Ayanda Kota (b. 1976 d. 2024) was an activist who was the founded the Unemployed Peoples' Movement in Grahamstown, South Africa in 2009 and became its first chairperson.Mixed feelings after Centenary celebrations, South African Broadcasting Corporation, 9 January 2012, Stuart Thembisile Lewis, Student News Grid, 10 May 2012 He was also the President of the Makana Football Association.Makana stars shine at soccer awards , Malibongwe Maxhawulana, Grocott's Mail, 14 March 2011 His political roots were in the black consciousness movementDissident Voices from South Africa, IndyMedia UK and he was strongly critical of the ruling African National Congress.Ayanda Kota: Unapologetic ANC apostate, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, 7 February 2012Eastern Cape's so-called health system: In dire need of resuscitation, by Mandy de Waal, The Daily Maverick, June 2012, The Herald, 15 February 2013 Quinton Mtyala He was the organiser for the Unemployed People's Movement.Picket sparks City Hall action , Thembani Onceya. Grocott's Mail, 3 May 2013
Arrest and assault
On 12 January 2012 he was arrested on a charge of theft after failing to return two books that he had borrowed from a local academic. He was subject to police assault while in custody.Outcry over ‘savage assault’ , ADRIENNE CARLISLE and DAVID MACGREGOR, The Daily Dispatch, 14 January 2012Grahamstown activist arrested for book theft FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, Jan 13 2012UPM leader arrested and allegedly beaten by police , Desiree Schirlinger & Michael Salzwedel, Grocott's Mail, 13 January 2012Amnesty International Annual Report - South Africa,2013Ayanda Kota Assaulted in the Grahamstown Police Station - Under Arrest, Unemployed People's Movement A number of organisations issued statements in response to the arrest.Students for Social Justice Statement on the Arrest of Ayanda Kota, Students for Social JusticeAyanda Kota: We are all in the same boat , The Mandela Park BackyardersDrop Charges Against Ayanda Kota , Democratic Left Front Release Ayanda Kota Now!, Abahlali baseMjondolo Kota later stated that he had misplaced the books in question and had repeatedly offered to replace them and that this offer had been clearly communicated to the police., January 2012
All charges against Kota were withdrawn a month after the arrest.No charges, but cops still want to throw the book at Kota, FARANAAZ PARKER, Mail & Guardian, 2012
In October 2016 the Minister of Police admitted that the assault had taken place and agreed to pay Kota R 120 000 in compensation.Activist to get compensated following police assault, David Doochin, GroundUp, 16 October 2016
Role during 2015 xenophobia crisis
In October 2015 Grahamstown was wracked by serious xenophobic violence. Kota played a key role in grassroots work to oppose xenophobia. Xenophobia in Grahamstown: 'We are not leaving!', KJ VAN RENSBURG, F MTHONTI & M ERSKOG, The Daily Maverick, 29 October 2015
Death
Kota died of cancer on 22 February 2024, following which tributes to his work were made by many activists.Ayanda Kota, who dedicated his life to fighting for the underdog, has died, Loyiso Dyongman, Ground Up, 23 February 2024
Publications Some of his published articles are: SA, we cannot say we are free, Ayanda Kota, Afro-Spear, 2011 Malema does not speak for poor youths, Ayanda Kota, Mail & Guardian, 2011 Secrecy Bill shows ANC's historic mission is over, Ayanda Kota, Mail & Guardian, December 2011 ANC centenary a display of elite power, Ayanda Kota, Links, January 2012 Time for radical action on the unemployment crisis, Ayanda Kota, Pambazuka, 17 May 2012 Apartheid petty and grand, old and new is evil, Ayanda Kota, Pambazuka, 26 April 2012 The Marikana mine workers massacre: a massive escalation in the war on the poor, Ayanda Kota, San Francisco Bay View, 18 August 2012 Biko’s struggle goes on, Ayanda Kota, Grocott's Mail, 12 September 2013 Don’t vote for these messiahs, Ayanda Kota, GroundUp, 2 April 2014 In Memory of Comrade Nkosi Molala - Honorary President of the Black Consciousness Movement, Ayanda Kota, GroundUp, 22 September 2016
References