Date: Tue, 5 Nov 1996 14:33:15 +0200 (SST)
From: RICHARD PITHOUSE <pithouse-AT-pixie.udw.ac.za>
Subject: Re: M-G: Re: M-I: South African guns to Ruwanda!


On Mon, 4 Nov 1996, Robert Malecki wrote:

> Well Richard, actually the process you describe about the ANC is not new. We 
> had the February and October revolutions in Russia! However, to believe that 
> the South African CP will break with the ANC I find from a distance pretty 
> doubtful. Perhaps a left pressure group on the ANC and its more 
> pro-bougeoios politics can be seen. However, the history of the CPs is not 
> any pretty sight anywhere (including the Cuban CP) and i doubt that the CP 
> in South Africa differs very much from its sister parties in Europe or in 
> Latin America. However perhaps you could give some background and prove me 
> wrong on that point.

The SACP does of course have a history of being a Soviet puppet but it 
also has some incisive thinkers and huge credibility with working people. 
American culture is fast dissapating the revolutionary consciousness that 
existed in the eighties but South African unions are still very powerful 
and in fact are beginning to challenge the ANC. I think that when Mbeki 
takes over the ANC will become even more focussed on the black middle 
class and its highly likely that a split might occur. Today the Premier 
of the Free State, Patrick Lekhota, was fired for exposing corruption in 
the ANC. He is the second high profile person to be fired for exposing 
corruption in the last few weeks. Dissafection is growing rapidly amongst 
students and intellectuals and I do believe that the split will come.

> What is needed in South Africa as elsewhere is a sharp break with both the 
> Nationalist elements like the ANC (who historically everywhere they have 
> taken power in Africa get sucked into both conciously and unconciously the 
> politics of imperialism and the local bougeoisie.) A sharp break with the 
> historic tradition of the CP's is neccessary becvause of their history of 
> supporting popular front coalitions and governments instead of fighting 
> openly in the imterests of poor and working class people on a program which 
> leads to power. This must be done INDEPENDENTLY of all bougeois formations 
> and rotten blocks and coalitions. The communists can only base their support 
> on the millions of poor and working class people and an independent struggle 
> for power. this must be connected to the other African countries and in the 
> final analisis the entire world because that is the only *real*solution to 
> our problems. The traditional marxist saying that "a working man has no 
> country" must be put in the front room again.

I agree with this analysis totally. While I think that a non-bourgouise 
party is a probability at the moment the possibility of an 
internationalist movement seems to be nothing more than a dream. 
Xenephobia is a growing problem here.

> This in direct opposition to the present policies of the CP's 
> internationally who are always talking about "stages" of revolution in order 
> to block with the so called "progressive" forces against the reactionary 
> forces. But in reality is a direct betrayal of poor and working class people!

Yes, this the the theory that the SACP put forward. Like Fanon they talk 
of two stages. National liberation and then class liberation. 

> In fact in your other letter you once again show your disappointment in the 
> American blacks. In fact you have a very superfiscal view of what is going 
> on in America. 

I've never been to America and do have superficial view. However when I 
talk about America I'm talking about the way that American culture 
affects us here. Even when it has radical posturing (eg rap, spike lee 
etc ) it remains a vehicle for promoting consumerist values.  

> It is only by gathering the cadre for a new revolutionary International that 
> we can find the way forward. This process is both slow and difficult but it 
> is the only way forward. There are groups Internationally and even in South 
> Africa groups (at present fairly small) but growing in size as the crisis of 
> Social Democracy and the CPs grows.

Do you no the names of these groups?

Stay Well
Richard Pithouse


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