Ben Mafani is an activist from Glenmore in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. He is a member of the Unemployed Peoples' Movement. He has been referred to as 'the Mandela of Glenmore'.The Mandela of Glenmore , Richard Stupart, Grocott's Mail, 16 March 2010
History
In 1979 Mafani was arrested while leading the resistance to a forced removal in Coega, near Port Elizabeth.'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian People were forcibly removed to Glenmore in the former Bantustan known as the Ciskei.Glenmore, the story of the forgotten , Haily Gaunt, 20 August 2010,Grocott's Mail A number of people died soon after the forced removal, as a result of the conditions in Glenmore, including Mafani's wife and three children.A community betrayed , David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily Dispatch
After apartheid he wrote numerous letters to officials requesting restitution for the forced removal. When these were ignored he threw three painted stonesMafani's burning questions unanswered, Ben Macleannan, 22 November 2007, IOL News through the window of the High Court in Grahamstown in 2004 and 2007'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian and again in 2012.A community betrayed , David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily DispatchGlenmore activist stones High Court window for third time , Odwa Funeka, 9 January 2012, Grocott's Mail He has been found guilty of breaking windows in the High Court on three occasions., David Macgregor, The Herald, 16 August 2012
He has spent several periods in prison.'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian
He also attempted, thus far without success, to get restitution through the courts., Andile Nayika, Fri 17 Sep 2010, Grahamstown Now
References
Further reading and information 'Freedom fighter' has a question for Koornhof, Ben MacLennan Cape Town, South Africa - Nov 20 2007, Mail & Guardian Ghost of Glenmore holds one-man picket , Asanda Naketi, 30 October 2009, Grocott's Mail Glenmore, the story of the forgotten , Haily Gaunt, 20 August 2010,Grocott's Mail Mr. Velile Ben Mafani Will Throw Three Stones Through the Window of the High Court in Grahamstown Tomorrow, Unemployed People's Movement Press Statement, 5 January 2012 A community betrayed, David Macgregor, 14 January 2012,The Daily Dispatch
Short film
Ben Mafani fights for development and dignity, June 2013