April 2011 - Centre for Civil Society - University of KwaZulu-Natal

around a clear revolutionary programme and wage a political struggle to
win the ranks to the ideas of Marxism and thus place themselves at the
helm of the party.
The dangers of ultra-leftism and the need for a clear programme
As the left wing within the alliance grows the leaderships of the ANC and
the SACP feel pressure to go to extreme lengths to defend their positions
within the party. These days one report after another tells the tale of
widespread fraud and bureaucratic manoeuvring at the general assemblies
at branch, district, regional and national level.
The Mafikeng congress was nothing but a step in this development. It was
clear from the beginning that Blade Nzimande and Buti Manamela where
not going to let the party fall into the hands of its left wing. There are
countless reports of different kinds of fraud; from multiple copies of
delegate cards to sushi-parties and putting personal pressure on wavering
comrades. But this could only have an effect so long as Khaye Nkwanyama
was not posing as a real political alternative in the eyes of the delegates.
As one talked with Manamela supporters during the congress it was clear
that they did not have a clear picture of what they were voting for or
against.
Without a clear programme and a plan of action the left wing have only
been pushing back with the same methods, with disruptions of meetings,
putting pressure on comrades to vote in a certain way etc. We must
honestly say comrades, that these methods only play the
counterproductive role of lowering the political level of the ranks and
throwing the ball into the court of the right wing. Our task is not to win a
rigged congress, which is impossible, but to expose the political
bankruptcy of the leadership and win the political loyalty of the ranks.
The right wing is quite satisfied in limiting the discussion to organizational
matters. The left on the other hand, must not allow itself to be bogged
down in such discussions and insist on political debate. Of course we must
expose fraud – in a calm manner. But we must first and foremost expose
the political bankruptcy of the leadership, even if that means on occasion
tactically giving up the struggle for the recognition of a few delegates. The
point is this: we want to win the ranks to Marxism by raising their political
level; we do not need to simply “win” a congress where the issues at stake
are not clear.
What is needed is to formulate a clear programme of transitional demands
that can link up the living struggles of the working class with the socialist
revolution. Once such a programme is formulated it will be received with
great enthusiasm by the workers and youth who are more than fed up with
the fog of confusion and deception that has been bedevilling the class
struggle.
Such a programme could be based on the following:
• The People Shall Share in the Country's Wealth! - The mineral wealth
beneath the soil, the Banks and monopoly industries shall be transferred to
the ownership of the people as a whole. These enterprises shall operate
under the control and management of the workers themselves.
• Full employment! Shorten the working week to 35 hours with no loss of
wages.