MLONDOLOZI MKHIZE
The role of the YCL
The Young Communist League (YCL) is a youth wing of the South Africa Communist Party (SACP) a very important part of its continual existence. It is essential that the role of the YCL in the SACP is not undermined but rather enhanced as they are the future of the Party. One would have loved to see the YCL to do what is perceived as groundwork, which is to conscioustising mass. One ought to remember that the Marxism-Leninism is literature that was not meant to be treated as dogma but as guide to action. The YCL need to clear determine few issues such as:
I. The role of the Youth that is class conscious of society and cadres development.
II. The role of revolutionary cadres as part of political education?
III. Why there is need to have class conscious masses?
IV. Workers that well aware of class issues.
V. Socialist state ought to give us.
The role of the youth.
The young activists of today need to know their role within then society in this point time, in particular those that aspire to be communist. This includes those that have dedicated their lives in ensuring that in South Africa we get to our intended destination socialism. One of the responsibilities of the YCL is ensure that it has capable leaders within it ranks as part of grooming them for the tasks of the mother body the SACP. Hence the future of the SACP lies in the hands of YCL and members of Party at large. This is why the SACP ought to ensure that it educate it youth wing and give the education so as to ensure that we have an ideological armed and equipped YCL members.
The SACP needs cadres of the YCL that are ideological armed and equipped would not want to memorize few or all key concept Marxism-Leninism of showing off hence scaring new members. The literature of Hegel, Marx, Engel and others has value to us if we use it correct that incorporate analyzing society and use it as guide to action. The strength of the SACP does not rely on few individual within the Party or in League. The strength of Party is mass based, particulars it lies in youth of South Africa who are the further member of the Party, the country and the revolution. The League need to be class conscious and to vivid about these issues more than any one. To have a Cadre that understand these issues is not enough for this current phase of our society in S.A but we need a cadre that can put theory into practice.
One must note that and emphasis that preoccupation with the theoretical assimilation whilst failing to practice what we say might be dangerous. The ideas of Marxism-Leninism would not come to fruition if they are treated merely as literary work. But we need to utilize such as a guide to action. All this should be emphasized where SACP and YCL cadre are based in branches. One ought to mention this in passing that there is serious need to know that in as much as we should understand the different political strands, our main role is to internalize the idea of the mother body that is the SACP, and ensure that we are ready to take over the baton for the struggle of the attainment of that vision, socialism. Part of these issues which we should focus on includes. Free Market, Land Reforms, Services and Policy particularly economic policies, due to the fact that economic policies have affected the youth hugely in our land.
Above all one should ignore their organizational work part of it is to ensure that they have society that is class conscious. All this requires that we have the best ideological armed and equipped youth to carry out all these tasks. One of young intellectuals Zola Saphetha defines the youth through the words of one of outstanding revolutionary.
“One of the great South African Intellectual the late President of the African National Congress Oliver Thambo once said a country that does not value its youth deserves no future. Young people are leaders of tomorrow with a wealthy future in their hands. So while we continue to engage the role of intellectuals we need to bring the youth in the mainstream of the political economy by mentoring and for purposes of succession plan as touch bearers of the future.” (1). This then gives the YCL more need to mobilize the youth who are undisputed that they are the future of the SACP who should shape the revolutionary agenda. Even the president of the youth of this country concurs that, society has no option but to attend to the call of youth for their own development, since there can be no future without a youth capable of meeting the needs of the country's development, writes Fikile Mbalula.(1.I)
The role of revolutionary Cadres.
The role of revolutionary intellectual can be well defined by the article written by Jeremy Cronin on Mzala. Cronin had the intention of giving us an idea how Mzala as revolutionary intellectuals behaved. The intention of this article by Cronin is for us to learn from the manner in which cadre ought to behave particularly the progressive young intelligentsia. One of the things that Cronin highlights about this stalwart of movement is the fact the “He was always partisan of his organisations. But he did not allow his loyalty to become a problem when evaluating his organization hence uncritical” (2). This translates to say that Mzala tried in every way possible to get the balance right between organisational loyalty and critical thinking which is not always easy. It might be valuable that, at this point to consider an example of Mzala in shaping the role of revolution of today.
Cronin goes further to say that revolutionary intellectuals are not dogmatic or elitist and highlight this which he says, “Many of us will have had the experience of comrades who quote from the "classics", or use jargon, not to illuminate a point, but to display their "superior" knowledge. We will all be familiar with the dogmatic invoking of an "authority", the unchallengeable word of this or that leader, or of "headquarters" - not to assist a discussion, but to silence debate” (3).The role of revolutionary intellectual is to apply what they have learned and further than that educate those who remain unfamiliar with such information particularly the that is only conscious but there is the young intelligentsia that can take the struggle of socialism forward. The young intelligentsia that is class conscious will strengthen the Party. This is to ensure that we maintain the strength of the working class in every possible way. The strength of the working class lies in hands of very strong ideological armed and equipped youth.
Since the YCL was reestablished one has seen how the class conscious youth, they have been hands on every issue that has occupied South African citizens. They have expressed their concerned on number of issue amongst them they have raised shapely the issue of the leadership of the ANC as part of the MDM structures, they have stood firm on their position regales of names they have been called. One ought to note that the above is not the only issue they have spoken on issues that relates economic policy. To illustrated this let me use the words of another young intellectual Nyiko when he says,
“It is indeed a commendable phenomenon that young intellectuals and revolutionaries if the YCL shape its strategic character and outlook in the present trajectory characterized by massive challenges for young people and a relative less influence from young activists. Nevertheless, the recent launch of the YCL’s defiance campaign and its concurrent rejection of the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGI-SA) require a much closer analysis and assessment.”(4)).
In indeed the Young Communist League have been spot on in various cases even those that relates to policy. This reflect the how the young communist intelligentsia can be vocal on issue is well educated. Can you imagine what will happen if the whole youth of S.A will be like the members of YCL and it leadership. Regardless of what Nyiko goes on to say about the YCL regarding the defiance campaign.
Few well armed and equipped ideological soldiers will not be enough for the work that must be done. We cannot allow a situation where we have few people entrusted with a mandate of transforming this country to the country that we desire. We have seen through other movements let be liberation movements or whatever that a revolution that entrust few people with transformation does not succeed a good example will be Zimbabwe. The work ahead needs masses that are well equipped for the task at hand. If one were to mention that the defunct apartheid system for it to seize to exist there was mass involvement. Those mass were fully aware what they wanted as end result of their involvement in the struggle that was liberation from the defunct apartheid system. The same will apply in this battle that we are faced with of combating capitalism. The fight against capitalism should include almost every member of our society.
One might wonder why everyone that is member of YCL and the SACP does not like capitalism is simply because it creates society that is not desirable. Revolutionary intellectuals need not to fold their hands as if nothing wrong is happening. One ought to be aware that the youth suffering from HIV/AIDS, high pregnancy rate, high rate of unemployment, high crime rate and so often. We remain aware that the cause all this is the capitalist system. To the poor sex has become the sport and means of entertaining themselves due lack of job opportunities. While those can manage, go and play Golf when they are not thing about means of innovating production for their accumulation capital some like Buti remain unmoved that the solution to these problems is nothing else beside socialism.
Those who laugh when the YCL speak of socialist South Africa as if it impossible need to be reminded that Botha never though of a democratic South Africa lead by the ANC. Those who share the same sentiments with Prof R Hielbroner when he said, “Less than 75 years after it officially began, the contest between capitalism and socialism is over; capitalism has won ... the great question now seems how rapid will be the transformation of socialism into capitalism, and not the other way around!”(5). All these people who share the same sentiment must told that as the then youth of the ANC said Freedom in our life time, the youth of the SACP says Socialism is the future in our life time. Hence we had the YCL clear pronouncing that they are not yet in Uhuru.
Class conscious masses
The role of mass that are conscious of the battle that they ought to fight is that they will always have an understanding what will be the direction that the revolution needs to take. Further more masses have to guide the leadership at all times through programs that must be implemented. Mass involvement ensures that the movement is always guided so that we avoid entrusting few hands with the transformation agenda. Slovo share the same sentiments when he says, “This then tell us that we need not to say that the whole transformation agenda must be the work of selected few cadres. This has lead in my view to Stalinism.”(6).The centralization of power and responsibilities given to few individuals has show the way to the movement changing it course. This is a result of praising cadres as if they are not human beings capable of making mistake.
Everyone needs to be alert in the process of transformation. Anyone that is part of the movement must be in the forefront of transformation. Engles once said, “Of course, our …comrades do not thereby in the least renounce their right to revolution. The right to revolution is after all the only really historical right, the only right on which all modern state without exception rest” (7).Even the vanguard of the working class in the context of S.A that is SACP needs to develop that awareness amongst workers through COSATU. To ensure that we exercise our “historical right” as Engles says. One ought to maintain this that Marxism-Leninism is not a dogma but a guide to action.
Workers as well ought to be class conscious
It would be extremely dangerous to assume that every worker knows his or her role in the revolution. Marx and Engles viewed the workers as significant class that have power to change society, could face and defeat the bourgeoisie and their capitalist agenda. In the Communist Manifesto Marx and Engles say, “of all the classes that stand face to face with the bourgeoisie today, the proletariat alone is a genuinely revolutionary class” further than that they further say that “All previous historical movements were movements of minorities, or in the interest of minorities. The proletarian movement is the self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority”. (8)
If all workers were class conscious and viewed society in the manner that they ought to view it all of them must be members of Party. The fact that some portion of workers are not members of the Party illustrate very clearly that some workers do not vividly understand the issues of class struggle. Workers that are aware of their social standing and the manner, in which they relate to means of production under capitalist, will advocate for change of the system. The bourgeoisie laws and orders also give the proletariat the right to form its own political party. Further more they have the right to install that party into power all this is done within the legal framework of the bourgeoisie democracy. One ought to highlight one of the disturbing stories that workers remain divided according unions as result we have different unions e.g. SADTU and NATU. This signal the task at hand of uniting workers first before one starts discussing the issues of state power. The vanguard of the working class must stop assumption that there are workers that are reactionary and start of create the awareness amongst workers to ensure unite. What to one the popular taken from the Communist Manifesto, “Working Men of All Countries, Unite!” (9)
All workers from all corners of this country must wake up and a wage a war against the capitalist system. As Marx and Engles say, “not only because the ruling class cannot be overthrown in any other way, but also because the ruling class overthrown it can only in a revolution succeed in ridding itself of all the muck of ages and become fitted to found society anew” (10).
Socialist state
Given what has happened in the past some remain confused how is possible that there some people who remain convinced that socialism will ever work. There is belief that says the theory of Marxism, in all its essential respects, remains valid and provides an essential theoretical guide to achieve a society free of all forms of exploitation of one person by another. The major weaknesses which have emerged in the practice of socialism are the results of distortions and misapplications. They do not flow naturally from the basic concepts of Marxism whose core is essentially humane and democratic and which project a social order with an economic potential vastly superior to that of capitalism. Even some noble men that have once walked in this land shared the same notion like this one. Joe Slovo being one of those in article titled Has Socialisms failed Slovo says “But we emphasize again that the fundamental distortions which emerged in the practice of existing socialism cannot be traced to the essential tenets of Marxist revolutionary science. If we are looking for culprits, we must look at ourselves and not at the founders of Marxism” (11).
Slovo goes further to say “In some cases, the deformations experienced by existing socialist states were the results of bureaucratic distortions which were rationalized at the ideological level by a mechanical and out-of-context invocation of Marxist dogma. In other cases they were the results of a genuinely-motivated but tragic misapplication of socialist theory in new realities which were not foreseen by the founders of Marxism”.(12) Many in the past and even now assert the reason why Russia had economical stagnation and poor technological performance as compared to the capitalist world sector was because of socialism. This cannot be attributed to the ineffectiveness of socialist relations of production but rather to their distortion. Socialist relations of production provide the most effective framework for maximizing humanity’s productive capacity and using its products in the interests of the whole society.
It is very important that we take note of the fact that the founders of Marxism ‘never invented specific forms and mechanisms for the development of the new society. They elaborated its socialist ideal ... they provided the historically transient character of capitalism and the historical need for transition to a new stage of social development. As for the structure of the future society to replace capitalism, they discussed it in the most general terms and mostly from the point of view of fundamental principles’ (13). In light of this it worth noting that socialism ought to be taken as transition period to communism. As a result of this we ought to understand socialism in this light:
Socialism incorporates serious engagement with love for social up-liftment of the poor .Beyond doubt a socialist state is one in which all people are workers and in which neither capitalism nor feudalism exists. In a socialist state there is no exploitation of man by man. Hence everyone that is physically able to work does so every worker obtains a just return for the labour he/she performs and the income derived from different types of work are not grossly divergent. In a socialist country, the only people who live on the work of others, and who have the right to be dependent upon their fellows, are small children, people who are too old to support themselves, those that physical and mental challenged. This will include those whom the state at any one time cannot provide with an opportunity to work for their living.
To Build and maintain socialism it is essential that all the means of production and exchange in the nation are controlled and owned by the workers. Further, it is essential that the ruling Party should be a Party of peasants and workers in the South Africa context it will be SACP. It is worth noting that true socialism cannot exist without democracy also existing in the society.
Socialism is a way of life, and a socialist country cannot simply come into existence. A socialist society can only be built by those who believe in it and who themselves practice and breathe the principles of socialism. A committed member of SACP and YCL will be a socialist. The primary obligation of YCL and SACP member, and especially the leadership, is to accept these socialist principles, and to live his own life in accordance with them. I have always told myself that every leader of YCL and of the SACP will not live off the sweat of another man, nor commit any feudalistic or capitalistic actions. But discussion document of the SACP seeks to suggest that within the Party we have communist during the day and serious capital at night.
In conclusion I will use words of Che Guevara “Let me say, with the risk of appearing ridiculous, that the true revolutionary is guided by strong feelings of love. It is impossible to think of an authentic revolutionary without this quality .One must have a large dose of humanity, a large dose of a sense of justice and truth, avoid falling into extremes, into cold intellectualism, into isolation from the masses. Every day we must struggle so that this love of living humanity is transformed into concrete, into acts that will serve as an example” (14). With the hope that love drives everything and humanity therefore becomes the priority of every human. The poverty that we see around us, violence that we see around, teenage pregnancy, irregularities in our society the answer to all such is staring at us Socialism.
Reference
1. Saphetha Z, 2005. Young Intellectual Demanding their Space
2. (I) Mbalula, F.Umbrabulo26, 2006. http://www.anc.org.za/ancdoc/pubs/umrabulo26/art5.html
3. Cronin, J. Umrabulo 25, 2005.
4. Cronin, J. Umrabulo 25, 2005
5. http://floydn.blogspot.com/2006/04/ycls-defiance-campaign-under.html. 10 January 2007
6. The New Yorker, January 23, 1989
7. Slovo,J. Has Socialism failed 1989
8. Engles, Intro to Marx Class Struggle in France in On H.M, Progress Publishers ,Moscow 1972pp 264-269
9. F. Engles and K. Marx Communist Manifesto 1848 Progress Publishers, Moscow, USSR.
10. ibid. Communist Manifesto
11. Marx, K and Engles, F. The Germany Ideology , International Publishers, New York, 1970pp95
12. Slovo, J. Has Socialisms failed 1989
13. ibid. Has Socialism Failed 1989
14. Gorbachev, M. in Pravda November 26th, 1989
15. Guevara, E Che.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Africa for the Africans Let Stop This Now
After the recent incidences in South Africa that have affected the image of this country and the continent as whole, one must be able to express his thoughts in relation to these issues. If we were to make observation in relation to the recent xenophobic revolts, we will be able to detach issues of substance and activities that expose criminal activities within these revolts. This piece will want look at social-economic issues with intention of identifying what might be “causes” of these revolts. When you diagnose the current uprisings as pure xenophobic that analysis will be very wrong and pure impracticality and could lead us astray hence reaching wrong conclusion. This will then surely affect the mechanism that must be employed with the intention of remedying the situation.
This paper will like to venture to into the argument that was raised by one person who was interviewed on 3rd degree, a program that is on e-TV. He argues that foreigners take their jobs and equally they take residential place in squatter scamps. It is matter of fact that this individual is not the only one with this idea, for the Mr. Moses Tembe shares the similar sentiments even within the societies that we leave in the argument is well advocated. This paper will want to put practically example(s) to share more light in this discussion wit an attempt to find fact in the argument that this paper has raised. When someone is a refuge he is not protected by any labour relation laws or Acts. This has implication in the South African society in relation to his or her employment. South Africa is amongst the countries which are well known for having strong unions which fight for the protection of rights workers from exploitation and poor pay after engaging in strenuous work in dangerous workplaces.
This paper argues in essence that South African workers appear to be expensive on the bases that you have a legislation that protects them from unreasonable salaries as South African workers, this then minimizes the abuse of workers from the South African bourgeoisies. What this paper is exposing is that foreigners are apparent cheaper labour to business man and women who have security companies and who have supermarkets or bourgeoisies as class. They assume this status of cheaper labour because they are no longer subjected to the normally law of determining the wages or salaries of workers.
Marx argues that sellers fight among themselves for the sales, for the market. Each one of them wishes to sell, and to sell as much as possible, and if possible to sell alone, to the exclusion of all other sellers. Each one sells cheaper than the other. Thus there takes place a competition among the sellers which forces down the price of the commodities offered by them. Marx argues that these are the same tactic used to determine the wage or the salaries of workers. Wages will now rise, now fall, according to the relation of supply and demand, according as competition shapes itself between the buyers of labor-power, the capitalists, and the sellers of labor-power, the workers (Marx,1891:5-8). The argument that says foreigners appear to be cheaper labour is derive from the idea that says foreigners undergo another process which makes them even more cheaper given their status in South African land. So I think in moving forward we should acknowledge that the bourgeoisie have undermined the workers and poor by making them to fight amongst them about their labour power. Having noted the achievement by the bourgeoisie by sending us at war we should equally look at the role played by government.
The other element which has been exposed by the xenophobic attacks is the element tribal difference which has remains and is a challenge in the African countries, this is result of colonialism. This paper will want to argue that the intolerance in terms of our nationality is developed from the lack of tolerance amongst various tribes that exist with the African diaspora. Noting the fact that we have witness a situation where South African from other province particularly Limpompo have been victims of these incidences. To advance this discussion further the lack of tolerance between tribe is developed from a feeling of fear of infiltration, learning other people culture and their life style, this in essence is the fear of the unknown. These are the same elements that have ensured the surfacing of these incidences, hence our African brothers and sisters must depart from South Africa. It’s quite shocking to learn that some of the tribes that are in South Africa today are from north of this continent. This gives an indication that these our brother and sisters for our great grand father once shared land with them when this continent was divided according tribes not with this modern way of borders.
The South African government must equally feel ashamed noting their own contribution which gives them the same responsibility like the bourgeoisies. The South African government must equally note that some South African borders are not well guided this then gives our African brother and sisters to gain access in an illegal way. It is argued that South Africa is one of the African countries that have stability across board (socio-economic and political issues). South Africa should be in the forefront in illustrating this to other African countries. It is fact that most of the refugees that are in South Africa are from Zimbabwe and their relocation is motivated by their own political situation and starvation that is apparent in that part of Africa. South African should be able to advocate for change in that country in the interest of citizens of that country. It is known fact that in our days no country can afford to leave as island for each and everyone depends to the other same that goes for Zimbabwe. It should noted that the conditions that are in Zimbabwe are not good for anyone, it appears that there is justification of our brother from Zimbabwe to be with us given their own affairs.
In conclusion, on the 16 May 2008, Jacob Zuma delivered this message at the University of Zululand that “It is important that we understand that nation building is not only about people’s attitudes towards one another, though that is important. We must understand that nation building requires that we tackle the material differences between our people. We cannot have a united nation when a significant section of our society remains in poverty, or do not have access to quality education, or still live without basic services like water or housing”( Zuma, 2008) This message acknowledges that there is serious illiteracy and incompetent education South African education has contributed towards this situation whilst other site different reason but there is more to this beyond education, this paper we want to argue. But beyond this acknowledgment of then short coming of South African society, the President of the ANC is pausing a challenge to all who are within the borders of this country that it is important that we understand that we are from different backgrounds but when all is set and done we must be able to acknowledge, comprehend and create tolerance given our different upbringing informed by our different material condition.
These attacks are undermining the contribution made by our sister African
countries in our liberation struggle and are further an insult to our transition from apartheid to democracy. I believe that these xenophobic attacks have no acceptance and role in our society. I view these attacks as part of a contestation or competition over limited resources in the townships. This anger within the working class should be redirected to the owners of the means of production who have taken advantage of the economic vulnerability of our fellow brother and sisters from across our country's borders. The solution will be to eliminate the present situation of a minority owning the means of production and distribution of wealth whilst the majority owning nothing, have to work for the few. In other words money, buying and selling, commodities and the like must be done away with. Humanity must commonly own the means of production and must have free and equal access to the produce. Under such circumstances there will be no want and consequently no war and hatred. Socialism is the way forward and the only solution to the contradiction within our societies.
Reference
Marx, Karl. 1849. Wage Labour and Capital, the original. Neue Rheinische Zeitung, Nos. 264-267.
This paper will like to venture to into the argument that was raised by one person who was interviewed on 3rd degree, a program that is on e-TV. He argues that foreigners take their jobs and equally they take residential place in squatter scamps. It is matter of fact that this individual is not the only one with this idea, for the Mr. Moses Tembe shares the similar sentiments even within the societies that we leave in the argument is well advocated. This paper will want to put practically example(s) to share more light in this discussion wit an attempt to find fact in the argument that this paper has raised. When someone is a refuge he is not protected by any labour relation laws or Acts. This has implication in the South African society in relation to his or her employment. South Africa is amongst the countries which are well known for having strong unions which fight for the protection of rights workers from exploitation and poor pay after engaging in strenuous work in dangerous workplaces.
This paper argues in essence that South African workers appear to be expensive on the bases that you have a legislation that protects them from unreasonable salaries as South African workers, this then minimizes the abuse of workers from the South African bourgeoisies. What this paper is exposing is that foreigners are apparent cheaper labour to business man and women who have security companies and who have supermarkets or bourgeoisies as class. They assume this status of cheaper labour because they are no longer subjected to the normally law of determining the wages or salaries of workers.
Marx argues that sellers fight among themselves for the sales, for the market. Each one of them wishes to sell, and to sell as much as possible, and if possible to sell alone, to the exclusion of all other sellers. Each one sells cheaper than the other. Thus there takes place a competition among the sellers which forces down the price of the commodities offered by them. Marx argues that these are the same tactic used to determine the wage or the salaries of workers. Wages will now rise, now fall, according to the relation of supply and demand, according as competition shapes itself between the buyers of labor-power, the capitalists, and the sellers of labor-power, the workers (Marx,1891:5-8). The argument that says foreigners appear to be cheaper labour is derive from the idea that says foreigners undergo another process which makes them even more cheaper given their status in South African land. So I think in moving forward we should acknowledge that the bourgeoisie have undermined the workers and poor by making them to fight amongst them about their labour power. Having noted the achievement by the bourgeoisie by sending us at war we should equally look at the role played by government.
The other element which has been exposed by the xenophobic attacks is the element tribal difference which has remains and is a challenge in the African countries, this is result of colonialism. This paper will want to argue that the intolerance in terms of our nationality is developed from the lack of tolerance amongst various tribes that exist with the African diaspora. Noting the fact that we have witness a situation where South African from other province particularly Limpompo have been victims of these incidences. To advance this discussion further the lack of tolerance between tribe is developed from a feeling of fear of infiltration, learning other people culture and their life style, this in essence is the fear of the unknown. These are the same elements that have ensured the surfacing of these incidences, hence our African brothers and sisters must depart from South Africa. It’s quite shocking to learn that some of the tribes that are in South Africa today are from north of this continent. This gives an indication that these our brother and sisters for our great grand father once shared land with them when this continent was divided according tribes not with this modern way of borders.
The South African government must equally feel ashamed noting their own contribution which gives them the same responsibility like the bourgeoisies. The South African government must equally note that some South African borders are not well guided this then gives our African brother and sisters to gain access in an illegal way. It is argued that South Africa is one of the African countries that have stability across board (socio-economic and political issues). South Africa should be in the forefront in illustrating this to other African countries. It is fact that most of the refugees that are in South Africa are from Zimbabwe and their relocation is motivated by their own political situation and starvation that is apparent in that part of Africa. South African should be able to advocate for change in that country in the interest of citizens of that country. It is known fact that in our days no country can afford to leave as island for each and everyone depends to the other same that goes for Zimbabwe. It should noted that the conditions that are in Zimbabwe are not good for anyone, it appears that there is justification of our brother from Zimbabwe to be with us given their own affairs.
In conclusion, on the 16 May 2008, Jacob Zuma delivered this message at the University of Zululand that “It is important that we understand that nation building is not only about people’s attitudes towards one another, though that is important. We must understand that nation building requires that we tackle the material differences between our people. We cannot have a united nation when a significant section of our society remains in poverty, or do not have access to quality education, or still live without basic services like water or housing”( Zuma, 2008) This message acknowledges that there is serious illiteracy and incompetent education South African education has contributed towards this situation whilst other site different reason but there is more to this beyond education, this paper we want to argue. But beyond this acknowledgment of then short coming of South African society, the President of the ANC is pausing a challenge to all who are within the borders of this country that it is important that we understand that we are from different backgrounds but when all is set and done we must be able to acknowledge, comprehend and create tolerance given our different upbringing informed by our different material condition.
These attacks are undermining the contribution made by our sister African
countries in our liberation struggle and are further an insult to our transition from apartheid to democracy. I believe that these xenophobic attacks have no acceptance and role in our society. I view these attacks as part of a contestation or competition over limited resources in the townships. This anger within the working class should be redirected to the owners of the means of production who have taken advantage of the economic vulnerability of our fellow brother and sisters from across our country's borders. The solution will be to eliminate the present situation of a minority owning the means of production and distribution of wealth whilst the majority owning nothing, have to work for the few. In other words money, buying and selling, commodities and the like must be done away with. Humanity must commonly own the means of production and must have free and equal access to the produce. Under such circumstances there will be no want and consequently no war and hatred. Socialism is the way forward and the only solution to the contradiction within our societies.
Reference
Marx, Karl. 1849. Wage Labour and Capital, the original. Neue Rheinische Zeitung, Nos. 264-267.
Friday, May 30, 2008
The Factual Inaccurate SMS or sorry SSM
This paper is a response to the every angry SMS or sorry I meant (SSM) the Socialist Student movement. The SSM in it newsletter of August 2007, makes numerous accusation with little evidence to prove such, to some accusation evidence is not forthcoming. This paper intends not to intermediate any one in exercising their of freedom of expression. I think it is pivotal that we edges other that from time to time allow there creative juices to flow, to consider at least getting their fact correct or have understanding of discussion as they unfold. This paper will focus on two articles as published in the newsletter of the SSM, one being “ANC YL- this is not Bombay” and second one being “OPEN LETTER OF PROTEST”. There is one thing that is common with these two article and others that were part of the August issues, one there factual inaccurate in relation to the information, lack of coming up with solution to the issues that are seen as problem, there is no dialectical thinking to people who claim to be socialist.
SSM argues from misinformed perspective that the President Fikile Mbalula not the Chairperson as they will want us to believe is racist further than that, they say this is the tool of social analyses and mobilization within the ANC YL. To quote from their newsletter although it is not worth it to be quoted it says, “The African National Congress Youth League (ANC YL) chairperson Fikile Mbalula’s statement that UKZN is beginning to look like Bombay is racist. It implies that our campuses are swarmed by students of Indian origin t the expense Black African students. Thinking in racial categories – apparently the major tool of social analysis and mobilizing within the ANC YL…). The SSM has further accused the CSRC of UKZN of scoring political gains by defending the President of ANC YL to, them(SMS or SSM) his is known as the Chairperson. They accuse the CSRC UKZN of further dividing this university on racial bases, by concurring with the President of ANC YL. It is important that we that we enter this debate from a correct perspective limited to my interpretation. The ANC YL argues that even after the new dispensation, tertiary institutions in South Africa are still confronted by challenges post the mergers of these institution that have a historical background, which is intended to addressed by mergers. The ANC YL even does mention the serious shortfalls that these recently formed institution must address, this include nonstop of academic and financial exclusions. The Youth League argues lucidly that the, composite to the numerical breakdown of exclusions and the unsuccessfulness students specially black students to complete their studies is the configuration of our racist past and this practical sober demonstration in various centers of social, economic and political development.
The argument as raised by the Youth League is that since the attainment of democracy in 1994, the tertiary institutions have inch-by-inch made steps in put into practice the vision enshrined in the historical document known by many in this land, which Freedom Charter of 1955. This could be attributed to many issues, one being the unsuccessfulness of the state to have clear-cut plan on how to address the issue of higher education. This might too many illustrate the lack of political direction of the current party, on how its intend to change the higher education land scale. Equally, this slow progress could be attributed to the reluctance of universities, to implement decision of government hiding behind Institution Autonomy. I think the accepted wisdom of the Youth League to be able to take issues of higher learning must be applauded.
The youth league in assertion that, “In as much as the architects of apartheid saw education as main instrument to hamper and curtail the development of the African in particular and the black person in general, we too in the democratic dispensation view education as the most critical in untangling the chains of marginalisation of the majority of our people.”(Vol 3 No 22:2). The indigenous African remained the most disadvantage in the education system that was in place at the time of the defunct apartheid system. The native received less financial attention from the government of that time, as result most things by the native was less compared to the services that other race received. Hence the 13 year old government said it significant that, its aims principally at speak to the legacy of the defunct apartheid system that was blatantly demonstrated by the colossal disproportionate of resources allocated. It is important that we do not loose sight of the fact government had its means of distributing capital across institutions informed by the racist agenda that sought to ultimately oppress and marginalize the African in particular and the Black person in general.
The ANC YL goes further to identify areas that remain a challenge as pinpointed out by the report of Prof H.P Africa conducted in 2005, this report speak about reasons behind the persistent high unsuccessfulness rates amongst African students points to none other than this same legacy of apartheid(Vol 3 No 22: 3) Despite the fact that Africans are enrolled as the largest racial group, they nonetheless constitute by far a disproportionately lower percentage of those who acquire degrees, predominantly in the serious fields like engineering wherein our own JIPSA programme highlighted as of prime concern with regards to our overall development(Vol 3 No 22:3-4). The ANC YL uses UKZN as university that it challenges have been raised by the report conducted by Prof H.P. Africa. This report does speak the lack of structures that are created to assist student what professor Africa calls “wellness” of students. The central point that Mbalula was putting across is that South African universities should start ensuring that it create conducive environment, for academically excellent, innovative in research, critically engaged with society and demographically representative, redressing the disadvantages, inequities and imbalances of the past. What the YL is referring to hear is a desirable situation in the society of South Africa.
After revisiting the argument by Mbalula it seriously difficult for me to pinpoint any argument that is racist or seeks to mobilize on racial bases as SSM claims that is the case. But it not surprising after all they have also accused one the LSRC members of uttering ‘racist statement’, probably SSM associate with this word ‘racist’ I am not suggesting that there are ‘racist’ merely saying this the word they understand the best. Further SSM speaks of the failure of the ANC government having failed to solve the ‘racial question’ to me it remains unclear of what the SSM is speaking about that it titles the ‘racial question’. The main word in all these discussion is ‘racist’. I hope that in responding to racist utterance as SSM claims, I was not racist myself.
By: Mlondolozi Mkhize
SSM argues from misinformed perspective that the President Fikile Mbalula not the Chairperson as they will want us to believe is racist further than that, they say this is the tool of social analyses and mobilization within the ANC YL. To quote from their newsletter although it is not worth it to be quoted it says, “The African National Congress Youth League (ANC YL) chairperson Fikile Mbalula’s statement that UKZN is beginning to look like Bombay is racist. It implies that our campuses are swarmed by students of Indian origin t the expense Black African students. Thinking in racial categories – apparently the major tool of social analysis and mobilizing within the ANC YL…). The SSM has further accused the CSRC of UKZN of scoring political gains by defending the President of ANC YL to, them(SMS or SSM) his is known as the Chairperson. They accuse the CSRC UKZN of further dividing this university on racial bases, by concurring with the President of ANC YL. It is important that we that we enter this debate from a correct perspective limited to my interpretation. The ANC YL argues that even after the new dispensation, tertiary institutions in South Africa are still confronted by challenges post the mergers of these institution that have a historical background, which is intended to addressed by mergers. The ANC YL even does mention the serious shortfalls that these recently formed institution must address, this include nonstop of academic and financial exclusions. The Youth League argues lucidly that the, composite to the numerical breakdown of exclusions and the unsuccessfulness students specially black students to complete their studies is the configuration of our racist past and this practical sober demonstration in various centers of social, economic and political development.
The argument as raised by the Youth League is that since the attainment of democracy in 1994, the tertiary institutions have inch-by-inch made steps in put into practice the vision enshrined in the historical document known by many in this land, which Freedom Charter of 1955. This could be attributed to many issues, one being the unsuccessfulness of the state to have clear-cut plan on how to address the issue of higher education. This might too many illustrate the lack of political direction of the current party, on how its intend to change the higher education land scale. Equally, this slow progress could be attributed to the reluctance of universities, to implement decision of government hiding behind Institution Autonomy. I think the accepted wisdom of the Youth League to be able to take issues of higher learning must be applauded.
The youth league in assertion that, “In as much as the architects of apartheid saw education as main instrument to hamper and curtail the development of the African in particular and the black person in general, we too in the democratic dispensation view education as the most critical in untangling the chains of marginalisation of the majority of our people.”(Vol 3 No 22:2). The indigenous African remained the most disadvantage in the education system that was in place at the time of the defunct apartheid system. The native received less financial attention from the government of that time, as result most things by the native was less compared to the services that other race received. Hence the 13 year old government said it significant that, its aims principally at speak to the legacy of the defunct apartheid system that was blatantly demonstrated by the colossal disproportionate of resources allocated. It is important that we do not loose sight of the fact government had its means of distributing capital across institutions informed by the racist agenda that sought to ultimately oppress and marginalize the African in particular and the Black person in general.
The ANC YL goes further to identify areas that remain a challenge as pinpointed out by the report of Prof H.P Africa conducted in 2005, this report speak about reasons behind the persistent high unsuccessfulness rates amongst African students points to none other than this same legacy of apartheid(Vol 3 No 22: 3) Despite the fact that Africans are enrolled as the largest racial group, they nonetheless constitute by far a disproportionately lower percentage of those who acquire degrees, predominantly in the serious fields like engineering wherein our own JIPSA programme highlighted as of prime concern with regards to our overall development(Vol 3 No 22:3-4). The ANC YL uses UKZN as university that it challenges have been raised by the report conducted by Prof H.P. Africa. This report does speak the lack of structures that are created to assist student what professor Africa calls “wellness” of students. The central point that Mbalula was putting across is that South African universities should start ensuring that it create conducive environment, for academically excellent, innovative in research, critically engaged with society and demographically representative, redressing the disadvantages, inequities and imbalances of the past. What the YL is referring to hear is a desirable situation in the society of South Africa.
After revisiting the argument by Mbalula it seriously difficult for me to pinpoint any argument that is racist or seeks to mobilize on racial bases as SSM claims that is the case. But it not surprising after all they have also accused one the LSRC members of uttering ‘racist statement’, probably SSM associate with this word ‘racist’ I am not suggesting that there are ‘racist’ merely saying this the word they understand the best. Further SSM speaks of the failure of the ANC government having failed to solve the ‘racial question’ to me it remains unclear of what the SSM is speaking about that it titles the ‘racial question’. The main word in all these discussion is ‘racist’. I hope that in responding to racist utterance as SSM claims, I was not racist myself.
By: Mlondolozi Mkhize
WORKING MEN OF ALL CONTRIES UNITE
WORKING MEN OF ALL CONTRIES UNITE
In his work, Marx continues to assert and proclaim that the proletarian is one class that is able to stand and confront the bourgeoisie class. Marx even asserts that the proletarian class is the self-conscious, self-determining movement of the immense majority, which exists and thrives in their class struggle for the interest of the immense majority. For Marx the emancipation of every working class lies in the hands of the workers of that country hence he pronounce that, the role of the proletariat is to first settle affair with its own bourgeoisie. The intention of all this is to prove that the bourgeoisie in any country are not fit to run countries hence the proletariat must be incharge as class that represents the majority and thrive for the benefit of the majority (Engles and Marx, 1848).
One ought to note when Marx and his friend wrote this document when things were different from the current challenges today. So it is neither scientific nor dialectical to apply this literature as it is, as if it was a holy book. The current challenges that face society today can never be moved from issues that are raised by Marx writings. As noted in the communist Manifesto Marx call upon workers to unite for they have noting to lose but their chains and top of that they the world to win (Engles and Marx, 1848). The current situation prevailing in our society tells that this is far from being reality. For various reasons amongst them are the following;
• Is the introduction of systematic management, which was coupled with regulation, and control of production. Such were devised to meet the needs of the capital. This systematic management is well known as Taylorism the other one is well known as Fordism. Taylorism was concerned about deskilling, control of the labour process, labour specialization and hierarchy in the workplace e.g. Workers on top a supervisor, manager, boss. This introduced non-productive labour in the workplace, which meant that their role was, oppressed the people of their own class to be paid. Hence, their productiveness of the non-productive was based on the production of the productive workers in the plant. As result workers were further divided for the wage of the other depended on how much did other workers on the plant produced. This meant he/she had to ensure maximum production for his/her wage at the end of the day. This meant that the bourgeoisie was relaxing while the working class was busy fighting amongst itself (Thompson and McHugh, 2002: 30-35) While Fordism was obsessed about the pace of production determined by the moving assembly line, specialized machinery, high wage and low-cost production. This meant that the pace of production of workers was going to be determined by the pace of the assembly line. Specialization of meant that workers were going to be divided according to labour specialization (Allen, 1992:231-235).
• Workers solidarity is one aspect that has crippled the power that is possessed by the working class. The reality today is that the working class has been fragmented by job specialization. The working class today fights the working class concerns in faction groups in society hence one will witness a teachers strike lead by SADTU, NATU(teachers), SATAWU, NUMSA(mine workers) etc. The continually marginalization of other unions such as NATU does not assists ,the working class but only benefits the bourgeoisie government lead by the ANC. When SADTU issues have been agreed upon the NATU is compelled to go, back to work is the creation of division within workers. One of the tasks that COSATU address is the creation of one union. The power of workers can only been seen through unite. This is the call for workers to unite for their have nothing to lose because their have already lost the respect that they deserve hence their labour to the bourgeoisies is taken as commodity which should be given value by the market.
• Bureaucratic system in place in institution contributes to the division of workers. This can be witness predominantly in factories, tertiary institution and so often. This has vividly illustrated the division within workers on the bases of job specialization and location within the work place. Some have been mislead to think that they do not have the same problem as workers. Let use the example of tertiary institution for demonstrating this point. One we see lecturer striking for many reasons by leading being fee increment as always. In this process of striking one, not see administrators, cleaners as well securities but all these people there are workers. This will also apply the other way around. Recently there was long strike of securities lecturer were working, administrators as well. This reflect the lack of unite in workers and solidarity. This amongst other things has shown the lack of political militancy. The other reality is that the structure of capitalist system, which ensures that some portion of the society, must remain unemployed. This is done with the intention of keeping the worker with minimum complains about the serious exploitation in the workplace. The other reality is the high unemployment, which as result has coursed people to loose interest in the unions hence subjecting him/her to exploitation. This unemployment has created a situation where a large number of people will have many people relaying on them for survival. This has created a situation where conditions in the workplace are secondary to work but the salary as primary objective regardless of the amount for the survival of the family.
• Leadership has contributed to the situation at hand. The current leadership in unions most of them their unionist for seasons once they get to government structures they change. Their role changes as well when there are in government their tummy becomes the priority couple with neglect changing policies that expose workers to dangerous working condition and unfair wages. For them to get to government some have sold out workers for their own benefit. The benefits that some members of the SACP and COSATU are expose to makes workers to say regardless of the exploitation I want my offspring to drive and live the same lifestyle that those people are living. Hence, whatever concerns which might be raise by such leaders are taken as rhetoric for their own advancement. For the advancement of the truth must be told. The labeling that Cdes carry out will never advance the course that some of us want to see. It will not assist anyone let alone the struggle to protect some few ‘Comrades’ who perpetually use workers for self gains as we have seen. Some their seen other structure within the MDM as means of taking a short cut towards ANC leadership and government therefore.
Conclusion
For the advancement of the class struggle the truth must told and there must be no individuals that must protected in process. The COSATU needs to make vivid plan which will say that whenever there is a strike of workers there must be workers solidarity. This might mean that if teachers are striking nurses must join the strike on the bases of worker solidarity. This must also apply the other way around. Hence, government will pay serious attention as a major target in this case will respond together with the private sector. This will means if Mine Workers under NUMSA are striking Securities must join the strike so that workers able to frustrate the private sector hugely and government partial. The will over time be able to unite the workers. This there for calls upon COSATU to organize a mass demonstration not of fee increment but a mass demonstration that going to address the issue of lack of respect from government to workers. Some envisage a day where every worker will not go to work but join a strike on bases of solidarity. That day will mark history for production will come to a stand still. From that day capitalist (private sector) together with government will take the issue of workers serious.
BY MLONDOLOZI MKHIZE
In his work, Marx continues to assert and proclaim that the proletarian is one class that is able to stand and confront the bourgeoisie class. Marx even asserts that the proletarian class is the self-conscious, self-determining movement of the immense majority, which exists and thrives in their class struggle for the interest of the immense majority. For Marx the emancipation of every working class lies in the hands of the workers of that country hence he pronounce that, the role of the proletariat is to first settle affair with its own bourgeoisie. The intention of all this is to prove that the bourgeoisie in any country are not fit to run countries hence the proletariat must be incharge as class that represents the majority and thrive for the benefit of the majority (Engles and Marx, 1848).
One ought to note when Marx and his friend wrote this document when things were different from the current challenges today. So it is neither scientific nor dialectical to apply this literature as it is, as if it was a holy book. The current challenges that face society today can never be moved from issues that are raised by Marx writings. As noted in the communist Manifesto Marx call upon workers to unite for they have noting to lose but their chains and top of that they the world to win (Engles and Marx, 1848). The current situation prevailing in our society tells that this is far from being reality. For various reasons amongst them are the following;
• Is the introduction of systematic management, which was coupled with regulation, and control of production. Such were devised to meet the needs of the capital. This systematic management is well known as Taylorism the other one is well known as Fordism. Taylorism was concerned about deskilling, control of the labour process, labour specialization and hierarchy in the workplace e.g. Workers on top a supervisor, manager, boss. This introduced non-productive labour in the workplace, which meant that their role was, oppressed the people of their own class to be paid. Hence, their productiveness of the non-productive was based on the production of the productive workers in the plant. As result workers were further divided for the wage of the other depended on how much did other workers on the plant produced. This meant he/she had to ensure maximum production for his/her wage at the end of the day. This meant that the bourgeoisie was relaxing while the working class was busy fighting amongst itself (Thompson and McHugh, 2002: 30-35) While Fordism was obsessed about the pace of production determined by the moving assembly line, specialized machinery, high wage and low-cost production. This meant that the pace of production of workers was going to be determined by the pace of the assembly line. Specialization of meant that workers were going to be divided according to labour specialization (Allen, 1992:231-235).
• Workers solidarity is one aspect that has crippled the power that is possessed by the working class. The reality today is that the working class has been fragmented by job specialization. The working class today fights the working class concerns in faction groups in society hence one will witness a teachers strike lead by SADTU, NATU(teachers), SATAWU, NUMSA(mine workers) etc. The continually marginalization of other unions such as NATU does not assists ,the working class but only benefits the bourgeoisie government lead by the ANC. When SADTU issues have been agreed upon the NATU is compelled to go, back to work is the creation of division within workers. One of the tasks that COSATU address is the creation of one union. The power of workers can only been seen through unite. This is the call for workers to unite for their have nothing to lose because their have already lost the respect that they deserve hence their labour to the bourgeoisies is taken as commodity which should be given value by the market.
• Bureaucratic system in place in institution contributes to the division of workers. This can be witness predominantly in factories, tertiary institution and so often. This has vividly illustrated the division within workers on the bases of job specialization and location within the work place. Some have been mislead to think that they do not have the same problem as workers. Let use the example of tertiary institution for demonstrating this point. One we see lecturer striking for many reasons by leading being fee increment as always. In this process of striking one, not see administrators, cleaners as well securities but all these people there are workers. This will also apply the other way around. Recently there was long strike of securities lecturer were working, administrators as well. This reflect the lack of unite in workers and solidarity. This amongst other things has shown the lack of political militancy. The other reality is that the structure of capitalist system, which ensures that some portion of the society, must remain unemployed. This is done with the intention of keeping the worker with minimum complains about the serious exploitation in the workplace. The other reality is the high unemployment, which as result has coursed people to loose interest in the unions hence subjecting him/her to exploitation. This unemployment has created a situation where a large number of people will have many people relaying on them for survival. This has created a situation where conditions in the workplace are secondary to work but the salary as primary objective regardless of the amount for the survival of the family.
• Leadership has contributed to the situation at hand. The current leadership in unions most of them their unionist for seasons once they get to government structures they change. Their role changes as well when there are in government their tummy becomes the priority couple with neglect changing policies that expose workers to dangerous working condition and unfair wages. For them to get to government some have sold out workers for their own benefit. The benefits that some members of the SACP and COSATU are expose to makes workers to say regardless of the exploitation I want my offspring to drive and live the same lifestyle that those people are living. Hence, whatever concerns which might be raise by such leaders are taken as rhetoric for their own advancement. For the advancement of the truth must be told. The labeling that Cdes carry out will never advance the course that some of us want to see. It will not assist anyone let alone the struggle to protect some few ‘Comrades’ who perpetually use workers for self gains as we have seen. Some their seen other structure within the MDM as means of taking a short cut towards ANC leadership and government therefore.
Conclusion
For the advancement of the class struggle the truth must told and there must be no individuals that must protected in process. The COSATU needs to make vivid plan which will say that whenever there is a strike of workers there must be workers solidarity. This might mean that if teachers are striking nurses must join the strike on the bases of worker solidarity. This must also apply the other way around. Hence, government will pay serious attention as a major target in this case will respond together with the private sector. This will means if Mine Workers under NUMSA are striking Securities must join the strike so that workers able to frustrate the private sector hugely and government partial. The will over time be able to unite the workers. This there for calls upon COSATU to organize a mass demonstration not of fee increment but a mass demonstration that going to address the issue of lack of respect from government to workers. Some envisage a day where every worker will not go to work but join a strike on bases of solidarity. That day will mark history for production will come to a stand still. From that day capitalist (private sector) together with government will take the issue of workers serious.
BY MLONDOLOZI MKHIZE
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