Editorial: Shuffling the deckchairs on a sinking ship
 Zuma and his backers and the ANC that he leads have struck decisively to defend their interests with their cabinet reshuffle and to assert control over the much treasured treasury. This is likely to plunge the country into a political crisis with economic consequences. The mainstream and even the left liberal media and commentators have framed the ongoing factional battle of the ANC that led to this point as one pitting the kleptocratic bad guys led by Zuma (claiming to represent disadvantaged black people and fighting to promote radical economic transformation – strangely similar to the EFF’s claims) versus Pravin Gordhan (alleged to represent white monopoly capital) and the ethical ANC veterans as the good guys. This is a false and misleading dichotomy that blurs the class interests at play. Both these ANC factions, which, while differing in their methods, are pro-capitalist and anti-working class. South Africa’s history and their various roles since and before 1994 proves this and is illustrated by the dire socio-economic conditions of South Africa’s working class and poor. The latter must not allow itself to be duped and misled again that there is any light within the ruling party and a progressive faction that will set out to liberate and improve its conditions. Not Mbeki, Not Zuma, Not Ramaphosa, Not Dlamini-Zuma, not Motlanthe, not Mantashe….not the ANC/SACP! The working class needs its own movement and party.
This political crisis is THE historical moment for all poor and working class people to rise up. The moment is now to initiate a genuine mass united front. NUMSA and SAFTU with the support of all those who genuinely seek to liberate our people from poverty, misery and oppression should initiate a programme of action. If there are open forums accessible to them, genuine vanguard working class elements that are committed to mass political action can emerge. The key is ACTION and POLITICAL CLARITY.
Phambile Msebenzi, Phambile! FORWARD TO THE MASS UNITED FRONT! |
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