*Popular demands versus Populist demands *
Our comrades should be able to differentiate, first, between populism and popularity. When that is done, it will be easier to differentiate between popular demands and populist demands. Some of our comrades have deserted the socialist revolution simply because they were hoodwinked by the populist demands that have been pushed by some pseudo-leftists. The mistake that some comrades make is to assume that just because some demands are always on the front pages of newspapers then they are popular demands. Popular demands are people-based. They are based on the needs of the people, even if the people themselves have not necessarily raised them. That is why the struggle for socialism is very important and is a popular struggle. The technical words found in Communist writings may not be understood by everyone amongst the working class, but does not make the struggle for socialism any less popular. Hence the popular demands that have been put forward by the South African Communist party (SACP) have found acceptance within the working class to such an extent that those demands have today been implemented by the government. Such struggles are also led by a collective rather than an individual. Additionally, the people are directly involved in such struggles to ensure their fruition, such that when the demands come through they know that they own such fruits. Whilst the Communist Party has been clear on *socialism*, which is much broader and clearer than *nationalisation*, people like Julius Malema have decided to be picky and simply use terms which they were able to come across during political schools whilst he was still in the ANC, such as “nationalisation.” Populist demands, on the other hand, are not people based. They are all about raising some individual figure which all the others can worship. Such demands are led by a Rambo or Terminator which promises to deliver liberation whilst everyone else just watches as their “hero” gets to work. Thus, the people are not involved in the painstaking task of ensuring the fruition of those demands. That is what we have seen with the personality cult that has come with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). Julius Malema is well known that he only thinks about himself and himself only. He destroyed the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) to such an extent that it no longer had functioning branches and the League had to work through press conferences, with him appearing as the Supreme Dalai Lama of the youth of South Africa. It was simply about populism and all forms of debate were destroyed to such an extent that the only type of argument that was allowed in the ANCYL was one which sought to support Malema’s views. Whilst the Communist Party will always seek to empower the people, Adolf Hitler, whom Julius Malema is obviously a follower of, made a comment that, “to conquer a nation you must first disarm its citizens” Popular demands are always preceded by extensive research and investigation. This is so that the people can get the real facts regarding that particular demand. Such research and investigation is also important because there should never be any contradiction on such demands, especially on how the people, generally, and the working class in particular, will benefit. The populist and narrow calls for nationalisation by the likes of Malema were simply based on lack of research and understanding. But since he knew that such calls would grab headlines, he had to make them. At first he started with the nationalisation of the mines, and when he was confronted with information contradicting his narrow stance, he changed tune and started targeting other industries. That is because such a populist demand had been made without even any bit of research. Today he, together with his EFF, sometimes meanders between the role of the state in the economy and nationalisation of whatever comes to his mind during that particular media interview on that day. It is a whole lot of confusion. His calls for nationalisation, therefore, are populist and not popular demands. Extensive work amongst the particular members of the organisation and the people is necessary in order to realise popular demands. Imagine if the Liberation Movement had made the demand for the dismantling of apartheid and then later sat down, hoping that somehow such demands would be made possible. The Movement had to go through a long vigorous struggle, organising the masses, capacitating them ideologically and otherwise, etc, in order to ensure that the demand is possible. The Communist Party has also consistently stated that we must take responsibility for the revolution; that we must occupy all key sites of power, including in the communities, if we are to see our demands coming into being. Some of the demands have come true today because such work was done. However, Malema’s hollow “let there be nationalisation” slogan is simply meant to fool the working class. It is obviously not meant to be embraced by the people because if he allows this, he will be putting himself at the risk that people will start seeing through his empty words. The same thing happened in the mines, with the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) raising false hopes for the miners and thereby leading them to unnecessary deaths. AMCU simply took a populist stance just so as to emerge and rival the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM). It was never about the miners. As I stated in my introduction, the mistake that some comrades make is to assume that just because some demands are always on the front pages of newspapers then they are popular demands. This is not always the case. Ask yourself why the capitalist media would give lots of media space to the likes of Julius Malema when they attack the ANC. Ask yourself, again, why the capitalist media supported AMCU when it demanded very high salary raise for miners, to the point of destabilising the economy and yet never report on the fact that the NUM managed to get about R12 500 for miners without even having to cause any havoc. Then you claim the media is independent? *“But Malema has a point”* There are many of our comrades who fall into the “Malema has a point” trap. A point which leads to destruction is no “point” at all. Even Hitler had a “point” when he pushed his individualistic and dangerous agenda. Many people fell into that trap and were doomed forever. Over time they had to answer for their actions against the millions of people they helped kill. We should remember that Hitler got huge support from the capitalists until he started being a threat to them (capitalists). Malema and his EFF have also received lots of support from the capitalist media. In conclusion, dear comrades, we must be on the lookout for such populist demands and immediately distance ourselves from them. Populist demands will never last long. You will join populists and find yourself having been misled, and consequently in an unbearable island. *Vladimir Lenin* made a strong popular demand during the *Russian revolution*, especially when he stated that power must be held by the Soviets *(Power to the Soviets)*. He, together, with the *Bolsheviks*, followed that demand with concrete work on the ground to ensure its fruition. Comrades must stop focusing on parliament and cabinet because these two areas are not the only key sites of power in so far as the struggle for socialism is concerned. There is a great deal of work that needs to be carried out in the communities. Do the work that you have been tasked with by the Communist Party. Raise and lead the people’s demand for quality popular education, lead in the schools and support community projects, and stop aligning yourselves with populism! Thabo Thwala Bothaville -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. 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