Revolutionary greetings.
Whilst celebrating 20th Anniversary of the release of Global Icon Cde Nelson Mandela, its quite exciting and challenging to debate the matter of Nationalization of Mines which remains bourgeois strategy. I stand to welcome presented ANCYL discussion document which ought to expose how SACP and COSATU are being managed while failing to pursue their class struggle allowing ANC through its ambiguous objective (NDR) against the black masses. The ANC was formed in 1912 a relatively small organization of the Black African Elite, whose main activity consisted of futilely lobbying the British imperial authorities to pursue more liberal policies in South Africa and that's where SACP entered the ANC. Over the course of several decades the SACP cadres became completely intertwined with non-Stalinist, petty-bourgeois nationalist elements in the ANC, producing a hybrid political formation which then weakened British imperialism. World War 2 led South Africa to its displacement in 1948 by the Afrikaaner Nationalist regime, which strengthened and rigidified the resist police state under the banner of apartheid (separateness). A new generation of radical black nationalist simplified Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu, ousted the conservative "old guard" of the ANC and turned the organization into militant action. Martin .J Murray ed South African Capitalism and Black Political Opposition of 1982. "the Republic of South Africa has always been regarded by foreign investors as a gold mine, one of those rare small. Capital is not threatened by political instability or nationalization. Labor is cheap, the market is booming, and the currency hard and convertible". The development of SA did produced a near-complete overlap between race and class. However, a major aim of Hendrick Verwoerd's Nationalist Party governed in 1948 was to intensify the superexploitation of the Blacks in order to transform Afrikaaner workers and the poor farmers into petty bourgeoisie concentrated in the state bureaucracy. As of today 1/3 of the white labor force is employed in the government sector, mainly as paper pushers. I also learned that there were two most important union groupings FOSATU and NUM were genuinely independent of the petty bourgeoisie nationalist movements. NUM was organized by young black lawyer, Cyril Ramaphosa who was been a director of the Urban Foundation, a fund launched by Harry Oppenheimer, head of the giant Anglo American Mining and manufacturing conglomerate, was the godfather of the liberal enhlish speaking capitalist opposition to the Afrikaaner Nationalist regime. Anglo American invited Ramaphosa to organize the gold mines in order to lead off their unionization by more radical forces. NUM engaged in some bitter, hardfought battles with the mine bosses. However Ramaphosa always represented the political right wing of Black Union Movement before becoming the general secretary of the ANC. FOSATU, whose leadership represented quasi-syndicalist they expressed distrust that ANC would ride roughshod over the black workers movement. A 1982 address by FOSATU general secretary Joe Foster was generally regarded as a declaration of the trade-union independence from the ANC/SACP. Describing the ANC as "great populist liberation movement". In November 1984 FOSATU represented by Mayekiso joined with student and community groups and community groups as well as Pro-ANC unions in organizing stayaways but indirectly the townships revolts also brought Ramaphosa's Minewokers into the ANC camp. Ramaphosa's policies were always guided by what was acceptable to the Anglo American bosses, his original bosses were actively pursuing a "power sharing" deal with the ANC. Ramaphosa led his union into nationalist popular front with the ANC. In November 1985, the Mineworker, FOSATU and pro-ANC unions merged to form COSATU conceived to strengthens the economic power for black workers, but it also underscores the danger that the black working class will be used as cattle to haul the cart of nationalism. To express such in 1987, COSATU National Congress endorsed the "1955 Freedom Charter" the basic program of the ANC which ANCYL ought to review progress impact of the program. NUMSA leader sought to resist the federation's increasingly subordination to the ANC putting "Workers Charter" which was to articulate the basic rights of workers and be guaranteed by the constitution of peoples government. As it can be see as pro-Worker/Labor program to be implemented by future ANC government under pressure of strong trade-union movement. Mandela was released from prison in 1990 and the power sharing negotiations began in earnest. COSATU had to support this development, seeking to influence its outcome or put forward their own program for governmental power, but they never had a program or perspective for taking state power. Hence at that point Mayekiso joined SACP hoping for a way to play influence in shaping the new SA. While legalization of the ANC?SACP and Mandela release from prison in early 1990 clearly posed a power sharing deal with the white ruling class. The ANC/SACP then launched a campaign of "Rolling Mass Action". Radical leaders, such as the then SACP General Secretary Chris Hani (who was assassinated by white racist) and SACP National Organizer Ronnie Kasrils, spoke of excising the "Leipzig option", as a reference to the mass protests. Cde Slovo openly called for scrapping of the principle of "one person one vote" and forming coalition government with De Klerk National Party regardless of the outcome of any elections. That anti-democratic program was prettified as "a susnset clause" in the new constitution which would provide for compulsory power sharing for fixed number of years which black toilers did not understand if not wanted and were betrayed by their ANC/SACP misleaders. Cde Mandela was released from prison and adopted an extremely "moderate" line, many whites came to believe that an ANC led government would restore social peace without seriously attacking their material privileges but new government was greeted with a wave of strikes as black workers believed it was "payback time". "We want something now". Exclaimed a steel worker Mtutuzeli Mpondo. "Not tomorrow or next year". We voted for change but nothing seem to be changing, in our lives, workplaces, homes, and in all spheres of life. Cde Nelson Mandela responded to the strikes by denouncing "some" unions for continuing to pursue a course of resistance rather than switching to "reconstruction". As this was also said by ANC general secretary former head of the National Union of Mineworkers. COSATU in 1986 issued a joint statement with the ANC proclaiming the latter as head of the "National Liberation Movement". In turn COSATU was declared to be "an important and integral part" of the democratic forces of the country. In short, the black union movement had to face political attack by the bourgeois-nationalist ANC government and economic sabotage by those who own the means of production. At point mine bosses had to fire 300 mineworkers for clashing with ANC supporters, whose former leader Ramaphosa was ANC General Secretary. Alliance led by ANC has not only lasted years but has resulted in an intermingling of cadres. Policy differences have usually found SACPers on both side of the issue. Today leading ANC/SACPers hold key posts even previously Joe Modise (Defense) Sydney Mufumadi (Police) Joe Slovo (Housing). ANC participation in governmental office provides the crucial opportunity and mechanism to develop a black African Bourgeois layer with direct material interests in exploiting their own people under disguise of empowering the nation. NUMSA adopted resolution in 1993 calling Nationalization of industry without compensation which ANCYL is failing to put it clear on who shall Nationalize such mines is then would be government it would mean nothing for black workers but severe oppression and series of patronage. SACP slogan " Crush Capitalism and Build Socialism Now" what is the interconnection with "NDR" what happened to the "PROLETARIAT ATTITUDE" or "DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT". National Democratic Revolution remains Stanilist approach which is fraudulent, its real aim has long been to a "power sharing". SACP/COSATU suppose to be center seizing power from the fabulously wealthy capitalist conglomerates who are true masters of neo-apartheid South Africa. Workers must stand if not Junju and Floyd would take over as they inspire young peoples and where there is change we stand to benefit because SACP and COSATU are fast asleep. In true notion with character and nature of ANC government wont be able to nationalize mine only NUM and NUMSA can bring about that in favour of a deformed state. Vanguard Mokwena ANCYL Branch Member Ward 11 [Bojanala-Madibeng Sub Region] -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] .
