Has there ever been a greater disappointment than the ANC? The prospect of a revolutionary government ascending to power in a wealthy African nation held so much promise. What went wrong? What was once a revolutionary democracy movement degenerated into a mere anti-apartheid crusade. For most SAs, black rule has been just as bad as white rule. Meet the new black boss, same as the old white boss. Mandela, once a devout Marxist, continued and even deepened SA's commitment to free-market economics. His successors have been worse.
South Africa: Bring back the truth and dignity from 1976
We as Abahlali youth league have noticed the difficulties that we are facing at a grass root level while our parents are struggling for us for a living. On 16 June 1976, the youth died for Freedom, yet today while we are told that we are free it is clear that we are not free. We are not yet free while there is youth that is suffering from poverty, from child abuse, while we are still living in shacks, while we are still losing our lives due to shack fires. We are not free while we cannot get good education and so few of us can find any work. When we do find work we are usually working temporary for the labour brokers. If we want to raise these issues we are not given the freedom of expression where we should be free to raise up our voices and express our grievances. Instead we get arrested and beaten.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74104
Re-examining the meaning of 16 June
With the legacy of South Africa's 1976 student uprising marked on 16 June, Veli Mbele writes that education is an area in which the ANC has failed South Africa's young black people. 'The situation is so dire that it gives credence to the theory that it serves the political interests of the ruling party to keep a huge section of the population uneducated and trapped in poverty and ignorance.'
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74070
South Africa: Where is the Freedom Charter?
If South Africa’s government ‘is really implementing the Freedom Charter, why are people complaining everywhere?’ asks Lindela S. Figlan. If ‘the ruling party was on the side of the poor it would encourage us to organise ourselves and to speak for ourselves…But instead it is always repressing the struggles of the poor’.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74103
A better life for all: a dream for poor and unemployed
The ‘old woman stopped for a moment, looked at me, a smile crawling out of her mouth. Yet I could see the tears making the way through the corners of the eyelids. I then stopped and stared at her. She made a sound, trying to remove a lump in her throat and finally broke the silence. She said “Vote ANC, Vote for Better Life, Vote for Heaven and Vote for Jesus. Better life in heaven indeed not under ANC”.’
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74091
Another shack fire destroys families homes in Siyanda
"The newly elected councillor Mr. Mdlalose arrived at the scene yesterday with
his BEC members, but did not even speak to us" said Mr. Buthelezi. Mr. Shange.
added that "We have lost hope as we have expected the councillor to assist us
in dealing with the disaster."
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/74068
The Secrecy Bill: Speak now or forever be gagged
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/74060
