Anc Today Voice of the African National Congress

ANC TODAY VOICE OF THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

1–7 November 2019

Conversations with the President

THE TASK OF RENEWAL IS FAR FROM COMPLETE EXCERPTS FROM THE LECTURE BY ANC PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MOROGORO CONFERENCE HELD ON 27 OCTOBER 2019 AT NALEDI HALL SOWETO

HIS YEAR, we commemorate the the Morogoro Conference and the contri- meaning and context to our current expe- 50th anniversary of the ANC’s bution that he made to its success. rience. National Consultative Confer- ence held in Morogoro, Tanzania We do so also to acknowledge the un- The history of our movement allows us Tin 1969, an event that will forever stand matched contribution that OR Tambo to interrogate the forces impacting upon out as a turning point in our struggle for made to the unity, strength and integrity the collective lived reality, empowering freedom. of the ANC during its darkest and most us to be effective agents in moulding the trying times. events of tomorrow. It gives us a tool to We have chosen to mark this occasion critically examine the tapestries woven by We recall these pivotal events in our past on the day that we celebrate the birth of the threads of time. so that we may better understand the one of the most remarkable leaders of our challenges and opportunities of the pres- Today as we reflect on OR Tambo’s life, people, Isithwalandwe/ Seaparankoe Oli- ent, and so that we may work together to we desire to follow in his footsteps. ver Reginald Tambo. achieve a better future. It was at Morogoro that the strength of his We do so to recognise the leading and Reflecting on a historical event like the character and the quality of his leadership exceptional role that OR Tambo played in Morogoro Conference enables us to give were most severely tested.

Dear Mr President FIGHT, LEARN, A LIBRARY OF RENEWAL: The Struggle is On 5 PRODUCE: THE BOOKS OF BRIAN and The Festival of CHANGE THE GAME AND SONIA BUNTING Ideas must Continue NOT THE WOMEN 7 9 WALKING IN THE 2 ANC Today CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

To those who may have doubted, They also heightened dissatis- Morogoro confirmed that, more faction among MK combatants at than anything else, Oliver Tambo the conditions in the camps and was a unifier. grievances about the perceived attitudes of some within the ANC He understood that nothing of leadership. value could be achieved unless we were united in our efforts. The depth of dissent within the ranks was evident in a document Even during periods of great dan- produced by Chris Hani and six ger and great difficulty, when it other members of Umkhonto we seemed that things were falling Sizwe that became known as the apart and the centre would not ‘Hani Memorandum’. hold, President OR worked tire- lessly to ensure that the move- It began: ment and the members of the “The ANC in Exile is in a deep cri- ANC remained united and fo- sis as a result of which a rot has cused. set in. From informal discussions with the revolutionary members Oliver Tambo was also a builder. of MK, we have inferred that they He not only built our liberation movement have lost all confidence in the ANC but also built alliances and forged partner- leadership abroad. This they say openly ships. Of course in all this he worked with To those who may have and in fact show it. other comrades, but there is no doubt that ‘‘ “Such a situation is very serious and in doubted, Morogoro he was the Master Builder. fact a revolutionary movement has to sit

For three decades he travelled the globe, confirmed that, more down and analyse such a prevailing state meeting heads of state, union leaders, of affairs.”

than anything else, activists, business people, cultural work- While there were some within the move- ers, celebrities, community leaders, rev- ‘ Oliver Tambo‘ ment that wanted to take harsh action olutionaries - mobilizing the whole world against those who held such views, lead- against a racist and murderous state. was a unifier. ers such as OR Tambo recognised the He ignited in all he met and engaged with need for the movement to confront these a shared determination to fight for the challenges. rights and freedoms of all people. OR was particularly disturbed by the The ANC struggled to adapt to these fun- He rallied the world behind a shared vi- memorandum because it was a reflection damentally changed conditions, where of the low morale that was clearly devel- sion of a different society and a different established forms of organising were dis- world. oping in the camps. The movement clear- rupted, activists were dispersed across ly needed a shakeup – so much evidence Oliver Tambo was a person of great hu- the continent and the world and resourc- of disappointment, anger and division had mility and selflessness. es were scarce. been expressed. In the collective leadership were individuals who had behaved He put the needs of the people above his The adoption of armed struggle and the formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1961 in ways that were not in keeping with the own, to the detriment of his career, his ethos of the ANC. He asked himself many family life and, ultimately, his health. established a new avenue of resistance and gave great hope to the oppressed questions such as how was one meant to restructure the movement and construc- The Morogoro Conference took place at a masses in South Africa. tively assess its progress and challeng- time of great distress within the liberation es. He went on to hold discussions with movement. But the conditions under which armed struggle was adopted meant that the re- several comrades about the situation Following the Sharpeville Massacre of lationship between political struggle and the movement faced. His conversations 1960 and the subsequent banning of military action was not well defined. went beyond the paid-up membership to the ANC, PAC and other organisations, include discussions with the Congress al- South Africa entered a period of brutal The Wankie and Sipolilo campaigns – liance partners. repression. which saw the first direct confrontation between MK guerillas and the racist forc- OR used his customary lateral approach The leaders of the movement were ar- es of the then Rhodesia – demonstrated to view this setback as a window of op- rested, driven into exile or forced under- the great challenges of infiltrating fighters portunity. Following intelligent listening ground. back into South Africa. and groundwork, he felt that it was neces- WALKING IN THE 3 ANC Today CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT sary to call for a consultative conference Morogoro produced the first ANC Strate- coherence of the ANC, but also on the to address the problems raised within the gy and Tactics document, which outlined course of the struggle for the next two movement. the objectives, key tasks and methods of decades. struggle of the movement. The purpose of the conference would be The legacy of Morogoro stretches into the to redefine or re-examine the role of the It enabled free discussion and debate at present. After a period of organisational movement in relation to the internal struc- the deepest level. Nothing was left un- malaise, dissent and disunity, the ANC tures and its strategy and tactics in deal- said. Names were named. Events were emerged from Morogoro into a new era of ing with the way forward. The outcome cited. unity, revitalisation and intensified struggle. was to be reorganising and rebuilding of the ANC. It provided clear direction to all within the Now, 50 years later, the African Nation- movement on their respective responsi- al Congress finds itself at another such This was seen as a bold move. He then bilities and on the theoretical basis that moment. sent word via his secret route to Robben informed the actions and activities of the Island that a consultative, decision-mak- ANC. The 54th National Conference, which ing event was not only vital, but also over- was held in December 2017, recognised due. In due course he received a reply It also defined the role of the armed that the movement was in decline. agreeing to the conference. struggle as an essential part of the political programme of the movement and its A Diagnostic Organisational Report pre- Preparations were made for a National relationship to the development of a mass sented by the Secretary General de- Consultative Conference, to be held in movement inside the country. scribed a growing deficit of trust between the town of Morogoro in Tanzania. the people and the movement, which was The election of a new NEC and the es- evident in declining electoral support. In the words of a directive by the NEC, tablishment of a Revolutionary Council the Conference was to: was among the decisions that contributed The movement was no longer united. “[Bring] together militants who constitute to greater organisational coherence and Factionalism and patronage had become the entire spectrum of the progressive prepared the ANC to better operate under entrenched in the organisation as leaders and revolutionary forces within our move- the changed circumstances. contested fiercely not only for positions, ment, for a down-to-earth appraisal of ev- but for the access to resources that these ery aspect of our liberation struggle as led After a long and difficult discussion, positions provided. by the African National Congress.” stretching back several years, Morogoro decided to open membership of the ANC This contestation had distorted almost The Conference was therefore the culmi- to coloured, Indian and whites. every aspect of the life of the movement, nation of several months of discussion, from the recruitment of members, to the criticism and consultation among ANC This was a greatly significant moment, functioning of branches, to the organisa- leaders and members stationed across where the long-standing principle of tion of conferences. the world. non-racialism was given expression in who could consider themselves full and equal No longer did it appear to our people that The preparations included the submis- members of the struggle for liberation. cadres of the movement were guided by sion of numerous documents, outlining the challenges in the movement and sug- The Morogoro Conference had an im- the values of honesty, humility, hard work, gested remedies. mense impact not only on the unity and commitment, sacrifice and selflessness.

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Secretary General Ace Magashule with ANC Gauteng Provincial Officials. WALKING IN THE 4 ANC Today CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRESIDENT

The movement was weak, divided and institutions that had been eroded through ment for the achievement of a better life floundering. state capture. for all South Africans.

Yet, the most devastating effect of this Yet, although we have made clear prog- We must attend to our internal problems malaise was its impact on the ability of ress, the task of renewal is far from com- without being inward-looking. the African National Congress to be an plete. effective instrument of fundamental eco- We must build unity within our ranks so nomic and social change. There is a growing sense in some quar- that we can work to unify society. ters that the process has stalled and that Many branches were no longer engaged there are vested interests seeking to re- The unity that we seek is ideological, prin- with the issues that affected their commu- sist it. cipled, political and organisational. nities. And while there is much support and en- We have been united around a com- Effective governance was sacrificed as thusiasm for renewal and rebuilding, ANC mon objective, and through debate have ANC public representatives fought over members and supporters – and broader sought consensus on our strategy and the spoils of office. Under such condi- tactics. tions, corruption became widespread, With the Freedom Charter as our lode- state capture emerged and critical institu- star, the Congress movement has con- tions of our democracy were undermined. True to the mandate of the sistently worked to build a South Africa As had been the case nearly five decades ‘‘ that belongs to all who live in it, black and earlier at Morogoro, it was the delegates 54th National Conference, white. to the 54th National Conference – the We recall the memorable words that Nel- representatives of the branches of the we have been engaged in son Rolihlahla Mandela spoke at the fu- ANC – who determined that the ANC was neral of OR Tambo, when he said: in deep crisis. a concerted effort to unify “I say that Oliver Tambo has not died, be- It was they who determined that radical cause the ideals for which he sacrificed steps were required to restore the move- the organisation, to restore his life can never die. ment and return it to a path of revolution-

ary change. its moral fibre and its moral “I say that Oliver Tambo has not died because the ideals of freedom, human dig- ‘ It was they who declared that: compass and‘ to rebuild nity and a colour-blind respect for every “Organisational renewal therefore is an individual cannot perish. absolute and urgent priority, and we may its structures. “I say he has not died because there go as far as to say, [is essential] to the are many of us who became part of his survival of our great movement.” soul and therefore willingly entered into a conspiracy with him, for the victory of his True to the mandate of the 54th National society – have not been sufficiently in- cause. Conference, we have been engaged in a volved in giving effect to the important res- concerted effort to unify the organisation, olutions of the 54th National Conference. “While the ANC lives, Oliver Tambo can- to restore its moral fibre and its moral not die!” compass and to rebuild its structures. Therefore, as we gather here to mark the 50th anniversary of Morogoro, as we And so it falls to all of us – leaders, mem- The delegates to the Conference deter- pay tribute to the immense contribution of bers, veterans, supporters – to do every- mined that the national leadership of the Isithwalandwe OR Tambo, let us solemnly thing within our means not only to ensure movement should not be dominated by affirm that we will deepen the renewal of that the ANC lives, but that it thrives and one slate or another, but should reflect our movement, of our society. it grows and that it endures as a powerful the diversity of the organisation itself. instrument for peace and freedom. Let us affirm here that we will not relent, They determined that comrades who had we will not falter and we will not, under In his closing address he summed up the fiercely contested each other and held any circumstances, retreat. mood of sober determination: different perspectives before the Confer- ence, should now sit in the same NEC – And let us remember, at all material “These are the orders to our people. The at the same ‘top table’ – to lead the organ- times, that we undertake these tasks not order that comes from the conference is, isation into a new era. merely for the sake of our movement, but close ranks. Be vigilant comrades. The to advance the interests of the South Af- enemy is vigilant. Beware the wedge The leadership has responded to this rican people. drivers! Men who creep from ear to ear, clear instruction, working to unite and re- driving wedges among us, who go around build the organisation; fighting a difficult, We undertake these tasks for no reason creating splits and divisions. Beware but ultimately successful, election cam- other than that the ANC becomes the the wedge driver! Watch his poisonous paign; and beginning to rebuild the public most powerful and most effective instru- tongue.” n WALKING IN THE 5 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS The Struggle is On and The Festival of Ideas must Continue

Dear Mr President and cadreship of the ANC became the loci and guardianship of the liberation of The rich legacy of the African National the African people throughout the years Congress is rooted in the intellectual of struggle and beyond. capacity and ideological orientation of its leaders, past and present. Since its Following the liberation breakthrough 25 founding in 1912, the ANC has been years ago, the membership of the ANC blessed with leaders who understood attracted a cadre who lacked intellectual the mission to liberate the African people content and sound ideological orienta- and restore their dignity. From AB Xuma tion. This paucity of ideological content to Sefako Makgatho, Albert Luthuli to has posed a threat to the survival of the Oliver Tambo, Nelson Mandela to Thabo ANC and attracted members who joined Mbeki - this mission was articulated to the movement for ulterior motives, far hold the liberation movement together removed from the original purpose of and ensure that the ANC is on the cusp building a free society devoid of racism of attaining its historic objective of ensur- and sexism. ing that the land that was taken from the people through racist imperialist coloni- In recognition of its original purpose, the zation is returned. That mission remains ANC launched a political school in hon- the glue that holds the ANC together and By Pule Mabe our of the contribution of Oliver Reginald umrhabulo remains as important today Tambo to the struggle for liberation. as it was during the dark days when cad- proscribed that ANC cadres fostered the This political school is the bedrock that res risked limb and life during the strug- best debates which best articulated the will ensure the renewal and rejuvenation gle for freedom and democracy. ideology that held the liberation movement together. The hostility and brutality of the ANC in a post-liberation society It was during that climate when the cir- meted out on the people by the oppres- through the understanding of the historic culation and exchanging of ideas were sive system ensured that the leadership mission.

PRESIDENTS OF THE ANC | 1912–PRESENT

John L. Dube Sefako Makgatho Zaccheus Mahabane Josiah T Gumede Dr Pixley ka Dr Albert B Xuma Dr James Moroka 1912–1917 1917–1924 1924–1927 1927–1930 Isaka Seme 1940–1949 1949–1952 1937–1940 1930–1936

Chief Albert Luthuli Oliver R Tambo Nelson R Mandela Thabo Mbeki Jacob Zuma Cyril Ramaphosa 1952 – 1967 1967–1991 1991–1997 1997–2007 2007–2017 2017–Present WALKING IN THE 6 ANC Today COMMENT & ANALYSIS

Now more than ever, the importance of political education has become vital to counter the rise of rightwing ideologies that have tilted the balance of forces in the free world.

The last ten years have seen the rise of rightwing populism which threatens to reverse the gains of our liberation heritage.

The best way to counter the rise of rightwing populism and its purported liberalism which places the individual above society is through anti-imperialistic education.

The Oliver Tambo Institute has the enor- mous task of developing a course content that will diffuse this rise of rightwing populism such as we have already seen. President Cyril Ramaphosa delivering the OR Tambo Memorial Lecture

Mr President, our people have always understood that their quest for a better society is conjoined with the National ANC to be equal to the task of building Democratic Revolution (NDR) led by the and strengthening the ANC as a move- African National Congress. The historic ...the ANC will always ment that organises and leads the people Morogoro conference postulated that “the ‘‘ in the social transformation project. remain vigilant against art of revolutionary leadership consists of Thus, we exhort every member and lead- providing leadership to the masses and those who seek to reverse er of the ANC to pass through the eye of not just to its most advanced elements...” the needle. Political education, as envis-

The above line from the ANC’s Morogoro the gains we have made aged in the launching of the Oliver Tam-

bo Institute, is the only way to meet the

Strategy and Tactics of 1969 can be tak- towards ensuring a en as the idea of the National Democratic challenges of a revolutionary movement ‘ Revolution in a nutshell. Next to the Free- transformed society‘ and that will ensure that the ANC pursues fun- dom Charter, the Strategy and Tactics damental change to create a better life for document of 1969 is the most important a united organisation. all. of all NDR documents. The ANC has never been shy to ask Lenin wrote in The State and Revolu- difficult questions and foster a climate tion that democracy can train people to of open debates. Hence it was the ANC olutionary Alliance must be a united and which finally dismantled the oppressive think together, take decisions together broad alliance united in action. and act collectively. As a mass-based system of racial supremacy and intro- duced to this country a free society where organisation and a liberation movement, In practice, the NDR works to extend de- democracy could thrive. As the saying the ANC exists to carry out the National mocracy to all corners of the country, to goes, Mr President, when you open the Democratic Revolution since it incorpo- the majority of the population. The living window to let in the fresh air, the flies will rates the class alliance between all of history of the NDR is that of the ANC em- also take advantage and enter. the oppressed classes. While there is bodying the class alliance at the heart of nothing unique about South Africa’s class the functional democracy. Be that as it may, the ANC will always re- alliance, at the root of the National Demo- main vigilant against those who seek to Mr President, it is this ethos that needs to cratic Revolution lies the alliance against reverse the gains we have made towards cascade to every layer and strata of the class elements of imperialism. ensuring a transformed society and a ANC and be understood as the tenet of united organisation. In recognition of the dynamism of the the founding of our great movement. evolving society, the ANC has in its wis- dom amended its Strategy and Tactics Last but not least, Mr President, political Yours sincerely several times. This was done by the education lies at the root of ensuring that subsequent conferences of the ANC to only the best cadres are chosen to lead Pule Mabe revise and remove any ambiguity. the transformation towards a truly non-ra- National Spokesperson cial, non-sexist and democratic society. Head of the Department of Information To this end, the National Democratic Rev- It is incumbent upon every cadre of the and Publicity WALKING IN THE 7 ANC Today VIEWPOINT

FIGHT, LEARN, PRODUCE: CHANGE THE GAME NOT THE WOMEN

By Precious Banda

was part of a team that attended comrades and they confirmed that it was masculine. That’s why we must change youth assemblies in the Limpopo more or less the same pattern. I contend the game and not the women. There are Province over the past weekend. that this pattern does not happen in Lim- intimidating factors that lead to young The youth assemblies happened popo alone but across all Provinces and women being timid and discouraged to acrossI all five Regions; the venues in all progressive organisations of the participate in debates. This happens were full and young people came in their movement. I saw it in SASCO during my when you don’t have the protection of numbers, the singing was energetic days as a student leader and I see it in powerful men in the organisation who even before the assemblies started. The the Young Communist League of South will accept your views as they are or environment was electrifying. You could Africa, including in ANC and SACP sometimes sponsor them. So, it is safer quickly conclude that young people are meetings. to keep quiet than to speak. Those who desperate for a youth league that rep- speak risk isolation and being picked on. resents them, their thinking, aspirations This is not only scary, but a serious in- and ideas, a Youth League of vibrant, dictment on ourselves as a movement. Toxic masculinity in the organisation energetic, disciplined, radical and mil- Any renewal and rebuilding programme always takes serious a man who says itant. They were there to participate that does not take account of this reali- the same thing as his woman comrade. in shaping the direction that the youth ty will leave behind a significant section They both say the same thing but the Congress must take and they were of young people. It begs for a deeper reaction is different, giving more cre- ready to engage in a battle of ideas with reflection on what is the psychology of dence to the man. Our systems are so each other. young women in the movement and why male oriented and we all try to fit in as would they attend the assemblies in their women. Instead of fitting in and fighting Having attended three of the five Re- numbers, sing freely, cheer, dance and for space among ourselves as young gional Youth Assemblies, I noticed that clap hands but not to be part of those women, we should radically change the when it was time for young people to ex- who speak and raise their views on the status quo and demand an atmosphere press themselves, only men comrades direction the youth Congress must take. that accommodates us equally. At the queued up; women did not raise their core is the value system that informs hands to speak. In the three regions, I Many would agree that the nature and gender power relations in the ANC and witnessed it myself. In the other two re- character of our engagements in the its structures - so the ANCYL will be a gions I didn’t attend but enquired from organisation are inherently violent and mirror image of the capitalist patriarchal WALKING IN THE 8 ANC Today VIEWPOINT

chauvinism in the ANC, and the ANC mirrors Society. The change we therefore want should be one that confronts the social positioning of women in soci- ...the Congress‘‘ of ety and the ANC with its leagues. young people is a The other thing we need to confront is the ANCYL being an ANC-Lite, which does and follows everything the older gener- place for the ation does, including the wrong things. Instead of young people experimenting impatient youth new things and ideas, we choose to resemble the old guard and align our differences and views with those of the – young women old guard. This is one of the reasons why the Waterberg Regional Assembly and young men –

collapsed, young people fighting in the name of the old guard. So, the inherit- ‘ who want‘ to see ed violence against women is passed on to the younger generation, making it difficult for a young woman to express change now... herself. Even the factionalism that plays itself out daily in the movement is very patriarchal and undermines women. of women participation in decision mak- young women who didn’t speak in the I agree that young women must not ing and debates in the movement and assemblies will have this as a second be forced to speak in meetings if they what needs to be done pragmatically to chance to input their views. don’t want to. But this must happen change the status quo. only if there are no factors that neg- We must be deliberate in our programme atively contribute in their choice not We must redefine these spaces, espe- of renewal and rebuilding not to leave to speak. We must ask young women cially the mental space. Young women behind the rural young woman, the sex where and when do they want to speak can only grow organically if they sub- worker, the farm worker, the street ven- and their responses must inform a clear merge themselves in daily realities of dor, the young housewife, the domestic programme that we must adopt to give young women in their communities, both worker. Included in this list should be them the platform that they are comfort- in and outside the organization. Young the unemployed youth, the School drop- able with. The life of the organisation is women must be mobilised behind the outs, the student, the young widow, the not only sustained in meetings. So, our vision of the ANC and not individuals child headed family, the drug abuser, aim is to ensure that young women are and factions. Idolising of our leaders, the alcoholic, the religious youth, the there in all spheres of the organisation personality cults and ice-boyism must young worker, the abused and violated and contribute freely without fear, in- be condemned at all times. Let us en- young woman, and all kinds of young cluding in meetings. courage humility and servant leadership women and young people. They must that will make those who lead not to live all know and be confident that the kind Let us find voices of young women not above their comrades and the people. of ANCYL we will all work hard to rebuild only in its literal meaning, but start wom- is one that has room for everyone who en-centric initiatives and programmes We must take advantage of technology believes in the mandate of the ANCYL that are deliberate. In this way the battle and explore the creation of a portal on and it’s twin tasks. of spaces, faces and voices of young the ANC website where those who log women remain a necessary tool for gen- in can leave their personal details and That is why the Congress of young peo- der equality. What we must establish contacts and comment on the conver- ple is a place for the impatient youth is a Feminist agenda so that we don’t sation of rebuilding, renewing and repo- who want to see change now, a place mimic a male narrative of political pos- sitioning of the ANCYL to greater glory for learning. Together we will struggle to turing. The ANC renewal programme than its past. Those who want to be make tomorrow better than yesterday. and the Morogoro 50th anniversary anonymous for fear of intimidation must The tomorrow we will fight for belongs Commemoration can become the most be afforded that opportunity on the sug- to the young women and men. The po- immediate platform that respond to the gested portal. That way, we will be able litical programme must reflect that. Ev- lived experiences of young women in to collect the views of those who can’t erything for the revolution and nothing the movement, giving them confidence speak in meetings for any other reason against it. n to express themselves. In the long run, or who can’t make it to meetings and the OR Tambo School of leadership youth assemblies. This will be more in- Precious Banda is National Convenor of the must give us research on this question clusive and accommodating. Maybe the ANC Women’s League Young Women’s Desk WALKING IN THE 9 ANC Today VIEWPOINT A LIBRARY OF RENEWAL: THE BOOKS OF BRIAN AND SONIA BUNTING

By Andries Nel

N SUNDAY, President Communist Party of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa deliv- (CPSA) in 1921. ered the OR Tambo Me- morial Lecture. It was a A sticker in the book cover indi- powerfulO and inspiring call to action: cates that the book was sold by: to unify and renew our movement. “People’s Bookshop, Africa House, 45 Kerk Street, Phone 22-2070, Jo- The President emphasized that, hannesburg.” “We must develop cadres who have both political and technical I wandered over to a charity shop skills, who can organise, can the- nearby and found dozens more orise and can act. We need cadres books from the Bunting library, from who demonstrate as much knowl- the 1930s to the early 1950s. edge of the global economy as The Golden Treasury of the Best they understand the operations of Songs and Lyrical Poems in the a small spaza shop. We must be English Language is inscribed: an organisation that values knowl- “Sonia Isaacman. Form IVb, 1939 edge, expertise and experience and Form Vb, 1940”. – and that invests in the development of its cadres. It is through Sonia Beryl Isaacman (9 December these actions that we will restore 1922 – 24 March 2001) joined the the credibility of the ANC among the Brian Percy Bunting (9 April 1920 – 18 CPSA in 1942, worked on the Guardian people.” June 2008), was an outstanding leader newspaper and was a speaker at the of the Communist Party of South Africa Congress of the People in 1955. She was I thought of two giants of our struggle: (CPSA) until it was banned in 1950 and, an accused in the 1956 Treason Trial. Brian and Sonia Bunting - their library, after 1953, of the reconstituted SA Com- She and Brian were married in 1946. and the centrality of reading, knowledge munist Party (SACP). and culture in our struggle. Exiled in London, she continued working He edited the Guardian (and the many for the SACP, the Anti-Apartheid Move- Two weeks before, while enjoying a aliases that it was forced to adopt) as well ment and the World Campaign for the Re- (rare) free moment at a second-hand as the African Communist. He wrote Mo- lease of South African Political Prisoners. bookshop in Melville, Johannesburg, I ses Kotane: South African Revolution- came across Louis Aragon – Poet of the ary and The Rise of the South African Another book, White Fang by Jack Lon- French Resistance. I was fascinated. Reich. He served on the central commit- don, is inscribed: “To Arthur Bunting [Bri- tee of the SACP for over 50 years. an’s brother] on his eighth birthday from Louis Aragon (1897–1982) was a the Young Communist League, Johan- French poet associated with the surreal- He was a Natives’ Representative in Par- nesburg, 6 September 1925.” ist movement. He was a lifelong member liament from 1952 – 53 until he was ex- of the French Communist Party, along pelled because of his SACP membership. Jack London (1876–1916) was an Amer- with Pablo Picasso. He was elected as a member of Parlia- ican author, journalist, and social activ- ment again in 1994. ist – best known for his novels The Call Even more fascinating, startling in fact, of the Wild and White Fang. He was a was the inscription in the cover of the He was the son of Rebecca and Sid- member of the Socialist Party of Ameri- book: “BP Bunting.” ney Bunting, a founding member of the WALKING IN THE 10 ANC Today VIEWPOINT

ca. He wrote the essays: The War of the His son, Martin Gardiner Bernal (1937– The Philosophy of Rhetoric and Prin- Classes (1905) and Revolution, and 2013) was best known for his work: Black ciples of Literary Criticism by IA Rich- other Essays (1906). Athena: Afroasiatic Roots of Classical ards, both inscribed: “BP Bunting” and Civilization, which argues that civilisa- sold by the People’s Bookshop. Studies in a Dying Culture by Chris- tion and language are Egyptian (African) topher Caudwell was another treasured in origin. Ivor Armstrong Richards (1893–1979), discovery, inscribed: “BP & SB Bunting”. was an academic and literary critic who Another interesting find was Professor pioneered the New Criticism. While Caudwell was the pseudonym of Chris- AN Whitehead’s, Science & The Modern studying at Wits, Brian ran a campus topher St John Sprigg (1907–1937), a World, also inscribed: “BP Bunting.” newspaper, and literary magazine, member of the British Communist Party Umpa. who died in battle as part the International Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947) was Brigades during the Spanish Civil War. an English mathematician and philoso- This was indeed the library of the kind pher best known for co-authoring, with of cadres President Ramaphosa was Caudwell was a prolific writer and think- Bertrand Russel, Principia Mathemat- referring to. Cadres who had both politi- er (over 20 books) whose work ranged ica, one of the most important contribu- cal and technical skills, who could orga- from Illusion and Reality: A Study in tions to mathematical logic. nise, who could theorise and act. the Sources of Poetry to The Crisis in Whitehead also formulated a philosophy Physics. These were cadres who demonstrated of science known as process philosophy, an all-round knowledge of the world in I could not believe my eyes when I picked arguing that the world is a web of interre- all its complexity as well as an under- up the magisterial Science in History by lated processes. standing of the inter-connectedness of JD Bernal, also inscribed: “BP Bunting.” This view has influenced scientists such politics, economics, science and culture. John Desmond Bernal (1901–1971) was Nobel laureate Ilya Prigogine, pioneer of complexity theory, and David Bohm, an Irish scientist who pioneered the use They belonged to an organisation that a leading theoretical physicist, who was of x-ray crystallography in molecular biol- valued knowledge, expertise and expe- a member of the Communist Party of the ogy, work that made the discovery of DNA rience. They were part of a movement USA. possible. that both produced, and attracted to its Whilst metaphysical in some of its con- ranks, the most progressive and ad- He was also a leading scholar on the tent, process philosophy shares a num- vanced thinkers of their age. history of science, whose works included ber of the underlying perspectives of dia- The Social Function of Science and lectical materialism. Emulating this example is indispens- Marx and Science. Bernal was a one- able to the renewal of our movement. n time member of the British Communist The last two members of the Bunting li- Party. brary that space allows me to share are, Andries Nel is ANC NEC/NWC Co-ordinator. WALKING IN THE 11 ANC Today INTERNATIONAL Retiring the Handheld Hoe to the Museum – Mechanization of Agriculture and Women farmers

By Fébé Potgieter-Gqubule

N A CEREMONY watched by hun- dreds of Burkinabe women farmers in the city of Bobo-Dioulasso, the farmers placed their handheld hoes Iin a crate, which the department of arts and culture symbolically carted off to the museum. This was followed by the un- veiling of a statute in the city, represent- ing ECOWAS and the African Union (AU), that shows a woman farmer with a mech- anised tiller.

The ceremony was organised by the Afri- can Union with the government of Burkina Faso, to commemorate International Day of Rural Women, and four years since former AU Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma launched the campaign to Retire the Handheld Hoe at a Summit in Johannesburg in July 2015.

African women, according to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), produce 70% of food on the continent and yet the most common implement they use work, to encourage countries to invest in but also a focus on local assembly, distri- is the archaic handheld hoe. This impacts agriculture, to aid food security, industrial- bution and maintenance of these imple- on the productivity of the land they till, as isation and towards zero hunger. ments. well as the time they spent on produc- ing food, apart from the fact that this is The ceremony in Bobo-Dioulasso was Moreover, the forum highlighted many of back-breaking. It is therefore not surpris- preceded by a conference which as- the challenges that women farmers face, ing that the average age of African farm- sessed progress since the launch of the such as: ers are around 50 years and older, young campaign in 2015. For one, most coun- a) Access to land: The AU Agenda people express little interest in agriculture tries have moved beyond simply donating 2063, the 50 year continental frame- and leave rural areas in droves. a few large tractors to small-scale farm- work adopted in 2013, commits all ers, to looking into smaller agricultural member states to allocate at least The campaign to Retire the Handheld machines like tillers, which are multi-pur- 30% of land to women. Globally, ac- Hoe is therefore about mechanisation of pose, more affordable and appropriate for cording to the FAO, only 15% of ag- agriculture, with a focus on women giv- small scale farming. In addition, because ricultural land belongs to women and en their pivotal role in agriculture across CAADP links the modernisation of African 85% owed by men. African countries the continent. Mechanisation is also an agriculture with continental industrialisa- like Malawi, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Niger, important pillar of the Common African tion, the approach adopted to mechani- Ghana and Uganda have reached Agricultural Development Programme sation not only focusses on receiving or and/or exceeded this target (FAO, (CAADP), an African Union policy frame- buying implements from other countries, 2018), whilst the majority of countries, WALKING IN THE 12 ANC Today INTERNATIONAL

the campaign to empower women in agriculture, working with agricultural African women, according ministries in different member states. VERBATIM ‘‘ Already there are existing networks, to the Food and Agricultural such as the Afrikan Women Agribusi- ness Network (AWAN), which is a Organisation (FAO), platform for women businesses in ag- produce 70% of food on riculture as “producers, processors, aggregators, export companies and

the continent and yet the input distributors”, and the Commis-

sion collaborates with such civil soci-

most common implement ety organisations towards the building of women’s networks. ‘ they use is the‘ archaic d) Agricultural extension services and handheld hoe. training: Although women are the major producers of food, agricultural extension workers are predominantly male (73% male in South Africa and including South Africa, has yet to 79% in Malawi), who are supposed to “I say that Oliver Tambo reach this target. This state of affairs service both male and women farm- has not died, because is as a result of discriminatory laws, ers. Agricultural extension workers inheritance and other customs, which tend to engage with males in house- the ideals for which he deliberately restrict ownership of land holds, even if women are the main sacrificed his life can by women. The women’s movement producers, contributing towards their never die. therefore, have to continue the strug- exclusion and marginalisation. In the gle, as the continent looks at land African skills revolution, focus is also reforms, to ensure that women are given to encouraging girls and young “I say that Oliver Tambo included. women to study agriculture, as being done by the RUFORUM, a consortium has not died because b) Mechanization across agricultural of 42 Universities faculties of agricul- the ideals of freedom, value chains: The campaign to Re- ture schools across Africa, which col- tire the Handheld Hoe is symbolic not laborate to ensure masters and PhD human dignity and a only about the push for mechanisa- training for African students in agricul- colour-blind respect tion of production for women, but also ture and agricultural sciences. mechanisation across the agricultural for every individual value chain: tilling, ploughing, plant- The campaign to Retire the Handheld cannot perish. ing, irrigating and harvesting, as well Hoe, according to AU Commissioner for as storage, transport, and off course Rural Economy and Agriculture, Josepha in food processing. The African con- Sacko who addressed the event, is to en- “I say he has not died tinent a few years ago, still imported sure that “no-one, especially women, are up to 70% of processed food, often left behind”. n because there are many made from the very raw agricultural of us who became part materials she exports – from choc- olates made from cocoa, to tomato Gender equality of his soul and therefore paste, fruit juices and canned fruit. In doesn’t mean that willingly entered into a line with CAADP, African countries are conspiracy with him, for taking steps to put policies in place to men and women will encourage domestic agro-processing the victory of his cause. sectors. Nigeria, for example, has become the same, but heavily invested in tomato farms and rather that their rights, tomato paste processing plants, since responsibilities and “While the ANC tomato paste is a critical ingredient in lives, Oliver Tambo not only the local but West African cui- opportunities will not sine, and is planning on a total ban on cannot die!” the import of tomato products to the depend on whether country. they were born NELSON MANDELA, c) Building networks of women in male or female. speaking at the funeral of Agribusinesses: the African Union UN FAO OR Tambo is launching an online network for WALKING IN THE 13 ANC Today INTERNATIONAL

Algeria and South Africa share a common destiny

INTERVIEW WITH THE OUTGOING AMBASSADOR OF ALGERIA IN SOUTH AFRICA: AMBASSADOR ABD-EL-NACEUR BELAID

By Molly Dhlamini: Member of the ANC International Relations NEC Subcommittee

1.What were your observations in your Algeria.Winnie Mandela informed me that financially, politically and diplomatical- six-year post in South Africa? in a secret meeting Walter Sisulu, Govan ly, even providing diplomatic passports. It was a privilege for me to engage beyond Mbeki, and Nelson Mandela decided that The list of countries we helped to liberate the traditional diplomatic confines,more Mandela should go to meet FLN and ALN includes: Mozambique, Namibia, Zimba- especially since I engaged with the Afri- -the military wing. This was a strategic bwe, Cape Verde, and Angola etc. At one can National Congress (ANC), the South meeting between Madiba and the Algeri- congress hosted by the late Mozambique African Communist Party (SACP) and the ans and it focused on the establishment President Samora Machel, he requested Congress of South African Trade Union of MK drawing from the Algerian experi- that those who received military training (COSATU. This interaction resonated with ence. Since Algeria was at the threshold in Algeria should stand. Almost the entire my revolutionary persuasion. Like post of independence, we pledged to fully sup- room stood. I was the Ambassador in -colonial Algeria, there were lots of export the oppressed South Africans in their Tanzania when the former Chief of Staff pectations in SA. Realistically, twenty-five fight against apartheid once Algeria was of President Nyerere narrated how he years is not enough to correct a system liberated.Mandela referred to this when was assigned to meet FRELIMO at the that damaged the society for many years. he said ‘Algeria is my country’. Port of Dar Es’ Salam to ship the first con- I am glad I witnessed serious efforts in the signment of arms from Algeria to Mozam- delivery of promises. 4. Is it true that Algeria was instrumen- bique. The first bullets of FRELIMO and tal in the expulsion of the apartheid re- SWAPO were from Algeria. In the West- 2. What is common between the two gime in the United Nations in the 70s? ern Coast of Africa, another great son of countries? Yes. Algeria chaired the 29th session of Africa, Amilcar Cabral used to say: ‘the We share the same values and principles, the United Nations General Assembly in Catholics go to Vatican, the Muslims go the history of resistance and the struggle 1974. At the time, the President of the to Mecca, the Freedom Fighters go to Al- for independence and democracy. We UNGA was President Bouteflika. He was giers.’ Algerians still hold deeply to these also the Minister of foreign affairs in Al- have the same views on integration, de- convictions. geria. Before the session, President Bou- velopment and defending our continental medienne met President Bouteflika, Oli- interests. One good example is our sup- 6. Many say Africa gained political ver Tambo and Johnny Makhathini. They port for the struggle for self-determination independence but not the economic crafted a strategy to expel the apartheid of the Sahrawis. one. What do you think? regime from UNGA. Tambo was also Algerians and South Africans have a It’s not a matter of thinking, it’s matter travelling to mobilise support. There was of evidence. We know that foreign inter- significant role to play in asserting and strong resistance at the General As- protecting the interests of Africans in the sembly. However, after a robust debate, est and former colonisers control other globalized space. Bouteflika used his powers, and made a countries. There is a new generation of ruling to suspend the apartheid regime Africans who wage a struggle for eco- 3. Have there been historical relations from the UNGA. This became known as nomic freedom. They even revoke the between the ANC and FLN? Bouteflika’s ruling and it paved the way revolutionaries like Thomas Sankara and The first contact was in Bandung, then for isolating the apartheid South Africa Patrice Lumumba. in Accra in 1957 in a Conference of the worldwide. African Parties/movements organized by 7. What do you think about intergra- the great Son of Africa,Kwame Nkrumah. 5. What role has Algeria played in the tion in Africa? Frantz Fanon and other delegates from liberation of Africa? We integrate or we perish. Not only FLN were also present. The other inter- We pledged to assist to free all the col- through trade but through the infrastruc- action was in 1961 when Mandela and his onized countries when we attained our ture that connects Africans. The EU first comrades underwent military training in independence. Our support was militarily, integrated through their infrastructure. n WALKING IN THE 14 ANC Today

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Musa Zulu Musa Zulu is a South African published author, an award Q & A winning entrepreneur, international artist, By Bongiwe Msweli celebrated motivational speaker DIP Intern and prominent disability activist in South Africa. Twenty-four 1. What are some of the memories you most cherish about your childhood? years ago he got paralyzed I had a wonderful childhood growing up in a and left in a wheelchair after a close-knit family where we were taught to be disciplined in chasing after and achieving our tragic car accident. Zulu is a goals. self-employed and creative Our parents, (I have five siblings) who by the grace of God are still well and alive, did not director for a company called only emphasize on giving us a good education Valhalla Arts, which manages (all of us went to exceptional Bantu Education Over the 24 years I have met many in the his motivational engagements. township schools which sharpened us as steel) disabled sector who are in full charge of their but also on us developing a wide world view. fulfilled dreams and aspirations. I have also met Writing has enabled me to tell my story in a lot others who have been dealt a heavy blow my own special perspective. Writing has also 2. What do you appreciate about your jour- by the cruel inequities of our society. enhanced my speaking skills and made me ney? The worse scenario is when someone thinks a dynamic motivational speaker. Lastly, it has I appreciate that I have lived a life where every- people with disabilities are asexual. None of us paid me a lot of money which has enabled me thing has always been carefully balanced. alive has no sexual desires or a need to express to live and enjoy the standard of life I am very I have enjoyed myself but there have been ourselves sexually. People with disabilities are happy about. trying moments along the way. I have achieved involved in meaningful relationships and many so much yet also lost a lot through the years. I have gone on to make many many babies. To 7. What is your vision about your career and have sat alone to think of such amazing ideas think someone is not capable of feeling things which other avenues would you like to ex- but always knew they would only be realized at the core of human nature is to dehumanise plore? if I joined effort with other people’s contribution them. and guidance. I have seen my country transi- At this juncture my career is where I want it to be and I see it growing steadily with each day tioning from a enclosed prison into an open field 5. As someone who is a motivational speaker that comes to pass. I am a believer in biting as of a possible dream. how would you advice someone that has lost much as I can chew and swallow. I am not one hope through disability? to chance handling things far bigger than man- 3. Who played a pivotal role in your journey It is natural to sometimes lose hope and col- ageable. through recovery, especially on days when lapse in despair but that is not where the story So I do not wish to do a thousand motivational you felt like giving up? should always end. sessions all over the world in a month or even a My family, friends and complete strangers all After falling we should strive to rise again and year. At this point in time I do about three ses- came around me when I was paralysed. give hope to both ourselves and others that we sions a month and yes I do wish my strike rate There was not a single time when I had a can still always graduate from our disabilities to could grow to six or even eight a month. I can question and no one was around to give a pre- our abilities. handle that load and easily spread it in my time cise answer to it. They also allowed me ample Again, it is very important to compare your cir- sheet in a way which makes sense to me and space to deal with my early days of disability cumstances with those situations experienced my stamina. on my own. by others around you. I was never treated with kid gloves and neither A person with a disability in South Africa is for- 8. What is your Motto or Favourite quote? have I ever wished to be a spoilt dependent. I tunate to be living in a country with a developing My motto, which I first wrote in my autobiogra- was born a soldier. infrastructure designed for equal accessibility to phy ‘The Language of Me’ (UKZN Press; 2004), My wife and kids also treat me the same way, rehabilitation, reintegration and empowerment is; “When the burning flame of spirit is ignit- with solid hands and tender hearts. They be- opportunities. Further, South Africa has an ac- ed, it will transform any soul no matter what lieve in me and trust I can always find the way. commodating Constitution which stipulates that the circumstances”. The positive role which all these people have discrimination on the basis of disability is out- played in my life has shaped the man I am to- lawed. We receive social grants and our pub- My favourite quote is from the Teddy Pender- day. lic transport systems can at least take us from grass song ‘In My Time’ which reads: point A to B. 4. What is the biggest misconception that “I’ve won some and I’ve lost some people have about the disabled community? 6. What role has writing played in your life? But as dreamers don’t complain Other people still believe people with disabili- I love writing and have authored four amazing We keep reaching out for passion ties are not capable of living a full life. books. No matter what the pain”. n WALKING IN THE 15 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

1–8 November 2019 Sources: : SA History Online (www.sahistory.org.za)

1 November 1995 Airlines (ET) in 1945 and the formation of ecutive Director, and former deputy pres- First non-racial local government the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) ident and minister of South Africa, was elections take place with Addis Ababa as its capital in 1963. born on this day in Claremont, Durban. Selassie was disposed as Emperor in 1974 by Mengistu Haile Mariam, who 4 November 1922 went on to form the Derg military govern- Discovery of King Tutankhamen’s ment. tomb in Egypt Archeologist Howard Carter and team 2 November 2007 searched for years in Egypt’s Valley of the Actor Henry Cele passed on Kings for the tomb, known only through Henry Cele, revered actor, was known for rumour. The discovery of the tomb on 4 “his chilling portrayal” of the Zulu King, November 1922 of King Tutankhamen, Shaka, in the 1985 mini-series, Shaka who became pharaoh at the age of nine Zulu; landing Cele the role after he played and died around 1352 B.C. at age 19, King Shaka in a stage drama. He became was found mostly intact. Items from the famous for this role internationally, and tomb are exhibited in Egypt’s National South Africa’s first non-racial elections for went on to act in international and local Museum in Cairo. (https://www.thoughtco. municipalities was held on 1 and 2 No- films, such as the Last Samurai, Ghost com/tomb-of-king-tut-discovered-1779242) vember 1995, after the national and pro- and others. He was born on 30 January vincial elections of 1994 that heralded in 1949 in Kwa Mashu, Durban. 5 November 1987 a democratic country. As a result of civic Govan Mbeki released from and community struggles, a National Lo- 3 November 1941 Robben Island cal Government Negotiation Forum was Ahmed Timol is born set up, made up of many similar local Ahmed Timol was born in Breyten Mpum- forums across the country. This forum alanga on this day. He grew up in Rood- eventually negotiated the Local Govern- epoort and trained as a teacher. In 1964 ment Transition Act in 1993, which saw he attended the funeral of Suliman ‘Babla’ the inclusion of local government as a Saloogee who had died in detention. This third sphere of government, and laying influenced him to join the liberation move- the foundation for the local government ment. He went for political training abroad elections on 1 November 1995. KZN in 1969, training with Thabo Mbeki and held its local government elections the Anne Nicholson. In February 1970, he next year in March 1996. The 843 racial- returned to the country and went under- After 23 years in prison, Govan Mbeki, ly based municipalities were reduced to ground. He was arrested at a roadblock a member of African National Congress 293, and as a result of changes in de- and 4 days later, on the 27th Oct 1971, he (ANC) National Executive Committee and marcations as the population grew and died at the hands of the security police at Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) High Com- urbanization took place, these have been the infamous John Vorster Square. mand, was released from Robben Island. further reduced to 278, with 8 metropol- His release followed a call for all political itan, 44 district and 226 local municipal- 3 November 1955 prisoners to be freed, as apartheid was ities. (https://www.thejournalist.org.za/the- Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka born dying. Upon his release, the government craft/local-government-in-south-africa) restricted him to the magisterial district of Port Elizabeth until November 1989. In February 1990, when the ANC and other 2 November 1930 liberation movements were unbanned, he Haile Selassie crowned Emperor resumed duty on the ANC’s NEC as well of Ethiopia as the Central Committee of the SACP. Emperor Selassie played an important A teacher and intellectual, while on Rob- role in the nation-formation of Ethiopia. ben Island, Mbeki wrote many songs His served as advisor and heir appar- and manuscripts, which were smuggled ent in the court, before ascending to this out of prison. These writings are housed position. He played an important role in at the University of Fort Hare, as the Ethiopia joining the League of Nations (in Govan Mbeki Collection. In 1954, Go- 1923), in leading the resistance against Educationist, gender activist and former van Mbeki joined the editorial team of Italian invasion in 1929, the creation of ANC NEC member, Phumzile Mlam- the political newspaper, the New Age. national institutions such as Ethiopian bo-Ngcuka, who is the UN Women Ex- He was sentenced to life imprisonment WALKING IN THE 16 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

during the 1964 Rivonia Trial with Nel- the notorious Vlakplaas hit squad during gold rush started in 1886, resulting in the son Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada, Dennis the 1985 Maseru raid. Seven members formation of mining and financial compa- Goldberg and others. In 1980 he received of the Security branch, including its then nies with investors who needed a central the Isithwalandwe/Seaparankoe Medal, deputy chief were refused amnesty for facility to access primary capital. Initially, the highest award within the ANC, for this killing. trading took place in a miners’ tent and his dedication to securing freedom and moved to the stables at the corner of what democracy in South Africa. Govan Mbeki 7 November 1917 in now Sauer (Pixley Seme) and Commis- passed away on 30 August 2001 at the Helen Suzman is born sioner Streets. Benjamin Minors Wollan age of 91. proposed to a meeting of the Exchange and Chambers Company board and 6 November 1962 members that ‘the Johannesburg Stock United Nations condemns Exchange should be established. On 8th Apartheid and calls for Sanctions November 1887, Wollan founded the JSE The U.N. General Assembly adopted a by providing a facility to conduct trading. resolution condemning South Africa for The establishment of the JSE at this time its apartheid policies and recommended made it the oldest stock exchange facility economic sanctions. in the subcontinent. Growth in the mining industry was reflected in the economic 6 November 1964 boom of the 1890s that the JSE experi- Vuyisile Mini, executed by the Doyen of South African liberalism, poli- enced. Between 1887 and 1934, an es- Apartheid regime tician and anti-apartheid activist, Helen timated 200 million pounds was invested Suzman, was born in Germiston, South in the gold industry with more than half Africa on this day. During her 36 years from foreign investments. In 1933, a in the whites-only Parliament, she used rival exchange known as the Union Ex- every opportunity to speak out against change was formed in Johannesburg. It discriminatory legislation. She entered continued to trade until 1958 when it was politics when she represented the Unit- closed by the Treasury Companies, and ed Party (UP) in Parliament in 1953. Six the companies listed under it were trans- years later, she founded the Progressive ferred to the JSE. In 1947, the Stock Ex- Party (PP) and became its sole repre- changes Control Act was passed to reg- sentative in Parliament. As a Member of ulate the operation of stock exchange by Parliament, she was able to visit prisons, stating capital requirements for members Vuyisile Mini (1920–1964), a trade union- among them Robben Island, where she and the conduct for brokers. In 1963, the ist and uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) combat- inspected the living conditions of prison- JSE joined the World Federation of Ex- ant was hanged for his role in the MK and ers. In the course of her career, the Uni- changes, an international association of anti-apartheid resistance. As a member versities of Oxford, Cambridge and Har- the world’s leading regulated markets. of the South African Congress of Trade vard awarded her honorary doctorates; The physical location of the JSE changed Unions (SACTU), he was responsible she was awarded the United Nations Hu- several times throughout its existence as for the organisation of metal workers at a man Rights Award in 1978 and in 1980, it grew. On 7 June 1996, the open outcry time when the government had increased the Medallion of Heroism. The Helen Su- trading floor (where traders shout across its repressive measures against Black zman Foundation was established to pro- the floor or gesture to sell or buy shares) trade unions. He became the first African mote liberal democracy in South Africa. was closed and replaced by a centralised, National Congress (ANC) member to be automated trading system known as the executed by the government. Vuyisile 8 November 1922 Johannesburg Equities Trading (JET) Mini was hanged together with Wilson Heart doctor Chris Barnard born system. The JSE moved from its CBD lo- Khayinga and Zinakile Mkaba. After his Pioneering heart surgeon Christiaan Bar- cation to Sandton, Johannesburg. n 1964 execution, Mini was secretly buried nard (1922-2001) was born in Beaufort in a pauper’s grave at Rebecca Street West on this day. He headed the surgical Cemetery in Pretoria. The bodies of Mini, team that achieved the first-ever human Khayinga and Mkaba were exhumed in heart transplant at Groote Schuur hospi- 1998 and Mini was given a hero’s funeral tal in 1967. at the Emlotheni Memorial Park in New Brighton Township in Port Elizabeth. At 8 November 1887 the time of his death, Mini was married, The Johannesburg Stock and had six children. His daughter, Nom- Exchange established khosi Mini also joined MK and survived a The Johannesburg’s Stock Exchange March 1979 South African Defence Force (JSE) was established to facilitate the ex- attack on the Novo Catengue camp in An- plosion of trade sparked by gold mining gola. She was shot dead by members of in the Witwatersrand. The Witwatersrand WALKING IN THE 17 ANC Today THIS WEEK IN HISTORY

INTERNATIONAL DAYS

Source: https://www.un.org

2 November ture of tsunami awareness. A tsunami is a large ocean wave International Day to End Impunity for Crimes that is caused bysudden motion on the ocean floor, as a result against Journalists of an earthquake, a powerful volcanic eruption, or an under- water landslide. The strongest recorded tsunami was in 1958 in Lituya Bay, Alaska, reaching waves nearly half a kilometres high and resulting in five deaths. The worst recorded was however the 2004 Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004, af- fecting 13 countries and causing 230,000 human deaths.

6 November International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict

Since 2006, according to UNESCO, over a thousand journalists have been killed for reporting the news and bringing information to the public, on average one death every four days, with only one in ten cases where the killers are convict- ed. Impunity leads to more killings and is often a symptom of worsening conflict and the breakdown of law and judicial systems. Governments, civil society, the media and everyone concerned to uphold the rule of law are being asked to join in the global efforts to end impunity.The day is commemorated in line with the UN Resolution adopted in 2013 which urged Member States to implement definite measures countering the present culture of impunity for crimes against journalists. The date was chosen in commemoration of the assassination of two French journalists in Mali on 2 November 2013.

5 November World Tsunami Awareness Day

Though mankind has always counted its war casualties in terms of dead and wounded soldiers and civilians, destroyed cities and livelihoods, the environment has often remained the unpublicized victim of war. Water wells have been pol- luted, crops torched, forests cut down, soils poisoned, and animals killed to gain military advantage. Furthermore, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found that over the last 60 years, at least 40 percent of all internal con- Though rare, tsunamis are among the most devastating natu- flicts have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources, ral disasters. They know no coastal borders. Coastal commu- whether high-value resources such as timber, diamonds, gold nities – often concentrated in low-lying and highly populated and oil, or scarce resources such as fertile land and water. areas – are the most potentially vulnerable to coastal hazards Conflicts involving natural resources have also been found including tsunamis, with heavy human and economic losses. to be twice as likely to relapse. The United Nations attaches International cooperation is key for deeper political and public great importance to ensuring that action on the environment understanding; as well as involvement in reducing our risks is part of conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding from these coastal natural hazards. In December 2015, the strategies – because there can be no durable peace if the United Nations General Assembly designated 5 November natural resources that sustain livelihoods and ecosystems are as World Tsunami Awareness Day to promote a global cul- destroyed. n WALKING IN THE 18 ANC Today WALKING IN THE 19 ANC Today WALKING IN THE 20 ANC Today X-WORD DROUGHTS AND WATER SCARCITY

Across Down 3. A drought is an event of prolonged .... in water supply. 1. Droughts also contribute to more rapid... 4. Droughts have a major impact on ... and therefore food security and prices. 2. South Africa is regarded as a ... country. 6. Climate change results in drier and higher air ..., more severe or frequent 5. Greenhouse gas emissions into the air cause droughts. rising air temperatures and more moisture... from 8. Area in South Africa declared emergency for drought of over 5 years. land and lakes, rivers. 9. Droughts affect humans as well as ... 7. Abnormal weather patterns from the Pacific 10. Our water systems consist of both engineering and ... infrastructure. Ocean that impacts on African weather. 11. Gauteng, North West and Limpopo provinces do not have their own water supplies, but rely on dams and ... from outside.

WORD BANK desertification pumping ecological evaporates temperatures El Nino agriculture shortages animals water-scarce Klein Karoo