NATIONALISATION AS A NECESSARY ALTERNATIVE TO ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF THE MAJORITY
By: Kaizer Mohau The currently ongoing debate around the question of the nationalization of the means of production in general and the mining industry in particular has somehow exposed some of the ideological and political inconsistencies existent within our society and the liberation movement. When the African National Congress Youth League raised this matter, it was not suggesting in any case a strategic shift on the part of the ANC towards a Socialist direction – it was actually towards entrenching capitalism with a human face. While the ANCYL is certain about raising this matter as consistent as possible it will not be able to change the basics of the economic policy of the country, the positive aspect to be deduced in this debate is that at least we are talking about it, while this is not enough but it is undoubtedly a step towards the right direction. Firstly, I guess we need to welcome the debate as it comes at a certain particular critical conjuncture in the history and existence of the Revolutionary movement led by the ANC. The debate emanate at a time when the political and class balance of forces are changing albeit not beneficial to the poor and the working class of our country. The current state of the class balance of forces dictates that we deepen the crisis of the Global imperialism and not romanticize it. It has been a tendency to romanticize Global Imperialism as if it is a panacea to all the problems of the world and our country in particular. The debate should rather be located within the context of seeking to democratize the economy for the benefit of all mainly the poor and the working class. In line with the Freedom Charter it has become imperative that we begin the implementation of the Freedom charter without invoking in that debate insults and political black mail. The YL raises this matter consistent with what the ANC has been saying, that we will better the lives of all our people – In this context this debate about Nationalization provides us with an approach which will not only benefit our people but equally will advance the strategic objectives of the National Democratic Revolution, that is why I am equally disturbed by some within our ranks whose positions reflects a consistent strategic diversion from the ANC policies, programs and objectives. Very interesting indeed is the manner in which this debate has been handled by some in the mainstream economy and beyond. some economists argues that nationalization of the mineral wealth will not be welcome by the International investors – as if we care about Global imperialists. Not withstanding the fact that South Africa does not exist in isolation from the world and its economy – It is equally disingenuous to think that Global capitalism will address our problems. The Capitalist economy has no interests as to whether we better the lives of our people or not – whether the Global Capitalist recession ends today or tomorrow – capitalism will remain capitalism – if not more brutal and exploitative as compared to today’s global crisis. It is natural that after every economic recession capitalism has historically recuperated through more aggressive methods of exploiting the workers so to regain its lost profits during the recession. In our response to this economic aggression we should take measures which will assist the working class and the poor to regain their lives and confidence – it is true that the most effective way of defense is to be offensive. It cannot be correct that because we want to ensure Black ownership of the means of production – then we should try to avoid historically necessary measures to uplift the lives of the poor and the working class. Black capitalists are capitalists like any other capitalist – their interests are the same, profit maximization and nothing else. We regard the current Government as not representing a certain class but the entire people of our country – and if this assertion is correct then we should agree that capitalists in this country have benefited handsomely in the past few years of our democratic breakthrough – nothing decisive on the part of the working class and the poor that has changed – at the level of the economy. Even when the economy is “booming” instead capital will seek to maximize profit by investing in profitable schemes not development. BUILDING THE DEVELOPMENTAL STATE: Accordingly, a developmental state is when the state is more concern with the development of our people – this is not only a technocratic phenomena, but is equally a strategic pronouncement in that it should be based on clearly defined development priorities. Now at the level of the economy the main important developmental priority will be to ensure that state intervention in the economy is not only about the management of the affairs of the ruling capitalist class but instead their dislocation from the control and management of the economy so that we could use resources (i.e. profits) for our developmental agenda. History is witness to the reality that capital itself will never succumb to any developmental initiative by the state, it will at all times ensure that it invest resources only on matters from which it will make more profits, in the face of this historical reality why then should we continue to pressure the working in assisting and bailing out capitalism from its own crisis?. Some of our Comrades, have decided to entertain the issue of bailing out capitalism in the face of the current Global Economic recession and yet get irritated when the issue of Nationalization is mentioned – this is political and ideological hypocrisy at its best. In “La historia me absolvera” Fidel Castro Ruz, argued that the Socialist direction taken by the Cubans in 1959 – to nationalize the means of production was as a result of a historical accident – so in this context there exist a possibility that we might be forced to take this Cuban model. Maybe it is timorously necessary for us to consider this very seriously. As the Young Communist League argues, that this will not happen voluntarily on the part of capital, it will have to be imposed if this resistance persists. To say this is just a debate within the ANC it is to reduce a very important step towards achieving the strategic objectives of the NDR into a class compromise – So far our country cannot afford our incapacity to better their lives – since been in power, our democratic state has made serious class suicidal decisions from which our country is still bleeding. Privatization for instance – has not benefited our people except of course for some individuals who because of the BEE horse they are riding have benefited sufficiently. Now the time has come to distribute the wealth according to the need for a better country. Mohau writes in his own capacity as an ANC member from the Matlhomola Mohau Branch. (Ward 18). Potchefstroom North West Province --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. 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