Cde Sibeko On a broader level, we have had gifted intellectuals within the Africanist school of thought whose range of influence in society is incomparable. Pitika Ntuli for instance has a regular five minutes slot on Saturdays in Weekend Live on SABC 2 where he expresses opinions on current affairs from an arts and culture perspective. This has been going on for more than two years now. There is no doubts that Pitika is an Africanist, and has past (and current) associations with the PAC. There is also published works by the likes of Gaby Magomola on his life that includes Poqo, Robben Island, university studies and US training in banking institutions plus Wall Street experiences, and modern Black business. Joe Thloloe, the press ombudsman, receiving an honorary doctorate of law from Rhodes University. I could go on about others. My point is that PAC intellectuals, from various persuasions, do occupy public space to raise punchy issues from their expertise and vantage point, and this should be encouraged. Muendane comes from political activism in the PAC and is also a former leader in the Central Committee and in the post 1994 NEC. I regard him as an organic public intellectual, and his involvement in book publishing goes many years back. He may be suspicious of characters he does not know, and sometimes be abrasive or make knee jerk responses which rub people up the wrong the way, but that in itself does not bring down his immense contribution to public debate on national questions. He self published a booklet on Beyers Naude in the 70s critical of the unmitigated influence of the former Broederbond leader in the affairs of Black-led liberation struggle. His points and perspective on how the struggle was derailed (because of the involvement of Oom Bey) are now prophetic. There were flaws in some of his points of view. That is how debate works. He was buddies with Vusi Make. In the absence of Bra Vusi writing his own story, Mike Muendane biography fills the gap perfectly. Further studies and critical comments will have to follow at a later stage, in public as published work, not sideline arguments which cannot face public scrutiny. I guess I could also be having major differences with Muendane on some his faults and excesses in the Party, but that does not diminish his positive contributions and influence. In fact, his contributions in the early eighties on twinning Mafube Arts Commune with the German marxist groups who formed solidarity with the Azanian Kommitie that supported the PAC and Black Consciousness organisations are something I experienced and will forever appreciate. I do not necessarily agree with the approach of Letlapa Mphahlele in his 'Child of the Soil' account of the PAC exile activities. To just give a personal story of guerrilla activities in the camps in a subjective manner will always let slip of important events out of context, and out of sync with the bigger picture, and could possibly lead to a distortion of the PAC history by others. It is also the sin of one-sidedness, which falsely appears as self-righteous. It is in my view irresponsible to fall in this trap knowingly. Letlapa gave me his manuscript for comment and advice on getting it published. It was raw and worked as a first draft. I gave it to Bra Joe Thloloe who then agreed to help make it readable. We did not add anything or censor the narrative as told by Letlapa, but agreed to doing merely editorial work. That is why there are always disclaimers in acknowledging those who helped get a book published: all faults and responsibility lies with the author. Again, in a broader context, I say let a hundred flowers bloom and let a hundred thoughts contend. Izwe lethu iAfurika Jaki Seroke
From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: [PAYCO] Date: Thu, 19 May 2011 04:55:02 +0000 Cde Seroke: http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/goodlife/2011/05/17/quality-reading#leaf Attached is an article about Muendane. Some years ago, I attempted to establish some personal contacts with him as a stalwart of the PAC. Again, his involvement in the central role of the PAC around 1979-1980’s after the deposition of Leballo ,meant that I could learn a lot from him. However, when I spoke to him, he snapped at me, insisting that I should speak to his secretary. Disappointed, I enquired about his personal outlook from those that worked with him, and I was told that he had an abrasive disposition. Among other things, he seems to be an passionate writer. His work about Vusimuzi Make, did not seem to have enjoyed a wide circulation among the PAC people. I have established that, in the criticism of his work about Make, that Muendane seemed to have over venerated Make. While I was extolling him on writing about Make, one PAC (who remains nameless) retorted and said “ we were there, and the things that Muendane say are exaggerations”. Has Muendane fall into oblivion within the file and ranks of the PAC. Please relate to me about his literary contribution within the organization and his role in the Make’s leadership. I got a glimpse from Kondlo’s work about Muendane. KInd regards Mduduzi Sibeko Admin/finance T +27-11-724-9281 C +27-71-101-2595 F +27-11-900-1929 F 086-754-2176 Email: [email protected] URL :www.randwater.co.za This email and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential and proprietary information. This information is private and protected by law and, accordingly, if you are not the intended recipient, you are requested to delete this entire communication immediately and are notified that any disclosure, copying or distribution of or taking any action based on this information is prohibited. Emails cannot be guaranteed to be secure or free of errors or viruses. The sender does not accept any liability or responsibility for any interception, corruption, destruction, loss, late arrival or incompleteness of or tampering or interference with any of the information contained in this email or for its incorrect delivery or non-delivery for whatsoever reason or for its effect on any electronic device of the recipient. Views and opinions expressed or implied in this email are those of the sender unless clearly stated as being that of Rand Water. If verification of this email or any attachment is required, please request a hard-copy version. -- Sending your posting to [email protected] Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com -- Sending your posting to [email protected] Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com
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