Cde Seroke Thank you for an insightful analysis of the contemporary politics in this country and abroad. The malaise of 'Ukukhonza abelungi' is embedded in some Africans. Especially, those who were never indoctrinated with the Africanist or black consciousness ideologies. After 1994, I had hoped that this malaise was on an advance stage of healing. However, I am startled with its resurgence more especially, as it comes from those who claim to have liberated the country. As you have touched the issue of Marikana, when events unfolded, I posited that they would never get anywhere in as far as their wage demands were concerned. The announcement of a wage settlement of 22 % plus a R 2000 bonus for ending the strike was good tidings for workers. In essence, this has demonstrated that the capitalist system is exploitative. Those who have been extracting our mineral reverses for the past preceding centuries, have demonstrated to us that they still have our money, when shove comes to push. It is not a question of affordability. The interest of this whole saga resides with some of the covert ANC big men who are surreptitiously benefiting from these arrangements. a story is told about Ramaphosa who purchased a Buffalo cow for 20 million rands while his workers can't make ends meet.
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jaki Seroke Sent: Wednesday, September 19, 2012 10:03 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [PAYCO] THE INTRINSIC VALUE OF EACH CITIZEN IN SA M'afrika Mduduzi Sibeko The republic of South Africa is often described in glorious terms in international forums for a variety of reasons. The core issues that negatively affect the lives of its citizens are mostly ignored in the very same circles, and when a social implosion occurs the analysts look askance at each other and make ridiculous observations. Let's face it, the views and opinions of the majority are marginalised at these forums, and even the decision making process in government belongs to a coterie of conflicted personalities. The majority of those who should benefit from an efficient state are not taken seriously. Like subliminal racism, the unequal treatment of citizens has become a norm and it is accepted as natural. This should not go on forever. The president who is leading a state delegation in Brussels is yesterday reported to have conveyed a sincere message of condolences to the families of bereaved victims of the suicide car bomb in Kabul, Afghanistan, after a suicide bomber took them to be foreigners who denigrate the Muslim faith in the light of popular Arab protests against a propaganda documentary made in the US. This presidential message could be well and good. Look closely and you will notice that the eight victims are white South African working for a private airline in Afghanistan. Contrast this with his attitude back home. Last month mineworkers were mowed down like flies in Marikana in a process that had been brewing up for four months at least in the dispute on wage increment between the workers and Lonmin management. In full view of the media, the killers of the workers were the state police. These killers are equally underpaid, ill-equipped and ill-trained personnel, largely Black, and led by a Black woman national police commissioner who encouraged the killers to do so more often in the future, and that they should not be sorry for what they did. I believe the difference between the two unfortunate incidents where loss of life occurred is the colonial mentality of the leadership that hold power of the state. Over a period of more than two thousand years, African people have been subjected to slavery and massive exploitation of the resources - they are treated as lesser beings by the imperialists and their local running dogs. I guess the process of resolving settler-colonialism makes it even more complex, with citizens expressing differing sets of needs and expectations from the state. The aggrieved group (the Marikana mineworkers, for example) continues to be treated like beasts of burden, they live in squalid conditions, get slave wage, etc., and are killed at will by their own elected government. Colonial mentality is a trained conditioning of the mind and body. In the story, the archer in a circus was aggrieved by the tyranny and dictatorial behavior of the leading man in the performance. The archer planned to accidentally shoot him with his arrow during performance. This never happened despite several genuine attempts. The archer was steeped into the habit of shooting the apple on top of the leading man's head. Just like colonial mentality - Ba khonza abelungu. This puts into question the value of each citizen in South Africa. The state perpetuates inequality - the government steals from the coffers of the state and do so with impunity. The services they offer to the rich and the poor are not the same, and this is deliberate. The justice system favors the rich and famous. You have to be well-off to can afford to pay for superior legal service in the courts where justice is supposed to be seen to be done. I believe the false justifications for Chapter Nine organisations in the constitution is meant to be a sop to calm down the exploited majority. The political parties in parliament are on a gravy train - each one of the various leaders is advancing his or her interest against the collective national interest. Even the erstwhile revolutionaries are comfortable with fighting for a position on the mountain top in their organisations. This established paradigm must change. The Marikana mountain top is the forum of the majority. Citizens of the state must be treated like decent human beings - all of them. You, Comrade Mduduzi, have often advised us to have a global view on the running of the state. Ethics and good governing principles. International laws of competition and the globalisation of economies, human rights issues in the international context, and the importance of an open policy and modernisation. Like Mangaliso Sobukwe, who led a paradigm shift away from cap in hand deputations to plead for change, I believe the revolution will come like waves, one after the other, to cleanse society of its wrongs. The revolution will come from below - from the heat of the struggle conducted by the Azanian masses. We will win. Jaki -- Sending your posting to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com<http://www.mayihlome.wordpress.com> This email and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential and proprietary information. 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