2022 has been an incredible year of progress in housing and land rights. After years of advocacy, political & protest actions and relentless pressure, we are starting to see a shifting tide in Cape Town.First and foremost, 2022 marks the year where five parcels of land in the inner city were released for social housing. This is a historic moment, and one that Reclaim the City and Ndifuna Ukwazi, amongst others, have been calling for for years;

Also this year, the Western Cape Provincial Government Cabinet approved the inclusionary housing policy framework. After years of objections and producing case examples, this is a huge step forward. The City of Cape Town continues to drag its heels on developing the policy despite us showing the impact that policy could have made in the past years by implementing close to 650 affordable units through this instrument. But the indications from the City of Cape Town continue to suggest that they are still considering the policy.

The importance of resisting evictions and protecting human rights was championed by us relentlessly. The Bromwell matter was argued at the Supreme Court of Appeal that seeks clarify and remedy the City of Cape Town emergency housing programme. Similarly, the court action on homelessness has initiated a significant shift in approach by the City of Cape Town. The Mayor has reiterated the approach of care, rather than one that uses law enforcement to criminalise the landless and homeless.

Movement support work is part of our DNA and works across all our campaigns. This year we have supported Reclaim the City in its annual congress, and electing new leadership. This has been supplemented by ongoing support to RTC on various campaigns and actions. We have engaged with a number of other movements such as Indibano Yabahlali over the year, and continue to support them in thinking strategy and tactics.

Based on our internal and sector analysis, we have initiated a new area of work – one that looks at security of tenure, and challenges this idea of the waiting list, amongst other things. This programmatic work area has also got us thinking about occupations as the viable alternatives for housing delivery, especially for families in the context of state absenteeism and failure.

Internally we have become a much stronger and transparent organisation. We have spent this year reshaping our internal culture and structure – and as a result decentralised a lot of our decision making. This has helped in streamlining many internal gaps and systems. We also worked extensively in internal debriefing that has helped alleviate the stresses, pressures and long hours that this work demands.

We have added new members to the team – Noziphiwo Sigwela and Nick Budlender. They are already making invaluable contributions to our work! We also had a number of interns that contributed immensely through the year – thank you for your efforts. Comrade Michael Clark left NU during the year. Michael made an enormous contribution to NU over the year, and spearheaded a number of our successful research pursuits in land and housing.

Our trustees also saw new additions in the form of Alan Roberts and Irene Olwoch. Sadly Wandisa Phama stepped down from the trustees, and we were sad to let her go. We also welcomed Tshego Phala from Equal Education Law Centre to the NU Law Centre governance. The trustees have contributed immensely to the intellect and activism of NU. Thank you for keeping us centred.

Our funders, supporters and advocates are coming from every corner of the world. Our work would not be possible without your support.

The NU team is a unique assembly of amazing individuals. Every day our team members go out of their way to push the boundaries. Words are insufficient to state what a privilege it is to work with you!

Finally, our movement partners and hundreds of activists that we support. The inspiration of our work lies there. Each activist and leader’s story reminds us why this work is important, and why the power needs to lie with the people.

Executive Director
Adi Kumar