The origins of May Day April 30, 2009
Posted by Andreas in "The Economy", activism, anarchism, History, Politics, Work.add a comment
For many people it comes as a bit of a surprise that May Day doesn’t have its origins in, say, revolutionary Russia, the Soviet Union or China – what with all those hideous military parades on Red Square and Tiananmen Square of rows and rows of rocketry filing past gigantic banners of Marx, Lenin and Mao.
The celebration of the first of May as International Workers’ Day, in fact, goes back to the United States in the 19th Century and involves several high-profile anarchists. In the late 1800’s there was a widespread movement for the establishment of an 8-hour working day which coincided with massive repression of workers by authorities, factory owners and the police. At a workers’ rally in Chicago’s Haymarket Square on the 4th of May 1886 a bomb was thrown at police.
Who threw the bomb was never discovered, but police used the incident to charge eight prominent anarchists with the crime, four of which were subsequently hanged.
For a more thorough and detailed re-telling of the events, have a look at this article by Chicago indymedia.
I wanna be a suburban farmer! April 30, 2009
Posted by Andreas in Cape Town, Gardening, Life, South Africa, Sustainable Living, Urban Agriculture.2 comments
After my visit to Harvest of Hope I was really inspired to start getting our own garden into some sort of shape. I have long been fascinated by the idea of urban agriculture and the promise of a degree of food self-sufficiency and although I have spent some time in the past trying to apply what I’ve learned about these things in books and online in our home, our garden has fallen into a state of what I’d suggest is benevolent neglect.
My somewhat neglected attempt at a miniature food forest
That’s all going to change. One of the motivations for quitting my regular job a year ago was to start growing more of our own food and although my parenting and job commitments will keep me busy, I’m planning to do just that. Slowly, one baby-step at a time. I’ll keep you up to date with my progress.
Expanses of water-thirsty, unproductive lawn...
Just for the record, here are some more pics of our garden from January 2009. Hopefully I’ll be able to report on gradual improvements as time goes by.
End Xenophobia! April 28, 2009
Posted by Andreas in activism, Politics, Society, South Africa, Southern Africa.add a comment
Wow! Some really powerful anti-xenophobia posters by Zimbabwean designer Sindiso Nyoni. They’re based on the articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
More here.
Last night’s Nope! party April 22, 2009
Posted by Andreas in activism, anarchism, Cape Town, Politics, Society, South Africa.4 comments
A couple of pics from last night’s Nope! party at the Melting Pot in Muizenberg. A great success methinks and definitely something to build on!
The Conscious Marimba Band were brilliant!
Vrygrond and Kyalitsha Nopesters put their thoughts and desires on the big board
Who says a political party can't be fun?
Forgotten Superhero subversive folk. Love it!
The "finished" board
NOPE! on video April 17, 2009
Posted by Andreas in activism, anarchism, Politics, South Africa.add a comment
NOPE! Party April 15, 2009
Posted by Andreas in activism, anarchism, Cape Town, Politics, Society, South Africa.add a comment
Join the only party worth not voting for at
The Melting Pot
Church Street, Muizenberg Village*
21 April 2009
8pm
Live music, DJ, Cash Bar
R20 donation towards the musician from those who can afford it
(*Take the M5 to Muizenberg, at the circle turn right into New Baden Powell Drive, this will become Atlantic and you will pass the Muizenberg Waterfront on your left. Turn right into Killarney Road (the road just before the railway bridge). Church is the next road crossing Killarney and you should be able to see the Melting Pot in front of you.)
Call Peter (083 256 0457) Andreas (084 772 1056) for more info
Election comic April 14, 2009
Posted by Andreas in activism, anarchism, Politics, Society, South Africa.add a comment
A better lie for all April 1, 2009
Posted by Andreas in activism, anarchism, Politics, South Africa.2 comments
The Antidote 