ABSTRACT
The chapter discusses the hegemonic symbolic relationship of the African National Congress (ANC) to 'the people' contained in the discourse of the national liberation struggle. It then draws out the counter-hegemonic memory identity of 'the people' which participants construct through drawing on their lived memories. It demonstrates how this counter-memory identity challenges the assumed relationship of dependency to the ANC government and provides the Crossroads memory community with a memory identity that is more in keeping with their lived experiences. The counter-hegemonic memory identity of people's power has the potential to remind the Crossroads memory community of their lived experiences of empowerment, unity and creativity; of a moment in their history when they enjoyed 'a little bit of freedom' and 'lived by their own means'. The chapter also demonstrates how squatter power lay in the immediate ability to respond, and in their courage and unity to defy the forces of apartheid at their doorstep.
