Hundreds of activists belonging to what they called the People’s Economic Forum (PEF) have protested in the Durban city centre against the World Economic Forum on Africa currently taking place in the city.
The protesters gathered at “Speakers Corner” near the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) where the WEF meeting is taking place between Wednesday and Friday.
The protesters demanded that WEF Africa delegates leave the city, accusing WEF of placing profit over people.
Community activist, Desmond D’Sa, of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, one of the organisers of the PEF, said it was time for people to stand up.
“The WEF is clearly on an arc of human and ecological destruction. No dressing up of the WEF Africa with a civil society co-chair can disguise the roles of other delegates who are contributing to climate change in Africa,” he said.
D’Sa said companies found to be corrupt should pay compensation for their destructive practices.
A heavy police presence secured the site of the ICC where South African President Jacob Zuma and a clutch of ministers toured the venue in the morning.
A representative from SA Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba’s office, Monale Ratsoma, accepted the memorandum and said he would ensure WEF and South African delegates received the memorandum.
More than 1 000 leaders from more than 100 countries, representing business, government, academia, civil society, media and the arts have descended on Durban for the WEF meeting, this year themed “Achieving Inclusive Growth through Responsive and Responsible Leadership”.