch University:

“I am Carlotta. I teach at the university. I teach German Language and Literature and Cultural Studies. And we debate things in class with the students but nevertheless I feel; there is often very little time to reflect. And really go into any depth into any issues. So I am quite excited to be able to be here. And of course I talk a lot with Paul, who is my husband. We don’t necessarily always agree. And so I’m glad that the circle widens this way… (laughter)…. No, but I think it’s great. I’m very pleased to be here“.

Renee Roux, Previous Anti-apartheid Activist and COSATU Trade Unionist and current post-Graduate Studies in Pension Funds:

“I’m Renee. I used to work for COSATU for years. A little bit for the ANC. And then deactivated by single parenthood for a couple of decades. And current conditions have made me feel that I have to get back into things. And my son is big. And so I’ve been getting involved in actions that are called hashtag Unite Behind, getting UDF veterans together, just various things that …. corruption. But I’m also studying again, to get my head around some of the huge mistakes that we inadvertently made in the unions in the 80s. And more specifically the privatisation of pensions. The extreme privatisation and financialisation of pensions. And where that has taken the whole working-class movement actually. And happy to be here, thanks Paul. Paul is an old friend from back 76/77 at UCT”.

John Spiropolous, anti-Apartheid Activist and Development Practitioner and currently in post-Graduate studies around Economy and Jobs:

“I’m John Spiropolous, I’m interested in the interplay between the structure, as power as project, and people’s response, the subjective response to that structure. People are not just subject, subjects, they are also objects in a sense of a structure that they impact (inaudible), and there’s a relationship between the two. So I’m studying the meaning of money for young adults in Khayelitsha. And how they understand, what their experience is, of earning, spending, relationship with family, their subjectivity, but it always relates back to that which exists. They relate to labour market structure, (inaudible)… as I say interplay between the two. How subject and object work on each other, as a way of trying to understand in a much more nuanced fashion the political economy in the country and the effect on young people, young adults. Not youth, buy young adults. 25 to 35”.

Dustin Kramer, Co-founder and then recently resigned Deputy Secretary-General of the Social Justice Coalition (SJC):

“Hi everyone, I’m Dustin. Thanks for the invite Yoli. (laughter) I’ve recently come from working with the Social Justice Coalition. Stood down. (more laughter) I was there for quite a long time. And at the moment I’m doing some work on a few things, but one of them is trying to sort of, coming from this activist background, picking on these campaigns of social justice, sort of looking at the bigger picture and how these things fit together and where a lot of this work is going. What the bigger political project is, within which a lot of this work has been happening.

And part of that is looking at issues like what we’re discussing tonight, particularly around the urban form and neo-liberalism. And the struggles like the ones we have engaged in over the last few years. Trying to challenge different parts of those even if they are not necessarily named as neo-liberal struggles. And linked to that is just an interest in how these things are playing out in other cities in other parts of the world. I also think that we are very parochial in South Africa and think we’re exceptional. In some way we are, some of it is quite peculiar to South Africa but a lot pf these issues are playing out in many cities across the world. So I think we do ourselves a disservice by thinking that we are special and different. So yes, that’s my interest in tonight“.

Roben Penny, Human Rights and Environmental Activist, currently Interior Designer and Gardening Teacher:

“And I’m Roben, and I’m very happy to be here…. Actually I live here …. (laughter) …. And I (inaudible) invited by Yolande… (more laughter)…. For many years I was involved in Human Rights and Environmental Justice work. And now I have sort of closed in and not looking at global, even national anything. Very small and I kind of moved in, working in and around the community, and hoping that that makes a difference.

But I’m very interested to hear all the issues that have come up tonight. How, somehow we can, everywhere, all over the world, as you say, not just here, there are such clever people who’ve got so many wonderful ideas, so strong and powerful in their ethical …. But somehow we are not getting together and talking about how to move forward, and it will be nice to hear what people are thinking and help in some way to move forward“.

Mike Hyland, investigative activist Journalist (Stellenbosch Transparency):

“You won’t see me on camera, no. I’m definitely not an academic or involved as anyone else is here, but I see myself a bit as a citizen activist and I’ll get involved where I can. I know Paul from an incident that happened in Stellenbosch. I think it infuriated both of us. Such a dismal injustice that happened there. And me and Paul have been working on a couple of other issues since then, with communities, and I kinda stick away from putting my finger, or resting on a world view, you know I like to keep my belief systems fluid and so forth. But I’m very interested to in everyone’s point of view I think. And I try not to make judgement calls on any person’s point of view, and respect everyone’s take on things really“.

Nadia Hyland, investigative activist Journalist (Stellenbosch Transparency):

“I’m Nadia. I was invited by Paul. And Mike is my brand, pking new husband (laughter). And I also just came to learn from you guys. And find out more about what it is that you guys are interested in. Obviously I am also concerned about the direction or, the things that are going on in the country, like the heart of the matter that’s not being dealt with. And so it’s nice to hear what other people are thinking and to see that there are other people who are actually care. So, it’s good“.

Paul Hendler, Development Strategist, Owner of INSITE and Investigative Journalist Activist (Stellenbosch Transparency):

“Thank you everybody for that, and I had, when I invited, whoever got invitations from me, I had said that we would be sort of heading into, according to that sort of timing, we’d now be heading into the last 15 minutes. Well, that was a premature, hasty bit of planning. So, I think everybody seems to be fairly relaxed, so as long as the host and hostess are not hassled that it is going on longer…. But I think it was quite nice that we all heard from each other about what you do and why you’re here.

So, let me just go into what I want to say. I had planned this to be maybe 20 minutes maximum. Before I stopped and I think I need that time to just try and get out some more coherent thoughts, you know, about …., and I have spent some time writing this up as a paper and the reason why I have done that, and I’ve mentioned this to some of you earlier on, is that I have a website, and, INSITE, I N S I T E, and it’s got a blog page on it and it’s attempting to put out some thought leadership.

So whenever I’m doing things like these I become aware of self-employment and the risks around self-employment, that focuses me very carefully, and I become aware of how can I use this. Not in a manipulation of yourselves in any way but how can I use this to project, in this case, my thoughts into social media.

I have a small newsletter that advertises it. And the reason why comrade Mike and comrade Nadia are here, is filming all of that, is for that purpose. If any of you feel that you don’t want to appear on cam, while you are talking or making a point of view, that’s completely understood and the idea really is to have a discussion and conversation and I’m particularly looking for some critical comments. ‘Well, I don’t understand what you’re saying there. It doesn’t make sense. Explain yourself again. You’re talking above us. Or, you’re chirping like a Hadeeda…’ So, you know it really is about I think sharing and learning.

So having hopefully put you all at rest, let me just start off on this and get through this in 20 minutes.

Neo-liberalism Urbanisation Housing – Development

I titled this paper that I’m busy writing here, I called it ‘On neo-Liberalism and Class Struggle – Notes towards and Investigation of South African post-apartheid Urban and Housing Strategies’. So it’s very much, the content of the gaze is urban and housing strategies, which is where I have been located for quite a long time. Some people might say too long. You should have made a change by now. But that moment is ‘verby’. I’m there, I’m there for life.

And this is a reflection, it’s really, these notes are a reflection on what I got from studying, and that goes back to the seventies, and also what I got from practice, first in the NGO world and more latterly through being a consultant to the various governments, the various ‘peoples governments’ of South Africa, on urban and housing strategies. And that’s what I’m really looking back at possibly over the last 30 years. And trying to sort of make sense of why we are sitting where we are now, and John (Spiropolous) was a comrade in Planact in the early nineties. We had very different ideas, very different understandings of development, and were slightly more (inaudible) than we are now.

Neo-liberalism Urbanisation Housing – Structure of Content, and Theory

So, what I’ve done is, I’ve …. Excuse me for looking at the computer now and then, I’m just using it to prompt my thoughts. Let me just tell you quickly how I’ve structured this presentation.

So the first thing that I look at is ‘What are the housing and urban development questions?’ As I understand them.

And then after that I want to just define this ideology that is known as neo-liberalism. And I’ll try and be quite succinct in that definition.

And then the third point is ‘What are the Classical Economics and neo-Marxist critiques of this neo-Liberal ideology.

So it’s going to be a talk, that I’m giving, it’s going to be quite theoretical, and I think it’s important to talk theory. How do we join all these dots around us? Because part of the ideology that dominates us says that there is no need for theory. Everything is sort of there in your face and so I think it’s very important and so what I am going to talk about is not a practical guideline about what to do possibly tomorrow. But it’s how do we step back and, how do we see what’s going on around us and what are our own presuppositions that maybe we should become aware of?

Neo-liberalism Urbanisation Housing – Strategy and Tactics

I think that once you get clarity at that level for yourself, for ourselves, I think it gives you a framework within which you can talk strategy, talk tactics, talk about plans. Because, they, they’re not directly derivable from that theory but it gives you a broader meaning to do that in and be more consistent in your politics basically. So that’s why I think that that is important.

And then just towards the end, and this is where the paper actually got me very tired. I just never had time ….. But that’s no problem, this is part of the process. Towards the end then I just want to give you some reflection on the neo-liberal housing and urban strategies that we’ve had in the country over the last 20 odd years, or 25 years, since CODESA in 1994.

And then the final section is …. Sorry, I’ll end that off with some insights that I and a partner of mine developed, he’s also got a lot of experience although mainly in development finance, but some insights that we developed coming out of a project that we did for the Treasury recently, about where we think strategy should be going and where it isn’t going. So there will be an attempt to get traction closer to the ground, with all this theory.

And then right at the end I just want to get us to think, you know, what are the theories of change that we have? Because it’s all very good to say this is the way they see it, this is the way we see it, and these are the areas we should be focusing on and we can solve the problem. But, and Barry you raised that question yourself earlier on, about the role of professionals and intellectuals, so what are the motive forces out there and how do we relate to them? Not an easy question, but I think there’s a bit of theorising around that also.“

I am writing a paper based on the discussions that we had. The Introduction to this paper is based on the above discussion.