This declaration is progressive. Reading though it especially on alliance relations I find one perspective extremely important. This is, however, implied or inferred in the declaration, rather than expressly stated. What I want to do is to elevate the point, which is as follows.
It is true that alliance relations are above individuals or personalities who lead in each one of the alliance partners at a given moment. This is expressly stated in the declaration and, is the right point to make and advance as declared. However, the class character of the individuals or personalities who make up the leadership of each one of the alliance partners, on the one hand, has a non-inconsiderable negative impact over alliance relations. Given that Cosatu and SACP are trade union - organised proletariat - and advanced working class formations respectively, the problem of a non-inconsiderable negative impact over alliance relations as a result of the class character of the individuals or personalities who make up the leadership of each alliance partner at a given moment finds its premise and manifestation particularly in the ANC. The basis for this is the multi-class character of the ANC and the class balance of forces in it as reflected in the class character of the individuals who make up its leadership. To the extent, therefore, that the character of ANC leadership is that of capital personified, or put simply, the capitalists, regardless of their degree of development, then alliance relations will suffer as is the case in Limpopo. This is because by their very nature the capitalists: aspirant, emerging, developing and developed, all have one programme: to advance and defend the accumulation of capital on a private basis. This involves not only the exploitation of the working class but also of every platform such as leadership positions in the ANC and the state that can be captured for that purpose. In this regard, corruption becomes but one of the instruments used to advance and defend private capital accumulation. Under this context alliance relations are bound to degenerate between the multi-class ANC on the one hand and the two working class formations Cosatu and the SACP on the other hand as is the case in Limpopo. At the core of this are contradictory class interests involving on the one hand private capital accumulation harboured, advanced and defended by the ANC leadership using both the ANC and the state, and on the other hand working class interests harboured, advanced and defended by Cosatu and the SACP. The differences based on this generates one of the forms of class struggle with the alliance being one of the spheres in which that class struggle takes place. Degeneration in alliance relations then becomes the necessary product and condition of that class struggle. What I have learned is that in this class struggle some elements of the working class are co-opted by and serve the capitalist class as witnessed in Limpopo. In addition, in pursuit of its own private accumulation interests the capitalist class can develop or has capacity to hegemonise sections of the working class. In the extreme this becomes dominant. Under such conditions the capitalist class is able to mobilise the hegemonised sections of the working class. This is done using working class rhetoric but serving capitalist class interests of private capital accumulation. It does not require rocket science to see this when one analyses Limpopo, some politicians from Limpopo, but not exclusively, and therefore the South African situation, and more particularly in the aftermath of the global capitalist crisis that erupted in 2008. "What is to be done?": asked Lenin. In "simplistic terms", Cosatu in 2007 argued the answer is to change the class character of the ANC to reflect the working class. The Limpopo situation has proven that the capitalist class has capacity to resist that successfully with a backing, at times allegedly bought or manipulated, from sections of the working class. As the Polokwane outcome has shown, also, this is not a purist battle where you have the working class on the one side and the capitalist class on the other side facing one another. In both sides there are workers and capitalists, each pursuing their own interests. In other words, you have a situation of the dialectic of unity or even inter-penetration of opposites involving both cooperation and conflict/struggle between them simultaneously. In complex terms, the answer is to deepen the working class content, called biasness, of the ANC (But the capitalists will also fight back as in the case of changing the character of the leadership to reflect the working class both in composition and content.) What, then will deepening the working class content of the ANC require? Where will that lead "to"? What about the future of the ANC at that "to". What about the future of the alliance at that "to"? Will simply altering the class balance of forces in the alliance alter the class balance of forces in South Africa in its connection to the international balance of forces? Can the working class movement in power in the superstructure (e.g. government) under hostile class balance of forces in the base, i.e. the economy (both nationally and internationally) succeed to deliver to the fundamental working class interests (For left-wing populists and all sorts of demagoguery the answer is a resounding and simplistic "yes" and "the problem is lack of political or leadership will". In reality, the answer is more complex than that and requires a deeper analysis which is not to suggest that there's no space to manoeuvre but that both objective and subjective limitations must scientifically be identified with available space to manoeuvre fully optimised and adventurism avoided.)? The latter question appears to be one of the fundamental challenges facing the national democratic revolution and the struggle for socialism in South Africa. But together will all the questions posed needs to be answered scientifically. For a small hint, any answers that do not contain a scientific international perspective and an appreciation of the connection between the national and the international and the impact of that connection will lead to mistaken conclusions in answering Lenin's question. Congratulations to a highly successful SACP Limpopo Congress! Alex Mashilo Sent by AlexM ________________________________ From: Khaya Xaba <[email protected]> Sender: <[email protected]> Date: Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:58:42 +0200 To: yclsa-eom-forum<[email protected]> ReplyTo: <[email protected]> Subject: [YCLSA Discussion] Declaration of SACP Limpopo 6th Provincial Congress Declaration of the 6th Provincial Congress of the South African Communist Party in Limpopo held at the Makhado Multi-Purpose Centre 8-10 June 2012 “The character of any organisation is naturally and inevitably determined by the content of its activity.” Vladimir Lenin, What is to done We, the 498 delegates, gathered here the Makhado Multi-Purpose Centre in Alpheus Malivha District over the past two days, from the 8th -10th of June 2012 under the theme “Rebuilding the province in working class terms to defend the revolutionary alliance.” We are representing 464 branches in all the five Party districts as well the YCL (SA) delegates in the province. This 6th Provincial Congress was graced by the presence of the Provincial leadership of our Alliance partners (i.e. ANC, COSATU and SANCO) as well as the two PYA formations (i.e. COSAS and SASCO) who delivered messages of support. We extended a special invitation to the families of our fallen heroes who hails from Alpheus Malivha as well as the Tshivhase royal family who supported the Party throughout its campaigns in that district. This Congress also received a message of support from the Swaziland Solidarity Network which reflected the challenges facing the working class in that country under the Mswati monarchy. We received a political, organisational and financial report which reflected the progress made in implementing the mandate given to the Interim PEC. The delegates utilised this opportunity to prepare for the forthcoming 13th National Congress of the Party that will take place in KZN next month thereby developing resolutions based on the draft Party programme, the South African Road to Socialism. International Balance of Forces Congress observes the continued dominance of the global capitalist system which is in crisis. We also observe the heightened imperialist arrogance and self-imposition of imperialist system led and enforced by the USA and its NATO allied group. Amidst all these we derive hope from the emergence of the new world order led by countries of the south such as Brazil, Russia, India and China. These countries that constitute BRICS could provide a significant alternative in global politics as they represent more than half of the world population. The South-South relations should also extend to countries with exemplary models of socialism such as Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and others. We have noted and indeed applaud the financial loan granted to Cuba by the government of South African as it will go a long way in relieving people of Cuba from a suffocating economic blockade imposed on them more than thirty years ago by the imperialist US government that has appointed itself the policeman and a judge of the world. On Swaziland: We call for an end to the authoritative and corrupt Tikundla government system and the immediate release of comrade Amos Mbedzi who is still languishing in Swaziland prison for pursuing the struggle for the freedom of the Swazi people from the chains of an absolute monarch. On Africa: We support the candidacy of the South African government in the name of cde Nkosazana Zuma for the chairmanship of the African Union. South Africa bears the responsibility to work for the unity of Africa in order to prevent persistent efforts of recolonizing the continent by the imperialist Western forces, who regard themselves as the sole arbiters of truth. We further call upon the CC and the upcoming 13th National Congress of the SACP to resolve on the formation of a block of socialist parties in Africa and the world. Congress pledges solidarity with the relentless struggles of the oppressed people of the world, most particularly in Palestine and Western Sahara. We particularly demand an end to the blockade of Cuba by the US and the release of the Cuban Five who are still languishing in US prison for defending their country against dirty intelligence tricks (the CIA) by the US which were meant to assassinate and topple Commandant Fidel Castro. Current Political Conjuncture Nationally We urge all progressive forces to close ranks and unite as we march to the National Congresses of the SACP, COSATU and the ANC this year. This unity must not be mechanical but must be ideological in order to neutralise this right wing agenda and also push back the frontiers of greed and accumulation. Political Situation in the Limpopo province The Alliance in this province has consistently won the support of the people during successive elections in all spheres of governance. However the chronic corruption under the Mathale administration has seriously reduced confidence levels of people in the ability of government to deliver services to working class and rural communities. This state of affairs comes as a result of the emergence of the ‘New tendency’ as the nationalist bourgeoisie offshoot of the 1996 Class Project which have found Limpopo as the fertile breeding ground under this administration. It is only in Limpopo where the Premier has more companies than ordinary business people themselves! Due to our relentless struggles together with our allies COSATU, SANCO and other MDM formations, today five departments have been put under administration. We call upon the National government to put all the eleven Departments in the Limpopo Provincial Administration under Section 100 (1) (B) and for Mathale to step down as premier. We see no reason why he is still drawing a salary whilst government service delivery has totally collapsed. The CC and the national leadership of the ANC must intervene in this dire situation as urgently as possible if we are serious about retaining the overwhelming support of the people of this province come 2014 elections. South African Road to Socialism Congress reaffirms the general thrust of SARS as the document that articulates our politico-economic trajectory on Socialism. Of particular importance is that the Party must never be apologetic to contest state power as it is the highest and most concentrated form of power. Congress call upon SACP members across the country to enter the battle of ideas in defence of the NDR by actively partaking in discussions and debates about the future of the country, regardless of the limited space offered by the bourgeoisie media. On the Alliance We noted the poor state of affairs in the tripartite Alliance within the province. This poor relationship is particularly rife between the ANC and the Party as well as the ANC and the Party where these formations cannot deal with any issues organisationally but through public spats. This is particularly so because the leader of the Alliance cannot play its role in bringing together the Alliance in pursuit of our common programme of the National Democratic Revolution. Our theoretical perspective is that we should continue the fight for the class content of the National Democratic Revolution. As such communists and workers we should join, be active and remain in the ANC to ensure the socialist outcome of the NDR. We remain unshaken in our determination to build and defend the Alliance. In this regard, the Congress mandated the newly elected PEC to engage with the ANC PEC with an intention of strengthening the Alliance between the two parties since this relationship should not be based on personalities but a common programme. In the same token, we committed ourselves to strengthening and deepening our good relationship with COSATU and SANCO. Education Crisis in the province We noted the crisis in education in the province. This is marked by the near collapse of the primary and secondary education system. Some schools are still not having textbooks with only 3 months remaining to exams and others offering lessons under trees during this winter season. Congress also noted the continuous crisis at the University of Limpopo where the management consistently continues to victimise the leadership of the SRC and PYA formations. These student leaders are victims whenever they point out issues of corruption at the University. We therefore call upon the Higher Education Ministry to institute a team to investigate the crisis at this University with a view to put its management under administration should the situation necessitates such action. Comrades Marathon We congratulate the son of the rural working class village from Limpopo, Ludwick Mamabolo for winning the Comrades Marathon. The province should take advantage of this achievement to ensure that more potential is unravelled through the establishment of Sports Academies. SACP New Provincial Leadership: This 6th Congress has unanimously elected the following collective of cadres to lead the SACP in Limpopo for the next term of office in line with the SACP Constitution.: Provincial Secretary: Gilbert Kganyago (m) Provincial Chairperson: Jacob “Teenage” Monama (m) Provincial Treasurer: Phophi Ramathuba (f) Deputy Provincial Secretary: Goodman Mitileni (m) Deputy Provincial Chairperson: Maphiswana Thixedzwi (m) Additional Members of the PEC: 1. Polly Boshielo 2. Charles Kganyago 3. Patrick Makape 4. Gorbachev Mashele 5. Mologadi Mashego 6. Danger Matumane 7. Tsapane Mampuru 8. Walter Mothapo 9. Mookamedi Ntsepeng 10. Ndhivuwo Phathela 11. Merriam Ramadwa 12. Ivy Nwadzule 13. Dan Sebabi 14. Machike Thobejane 15. Joyce Tsipa End! For more information contact: Gilbert Kganyago-Provincial Secretary (072 586 7340) Goodman Mitileni-Deputy Provincial Secretary (072 151 6048) -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. 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