Northeast Tour: Sarah Mtembu, Mzonke Mayekiso, and Shelly Rao

1. Burlington, VT
Event: 9/10, 7-10p; Sept. 11, 12:15-1:15p – both at University of Vermont
Burlington contact: Justin Francese, (802) 863-0571 (w)

2. Boston & Cambridge, MA
Event: 9/14, 11a-5p – MIT, Bldg. 4, Rm. 270, for more information: visit www.bankbusters.org
Boston contact: Basav Sen, (617) 645-3028 (m)

3. Amherst, MA
Events: 9/16, 1-2p – Nielson Browsing Room (Smith College)
- 6-9p – Campus Center, Rooms 174-76 (University of Massachusetts)
Amherst contacts: Thandi Nkiwane (Smith College), (413) 585-3666 (w);
Joshua Root (Amherst College), (413) 253-2352 (h)

4. Middletown, CT
Event: 9/17, 4:15p –
Middletown contact: Ben Somberg, (860) 685-4578

5. Hamilton, NY
7p – 209 Lathrop Hall (Colgate University)
Hamilton contact: Dara Ekster, (315) 228-7547 (w)

6. Ithaca, NY
Event: 9/19, 12p – Texter Hall, Room 101 (Ithaca College)
- 4:30p – Kaufman Auditorium, Goldwin Smith Hall (Cornell University)
- 8p – Women’s Community Center
Ithaca contacts: Dana Brown, (607) 255-7293 (w)
Lucas Shapiro, (607) 273-9223 (h), (607) 277-7560 (w)

7. Baltimore, MD
Event: 9/21, 12:30-5:30p
Baltimore contact: Kristie Kozenewski, (410) 837-2767 (w); (410) 235-8255 (h)

8. Princeton, NJ
Event: 9/22, 4:30p; Murray-Dodge Hall, Basement Hall
Princeton contacts: Vincent Lloyd, (609) 915-4148 (m)

9. Mahwah, NJ
Event: 9/24, 10a-8p, Ramapo College (Mahwah, NJ)
The Pavilion, Parts 2 & 3, for more information: visit www.toes-usa.org
Mahwah contact: Trent Schroyer, (845) 986-4418

Mzonke Mayekiso, South Africa
Mzonke Mayekiso is president of the National Association of Residents and Civics Organizations (NARCO) in Johannesburg, including Alexandra Township where Mayekiso served as the former organizing officer of the Alexandra Civic Organization. After spending two years in prison for his resistance to the apartheid system, Mayekiso became a member of the African National Congress (ANC) in 1992.

Since the democratic elections of 1994, the ANC has governed South Africa with a commitment to neoliberal policies that have not empowered disadvantaged communities such as the townships. These policies, which are promoted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, include the privatization of essential services. As a result, Mzonke Mayekiso continues to struggle for social and economic justice, and to build a democratic and just South Africa.

Sarah Mtembu, South Africa
Sarah Mtembu is treasurer of National Association of Residents and Civics Organizations (NARCO), and a founding member of the Alexandra Action Committee (AAC), which actively organized township residents in the fight to improve urban conditions during the 1980s. She launched the AAC’s yard, street, and block committees throughout Alexandra Township, which have strengthened democracy by advancing a clearer understanding of the urban conditions that affect Alexandra’s residents. Mtembu was also an involved member of the Alexandra Civic Organization, serving in various executive committees. Joining the African National Congress in the early 1990s, she was especially active in the ANC Women’s League. Sarah Mtembu has never abandoned the fight for social justice, despite repeated intimidation and harassment against her and her family.

Since the democratic elections of 1994, the ANC has governed South Africa with a commitment to neoliberal policies that have not empowered disadvantaged communities such as the townships. These policies, which are promoted by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, include the privatization of essential services. As a result, Sarah Mtembu continues to struggle for social and economic justice, and to build a democratic and just South Africa.

Shelly Rao, Fiji
Shelly Rao is the coordinator of the Economic and Social Justice Program at the Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA) in Suva, Fiji. The program aims to address the impacts of national economic policies on the lives of the ordinary person, doing this in a number of ways.

ECREA also works in partnership with groups in the garment industry to fight for safe conditions, a clean workplace, just wages, and child care. They also have community developers who work directly with communities in identifying problems and possible solutions at the local level. And through the Information & Community program, distribute research on these issues to the local communities. ECREA is also involved in regional work, such as the Pacific Network on Globalisation, campaigning and sharing information with other Pacific organisations. Shelly also serves on the International Coordinating Committee of Jubilee South for the Asia-Pacific region.