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Elinor Sisulu on Politics, Activism Are Actually Following an Anti-Imperialist Project

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Elinor Sisulu on Politics, Activism Are Actually Following an Anti-Imperialist Project Elinor Sisulu on politics, activism are actually following an anti-imperialist project. All those who shout about it [anti- imperialism] do it for opportunistic means. A true anti-imperialist project would mean internal strengthening of people, of the county in an effort to address poverty and the national well-being of citizens.” She goes on to talk about the chal- lenges of socialism and the failures of capi- talism, stressing the need for a new para- IN SEARCH OF A digm to address issues of poverty but also NEW PARADIGM: highlighting that whatever shape that new Elinor Sisulu says the paradigm takes, it ought to have a founding world needs new ide- philosophy that demands “responsible and ologies and methods on how to deal with issues accountable leadership because no matter of oppression and equal- how wonderful your ideology is, if the lead- ity in the fight for social ership is not accountable then it will fail.” justice.-www.zimbab- There is no mistaking that Elinor weinpictures.com is a powerful woman. She has also been married into a powerful family via Max Sisulu, son to South Africa struggle icons Walter and Albertina Sisulu. The lat- ter played an instrumental role in the 20,000 women march in Pretoria protest- ing against oppressive pass laws. The legacy of Women’s Day, celebrated in South Africa on August 9 is founded on am an embarrassing thirty min- ery August (Women’s Month in South Af- goals and would be living our lives. But we this historic event. Of course, MaSisulu utes late for my interview with rica), November and December (Month of go ahead with struggles, even for the very passed on recently. I ask Elinor what les- Elinor Sisulu by the time I arrive activism against gender-based violence). basic freedoms which are promised to us.” sons she learnt from her mother-in-law. at her Lynwood home. Her two Elinor ushers me into her house and The absence of basic freedoms in “I’ve learnt to be courageous. I’ve dogs greet me in the driveway and I’m immediately struck by its sheer clean- most of Africa has resulted in the exo- also learnt to respect people because Mama I do the typical black thing of staying in ness, decorations and well-kept furniture; dus of hordes of her children to the West was no respecter of persons as the Bible Imy car until I’m sure that the owner has everything seems to be in its place, not a for a significant period of time now. Ob- says. The other lesson was the lesson of or- done enough to keep them away from me. centimetre off. We are going to be using viously, this is something that has also ganisation. When you look at the story of She assures me she has and even more the living room for this interview and she hampered the development of the con- the 20,000 women march, you’ll appreciate embarrassed, I step out of my car to greet shows me the way. It’s a spacious and very tinent we discuss but Elinor aks a very what those women did with no cell phones, her. One of the dogs also does its typical comfortable room with the view of a swim- profound question that startles me: why twitter or facebook. Pretoria was extremely thing of smelling people and with one ming pool and the lush green garden area. is Africa so unkind to her children? hostile at that time in the 1950s so it took eye on it, and the other trying to assure Before I press the red button on my It’s a question that cannot be an- enormous courage for those women to do those around me that I’m calm (a lie that what they did. I’ve always been struck by is clearly visible to them), I greet Elinor. In many ways, they have let us down very the amount of discipline and self sacri- The last time Elinor and I met was at fice that it took for the women to pull off the Nelson Mandela Foundation in May badly because of this anti-imperialist dis- the march the way they did, ” she says. this year for the screening a Zimbabwean There are also various women who documentary on the complexities of na- course which I really consider a pseudo anti- are learning from Elinor Sisulu and she tional healing, The Axe and the Tree. As realises that. She also realises that a lot we do often, our meetings are occasions imperialism because none of them [liberation of women are still subjected to open at- to reflect on events and happenings around movements] are actually following an anti- tacks. The political space is no different. us. Of course, I find myself doing most of “There was a huge cost to be a member the listening as Elinor – a well-read wom- imperialist project of the ANC back in the day and it just an – puts things into perspective. She is a seems as if we don’t prioritise political dis- fierce intellectual hiding under her warm course anymore, perhaps because the en- and sweet disposition towards people. video camera we step into that reflective swered in this interview certainly but it emy was much clearer then,” says Elinor. I give her a bouquet of flowers I mode as we always do, almost unwit- demands deep and intense reflection of the There is also a huge cost to being an bought for her on my way (perhaps that ac- tingly. Julius Malema dominates. Then the contributions made by people like Kwame activist. Elinor has suffered vitriolic attacks counts for part of the thirty minutes I lost) spat between media icons Ferial Haffajee, Nkrumah, Amilcar Cabral, Steve Biko, from the ZANU PF regime in Zimbabwe and she receives them with such grace and Editor of one of South Africa’s leading Anton Lembede Sol Plaatje and the like. with the Spewer-in-Chief being former in- thanks. There is something powerful about Sunday newspapers City Press and Eric “All these great African heroes had formation minister, Jonathan Moyo. But her presence that makes you want to hon- Miyeni filmmaker and former colum- love for the continent and a desire to shake she says it’s all part of the work, at least our her – and women like her – but once nist at The Sowetan. The two personally off the shackles of colonialism. We’ve not that kind of attention from such regimes that thought crosses your mind, you realise know her so I try to understand where she been able to gain a truly independent Af- tells her she is doing something. And she is. that you’ll never be able to do enough to is locating herself in the debate that has rica but not just as a result of colonialism The last word belongs to her but honour them. These are women who have ensued. But certain things are clear, you but also because of venal regimes that have is for all the women out there; “Don’t given, and continue to give, themselves can’t call someone a snake and in the same oppressed their very own. There is also that allow yourself to be pushed around.” so selflessly to the cause of seeking so- breath invoke metaphors of apartheid vio- combination of a global political system cial justice, defying all odds and allow- lence especially during women’s month. which has used its hegemony to extract re- By Levi Kabwato, Media & Communi- ing nothing to stop them in their tracks. That aside, who is Elinor Sisulu? sources from Africa and the rest of the world cations Officer in the regional office. It is a painful violence within, that “I usually describe myself as a basically. But combined with all of that is feeling of knowing that you’ll never be Zimbabwean-born South African writ- leadership in the third world which has been In celebration of Women’s Month, able to do enough to show gratitude and er. But my main identity is that I’m very opportunistic and predatory,” she says. Zimbabwe Briefing is running a se- respect to such women. Not that they need a mother, I have four boys. I’m also She also adds: “I’m deeply concerned ries of features on Women who have it – they absolutely do not because they are a feminist and an activist,” she says. about the politics of liberation movements not motivated by self interest to do what And adds: “I wish I wasn’t an activist. It’s in Southern Africa. In many ways, they shaped and continue to shape the they do but rather very genuine concerns not a good thing to be. When you’re an ac- have let us down very badly because of struggle for democracy and women’s for humanity and the fight against oppres- tivist it means you’re struggling for social this anti-imperialist discourse which I re- rights in the SADC region. We would sion. But something still needs to be done justice and really, one would have hoped ally consider a pseudo anti-imperialism be- like to hear your story so tell us via and it is of no use to want to do that ev- that by now we would have reached those cause none of them [liberation movements] email - [email protected] Zimbabweans Have Embraced the Dawn of a New Zimbabwe his last week, mindset or attitude, for name of the veterans of way to the rising, shin- tranquility in order to over a long it was clear that there is our national liberation ing sun of peace and har- guarantee stability and public holi- no affinity for violence by invoking the libera- mony, is to stand up for sustainable develop- Coordinator’s day, I have among the people, but tion struggle when they peace and to speak out ment.
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