[Marxism] South Africa - point of clarification

[Walter Lippmann <walterlx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

We all engage in a little bit of polemical overkill from time to time.
That's one of the reasons why it is good to remind oneself occasionally
that, when seeking fault, better to use a mirror not a telescope. 

We agree that the South African government is is a capitalist one and
private ownership of the means of production are, as they have always
been, under private capitalist ownership. This is not a surprise since
this what the ANC announced and promised that it would do when it took
steps to negotiate its legalization, and then its ascent into office.
They haven't done anything which they haven't said they would do.

MANDELA TO SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS EXECS (1990):
http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs1453.html

Nevertheless, I must say that I was startled by Norm Dixon's really 
strong statement about the South African government. Keeping in mind
that South Africa has a coalition government with Communists in the
cabinet, Norm's description was truly remarkable. Since Norm is an
authoritative leader of the DSP, I'd like to ask if this is the 
considered political position of the DSP on South Africa today? 

Thanks,


Walter Lippmann
Los Angeles,California

=======================================================================
NORM DIXON wrote recently that:
"the ANC government, a harsh neo-liberal capitalist regime that is 
now Washington's appointed major partner on the African continent."
http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/marxism/2007-August/016175.html 
=======================================================================

SADC: Zim's problems 'exaggerated'
-----------------------------------
Southern African leaders failed on Friday to heed calls for strong action 
against
the embattled Zimbabwean government, saying the ailing country's problems are
"exaggerated". "We feel they [Zimbabwe] will solve their economic problems," 
the chairperson of the Southern African Development Community told journalists.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/&articleId=316877

GRANMA
April 22, 2006

Interview with Kgalema Motlanthe
Cuba, hero of our own struggle
The Secretary General of the African National Congress 
 talks about the Cuba-South Africa links, 
 the Non-Aligned Movement, and the 
 internal forces against underdevelopment.

ARNALDO MUSA
musa.amp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

http://www.walterlippmann.com/docs551.html
A CubaNews translation by Ana Portela.
Edited by Walter Lippmann.
Original:
http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2006/04/22/interna/artic01.html 

âThe propose of this visit is strongly influenced by the makeup of
our delegation. It is formed by the new generation of the African
National Congress (ANC) and it is very important that they learn from
our brothers and contribute to strengthen the bonds between Cubans
and South Africans, between our African National Congress and the
Cuban Communist Party.â

Kgalema Motlanthe, ANC secretary general spoke these words to Granma
point to the historical, solidarity ties that go back to shortly
after the triumph of the Cuban Revolution. âOur combatants were
trained in Cuba, during the Bay of Pigs attack. We also learned from
the Cubans in Algeria, together with Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara;
in Angola, in the struggle against apartheidâ, he noted.

He explained that one of the most important moments in the life of
his people was when Fidel visited the nation, with President Mandela
â because the great majority of South Africans considered the Cubans
were heroes of our own battleâ.

Kgalema Motlanthe recalled that, recently, the names of the Cuban
internationalist soldiers and that of Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara
were inscribed in the Wall of those Fallen in the Fight for Liberty
that was built in Pretoria in homage of those who gave their lives in
Angola in the fight against colonialism and apartheid.

Asked about South Africa's position on the Non Aligned Movement
(NAM), he explained that the NAM has always been important for his
country because they helped to keep the subject of apartheid alive on
the agenda of the United Nations; on the summits was held in South
Africa and his Government will work towards unity and for success in
the coming summit in Havana.

He indicated that the NAM should maintain and strengthen its unity
against any act of unilateralism and, in this context, he stressed
that during its 24 years of life, the ANC has always been
anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist, condemning invasions and
aggressions such as what the United States is doing in Iraq.

In another part of the interview, the South African leader explained
that the fight against underdevelopment in his country is very
difficult but there are already achievements in the supply of
drinking water, electricity and telephones for the population, even
in rural communities.

However, there are serious problems such as unemployment, scarcity of
housing and deficiencies in health and education. He added that the
objective is to train the greatest number of persons possible to
prevent a continued interference of transnationals in the economy of
the country.

He informed that his Government has created training programs, is
helping small private property holdings and is making efforts to
raise the quality of education and solving health problems. Referring
to these issues he explained that Cuba also cooperates with
physicians and professors and expects to set up teaching centers.
Also there are about 200 South African students in Cuba.



================================
WALTER LIPPMANN
Editor-in-Chief, CubaNews
writer - photographer - activist
http://www.walterlippmann.com
================================

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