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Saturday, February 2, 2013

E. -- REVOLUTION AND PUBLIC   VIOLENCE 

It is Governments responsibility to create a stable labour environment where people contribute positively to economic growth.  

This also applies to the broader society. South Africa needs a climate and culture where people know that their needs are important to Government; that their needs are addressed in a professional manner; that violence has damaging effects on people, property and the economy; and that violence will not be tolerated.   

Critical incidents like the Sasolburg violence, Marikana massacre and farm worker strike in the Western Cape, paint a picture of instability with substantial property and economic damage. 

To what extent would the apparent failure to build a positive society and labour environment, combined with the ANC’s seemingly life time commitment to revolution, pave the way for a culture of violence?  

What role does typical ANC rhetoric play in “preparing the ground” for violence?   

·        (23*) Consider the ANC’s views on transformation from capitalism to socialism; the role revolution will play and the “utopia” this will bring about for the workers class. 

·        Add to this a working class well informed on ANC views and revolutionary rhetoric, such as: (24*) People’s power will entail a democratic revolution of a new type, in which the interests of the working people, of town and countryside, will be pre-eminent. The Freedom Charter projects the seizure of economic assets presently owned either by South African capitalist firms or trans-national corporations”.  

·        This ANC’s revolutionary rhetoric is repeated over and over in speeches and statements, but people see no clear results. They will at some or other time become disgruntled and highly frustrated with the lack of progress.  

Violence could be a natural reacting in a country obsessed with revolution, war, struggle and unfulfilled promises.  

Put these together and it could result in a dangerous cumulative effect i.e. a culture where violence is the natural and only reaction to dissatisfaction of any kind.  

Violence has reached an all-time high in South Africa. (23*) Wikipedia reports that 2012 was “the most protest filled year in the country since the end of apartheid”.  

(25*) City Press mentions that the country is set to record “the highest number of delivery-linked protest since 1994”. It quotes National Police spokesman Colonel Vishnu Naidoo to say: “372 protests related to service delivery had been recorded between January and the end of May 2012” 

In addition to an increase in numbers, “ordinary” strikes and protests tend to turn into revolution and war.  

     To open the media sources hold "CTRL" key and click on the shortcut.

(23*) National Democratic Revolution -- ANCYL Political Education Manual http://www.google.co.za/url?q=http://www.ancyl.org.za/docs/political/2009/NDR%2520Presentationb.pdf&sa=U&ei=QoCvUOOyHIuGhQeg0IG4Dw&ved=0CBQQFjAA&sig2=oK_BNB9D9OdrNfW59beo9g&usg=AFQjCNGDm-FqziG398_FThuWqxoNNOl3Hg 

(24*) African National Congress -- “The Nature of the South African Ruling Class”
http://www.anc.org.za/show.php?id=139
or
http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CC8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anc.org.za%2Fshow.php%3Fid%3D139&ei=Whv9UOyoB5KRhQfS8YEw&usg=AFQjCNHDgTOp4mmnsAX5mONLr4ZWtooRdQ&sig2=9KfgkxnUjMbTDBNuEW_gqA&bvm=bv.41248874,d.d2k

(25*) City Press – Study finds protest are spiraling
http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CD8QFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.citypress.co.za%2Fnews%2Fstudy-finds-protests-are-spiralling-20120615%2F&ei=PfH_UNPfG5SIhQehk4CACw&usg=AFQjCNFQW2DZDUuuKPnUC2OfvA7lQtVI9g&sig2=x_uBjDqFeP5XCuSwinSWow

An evaluation of following three incidents, could pass light on whether South Africa already has a culture of violence?  

(Notice the “war talk” in some of the incidents) 

·         Sasolburg – January 2013

(26*) Mail and Guardian sketches a picture of destruction: “Protesters, primarily from Zamdela informal settlement barricaded streets, torched vehicles and government property and pelted bystanders. Shops and businesses closed their doors, schools suspended classes and the local Sasol plant suspended operations indefinitely in response to the protests.” Protesters even tried to burn down the local police station.

The following videos paint a picture of utter chaos, disorder, unruliness, and lack of discipline and respect for private property: 

          To open the media sources hold "CTRL" key and click on the shortcut.

Click on shortcut to view video: Sasolburg hit by violent clashes
 
(27) Video -- The South Africa.com – Sasolburg hit by violent clashes http://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/sasolburg-hit-by-violent-clashes-over-demarcation-plans.htm


·         Western Cape Farm Strikes – January 2013 

This strike aimed at better salaries, but political motives and war talk featured strongly and ANC revolutionary rhetoric was common.  

(28*) MNet’s Carte Blanche broadcast quotes Cosatu’s Provincial President to say: “Even if the workers lose this battle around real wages now, the bigger war for an end to apartheid practices on farms, will continue."  

A community leader remarked: "I think there is a revolution starting... and it is the revolution of the peasant”. 

Hold CTRL and Click on shortcut to view: Vineyards Blazing
(28*) Video -- Carte Blanche -- Vineyards Blazing http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeta.mnet.co.za%2Fcarteblanche%2F&ei=E67_UPO9MNCxhAeEq4CQCQ&usg=AFQjCNHUBFPtCsOUXqqugUfvMEYF4DRCmQ&sig2=wKSU9wUSBPA4bke0Bcihsw
The farm strike cost farmers and South Africa millions. Strikers and those organizing it apparently never considered any adverse consequences for farmers, the country and themselves.
Hold CTRD and Click on shortcut to view: Western Cape Farm Strikes

(29*) Video -- ABNDigital -- Western Cape Farm Strikes
http://www.abndigital.com/page/multimedia/video/power-lunch/1467534-Western-Cape-Farm-Strikes 

·         The Marikana/Lonmin strike – August 2012 

(30*) The violence accompanying this strike resulted in the shooting and killing of approximately 47 miners, with at least 78 additional workers injured. The “Marikana massacre” as people call it, was the single most lethal use of force by South African security forces against civilians since 1960, and the end of the apartheid era. 

(31*) News International reports that: “Radical politician Julius Malema called for a national strike, telling the miners: “You must put down the tools and stop production. This is a serious revolution” he said.  

Malema is linked to upheavals at mines in North West and on the West Rand. It includes the operational stalemate at Lonmin's Marikana mine following the massacre; the shutting down of Anglo Platinum operations at its Thembelani mine in Rustenburg; the wildcat strike at Goldfields in Carletonville; and the threat by mineworkers around Rustenburg to shut down the mines”.  

Senior ANC youth league figures allege that Julius Malema is being helped by ANC backers to foment his "mining revolution." 

The nature of future strikes and protests will be the final determining factor to decide: Where does South Africa stand in terms of a culture of violence?
 
      To open the media sources hold "CTRL" key and click on the shortcut


(31*) News International -- Mangaung Massacre
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://mg.co.za/article/2012-09-14-00-mining-conditions-ripe-for-revolution&sa=U&ei=HlMAUf25Eqao4ATnu4GYDQ&ved=0CAcQFjAA&client=internal-uds-cse&usg=AFQjCNHQo-W47sPdWxxtZarsEuuU5NCe1w
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