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
Friday, May 30, 2008
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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