* I

heryl Carolus on chocolates, sunny skies & women's rights

Unravelling the IMF Tackling media monopolies Investigating social contracts Restoring the land ommunism in India WORK IN PROGRESS EDITORIAL March-April 1992 No 81 WELCOME TO the new design of specifically devoted to urban de­ i Published by the Southern WiP\ velopment issues. African Research Service The white referendum has This time there is more good (SARS) come and gone. But certain news. WIP is on the verge of PO Box 32716 Braamfomein 2017 things remain — like the town­ merging with We iv Era, the Cape ship violence, slumlord exploita­ Town-based magazine that re­ 2nd Floor tion, unilateral economic rest ru c- cently underwent an exciting Auckland House turing, IMF machinations, Ciskei facelift. The merged publication Cnr Smit and Biccard Streets repression, gender discrimina­ will draw on the strengths of both Braamfontein tion. These, and other issues, are magazines, as can be seen with Johannesburg 2001 addressed in this issue of WIP. this issue already. Phone: (011)403-1912 We also look at continued So — help beat the media Fax: (011)403-2534 domination of the mass media by monopolies and subscribe now! a few white, middle-class males. Managing Editor DEVAN PILLA Y While we welcome the Yes vote, STAFF CHANGES SABC and newspaper media bias SARS' manager, Paul Maseko, Writers against the No vote does not nec­ has left us to join Idasa in Durban. KERRY CULLINAN essarily mean a bias in favour of We wish Paul every success in GLENDA DANIELS democracy. It is a bias in favour the heat of Natal! MBULELO MDLEDLE of the interests of big business, SARS is pleased to welcome Research Assistant at home and abroad. Michael Herman as our produc­ MOS1TO RAPHELA In future non-racial elections, tion editor. Michael comes from the ANC and others who strive to Cape Town, where he worked for Office Manager represent the interests of the Intec College. KHOSE MVABASA poor and down-trodden can ex­ Our editor, Devan Pillay, is Administrator pect similar treatment from the now managing editor. SIBONGILE THOMBENI mainstream media. Unless dras­ tic measures are taken soon to CORRECTIONS Sales and Distribution correct this imbalance, 'free and We apologise for the following KENOSI SENG ATI fair' elections will remain a farce. LAWRENCE NTSAMAI missing credits in WIP 80: I The alternative press plays a Cover pictures & p1: Shariff Design & layout vital role in tipping the balance Picture p8 top: ANC DIP Adli Jacobs (ever-so-slightly) the other way. Pictures p5 & p17: Third Eye Despite thefunding squeeze, and Story (Muslims) p35: Africa Logos the hostile market-place, we in­ Information Afrique (AIA) Manic Designs tend to continue playing our role In WIP 79, page 33 (Farm Cover picture of in creating a culture of democ­ schools) the reference should Cheryl Carolus racy. read: Copies of the original pa­ Anna Zieminski To this end WIP is slowly per can be obtained from Adele changing. Last time we intro­ Cover picture of Gordan at the National Institute demonstrator duced you to our exciting new of Personell Research, Braam­ Abdul Shariff \ venture Reconstruct, which is fontein. • CONTENTS

LETTERS 2 BRIEFS 4 FOCUS: TRANSITION POLITICS Political theatre 7 ktoeletsi Mht'ki A hollow victory 8 j ftufHwt Taylor Ciskei campaign 9 \ Claire Kwum MEDIA SABC: still a government pawn 10 I Bronuyn AViw*Young Press monopoly 12 Eric hum SPEAKING PERSONALLY Cheryl Carolus 14 j Incompetent Monetary Fatcats The IMF's recent economic report on SA is shoddy and GENDER j predictable, argues PATRICK BOND — PAGES 28-29 Briefs 16 National Women's Coalition 17 Shrila Meou/es FOCUS: INNER CITY •*@&V -n Media Monopolies Is media bias in the white referendum Flatlands of misfortune 18 ! Mbulefo Mdledle campaign a preview of what the liberation movement can expect in Hospital of Horror 20 ! Mhulelo Mdledle future democratic elections? — RECONSTRUCT CENTRE j PAGES 10-13 OPINION PiC ABDUL 5HAnitF Hands off civics! 21 Mzwatielr Mayekisu LABOUR j Briefs 22 j Social contract 23 Inner-city Glenda Daniels i blues.... RURAL ! : Hillbrow's black residents Direct action to restore land 26 battle with landlords and Haraltl Winkler security guards at home and ECONOMICS in hospital — PAGES 18-20 IMF report: 29 Patrick Boml : : INTERNATIONAL : Palestinians - sink or float? 30 1 Mark Taylor SACP Indian communists in power 32 j Wfrview with Sithamm Ye• Cidlintui PAGES 35-36 Women and war 38 j 9ff Anile r.\M>n LEFT BEHIND 40 etters

%

Africa's brain drain tive criticism is welcome. This will fa­ Socialism in one cilitate the recognition of past failures Most African people are not welcome in and encourage prosperity. country Harsh government policies have their motherland. This situation prevails In WIP 78 Zambia. Malawi. Zimba­ and underground political parties, have (Collected Works 21, p342). He said: bwe and Mozambique to the Union of also caused frustration among citizens, 'Uneven economic and political devel­ South Africa in search of employment. including elites such as lawyers, medical opment is an absolute law of capitalism. Today, people are still expatriated practitioners, social theorists, planners, Hence, the victory of socialism is pos­ into other states by their own countries* professors and others. sible first in several, even in one capital­ governments, to work earning a mini­ If true democracy like that in devel­ ist country alone.' mum wage. The bulk of the money ac­ oped countries were to be implemented, He also said elsewhere that the suc- crued from their labour is sent back home stability would prevail and we could cessof revolutions in economically back­ to contribute to the economy. Malawi is forge ahead in an effort to realize a true ward countries would be relatively easy, a country where workers have been con­ developed African continent. This will but it would be difficult to build social­ tracted to work as cheap labour in South restore humanity. ism in such countries. But In highly de­ African mines. veloped countries the success of revolu­ To change this state of affairs, most Luke Madidi tions would be difficult to achieve, but African governments should create true USA the building of socialism after such a democratic institutions where construc­ revolution would be easy. However, in view of the remarkable If you're into political economy, this book is for you. adherence to pre-revolutionary notions in post-socialist societies in Eastern Eu­ No prescriptions. No speculations about the rope, 1 think that it would take a long time future. Just hard analysis. for Americans to change their ideas. Lenin even envisaged that the build­ A must for the trade union ing of socialism in the Soviet Union might fail, in which case they would have leader, organiser, student to begin again. Let us hope that it will be soon. About democracy, while the prin­ of industrial relations ciple of accountability, transparency and and political economy. participation may be admirable, Lenin, Luxemburg and Castro, among others, ADDRESS: have maintained that the guarantee of PHAMBILl BOOKS democracy is that the people should be 22 PLEIN ST armed. Well, in South Africa, that is JOHANNESBURG 2001 happening even though the people are having to do it themselves. I I wish that people would study Lenin more thoroughly than they do. Many of Please send me copy(ies). Find enclosed a cheque Qor a j his concepts are under question in view postal order [ "las payment (please tick box). | of the Soviet Union's demise, but at least he provides a starting point for new con­ NAME | ceptions. [ David Kiison ADDRESS Harare Write to: The Editor Work in Progress P.O. Box 32716 Braamfonteln2017

2 WIP • NO. 81 briefs

Alexandra residents IP* flee hostel area

IN TEN days, since violence flared in Alexandra on 7 March, nine people have died, 256 have been injured and an esti­ mated 2 000 people have fled from homes near the Madala hostel. As a result, resi­ dents called a stayaway on 26 March, and march on the hostel. 'Here wc are better, more comfort­ able than near the hostel,' says Jacob Dibetso, one of those who fled from his home near Madala hostel and took refuge at Ikageng Primary School. Dibetso, 52, laments the effects of the violence pres­ ently tearing the township apart. His family is sharing a classroom with three other families. They are supplied with food by the Red Cross and sympathetic- business people. Three streets away at 10th Avenue. the effects of violence are more devastat­ ing. Nine families have been accommo­ dated at the Presbyterian church. The Houses vacated by the residents are alleged to floor is filled with furniture. Families are have been taken over by Inkatha supporters divided by wardrobes and kitchen suites. Mary Selala, 32, is at the church with FUNERAL SPARKS women were killed and houses were her husband and two children. She can­ VIOLENCE looted. People then started to leave the not go to work as every day she must The local ANC secretary, Obed Bapela, hostel area which, they say, was declared escort her daughters to and from school, and local Inkatha chairperson Simon an "Inkatha village'. which is near the hostel. Her elder daugh­ Nxumalo, agree that violence flared On 13 March, Alexandra was de­ ter, Mpho, II, is suffering from psycho­ around attempts to bury Inkatha member clared an unrest area. On 14 March, logical disturbances caused by the vio­ Thokozane Xaba. Xaba is alleged to have Nxumalo and Inkatha regional leader lence, say doctors at the local clinic. been killed over a girlfriend in a nearby Humphrey Ndlovu reached an agreement nightclub. He was to have been buried on with police that the Inkatha members Selala shares the agony with her 7 March. would leave their weapons at the hostel mother. Martha Ramaisa, 51, who is also during the funeral. But Inkatha members at the church. Ramaisa's house is next to According to Nxumalo, Inkatha refused to leave their weapons behind. the hostel. She has seen people dying at members were frustrated on 7 March the hands of hostel inmates. She has, she when the undertaker brought the wrong Inkatha members shot at police from says, called police many times when corpse. After the right corpse had been the hostel, and police then surrounded people were attacked. 'Police will either found, the funeral procession went up the hostel and refused to allow the fu­ turn up late or not at all.' she says, adding 16lh Avenue. According to the ANC, neral to go ahead. Nxumalo and Ndlovu that she had an Inkatha membership card Inkatha members in the procession later acknowledged to the media that forced on her. stabbed a man to death, after which some­ they could not control their members, one fired on the procession. Nxumalo while residents claim many of the hostel By 21 March, 583 families had noti­ says an Inkatha member was shot dead dwellers were drunk. fied the ANC's Alexandra office that first. they had moved. Twelve centres in the Houses vacated by the residents are •uburbs are accommodating Alexandra In any event, after the shooting the alleged to have been taken over by Inkatha supporters. Meanwhile, at the time of ttudents. residents and furniture. funeral was postponed to the following Saturday, 14 March. On their way back to going to press, Xaba's body was still The peace committee, of which the the hostel, Inkatha members attacked lying in a mortuary, after three weeks. Q ANC, Azapo and the PAC are part, is also residents. Those near the hostel were told frying to get refugees and furniture to be they would pay for what had happened at — Mosito Raphela •ccommodaied at the police station and 16th Avenue. According to the ANC, two council office.

APRIL 1992 • WIP 3 Tshepi Lengwati, 24, was the last of fore his death, claiming that he would be The Vaal killings the four to die. He died on 27 January, safer in prison. Peens was also the last after being shot 17 times while in police person to see Lengwati alive when he continue custody. Lengwali had been handcuffed fetched him from the prison hours before at the time of his death and all 17 bullets he w*"- shot dead. THIRTY TWO years have passed since penetrated him from the front. Accord­ meanwhile, eyewitnesses claim that police shot dead 69 protestors in Sharp- ing to police. Lengwati was shot by an two 21-year-old men, Rangwani Lifiedi eville, yel Vaal residents arc slill being attacker while travelling in a police ve­ and Thabo Moscbi. were shot dead by mowed down — often in mysterious cir­ hicle in Sharpeville. police on 24 January, The eyewitnesses cumstances. A policeman investigating the case claim that the two were killed during a On 22 March, Saul Tsotctsi — an showed a Sunday paper the bullet-ridden raid on a Sharpeville home, A handgre­ SACP PWV regional executive member police vehicle. On investigation, it was nade w'as allegedly placed in Lifiedi's and chairperson of the ANC's Evaton found that the vehicle's number plate — hand and arms were planted in the gar* branch — died in a handgrenade explo­ NHD0I7T — was false. Van Deventer den. sion. While police claim Tsotctsi died by said the use of false number plates was Lifiedi's brother claimed in an affi­ his own hand, the SACP says he was contrary to police policy, and the matter davit that Constable Marumo had ar­ killed after being attacked by five men. would be investigated. He later said that rested him a week before the raid, and Before Tsotetsi's death, an unem­ 'sometimes it is necessary, in the nature asked him where his brother Ephrahim ployed man claimed in a statement to the of some investigations, that the SAP (Rangwani) was. Marumo allegedly said Independent Board for Inquiry into In­ makes use of other plates', but that this he would hunt Lifiedi down. formal Repression (IB1IR) thai he had was 'strictly controlled'. According to Van Deventer, the two been recruited to inform on the activities Shortly before his death. Lengwati had thrown a grenade at SAP members of ANC and SACP members. The man had laid an assault charge against the then had died instantly after the police­ was specifically lold to 'gel close to* officer investigating his case. Sergeant men had shot at them. Zl Tsotetsi, a former Robben Islander, He Pedro Peens. Peens had opposed was also told of attacks planned on Vaal Lengwati's bail application a week be­ — Kerrv Cullimut ANC leaders' homes. The man was recruited by someone called 'Oupa\ who lived in Sebokeng's Extension I. Oupa said he worked for the Transvaal Provincial Administration. In another sinister incident, a young man — Doctor Motsitsi — was found dead outside his relative's home on 10 March. Motsitsi was an eyewitness to the murder of his friend* Andries Molcbatsi. Sharpeville rally — Motsitsi claimed Molebatsi was shot dead 32 years after the by Constable Skuta Marumoon I March massacre, Vaal residents are sttll after the policeman had followed the two being mowed down. from a party. Marumo had then allegedly threatened Motsitsi before his death. tigating officer. Captain Frank Dutton. The SAP's public relations officer in Cops face there has been a police 'cover-up* of the the Vaal, Captain Piet van Deventer, said murder raps incident. Dutton himself has been threat police did nol dispute lhal Marumo had ened for uncovering the role Of the SAP shoi Molebatsi, but that the policeman in the killings. had acted in self-defence after being FOURTEEN POLICEMEN are presently Meanwhile one of the accused. Cap attacked by three people* While the mat­ facing murder charges in Natal, and the lain Brian Mitchell, has made some star­ ter was still being investigated, there was attorney general is considering charging tling revelations to the court. Mitchell. "little evidence lo suggest the contrary*, seven others for their role in the nccklae- who says his confession was prompted by said Van Deventer. ing of a Marianhill activist. his conversion to Christianity, claims Meanwhile, lour of the seven people Of the 14, six riot policemen have that he told special constables to kill suspected of robbery and killing a police­ been charged with kidnapping and mur­ UDF members in Trust Feeds. man in Vanderbijlpark on 30 December, dering a man named Moboneni Jama He also said that the special con­ have been shot dead. One man was alleg­ near Elandskop. Seven others are facing stables acted as a 'back up* for Inkatha edly killed while fleeing from the scene 11 counts of murder arising from the warlord Jerome Gabela. who wanted to of the incident, another died in a shoot­ deaths of activists in the Trust Feeds area eliminate the UDF. The case is continu­ out with police in Soweto and two others outside Pietermaritzburg some years ago, ing in the Pietermaritzburg supreme court* died in police custody. According to the Trust Feeds inves­ — Kerry Cullinan

4 Wir • NO. 81 SCTUrftBTTT of rico

ZAMBIA ZAMBIA Mixed reaction to Women claim the hour Chiluba's first budget CLAIMING WOMEN have been 'de­ nied the hour' in the recent political ZAMB1ANS HAVE responded (villi changes in Zambia, women's groups arc mixed feelings tn the llrsl budget in a supporting women candidates to help multi-party stale after 27 years of one- them win seals in local government elec­ pud) rule* tions. In the new ZKVtU billion I5W2 bud- gel- which finance minister Emmanuel Aspiring women candidates arc learning how to devise campaign strate­ Kasondc presented to parliament on 31 gies, handle media interviews and file January, the kwacha has been devalued nomination papers for civic elections, by about 30$ and is now pegged at expected countrywide in the nexi lew ZKI25 t*» one American dollar. months. Kasonde said Zambia would move The National Women's Lobby Group towards the market exchange rale over the next >ear. As inflation subsided, a and the Young Women's Christian Asso­ stock exchange would be >et up and a ciation have prepared trainers and prom­ secondary market for bonds developed ised some financial support to women and new currency units would be intro­ candidates, regardless of their party af­ duced, he added. filiation. Zambian women represent 53^f of The budget is expected to halt de­ the population and 5l'tf of 'he eligible cline in real Gross Domestic Product voters. But only seven women won seats (GPP) in the economy and achieve a in the country's 150-member parliament, moderate rate of growth in 1992. Il aims Frederick Chiluba greets supporters ; and no woman was on the lis! of cabinet lo limit growth in money supply to around * ministers later announced by President 25$: reduce overspending anil restore unrest in the country's major towns as • Frederick Chiluba. medical and education services. workers try to adjust 10 the new economic ; Earlier in his tenure. Chiluba came Many Zambiuns predict industrial scenario^ - AIA *< rocusof**r«»c* • under fire after telling a church congre­ a< **•**••••** t, ** ». ••••.,•* » lltttittfttl* *****ii*fM II , - *,..* gation that 'women should submit to TANZANIA NAMIBIA their husbands'. - AIA

Women are Gays let old laws .*..•**..»«•»* «#•••**•• casualties of IMF plan go unchallenged THE EDUCATION cost-sharing pack­ GAY PEOPLE lost a golden opportunity MOZAMBIQUE age implemented last month as part of the lo make Namibia's already progressive Preparing for the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) constitution truly revolutionary. economic recovery programme is set to Members of Namibia's homosexual Olympic Games have a far-flung effect on the provision of community blame SwflpO for not ensur­ WHILE THE ODDS are against them, education « and women will be the major ing that gay rights were enshrined in the this has failed to dampen the spirits of the casualties. constitution* Bui the complete absence Mo/ambican swimmers and athletes Until recently, Tanzania was one of of a debate about homosexual rights preparing to represent their country few countries where education provision should be blamed. at the Olympic Games in Barcelona was the responsibility of the stale. But Like in South Africa, gays can be this year. with the IMF and World Bank sponsored prosecuted in terms of Namibia's as yet Hopes rest mainly on swimmer Maria economic recovery programme, the cost unamended Criminal Procedure Act- And Matolu. IV. who came 5th in the women's of meeting education and other social recently the deputy minister of informa­ XOO metres at the World Athletic cham­ services has been shifted to parents. And tion and broadcasting* Daniel Tjon- pionships in Tokyo last August, with a tradition oriented towards men, garero« asked the Numibian press to Matola is currently training in the parents are more likely to fund their sons" Uphold standards by not printing por­ USA. but other athletes and swimmers education than their daughters. nography or promoting Nazism, bes­ arc not so fortunate. They are preparing Students and parents argue that al­ tiality or sodomy. under pitiful conditions. The only pool in though they were nol paying directly for Strangely, the brand-new labour bill Maputo is half an Olympic size and has education, they paid indirectly through currently being debated in parliament little chlorine. There are only two run­ taxes. They argue that il the government stipulates that no one can be dismissed on ning tracks for Maputo's estimated 1.5 feels parents should now fool education the basis of 'sexual orientation, family million residents, and neither have a sur­ costs tuxes should be reduced* * AIA responsibilities or disability*. - AIA face for runners. - AIA

APRIL 1992 • WIP 5 7k& w&ibl (^ BaUi M'altida.

THAT'S 62 7O OF \JO^Jf'rHAr PuJ* H/M UP THERE W/TH M% Of THSADULT GQ020 AUD V\ANGOP£ foPUi A7I0 N.... BR**- I MAKE IT OV£R AS A feoPUS L£AJ>ER! NiN£ PERCENT...,

«^ fttfcM*

6 WIP • NO. 81 FOCUS •transition politics Political th ...to maintain white rule liv MOELKTSI MBEKl

ow thai FW de Klerk and his Na­ was theatre designed to make ihe *ver- doing what the liberation movement does tional Party have pulled off their ligie" feel good about their 'generosity" not want il to do. but not strong enough to N well-planned and exquisitely ex­ towards their less fortunate black breth­ make the present ruling class do what the ecuted high-wire stunt Ihoxc with weak ren, while losing nothing by so doing. liberation movement wants it lo do. The stomachs can return to their normal lives, The 'yes* vote was therefore yet another converse is equally true. ifSUCh a thing is possible in South Africa. expression of white paternalism. We therefore have a classical politi­ The fact thai there was never a chance of As in all cases of paternalism, [he cal stalemate that liberal, bourgeois de­ the NP losing the referendum, and even referendum assured the whiles — most mocracy has evolved to resolve* What is if the impossible did happen and they whites — that nothing will change in this even more important. South Africa has tumbled, ihere were several invisible country unless they agree lo it changing. not only the political conditions but also safety nets 10 break ihe fall- Put simply, the referendum reassured the the social conditions 10 make liberal, So was the whole referendum exer­ whites that they are the ruling class and bourgeois democracy possible. cise nothing but pure political theatre? that IX* Klerk is working to keep things During his recent visit to Johannes­ The answer is yes. though not wholly. that way. though with some modifica­ burg, former Zambian president Dr Ken­ tions. neth Kaunda pointed out thai the multi- WHITE PATERNALISM De Klerk's 11 principles, which he parly system — both a cornerstone and The referendum revealed nothing not drove home relentlessly throughout the building block of liberal, bourgeois de­ already established by the September referendum campaign, are about main­ mocracy — failed in independent Africa. 1989 elections about white opinion on taining the whites as a ruling class wiih The reason is that Africa did not have a reform and power-sharing- That election the addition of a significant element of well enough established system of class showed that Afrikaners are more or less the black elite. The II principles will, division to anchor Ihe multi-party sys­ evenly divided between die-hard disciples however, ensure that this addition does tem. of apartheid and middle class *verligtes", nol affect the interests, life styles and But South Africa is u peculiarity in English-speakers, give or take a Derby- privileges of whites, Africa in that it does have a fairly mature Lewis, are predominantly 'verligte*. social stratification or class division. If you add Afrikaner and English STALEMATE There are all the social classes that con­ verligtes*. you gel a guaranteed *yes* This brings us to the nub of the South stitute a capitalist society* An equally vote for reform of a power-sharing vari­ African political equation. The broad striking feature of our country is that the ety. De Klerk knew this, which was why liberation movement is strong enough to peasantry and upper classes associated the referendum was largely theatre. II stop the white regime and it^ allies from with them are absent

APRIL 1992 WIP 7 THE NEW WORLD It is often said that Souih Africa is a A hollow victory combination Of Ihe First and Third World, On the surface, this may he how the The referendum served to reinforce a sense of group identity among country looks. However South Africa used to be seen as pan of the New World whites, and did nothing to build the non-racialism needed for the future along with North ;md South America, the South Africa, argues RUPERT TAYLOR. Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. Vast hordes abandoned their homes in western and northern Europe and crossed ihe oceans in pursuit of install! wealth in the New World. Kven in more recent times, large numbers of people like Frncst Oppenheimer and Cecil Rhodes were Mill emigrating from F,u- 0* Klerk's rope to find their fortunes in the New victory oes World. not mag that the book The reason lor the mass exodus from on iprthtld Kurope was largely due to the introduc­ tion of a capitalist system there from ihe 15th eenturv onwards, which created POLITICAL ANALYSTS predicted that the focused on white fears and self-interest. something that had never existed before contest between the National Parly (NP), Instead of trying to stress a bright, non- in human history: a surplus population. 1 Democratic Party (DP) and the Conservative racial future, the yes campaign emphasised However, these "surplus' people Parly (CP) would be close. the negative consequences of a 'no' majority. could not simply occupy the New World No one predicted the landslide yes* vic­ Particular focus was placed on the interna­ since these lands were already inhabited- tory, yet the patterns in the 17 March referen­ tional implications of a 'no* vote. So the indigenous people were slaugh­ dum were similar to those established by the Through a multi-million rand media blitz, tered. 1989 whites-only election and the 1983 fat- promoted by Saatchi & Saatchi, Ihe yes* cam­ This is what distinguished ihe colo­ cameral referendum. The 1989 election paign focused on stark pictures of the AWB, nial world — later renamed the Third showed a 37% difference between the same swastikas, empty factories, overgrown cricket World — from the New World. In the two contenders- This referendum gave a 38% pitches and deserted Formula 1 race tracks. colonial world, the indigenous peoples difference. As with the 1983 referendum, the Where were the pictures portraying a and their economies were exploited, hul only area in this referendum to say no' was spirit of non-racialism? Why were there no ihey survived- In the New World, the Pietersburg. pictures ot Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk indigenous populations were destroyed. In this context then, the landslide vic­ shaking hands? The fact that it is not only An important difference thus emerged tory' should have been predicted. Clearly the whites that watch television and read newspa­ between the colonial world and the New string ol CP by-electwn victories since 1989 pers seemed totally irrelevant to the yes" World. In the New World, a new eco­ worked to mislead voting projections. The strategy. nomic system — capitalism — look root. experts failed to see the by-elections as once* Thus, not just the form of the referendum, In the colonial world, the economic sys­ off events influenced by local factors and but also its content clearly revealed that the tems of those lands were undermined b\ protest voting. NP still sees South Africa in terms of race. plunder and to this day are still reeling But although the CP was defeated, it In his victory speech, De Klerk declared; from the effects. received an almost 30% increase in votes in 1 think there is an element of justice that we What has all this to do with the while comparison to the September 1989 whites- (whites) who started this long chapter in our referendum and Codesa? The answer is a only election. history were called on to close the book of great deal. It defines the parameters of In Ihe broader sense, though, the result apartheid*. change in South Africa. is a hollow victory. What the white referendum Crucially the referendum assured many Whatever the eventual outcome ol did was to provide a ready-made vehicle for voters of their 'white* identity being protected the political negotiations, the socio-eco­ the promotion of racism. As the whole issue in a new constitution, as well as enabling the nomic system of South Africa will re­ was conducted on a 'whites-only' basis, it not far right to solidify their Utopian vision of white main capitalist. What the implications of only gave space to those to the right of the NP supremacy. This is diametrically opposed to this are going to be. especially for the to articulate their racism, but it ensured that what a non-racial democratic South Africa liberation movement, is ihe million rand non-racialism would be downplayed. demands. And it means that the 'book of question of South Africa today. Q The racial form of the referendum worked apartheid' is far from closed. • to reinforce group identity amongst whites. — MocletSi Mhrki is CQ$Q1U*$ haul of — Rupert Taylor teaches politics at Wits Uni­ The 'no' campaign focused on the CP's vision communication* of a white nadon while the 'yes' campaign versity HH BORDER ANC'scampaign for democracy in the Ciskei, sec-saw­ T ing between the confrontational and the more polite, has highlighted (he differences between national and regional agendas in the organisation* National leadership, anxious to avoid rocking the boat of negotiation politics, ANC national in a quandary intervened more than once to have the campaign toned down. By CLAIRE KEETON But in the region, patience with the regime of Brigadier Oupa Gqozo has geared up to fight The day national and National Peace Accord. He had been long been exhausted, and grassroots ac­ regional leaders met to revise the cam­ facingembarrassingquestions in the peace tivists were left severely demoralised by paign, people were picketing in Alice and committee on his security legislation. the national office's intervention. Peddie/ said a senior regional activist Ironically, Gqozo signed the Na­ The campaign was to include a 'ref­ Nor is Border isolated. The Eastern tional Peace Accord on the same day that erendum* on whether there should be an Cape and Transkei have promised to the Ciskei withdrew* from the regional interim administration in the territory back Border and there is also talk of dispute resolution committee. and a 'symbolic* occupation of Bisho. It activists in other bantustans launching 'It is a public relations exercise/ was to culminate in the announcement of their own campaigns. said Numsa regional secretary, Enoch a people's assembly by ANC president ANC national spokesperson Saki Godongwana. 'Gqozo likes to portray Nelson Mandela on 3 April* Macozoma denies thai ANC national had the image of a reasonable man and na­ But at South African-broke red talks clamped down on Border's programme tional leadership has reinforced this im­ in Pretoria, the ANC agreed to 'review* Of action. pression/ its campaign in return for the Ciskei 'We may have different strategies, Concern that Gqozo is using Codesa agreeing to review aspects of its security but the regions have a fair amount of to prop up his precarious position is legislation. autonomy and we believe Border has a widespread in the region. This was exac­ A day later, however. Border ANC right to protest against the Ciskei govern­ erbated when Gqozo, backed by ban­ announced the launch of the campaign, ment/ he says. tustan leaders like Gatsha Buthelezi. de­ from which plans to defy repressive laws But it is not the first time that differ­ manded that Codesa be suspended until and the occupation of Bisho had been ences have emerged between national the ANC stopped its campaign against him. dropped. The following day. a delegation ANC and Border activists. Mandela's Daily Dispatch news editor Patrick from the ANC s national office flew down contact with Gqozo at the height of Goodenough commented that the media to East London. After lengthy talks, an­ Ciskei's state of emergency last year also outcry over the campaign overlooked the other revision to the campaign was an­ caused unhappiness. central issue — that Gqozo was negotiat­ nounced* It would now be part of a na­ Border ANC is aware that the need to ing at Codesa without a mandate. J tional campaign for an interim government. tread carefully with Ciskei in national negotiations could weaken its programme mews TENSIONS RISING of action in the region. Since then, however, tensions have con­ 'But the need for negotiators to thrash tinued to rise. Ciskei announced it would out some compromise in the negotiations not change the controversial Section 43 should not undermine their constituen­ of its National Security Act. and went to cies.* says Mike Kenyon, fieldworkerfor court to obtain an interdict against the the Grahamstown Rural Committee, ANC. At a rally last weekend* there was which does extensive work in Ciskei. a call for the Ciskei to be made ungovern­ able. Regional publicity secretary Marion MEDIA SYMPATHY Sparg also said she had been leargassed Tension in the region has been fuelled by by Ciskei police on Sharpeville Day. Ciskei's attempts to extract maximum It seems that despite interventions mileage from the issue. The episode won by the national leadership, grassroots the bantustan sympathy in the media and anger is driving the campaign into a more gave it a presence on the national stage. confrontational mode, fuelled also by Gqozo also used the issue to with­ Ciskei's own behaviour. draw from the regional peace structures, But the curtailment of the campaign claiming the ANC had acted aga demoralised branches, as they had been organised to 'get rid of Gqozo*. Oupa Gqozo — a Codesa without a 'People are disappointed. They were mandate

P*C ELWOltD JtrAKE|OVKAV>C (WAGtS^ still a government pawn

BRONWYN KEENE-YOUNG monitored the SABC-TVs coverage of the white referendum, and found that the public service is still a pawn of the National Party

HE SABC defends lis political in­ undertake its new role within the param­ tegrity by maintaining that its eters of the apartheid amnesia created by T policy of 'impartiality* is affirmed the government. The 'new' SABC dis­ by the daily criticism it receives from all covered it was possible to provide cover­ sections of the political spectrum. How­ age of the left wing while maintaining the ever, as its coverage of the white referen­ view of the National Parly as the founda­ dum campaign illustrates, the SABC con­ tion of the new South Africa. tinues to act as a National Party pawn* The manner in which it dealt with ils referendum schizophrenia is indicative SCHIZOPHRENIA of a certain ideological desperation. In SABC television's coverage of the the absence of an informed viewing pub­ whites-only referendum campaign was lic, the SABC had to rely on the super­ an indication of the ideological dilem­ hero status which it has afforded De mas facing TV I as a 'white* channel. Klerk. While it continued to highlight De Klerk Much of the news time spent on the as the initiaior and navigator of the nego­ 'yes' campaign revolved around empha­ tiations process, its formerly adverse dis­ sising De Klerk's personal affinity with me SABC has maintained the view ot the NP as position towards the ANC and the SACP the white population. Reports of him the foundation ol the new SA. necessitated a particular 'yes* strategy. "receiving a hero's welcome', and of the The SABC was disadvantaged by its crowds 'pushing each other to get closer of South Africa's return to international own 'total onslaught' policy, success­ to him', were thus not uncommon. respectability. fully used by the National Party for so The coverage of the 'yes* campaign A conspicuous example was his re- many years. The unbanning of leftwing was always presented as a list of De sounding 'yes' message to the South organisations required a more enlight­ Klerk's daily activities, including joking African cricket learn after their victory ened attitude by SABC news. However, with toddlers, presenting awards and against Australia — a lengthy filmed no effort was made to redress the myths morning tea with the aged. By contrast. telephone conversation to the SA cap­ perpetuated in the mind of the white coverage of the "no' campaign merely tain, conveniently recorded in both offi­ viewer. involved much shorter extracts of ad­ cial languages so as lo be appropriate for This was not an oversight on the part dresses made by the Conservative Party the 6pm and 8pm news broadcasts. of the SABC It was a clear attempt to and its allies. PK THIRD EYE However, lhe SABC's referendum TOWNSHIP VIOLENCE bias was more subtly portrayed in its DOWNPLAYED treatment of issues which were not im­ However, the SABC's coverage of town­ mediate to the campaign. From the time ship violence during this period provides the referendum was announced, TV 1 news the clearest illustration of its referendum daily listed countries lhat were waiting to dilemmas. In the past, allegations of a engage in South African trade and invest­ third force, or SADF involvement in ment in the event of a 'yes' vote. It broad­ destabilisation. has always been insuffi­ cast interviews with numerous diplomats ciently covered by TV news. and international figures, all of whom Recently, daily newspapers carried praised De Klerk's reform initiatives and reports of the Goldstone Commission warned of the dire consequences of a 'no' and witnesses' allegations that the SADF vote. was implicated in political destabilisa­ The SABC also took every opportu­ tion. However, the commission was only SABC's Johan Pretorius — the SABC Insists reported in TV I news on the occasion ol r/iaf it is impartial- nity to present De Klerk as the exponent

10 WIP * NO 81 QMPH'C MWQ»4£ASL£"E* ihc PAC'S Clarence Makweiu refusing to give evidence on violent actions by Apia, During the first weeks of the referen­ dum campaign, the SABC played down the issue of township violence by insert­ ing it as late as possible in the news bulletin. However, when the escalation was significantly linked to the referen­ dum, n became increasingly difficult to ignore. TV I news then began lo couple items on township violence with acts of rightwing terrorism. Initially, this was not intended 10 imply rightwing involve­ ment in the townships: rather, it seemed an attempt to condemn 'radicalism* in any form. However, on Friday 13 March. Al­ exandra and Sharpeville were declared unrest areas. Most newspapers carried reports of a conceded attempt to encour­ age a 'no* vote through organised chaos. In the 8pm news broadcast, the SABC came the closest ever lo admitting ihc existence of a third force, without actu­ ally staling it. The first item on the news was the violence in Alexandra, This was directly followed by a report on the bomb explo­ sions at National Party offices. Immedi­ ately alter the report, the newsreader staled that the National Party believed that the violence over the last lew days was a lactic of the Conservative Parly* standsheweging. The signing of the non- active political awareness campaign in UNCERTAINTY ABOUT BLACK aggression pact was given limited lime the broadcasting news services. This, ISSUES* and atleniion by TV I, reported near the however, is not in the interests of the This ambiguous portrayal Of township end of a news broadcast. SABC clearly government, and therefore of the SABC. r violence was part of a broader uncer­ would not allow it to be used as a CP The manner in which the National tainty as to the representation of 'black argument for Zulu support in the referen­ Party propaganda laager was used during issues' during ihc referendum period. dum. However, a subsequent broadcast the referendum campaign provides valu­ This manifested itself most blatantly in gave prominence to Buthele/i's emphatic able insight into the threat which the the lack of newstime given to the progress denial of the pad and his support of a SABC poses to future democratic elec­ of Codesa working groups. 'yes* vote in the referendum. tions. As long as the current structure of It was also evident in various minor Perhaps TVI's split status as both a the SABC remains unchanged, it will omissions. One such example was a re­ white' channel and a medium of the new* Continue to present De Klerk as both the port on the dramatic response by the South Africa is not as irreconcilable as saviour of white South Africa and the ANCs Steve Tshwete to the South Afri­ the referendum coverage seemed to indi­ sole determinant of Codesa. U can cricket victory over Australia. News­ cate. It appears to have resolved its di­ papers and commercial radio widely lemma by portraying De Klerk and his — Brottwyn Kftne^Ycung does media quoted Tshwete as saying that he had reform initiatives as the single directive research at Wits Universitx never shed a tear on Robben Island, but within the negotiations process. In this had cried three times during the match. way, il continues to keep white viewers TVTs news report conspicuously omit­ within an acceptable frame of ignorance ted any reference to Robben Island! while appearing lo enable free political expression. A more important issue which had crucial implications for the 4ycs* vote After years of National Party disin­ was the relationship between the lnkatha formation, intervention in public igno­ Freedom Party and the Afrikaner Weer- rance will only be achieved through an & -a & 0\ W" H ' What press monopoly?

Blatant press bias during lications in proportion to the proven size crets securely lodged behind the closed of constituencies. Underpinning this doors of Mahogany Row in the key media the white referendum campaign scheme would be a fund, created by the organisations. is an ominous foretaste of what state, to pay for media diversity. However, some of the commercial The ANC's Media Charter proposes media's thinking and counter-strategis- the opposition movement entrenching freedom of speech in a new ing has emerged inlo the public domain. can expect in future constitution and Bill of Rights. However, Leading advertising executive Reg democratic elections — it notes *a declaration of media freedoms La scans' rather strident opposition to the on its own is not enough. It has to be proposal for a mixed economy media especially if 'liberal* media underpinned by an equitable distribution model for South Africa provides some interests remain hostile to of media resources, development pro* insight into ihe paranoia felt by the free grammes and a deliberate effort to en­ marketeers. Lascaris* argument is simple: any moves to ensure media gender a culture of open debate. In our I work in the media. I understand the diversity. ERIC LOUW society, this also implies a measure of media and I know there are no problems examines their responses affirmative action to redress Ihe injus­ with the way a market-driven media op­ tices of apartheid/ erates. The issue of a mixed economy media His crude free market ideological system has now been placed firmly on Ihe position makes him incapable of distin­ DVERTISING CONTROL of commer­ agenda of the new South Africa. Re­ guishing between a proposal for a mixed cially oriented media in Soulh sponses from established media inter­ economy as opposed to an East Euro­ A Africa translates inlo an informa­ ests, however, have generally been hos­ pean-type centrally controlled command tion flow in favour of minority interests tile. economy. in society (see also WtP 80), For Lascaris a media subsidy system In 1990 the Rhodes Media Work­ SOCIALIST PLOT is simply another 'socialist plot'. He sees shop discussed the limitations of a "free The commercial media commanders are no structural flaws and distortions in the markel* media, and proposed the cre­ clearly deeply concerned their 'free mar­ market-driven media. ation of a media subsidy system designed ket* media will be tampered with. Pro­ lo ensure that all constituencies are guar­ posals for a mixed economy approach are CRITICISM MISINTERPRETED anteed access to a media of their choice. viewed as the thin edge of the wedge by Argus Group senior manager Peter Sulli­ The proposed subsidy system draws which 'socialist* control will be imposed van refuses to engage with the problems heavily upon ihe Dutch 'verzuiling* for­ onto ihe media industry. Most of ihe of a free market press — that is. the mula, which dispenses subsidies to pub­ discussions have remained in-house se­ emergence of press 'monopolies' and

12 WIP • NO 81 'market censorship*. He is pedantic 4 rigging, ol course, became a tavounie over ihe term 'monopoly*. No editor strategy in South Africa with both the Sullivan misinterprets criticism parastatal and the private sector. Only of the way in which the commercial running a profit- when the Argus Group implements this press has curtailed information flow. strategy will it become possible to say He suggests (hut a 'capitalist con­ driven medium can whether the 'restructuring' represents a spiracy' is implied. But those propos­ afford to alienate real exercise in change or whether it is ing a mixed economy approach have just another exercise in tokenism. merely suggested that market forces those with inherently steer a market-driven me­ URGENT STEPS NEEDED dia towards greater and greater con­ diposable income/ The transition lo a democratic South centration of ownership (monopoly?). Africa requires diversity of print media Further, 'editorial independence" voices. Codesa will hopefully take seri­ within a market media system is pre­ sidy system- ously ihe proposal to appoint a task group scribed because the market automati­ Tyson proposed that the commercial to examine the issue of press diversity. cally imposes limitations upon the edi­ media create an independent media trust This issue is given greater urgency tors. In simple terms, no editor running a which could provide seed money to help by the present financial plight of the profit-driven medium can afford to alien­ struggling media ventures off the ground. country's small alternative press, given ate those with disposable income (a mi­ Tyson is, however, silent about how to the imminent withdrawal of overseas nority in our society). To alienate this overcome the longer-term structural prob­ funding for these projects. minority would be to lose the advertising lems faced by media serving an audience From leftwing media practitioners life-line. This inherently skews the world- unattractive to advertisers. and theorists we need workable propos­ view presented by a market-driven me- Tyson also offered assistance lo the als on the restructuring of the South dia. alternative press at the Rhodes Work­ African press system, a press subsidy Sullivan cites the existence of six shop. His liberal agenda is clearly lo model and debate on the advisability or major metropolitan dailies in Johannes­ prevent the state from making any in­ otherwise of formulating anti-monopoly burg as proof of a healthy 'competitive* roads into the print media realm, because legislation aimed at the media sector. J press situation. But this is a competition this might lead lo bureaucratic interfer­ over who gets the profits, not a competi­ ence in Ihe print media. — Eric Louw is based at the Centre for tion over editorial content. In the wake of Tyson's offer, some Cultural & Media Studies. Natal Both Argus and Times Media Lim­ limited assistance has been forthcoming University. Sources ited (TML) represent the same narrow from the Argus Group, such as in the % sectional interests; their news practices cases of the Weekly Mail and Vrye Week- Lascaris. R (1991) A Pox on Your reduce information to profit and promote hlaii However, to date, Tyson's prom­ Taxes*. Rhodes Journal Review. No 2, June / Louw. £(/90/J The Growth of the liberal free-enterprise ideology which ises have been more rhetorical than real. Monopoly Control of the South African so neatly services the needs of mining- Is the commercial media waiting to see Press' A review Discussion Paper in finance-capilal. From the point of view how serious the threat of a state-run Rhodes Journalism Review, No 2. June of news content it is irrelevant who wins subsidy is before actually committing f99Kpp I 12/Louw, E(!99t) And in this battle. itself? this Corner. A Reply to Ren Lascaris * If we are to reform our press (or Ai least one of the press groups is Rhodes Journalism Review, No 3t media) system so that it caters for all the also known lo have held high-level dis­ December 1991. pp 49-50 / Sullivan. P interests in our society* we need to start cussions on how to deal with the leftwing f!99l) 'Monopoly Slwtonopoly*. A 1 Review Discussion Paper in Rhodes by abandoning Sullivan's assumption that 'threat to tamper with the free market Journalism Review, No 2. June I99L a liberal press can speak for everyone in media model* The Argus Group put to­ society. A liberal press is well placed to gether an in-house task group drawn from serve liberals. Those who are not liberals senior staffers. At least two strategies need their own press. appear to have been seriously debated. One concerned an imagined threat LIBERAL AGENDA of 'nationalisation*. The proposal was to Argus Group Board member Harvey break up the Argus Group and sell off the Tyson's response has been more sophis­ constituent newspapers. However, since ticated. In an address lo the Free, Fair it has become clear thai nationalisation and Open Media Conference early this of ihe press is not a serious leftwing year, he recognised that each interest agenda item, this scheme seems lo have group in society needed its own media- been dropped. voice. He further recognised that certain The second proposal was to make sectors of society would be denied that the Board of Directors more 'representa­ voice without some form of media sub- tive'. From I99| onwards this board-

APRIL 1992 • WIP 13 speaking personally

One song that gives you goose flesh? In fact there are two. One is "The first lime ever I saw your face' by Roberta Flack, and the other is •Summertime' by Ella Fit/gerald. What physical exercise do you do? I run. Complete this sentence: If I were a dictator for a day ...... I would ban meetings, nuclear bombs and speeches that lake longer than live minutes. And I would ban spinach.

Is it difficult to be a woman on the ANC NEC? Yes. it is. Women the world over have to perform twice as well before they are taken seriously, especially in poli­ tics. Men arir allowed to get away with mediocrity, but women are expected to always be exceptional. Your least favourite politician? 1 am not sure whether it is Ronald or Nancy Reagan. Cheryl Favourite TV show? 'Golden Girls', if ever I have lime lo watch it. What would you change about yourself? My lack of faith in people to do anything properly or competently, and Your first thought this morning? What do you no longer believe in? much belter than I would do. That I can change everything in the Does my chairing of (he session at What do you miss most about your world. ihe education summit clash with ihe in­ childhood? put I have to give as the opening address What animal best characterises you and My father's pot of soup on a Satur­ to the health conference? why? day. He would start cooking very early in The second thing you did this morning? I cannot think of one but it must be the morning, cook it all the day and onl\ I watered the garden. the animal that loves life in the sun; that allow us to eat late in the afternoon. Il loves water. became a social institution for family ami Who cooks and cleans in your home? friends. Whoever comes home first cooks. A crocodile, perhaps? That includes squatters. And with clean­ (A roar of laughter) But definitely What makes you feel secure? ing we take turns, but anyone who has not PW. die Groot Krokodil. My electric blanket when I am tired time can do it. What is the best thing about living in on a cold, stormy winter night. Your favourite meal? Johannesburg? Your biggest fear? Good bean curry and chocolate Kippies and the sunsets (because of Whether we are going lo be able t" mousse ihe pollution). run the sewerage system and the trains od Tell us your favourite Carolus joke. Your ta.ourite city and why? lime in the new South Africa. I am afraid you are not going to be C.ipe Town. It is so friendly and has Favourite cliche? able to print it) mountains and sea. "Whether you like it or not. the real­ Any addictions? Your biggest regret? ity out there is .„'. Someone was saying Chocolate. Not having enough time to be very that to me this morning. active in women's organisations. What or who would you die for? Complete this sentence: I think Ma­ No one or nothing! Forget it. I am Your favourite pop artist? donna is... into living. Mango Groove. ... very dangerous because in her

14 WIP • NO 81 songs she seems lo be romanticising vio­ South Africans should have been part of Do you smoke? lence against women as something sexy the team, pan of the victory. No. rather an ex-smoker. and just pari ol' sex life. An experience or image that for you Should WIP carry cigarette or alcohol And South African idiom or expression? sums up SA? ads? Ag, sies man! Black women looking after white No. I don't think we should promote children. Blacks arc hated and regarded substances that arc harmful. Ads always What is the worst job in the world? as incompetent yet they are entrusted romanticise smoking and drinking. They Being the president of ANC or head with the lives and minds of the future! often project women as sex objects. of the Department of Economics. Imag­ ine the expectations of the people. Imag­ Who do you reveal your secrets to? What do you think of WIP? ine their disappointment when their ex­ No one [emphatically]. 1 think it is nice. WIP has been trying pectations are not realised. What chore do you dislike most? to contribute to debates as well as giving A secret desire? Drying the dishes. constructive criticism. To be able to surf really well. Should employers be allowed to have A music Instrument you'd most want to Your happiest moment? workers tested for Aids? be able to play? When Nelson Mandela walked free. No. The way to deal with Aids is not Definitely a saxophone. I still get goose flesh when I think of it. to victimise people. It is to accept that The person you most want to meet? We all just wept and wept. Aids is a threat to all of us. Domitilla. the woman of the book What do you feel about green issues? When was the last time you used public 'Lei me speak". transport? Very important- But I am still wor­ Why? Oh! Some 10 days ago. ried that we are not placing green issues Her thoughts were an inspiration to high enough on the agenda. What makes you feel guilty? many women like myself. Through her If you were not a political leader, what When I insist that I need a break and own experiences, her oppression as part would you be doing? I then see the schedules of older com­ of the working class and as a woman, she ] would be a forester in Knysna. or rades like Ray Alexander. Walter Sisulu. got involved in women's organisation. the Amazon. Madiba and others. She was imprisoned, tortured, harassed, and even called a communist bitch. What does FW get for Easter? And accomplished? A free weekend for two in Phola When I manage to clear my desk Who should answer this questionnaire Park. (looking at the overflowing table]. next? Nelson Mandela. U And Carolus? Complete: At the end of a hard day, I...... switch on an Klla Fitzgerald tape A big. big dark chocolate Easter — Mosito Raphelo asked the questions. bunny. and do my garden. Who is the apple of your eye? Walter Sisulu [spontaneously!. Your favourite place in Africa? There is a place in Lesotho called Sani Pass. It is very high with ihe most magnificent views. If hell were a place, where would it be on a South African map? There is a place called Hondeklip- pies Baai, on the north west coast of South Africa near Namaqualand. The water is terrible and there is no transport •here. There is no work, only hardship. And If heaven were a place? The Wii His River. I think you should go there as well H°w did you feel when South Africa beat AWralia at cricket? The win was great, but what spoilt il "Wine was that stupid Hag of while South Africa, and the wish that more black OlC •'.'.' „' ;V *5*l APRIL 1992 • WIP 15 ender

Women want of the police force; the role of the media special mechanisms to redress ihc prob­ and violence discussed in Codesa, all had lem.' representation at to be looked at from a gender perspective, The ANCWL's suggests that Codesa Codesa "Do ihey facilitate or further inhibit forms a gender advisory committee. The the participation of women in the politi­ committee would receive all documenta­ THE ANC Women's League (ANCWL) cal process, or do they just preserve the tion from the Working Groups of Codesa, is determined that women are represented status quo which already mitigates against review the gender implications of such at Codesa, because it believes that its women's participation?' she asked. documents, and return them to the work­ working groups have implications for The League has rejected the 'solu­ ing groups for amendment. women. tion* proposed by Codesa's management *Our conception is that this working 'Our task is to ensure that the prin­ committee that political parties include committee would say: if you're looking ciples of non-sexism and equality, women in their delegations, at this issue — then this is what Ihe adopted in Codesa's Declaration of In­ 'We feel this response denies the gender implication will be,* said the tent, are institutionalised in (he transition fact that gender oppression is actually ANCWL's Frene Ginwala. She stressed to a democratic South Africa/the League structured in society and permeates all that the League did not sec such a com­ said in a press statement recently. aspects of life* We cannot rely on politi­ mittee as a 'special interest group'* be­ To this end. the League has made cal parties to deal with (he situation. To cause *we represent the majority of South written representations to Codesa which solve this dilemma we need to create Africans*. J outline in detail sonic of their objectives* PiC* ELUQftO JIYANE •DYNAMIC tMACESt The point* according to the AN­ ANCMdi 4W CWL, is to ensure that women partici­ pate in the political process and are part of drawing up a new constitution. So far, Codesa is a male-dominated body. Only three ANC women are involved in work­ ing groups, but their power is limited as ANCWYL: Codesa they only have advisory status, needs a gender Mavivi Manzini* executive member advisory committee. Mavivi Manzini, Of the ANCWL* said that the exercise of Feroza Adams and civil liberties; the Peace Accord; the role Frene Ginwala lace Ihe press (L-Bf,

said the League's Feroza Adams. She International said it was a time to enjoy, socialise and Black Sash Women's Day celebrate and not be bogged down with National Conference the usual Sunday activities of cooking, cleaning and caring for children, SOUTH AFRICAN women celebrated Adams said there was music and AT ITS national conference in March, International Women's Day on 8 March singing and the interaction among women •he Black Sash called on Codesa to set up by focusing on political, educational and was wonderful, (see also page 5) • a women's rights review committee drawn social activities in the different regions from the parties represented at Codesa. and on the coalition of women to form the — all reports by Gletulu Daniels This would examine the effects of Women's Charier, a spokesperson for the working groups' brief on women: the ANCWL said. direct the working groups of Codesa to­ She said the original plan was to wards issues of particular importance for have a cultural arts festival, but because women; investigate how Codesa's deci­ of a lack of time the event has been sions affect women, and make appropri postponed to9 August, National Women's ate recommendations and work oui Day, mechanisms by which these would be­ ANCWL executive committee mem­ come binding on Codesa. ber Thandi Modise said some regions had The Black Sash also called for a workshops, but often (hey did not go off formal commission to inquire into the well because of poor attendance. This present law on abortion and implementa­ was because women 'were still taking tion. The members of the commission orders' from certain quarters (men) not to should be appointed for their special attend. knowledge of women's health; commit­ 'Freedom of Movement' was the ment to non-racialism and non-sexism theme for the celebrations in Soweto, and their experience in or openness to interfaith dialogue and relations. J

16 WIP NO 81 Dilemm er the Women's National Coalition By SHEILA ME1NTJES

HE MOST, VITAL and far-reaching change in South Africa is in the political arena, specifically through T Codesa. In order to intersect with this process and have an impact on the decisions made about a transition to a democratic South Africa, a national coalition of women's organisations was formed late last year. The Women's National Coalition (WNC) was formed on 27 September 1991, after women from about 40 women's Gill Noero, a member of the Democratic Party's Women's organisations met at the initiative of the ANC Women's Forum and chairperson of the Women's Bureau, Southern League, to discuss women's equality and the new South Transvaal Region, is a driving force in the WNC, She argues African constitution. that because of the voluntary nature of the Interim National Committee, the workshop will be important to establish ac­ COMMON INTERESTS countability. The WNC has found common interests and concerns in a Traditional discussion forums and deliberative bodies number of crucial areas, such as: have always excluded women — this is no way forward for a * gender oppression, which is conceived of as the subor­ new South Africa,' added Noero. dination of women, affects all South African women; * the fundamental changes taking place in South African WOMEN'S LOBBY society must eliminate not only racism, but also sexism. But the coalition is not the only alliance of organisations The WNC also sees it as important to encourage women to concerned with women's human rights. In late 1991, the participate fully in the negotiation process. Women's Legal Status Committee (WLSC) called a meeting The ANC's Frene Ginwala, in her address to the Septem­ to form a Women's Lobby to lobby leaders in the media, ber inauguration, said: 'Women will have to make sure that Ihe politics and business about women's concerns for the future constitution goes beyond a ritualistic commitment to equality South Africa. and actually lays the basis for effective gender equality/ The Some argue that such an organisation should concentrate coalition agrees that women themselves will have to make sure on assisting the WNC to publicise and raise awareness about that the new constitution provides for this. the campaign for women's human rights* Ginwala suggested that 'we need to make sure that South But in its newsletter, the WLSC argues that one needs to Africa is explicitly characterised as non-sexist as well as non- distinguish between two kinds of issues—'societal or national racial'. This would give priority to non-sexism where there issues that include the constitution' and 'women's issues based might be a conflict of rights. She also suggested that the state on women's biological functions and society's attitudes to should be responsible for ensuring that women's equality is women'. The WLSC argues that the focus of the coalition enforced. would confine lobbying to women's issues and strongly advo­ The coalition recognises that in countries where declara­ cates a broader view. tions about women's equality are not accompanied by proper There does not appear to be a contradiction in the objec­ protective mechanisms, women's human rights become a dead tives of the two organisations, however. The WLSC and other letter. organisations in the Women's Lobby have also joined the It has agreed on a campaign to formulate a 'Woman's coalition. Charter* and to 'secure acceptance of such a charter as an The struggle against the male-dominated political process integral part of the new South African constitution'. in South Africa needs the support of all women and women's A |4-person voluntary task force, the Interim National organisations in the country if it is to achieve non-sexism, both Committee, has been sel up to broaden (he coalition, and to in the constitution and in society. make it as representative of South African women as possible. As Frene Ginwala said: 'Women must start thinking about It also has to clarify the objectives, terms of reference, getting women into the constituent assembly or whatever final process and structures of the coalition. The committee has constitution-making body is agreed. If we elect a body domi- called a national workshop of the regional representatives and nated by patriarchal men, then all our efforts will be in vain/ national women's organisations to discuss these questions, and • effectively launch the Women's Charter Campaign nationally. — Sheila Meintjes teaches Politics at Wits University

APRIL 1992 • WIP 17 FOCUS ^^^H inner city

Flatland of misfortllll

Apartheid mentality still dominates in Hillhrow as a fierce war between landlords and tenants rages on. MBULELO MDLEDLE probes some of the tension points.

*iC TSt^GyQuAyutJ vcvi oi HILLBROW'S flatland — beth Xosa and Ivy Nkomo — supported which was one of Ihe first areas lo by a host of affidavits by other tenants — M become "grey' during the era of an interdict was served on the two men the notorious Group Areas Act — has restraining them from denying the appli­ now become a slum under the rule of cants or their invited guests access to the tough landlords. This flatland* once a block of fiats. hive of social activity, is now a battle* The case arose from an incident on field as tension mounts between land­ the evening of 2 October. 1991. Armed lords and tenants. Lately. Ihe municipal­ security guards prevented Nkomo. who ity and financial houses have joined the earns her living as a hawker, from shift­ war in pursuit of monies owed lo them by ing her vegetables to her flat. landlords. Gone are the days when tenants used MOTHER LOCKED OUT to succumb to the rule of landlords in the Van Loggerenbcrg Jnr refused to let Hillbrow area. Tenants have their own Nkomo leave the building, saying he was civic organisation, Actstop, to protect sick and tired of her going in and out. He them against exploitation and other un­ also refused to let her mother into the fair practices by landlords. building as he 'did not like her face\ As a counter to Actstop, landlords Nkomo4s mother, who had come to have grouped themselves under the um­ Tenants' belongings lie strewn in the corridor at Johannesburg from northern Natal, was brella of the Organisation for the Protec­ Waldorl Heights — they were accused ol not forced to sleep in bus shelters until the tion of Properly Owners of South Africa paying rent court interdict preventing the Van Log- (Oppossa), a no-nonsense organisation worked for two years* Every corridor of gerenbergsfrom harassing her was served. manned by landlords in collaboration the 12 storey building has the stench of One of the most serious charges fac­ with security companies. uncollected garbage. There are leaks, ing Van Loggcrenberg Jnr is that of rape, Grievances from tenants and land­ dampness and vermin. Electricity was which police say they are still investigat­ lords are similar throughout the flatland, cut off in 1990, while the gas supply was ing. The alleged rape victim is a tenant at Tenants complain of dilapidated, squalid disconnected in July last year. As a result Waldorf Heights. conditions and curfews. Landlords com­ of the disrepair, tenants resolved in Au­ In a affidavit to the Supreme Court, plain that their properties are being de­ gust last year to withhold payments to Van Loggcrenberg Snr confirmed that stroyed by tenants through over-crowd­ Data Investments, the company owning his son had been identified by the alleged ing, shebeens operating from the flats, the block of flats. victim as the rapist, and he and his son drug dealing, crime, and a failure to pay According to Matthew Chaskalson, were arrested and spent the night at Hill- rent. They also complain about the 'revo­ an attorney who has been handling the brow Police Station. lutionary spirit* of Actstop. block's cases for the last two years, the Some landlords, however, have a conflict is the product of the Group Areas CRESTHILL particularly hostile relationship with their Act. As black tenants were 'illegal', they At another trouble spot. Cresthill, a 14- lentants — as in the case of Waldorf had no say and had to contend with storey block in Pieterse Street, the situa­ Heights. whatever landlords were offering. tion is more complicated. Since 1991 the The father and son duet. Peet Van block has been co-owned by former mili­ WALDORF HEIGHTS Loggerenbcrg Senior and Peet Van Log- tary intelligence officer Nico Basson. At Waldorf Heights, the bone of conten­ gerenberg Junior, have been served with who caused a stir last year when he tion is the appalling conditions, and a interdicts from the Johannesburg Supreme revealed De Klerk's deslabilisation father and son team allegedly hired for Court restraining them from harassing agenda in Namibia and South Africa (sec their strong-arm approach to 'solving' and attacking tenants. WIP 79). issues. After a Supreme Court case brought Tenants have not been impressed Elevators in this block have not against the Van Loggerenbcrgs by Eliza­ with Basson's anti-government creden-

18 WIP • NO.81 \

F*Z ISECC VQHftMHEQ

lials. He has been accused of evicting They were simply trying to deal with tenants, and forming a management com­ 'massive debts and overdrafts caused by mittee which was not affiliated to Act- the rent boycotts*, stop. After winning a substantial number Basson concedes, however, that some of tenants to his side, Basson barred landlords think 'white' and their objec­ Actslop from holding meetings in the tive is to maximise profits at the expense block. of their tenants. But even John Nkhata, chairperson He claims Cresthill has a R2.5-mil- of (he management committee, says that lion overdraft caused by rent boycotts. most of the tenants* grievances are legiti­ He says rents will have to be increased to mate. He claims Basson conducted the cover arrears, claiming that he owes the management committee elections* at municipality R300,000 for electricity. which tenants were not allowed to nomi­ Cresthill — after intense battles, tenants are Despite the deep mistrust that con­ nate candidates. now considering buying the building. tinues to exist between Actstop and Bas­ Nkhata says the committee has never son, the two sides are negotiating. This is functioned as Basson did not consult left the premises. Since that day. Red in stark contrast to the situation in places with it, and that the 'whole episode* had Heart Security Services has taken control like Waldorf Heights. become an embarrassment to committee of the block. An executive member of Actstop. members as they shared the same griev­ On 13 March, two white men in a Steve Modise, has met Basson, who ances as tenants. blue Nissan bakkie with registration num­ agreed to drop charges against Wayne. Basson also offered to improve se­ bers PNR363T came to the flats to 'ar­ He has also agreed to allow Actstop curity. But one of the results of the 'im­ rest* Wayne. They are alleged to have officials access to the building. proved security* was that each tenant had handcuffed him and taken him off. How­ On 18 March the Actstop executive to carry an identity document to prove ever, a fellow tenant. Elvis Phakathi in­ and Crestview committee members met that he/she was a bona fide resident. tervened. After a scuffle, both Wayne with Basson lo try and resolve the crisis. He also put in a number of foreign and Elvis ended up at Hillbrow police They agreed that the tenants should con­ security guards on the 13th floor of the station, sider buying the block of flats, and that building. These people, according to Some Actstop members followed the Basson gives them an income and expen­ Actstop assistant general secretary Viv­ van to the police station while others diture statement. Basson feels that the ian Klaas, were used as bodyguards and contacted lawyers. Wayne was then re­ Anglo-American Corporation might fi­ to intimidate rent defaulters by Basson, leased later on bail of RI50 without nance such a venture. 3 According to Basson, the men came from having seen a magistrate. Zimbabwe and Zambia and have since left his employ, ANC SUPPORTER A curfew on tenants, imposed by Tenants allege that Basson claimed to be Basson, has also infuriated tenants. No an ANC member. This was denied by the visitors were allowed between I Opm and Hillbrow-Bcrea branch of the ANC. The 8am. Another complaint was that Basson ANC's head of security, Terror Lekota. charged rent per individual, not accord­ said Basson*s only relationship with the ing to a flat's size. ANC was that he had revealed to the On 7 March, there was a demonstra­ organisation FW de Klerk's destabilisa- tion after Cresthill tenants were told rents tion campaign in Namibia and South would be increased from R320 for a Africa. bachelor flat to R400. One bedroomed Basson denies that he claimed to be flats went up from R420 to R520. Twelve an ANC member. He says he is an ANC flats were also to be leased to companies supporter, and had been advised not to while another 12 were to be converted seek membership at the moment. into a hotel, they were also told. Basson says the massive unemploy* Tenants marched to Basson's office ment rate is the main cause of the prob­ to demand an explanation, but he called lems in the area. He claims that landlords the police. The women then toyi-toyied are not like the government that people outside the fiat. Meanwhile, security have been fighting for all these years. guards allegedly locked a tenant known only as Wayne in a glass cubicle. When 9 Basson failed to open the cubicle, the tenants smashed it to free the man. 3 Actstop member and resident, On 9 March, Basson is alleged to Joyce Tamane — keeping a watchful eye on landlords. have loaded up his office furniture and

APRIL 1992 WIP 19 Nehawu's demand for a commission of Hospital of inquiry and thai Pro-Active's services should be suspended immediately. In her correspondence, Mrs De Klerk uses the letterheads of Pro-Active. How­ ever, she told WIP that she was not pari of ihe company. The superinlcndent of Nepotism and apathy seem to rule at Hillbrow Hospital the hospital, Dr Trevor Frankish, ex­ as security guards allegedly beat up staff members and plained that the use of Pro-Active letter­ patients, reports MBULELO MDLEDLE heads was a form of advertising Mike all companies" do.

illbrow Hospital, which falls un The union also alleges that De Klerk BEATINGS der ihe Transvaal Provincial Ad promoted his wife to become a sectional The reportedly 'vicious* Pro-Active se­ H ministration (TPA), is allegedly head although she is 'under-qualified curity guards are causing an outcry being run along prison lines, with secu­ and less experienced*. amongst staff members. Both staff and rity guards acting as policemen. After appeals by Nehawu for a com­ patients claim to have been beaten in the The De Klerks — a father, mother mission of inquiry, the TPA has decided hospital's basement. and son team — have reportedly en­ to investigate. According lo Elsabe Fer- One of their alleged victims is Vusi trenched themselves at the hospital. Frans reira, the TPA's public relations officer, Ndlovu, who says he was beaten up by de Klerk, the father, is deputy director of one of their officials will conduct a week- security guards on 4 December last year the hospital and a senior member of the long investigation and give a reportback after a quarrel in the casually ward. hospitals disciplinary committee. The to Nehawu. If the De Klerks are found to According to a Nehawu shop stew­ mother, Elizabeth, is the chief adminis­ be at fault, official action will be taken. ard. Siphiwe Mabaso, the second victim, tration clerk, while their son. Japic. man­ But Nehawu is not happy with the David Moyo, was a patient suffering ages the feared Pro-Active security steps laken by the TPA, as the union from neurological problems. He was guards. wanted to be part of a commission of beaten up for refusing to take his treat­ enquiry. It accused the TPA of 'covering ment. It is alleged that after Moyo re­ NEHAWU MEMORANDUM for (its) fellow white brothers' and 'in- fused treatment, the security guards were According to a memorandum to the di­ sensitivity to the problems experienced called and they took him to ihe basement rector-general of Transvaal Hospital Ser­ by the workers and patients in this hospi­ where he was beaten unconscious. vices by the National Education. Health tal An eyewitness. Richard Gosa. said and Allied Workers Union (Nchawu), An official of the SA Health Work­ in a sworn statement lo a hospital matron Frans de Klerk 'influenced the granting ers* Congress. Dr Aslam Dasoo, said the that, on 15 January, a man known as Du of a tender to Pro-Active (security firm), attacks on staff and patients by the secu­ Plessis. accompanied by two black secu­ which is more expensive than that of the rity guards were 'racially motivated and rity guards and a white security guard, more competitive Pritchard and Peace ethically wrong\ came to the basement dragging Moyo. Force Security Companies*. Dasoo said Sahwco supported Two were holding his legs and the other two were holding his hands. They banged his head on concrete pillars and then took him into an office. Gosa followed them and 'saw Du Plessis trampling on the patient's body repeatedly'. When Du Plessis saw Gosa, he told him to *f—- ofT. After some time. Richard saw doctors and nurses going into the same office. They emerged later carrying the unconscious Moyo on a stretcher. Moyo suffered multiple frac­ tures, A porter, Alfred Maluleke, also claims to have been beaten on 31 Decem­ ber 1991* He sustained a fractured pelvis in the assault. According to Frankish, the issue is 'dead'. When WIP asked him to qualif} his statement, he said it was *an old Is the hospital basement used as a chamber of horror? story*. •

20 WIP • NO.81 ; K.

feT *»• 1 * . PIC DVtlAVZ IMAGES A response to Blade Nzitnande Bv AfZWANELE MA YEKISO

HE LAUNCH ot the South African Na­ strong voices in the national policy debates, tional Civics Organisation (Sanco) informed by what happens in the township. For T in mid-March is an auspicious contribu­ example, the local political organisations must tion to the struggle for a firm civil society thai help their national office develop a policy that serves the working class. ensures 'housing is a right/ not a privilege for Within the current fluid political situation, the middle-class. local civics have needed self-confidence, stra­ Meanwhile, civics must maintain their in­ tegic co-ordination and protection from rival­ dependence and ability to fight for the rights of ries with political organisations. constituents of many political perspectives, But there is also a need for constant debate even if that is against a leading political party's with those comrades who display anti-civic short-term interests. tendencies like Cde Blade Nzimandc, who works with Cde Statements like those by Cdes Blade and Mpume play into Mpume Sikhosana. the hands of those who thrive on tensions between the ANC and In the current African Communist* they refer to *a rather civics. Some local ANC branches and civic locals aren't working hand in glove at present in Natal, the Eastern strange assumption: the notion that organs of civil society will Transvaal, and Alexandra, for example because one feels create democracy only if ihcy distance themselves from politi­ threatened by the other. It is no wonder the Natal Midlands cal organisations. And consequently for them democracy civics arc barely surviving because, tragically, they are under means civil society distancing itself* or disengaging from, the ferocious attack from Blade and others. state/ Another version of this position in the June 1991 issue of In the interests of our common progress, influential com­ Mayibuye suggests that the two comrades believe civics rades like Blade and Mpume must pay closer attention to the should actually cease to exist. positive aspects of civics and promote these. As top regional Cdes Blade and Mpume claim those who believe 'civics ANC leaders, they must be sure both sides of the debate are should lake up issues of rent, electricity, roads, etc., fall heard so their followers are well-informed. And they must help squarely within the strategy to separate the ANCfrom its mass the ANC address bread-and-butter issues as policies, not just haseS This should not be left unanswered. as local campaigns, and always in the interests of the grass­ roots. To begin with, the ANC is not alone in facing divide-and- rule tactics from the state and capital. The civics are under In this regard, the civics would only support political massive pressure. The slate works against us through violence, programmes by political organisations that benefit the grass­ while capital views civics as a communist plot against their for- roots, including the present Codesa negotiations, profit development interests. The article in question challenges the independence of We hear from the PAC, from Azapo, and of course from civil society, even in the future post-apartheid era. Many Inkatha, that we in the civic movement are puppets or at best people in the civic movement now believe if a national civic proxies of the ANC. So we are surprised to hear Cdes Blade organisation enters into any alliance, it should be with the and Mpume say WE SHOULD BE THE ANC. labour movement, not political parties. Cdes Blade and Mpume say when the ANC was banned, Nevertheless, it is with deep appreciation that the civic the civics were doing a good job. After unbanning, they say, the movement receives the support of many comrades from the civics should have become mere conveyor bells of ANC NEC of the ANC- But in view of the debate that is going on. programmes. perhaps now it is time for the NEC to make very clear the But when people are organised by the ANC to do some­ official position of the ANC on the question of the civic thing in the community (for example a clean-up campaign), movement and civil society. Q what role is there for the other political parties (PAC, Azapo. even Inkatha, which tried its own clean-up in Alexandra — Mzwanele Mayekiso writes as an individual, but is a recently)? Are they meant to have their own bread-and-butter member of the ANC as well as a member of the Alexander campaigns that are different from those of the civics? Civic Association. He is currently drafting a book on civics for Ravan Press. Of course, political organisations should maintain their

APRIL 1992 • WIP 21 labour

Other demands include a poverty 'UNCONTROLLED BUDGETDAY relief programme; a drought relief pro­ gramme aimed at all affected communi­ FREE MARKET 9 PROTESTS ties; equal pensions; equal education and HAUNTS US an end to unemployment. BUDGET DAY — March 18 — saw The tripartite alliance said in a state­ NOW THAT the 'Marxist Leninist fan­ thousands of workers around the country ment that the budget 'will do little for tasy that the all-pervasive tyranny of the marching in protest against unilateral social and economic progress1 as the communist world would usher in para­ government restructuring of the economy government had not specified how the dise* had vanished, the spectre of an aspaitofaCosatu-ANOSACP campaign. money allocated to social services, hous­ 'uncontrolled, unregulated free market* A memorandum was sent to Presi­ ing and education would be used. Q haunted the world. dent FW de Klerk and finance minister This is the view of the general secre­ Barend du Plessis to demand negotia­ •**£ ELM0**DJ*V«*£ tO*NAUtClU*GES tary of the International Confederation tions on important economic issues, an of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU), John interim government by June and a Con­ Vanderveken, speaking on the eve of the stituent Assembly by the end of the year- ICFTlTs 15th congress, held between 17 Workers are demanding that the gov­ and 24 March in Caracas. Venezuela. ernment bring down food prices and make 'What is fascinating about both ar­ changes to VAT — particularly exempt­ guments is their quasi-mystical aspect. ing basic foods, not just mealies, milk Both describe processes that seem to and samp from VAT. They are also de­ operate without human intervention. Both manding that there be no VAT on elec­ seem to be saying to people: don*t do tricity, water and medical services. something — sit there!* added Vander­ General secretary of Cosatu, Jay veken, Naidoo, said Cosatu did not intend using The only way to guarantee social mass aclion recklessly. Rather, the fed­ and economic progress is through politi­ eration was appealing to the government cal freedom/ he asserted, 'You cannot to enter into negotiations. contract out. nor can you trade off one for There are 16 million living below the other. This is one of the clearest the poverty line, he said, yet the govern­ messages of Ihe last 20 years, as wit­ ment behaves recklessly by stopping zero nessed by the economic catastrophe that ratings on basic foodstuffs. has befallen the developing world and 'We're giving the government the Central and Eastern Europe.* option to negotiate. If they fail to re­ Aside from building international spond, we will have to take mass action.' solidarity. Vanderveken said trade unions Naidoo said in a recent press conference. had a 'powerful role to play in protecting Cosatu and other organisations also the environment*, demanded that: 'Pollution does not respect national * defence spending be cut; boundaries, and only by working together * secret funding of Inkatha should internationally can we stop unscrupulous end; companies from seeking to evade poor * 'corrupt apartheid fat cats* should regulation by simply decamping to coun­ be retrenched, instead of workers. Cosatu demands: Bring down Ihe hod prices tries with lower standards.* J bnd make changes to Vat!

centre. It will likewise combine the Tem- represented a move towards self-suffi­ NACTU IS bisa and Johannesburg offices. ciency, as Nactu was reducing its depen­ ' RESTRUCTURING' Ngcukana said employing organis­ dency on international funding, 'While ers to service affiliates had proved to be Nactu will be leaner, it will be more inefficient and unproductive* Organisers effective/ Ngcukana said. AS A RESULT of 'rationalising and and offices would now be moved to indi­ The move to restructure *in these restructuring", some Nactu offices will vidual affiliates. new circumstances*, said Ngcukana. was be closed down, said the federation's The overheads of those offices will more in keeping with Cosatu's structure- general secietaiy, Cunningham Ngcukana. now be borne by those affiliates. We It thus appears that Nactu's restructuring Nactu plans to reduce its regional want affiliates to lake more responsibil­ will facilitate a merger between the two offices from 21 to II. It will, for ex­ ity and build structures so that Nactu can federations. Nactu is the second largest ample, have one office for Durban and play a co-ordinating role/ said Ngcukana. federation after Cosatu with some 250 000 Pietermaritzburg instead of one in each He added that the restructuring also members. Q

22 WIP • NO.81 Will labour agree to a

Organised labour has proposed the formation of a national economic negotiating forum (NENF) involving itself business and government to make policy on the economy. GLENDA DANIELS reports on the debates emerging in labour and business circles about the forum, and a social contract that may result

WOMPFTINGS bciwecn labour, rep­ would mean that issues such as the bud* nationsinvolveeompromisesonallsides. resented by Cosalu. Nadu and get, privatisation, larriff policies, VAT Some unionists fear lhat a social contract T FedsaL and business, represented and other taxes and retrenchments would may mean a setback lo workers in terms by Sacob. AHI. Fabeos, Nafeoc, Seilsa. have to be negotiated through the NENF of incomes and prices, a lack of indepen­ Saccola, Chamber of Mines and CBM, first before becoming law or state policy. dence from government and employer have been held this year. Both parlies Meanwhile, Nactu general secretary structures, and strike or picket restric­ have agreed that the formation of a NENF Cunningham Ngcukana does not think tions. is essential and urgent. So far, the state that entering into the NENF will mean But others feel that the union move* has refused to commit itself, as it seems that a social contract exists or is inevi­ menl has little choice hut to engage the to feel all negotiations should take place table. stale and business on economic ques­ at Codesa. *I view the forum not as a form of tions if real gains for the entire working Arising from the two meetings, an social contract, but rather as a forum to class are to be made. eight-aside working group consisting of deal with specific economic issues. For labour and business was set up. Its task is instance we don't know where pension NOT ENOUGH DEBATE? to identify areas of agreement and differ­ funds arc being invested and we intend lo For Chris Bonner, the Chemical Work­ ence between labour and business, and to find out/ ers* Industrial Union ICWIU) national try to get the slate to commit itself to the He says *you can*l agree with the education co-ordinator. there has not been NENF. process of negotiations and be opposed enough debate within Cosalu on either If the NENF succeeds in reaching lo the NENF. Also, when you enter into ihe NENF or social contracts. 'The fed­ consensus on how lo resolve areas of negotiations you know there will be corn- eration is certainly not ready to take a conflict, a social contract could arise promise. There might be agreement or stand on social contracts at this stage. involving the parties in an agreement. there might not be. In Nactu, we are not There is a reluctance to take on the debate talking of a social contract, but about because it could polarise the union move­ NENF 'VITAL' specific economic issues. A social con­ ment and people might adopt rigid posi­ tract is about wider issues'. tions. However, the debate must take ForCosatu.the formation of the NENF is place/ she adds. vital to stop the stale's unilateral restruc­ Ngcukana feels thai the government turing of the economy. It feels lhat all is noi yet involved because of 'fear* and In CWIU, workers started discuss­ economic issues should be discussed by 'not wanting to lose the prerogative* ing both issues before Cosatu's 1991 such a forum and agreements reached about future decision making. congress. However, says Bonner, the there before any changes are made. This As Ngcukana has pointed out. nego- social contract did not get discussed at

APRIL 1992 • WIP 23 *

(he congress, mainly because 'economic part of the system, he explains. tend not lodo things that will weaken that issues were pushed towards the end'. 'A social contract can, in content, particular government. This happened in She says economic negotiations comprise any set of variables. I would Britain and Sweden,' he says. could be interpreted as a social contract, characterise the LRA accord as a social He argues that trade unions can 'be­ 'but this is still very much up in the air contract which involved the major play­ come incorporated into state structures The problem is that it's not debated seri­ ers in the industrial field and the state, and can function as part of state control; ously. In some ways we've been dodging and in content didn't compromise unions there is a real danger of that happening a contentious issue1. in any way. In fact, it was to the benefit here, as it has happened in other countries/ Salim Vally, education officer of SA of unions,' says Schreiner. For Vally a social contract 'rescues Commercial, Catering and Allied Work­ Schreiner adds that 'the grand theo­ capitalism', and the union movement ers Union's (Saccawu) Johannesburg ries associated with social contracts have should instead concentrate on the Living branch, agrees that there has been little not extended down to grassroots, but the Wage Campaign, building strong work­ 'proper1 debate. He adds there is a big practical details of accords have been ing class organisations, democracy and difference between union leadership and debated and discussed'. working class struggle. workers. 'Even some union office bear­ Schreiner feels that perhaps there ers were not consulted about whether 'SERIOUS PROBLEMS' are people who want to debate about a there should be a NENFor not/ he claims. For Vally, who is also a member of lack of accountability of union leader­ But Geoff Schreiner, the National Workers' Organisation for Socialist Ac­ ship and unions being too compromising, Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) tion (Wosa), a social contract will mean bul have instead decided to seize upon national organiser, says the idea for a labour will have to compromise too much. the social contract as a way of raising NENF was first discussed in mid-1991 by The state, even if it is the ANC. will these issues. the National Campaigns Committee. A never be neutral in class terms. It will be He contends that business and unions recommendation endorsing the idea was bound by the capitalist framework within make agreements daily so he docs not see taken to Cosatu's national executive. The which it works. Social contracts cause why there should be a major distinction issue was then discussed over a period of demoralisation, demobilisation and divi­ made between the two. nine months. Initially there were indi­ sion among workers.' The one problem is that national viduals who were sceptical 'but now While Bonner agrees with this view agreements tend to be further away and there is strong endorsement of it, if one generally, her position is more flexible. more complex, and that's why report looks at how unanimous the decision was She believes that a social contract is backs and mandates have to be stressed at congress', says Schreiner. possible with a future stale if it has work­ so that rank and file can keep control over He believes that the concept of a ing class interests at heart. the process; of negotiations,' he says, social contract is misunderstood by some But Vally believes that 'the union He responds to Vally's comments by and disagrees thai (here has been a lack of movement must resist the idea of a social saying that the debate has become too debate. contract. It must be seen as a state-struc­ abstract. 'People look at the UK and 'There are a lot of different percep­ tured, class collaboration phenomenon Australia, and say that what they have tions of a social contract/ says Schreiner. which enforces union bureaucratisation there is a social accord, and if we have (a 'There is a tendency in South Africa to undermining democracy and account­ social accord or contract | here, then we try and fetishise the social contract.' One ability* The problem is that leadership will experience the same problems. But school of thought, he says, sees the con­ will have to collaborate with corporate we want concrete debates in South Af­ tract as a national agreement between structures*. rica. The questions are: Should we have a Peace Accord? Should we have an government, trade unions and employ­ Another problem for Vally is that it LRA? And so forth/ ers, focusing on wage restraint and prices will bring a loss of independence. and incomes policy* Those who charac­ 'Once there is an agreement, you terise a social contract in these terms are BENEFITS TO THE hostile to the idea, as it implies unions giving up important rights and becoming UNIONS? Bonner feels that 'at this stage' a social contract should not be considered. 'Work­ ers on the ground are just beginning to discuss the issue of the NENF, if at all/ During the VAT strike, she says, workers all said they were striking against VAT. They did not talk of the demand for a NENF. Vally says there could be 'temporary Does a social contract mean gains for a minority of organised sectors, gains lor a minority ol better paid workers — or can It deliver benefits to but these gains will be at the expense of the unemployed and society as a whole? the marginalised sectors, which would be detrimental'.

p*C V. WBAtO (DYNAMIC IWAGESl 24 WIP NO,81 Schreiner disagrees: The idea of a ise' the debate. Cosatu was mandated to approach capi­ prices and incomes policy doesn't hor­ 'Cosatu is trying to democratise tal and the state on this. But apparently rify me in principle, (envisage a situation South Africa politically and economi­ most unions did not realise the implica­ one may want to consider — wage re* cally, and therefore has to be involved in tions of thjs in terms of asocial contract, straint in return for social wage benefits ihe unfolding process: negotiations/ be says. he adds. 'Around the social contract, for the unemployed can be immensely For Ruiters, Schreiner's point that there was little debate. It is just starting progressive. Instead of Cosatu negotiat­ the LRA is a social contract is incorrect now and is still limited to union leadership/ ing on behalf of privileged workers only, because 'contracts have to involve the As the debate continues, the issue it can do so on behalf of everybody, whole society, not just capital and la­ will only become clearer when there is a 'National negotiations involving the bour*. common understanding about a social state and civil society are a good thing But he also does not agree with the contract. Q and should be encouraged. The idea of a view that the NENF compromises prin­ frC ABDUL SHABtEF strong civil society appeals to inc. I think ciples and policies Cosatu has always it will exercise some pressure on a future stood for. Instead, he says, it allows the state to operate in a democratic way/ he federation to have a say in such things as asserts. job losses, retrenchments and price in­ The NENF. Schreiner feels, will be creases, an interesting barometer of ANC*s future The NENF, he feels, is a tactical neces­ approach to civil society, sity — but not to harmonise relations between capital and labour. He adds that Cosatu is on TACTICAL NECESSITY record as saying the NENF is not a rescue For Tony Ruiters, Numsa's PWV re­ mission for capitalism. gional secretary, the positions adopted Ruiters agrees with Schreiner that Cosatu. Nactu and the ANC want a national by Bonner. Vally and Schreiner are too there has been debate around stopping economic torum to halt unilateral economic polarised. His solution is to "contextual- retrenchments and privatisation, and that restructuring

The state and big business short-term/ Accords, says Marsden, are 'incredibly im­ AT THIS STAGE, the state is making no signs of cant talk in terms of a fixed contract/ says portant for the economic life ol the community. An joining the NENF. Bethlehem. economic forum could work towards consensus Manpower minister Piet Marais told an Insli* To draw up a social accord between govern­ on issues, then seek practical ways to give effect tute (or Personnel Management meeting in Stel- ment, business and labour, Bethlehem says you to that consensus. Depending on the issue, this lenbosch in February that centralised forums had have (o have consensus about the important could require action from business, labour, gov­ retarded economic growth in Sweden, Italy and strategic objective of the economy. ernment or all three'. Belgium, so there was no reason to believe that it 'The purpose of a social accord is to gener­ She adds that, while there are obvious ben­ would work here. An economic forum established ate a common ownership of what has to be done efits to all parties, there are also costs. 'Co­ for political reasons rather than economic expan­ about the broad objective about the future South operation requires compromise and it is beneficial sion would fail, said Marais, (Business Day, 13- African economy/ if that compromise is equal'. Benefits for busi­ 02-92) For Bethlehem, the NENF is 'an important ness, says Marsden, include 'a stable environ­ Big business, on the other hand, are more vehicle in the achievement of critical strategy and ment, more investment, improvement in produc­ keen on becoming part ot an NENF, although policy issues. Labour and business are beginning tivity levels. Workers benefit by having a say in many within their ranks are also cautious about a to evolve a framework lor accords to play an the economic life of the community. For govern­ social contract. important role in the future. The discussion on an ment, a recommendation or backing from busi­ JCI's group economics consultant, Ronnie NENF is an exciting and wonderful thing. It is ness and labour can strengthen their decisions/ Bethlehem does not like the term social contract, unprecedented anywhere in the world/ She says it is understandable that there are preferring the word accord. 'Contract", he says, Debra Marsden, Consultative Business reservations about social contracts. 'We're deal­ 'implies clauses and sub-clauses which would Movement (CBM) national organiser, says one ing with unchartered terrain. No doubt labour have to be enforced in a court of law. It would be does not only need economic debate at nitional would harbour concerns that employers would rigid and contractually binding/ level, but at sectoral, regional and company level pursue social contracts to encourage wage re­ He says neither Cosatu nor business would too. straint or control strike activity. Employers could want to give away their freedom of actions. In the There is no certainty at national level that also be concerned that an economic forum could context of a market economy, where South Africa there will be a social accord. We are still dealing create tension and pressure points around issues has not only a market economy of it's own but is with process issues: what the aims are, who the not resolved in the forum. Pressure not there part of a global system, prices will fluctuate so you participants are, whether it will be long- or before could overflow into mass action. • Direct action to ncl

The Transvaal Rural Action Committee *s HARALD WINKLER describes recent attempts by dispossessed communities to re-occupy their land, and warns that unless government acts more positively, direct action will escalate

ETWEEN 1960 and 1982.over6l4.000 still seeking ways to return to their farm, munities took direct action. Before de­ black people were removed from granted to them by Queen Elizabeth. scribing a re-occupation, one should con­ B 'black spots* in terms of the Na­ Numerous Natal communities, including sider the context of government policy. tional Party's homeland consolidation Charlestown and Crimen, have also been policy. With the more open political cli­ stopped by Natal Provincial Administra­ GOVERNMENT mate since 2 February 1990. rural people tion officials from returning. The Ma- INITIATIVES expect that things will change for them cleantown community in the Border re­ Towards the end of 1990, it became clear too. Many of these communities are now gion attempted to re-occupy their land, that the government was intending to seeking to return to their land by all but were arrested by police and charged repeal the Land Acts of 1913 and 1936. means — land occupations, negotiations and with trespass. What was much less clear, however, was submissions to government commissions. what would replace the racist legislation. REMARKABLE PATIENCE :-OCCUPYING LAND In each case, the struggle has been a long Communities who suffered forced re­ one. Communities have shown remark­ movals generally resisted fiercely, and able patience in writing letters, drawing tried all means to return to their land- In up petitions, and talking to government some cases, this has taken the form of officials. Dispossessed communities physically re-occupying the land. show little bitterness and a continued The Mogopa community was forc­ willingness to negotiate with those who ibly removed in February 1984. Despite dispossessed them. As an old man from a supreme court decision declaring their the Magogoane community, removed Goedgevonden, alter an attack Oy white farmers removal illegal, and negotiations with from the Koster district in the Western several cabinet ministers, they could not Transvaal in 1978 to Bophuthatswana, and what impact legal changes would return to their land. In 1988, they ob­ put it: have on the reality of unjust land distri­ tained permission to clean their ancestral *If you see a beautiful woman, you bution. graves. They then remained on the land cannot just marry her, you must first In March 1991, the government pub- and were charged with trespass. Eventu­ speak to her of love. And so with negotia­ lished a White Paper on Land Reform, ally in 1991, the community was given de tions, you should open the issue as early accompanied by five Bills to make new facto permission to stay on their land. as possible. We should sit around the arrangements for land affairs. The repeal Other communities have tried to re­ tabic with the government and listen to Of the legislation was a major victory for turn, but have been arrested and stopped. each other. But the government must the majority of South Africa's people. The Barolong people near Machavieslad listen lo us more, since we are the ones The negative aspects, however, over­ were arrested for trespass in December who have been dispossessed ...We should shadowed this victory. 1990 on land which had been granted to try to relate to people as human beings The White Paper unequivocally re­ them by Boer leaders in the 19th century. even if the person has proved to be ter­ jected restoration of land to the victims The Mfcngus in the Eastern Cape are rible in the past/ of forced removals on the basis that it had South Africa treated the Magogoane *vast potential for conflict', that its imple­ people, and many others, as 'somebody mentation would be very difficult be­ else's problem', by pretending they were cause of 'overlapping and contradictory citizens of Bophuthatswana. Nonethe­ claims to such land'. less, communities were still prepared to Government policy made no men­ talk even after 15 years of unsuccessful tion of a Land Claims Court, or any other petitions to the government. It was only mechanism by which land claims could TOM when government policy seemed to rule be settled. The only way in which black out restoration of land, that some com­ people are going to gel land is by paying

26 WIP • NO.81 market prices. of Ihe state president's appointees; After years of destitution caused by * accept the principle of restoration; r: forced removals, very few black commu­ have the power to make decisions, nities are in a position to buy back the in particular awards, whether in the form land, They also do nol see why they of land, money or divided ownership. should buy land which they regard as To add insult to injury, the govern­ having been stolen from them by the ment rejected ihe names put forward by govern men!. the 20 restoration communities to sit on Given |he government's refusal to the commission. After several meetings address restoration, many communities between community representatives and fell that their only chance was to take Ihe then minister of development aid. action hy occupying their land lo make i Jacob de Villiers. ihe communities iden- their claim known. S tilled five people who would have their u confidence if they were appointed. Not a GOEDGEVONDEN £ single one was included. The Goedgevonden community was re* When questioned about the decision moved in 1978 from trusl land they hail 1 of ACLA on the Agenda programme. De Occupied for 31 years, and incorporated j Villiers was vague. All he would say was into Bophuthatswana against their will in thai 'after cases have been defined and 1984. Thirteen years of petitioning ihe Goedgevonden residents government has substantiated, the Advisory Commission government to talk to them about their refused to address Ihe issue of land restoration will give its advice to the stale president". plight fell on deaf ears. lock. At the same time, communities are Despite the inadequacies of ACLA, On 9 April 199 L 450 members of the lighting for a better forum in which to the 31 communities who participated in community re-occupied Goedgevonden. present their land claims, in particular a the third National Restoration Workshop A week later, they were attacked by Land Claims Court. on 22-23 February this year decided to rightwing farmers. They then lost a court engage ihe commission. This does nol case brought against them by the govern­ LAND CLAIMS COURT mean lhal they are abandoning other ment together with seven white farmers. BATTLE forms of struggle. In making submis­ They were granted leave lo appeal against One of the major demands of rural com­ sions to ACLA, the communities arc the decision, which opened up space for munities in response to the While Paper demanding that reasonable processes be negotiations. has been that a land claims court (LCC> followed. In particular, the government The resolution of the Goedgevonden should be created to hear the land claims must make its information available, crisis has become a major political issue. of those disadvantaged by apartheid poli­ decide on ihe basis of equity and nol use The government has established a *task cies, and to adjudicate conflicting land technicist criteria to block communities' group' to seek a resolution to ihe situa­ claims. The government's initial White return. Hearings and findings musi be tion. It wants lo solve the problem on a Paper completely ignored this sugges­ made public. However, ihe commission­ technical basis, using land use and agri­ tion. After some lobbying, the govern­ ers have indicated thai ihey will not agree cultural potential as ihe criteria. While ment came up wilh a half-hearted com­ to publish their reports. Ihe good use of agricultural land is im­ promise, the Advisory Commission on The struggle for the restoration of portant, the rools of the conflict are obvi­ Land Allocation (ACLA). land has a component of legal proceed­ ously political. The only just solution This commission has no decision­ ings and negotiation, accompanied by will be one which reverses the injustice making powers and it is appointed by the direct action* Rural communities are com­ done to the Goedgevonden people. siale president rather than elected. The ing together to demand an LCC lo make Such a solution is possible. The land commission will deal with 'the alloca­ negotiations more effective. They are is owned by the state and could be re­ tion of undeveloped Slate land... In other also considering returning to their land lumed after the termination of leases to words, this is not aboul claims of right: it *by force, Ihe same way in which we were the white fanners, who only use Goed­ is about stale largesse. Rights do not removed'. As long as the government's gevonden for additional grazing. enter into il al all'. reformist initiative, the Advisory Com­ All ihe above cases — whether re­ In August and September 1991, 20 mission, lacks the power to actually re­ turn was negotiated or the land was occu­ communities working with affiliates of turn land to dispossessed people, re-oc­ pied— dcmonslratc that it is Ihe physical Ihe National Land Committee (NLC) cupations will continue. J presence of communities on the land that came together to consider the proposed often leads to effective negotiations. ACLA. The communities outlined clear —Harold Winkler is an environmental Without the leverage of occupation, com­ principles for an acceptable commission, fieldworker for the Transvaal Rural munities are stalled in endless bureau­ namely it should: Action Committee. Part II will he printed in the next edition of WIP. cratic processes. The government often * be based on land rights, not the uses negotiaiions as a delaying lactic. discretion of the stale; Direct action often breaks the dead- c be legitimate, so it cannot consist economics

shoddy and thoroughly predictable

nniN DAYS of its February public R15 billion worth of 'financial rands/ release, Ihc International Mon­ South Africa's dual currency system is W etary Fund's Economic Policies considered heresy in the IMF Old Testa­ for a New South Africa reached bible- ment, even if it does help curb capital thumping status for business elites (espe­ flight. cially Business Day editors). No sur­ gating demands for decisive fiscal reform). prise, for one bottom-line IMF demand The above IMFpositions on the post- SHODDY REPORT for a democratic SA is, *real wane growth apartheid economy illustrate the New The IMFreport is a shoddy piece of work, must he contained*. World Order assault upon progressive partly because the Fund's six economists Hear that, Cosatu? Here are some fundamentals. But on closer examina­ failed to engage with most of the restruc­ other reasons the IMP is the fair-haired tion those missiles are scuds, scary but turing arguments advanced by the ANC boy of smart capitalists: always far off the declared target, and Cosatu, and because of the way it * the report slates S A for high corpo­ deals with subjects like manufacturing rate taxes, and argues against both higher ANC MISSED OPPORTUNITY output, labour productivity, and housing taxes and a higher government deficit Nevertheless, the IMF will play a crucial that will be serious sites of struggle well (except when it comes to expensive for­ role in the post-apartheid economy. The into the post-aparlheid era. (See Box) eign loans from the IMF); ANC has missed a golden opportunity to The report says nothing about redis­ * it blames sanctions (not the move limit IMF damage here: After meeting tribution of investment away from the to white-dominated high tech production managing director Michel Camdessus in overtraded luxury consumer goods sec­ in the context of capitalist stagnation) for February 199 L movement officials inex­ tor and into either the basic needs con­ a slow-down in the equalisation of 'non- plicably failed to put forth a public case sumer goods sector or the neglected ma­ white' and white wages; against IMF involvement in the VAT chinery sector (a key Cosatu Economic * it finds •the main effect of impos­ debacle. Trends group demand). ing higher real wage growth is to reduce The IMF will probably make loans Nor does the IMF report consider the demand for labour* (thus supporting to an interim government within the next expanding budget options beyond mere capital's wage restraint campaign, and 9-12 months. This will drive South taxation, to take advantage of enormous downplaying the potential for a basic- Africa's hard-won 'balance of payments* hank and insurance company liquidity needs consumer-led economic recovery); surplus into deficit, on the a?tsumption (for example, using 'prescribed asset' and that a foreign financing binge will finally requirements mooted by the ANC). Thi\ * it claims 'over the past several gel the economy growing again. George overwhelming problem, which has years there has been a shift in spending Bush declared this intention openly when caused the Johannesburg Stock Exchange priorities toward social ends' (thus miti­ told of the whites-only reform vote, prom­ to explode with speculation!, goes to­ ising thiscountry its first tally unremarked upon. access to the IMF and The IMF report's clear call is for the US Export-Import Bank lowering of the benefits the state cur­ in nearly a decade. rently provides whites, while granting The IMF loans will only meagre increases to blacks. 'Politf* be expensive (26% is cally, it would be potentially disastrous the average cost of for­ to implement their recommendations on eign loans when rand social spending policy/ argues Professor depreciation is taken Robert Davies of the University of the into account, Nedbank Western Cape. 'You would be substantially economist Ed Osborn stoking up the social base of the far right* calculates). They will Davies also criticises the emphasis also come with harsh on export-orientation because, in push­ conditions attached, ing for a deregulated ('liberalised') inter­ and probably be used to nal economy, 'the IMF fails to recognise pay off multinational that most of the successful exporters had corporations and wealthy very unliberal internal economic policies/ speculators holding BLANKET PRESCRIPTIONS

?8 WIP • NO. 81 South Africa seems set to fall into that notorious IMFecononiic quicksand; blan­ STATISTICAL FRAUD ket prescriptions for different diseases. As one IMF staffer concluded after re­ MANUFACTURING OUTPUT AND LABOUR 1,5 million units). After all, during the 1980s viewing glaring mistakes in his institution's PRODUCTIVITY housing privatisation was the rule, and we are study of the tiny Caribbean island of The IMF model for the economy cannot stand all aware ol the lack of new public housing built Trinidad, 'We trash around in frustration in the South, intent only on giving more rigourous inspection, says Charles Melh, a in townships. and more unworkable medicine to its University of Natal lecturer working with But let's concede that with so many ob­ peoples/ Cosatu's Economic Trends group. One reason scure racially defined government departments Davison Budhoo, himself a Trinida- is the Fund's uncritical reliance on government spending money on housing, it's hard to come dian. wrote those words in his resignation data. 'The IMF report is as unreliable as the up with an exact figure. Taking a reasonable letter (subsequently published as Enough poor data upon which it's based,' says Meth, proxy for housing expenditure gross domestic is Enough; An Open Letter of Resigna­ whose demolition job of the stale's National fixed investment in residential buildings my tion to the International Monetary Fund Productivity Institute was so convincing thai own figures (from the Reserve Bank Quarterly by New Horizons Press, Montreal)* Dur­ even The Financial Ma//featured him in a story Bulletin) show that 'public authorities' and 'pub­ ing a mid-1980s slint as a top IMF econo­ last year. lic corporations' together built housing worth mist, Budhoo was surprised by his col­ Meth says the manufacturing sector data 0.9% of GDP in 1982,0,5% in 1987, and 0,4% leagues' finding that labour costs in Trin­ in 1990. Intuitively, that seems about right, idad rose by 145% from 1979-84. Bud­ are vastly distorted by the NPI, which permits hoo recalculated and put the figure at that pro-capitalist body to continually harp on since the 1980s were years of growing town­ 69

ink €>r -Flo Palestine and the New World Order

MARK TAYLOR, reporting from Ramallah on the West Bank

NCE UPON a time. Scorpion was in the West Bank and Gaza Strip has community over whether a US-brokered travelling across West Asia when worsened rapidly. The building of Israeli peace process can deliver anything but 0 his path was blocked by the Jor­ settlements in the Occupied Territories bad news for the Palestinians. Palestin­ dan River. Unable to swimt he asked has accelerated, and the Israeli authori­ ian intellectual, Azmy Bishara, seems to 4 Frog to carry him across, 'But you'll ties have unleashed a sweeping cam­ reflect public opinion when he says: I sting me/ said Frog glumly. 'No!* cried paign of mass arrests and attacks on don't think the talks will lead to a Pales­ a scandalised Scorpion. 'Why would I Palestinian institutions. tinian state in the near future/ want to do that? Then we'd both drown!* Blanket 24-hour curfews are now But many Palestinians say they can't Unconvinced but under pressure, Frog imposed with devastating regularity. simply walk away from the process. The agreed to carry Scorpion across the Jor­ Torture in Israeli prisons is being used as mainstream leadership has calculated that dan on his back. Just past the halfway an indiscriminate tool for intimidation. to remain out of the 'peace process' is mark - Zap! - Scorpion stings Frog. As The Co-ordinating Committee for Inter­ much more dangerous than to enter into paralysis takes hold of them they begin to national Non-Governmental Organisa­ it in the hopes of turning it to the Pales­ sink. Frog looks up desperately and asks, tions (CONGO) warns in a recent state­ tinians advantage. 'Why?! Why?!* Scorpion looks up, shrugs ment that 'army violence has escalated as The Left shares a generally dismal and murmurs, 'Oh, y*know ...that's the the Israeli authorities announced an in­ analysis of the situation, but disagrees Middle East for you/ crease of 20% in the number of military about the wisdom of participation. Those personnel in the West Bank and Gaza opposed are extremely critical but admit US FOREIGN POLICY Strip,..Israeli settlers have continued to that they have no real alternative strat­ A year after the Gulf War, US foreign carry out attacks on Palestinian property egy. Leftists who are participating in the policy is firmlyestablishe d as the centre- and homes/ peace talks say they hope to use the point of power in the region. Talks-about- The Israeli security apparatus is well process to settle a few old scores (PLO talks are underway between Israel the aware that the political initiative gained representation and so on), gain a little Palestinians and the Arab states. The by the Intifada — already waning by late ground, and create more space for Inti­ Middle East is on the brink of basking or 1990 ^ was obliterated by the Gulf War. fada activists on the ground. frying in its very own version of the New The heightened repression is a clear at- The Intifada has entered its fifth year World Order. But, stability — the watch- tempt to play on scepticism within the with little let-up in activism. There has word of the Order — requires first been a sharp turn towards selec­ dealing with a few 'problems*, tive armed attacks, especially prime among them being the Pales­ against settlers. But the uprising tinians. Like the Scorpion, the US has not been able to halt the settle­ conception of a New World Order ment on Palestinian land. Words in the Middle East will sink or float like 'canton' and 'bantustan' are depending on how the Palestinians now being used to describe the are dealt with. land that would be left for Pales­ Long content to let its regional tinians in the occupied territories allies set about persecuting the Pal­ if a political solution is not soon estinians, Washington now seems reached. adamant to float its New World The settlements affect the Order in the Middle East by 'solv­ central element of the Palestin­ ing* the Palestinian 'problem'. ian-Israeli conflict: territory. A Yet, behind Washington's of­ recent report by the Palestinian ficial bluster and determination, Geographic Information Centre the US still does not accept an details how the pattern of settle­ independent Palestinian state in the ments is carving the West Bank West Bank and Gaza. Since the into half-a-dozen 'cantons*. Ev­ ery time US Secretary of Stale start of the current peace process in fl-ftft by /Sfae^dr5 an

30 WIP NO. 81 summer, he was confronted with the es­ Israel's regional isolation. total liberation (of Palestine), to a secular tablishment of a new settlement. The So far, the Palestinian 'problem' has democratic state, to a two-state solution, message was clear: don't even think of been the hurdle holding up the peace to a federation with Jordan and it is now trading land for peace because these process and the thorough integration of approaching some sort of autonomy un­ houses, 'these facts on the ground' make the region into the New World Order, But der Israeli rule/ that impossible. there remains the danger that the US The Palestinians have embarked on Yet, only 5% of the land seized by could cut a deal with other Arab states, a voyage into the New World Order, the Israeli authorities in the West Bank including Syria and the Gulf States, leav­ knowing that they have seldom been so have been built on. Some of the settle­ ing the Palestinians floundering in the vulnerable to US aims. They are hoping ments created in retaliation to Baker's wilderness of occupation. that maybe, just maybe, they can get the visits are standing empty. Vacancy rates 'If you look at the last 30 years,* says diplomatic ball rolling in the direction of in the built settlements range from 30 to Palestinian analyst George Giacoman, independence. But it might be a strategy 40%, 'the Arab position has moved from one of of desperation. Q Still, the absence of political will to stop settlement expansion means that an independent political and economic fu­ ture for Palestinians is rapidly disappearing. The Israeli magazine New Outlook. Azmay Bishara makes it clear whai the Israeli version of Palestinian autonomy means: "The kind of autonomy Israel is suggesting for the West Bank and Gaza is not a model for decolonisation. Israel is proposing to non-citizens the kind of cultural and administrative autonomy granted in Europe to minority citizens of a state.'

INDEPENDENCE The Palestinian negotiating team in the talks has insisted that what the Israelis call 'autonomy' cannot be anything more than the 'transitional period' towards independence for the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Thai period will include Pal­ estinian control over land and water, as well as a freeze on settlements. Palestin­ ian professor SalimTamari says: 'We see the negotiations as a starting process thai will ultimately lead to sovereignty/ Per­ haps diplomacy can succeed where the Intifada failed. But, try as they might, even conser­ vatives in the Palestinian leadership may find that there is no place for an indepen­ dent Palestine in the New World Order. The long term success of US designs for the region seems to depend on Arab- Israeli economic integration and strate­ gic co-operation in defence of US inter­ ests in the region. The US can push for regional economic integration between Israel and its Arab allies, under the threat of a clearly demonstrated willingness to use overwhelming military power to keep break-away states in line. It will be a long process, but in a unipolar world there is little standing in the path of an end to

P'C fCCuSONAf&lCA APRIL 1992 WIP31 exists in some industries only.

What is the underlying political philoso­ Indian communists phy of the CPI-M?

We were formed in 1964, when we broke away from the CPI. One of the funda­ • n mental issues over which we broke was on the assessment of the Indian ruling classes. Our understanding was that the In Part II of his interview, S1THARAM YECHURY, a member of Indian bourgeoisie had a dual character the secretariat of the central committee of the Communist Party of On the one hand, it is aligned with imperialism to the extent that it requires India - Marxist (CPI-M), spoke to DEVAN PILLAYabout the Left foreign capital and technology in order to in power in India, and the role of the socialist opposition build capitalism. But it is also, on the other hand, in conflict with imperialism, What Is the strength of the Lett In India National) Congress, got 45%. because it does not want to give up its today? In Bengal it is between 45-48%. All market, its economic space, to the multi­ four parties of the Left Front are repre­ national corporations. There are two major leftwing parties, the sented in West Bengal, while in Kerala This dual character has a number of CPI-M and the Communist Party of India the Forward Bloc is not represented. manifestations, one of which is India's (CPI), as well as the Communist Party of We attach a great deal of importance apparently progressive, non-aligned for­ India - Marxist-Leninist (CPI-ML), the to Left unity. In Bengal, for example, our eign policy. This was our fundamental Forward Bloc and the Revolutionary party has over 50% of the seats — so we understanding which we retain today. Socialist Party. In addition, the CPI-ML can form a government on our own. Yet The CPI's understanding, which has split into numerous factions. we still insist on a coalition government came from Moscow, was that the bour­ The CPI-M is the largest party, with with the other leftwing parties, because geoisie was completely anti-imperialist. 600,000 members, and S1 MPs, as well as we want to project the Left alternative. Therefore, any advance towards social­ an affiliated mass organisation following ism in India will have to be in association of 25 million. We control the state of Which are the moat prominent mass with them. West Bengal at the moment. The CPI has organisations? Then there was the Chinese variety, less than 500,000 members, and 16 MPs, which held that the Indian bourgeoisie while the Forward Bloc and Revolution­ The Centre of Indian Trade Unions was completely dependent on imperialism. ary Party have three and four MPs re­ (CITU), and the peasant organisation, From this flowed different tactical spectively. which are the largest (about 12 million). positions. The Soviet line talked of col­ Over the last three years these four More than 70% of India's population is in laboration with the Congress, to the ex­ parties formed the Left Front Committee the rural areas. And then, not in terms of tent thai the CPI was in an electoral to fight elections. We have managed to strength but in terms of its high profile adjustment with the Congress until 1977. work out a united position on all the main and political impact, there is the stu­ And the Naxalites of the CPI-ML talked political issues. An important change in dents' organisation. in terms of the total overthrow of the the Indian political situation has been the Every party has its own mass organi­ Indian government through people's war. emergence of what has.been recognised sation. We have been arguing that there because it is a puppet of imperialism. as a left force. should be one national body, within which So, in terms of Marxism, we have Before we used to talk in terms of the different political trends can contest adopted two fundamental principles. individual parties. And particularly with against each other. We find this acutely Recent experience has vindicated them. the defeat of Rajiv Gandhi at the last necessary for the trade unions, because Firstly, Marxism is a creative science that has election, and the emergence of the Janata by being divided along political lines, to be applied to concrete conditions of each government, the Left became crucial in their effective bargaining strength is re­ country. Secondly, the revolutionary pro­ terms of the number of votes it held in duced. There needs to be one union, one cess in each country cannot be a replica parliament. That could decide whether industry. of any other country. Because in commu­ this government could form or not. In The main obstacle to this comes nist literature you will always come across that sense the Left's position in the gov­ from the ruling Congress Party's trade terms like the 'Chinese path* and the ernment grew beyond its strength. unions. Because of the political clout they 'Soviet path'. We have said that it cannot The Left traditionally has been strong enjoy, they manage to get recognition. be either path — it has to be an Indian path. in the south and the east. In Kerala in the One of the biggest struggles is to get This is a fundamental tenet that we south the Left gets between 42-44% of unions recognised on the basis of a secret continue to hold on to. The failure to hold the vote. But this time it lost the election ballot, to see which is the most represen­ to this is what has prevented the other because the other front, led by (the Indian tative. At the moment the secret ballot Indian communist parties from growing.

32 WIP * NO, 81 PIC [M^KOIGL

Therefore, while retaining its revolution­ ary essence, each party has the responsi­ bility to adapt Marxist ideology to the concrete conditions of their countries. The failure to do so wil! lead to distor­ tions, as it is now shown.

In terms of this perspective, how did the state governments that your party controlled, function?

India has a peculiar federal structure, where you have a central government, which controls the essential powers of the state. And you have state govern­ ments, which have very little power in their hands. They deal primarily in local law and order. One meaningful power Ihey have is in the sphere of land reforms. All other decisions, such as industrialisa­ tion and taxation, arc taken at the centre. So the states of India have by consti­ tutional law very limited powers to enact meaningful legislation to change the di­ rection of the all-India pattern. The first time a Communist govern­ ment came into power in Kerala was in 1957 — the first time it happened in the capitalist world, where wc were sud­ denly elected into power. And we were faced with the question: what do we do with this power? We could not do what wc wanted to do, for example nationalise or rationalise industry. So it is from there that we had to evolve true practice, a certain method of functioning. We tell people very frankly: these are the powers we have, and this is what we can do. If we had power at the Yechury: We have reduced infant mortality, povertyand illiteracy to centre, then we would do this. But since levels comparable to some developed countries we cannot do that within this limitation, growth. The states of West Bengal and We have been accused of being a 'Stalin­ this is what we can do. Kerala have become self-sufficient. ist* party in name but a 'social demo­ This frankness helped, because it The other achievement is in educa­ cratic' party in practice, because we run lowered people's expectations. There was tion. In Kerala, because of having come these governments. But what we empha­ obviously a great deal of anticipation. to office before Bengal, we had initiated sise is that Ihe presence of these govern­ So, despite being in power in West Ben­ a process which even ouropponents could ments themselves are an important achieve­ gal for 15 years, unemployment has not not withdraw. Kerala is now the only ment in the Indian people's struggles. And been eliminated, poverty continues, but slate in India which is totally literate. because these governments were there, a lot the levels arc much better than in the rest And because of these reforms in land of things have been implemented in the of the country. and education, you find in Kerala today country which had not been there before, This has been primarily because, in Ihe overall rates of growth in ihe normal for example unemployment allowances. the spheres where we have power, like indices — infant mortality, poverty datum The West Bengal government was the land reform, where there is still a deep- line, literacy etc — not only the highest but. first to introduce this scheme, and the rooted feudal structure, wc succeeded in according to a recent UN study, comparable other states followed suit- breaking it up. by handing over land to to some Western, or developed, countries. So there have been advantages like the peasant, this which people outside Bengal no­ This has helped reduce poverty in But is this not a form of social ticed. We have also provided a govern­ those regions, and achieve agricultural democracy? ment which is sharply different to what

APRIL 1992 • WIP33 •it ir*A ft,-**ir.l

Gorbachev's policies since 1987. We felt lhat there was a need for reform, but we criticised what was brought into being as undermining socialism itself. The CPI continue to say that Gor­ bachev brought in all those reforms lo improve socialism — so now they are in a fix. So they cannot satisfy the Indian people by saying lhat what has gone on in the Soviet Union has been an anti-com­ munist frenzy. The present political situation in In­ dia is very complex. You have a very rapid advance of the rightwing forces. This has been on the basis of exploiting religious sentiment, and attracting a sec­ tion of the traditional Congress support towards ihe BJP. the major hghtwing parly. Yechury: British rate was to a very targe extent responsible This reflects a rightwing shift within tor the massive poverty you see in India today the ruling classes. In this situation it is all Ihe people are used 10, in terms of corrup­ wanting to cling to power in these states, the more necessary for the Left lo unite. tion and inefficiency. So Ihe absence of as some of our detractors accuse us. but This objective situation is also a propel­ Ihese have made ihese governments more nol being in power in Wesi Bengal, or ling factor, pushing the Left together. attractive* losing power, would mean a set-buck to Because of India's federal structure, the forces of the Left, What, in your opinion, is primarily there is a constant threat of the centre responsible for the widespread poverty against a hostile government in the state. What were the shifts in CPI, that caused in the cities of India? In 1957 there was a Communist govern­ them to join the Left Front in 1982-3? ment elected by the people in Kerala, but Primarily, it is because of the existence in 1959 it was toppled by the centre. The Since the split in 1964. the CPI adopted of feudal relations of production in In­ centre has the authority lo impose central the Soviet perspective, which meant form­ dian agriculture, and the inability of In­ rule in any slate it feels is nol being run ing an electoral alliance with Congress. dian capitalism to expand and absorb the properly. The government of the CPI lhat In 1977, when Indira Gandhi was forced growing differentiation that was taking was elected in I 967 was again toppled in to withdraw the state of emergency, the place in the rural areas. So the rural 1969. CPI contested the elections with ihe Con* unemployed would leave for the cities. In Bengal in 1969 you had a United gress Party, and were mauled along with The feudal relation is an extremely Front government, where we were the them. They came very close to risking complex form of exploitation. You have largest party. It was dismissed in 1971- their status as a national parly. a feudal landlord who has thousands of Thisisone sphere where the class struggle After that there was a lot of re-thinking acres of land, managed by persons who is expressed in India, between the ruling within the CPI, In 1978 there was a major give to the landlord an income ranging class parties and between the communist break in iheir understanding. They con­ from two lo four fifths of the produce. parties. cluded that it was wrong lo go with the They retain one third or one fifth, which The central government is no longer Congress, and have retained this position, docs nol sustain their families even on able to dismiss an elected stale govern* But a contradiction emerged. Their present levels. ment as they could do earlier, which is a tactical position shifted towards ours, in Then ihe dual exploitation begins. reflection of how the class struggle has opposition to the Congress, bui iheir pro- They can neither leave the land nor reap. shifted, to a limited extent, in our favour grammatic position remained the same. So what happens is that they just run Because, frankly, when we again came to namely that the only route to socialism is away in order to get out of the situation. powcrin 1977 in West Bengal, we thought in alliance with the national bourgeoisie This situation worsened under British lhat it would only be for one term, and of the Congress party. But in practice rule, | when feudal relations were en­ didn't take it seriously. But we were re­ they are in opposition to the Congress trenched as part of their divide-and-rule- elected in 1982,1985 and 1989, They are party, and with us. They have not yel policy|. Thus British rule was to a ver> no longer in a position to remove us. resolved this contradiction. large extent responsible for the massive That is where we attach importance Secondly, after all ihese develop- poverty you see in India today. • to these gt>vernments. as an expression of ments in ihe Soviet Union, ihcy are in a the class struggle in India. This has to be stale of difficulty. They arc unable to — Part I of this interview was pub­ seen within the framework of our Marx* come to terms with what has happened. lished in WIP 80- isl-Leninisl ideology. It is not so much We have been critical of aspects of

34 WIP • NO. 81 GRAND CONSPIRACY When Ihis shameful episode was first ful SACP takeover of the ANC. then EXPLANATION publicised by the Weekly Mail last year, impute a strategy to the party which it is h seems 10 me thai Ellis and Scchaba do with the same anti-SACP innuendo, Pallo supposed to have foisted onto the ANC: not lake nearly enough care to uncover Jordan demanded a correction, pointing 'For all the period of exile, the Party ihis kind of sociology of political exile. oul thai he owed his rescue to two promi­ put its faith in armed struggle, believing Instead. Ihey construct a grand conspira­ nent SACP members. Joe Slovo and Ron­ not merely thai this was necessary for ils torial explanation for realities thai often nie Kasrils. success, but, really, thai ii was ai (he have more banal causes. It may very well be (I simply don't heart of its strategy/ Ip200i Their argument goes as follows; know) that an ANC security man who This was never (he programmatic Step one — some bouquets for the was also a parly member was implicated perspective of the SACP. although in SACP: The SACP plays an absolutely in Jordan's detention. Either way, I am practice in the late 1960s and early 1970s central role in helping the ANC to sur­ not trying to exonerate the party from the there was a tendency for both the parly vive exile,'The Communist Party showed shortcomings and blunders of its princi­ and ANC to overemphasise armed struggle. itself more resilient than the ANC, per­ pal ally or the actions of individual mem­ But Ellis and Scchaba completely bers. My point is that these shortcomings haps because of its greater discipline and ignore major strategic developments need to be understood not as part of some longer history of underground existence, within the ANC-alliance during the exile grand communist conspiracy, but much or perhaps because of the greater ideo­ period. more in the context of the sociology of logical commitment required of its mem­ exile, the paranoias, factionalisms, and Howard Barrell. by contrast (MK 9 bers* which guided them through hard­ tendencies to bureaucratism that stalk the ANC s armed struggle. 1990). records ships unacceptable to others/ (p4l) exiled movements. the major strategic shift of 1978, influ­ Step WO — then damn the SACP for enced by the "76 uprising and also by a the qualities you have just acknowledged: seminal ANC study lour to Vietnam. The greater discipline and commitment MASSAGING INFORMATION According to Barrell. from 1978 (he ANC arc turned into sinister powers enabling In virtually every ugly episode recorded began to emphasise that the 'major im­ [he party to carry through what is sup­ in this book, the authors manage to find mediate task of the underground must posed to be the 'cornerstone of its strat­ among the wrong-doers some party mem­ now be to build a broad democratic front egy (since the 1950s), the effective take­ bers, but in virtually every case it is also of organisations inside South Africa, over of the ANC (plO). To sustain this party members who are to the fore in mainly by legal and semi-legal political allegation often requires imaginative seeking to redress the problem. means/ (Barrell, p40> prose-work on the part of the authors. In oiher words, the authors* own MK's armed activity was now ex­ facts continuously point to underlying plicitly described as secondary. Ellis and PALLO JORDAN'S DETENTION causes of ANC exile problems which Sechaba ignore this major strategic de­ Consider, for instance, their account of cannot be mapped into a simple SACP velopment, just as they ignore the strate­ Pallo Jordan's deplorable detention by conspiracy. But they expend considerable gic core of the SACP's 1989 programme, ANC security (Mbokodo) in 1983: energy counteracting their own evidence. which elaborated and extended the ANC's First, they imply that ANC security Indeed the authors are adept at mas­ 1978 perspective. = the SACP: saging information. See, for instance, the Instead, the 'SACPdominated ANC* 'The atmosphere of intimidation cre­ sleight of hand in (heir suggestion that in exile is supposed to have focussed ated... by the work of security men trained Operation Vula was an SACP affair, narrowly on a military seizure of power. in Eastern Europe spread from Angola to 'known to few beyond those involved, a And finally. Step Four — having other sections of the ANC/ (pi20) select group under the chairmanship of caricatured SACP-ANC strategy, you Then the authors imply that Jordan Oliver Tambo. who seems to have been can claim the strategy has failed because was detained because he was opposed to one of only a handful of non-communists there has been no armed seizure of power. the SACP: informed of the operation* (p!94). Therefore...despite the extensive popu­ *A good illustration of just how per­ If you stop to think, you might notice larity and legitimacy the ANC enjoys vasive the intimidation exercised by the contradictions. The aulhors simulta­ today;... despite the fact that the ANC is Mbokodo became in the fullness of time neously concede that Tambo was in on the threshold of power; ... the SACP concerns Pallo Jordan..Jordan was de­ charge of Vula while implying that he has betrayed the ANC into failure! tained for six weeks after a dispute with was, as some kind of afterthought, merely a Communist Party member who was a 'informed'about it! Moreover, since Vula. FASCINATING STORY senior official of Intelligence and Secu­ on their own admission, involved only a SQUANDERED rity../ (pl20) select group, presumably it was not just It is a pity Ellis and Sechaba squeeze And finally: Jordan is rescued from a handful of non-communists, but also their book into this mould. The squeeze the clutches of the SACP-Mbokodo by only a handful of communists that were raises doubts about all their rich factual non-Party leaders in the ANC: ever informed about ils existence! information. They squander an otherwise \..Jordan was eventually rescued fascinating story on a conspiracy theoiy. only by the intervention of Oliver ARMED STRUGGLE Question: is it perhaps nol THEIK Tambo../(pi 20) Step Three — having claimed a success­ book which is (he real conspiracy? LI

36 WiP • NO. 81 For me, one of the most valuable COSATU ' A VIEW parts of the book — and one in which Baskin's understanding of the inner work­ ings of the union movement is demon­ strated — is the last chapter, 'Inheriting the past*. In it. Baskin weighs the FROM TJIE JNSICIE federation's achievements against its fail­ ures and weaknesses and looks at the STRIKING BACK: A history of Cosatu challenges ahead. By Jeremy Baskin, Ravan Press, Johannesburg. R33 (466 pages) One of his key criticisms is the fact Reviewed by KERRY CULUNAN that the federation is becoming more official- rather than worker-driven. 'In­ BOOK WRITTEN from within an strike and the OK Bazaars strike. creasing the mass base of Cosatu cam­ organisation by one of its offi­ That same year also broughl Cosatu's paigns is essential for the re-invigoration A cials docs not usually make grip­ second national congress, which concen- of union democracy1, he asserts. (p457) ping reading. Bui Baskin's Striking Back iraied on developing the federation's He also identifies a lack of profes­ is an exception. While his account is political policy*. A "harsh* merger policy sionalism, poor training programmes and partisan, he docs not lake the lap-dog taken by the CEC resolved that only unsuitable constitutional structures as approach, merged unions were allowed to attend hampering Cosatu's ability to meet the His account of the federation's short the congress. This saw the federation's challenges of the 1990s. history makes easy and often exciting 33 initial affiliates reduced to 13, with reading (yes, all 466 pages!). Baskin*s Potwa (Post and Telecommunications PPWAWU BIAS access to minutes of Cosatu's meetings, Workers Association) as observers, at 'Striking Back* has some drawbacks, as well as having been a key unionist in the congress. though. I found some repetition in chap­ a Cosatu affiliate, means that Ihe book is The mergers, achieved within 19 ters and a disturbance in chronology be­ a balance between facts and personal months, may have been *ovcr-hasty\ says cause information is grouped according accounts and interpretations. Baskin* But 4the merger process, while to themes. Through Striking Back, Baskin re­ causing tensions in the short term, was It also has a bias towards Baskin's minds us that Cosatu was given very little essential for medium-term unity and de* former union, the Paper, Printing, Wood time to consolidate its structures before velopment\ (p223> and Allied Workers Union (Ppwawu). the slate struck back with its state of By 1988, the state's attack on Cosatu But perhaps the biggest drawback is the emergency on 12 June, 1986. had taken a new line with the proposed fact that little attention is paid to Cosatu's 'In the Eastern Cape, there was hardly Labour Relations Amendment Act. This international relations, which appears to a factory which did not have workers resulted in a special congress and an encourage what Baskin himself identi­ detained, often for periods up to three unprecedented mass stayaway on 6, 7 fies as the 'excessive self-centredness of years... In Northern Natal, every organ­ and 8 June, A new* agreement was even­ South African unionists*, • iser and many key shop stewards in the tually struck with business and the state, region were detained... In a number of which set the stage for today's national areas, police showed no hesitation in economic negotiating forum. detaining an entire striking workforce/ DEFEATS AND FAILURES Cosatu managed* however, to hold a But alongside the victories and strengths. central executive committee (CEO meet­ Baskin also recounts the defeats and fail­ ing shortly afler Ihe emergency was de­ ures of Cosatu, clared, where delegates arrived "in suits 'The participation of women in and ties and carried briefcases. Some had Cosatu's leadership is, if anything, be* rapidly grown beards and moustaches or coming less/ states Baskin. (p373) Only now wore spectacles to help alter their affirmative action and confronting the attire*, (pi40) 'whole structure of relations between men and women* will bring women into UNPRECEDENTED the forefront of the federation and its INDUSTRIAL ACTION affiliates. By mid-1987. largely due to the courage Then there is Cosatu\s failure to °f its rank-and-file members, Cosatu had organise farmworkers and the unem­ learnt to operate under the state of emer­ ployed and to strengthen weaker alfili- gency. Indications of this are the unprec­ ates. which has led to 'enormous imbal­ edented industrial action in that year: the ances of power, experience and struc­ 350,000-strong mine workers strike, Sats tures of the variousCosatu unions*. (p455) WOMEN ANCI WAR COLONELS AND CADRES: War and Gender in South Africa By Jacklyn Cock Oxford University Press, 1991 (R32.99) Reviewed by MUFF ANDERSON

H.VI is so terrifying about racism on front of the BuffeL/ She recounts incidents of SADF cru­ in ihis country is nol so much A quote in Jackie Cock's book from elty to children, rape of women in the W iis stupidity and cruelly but ihal a 'normal* white South African, a boy townships and acts of savagery that are il allows the most violent, psychopathic who went to the army because that was beyond imagination. In one incident a white thugs to sirui their stuff in uniform his inescapable destiny, same as that of sergeant-major, corporal and private, play in the belief that they are society's pro­ almost every other while boy in the coun­ a game with three kittens — and kick tectors, try. them around until two are dead, A black Ml we saw a well-built kaffir, we'd The South African Defence Force worker is called to clean up ihc mess. know he was a (err. If he had soft feel thai (SADF) is the institution through which Cock alludes to an SADF special elite would prove ii beyond doubt, at least if while boys are supposed to turn into men. training programme where puppies are we were out in the bush, because who and as Jackie Cock points out with one carried around and cared for by the sol­ else wears shoes?... We'd interrogate him. chilling example after another, the point diers for four days and then killed with and if he was stubborn he could have at which thev are considered to be men is bare hands. w trouble. Mavbc we'd lie him lo the from when they have become immune to the of the KMtTel and do a little bundu-hash- suffering of others, even deriving plea­ NOT MEN ALONE ing. Feel it? Why should 1 feel it? I wasn't sure from lhat suffering. But it is nol men alone who hold up military institutions like the SADF. One ot the book's most riveting chapters is 'The protected: while women and the SADF' wherein Cock explores ten typi­ cal roles in which women have histori­ cally been incorporated into war: as pre­ texts for war — 'the Helen of Troy syn­ drome*; as wives and prostitutes to pro­ vide for the warrior's rest and recre­ ation"; as entertainers, a la Vera Lynn and Pal Kerr; as victims: as sympathetic nurses — 'the Florence Nightingale syn­ drome'; as seductive spies, a la Mala Han and Olivia Forsyth; as cheerleaders who shout support from the side of trains; as 'castrating hitches who belittle and be rate men for refusing to become macho murderers'; as mothers of soldiers; as CO operative citizens.

She looks al the type of training women al ihe SADF camp in George receive and the reasons for undcrlakin this training, as well as (he hias toward * some of the women who see themsehi •• as soldiers: 'Many of the instructors were very hutch...All ihe lesbians joined the Permanent Force'. Informant 16 telN Cock- She also interviews the few women who 'made it* to high-ranking positions within the SADF. as well as their coun­ terparts within Umkhonto we SiZWC IMKK

38 WIP MK WOMEN disciplined enough not to divert from her Pd expected, before reading Ihe book, theme, they give the book a strength and that the section on MK would be sketchy, personality that makes it worth taking a especially since the book was researched long time over. before ihe ANC was unbanned. The re* Women and men and the military search here is indeed much thinner lhan trickle into tasty bites of other sub-themes, that on the SADF, but Cock has done each of which could happily burst into a quite a remarkable job of ferreting about book on its own. for facts, I doubt if a researcher in 1992 There's an analysis of ihe 'twilight would find out much more about MKand war" that existed in South Africa in the gender relations lhan she succeeded in '80s; references to the status of women doing in the *80s. beyond our borders in other conventional Now. if you approached MK's cur­ armies and in other guerrilla struggles: a rent leadership and asked lo interview •people's war* by the ANC or total strat­ discussion about the definition of com­ *MK women* you would probably be egy* by the SADF. bat: a chapter on the politics of gender referred to Jackie Molefe.Thandi Modise I don't think comparing them in this that in 27 pages incorporates everything and Marion Sparg. These are the very way allows for an accurate definition of from a breakdown of where women work people Cock did succeed in interviewing the concepts involved. While it is accu­ and have abortions in South Africa to or writing about. She also has several rate to say total strategy was the launch­ what the ANC's constitutional guide­ unidentified 'informants', one of whom I ing pad for the militarisation of South lines have to say about women's Jibera- suspect is Thenjiwe Mtintso, The result African society (occurring)...at political, tion. Along the way she takes in the views is a set of quotes saying different things: economic and ideological levels', the of big business, Inkatha and even the In MK men and women have identical concept Of 'people's war* was never sup­ Conservative Party, Did you know, for training: in MK men treat women as posed to be a mirror of this. example, that the CP constitution 'con­ tains a requirement that all decision­ equal; there was sexism in the camps: It was rather a threefold approach to making bodies should contain a signifi­ MK men expected women to be docile armed struggle, utilising an advanced cant proportion of women'? and subservient. detachment (MK), underground units and These statements, contradictory as elements of mass resistance. The gre­ they may seem, reflect the very real nade squads which emerged in this pe­ SHOULD WOMEN BE different levels of political awareness riod could be seen as one small example CONSCRIPTED? and gender consciousness thatexist within of co-operation between training ema­ The book ultimately focuses on a single MK women and men* Cock launches into nating from exile, underground partici­ point: Should women be conscripted? a fairly controversial debate with com­ pation and township activism. Cock asks if equal rights means equal parisons between SADF and MK: responsibilities, including military ser­ Unlike in the SADF* men and women INQUISITIVE AND BROAD- vice; and if so. whether such military train side by side in MK. Like in the MINDED service should include combat roles? SADF, MK men and women are de­ Apart from that, I can think of no theme She looks at two strands of feminist ployed differently and women mostly more interesting than one exploring the argument which both argue that women find themselves in non-combat situations link between militarism and gender. It's should not be conscripted: in the first- (and combat is here being looked at more at the core of what is most distasteful women should be excluded because they as exposure lo danger than to actual about life in general and South African are seen as morally superior beings to combat in the traditional sense of the life in particular. Cock's approach is men. nurturing, creative, and pacifist. In word). Like in the SADF. notions of h;uxl-hitting and unusual. Her inquisitiveness the second, women should be excluded patriotism exist within MK. Like in Ihe comes through clearly and overrides the aca­ because men are viewed as the control­ SADF, MK soldiers are supposed to be demic style with which she has, as a Pmfessor lers and dominators of the military ma­ macho. Unlike in the SADF, MK soldiers Of Sociology at Wits University, obviously chinery. Ironically both these arguments are taught to respect humanity. Unlike in chosen to present her facts. reach ihe same conclusion as the male the SADF. in MK there are women like One has a sense of a very curious, sexist perspective that women are physi­ Thandi Modise who say: Tm a guerrilla broad-minded investigator approaching cally inferior: that women and combat because Tm a mother/ the subject from a number of different don't mix. There was only one time when I angles, peeping under rocks and finding Cock herself believes it is necessary found the parallels between SADF and scorpions, hut not allowing that informa­ to break ihe link between men and mili­ MK galling and misleading- in the open­ tion and horrifying detail to swamp her. tarism and ultimately to transform gen­ ing chapter Cock states that in the '80s There is a feeling that Cock is thinking: der relations lo reduce the risks of war. both the SADF and MK developed an This is just the beginning, this is just This book is essential reading as we inclusive concept of total war. or war lapping the tip of the whole shebang. move towards discussions of integrated which involved the entire population. She hints at other areas that could be armies in a post-apartheid South Africa. J She describes this as what was called explored at a later stage, and while she's — AIA

APRIL 1992 • WIP39 hind EERIE SMUDGES from you, then you have the democratic What upsurge? he asked, and went right to have that land returned to you •- on to explain that before 2 February, YOU WATCHEDor listened to the World before any compensation is paid to the violence was directed against whites and Cup cricket shebang, right? guy who seized it from you. the state. Now, he reminded Marais. it Now think back to 26 January ... a Now, why do we have the sneaky was basically restricted to blacks fight­ Sunday if it refreshes the memory. Were feeling that this is one democratic prin­ ing for the political upper hand. So what's you one of the thousands of South Afri­ ciple we won't be hearing a lot about in the problem? was the unspoken punch­ cans flipping TV channels and twiddling the new SA? line... radio knobs in the hope of catching com­ Which goes to show that New South mentary of the Africa Cup soccer finals? Africa or not, some leopards still can't Shame. THOU SHALT BE change — or hide — their blind spots. Here at Left Behind we spun the KNOWN BY ... dials frantically, but came up blank, ex­ ONE'S FRIENDS can be such an embar­ NO PLACE LIKE cept for DJ twaddle, Australian tennis rassment — especially when they're and northern suburbs golf tournaments. people like David Irving, guru of neo- HOME The next day we combed the newspapers nazis worldwide. THE SHODDY treatment suffered by for the results, and were rewarded with a Irving, of course, is the British returning exiles is fast becoming a na­ couple of tiny reports, buried between rightwing historian who claims that there tional tragedy. Whether it's finding a used car ads and news of the exploits of were no gas chambers used during the job, somewhere to stay or adapting back Aryan sports heroes. Nazi Holocaust. He has also busied him­ to life in this utterly weird place we call But, during the cricket World Cup self for years by disputing the body count home, too many exiles are finding them­ you had to duck to avoid the bombard­ of the biggest massacre ever in human selves left out in the cold. ment of media coverage. history. Their experience contrasts bitterly Just goes to show that in the minds of In an interview shortly before a re­ with the reception extended to new im our media managers, SA remains an is­ cent visit to SA, Irving was asked who he migrants— 'settlers' as the 1820 Settlers land drifting about somewhere off the would be dropping in on during his stay. Association of South Africa likes to refer coast of Africa — and the continent is Along with the usual band of CP hacks, to them. still an eerie, foreboding smudge on the up pops the name of a prominent SABC- It's the Association's business to map. TV host. The name? John Bishop. Irving make life in SA as smooth as possible for For the record. Ivory Coast beat calls him an 'old friend'... new 'settlers'. 'The sooner (new immi­ Ghana 2-1. And the crowd rose as one to grants) feel settled and at home, the cheer when the public address system AS THE STOMACH sooner we all can benefit from their con­ announced South Africa's official re­ tribution,' says a brochure of the Asso­ entry into African soccer. Not that we TURNS- ciation. seemed to give a damn. MEDIA COVERAGE of the referendum Check out campaign had its stomach-churning mo­ these goodies: POLA HIE1, POLA ments. But one Sunday episode on Agenda had Left Behind running for the bath­ DAA' room. IT'S NO secret that we South Africans There sat Jaap Marais, jittery and have a lot to learn about democracy. inflamed, squaring off against Law and So, as a small public service. Left Order Minister Hernus Kriel, straining to Behind has decided to provide updates appear composed. on little-known democratic principles Marais came out of his corner firing applied in other countries. on all cylinders, accusing the NP of re­ With unification of the two Germa- sponsibility for everything short of the nies. authorities in Bonn felt that it was hole in the ozone layer. Kriel soaked up Why not plumb the depths of their only fair that the houses, business and the punishment, and countered with bland, generosity by applying for membership land confiscated by the East German inoffensive replies, spiced with taunting to see just where, if at all, the buck stops? state be returned to their former owners. smiles — a style the Np is getting right The Association's address is: The move, said Bonn, was in keep­ more frequently these days. 601 Norvic, 93 De Korte St, Braam- ing with the 'well-known democratic But then the act short-circuited. fontein, Johannesburg, 2001 principle of restitution before compensa­ Marais blamed the government's reform Contact numbers: Tel (011) 339-3063/4; tion*. In plainer English il meant that if policies for the upsurge in violence and Fax (011)339-6879 j you owned land which was forcibly taken lawlessness, and Kriel forgot his lines. Membership costs a mere R30.

40 WIP NO- 81 A WORK IN PROGRESS SUPPLEMENT issue no. 2

P\C PEH first general council, which is expected to meet by mid-May. The veteran leader of the Eastern Cape Civic Organisation (Ecco) and Pepco chairperson, Henry Fazzie, was elected unopposed to chair Ihe seven- member national executive, reports Shadley Nash (Pen). The leader of the Civic Associations of South­ ern Transvaal (Cast), Moses Mayekiso. was elected president. The multi**hatted1 Mayekiso — who is also general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), an SACP central committee memberand head of the Alexandra Civic Organisation — beat ANC executive member Thozamile Botha, who holds the portfolio of local government, by 84 votes. The only other executive member not from the Eastern Cape-Border is the vice-president. Lech- esa Tsenoli, who is from Southern Natal. This is an historic day. Our people died fight­ ing lo see the day thai such a body was instituted/ said Fazzie in a short address to delegates after his election. Meanwhile Botha, who was elected as an addi­ Henry fiuzfe (centre) is congratulated by delegates tional member, said thai the role of civic organisa­ tions was changing. 'Civic organisations were protest organisa­ tions, but now Ihe stage has changed. Civics must CIVICS GO NATIONAL begin to enter a phase where developmental pro­ grammes are introduced/ *h ABOLISHING ALL apartheid structures and building strong, Me said civic programmes were not in conflict with those untied structures arc ihc key tasks ihe SA National Civic of political organisations 'because they are working on the Organisation (Sanco) set tor itself at its launch in Uitcnhage same issues'. on 13-15 March. 'But on a local level, civics have an important role to play Sanco is also committed to drawing up a Civic Charter "as in the One-City debate. They are in the position of informing soon as possible to address ihc imbalances in our society', authorities about the needs of ihe people and how they see says the organisation's publicity secretary. Max Mamase. The development. Their role is not to replace elected local authori­ charter campaign will also help build organisation. ties, but to inform them.1 Mamase. who is from the Port Elizabeth People's Civic He warned however, that civics should not sign any Organisation (Pepcol, says the fact that most of the national agreements at a local level as this 'may have implications for office bearers were from the Easiern Cape and Border did not national negotiations'.% mean that these regions would dominate Sanco, The chairperson and secretary of each region will also be on the NEC, which will meet once a month/ he says. * Other members elected to top positions in Sanco are: general tecrelar\\ Discussion on issues such as local government, develop­ Crahamstowtt Civic Association and Ecco tjtvulive member Dan Saudi; ment, Codcsa negotiations and the relationship between civ­ assistant secretary. Border's Penrose Ntlonti; treasurer, Transkei Civic ics and political organisations have been deferred to Sanco*S Associations* Thobite Gidigidi. 2 CATO MANOR 8 j IS THE ANC NATAL'S i HOLDS ITS VIOLENCE j GIVING IN 'HAPHAZARD' j OWN LITTLE : VICTIMS j TO STATE i CODESA DONT TAKE IT i FEDERAL- DEVELOPMENT j LYING DOWN j ISM* u PROJECT j 4 if • • U j REC NSTRUCT

STATE METHOD OR MADNESS? WHO CAN EXPLAIN THE HAPHAZARD STATE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN NATAL? THE ANC'S DR MIKE SUTCLIFFE AND THE NATAL INDIAN CONGRESS' (NIC) PRAVIN GORDHAN, TELL KERRY CULLINAN THAT THERE IS METHOD IN STATE INITIATIVES, AND THAT THE LIBERATION MOVEMENT IS FIGHTING BACK.

« q

111 U « 1

Inkatha impis

STATE DEVELOPMENT forums lie ers and Ihe african squatters, bul what operating on local government here/ he thick on Ihe ground in NaiaL from Ihe the two groups don't see is lhat the cause adds. giant RSA/KwaZulu Develop men I of this conflict is ihe apartheid govern­ 'We call this ihe "Volkcr option", Project (RKDP) which claims it will be ment. The ANC and the civics have a where Black Local Authorities (BLAs) involved in over 100 development huge role to play in bringing the com­ and coloured and indian Local Affairs projects this year at a cost of more than munities together. Commiltees (LACs) are being integrated RI40 million, lo Natal Provincial Ad­ 'Middle-income africans are also administratively and sometimes politi­ ministration (NPA) and KwaZulu Fi­ used as a buffer beiween very poor and cally into adjoining white councils. Ex­ nance Corporation (KFC) projects. richer whiles. amples of this arc to be found in about While ihe RKDP is committed to "The slate is also implementing a 14 areas in Natal, including Pielerma- promoting private land and home own­ host of silly little projecls, mostly on the ril/burg, Stanger and Ladysmilh. ership and local entrepreneurs, from the fringes of Durban, aboul 35km from the 'This is an attempt on Volker's part outside there seems to be liille in its city centre* The purpose for these to subverl any democratic process and approach that suggests it has a clear plan projecls is to keep ihe poor far from ihe keep ihe movemeni forces oul of any for the region. Much the same can be city.' local level development/ said for the KFC and NPA projecls. For Sutcliffc, the 'Volker option' For Dr Mike Suicliffc, the ANC The 'Volker option* has begun to assert itself strongly in Southern Natal Regional Executive local level negotiations. Committee member responsible for lo­ The NIC's Pravin Gordhan, who is also 'A year ago, we would sit with just cal and regional government, there is a a leader of Ihe Durban Housing Action Ihe NPA al negolialions. We now meet certain coherence in Ihe slate's approach Committee (DHAC) and chairperson of NPA, LACs and BLAs/ even if there is no strategic development Codesa's management committee, also For Sulcliffc, the NPA and not plan. believes that the state docs nol have a KwaZulu. is the driving force in the 'There is a racial basis lo their de­ cohcrenl development strategy, but 'what region. velopment plans, Indian areas are used ii does is lied lo its regional political *As far as KwaZulu is concerned, as buffers between whiles and africans. strategy*. they allend meetings with the NPA but 'Any squalling that lakes place does *A very good example of what the have no strategy for the region. They are so in indian areas. state is up to on a political level is re­ usually armed with consultants at these 'One can see a racism emerging in flected in how the Member of the Execu­ meetings, and ihe consultant do all the the conflicts between indian homeown­ tive Committee (MEC) Tino Volkcr is talking/

A WIP 2 SUPPLEMENT KwaZulus agenda ing NPA officials. These are the people should then lead to structures being who are demolishing squatter camps, formed. Itui while KwaZulu may be in ihc dark while their bosses are meeting us in ne­ To Gordhan, the progressive move­ us far as development is concerned. gotiating forums/ ment's response lo local government has Gordhan believes ii has a clear regional Progressive movement's response tended to he 'isolated, fragmented and political agenda. "Hit with so many battles, it is difficult issue-oriented'. The KwaZulu government's strong (for the progressive movement) lo de­ There's a gap between struggles on support for federalism al Codesa indi­ velop a coherent approach/ admits Sut­ Ihe ground and policy formulation al a cates that it wants regional political cliffe. regional level, largely by academics. power/ says Gordhan. The ANC has set up a local and There is also a gap between long-term Then there is Ihc rumour that regional government committee made planning and immediate responses, Buihele/i may leave Inkalha and base up of representatives from ANC /ones, Clearly we need lo look at this/ says himself in KwaZulu so thai, if he fails al Cosatu. SACP and civic association rep­ Gordhan. a national level, he has an ethnic re­ resentatives, convened by Sutcliffe lo 'We need to take a formal initiative gional base from which lo intervene. tackle local government issues in South- with while municipalities lhal will begin There arc also rumours lhal the KwaNa- ern Natal. the process of forming an interim gov­ tal Indaba has been revived. ernment structure regionally, which can 'All these things indicate there is a Alliances be in place al about Ihe same lime as a kind of regional political option the gov­ national interim government. ernment and KwaZulu are trying lo play 'The way to build a local government 'The interim governing council, out. The development strategy they front is lo build alliances with the civics which will take over certain stale func­ would pursue would he in that context/ on a programme of action lo win over a tions including local government, could There is also KwaZulu\s insistence range of people, including the major be in place within the nexl four months. that civics won't be given the space, local authorities/ says Sutcliffe, We've got to act within that context, not which for Gordhan indicates lhal 'The authorities must start talking initiate processes thai will take years of KwaZulus development strategy would to us now, because by the lime we have discussion. be linked lo winning voters' support and an interim government, possibly by July, 'We hope lhal al Codesa level, credibility. we have lo have a solution. agreement can be reached on a set of Interestingly though, many Inkatha 'That's going lo terrify mosl local common principles and criteria by which supporting chiefs are opposed lo RKDP authorises. We are noi interested in talk all local authoriliesin the country would development plans as they will result in shops. There is a shift in power and have to engage in local interim struc­ chiefs losing power* says Sulcliffe. within a year, real power will be in the tures by a certain period.' But he cautions against dismissing hands of the majorities/ These negotiations would have to the entire KwaZulu government. 'The Sutcliffe believes the progressive take place hand in hand with mass action ANC believes a lot of comrades in Kwa­ movement should target the five key and campaigns 'to ensure that the in­ Zulu, once shackles of Inkatha are thrown local authorities: Durban, Pineiown. terim structure is balanced in favour of off them, have the potential lo play an Aman/imtoti. Westville and Unihlanga. the democralic forces', concludes important role in the future government Meetings should be held with Ihem which Gordhan. # in a way that the dur.\;v;' 3£*As iAR4 LACs will never have, he adds. 'Another area where the slate's de­ velopment strategy car be seen is al in­ formal housing settlements/ asserts Gordhan. 'There again is lie use of under­ ground forces to und;rmine political organisations in these '(immunities and discredit the ANC/ And Sutcliffe believes that the Na­ tional Intelligence Serjce

CATO MANOR'S GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CATO MANOR — A VAST AREA A MERE 8KM FROM DURBAN'S CITY CENTRE — PROVIDES A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO REVERSE THE CITY'S APARTHEID PLANNING AND BRING LOW INCOME PEOPLE CLOSER TO TOWN. REPORTS KERRY CULUNAN.

MOST OF the 2 (MM) hectares of Cam on the periphery of the city. gress (NIC) leader Prawn Gordhan. Manor is publicly owned — by a myriad With the fragmentation of the cen­ Initially, Ihe campaign focused on of government structures. Ml the land­ tral stale, land ownership has been "tfl- the right oi people lo remain in Cato owners have agreed in principle that a eameralised*. It is scattered between the Manor and the demand for affordable holistic development plan should he House of Delegates (HOD). House of housing. drawn up. Assembly- the Natal Provincial Admin* 'In the late 80s, this process was Ilui a number of issues siill have to iteration, ihree councils — Westville. taken further when the CMRA and con­ be thrashed out in the mini-Codesa' NinSophiatown was in Jo­ development initiative. Operation Jump- hannesburg. It was a vibrant, non-racial Community structures start, ihen set up an action group to took area; home 10 some 120*000 people by into the area. the early 1950s. Ii was also a stronghold "We first got involved (in CalO Manor) •A coalition of the CMRA. Chesler- for the Congress alliance. as ihe Durban Housing Action Commit­ ville Residents' Association, the AN(\ Bui by ihe early 60s. (his non-racial tee (DH AC) in the late 70s and helped to SACP, DHAC Ihe Civic Working Com­ society had been destroyed by apartheid form the Calo Manor Residents' Asso­ mittee and informal housing organisa­ removals. African people were removed ciation (CMRA). The CMRA can take tions in the area then formed the Cato lo KwaMashuand indian people loChat- the credit for laying the basis for the Manor Development Committee (CMDC) sworih and Phoenix, All three ureas are kinds of developments we have at this in early 1991/ says Gordhan. time.* says DHACand Natal Indian Con­ Service organisations such as the Built Environ me nl Support Group

<*- - •'«*•

ii* ,-- • ~x * p • r - •**l * ;-7 *.""•

^ • *« Hism •i ... . • V -*- *- rlu\

Shacks mushroom among the mango trees

AWIP 4 SUPPLEMENT VTEITVrLLt

GMAm CATO MANOR STUDY COMPOUTKM Qf STUOr AREA

IBESG) and Centre lor Community and non-racial and aimed ai low lo middle representaiives of local authorities and Labour Studies (CCLS) were also income groups* ten community representatives* includ- brought into (he committee. It was also agreed that a *non-racial. ing Inkatha and a eonservalive white BESG's Clive Foster says the democratic, consensus based trust* made residents' organisation, make up ihe SC. CMDC identified two phases in devel­ up of representatives of all involved Seven of len community organisations opment: parties should be set up to guide the are in an alliance, explains Sutcliffe. In the first phase, the committee area's development. The stale agreed to These are essentially the bodies that would negotiate with all the various land* look into whal land il could make avail­ made up the CMDC. owners for Cato Manor lo be consoli­ able lo this trust. dated under a new vehicle/ says Foster. Bui after that meeting, central gov­ Compromises il was fell that, with the demise of ernment threw a spanner in the works. the Group Areas Act, it was not appro­ Fourie was lo get cabinet endorsement But the CMDC was forced to compro­ priate for the land to be owned by ra­ for the agreement in September. How­ mise on a key aspect of its approach: lhat cially defined bodies or for develop­ ever, after a long delay, Fourie con­ all CatO Manor's land is pooled under a ment lo happen along racial lines, vened a meeting on 9 December, where trusl. This means that the land, finance 'In the second phase, the CMDC he presented a substantially different and to a large extent the planning capa­ wanted the land to be reconstituted un­ proposal. bility, slill lie in state hands. der a non-racial trust, which could then Central government seemed lo fear While Ihe individual landowners implement its development/ says Foster lhat pooling land ownership would re­ have agreed to submit their plans lo the Meanwhile in a bid to counler the move power from its local authorities SC, the extent of power Ihe SC has over CMDC, the state formed its own group, and the NPA. Ihe land owners is unclear. essentially made up of state structures. There was a major clash between Also unresolved is the quesiion of Fourie and the CMDC/ says Gordhan. who will finance low cost housing. So Meetings with the state ANC Southern Natal executive far, ihe CMDC has been unable lo fund- member, Dr Mike Sutcliffe, reportedly raise for this as it does nol own the land. There w as much opposition lo the stale's called Ihedepuly minister a liar, and Ihe Doubts have also been expressed group, wilh some bodies refusing to co­ CMDC representatives walked out of ahoul whether the SC is capable of imple­ operate wilh the stale slruciure. Kventu- Ihe meeting. menting development. Bui this will soon ally community and stale bodies in­ This year, atiempls were made to be tested as. now that agreement has volved in the area met in May 1991. heal this rift. Finally agreemenl was been reached on the broad principles of This meeting was followed up in reached thai Cato Manor Devclopmeni development, the aciual foundations For July 1991 by a meeting of "all interested Forum steering committee (SC) should a development plan have to be laid. parlies' called by ihedeputy minister of be formed lo address the questions of Gordhan agrees thai fragmented development. planning. Andre Fourie, land ownership and the uncertainty about At this meeting, a lechnical work The forum's SC. which is chaired ihe SCs power lo implement agreements group made up ol the NPA, department by an advocate, operates along ihe lines are disadvantages. of planning, CMDC. Operation Jump- of Codcsa. wilh consensus needed for But both he and Sutcliffe are confi­ sturi. HOD and ihe Durban corporation progress. dent that, wilh the imminent establish­ was sei up lo compile a reporl on pos­ For SulelilTe. Ihe steering commit­ ment of an interim government, ihe bal­ sible approaches to developing the area. tee 'has the potential lo become an in­ ance of forces will shift significantly in This reporl was presented to a meet­ terim government structure*. favour of the community organisations ing on I ft August, I99L Agreement was It consists of 'all interested parlies' in the Cato Manor forum. # reached thai devclopmeni of all vacant including Ihe main political organisa- land in Cato Manor should be: holistic, lions, and government structures. Ten

A WIP 5 SUPPLEMENT REC NSTRUCT

BUILDING A DEMOCRATIC DURBAN

A UNITED REGIONAL CIVIC STRUCTURE, THE SOUTHERN NATAL CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS (SONACA) WAS LAUNCHED ON 6 MARCH. ORGANISATIONS ARE ALSO DISCUSSING HOW TO REVIVE THE DEMOCRATIC DURBAN CAMPAIGN (DDC). KERRY CULLINAN SPOKE TO SONACA DEPUTY SECRETARY LECHESA TSENOU, ABOUT THE CHALLENGES FACING THE CIVIC MOVEMENT IN HIS REGION.

IN RECENT years, the Joint Rent Action Committee the Civic Associations of Northern Natal and Sonaca. The (Jorac) split into the Southern Natal Interim Civics North Coast has launched. The Midlands is relatively weak, (SNIC)and Natal Interim Civics Organisation (NICO). but we are hoping that, in lime, that region will also launch. Does the new regional civic structure incorporate both these structures and how did it come about? What area is covered by Southern Natal, and what is the Durban Functional Region (DFR)? I am not ihe right person to lulk about the unity process. Others must be credited with thai. But what I can say is several Southern Natal stretches to Slangcr in the north. Hammars- meetings were held between SNIC and NICO. and late last dule in the west. In the lower south. Matatiele is the furtherest year they resolved to work together. The Civic Working point with Port Shepstone the furtherest in the upper south. Committee tCWC) was then established us a temporary struc­ The DFR is also pretty big. It covers a total area of 2.^40 ture to ensure the formaltsation of interim structures in the square kilometres. In the east, we have the Indian Ocean as the whole of Natal. The CWC has already overseen the launch of boundary. In the west. Cato Ridge; in the south. Umkomaas is

A WIP 6 SUPPLEMENT our boundary and ihcn on ihc northern parti Sail Rock. porated into KwaZulu. as we arc an integral pari of Durban. The various civic associations have also been demanding a WhatisKwaZulu'sresponsetothecivicsinthe single, non-racial and democratic local authority for the entire region? DFR as wc believe that our problems will only be solved by a democratic city* The KwaZulu minister of interior Steven Sithcbc. has de­ The demand for one democratic city was also raised clared war on civics. He has said as much in public meetings. during the 1989 Defiance Campaign. And Inkalha has decided to fight any initiative Ihal is not Some while residents also started a campaign for an open theirs. city. A workshop involving a wide range of organisations was Wc also almost always suspeel the NPA and others of convened in February 1990. This led to other meetings and trying lo prop up KwaZulu, so that when they oppose what then to the launch of the Civic Forum, which is made up of a civics have to say it is because it goes against what ihey have wide range of organisations. decided with KwaZulu al a regional level. The campaign is being seen as important now because One example is in KwaMashu's L Section. People were with the talk of an interim government, the queslion of local negotiating with the interior minister about their problems, government is becoming critical. We have to ensure thai we but he indicated that he was not interested in talking to civic have ideas and policies concretised. We are planning a policy structures. The residents then negotiated with the NPA but conference lo look at some issues. while they were negotiating, the NPA apparently received a document from the KwaZulu government saying that if the Can you tell us more about the Civic Forum (CF)? NPA wanted lo negotiate about KwaMashu they should do so with the KwaZulu council, not shadowy groups. The CF is probably going to be the campaign structure thai What is now emerging in that same section, which is a lakes forward ihe campaign for a democratic Durban. It is very civic stronghold, is gangsterism. But these gangsters are broad-based and cuis across a number of municipalities. It openly against the civic. They are expressing political objec­ could act as a reference point when we move inio interim tions lo the civic activists. We don't think this is a coincidence. government arrangements. There is also the question of squatters, who have been In all there are about 70 organisations in ihe CF. There attacked with brute force in areas that fall under KwaZulu. are ihree types of organisations represented; civic associa­ The Durban eouncil has also been using ils security depart­ tions, which are divided into the north, south and west /ones; ment lo set people's shacks alight and destroy people's prop­ sectoral organisations in fields such as education, sports, erly. culture, health, religious and the environmental and political organisations — the ANC, SACP, NIC — and trade unions. Aside from having to build structures and deal with The forum was formed in mid-1991, and a council made the violence, what are some of the other problems up of representatives from the /ones and sectoral and political facing thecivics in the region, and howare these organisations was set up to see lo the running of the CF. being dealt with? DothecivicsinSouthern Natal haveany united There are many problems. For one. ihe NPA has failed to approachto development? implement agreements reached in meetings with community representatives on the development of townships. Al the moment, we are developing a united approach. We have For example, areas ihal fall under the Ningi/umu town also been persuaded by attending National Development Fo­ council (NTC>. that is Lamonlvillc, Chesierville and hostels rum meetings that ihere is a need for a regional development in Durban formed the Joint Areas Committee (JAC) aboul structure loensure ihal we formulaic our own policies. Civics four years ago to negotiate with Ihc NPA aboul these prob­ also do noi have Ihe skills to take on development projects and lems. Last year, Ihe NPA unilaterally suspended these nego­ we need a vehicle of this kind. tiations but we pressurised them, Ihe Durban city council and We need to get other sectors to join us in forming this the Ningi/umu council into meeting us a few weeks ago. structure so that we develop a systematic approach to devel­ In Toko/a women's hostel. Inkalha members are given opment, We have to have community involvement and con­ preference on the waiting list and are allowed to stay with trol over the processes, as well as access lo funds, Develop* their children. JAC submitted proposals to the NPA and NTZ ment projects must also create jobs in our communities. The some lime ago on upgrading and ultimately convening the key is lo sec development in a holistic manner, not just in a hostels to single and family units. But when the NPA got technical light money for hostel upgrading, ihey pretended it was Iheir We also have lo ensure that there is a moratorium on initiative, and called a broad meeting to discuss ihe matter. unilateral decision-making by all levels of government. Wc are currently negotiating with them around upgrading. Noi only the NPA has its own development plans. There But now Ihal Sonaca has launched and can co-ordinate are the big companies like Tongaat-Hulelts. Their plans are all activity. JAC may fall away. finalised without any input from Ihe civics. #

Howdid the Democratic Durban Campaign (DDC) • Tsetwli was recently elected vice-president of ihe SA National comeaboutandwhylsltlmportanttoitrevivenow? Civic Organisation and isfutl-titne co-ordinator of the DDC.

Townships around Durban have always resisted being incor­

AWIP 7 SUPPLEMENT REC NSTRUCT

PIETERMARITZBURG'S WAR VICTIMS FIGHT BACK

FOR MANY VICTIMS OF NATAL'S VIOLENCE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LOVED ONES. HOMES AND LIVELIHOODS, LIFE IS HARDLY WORTH LIVING. BUT THOSE WHO HAVE WON THE RIGHT TO LAND IN COPESVILLE PROVIDE A BEACON OF HOPE TO OTHERS DISPLACED BY THE KILLINGS. REPORTS KERRY CULLINAN

ONI: OF (he saddest effects of ihc violence in Naial is Ihc This was the first afnean community lo lay claim to a thousands of people who have been lorccd onlo Ihc streets permanent place in Pielermarilzburg. The situation arose prior alter iheir homes were burnt down, or they were driven from lo the Group Areas Acl being scrapped, when Ihere was no their areas by vigilantes. such thing as an african ratepayer, not lo mention a whole While some arc now living in displaccc camps, others community of dispossessed, unemployed and poverty-stricken have buill Iheir own homes in areas free from the violence. people, who cannot even afford basic shelter, services and Bui the reception lo these people — now seen as 'squatters' by land/ says BKSG's Anion Krone. homeowners in the peaceful areas — has often been hostile, The majority of the displacecs moved to Copesville, an sometimes even violent. indian residential area norlh east of Pietermaritzburg, in 1990, They came mainly from Hdcndalc. Sweelwalers, Maqongqo Ray of hope and Table Mountain areas. Mosl had fled during Edendale Valley's seven-day war in March 1990, during which thou* One displacee community in the Copesville area offers a ray sands of Inkatha impis led by local warlords invaded the area of hope lo those who have lied from Ihc violence. Armed only and indiscriminately attacked homes. Olhers have been living with strong organisation in Ihc form of the Copesville Resi­ in Copesville for some eight years* dents Association (CRA) and an ANC branch, and supported by the Built Environment Support Group (BESG), the com­ Racial tension munity has successfully negotiated 1,044 sites for themselves very close lo where ihcy arc now living. There are presently about 5.000 displacecs in Copcville. A

A single tar road separates these squatters' from an HOD Iwusing development

WIP 8 SUPPLEMFNT single lar road separaies their mainly waulc and daub shacks from (he new low-cos! indian housing eslate being buill by the 3 House of Delegates (HOD), which owns ihe land. o The HOD planned to build 3.000 homes in ihe area, bul in a •< in some areas building has stopped because Ihe displacees' i shelters are in the way. Racial tension is riding high belween ihe indian and african communities, with all crime in the new I housing estate being blamed on the displacees. Many of the indian people carry guns. Sometimes you can he assaulted if you are walking alone at night.' a Copes­ ville resident told Reconstruct. Initially developers and ihe HOD also declared war on the community. A private developer hired by Allied Grinaker Properiies destroyed one of the settlements near Copesville. while other residents complained of harassment and threats by Comrade Julius' security firms in the pay of the HOD. feels the long And then [here arc the lack of facilities and jobs. There are struggle is finally worthwhile only two laps for ihe entire area. The only jobs available are on a casual basis in the indian housing estate.

Authorit ies opt out

Initially the Pictcrmaritzburg City Council refused to become involved in Copeville. The land is still registered in (the HOD's) name and they must atlend io the problem.' said Mayor Mark Cornell {Natal Witness, August 1990). ville people and prominent Pielermaritzburg leaders from Ihe The Natal Provincial Administration (NPA) also opled ANC. civics and technical, legal and accounting professions out. saying that 'in terms of Ihe Illegal Squatting Act of 1951, has also been set up to get access to and hold funds for needs ihe primary responsibility for the removal of squatters rests such as housing. wilh Ihe owner of the land in question'. A series of meetings between the HOD and the CRA were Full cost recovery held in August 1990 but little progress was made. While the HOD promised not to use force lo remove the displacees, it But two problems stand in the way of the Whispers develop­ also tried to persuade community representatives to police the ment project. area and prevent other families from moving in. 'The council believes in full cost recovery for services. By late September, negotiations between the HOD and This is very difficult for the Copesville people, who will be the communities had broken down, mainly because the HOD expected to pay about R85 a month for refuse removal and did not have the resources lo offer new land to Ihe Copesville waler-borne sewerage.' says Krone. community. As a result, ihe CRA called on other homeless 'In all other african townships in the country, monthly people in the city lo invade Ihe Copesville land in a bid to service charges are subsidised by 80-90 percent. So in effect. force the NPA and cily council lo iniervene. africans are being penalised for slaying in ihe city.' 'If the NPA and Ihe city council are prepared to accept Given lhal the monthly income of 497 Copesville house­ responsibility, then the civic committee is prepared to reopen holds oul of 787 questioned is less than R300, while only 134 negotiations. In Ihe meantime we are calling on people to households earn more than R500. the community is hardly in come Into the area,' said a CRA spokesperson (Natal Witness, a position to pay ihe full costs of services. 27/9/90). Thus while ihe IDT subsidy is enough lo cover the costs By early October, following a meeting between Ihe CRA of water-borne sewerage, the council is reluctant to agree lo and the deputy minister of provincial affairs, Terlius Delpori. the installation ofsuch a system as it is unsure if the poverty- Ihe NPA and the city council were reluctantly drawn inlo stricken community can pay for it. negotiations about Copesville. The other potential stumbling block is the Copesville The NPA eventually bought a nearby farm. Whispers, for people's resolve not to leave their settlements unless every­ Ihe 1.044 families il originally surveyed. The Independent one in ihe area has access to a serviced sile. Development Trust (IDT) has agreed lo fund the sites pro­ However. Krone believes the development will go ahead vided that agreement is reached between all parties. within weeks, and lhal service charges will be negotiated A Joinl Steering Committee comprising of ihe CRA, later. NPA. eily council, BKS developers and BESG arc in Ihe "If the Copesville people can negotiate a revised service process of drawing up a participation contract to ensure thai policy wilh ihe council, il will ease ihe burden of others in the every aspect of the development — due to start within weeks cily facing similar condilions and make il more feasible for — is negotiated. ihe poor to locate themselves close lo ihe cily centre,' says A community development trusl made up of four Copes- Krone. # AWIP 9 SUPPLEMENT REC INSTRUCT

A REFUGEE DUMPING GROUND

PIC Kf MHV CULLINAN THE NATAL PROVINCIAL Built Environment Support Group ADMINISTRATION'S (NPA) tBF.SG)have been busy identifying land within Pietermarit/hurg's boundaries RESPONSE TO THE lhai can he set aside for low cost housing REFUGEE CRISIS IS FAR projects. A M hectare trad of land five kilo­ FROM ADEQUATE. KERRY metres from ihe city's centre has been CULLINAN VISITS AN NPA identified as potentially housing 1,000 RESETTLEMENT AREA FOR families. However the city council has earmarked Ihe land for a golf course, and REFUGEES. plans to spend R2 million developing it­ 'll is ridiculous that such valuable ON A MUDDY hill some 25km from community resources are to be squan­ Pictermarit/burg a collection of tattered, dered in this way/ said BESG's Anton leaky Icnls flap in the wind. Women are Krone. removing stones from iheir 16 square 'Is Ihe council saying thai hundreds metre yards', while a few men are dig­ Home is a leaky tent and a tin toilet of poor people must pay high transport ging ditches lo slop the rain from flood­ costs to get to town each day lo enable a ing sites. a choice, but we don't know if the NPA handful of golfers, many of whom own This is Ambleion farm, ihe NPA's will help us lo build houses or if we must cars, lo play golf once a week?* answer to ihe problem of homclessncss pay For services/ said a Mr Msomi. and refugees. The Ambleton-Shenstone farms are Forced removals Since 20 January, 52 families have the potential dumping grounds of the moved onlo Ihe farm, which Ihe NPA city's poorest people who have nowhere Another small area of land between expropriated together with neighbour­ to go and nothing to defend themselves Imbali and a low-cost area of Wcslgale ing ShensiOne farm late last year. The with. could also potentially house homeless two farms cover some 1*200 hectares, 'Most of the people here are wid­ people. However Wcslgale residents are and ihe NPA estimates Ihey can accom­ ows whose husbands died in the vio­ opposed to the scheme as Ihey believe modate between 15.00(1 and 20,000 fami­ lence. They have no jobs. They are just iheir houses will be devalued. Ironi­ lies. here with their children/ said commit­ cally many of those opposed to the de­ But the farms are far away from tee member Cori Majozi. velopment are former township dwell­ jobs. Transport is scarce and ihe ncaresi And the community has been told to ers who say they moved lo Westgate lo Schools are al Imbali. some kilometres expect people from Richmond and Eden- escape from township poverty. away. The first people to take up ihe dale in the near future. But it is likely thai only the well NPA's offer were living in a refugee At present, the NPA is employing organised and belter informed displaeee camp in Hawick after their homes in some of Ambition's men at R15 a day lo communities will be able to resist Ihe Mpophomeni were destroyed. prepare land for more families. But once move lo Ambleion and Shenstone. the siles have been levelled and ditches 'The city council and the NPA arc Abandoned and desperate dug, the NPA is unlikely to pay much presently preparing to forcibly remove attention lo the area. homeless families from the city and dump 'I still work in Howick. It costs me RK The lack of resources, jobs, liny them out on the periphery al a place wilh every day for transport. I have five kids. siles. limited services and the fact that a no social infrastructure or employment/ Four of them go lo school and I must pay range of different communities are be­ said Krone. R50a month for each child for transport ing settled on top of one another is a 'This amounts lo I ill lo more than lo school. That makes R360 and I earn recipe for conflict. old style force removals of the 1960s. R400. All I do with the R40 left over is Meanwhile the settlement poses u The rcsull will be further marginalisa- buy a bag of miclie meal/ one of the new dilemma for community organisations, lion of the poor/ residents told Reconstruct the ANC and service organisations. They Community and political organisa­ Those who have moved lo Amble- opposed ihe development from the start tions now have lo decide whether they ton were desperate and felt abandoned because the siles are so far from town. allow the Amblelon-Shensione devel­ by community and political organisa­ opment to proceed and pressurise au- tions. As they had nothing left to lose Land for golf ihorilies for improvements, or call for a they decided to take up the NPA's offer. freeze on development and demand vi­ 'We moved because we did not have Instead communities supported by the able alternatives. # AWIP 10 SUPPLEMENT REC I • NSTRUCT

REGIONAL BOUNDARIES IS THE ANC GIVING INTO ETHNIC FEDERALISM? THE ANC'S PROPOSAL TO DIVIDE SOUTH AFRICA INTO TEN REGIONS AND THE CODESA AGREEMENT ON REGIONAL GOVERNMENT SEEM LIKE CONCESSIONS TO FEDERALISM, WHICH WILL ALLOW CURRENT RACIAL AND ETHNIC STRUCTURES TO CONTINUE, ARGUES LAURINE PLATZKY.

THE ANC proposal for len regions considered* 16 or 30 or more regions to ment: progressive policy, effective ad­ seems to he a Defoliating (ool lo ap­ cater for various forms and processes — ministration and coordination. Account­ pease current sub-national power blocks, such as urbanisation, industrialisation, able decision-making about the alloca­ demonstrating thai the negotiators the urban-rural dynamic, trade links, tion of resources is also essential. favour 'good government'. But 4good commuting patterns, and cultural links We may not need regional legisla- government' in this sense will not ad­ — might be proposed. lure to achieve these goals, Regional dress decades of apartheid engineering Secondly, regional structures should offices of central state departments, com­ such as the hantusiuns, the relocation of implement affirmative action policies missions and tribunals focusing on de­ more than 3.5 million people or the cen­ decided at national level. Structural velopment sectors such as land and hous­ tralisation of power and privilege in the changes in our system of regional gov­ ing can perform these functions. Pretoria-Witwatersrand-Vaal (PWV> ernment are therefore needed. Communities could then approach region. Entrenching existing structures, al­ these commissions and tribunals with Firstly the question should be though simpler to administer in the tran­ their needs, These commissions could asked: why ten regions? sition period, will not necessarily facili­ be made up of representatives from the Regional boundaries should come tate regional development. local and metropolitan level — politi­ about through the analysis of a problem, cians, bureaucrats, experts and sectors. as defined by those drawing the lines. It Deprivation Co-ordinating committees between seems that the ANC wanted to address these commissions would be necessary. the reintegration of the bantustans into Historical processes, which led lo Ihe The first priority should be extensive South Africa, But for this purpose* they present uneven pattern of development, policy programmes for restructuring and reverted lo 1910 boundaries — which explains why some people are deprived affirmative action, decided on by a le­ reflected Boer/British conflicts and ig­ of adequate education, health, housing gitimate central legislature and imple­ nored the vast majority. and employment. The geography of this mented locally and regionally, accord­ The Development Bank of SA unevennessalso contributes to depriva­ ing lo demand. (DBSA) came up with a similar pro­ tion, as some people have less access to The I9l0compromisebetween Boer posal for nine regions, as did the SA services and facilities than others. Strong state and British colony, involving a Law Commission . national action has to be taken lo reverse measure of autonomy to the four prov­ If existing structures are to be con­ these processes. inces, proved lo be an expensive experi­ sidered, why adapt the DBSA proposal Bui well-intentioned attempts to de­ ment that was inappropriate lo the needs and ignore metropolitan areas and Re­ centralise political power in view of in­ of the majority. gional Services Councils (RSCsh which creasingly concentrated economic power Ill-conceived devolution of power, are more viable functional units? may be useless for development —• but to a weakly defined regional level may A realistic assessment of forces and handy to create or mai main power bases. become a buffer between a well-mean­ development goals must inform both Three factors are vital fordevelop- ing central stale and desperate local com­ the devolution of power and the bound­ munities, if ethnic regional groups man­ aries in which they are executed. age to control regional development ini­ tiatives, Analysts needed Careful attention should be given to regional government, as it offers ihe po­ To draw borders that will make regional tential to overcome the local govern­ decisions meaningful for the majority, a ment divisions formed by Group Areas clear analysis of historical processes is and the rigidity of national politics. needed. This includes analysing eco­ Regional government allows new nomic, social and political forces at a faces in new struclurcs to implement national and international scale, the rote desperately needed development poli­ of the state and private sector and the cies to raise the quality of life of the needs of civil society. majority of the future electorate. • If different social processes were * Ltiuritw PliMzkv is o invttiher of the Copt* town A W1P 11 SUPPLEMENT hosetl Oeveltrpmwu Action Gmup* REC NSTRUCT

FACELIFT FOR INNER-CITY SLUMS BY PATRICK BOND AND MONTY NARSOO

•INVEST IN Hillbrowor Jouberl Park? Acislop organised GnrfiTs build­ can development: Never!* This is ihc prevailing altitude of ings, and after lough negotiations and *: how to delennine the socio-eco­ bankers and many developers, who view protest action, he was forced to lake a nomic status of tenants so as lo assess parts of inner-city Johannesburg with more enlightened approach. afford ability, tenant aspirations and the ihe same disdain I hey have Tor lown- But Gorlil tired of using his Hill* degree of overcrowding; ships, brow and Joubcrt Park buildings as a tax how to assess (he value of the Phis is jusl one of ihe harriers lo loss. Interest was shown by an oul-ot- buildings and prepare for rehabilitation making Hillhrow and Jouherl Park live­ lown buyer who had made a fortune in where necessary; able lor thousands of residents. Crime, Ihe minibus taxi trade. Gorlil even made * how lo sel up a non-profii com­ violence, lack of facilities and deterio- financial calculations which showed that pany under lenanl control which will railng environmental conditions are com­ even if he emptied all Ihe flats in his own the building: monplace in ihe area. buildings, leaving only the ground floor 1 how to raise the money on appro­ Bui ihere are other economic barri­ shops, he would still make a profit from priate terms: ers, less visible but perhaps ultimately rents. • how to educate and train tenants more important: Before going that route, however, to manage the buildings through collec­ * slumlords set on maximising rent­ Gorfil allowed the "Seven Buildings tive ownership, also known as 'social 1 als without maintaining buildings: Working Group* sel up by Actslop, lo housing . * speculators who hold on to land investigate tenant ownership. The work­ The lasl challenge will prove most ing group is composed of lenant repre­ without developing it, in the hope that it enduring. Individual sectional litle own­ sentatives, lawyers, architects and ser­ will soar in value; ership is simply too expensive for the vice organisation members. * huge property developers whose low-income tenants. postmodern skyscrapers have pushed The group began lo meet weekly The working group is expected lo ecnlral Johannesburg land values far and soon confronted a variety ol chal­ make an offer on Ihe seven buildings beyond historical levels; lenges, mostly brand new in South Afri- Ihis month, A long organising, educa­ tion and development campaign lies * financiers who have a blanket ; «.*•* ahead. 'redlining' (discrimination) policy. Consider firs l ihe slumlords Isee Bui if social housing can gain also main section, pages.*,.). Gorlil ground in the hostile climate of Hill- Brothers has had a love-hale relation­ brow and Jouberl Hark, scourge of major ship with ihe inner-city tenant organisa­ developers, the campaign will be a suc­ tion, Acislop, Since becoming more ae- cess worthy of replication elsewhere, • 5 live in residential properties in the mid- 5 1980s, Gorlil has milked the buildings, Puirivk Bond works for PUuuut ami Monty Nar- | delayed maintenance* failed to pay hun­ \oo for Cope, both Johannesburg based \crxive dreds of thousands of rands in city ser­ organisations involved IS the %cven buildings vice charges and evicted tenants on Evictions in the city happen daily. project. flimsy grounds. II1MI BRIEFS Rich whites get cold feet cal affairs committees. This, said Mul­ WHrTK RATEPAYERS in Johannesburg's der, would ensure (hat the councils rep­ 1 affluent suburbs of Bedfordvicw and Cltrusdal goes non-racial resented 'all residents ! (See Page 2) Sandton are getting cold feel about form­ THE WHITES only* town council of ing single council structures with their Cltrusdal in the Cape has resolved lo KwaThandeka negotiations reopen black neighbours. dissolve and form a non-racial council AFTER A protracted bailie, ihe TPA has Recently the Bedfordvicw council in terms of the Interim Measures of Lo­ accepted in principle ihe KwaThandeka pulled out of negotiations to form a single cal Government Act. Elections for ihe community's proposals for the redevel­ new council will be held in October. non-racial council wilh neighbouring opment of Ihe area along non-racial lines. Katlehong, Gcrmiston and Ivory Park In the lasi issue of Reconstruct* it was after protests from residents. Natal's multi-racialism reported that deadlock had been reached And in Sandlon, councillors issued The adminisiralor of Natal, Con Mulder, after the TPA refused to accept ihe pro­ a special newsletter reassuring residents announced last month (hat while coun­ posals, which call for a sub-regional de­ lhai a merger with Alexandra and Rand- cils in ihe region were working towards velopment plan involving ihe state, pri­ burg was not a foregone conclusion, but merging with neighbouring black local vate sector and residents. was still being explored. authorities and indian and coloured lo-

AWIP 12 SUPPLEMENT reviews

WhAT hAppENEd IN EXHE?

COMRADES AGAINST APARTHEID: The ANC and the South African Communist Party in Exile. By Stephen Ellis and Tsepo Sechaba- James Currey, London & Indiana University Press, Bloomington (1992)

OLITICAL EXILE is a life-style de- South Africa. It also meant that outgoing volcd io ihe place where one isn't. JEREMY recruits and returning, trained cadres and P Or is it? material, had to be funnelled through It is the exile years of the ANC and SACP CRONIN highly predictable and therefore vulner­ which are the focus of this recently pub­ able, small towns of Swaziland, Botswana lished book. Stephen Hllis is the former and I «SO(ho. editor of Africa Confidential* and Tsepo The young Chris Hani, after the Above all, the very success of the Sechaba' is the pen-name of his collabo­ Wankie Campaign in 1967 (and not be­ ANC*s exile perpetuated the outside as rator and principal informant. fore, as Ellis and Sechaba claim on p47, the centre of gravity for far too long. In Sechaba is described in the book's making one of a number of factual errors) exile, you tend to see the solution to introduction as 'a man who joined the found himself in the midst of precisely problems as coming from exile itself. ANC illegally inside South Africa, left this tension. On behalf of a number of • Exile also creates enormous diffi­ the country after 1976 and was recruited Wankie combatants he submitted an an­ culties for many technical functions, like to the SACP*' (p6> There is no reason to gry memorandum, charging the then MK counter-intelligence for instance. If you doubt this claim. Indeed Sechaba is al­ leadership with incompetence and com­ are based on home soil, and better still, if most certainly a former ANC intelli­ placency. Was he right? Looking back you have state power, then checking on gence officer based in Lesotho, then Zim­ today on the event. Hani feels there were someone's alibi becomes relatively easy. babwe, and currently studying in the US, good grounds for complaint, but he also But if you are sitting in Lusaka trying to Exile for the ANC/SACP/MK was believes his own attitude at (he time was get to the bottom of a mysterious death of relatively long — some 25 years. It was way over the top. a comrade in Cape Town, things can also often distant, dispersed and danger­ • Exile means dependence, to a become exceedingly frustrating. Some ous. You could be poisoned in Lusaka, greater or lesser extent, on foreign assis­ of the excesses, and the ANC has admit­ bombed in Maputo, kidnapped from tance or, at the very least, foreign toler­ ted there were excesses (like the holding Mbabane, and even gunned down in far­ ance. On the whole the ANC alliance of suspects for very long periods in away Paris. To its immense credit, the managed to turn exile into a diplomatic detention centres) often need to ANC-led alliance came through the mis­ triumph. It was able to inspire a world­ be understood, not excused, in erable experience of exile fairly well- It wide, anti-apartheid movement of un­ terms of ihese kinds of has returned stronger, relatively unified, paralleled breadth and strength. exile-induced diffi­ and more legitimate than ever before. Just how much this redounds to the culties. alliance's credit is underlined by the de­ DIFFICULTIES OF EXILE gree to which exile has so often opened But of course there was an immense price up political movements to foreign rival­ paid, and there were numerous problems. ries and manipulation. This has been one Consider some of the objective and sub­ of the great tragedies for the Palestinians, jective difficulties that exile tends to for instance. provoke: But the very success of the • Political exile might be devoted to ANC-alliance's international the place where one isn't. But in order to effort had its negative flip survive at all. some energy has to be side. Unlike many other invested in exile itself. Lives have to be guerrilla move­ led. A degree of integration has to lake ments which place. And so exile invariably opens up have to rely tensions between the realism of building on their own infrastructure and the militancy of want­ internal re­ ing to devote everything to the home-front. sounds. MK had a The distance between this realism ready supply of arms and complacency, and between compla­ This led, in my view, to cency and corruption is often subtle. So a grave neglect of inter­ too is the distance between militancy and nal supply work, not least *t dangerously impossible romanticism. work amongst black troops in GLOSSARY alibi — someone who will support a resilient — enduring person's claim to have been elsewhere WIP strives to restitution — reparation for injury when an event happened; an excuse communicate with as riveting — exciting (slang) auspicious — favourable diverse a range of readers schizophrenia — mental disease when a banal — ordinary or trite as possible. To this end, person shows signs of a split personality bestiality — sex between animal and we give the meaning of scepticism — doubtfulness human some of the more difficult scourge — oppressor, someone who buffer (zone) — an area placed between words found in this issue. hands out punishment two potentially hostile areas to reduce the shebang — affair or matter chance ol conflict, sodomy — anal sex butch — 'mannish' woman moratorium — temporary end to some­ subservient — servant-like thing, usually while negotiations on the sleight — cunning, deceplive trick canton — sub-division of a country issue are taking place slumlord — landlord of squalid flats caricature — bad representation of a myriad — many stagnation — left to stand person or thing skews — distorts castrating — make men feel weak nub — centre spectre — ghost like presence thai haunts coherent — consistent, easy to follow argument obliterated — destroyed terr — slang for terrorist* complacency — self-satisfaction ominous — bad signs technicist — person who sees things in conspiratorial — involved in secret technical terms alone plotting paranoias — things that make a person tenet —a principle unnecessarily worried daub — to cover wilh mud or clay paternalism — the act of condescending unprecedented — unparalled debacle — confused rush or collapse patriarchal — male-dominated hierarchy unequivocally — unmistakably de facto — in fact pedantic — narrowly academic unilateral — one-sided, done without deficit — loss periphery — outskirts, edge consultation deliberative — advising pervasive — widespread Utopian — ideal place demise — downfall precarious — unsafe unscrupulous — shameless, unprincipled depreciation — decrease prerogative — one's right destitution — poverty protracted — drawn out vertigte — Afrikaans word meaning devaluation — impaired psychopathic — mad enlightened or liberal diametrically — divided vermin — disease carrying rodents dilemma — predicament vindicate — justify or clear of suspicion dlsplacee — someone who has been redounds — to one's advantage forced to move docile — obedient WIP\$ an independent publication oriented towards stimulating debate and discussion around the political and socio-economic future of South Africa. As such the views expressed in individual articles do not necessarily correspond wilh those of WIPs editor and advisory board. entrepreneurs — businesspeople exacerbated — made worse exonerate — forgive, clear of blame SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1992 expropriated — property taken RATES FOR S ISSUES

SOUTH AFRICA NB Workers and students applying for (his special federalism — form of government, where subsidised rate must send a paysiip o* a student card with power is decentralised to regions Workers and students R28 the* payment Otherwise they will be charged the normal ferreting — searching tndrvtfuats. trade unons and rale and credited accordingly community or ganisatons R44 fetlshise — make into an idol, remove Companies, libraries and institutions R120 Please send subscripton$ to from reality Donof subscnptons Rt2Q Southern African Research Service PO Box 32716 SOUTHERN AFRICA Braamiontein hack — a person who does not think for 2ranes and institutions C$2 Donor Subscnptons C52 Let all know peace