Behind the US President’s visit to Africa
The inevitable state visit by the US President is not a holy affair in view of the US ‘ aggressive foreign policy. Such a conservative approach to international body politics has led to the military invasion of Afghanistan , with Iraq becoming the latest victims of the White House’s terrorism against defenceless nations. The US has a terrible record of bully-boy tactics. It has no respect for collective human development which is championed by the UN, hence its 44-year economic embargo against Cuba for their undying conviction to their communist ideas as the way of creating a bearable socio-economic system. It’s no surprise to see the hawk embarking on an African tour, which in anyway as a country and the continent will have to be united in opposing Bush’ ill-informed, self-serving, rhetorical, democratic lectures on how our duly elected public representatives should govern. Another disturbing feature on the part of the US is their general condemnation of African efforts. Today Africa is focused on self-reliance noting the developments taking place within the African Union and the commitment of resources and political will to get Africa out of foreign aid – a source of Africa ‘s civil strife – and to protest against unnecessary interference by Europe in our domestic affairs. The historical 1884 Berlin conference, wherein Africa was shared among the colonisers, is too hard to bear for many generations of the continent’s leadership. In the light of the above unspeakable act of Bush’ forebears, our leadership should not take Bush’ crusade lightly, because that would translate into reversing our political gains. The White House will forever present the world with very unreasonable self-serving political and economic alternatives, as is the case with their refusal to support the creation of the International Criminal Court. President Mbeki must maintain South Africa ‘s commitment towards the principle of global solidarity to international peace, development and the rule of law when coming to issues such as war crimes. The US like any other state must account for their acts. No special immunity should be granted without due process being followed, such must include the disclosure of all the information related to such matters under trial or investigation. The above steps shall prove to all that international institutions (multinationals) and state organs are also subject to the rule of international laws. The US has been instrumental in many regime changes that have taken place either covertly or through destructive exploitative means of granting aid which so far has left Africa more bankrupt than before. There is absolutely nothing wrong for Bush to visit Africa , but we must be critical of his sole agenda, in relation to our course of rebuilding Africa ‘s economic foundations. Our future is in our own hands, as such Bush and company must be told about this. The US ‘ greatest undoing is their short-sighted idea of an illusory international community, making it more difficult to play a meaningful role in creating a stable world. We should also make the general public aware about the undisputed reality of US politics in particular. Since the end of the Cold War period (1945 – 1990), the US has been experiencing pressure to consolidate its imperialist super-power mantle. It is of paramount importance to note the parasitic nature of the US economic system to sustain their consumption because they hardly have basic mineral resources for their market unilateralism and military aggression.
If their political cycle of activities is to be complete, then White House technocrats have to come up with a crisis formula to deflect ordinary citizens from real pressing ‘government failures’. Again the world’s nations and populations know that it is the US ‘ political practice to cause war, even under normal political conditions, provided that the White House gains economic spin-offs, at what human cost is considered as a secondary factor. Bush and his Republicans remain a serious human threat to lasting international peace and development wherein international bodies’ authority and relevance is pushed back by being used for so-called US security. International relations to Bush are defined by the White House taking total control of the world’s oil, minerals and politics.
Thabiso Radebe, member of the Young Communist League, Sedibeng DSC
(this letter was written last year before President Bush’ visit to Africa – editor)
The year of resolutions
This is the year of resolutions for Numsa. With the National Congress around the corner, factories, locals and regions are talking about this important event in the evolution of our organisation. We are in the second month of this year. Already hundreds, if not thousands, of our fellow South Africans have died through AIDS related illnesses. The question to be asked is, what are we doing to counter that? The NBC adopted a demand of anti-retrovirals (ARVs) from the employers. Some victories were achieved, although on a small scale. However the cycle is not complete. Who will take the ARVs? Is it the person who has done a number of tests? Have we done those tests as a Numsa family? The answer is no! A few years ago, a resolution was taken for leadership to test and declare. In retrospect, did it happen, me don’t think so. This is a clarion call to all in the Numsa family. Go and test! That is a very important resolution for 2004. The difference is you do not have to declare, let it be your information. It is really worth it!!!
Cedric Gina, Richards Bay
What to do with the alliance?
In the last issue of the Numsa Bulletin, No 9 and 10, 2003, Thomas Maluleke from Kempton Park Local argued that Cosatu must ‘divorce’ from the ANC and SACP. His letter has sparked a few responses….
Long live the alliance
While I respect comrade Maluleka’s freedom of expression and entitlement to an opinion as it is enshrined in our South African constitution, but I think it will be proper to indicate that, it should be expressed within the context that will enrich the voice of our revolution. Not within the context that will divide the masses to the interest of the balance of forces. We are all aware that the balance of forces has no interest in addressing the conditions of the poor. Its mission is about safeguarding its interests. Correction: To com Maluleka, there has never been an official engagement of the alliance partners. Hence it is premature to call for a divorce. For the ANC to be in government cannot be advanced as a justification of this call. To the benefit of those who are in a predicament, the relationship of the Alliance is informed by the strategic objectives of the national democratic revolution that are shared by the alliance partners. So, therefore to call for its divorce is an indication of confusion on the side of the comrade. In summary, I will say it is the betrayal of our revolution before its mission is achieved. Knowing and understanding the role that was played by the alliance partners in achieving political democracy, and the role that must still be played by the alliance in fulfilling the objective of the NDR, therefore com must agree that it is too soon for this call. But our collective responsibility in guarding our revolution is to declare that the alliance is needed more than before, and I think that will be a correct analysis of our revolution. At the same time one is aware that the challenges of globalisation have created confusion amongst the alliance partners hence the statement from com Maluleka “Let us divorce before it is too late”. But if we analyse our revolution correctly, we should be asking ourselves, “Will the divorce be in the interests of our revolution or will it be in the interests of the balance of forces?” If we understand this question then, we will be able to take informed decisions that are in the interests of our revolution in fulfilling our mission (NDR), regardless of who is in government. Before the mission of our revolution is fulfilled, our collective responsibility will always be to ensure that we are vigilant and jealously safeguard the relationship of the alliance. And if we succeed in doing so, that will be in the interests of our revolution in fulfilling its strategic objective. Lastly, united we stand, but divided we fall. What we need is “unity”.
David Selepe, Kempton Park Local
We need the alliance
I believe it is the duty of every comrade within the alliance to remind others about the need for our ruling tri-partite alliance and for it to be strong. Comrades should have thorough engagement on its tenets at all levels. The workers are better placed in terms of steering the process of change in our localities. It is known that workers (unionists) are among the most highly politicised in this country. But their participation in the structures of revolution is minimal viz street committees, ANC branches, school governing bodies, ward committees etc. It is true that history is a series of conflicts between classes and your minimal participation gives reactionary classes an upper hand over our people and this truly taints our local democracies. It should be borne in mind that retrogressive and reactionary elements are rejoicing when there are no strong or existing ANC and SACP branches and where these branches exist they do all in their means to raze them. For us to win the upcoming elections we need strong branch election teams (BETs) and for this to happen we need activists, unionists, students, the unemployed even the non-partisan to help in this process. The ANC stated clearly that during this preparation period there is no mayor, no councillor, no manager etc. all to the battle preparation! Even no MP, all to the battle front. All revolutionaries should heed this call. It is true that there are comrades who are not concerned about the set objective of our struggle. More political (workshops) classes are needed for branches so this duty should be fulfilled vigorously by our branches. To be chairpersons, secretaries, HODs is not a promotion, it is a responsibility which needs to be carried out. Let us all prepare for the landslide victory in 2004 and while doing this do not forget that some of the forerunners of our revolution are comrades Dora Tamana, Joe Slovo, Lionel Foreman, Ruth First, Oliver Tambo, Moses Kotane etc. Lastly our places of leisure should be turned to political discussions/forums viz shebeens, taverns, social gatherings even taxis and escort agencies. Let us not forget that only 7% of our youth are into politics and youth is in the majority in this country. What does this say to your revolutionary mind? Socialism is the future – build it now!
Mzukisi Ka Gaba
Boipatong