MARCHING FOR SYSTEM CHANGE AND SHOWCASING PRACTICAL ACTIONS FOR SYSTEM CHANGE THIS HERITAGE WEEK IN CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA
Under the banner of #MarchforSystemChange, youth, civil society and concerned citizens are marching from Hanover Street to Cape Town Parliament on Heritage Day, 24 September 2022. In the lead up to the event lead organizers are engaging in a pilot Cape Town Climate Week to showcase various practical actions for system change that address the climate and socio-economic crises facing South Africa. In addition to Heritage Day/week, the event is aligned with the Global Climate Strike led by youth climate activists all around the world and the various climate weeks taking place overseas.
“We have a system in this country and in many parts of the world that treats the majority of people and our living planet as worthless,” says Gabriel Klaasen from the Youth-led African Climate Alliance. “This has led to many interlinking crises: from income inequality, to water and food insecurity, to the climate crisis. We are marching for urgent action to address the climate crisis and transform our economic and social systems. Action that prioritises sustainable energy, housing, water and food access for all.”
The march in Cape Town is a collaborative effort in which the group will be following up on the demands delivered in September 2021 and March 2022:
The urgent establishment of a PERMANENT Parliamentary Joint Standing Committee on the Climate and Ecological Crisis, that meets once per quarter, to enable parliament to fully internalise the grave threat that the Climate and Ecological Crisis poses to our society, as well as to utilise this threat as an opportunity to address social inequality and the need for economic reform.
The Department of Basic Education must adjust the National Education Curriculum to improve national literacy in Climate Change that focuses on adequately preparing youth for the realities of the climate crisis
In accordance with section 234 of the South African constitution, Parliament must table a motion to consider and debate the adoption of the Climate Justice Charter which aims to “end hunger, thirst, pollution and climate harms”
An end to all public and private capital investment in fossil fuel-intensive industries.
A commitment to eliminating all fossil fuel electricity production by 2035 at the very latest.
The strengthening of legislation to protect South African consumers from Greenwashing.
Transformation of the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy which currently acts as the biggest stumbling block to a just transition in the country
“The South African government must show leadership, act responsibly and do away with potent, carbon intensive industries. Climate change impacts show that we need to move away from conducting activities that lead to fossil fuels.” – Neville Van Rooy, The Green Connection.
The action is led by the youth-led African Climate Alliance in partnership with / supported by Project 90 by 2030, Green Connection, Feed the Future, Environmental Monitoring Group, Extinction Rebellion Cape Town, Greenpeace Cape Town volunteer group, Fight Inequality Alliance, Fridays for Future South Africa, SAFCEI, Youth Arise, 350Africa.org, Sundial Movement, Social Change Assistance Trust, Rural Action for Climate Resilience and other allied organizations. A press conference will be held on Friday 23 September at 1pm (details below) and streamed on the African Climate Alliance Facebook page.
In the lead up to the march, the African Climate Alliance and select partners are engaging in a pilot Cape Town Climate Week to raise awareness around the need for system change not climate change. This includes:
Monday
Food gardening for system change – a mural and workshop at the Feed the Future community garden in Elsies Rivier
Tuesday
#FixOurTrains – a fun political action with Unite Behind on the Green Point Blue Train to protest the collapse of commuter rail services in Cape Town and around the country. Public transport is essential for the working class and to reduce carbon emissions. The climate crisis and workers struggles are connected!
Time: 14:30 – 16:30
Wednesday
Food forest for food security – A food forest planting at Edward Primary with Mzansi Organics and Feed the Future
Sundial Movement High School Walkout at a number of schools around the country. Contact sundialmovement@gmail.com or on instagram @thesundialmovement
Thursday
Art for Climate Justice workshop in Mitchelle’s Plain with Project 90 by 2030
Friday
Topic: #MarchForSystemChange – Press Conference || 23 September 2022
Time: Sep 23, 2022 01:00 PM Harare, Pretoria
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89382224465?pwd=WmZhT3VrdzJKTkt0SGdzbEpJbWoyZz09
Meeting ID: 893 8222 4465 Passcode: 007043
Saturday
March for System Change – All invited
Time: 10:30
Where: Hanover Street to Parliament
Event information: marchforsystemchange.org.za
Social share pack: https://bit.ly/MFSCsocials
For further information, or media queries contact Sarah Robyn Farrell on +27834095557
