File spoon-archives/marxism-general.archive/marxism-general_1996/96-11-06.061, message 29


Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 08:29:58 +0100 (MET)
From: malecki-AT-algonet.se (Robert Malecki)
Subject: Re: M-G: Re: M-I: South African guns to Ruanda!


>>Your assumptions are:
>>
>>1)  Nelson Mandela is Marxist.
>>2)  Nelson Mandela's government is Marxist.
>>3)  There is only one Marxist path of development.
>>
>>Before your posting can have any meaning, the above assumptions must 
>>first be qualified.
>>
>>Reynaldo
>>Philippines
>>

Reynaldo,

This is a reply to both Richard, but others who appear on the surface to be 
very soft on Mandela and South African Imperialism. I would like to pose a 
question to the list? Is South African Imperialism and Black troops led by 
colonial lackies on any side better then French Imperialism?

Just because it is Mandela and the ANC that are the frontmen for South 
African Imperialism, just as Olaf Palme was a front man for Swedish 
imperialism does not in fact give imperialism and in this case South African 
imperialism a human face does it? And if so why is it supportable where the 
French occupation is condemed? If South African troops were to march in and 
take sides would "marxists support this imperialist intervention on their 
part? And finally it surprises me that most on the list are looking for 
anything that moves to support (in this case Mandela and the ANC) instead of 
going for a program based on struggle of the millions of toilers in Africa?



I see Richard, there is no South African Imperialism according to you. 
Obviously there is no Swedish imperialism either. But i think you are wrong 
on this. 

In fact in Africa today imperialism rules through backing up the local 
nationals and military clicks. The politics are usually based on 
nationalism, ethnic differences, and who can best run the operation in the 
interests of imperialism. And to think that the South Africans capitalists 
and imperialists have dropped out of the game because Mandela and the ANC 
have come to power is a pipedream. In fact it was because of that a wing of 
the South African bougeoisie no longer saw aparthied as a viable way to rule 
in their interests that Mandela was freed and dusted off for the role of 
president. It was a concious choice by the bougeoisie in South Africa. They 
saw the moderate and thoughtful Mandela as the only clear alternative that 
could control the ANC and the situation in South Africa.

In was a brilliant move by the South African bougeoisie in order to derail a 
real revolution in South africa. And its given  South African capitalism 
some breathing space to consolidate a pro capitalist regime as the aparthied 
system was collapsing.
But Mandela's and the ANC by makling the deal have at best put themselves in 
the position of the reformists of the second International and any gains 
made can and will be taken back a little futher down the road when the South 
African capitalists have once again consolidated its rule.

Bob Malecki 





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