A divided COSATU weakens us all Education advances the struggles of the working class - YCL OJ Fourie, The New Age, Johannesburg, 1 December 2014 The Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) is on the eve of its 4th National Congress, from December 11-14. It is important we reflect on the past four years' progress that has been made towards improving the lives of the working class youth and the challenges we have overcome. It is of great importance we strengthen and intensify our efforts, moving forward after this congress. We must speak with one voice and be clear of our programme of action. We are revolutionaries and our blood remains red. In 2006, the YCLSA adopted 10 demands. These demands remain relevant and should be pursued. Some of the demands are universal access through economic participation; through quality employment; through quality and free secondary and tertiary education; quality and free healthcare; equal access and usage of land and quality public service; through financial services for small business, housing, youth co-operatives by both government and the private sector. Young progressive workers must start playing a more prominent role within the largest trade union federation in Africa. Let us not become disillusioned with factional battles within COSATU. We must ensure COSATU remains a powerful trade union movement. The challenges that the federation is facing is a growing leadership distance from the workplace, bureaucratism, the sins of incumbency, and business unionism. Most critical of all is the absence of revolutionary unity. These challenges emphasise the great responsibility young workers have to rebuild the unity of COSATU and to restore the workers' confidence in their own federation. A divided COSATU plays in the hands of monopoly capital, neo-colonialism, the ruling class, political opposition. A divided COSATU will cause a decline in the number of unionised workers and will weaken the opportunities of working-class youth. A divided COSATU will not be able to defend the workers against extensive labour brokering, growing casualisation, and retrenchments. A divided COSATU will weaken the alliance. Young workers must accept their revolutionary duty to defend and unite the federation. Young revolutionaries, it remains of utmost importance that we continue to empower ourselves by continuously being active in educating ourselves. It is our revolutionary duty. Education will ensure we are equipped to do what is required. Being educated will enhance the struggle against monopoly capital's relentless assaults. Being educated will ensure the advancement of the struggles of the working class. Being educated will ensure that you are able to play your role in the National Democratic Revolution on all terrains. Education (not position) is the key to successful deployment in the spheres of government! The investment made in education will be a lifelong investment that never loses its value. Let us continue to make education fashionable! We must produce future leaders that will be able to lead the country forward and ensuring a better life for all. . OJ Fourie is a YCLSA national committee member From: http://tnaepaper.co.za/ Get The New Age <http://www.thenewage.co.za/tnasubscription/productcart_digital.aspx?2produc t8=8-1> on your screen every morning. Click here <http://www.thenewage.co.za/tnasubscription/productcart_digital.aspx?2produc t8=8-1> for your free e-paper subscription. -- -- 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] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
