Listen to the discussion HERE. The 7th election on 28th May, after 30 years of African National Congress rule. A WIN discussion May 2024. Thirty years ago the world celebrated democracy and the coming to power of the ANC, a liberation movement. The hope then was that freedom would end brutal poverty and bring jobs, free health care, free higher education, housing, and real equality. These hopes have been dashed by six ANC governments adopting neo-liberal policies, gross corruption, power failures, mass unemployment, contract labour, poverty wages and endless crime. The disastrous management of key state-owned enterprises has been used to justify privatization. In its campaigning in every election, the ANC has successfully appealed for support both on its history and on the need to be re-elected to put things right; this seventh post-apartheid election promises to be different. It is predicted that the ANC could lose the majority it takes for granted and may have to return to power in a coalition.
As every political party rises and falls in response to the ongoing economic crisis, the language of nationalist parties appears ever more radical; and yet despite this, for the first time there is no party carrying the flag of labour. What is the mood among workers? Why is there no mass workers’ party? What is the class character of the main political parties? Should workers support nationalist parties calling for the nationalization of key sectors? What will be the most likely outcome?
Hear the discussion and lively debate, clarifying the workers’ political demands and perspectives in the run-up to polling day on May 29th, and the way forward thereafter, of the pre-election party formations and the perspectives for South Africa. Led by – Weizmann Hamilton, South African Marxist and steadfast campaigner for a mass workers’ party, and Mametlwe Sebei, President of the General Industrial Workers’ Union of South Africa