Interview with Molefe Philane (Landless Peoples Movement, SA)

PHILANE: My name is Molefe Philane. I come from the Northern Province. I represent the movement called the Landless Peoples’ Movement

INDYM: So, why are you here at the Winter School?

PHILANE: Since we deal with issues regarding land, I am attending this Winter School to come and learn more about NEPAD itself, and the implications it can have. Or the implications that NEPAD has for land – so that we can see when we approach government, or when government makes policies, we can make the correct inputs.

INDYM: What are the aims and objectives of the LPM?

PHILANE: The LPM aims to give, firstly, land to the landless majority in South Africa. As we know, 19 million people in South Africa need land for farming, for business and for all the social needs.

INDYM: What is your view of the Winter School?

PHILANE: This Winter School is very informative. We’re learning such a lot. We are meeting people from different countries, especially from the southern region of Africa. We are interacting with them on how they are dealing with land issues. And we share solutions and problems and strategies on how to deal with the issues of land.

INDYM: According to your point of view, what is the way forward? What should these movements do about the issues that affect their countries?

PHILANE: I think the movements should firstly make sure that they work together. We need a solid unity to share problems, to share solutions and to share strategies. So that at least when we work here in South Africa, we know that we are not alone – we have the support of people from other countries. And then build that solidarity movement together.

INDYM: So what do you think about NEPAD?

PHILANE: I think NEPAD has its own is a set of goals that the African continent wants to reach. The problem that we mostly have is the methods that they use. If they open too much to globalisation, won’t our people suffer? The other worry is that powerful Western countries might hijack NEPAD.

INDYM: Do you think these Social Movements will succeed in fighting NEPAD?

PHILANE: Yes. I think that they will succeed. They will actually make a lot of improvements that will ensure that the poorest of the poor don’t become losers at the end of the day as NEPAD progresses.