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and socio-economic life in the country National and Class struggles in was based on race, class exploitation of black workers on the grounds of race and the triple oppression of women on

© Shutterstock.com Unpacking the evolution the basis of race, class and gender.2 In the light of the inter-connectedness of national, class and gender-related of our revolutionary contradictions, organisations opposed to oppression needed a perspective alliance to guide their struggle to resolve the contradictions in society. This perspective was not a product of mere thumb-sucking; but originated from what Lenin referred to as an analysis of the concrete conditions in society, as well as from a theory of colonial revolution that was, in Lenin’s time, evolving in certain European countries and other parts of the world. Lenin and colonial revolution It was at the Second All-Russian Congress of Communist Organisations of the Eastern Peoples that Lenin expressed his innovative views about (what we can generally refer to as) the national content of class struggle. In particular, Lenin unequivocally stated that: The ANC’s relationship with the Communist …the socialist revolution in each country would be neither solely nor Party contributed to its development into a chiefly a struggle of the revolutionary proletariat against their respective liberation movement which attracted large bourgeoisie, but rather a struggle by all the imperialist oppressed colonies sections of the working class as well as the and countries against international imperialism3 Coloured and Indian communities. The Congress confirmed Lenin’s novel approach to the socialist revolution. In particular, it resolved that, By Thando Ntlemeza whilst the primary task of communists was to establish communist parties n one of his nineteenth century that in any revolutionary struggle in Eastern Europe and other colonial political letters Engels stated that: there should be room for tactical societies elsewhere in the world, I …I am sufficiently revolutionary compromises to pave the way for communist parties were expected to not to renounce absolutely a further revolutionary advance – a provide political support to the national combined actions with other parties theoretical perspective which must liberation movements in those countries in circumstances when they are more guide our analysis of the contradictions to defeat western imperialism.4 advantageous or less harmful to us1 and struggles in South Africa. However, Lenin was quick to concede With this statement, Engels was In 1910, the Dutch and British that solutions to the problems of colonial expressing a view to the effect that he descendants in South Africa entered revolution were not to be found in any did not have any problem with the into a governing arrangement communist literature.5 Communist Party forging alliances with premised on the political and social The Second Congress of the other organisations, as long as such subordination, exclusion and oppression Comintern held in Moscow and alliances would help to advance the of the people who were viewed and Petrograd in July 1920 deliberated revolution. Lenin took the issue further treated as foreigners in their own on matters related to the colonial by providing a scientific perspective to country. At the time, South Africa was revolution and adopted the thesis on justify the alliances between communist characterised by racial discrimination, the national and colonial questions. This parties and liberation movements. In class exploitation and patriarchal congress emphasised that communist particular, Lenin advocated an idea relations of power. Or, governance parties have to politically support

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national liberation movements, which attention to the embryonic national the Coloured and Indian communities are revolutionary6 and when exponents organisations among the natives, such into the liberation struggle. This was of these movements do not hinder as the African National Congress.” necessary to mobilise and unite all the work of educating and organising Deriving authority and mandate the oppressed black people as well as oppressed people.7 In characterising from this resolution, the Communist to consolidate a united voice against the Second Congress, commentators Party has made enormous contributions national oppression.17 The Communist expressed views to the effect that this to building the ANC into a revolutionary Party, as a vanguard party of the Congress was a witness to Lenin’s thesis liberation movement. This seems to working class, was central in mobilising on the national and colonial questions.8 have started as far back as 1927 with the working class. This led to the At the 6th Congress held in Moscow, ANC’s President Josiah Gumede and consolidation of many progressive in 1928, communists from all over the an ANC delegation visiting the Soviet trade unions into the Congress of the world seriously debated the colonial Union and Gumede’s subsequent South African (Cosatu) situation in South Africa and then embracement of Communist Russia as a – a giant movement that was formed supported the establishment of the genuine friend of the oppressed masses. in 1985 and later became part of the “black republic” where all the racial Building the ANC involved theoretical alliance with the ANC and Communist groups would enjoy equality.9 This was and ideological development, locating Party. Later, it was the community justified on grounds that in South Africa: ANC among the ordinary masses and organisations in the black townships … the majority of the population positioning it to lead the revolution. which joined the alliance under the is black and so is the majority of Not so long ago, banner of the South African National workers and peasants…Hence reminded us of the contribution of the Civic Organisation, commonly known the national question …lies at the Communist Party in equipping many as SANCO. foundation of the revolution…10 members and leaders of the ANC In 1981, at the 60th anniversary of Expressing his own views on the with the tools of analysis they needed the South African Communist Party, the resolution, Comrade Mzala (Jabulani to successfully execute the struggle late President skilfully Nxumalo) argued that the resolution for freedom and liberation in South distinguished our own revolutionary represented a rejection of the Communist Africa.15 All this was done to strengthen alliance from all other alliances. In Party’s long standing position that the the alliance because of a collective particular, Tambo reminded us that struggle was first and foremost a struggle belief that the alliance is an appropriate ours: for socialism.11 Comrade Mzala argued vehicle through which both the national … is not merely a paper alliance, that the resolution meant that the and class struggles could be successfully created at conference tables and struggle for national liberation would fought. formalised through the signing of have to precede the struggle for socialist The ANC and Communist Party built documents and representing only transformation in colonial societies such the alliance into a characteristic feature an agreement of leaders. ..., [but] a as South Africa.12 Mzala assumed that of the struggle before and after the living organism that has grown out class exploitation would persist after the 1994 elections. While the Communist of struggle... [which] we have built resolution of the national contradiction; Party made enormous contributions …out of our separate and common hence he cautioned against the classical and sacrifices in building ANC into a experiences.18 drive by elitist elements among the ‘real’ revolutionary movement and in In his view, this strategic alliance is oppressed people to gain power to developing its theoretical tools for social based on a broad agreement on the replace the oppressor in the exploitation analysis, the Communist Party learned strategic objective of our revolution to of the masses.13 many things from the ANC, which create and build the non-racial, non- have helped to develop its theoretical sexist, democratic and prosperous The evolution and nature of the and ideological skills and to ground its society envisaged in the Freedom relationship struggle in the realities of the country.16 Charter. In many of the countries that were Whereas the relationship between The existence of the alliance does not either embracing or sympathetic to the national and class struggles in South necessarily mean that the Communist communist paradigm, the relationship Africa dates back to the late 1920s, it Party will not lead the struggle for victory between national and class struggles was only after World War II that this of the socialist revolution.19 Neither found expression in various, but related relationship assumed organisational does it mean that the trade union ways. In our country, this relationship forms. Underlying it was a commitment movement will not lead the struggles is expressed through a relationship to act in unity to advance the struggle to of the workers for higher wages and between the ANC, the Communist liberate the oppressed people as well as better working conditions. In fact, each Party and the labour movement. It to achieve the objectives of the national component remains an independent was in 1929 that the Communist Party democratic revolution. part of the whole. This, in essence, decided to be in an alliance with the The ANC’s relationship with the means that each component is expected ANC14 – a move that was based on the Communist Party contributed to to develop and implement its own resolution of the Executive Committee its development into a liberation policies, without imposing them on its of the Communist International which movement which attracted large allies. On major policy matters, alliance required “The Party … [to] pay particular sections of the working class as well as components must consult and reach

68 THE THINKER POLITICS consensus.20 Whereas consultations hardly be dispute as to who should and legitimately at a meeting of must take place, “it is not expected lead the struggle and therefore the representatives of the organisations.33 that the … organisations should as a Alliance.”27 condition of the alliance agree on all the Ngoako Ramatlhodi argues that Challenges in the current phase of policy matters”.21 Instead, the alliance the debate of the leadership of our the revolution must identify key issues they may agree revolution was ultimately settled in Each phase of the revolution presents on to take the revolution forward, and favour of the ANC.28 In his view, its own challenges. These challenges act upon them.22 this was premised on the analysis of may be attributed to internal or However, the relationship between subjective and objective reality; not external factors. For this reason, all the national and class struggles in South on the grounds that the ANC is a “big interventions that are aimed at resolving Africa has not evolved without brother” merely because it was formed the challenges facing the movement and difficulties. From the start, this alliance in 1912 whilst other alliance partners the revolution are supposed to take into faced resistance within the component were formed much later. account the realities of that particular organisations. Concerns were expressed Ours cannot be a mere workers’ phase. Our analysis must do this. within the Communist Party about struggle. It is the struggle to liberate The 1994 democratic breakthrough possible dilution of the class struggle and the oppressed people, majority of was an outstanding achievement as state subjection of the class to the national whom are African and women. Even power was transferred to the liberation struggle. In the 1930s and 1940s, if we were to accept a view that ours forces after many decades of mass there were concerns in the ANC about is a struggle of the workers, upon close struggle including armed resistance. the fact that white people dominated examination of these workers one will The liberation alliance was clear that leadership structures of the Communist note that these workers, in the main, the contradictions created by apartheid Party and that the Party embraced comprise the African people who are colonialism remained after the capture – a foreign ideology.23 poor and underdeveloped. Hence, of state power. Hence, anti-communist leaders and the main content of the revolution is For the first time, many of the members mobilised against President the liberation of the African people in leaders had to strike a balance between Josiah Gumede because he embraced particular and blacks in general. Whilst organisational work and the work communists. Resistance against the coloured and Indian people have been associated with the state. Given the communists was alive in the ANCYL in involved in the struggle, it is the African urgency of state work, unfamiliarity with the 1940s. It was the youth leaders such people who constitute the substantial the related processes and the material as Anton Lembede, part of the motive forces of the benefits associated with deployment, and Oliver Tambo who led this anti- revolution. An approach to leadership focus shifted more to working within the communist resistance.24 depends on the main contradictions the democratic state. This had a negative struggle seeks to resolve. In our case, it impact on the internal programmes of Who leads the revolution and the is commonly accepted in the alliance the ANC such as the political education alliance? and broad movement for liberation of members and building capacity of the Leadership of the liberation struggle that the national question is a dominant deployed members to be able to strike a was debated for some time. While contradiction.29 For this reason, balance between party and state work. the debates on the matter kept on an alliance between the ANC and The de-racialisation of the ownership, coming up in one way or the other, Communist Party was formed on the accumulation and allocation of capital the matter was finally and decisively basis that the ANC was best positioned is designed to empower historically settled in favour of a view that the to lead the national liberation struggle in marginalised sections of the population. national character was primary to the South Africa.30 Shamefully this correct policy was and struggle for freedom and liberation in As has been the case for decades, the is abused by deployees within the state South Africa.25 Confirming this, The ANC remains a multi-class movement to make as much money as possible. Road to South African Freedom 26 states that accommodates and leads all the These nefarious anti-people activities that it is: classes and strata in the struggle to spread from a few bad eggs to a larger a national democratic revolution resolve the primary contradictions number who were desperate to make which will overthrow the colonialist created by the system of apartheid “quick cash”. state of White supremacy and colonialism.31 The ANC must also The question is to what extent are establish an independent state of master the art and science of managing counter-revolutionary forces responsible National Democracy in South Africa. secondary contradictions in the ANC, for corrupting political leaders, activists The main content of this revolution the alliance and the society.32 On and public servants? As Charles Tilly is the national liberation... [of The internal contradictions, Joe Slovo stated warns: ‘ an analysis of a … revolution, African people] that: which provides no understanding of Taking the matter further, Nqobizitha …if the Party … has reservations the presence of counter revolutionary Mlilo states that some people believed about any aspect of the policies of forces leaves us unsatisfied.’34 that: any fraternal organisation, [they] However, corruption within the state …Once the national character … must place these reservations before cannot be solely attributed to politicians was taken as primary, there could such an organisation officially, openly and officials. As Soma Pillay points

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out: ‘corruption is not limited [only] organisation. The alliance may be superficial appearances with actual to the actions of the politicians and weakened but still remain relevant reality. ■ public servants. Rather, the problem is albeit in a weakened form. widespread.’ Serious internal challenges may References 1 1889 Letter from Engels Therefore all corrupt activities within exist, but the alliance remains very 2 Thando Ntlemeza “Deconstructing theory of the National Democratic Revolution”, Umrabulo 33 the state need to be investigated so that strategic to deepen and advance the 3 Lenin’s address at the Congress on 22 November 1919 all the culprits, including those who may revolution. Its task remains that of in Lenin, Collected Works Vol.30, p.195. This is also cited in Dov Bing ‘Lenin and Sneevliet: The Origins of belong to the ANC or any other alliance mobilising the people in various sectors the Theory of Colonial Revolution in the Dutch East partner, as well as the private sector, are of society, and searching for answers to Indies’, New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies, 11, 1 June 2009, p 162 brought to book. the challenges facing the country and 4 Dov Bing ‘Lenin and Sneevliet: The Origins of the It is important to note that the its people. In the process, the alliance Theory of Colonial Revolution in the Dutch East Indies’, New Zealand Journal of Asian Studies, 11, 1 influence of private capital also manifests must ensure that its components are not June 2009, p 162 5 Ibid. itself in the structures and organisational dragged into divisive internal battles at 6 Ibid, p 171Dov Bing at 171 processes of the ANC and its alliance the expense of the core constituencies 7 These words of Lenin at the Second Congress of the Comintern are cited in ‘Communists in national partners. The ANC, in its documents, and the revolution. The alliance has to liberation movements – a talk dedicated to the life and has identified the very serious negative be vigilant and “… continue to search work of Ruth First’. 8 Dov Bing, op cit p 163 impact on the movement of the use of for better ways to respond to the new 9 Peter Mackintosh “Is the Communist Party Programme money to lobby for positions of power challenges”35 facing the alliance and the still valid?” African Communist (No. 109 1987 second quarter) p 41 and influence. revolution. Splitting the alliance will not 10 This is a resolution which was adopted by the Executive Committee of the Communist International There are some business people be in the interest of any of the alliance subsequent to the 6th Comintern Congress. who join the ANC merely to advance components. 11 Comrade Mzala ‘Revolutionary Theory on the national question in South Africa’ in Maria van Diepen (ed) their business interests. Others Each component of the alliance is (1988) The National question in South Africa bribe members at various levels of supposed to respect the right of other 12 Ibid. 13 Ibid. the organisation to push for some components “to discuss and arrive at 14 , “Celebrating 90 years of heroic and positions that will ultimately benefit their decisions on how they seek to persistent struggle for liberation”, African Communist, September 2011, p 4 36 them. However, there are many other pursue their strategic objectives.” We 15 Kgalema Motlanthe “The Alliance: Brothers in arms” African Communist, Issue No. 185, First Quarter 2013, patriotic business people who support must identify, expose and condemn to p12 the movement with finances to enable the political wilderness all those who are 16 Blade Nzimande, op cit, p 5 17 James Ngculu ‘African Leadership and African it to advance a people’s cause because responsible for destroying the alliance and Nationalism’ in Umrabulo, November 2004. they firmly believe in the cause we its components from within by, among 18 Speech of O R Tambo on the occasion of the anniversary of the SACP in London, July 1981 pursue. other things, promoting factionalism, 19 Former President – Opening address at There are even allegations that purging certain members, neglecting the 2007 National Policy Conference of the ANC. 20 Joe Slovo ‘How the tripartite alliance works’ Mayibuye some union leaders mobilise resources interests of their core constituencies or Vol.2 number 3, 1991 21 Ibid. from capital for their lobbying and prioritising personal agendas which are 22 Address delivered by the then Deputy President promise to tone down workers’ distinct from the interests of the motive and current President of the ANC, , at the National Congress of the National Union of radicalism. forces of the revolution. Mineworkers on 24 May 2006. All is not gloom and doom. There Despite the challenges, the alliance 23 Bua Komanisi, Vol.5, Issue No.1, May 2006, p8 24 Ibid. are many ANC and alliance cadres, has not yet reached the state of total 25 Joe Slovo ‘The South African Working Class and the political leaders and functionaries as paralysis. Revolutionary theory teaches National Democratic Revolution’, 1988; cited in Nqobizitha Mlilo ‘The Tripartite Alliance-going back to well as public servants who remain us to understand the dual character of basics; who should lead the Alliance?’ 26 Programme of the SACP which was adopted in 1962 honest and committed to advancing the the challenges facing an organisation. and published in African Communist in 1963 revolutionary process. It helps us to appreciate that, while the 27 Nqobizitha Mlilo ‘The Tripartite Alliance-going back to basics; who should lead the Alliance?’ challenges may be disruptive to the 28 Ngoako Ramatlhodi “What constitutes the strategic Can we say “the alliance is still alliance and its programmes, they also political centre?”, ANC Today, 22 January 2010 29 Thando Ntlemeza ‘Towards the Second Decade of relevant”? provide enlightening lessons about the Freedom: Analysing the State and dynamics of Class There are numerous critics, both contradictions within the alliance and its Struggles in South Africa’ (Unpublished paper); also see ‘Unity in Action: A discussion document on the from the left and the right of the components and how best to respond Programme and Organisational Challenges facing the tripartite Alliance’ (October 1998), Umrabulo No.6 p political spectrum, who assert that to and resolve these very contradictions. 4 the alliance has failed to deliver on its As and when we deliberate on the 30 Blade Nzimande ‘Celebrating 90 years of heroic and persistent struggle for liberation’, African Communist, policy undertakings and mandates. The strategic and tactical responses to the September 2011, p 4 broad movement also faces serious challenges facing the alliance and its 31 ANC Strategy and Tactics, 2007, p 10. 32 Preface to the Mafikeng Strategy and Tactics challenges from breakaways such as the components, we must understand 33 Joe Slovo ‘How the tripartite alliance works’ in EFF, NUMSA and the projected United that on our mere desire or will to Mayibuye, Vol. 2 No 3. p 26 34 Charles Tilly ‘The analysis of counter revolution’, Front. change things are not more History and Theory, (1963), Vol. 3, pp30 – 58. 35 “Corruption – the challenge to good governance: A While challenges may have important than the actual conditions South African perspective” in The International Journal weakened the alliance, this does not that should be changed.37 Neither of Public Sector Management, Vol. 17, No.7, 2004, 586 - 605 mean that the alliance is irrelevant. must we over-estimate the strength 36 ANC 52nd National Conference 2007 – Resolutions at A weakened organisation should of the forces that seek to destabilise para 65 be distinguished from an irrelevant the alliance to the extent of mistaking 37 Dialego “Philosophy and Class Struggle”, 1975

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