May-2021-Edition-5-1

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Socialist SOCIALISTPARTY ISSUE 10, APRIL/MAY 2021 A newsletter published by the Socialist Party, Lusaka, Zambia FREE OF CHARGE

The August elections give us a chance to SocialistYou, staff reporter the poor,

SOCIALIST Party president Fred M’membe change told a presentation of parliamentary and local government candidates that it was the majority who should be ruling Zambia. everything “Who are the majority in this country? They say democracy is majority rule. If it’s the poor who are the majority, why don’t they rule? This year, and build a you, the poor, should rule,” must rule he said. Dr M’membe was speaking more just at Kingfisher Garden Court in Lusaka at the unveiling cer- emony for 34 parliamentary and three local government and caring candidates. He asked them, “Was Jesus rich or poor? Were his society disciples rich or poor? When choosing a chief, did they choose the rich or the wise? yourselves “Does having money Fred M’membe says majority can end poverty amount to being wise? Is leadership about money?” Dr M’membe said that, for the most part, those who ruled lived well but those who were governed suffered, add- ing that the poor had not ruled Zambia since independence. “They use you like a ladder when climbing on to a wall and when they are at the top they drop the ladder,” he said. And he warned what would happen if the poor did not take control in the August elections this year. “If you, poor people, don’t rule, pov- erty will not end,” he said. “This year, for the first time FRED M’MEMBE, in our history, we will have a Parliament dominated by the incoming president, poor. We will have a Parlia- offers #realchange with ment where the poor have a direct voice, where the poor the Socialist Party’s are speaking for themselves, where the poor are represent- policies based on jus- ing themselves.” tice, equity and peace. Dr M’membe said the wealthy and their political par- Manifesto download ties had made themselves rich details and info about by exploiting the poor. “You have been repre- how to join the party sented by the rich for too long. But what have they done are on our back page for you? They have enriched themselves. What you can’t – Page 12 do for yourselves, nobody Socialist Party president will do for you. You have sent Fred M’membe speaks at a abakankala to represent you, presentation of parliamen- but they have not represented you. This time, go and repre- tary candidates (above) at sent yourself.” Kingfisher Garden Court Buying off Dr M’membe told the can- in Lusaka didates that no other political party would adopt them. “How many of you have election K2,000 or K5,000 to pay for adoption? These other politi- cal parties you see all have owners,” he said. candidates “These political parties you have voted for [in the past] are owned by the rich, you have just been used. ‘shames “But your party, the Social- ist Party, is for the poor. You can’t be adopted in the politi- cal parties owned by the rich.” Zambia’ Dr M’membe told the can- didates to go out and educate people who were used to vot- ing for people with money, to Musumali vote for themselves this time More reports, photos – Pages 5-7 instead. – Page 3 JUSTICE • EQUITY • PEACE ON THE FRONT LINE

Barbra Chekuda Maramwidze (above) helps oversee the supply of water to Matero residents. Right (clockwise from top left): Christine Musole, Hope Kalenge, Biggie Mukubola and Margaret Sikalonza We’re not playing the game of the quick fix . . . we want real change Candidates deal with injustice and suffering on a day-to-day basis

Christine Nawa Musole Today, despite the degrees and be dehumanised and humiliated “What am I going to do? have been holding on to the nicipal Council could help end Parliamentary candidate diplomas to our names, a number to such an extent. The party be- Should I stay at home and say, ‘I UPND, which has been a failed the more urgent land problems by Mongu Central constituency of us continue to languish on the lieves in equity for all; equity of don’t have a job?’ No. I’m proud party for more than 19 years, but not allocating plots where there streets. water supply, sanitation, shelter of selling charcoal because that’s they have now seen the sun rising was a danger of houses being THE GAME of fixing, prom- The Socialist Party is clear and nutrition, among other needs. what puts food on the table,” she from the east and come to realise submerged in the rainy season. ises of fixing things, will about the change it proposes “It is our fundamental goal to said. that joining the Socialist Party is “The lives of the poor are ne- take this country nowhere. under the humble leadership of ensure that every household has Milenge is in Luapula Province, the only solution. The constitu- glected, mostly poor people are It will be the same circle of Dr Fred M’membe. The SP has access to clean and safe water. and Kalenge is hoping to repre- ency faces many challenges, in- helpless.,” she said. capitalist-oriented approaches put forward a vision through its The Socialist Party says no to so- sent her rural constituency, popu- cluding roads, healthcare and “Many houses here in Luan- manifesto to qualitatively change education,” he said. shya have cracks or have fallen that yield similar results to cial inequality and believes that lated by mostly Ushis. this country and move it back on Her constituency is beset by the “I joined the party because due to the heavy rain on the Cop- the ones we have seen before, no one should be discriminated track. Our change agenda speaks against because of where they usual rural hardships, including of my zeal, zest and enthusiasm perbelt . that is, uplifting a few bwanas to how we will ensure free health- come from, whether ku or kwa.” poverty, poor roads and substan- to strive for justice, equity and “It’s been a month now since here and there, and leaving the care, free education, transforma- Maramwidze said the short- dard hospitals and schools. She is peace for my constituency. Once we engaged the Disaster Man- rest of us behind, leaving the tion of peasant agriculture, new ages prompted the party and the hoping to fight for improvements in power, this party will not bribe agement and Mitigation Unit, and majority of us to wonder what approaches to mining – a min- community to take action to find and equity once she is elected to or issue cash or material things to they came and brought sacks of happened, and then back again ing sector that takes a diversified a lasting solution to the injus- the Zambian parliament. impress the people in the nation, mealie meal. We were left won- to the same circle of poverty, approach – and all these sectors tice by supplying a maximum of “We need to work together to but will instead concentrate on dering whether the mealie meal hunger and frustration, writes creating multiple jobs for many 30,000 litres of water every day. achieve our goals,” she said, add- its three key programmes: educa- was for reconstruction of the Christine Nawa Musole, par- Zambians. This is real change. “By taking this action we are ing that people should vote wise- tion, health and agriculture.” fallen houses or whether fami- liamentary candidate for Mon- We invite Zambia’s young men ensuring members of our com- ly and never allow anyone to buy Mukubola said the Socialist lies were supposed to sleep in the gu Central constituency. and women, as well as all well- munities don’t have to waste time their support. Party was committed to creating bags.” We need to look to true alter- meaning Zambians, to join the in long queues for water, but are jobs as well as providing access Sikalonza said maize was not natives. We need real change, not revolutionary movement for real able to devote their time to other Biggie Mukubola to clean water and sanitation for the problem as there was still fixing. When you fix something it change today. activities, such as youths study- Parliamentary candidate every Zambian, adding that its enough left from last year’s sea- breaks, you fix again, again, again ing, women working, and men Dundumwenz constituency literacy programme was already son. and again, and it still breaks. Barbra Chekuda providing for their families.” “proof enough” that it would ful- “People need cement and Maramwidze A broken system can’t be fixed She said the Socialist Party BIGGIE Mukubola says his Dun- fill its promises. bricks or even tents, not mealie Parliamentary candidate dumwenz constituency in the meal,” she said. “We are still and is not sustainable. And that Matero constituency vowed to work with the people of is what capitalism and capitalist- Matero to ensure such inequali- Kalomo District of Southern Margaret Sikalonza waiting for help from the govern- oriented parties have been doing THE SOCIALIST Party in Ma- ties were brought to an end. Province is an example of every- Parliamentary candidate ment, although we understand to our country. This has led us tero is supplying up to 30,000 thing that is wrong with the ag- Luanshya constituency that this is not a battle for the nowhere except into deepening litres of water a day to help deal Hope Kalenge ricultural sector in Zambia, and government alone. The govern- poverty, hopelessness, despair with a chronic shortage in the Parliamentary candidate, desperately in need of the Social- SUFFERING isn’t limited to ment can engage youths from and never-ending human suffer- area. Milenge constituency ist Party’s visionary approach to shortages of food and money, within the community to do ing. But what we, the youth in Barbra Chekuda Maramwid- peasant farming. there is another form of depriva- building. That will also put food Zambia, want is real change in ze, the party’s parliamentary can- REAL democracy praised by “The people of Dundumwenz tion that makes us “constantly on people’s tables. These houses its real, tangible sense, not fixing. didate for the Matero constituen- Socialist Party general secretary have suffered for a long time be- debased and humiliated as sec- are getting worse – they are death The Zambia we want, desire, cy in Lusaka Province, says some and first vice-president Cosmas cause they have held on to one ond-class citizens in our own traps – but many have no choice dream of and long for, cannot residents have been without clean Musumali is represented on the unyielding crop seed that that has country,” Margaret Sikalonza, but to countinue sleeping in them. be attained through fixing. The water supply for eight months. ground by people from all walks failed to produce a good harvest parliamentary candidate for Lu- We call upon the government to Zambia the youth deserve needs “Certain areas of Matero have of life – peasant farmers, mar- for the past 20 years,” he said. anshya constituency, says. hurry with a solution before lives committed leadership grounded been hit terribly with the shortage keteers, hairdressers, teachers, a “It’s my motive to struggle and “Many people are suffering are lost.” in the people’s ideology that of water despite the fact that it is bricklayer – and now also a char- show the people of Dundumwenz because solidarity is not within Sikalonza said many people serves the struggling, toiling a basic necessity,” she said. “It’s coal seller. constituency that that you can’t us, the ability to feel the pain and had mud floors, the majority be- masses, that struggles for a bet- sad to see women, men and chil- That’s the profession of improve the lives of people by suffering of another human being ing unable to afford concrete. ter, transformed Zambia. dren lining up, an act that deters 27-year-old Hope Kalenge, who holding on to one failed seed, but and be moved to do something “A mud floor cannot be cleaned We also need a leadership that them from carrying out more pro- is the parliamentary candidate for by instead opting for other high- about it. Zambia is two nations: properly, it cannot be mopped ef- truly involves the youth, that is ductive activities. Milenge constituency. yielding crops that can change the poor and the well-to-do. fectively, leading to germs in the true to our realities, a leadership “A number of people com- Although Kalenge is a trained the harvest.” “It’s very hard to own land in rainy season,” she said. with a vision to change and trans- plained of not having water sup- teacher of art and design, and He said the agriculture situ- our own country while a visitor “This unbearable situation of form the education system, our ply for days, weeks, and some studied at Lusaka’s Mwarona ation was like a parable, with can own as much as they want injustice and inequality in our universities, the agriculture sec- for as long as eight months. This College of Education, she sells failed politics the same as failed as long as they have money,” she country today is what the Social- tor, the health sector, mining, and is unacceptable on every level, charcoal because she can’t find a crops. said. ist Party in government is com- create more jobs for us. and the Socialist Party refuses to job in her profession. “The people of Dundumwenz Sikalonza said Luanshya Mu- mitted to struggle against.”

2 Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 Buying off election candidates shames Zambia and democracy Musumali: Stop this malicious, targeted, corrupt campaign

Socialist staff reporter sinister approach. “In one case, the candidate was told, ‘go ahead, but slow down with your campaign. NO POLITICAL party has On the nomination day, don’t ap- ever shamed Zambia the way pear. That way the Socialist Party the Patriotic Front is at the will not have a parliamentary can- didate’.” moment by trying to buy off Dr Musumali told his TV and Socialist Party election can- radio audience that the Zambian didates, party general secre- people were being insulted by the tary and first vice-president dirty tricks campaign. Cosmas Musumali told a “The Socialist Party came to televised and radio broadcast you and asked for candidates. We worked together for weeks, for press conference. months, and you provided us with Speaking at Kingfisher Gar- the candidates,” he said. den Court in Lusaka – where “Today you are being insulted, only days before the party’s lat- your poverty is being used against est candidates had been celebrat- you. Your suffering is being used ed – Dr Musumali said he was against you. The people you gave sorry to have to share “a mas- us to represent you in parliament Socialist Party president Fred M’membe is greeted by supporters and residents of Mkushi North constituency in Central Province sive, malicious, targeted buying have become attractive, not attrac- off of our candidates happen- tive in that they are going to save ing on an unprecedented large you, but attractive as commodities. scale”. They are on the market. They are Fred M’membe’s messages of solidarity He said first reports of an- ap for sale. This is unacceptable.” proach by the PF at Luapula had Dr Musumali said there was “a SOCIALIST Party president Fred M’membe fruits of the efforts and intelligence of each morning comes. We shouldn’t surrender to has been out and about meeting residents human being should reach all others. This is tyranny and abuse of power. We shouldn’t been treated by the party as “just great possibility that this won’t in various constituencies and provinces to the main essence of the premises of social- give up. one of those issues, uncomfort- stop and a high probability that we will lose some of our candidates”. listen to their needs and tell them how the ism. l A human being finds fulfilment in com- able, but we have at times unruly l “So far, the 25 candidates have party will revolutionise life in Zambia once it It can’t be denied that for the great major- mitting their whole person in freedom to the adversaries who see solutions in is voted into power in August. done well, except one, and we ity of us, our people, this year’s elections service of one’s fellow human beings. buying people”. Below is a selection of the messages he l are investigating the case of Mu- will offer a once-in-a-generation chance of As a country, I know there is a very rough The parliamentary candidate spread as he was greeted by the Zambian revolutionary change. In August, we will fumbwe, our adopted MP, and this road ahead of us before we can truly get to had been offered 200,000 Kwacha masses: have a chance to end despair. We will have a the Zambia we want – a Zambia that embrac- is a very sad situation. l In casting our votes in August, we should (US$9,015) to stand down. But chance to end hopelessness. es justice, equity and peace. I know before “To those comrades who were never be swayed by personal profit, tribal since then there had been a total l Nothing is permanent; everything is under us there’s sorrow, despair and hopeless- entrusted by the masses of our or religious bias, but solely by the consid- of 17 incidents involving 25 candi- motion. Everything is undergoing change. ness. I will do whatever I can to end it. What country to represent them and who eration of which of the conflicting issues or dates – eight as MPs and 17 local It gets dark sometimes; but the morning do you think is your duty in this situation? are today being bought for pieces candidates is better for the nation. councillors – touching all provinc- comes. Don’t give up. Don’t despair. l The election campaigns we are entering l Our struggle is about fighting the injustice es except Southern. of silver, we wish them good luck. l A revolutionary struggle is a mass under- and inequity that is growing in our country should not be confused with a battlefield But what they should know is that taking; it is often not a matter of first learn- “The impression we are getting today. We, the Socialist Party will continue to where the aim is to destroy the other. This they are betraying the Zambian ing and then doing, but of doing and then is that this is well coordinated and mobilise Zambians to fight corruption, greed, is simply a competition to serve and not the masses who put trust in them.” learning, for doing is itself learning. well funded,” Dr Musumali said. joblessness, poverty, hunger and all forms annihilation of one another. To have peaceful, Dr Musumali said that if the PF l “This cannot be the work of a few of injustices. Join us today in this noble Nothing in the world is difficult for free and fair elections, certain conditions have saw itself as the strongest party misguided individuals in the PF, struggle for a better Zambia. one who sets his mind to it. To cross the to prevail in our country and in our hearts. in the country and thought it was this is something that is coordi- l We have hard work ahead. There’s no rest- threshold is not difficult, and mastery, too, is l This country will not be a good place for performing well, why did it have nated from the top.” ing ’til we redeem the pledge of our national possible provided one sets one’s mind to the any of us to live in unless it’s a good place to sink to such a low level? anthem to make Zambia a “land of work and task and is good at learning. We must not for all of us to live in. Blackmail “This is stooping very low,” joy”,’til we make the poor of Zambia what pretend to know when we do not know. l The fundamental value we must have is he said. “It’s unacceptable, it’s a destiny intended them to be. l Things are not as they ought to be. Things a respect for diversity and acceptance of mockery of our democracy, it’s big l are not what our leaders want us to believe He said the approaches involved The highest level of political thought I pluralism. Gone are the days when everyone shame for this country. No politi- believe was reached when some people they are. We shouldn’t stop with the way was supposed to think the same way, belong constituency level officials, civil cal party has shamed this country became aware that no people and no person things are; let’s dream of things the way they to the same political party, and support the servants, district commissioners, as you are doing. Stop it!” had the right to exploit others, and that the ought to be. It gets dark sometimes, but the same programme. and intelligence officers, who were “basically blackmailing people to step down”. “You also have poten- tial PF candidates participating in Sangwa: Socialist Party is the only one World Health Day: time to this, everyone is involved in it.” Dr Musumali said cash offers ranged from 100,000 Kwacha with a clear agenda setting itself apart reflect on Zambia’s needs (US$4,500) to 250,000 Kwacha LUSAKA lawyer John Sangwa says the Socialist but in the end the people collected the money and still AS ZAMBIA celebrated World Dr M’membe said most people, (US$11,248), but there were also Party is the only that has a “clearly set agenda that voted the way they did. Health Day on April 7, Socialist especially in rural areas, had no ac- other bribes. distinguishes itself from the others”. “Even in this election, I believe people are wise Party president Fred M’membe cess to a doctor at all. “If you are building a house they Speaking on Radio Phoenix’s Let the People Talk enough. You cannot buy votes. It is an investment the said there was a need to reflect on “The health situation of our will offer you bricks or plumbing programme, Sangwa asked what kind of principles the returns of which cannot be guaranteed.” disease and the lack of healthcare people is revealed to be all the materials, they will offer you iron other parties had. Sangwa said giving handouts to voters was insult- in the country. more serious when such factors as sheets and so forth,” he said. “They haven’t been articulated,” he said. “And ing to people. He pointed out that Dr Kenneth Kaunda “Squalor, disease and lack of the true quality of, and access to, The inducements also took the that’s why it is so easy for somebody to jump from one ruled for 27 years because he delivered and was only healthcare are basic aspects – to- medical services or the mere pos- form of job offers. “Our trained political party to another because there’s no clear-cut kicked out when his system collapsed. gether with hunger – characteris- teachers standing to be members sibility of purchasing medicines principles and values. He said people did not care who was in power as ing the dramatic social situation in of parliament are being told, ‘if – in the case of the large segment “Maybe the only distinction is my friend’s political long as their lives were OK. Zambia,” he said. you step down we will deploy of the population who lack suffi- party, which is the Socialist Party, which has a clearly “We are losing so many lives you’,” Dr Musumali said. “Some “But when their lives are affected, they begin to ask, cient income to afford the cost of set agenda and which distinguishes itself from the oth- who is responsible for this mess? And then they find every day due to lack of adequate these services – are included in the of these people have been with- ers. It has given its own identity. It has articulated its that it is you who was voted in power who has messed health facilities. This lack of ad- analysis.” out jobs for the past four or five position to say, fine, we are Socialist Party and this is up and they will throw you out,” he said. equate healthcare is also reflected He said the population’s access years, but now they are being as- what we stand for.” But Sangwa said for someone to He said there was no need for anyone who had de- in premature aging and the relative to drugs and biological products sured they will get jobs. All they go socialist, it meant they must buy into the values of livered to bribe voters. deterioration of individual health. have to do is step down. Some of the Socialist Party. was essential to health. Sangwa said claims by any party that it would win “Malnutrition, squalor, as well our youngest candidates are being Sangwa said the only difference between PF and “The bleak reality is that this a landslide victory in August were wishful thinking. If as infectious and parasitic diseases told, ‘we will reserve a university UPND was the fact that one was led by Edgar Lungu fundamental item, far from be- place for you’. This is serious, ex- and the other by Hakainde Hichilema. an election was free and fair, there was no way a party – factors closely associated with coming more accessible, has been tremely serious. Jobs are for sale, He also condemned the money being “thrown at could predict it would win such a victory. Voting was poverty and social and economic turned into a source of exploration school places are for sale.” voters” and said anybody who did that was “ignorant secret, and there was no way of knowing who the next backwardness – are today the and economic plunder. Dr Musumali said that, in addi- of the dynamics of politics”. person would vote for. leading causes of child deaths in “If these conditions and ten- tion to coaxing SP candidates to He said he had faith in the Zambian voter. “If the “Anything can happen between now and August Zambia. Hunger and malnutrition dencies continue, there will be cease campaigning, the corrupt PF Zambian voter was stupid, Rupiah Banda would have when the elections are held so it is irresponsible for are directly responsible for the so- relatively little change in the health tricksters were also taking a more won in 2011. RB had more money than Michael Sata, anybody to make such pronouncements,” he said. called deficiency diseases.” situation of our people,” he said. Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 3 Free trade area REFLECTIONS Fred M’membe an opportunity under socialism Musumali: scheme needs concrete action to benefit Zambian masses Socialist Party president Fred Socialist staff reporter meat, leather, and other livestock M’membe meets villagers products. “A third venture will focus on The radical transformation that is necessary Fighting for the heart, soul, to free a human being in the very depth of one’s THE SOCIALIST Party aquaculture. This will require a heart from selfishness and greed is a gift from views the African Continental cluster of companies and coop- and future of our country God. No one can give oneself this “new heart” eratives that, as a conglomerate, (Ez 11: 18-19). Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will create enough economies of THIS IS going to be the first time I will have It’s not by fighting to the bitter end, but by treaty as an opportunity to scale to compete against seawater contested an election in my life. And it will be analysing the causes of the conflict and by re- solving it, that we can create conditions in which fishery products. The venture will against key opponents who have stood for reduce poverty and enhance elections several times – some of them very the self-reliant efforts of our people will bear equity in Zambia, but only in have to extend beyond Zambia to experienced losers. fruit. We can only build such a society with the the context of socialist eco- incorporate regional rivers and But the Zambian people and I have stood to- free cooperation of all its members. lake bodies. gether many times on many issues, challenging Our party has adopted many pastors or rev- nomic policies in the country, “Sugar manufacturing presents this or that, campaigning against or for this and erends as parliamentary and local government the party’s general secretary the fourth pillar. Four to five sug- that. In this year’s elections we have to stand candidates. For them, only with God’s help can together. And no time has been more important we transform a society inclined to greed, selfish- and first vice-president Cos- arcane plantations will aim to pro- than this – the August 12 elections. ness and hatred into a “new creation” (2 Cor mas Musumali has said. Cosmas Musumali duce sugar, methanol and molasses The election campaigns that are before us, 5:17), capable of love, compassion and generos- He was responding to a ques- to provide sufficient continental that we are about to embark on are for the heart, ity. It’s God’s work through them. As followers the expansion of continental export of Christ, put all their trust in the kingdom of tion about how SP perceived the exports. the soul and the future of our country. markets. “The fifth venture will be based It’s a lot of work and responsibility for the God. Far from waiting its arrival in passivity, they AfCFTA agreement and how it Nsingu Elections Campaign Brigade leading strive with all their might towards its realisation “Special attention will be played on the processing of agricultural fitted in with the party’s mani- to the attainment of viable econo- our campaign. We are more than our nascent here and now, well knowing, however, that God products – especially grain, fruit alone, who has announced its coming through festo emphasis on developing mies of scale, product branding, political party – the Socialist Party – more than and vegetables – into alcoholic and its manifesto and programmes, more than all our Christ, will bring about its completion. This is the peasant agriculture. flexible export financing and- im non-alcoholic beverages. The tech- election strategies and prospects put together. way in which we are pursuing our aim of radical The AfCFTA treaty involves proved logistical arrangements. nological requirements and sophis- We are the trustees of the struggle and transformation of our people and society. Spirituality refers not only to our spiritual life. the fifty-five member states of the These are critical in order to cata- ticated distribution networks can dreams that began in the Cipeta area of our African Union establishing a con- pult us into being a major conti- homeland by our Ngoni ancestors, those brave It refers to a human being as a whole, in his or be a challenge, but a public-private her spiritual and bodily unity. In the Gospels, the tinental free trade area to create a nental player in the AfCFTA.” and selfless young warriors and their leaders. partnership arrangement can help They lost the war on February 4, 1898, against totality of the human being is what brings life single continent-wide market for Dr Musumali said that at pres- resolve the intricacies. the much better equipped and resourced capital- to the spirit. Thus, spirituality isn’t the way you goods and services and facilitate ent there were only about five “The sixth venture involves ist, imperialist, army of Cecil John Rhodes and feel the presence of God. Nor is it the way you believe. Jesus said, “Not every one who says the movement of capital and peo- Zambian companies among the top milling, with special emphasis on his companies. Nsingu, the commander-in-chief ple. So far, 36 countries have rati- 100 in food manufacturing on the of the Ngoni warriors was executed on February to me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of nutrition and health diets.” heaven, but he who does the will of my Father fied the treaty – including Zambia, continent, including Africa Milling 5, 1898, at dawn. But they left their vision, their Dr Musumali said that in rev- values and the hopes they awakened. who is in heaven.” Thus, spirituality is a way of in October, last year. It entered into Limited, Zambeef Products, Trade enue terms, the six new ventures In the thousands or millions of Zambians living life according to the spirit. For Christians, force on May 30, 2019, and started Kings, Yalelo, and Pembe (which could generate around US$1.2 bil- whose hearts, whose consciences, they touched living is the best way of believing. Faith without trading on January 1, this year. originated from Kenya). lion per annum in 10 years’ time. and aroused, we remember them now to remind deeds is worthless. As James said, “What does “It is not possible to achieve “This is highly insufficient ourselves that the struggle they started is unfin- it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, “They would connect some but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a these aspirations in Zambia with- given our immense comparative ished, that we stand for real change, revolution- 200,000 peasant farmers to the ex- ary change – not any other change – in order to brother or sister is all-clad and in lack of daily out a socialist-oriented economic advantages and the urgency for ex- port value chain while increasing march again towards enduring ideals, that we do food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, programme,” Dr Musumali said. port diversification,” he said. “We their revenues fivefold,” he said. not have to settle for things as they are. be warmed and filled’, without giving them the “Our investments in agriculture will therefore enable six more food “This would make our peasant We are today a struggling people with no time things needed for the body, what does it profit? aim at achieving the production of manufacturing companies to join to lose. Our tomorrow has become our today. So faith, by itself, if it has not works, is dead” farmers the pillar of export growth, (James 2:14 -17). healthy food for all, the adoption that league of continental players And as they say, we are confronted with the that is sustainable poverty reduc- fierce urgency of now, in the unfolding life and Our way of life is the result of what we believe. of agroecology, adoption of mech- within 10 years. tion at its best. Thousands of qual- history – and there’s no such a thing as being If we consider the Gospel accounts, we can anisation compatible with nature ity manufacturing jobs will be cre- too late. We can’t wait for 2026. Now is the time. clearly see that Jesus’ spirituality wasn’t one of and rural labour, adoption of coop- Traditional ated. We must struggle without respite, we must withdrawal from the world, of moving away from erative agribusiness, agricultural work ceaselessly to lift the downtrodden masses everyday life in order to better serve God, or of “Last but not least, it will add denying earthly realities. In John 17:15, Jesus education, as well as empowering “Leading this drive will be a ter- of our people to the higher destiny – a more just, resilience to our macro economy fair and humane society full of honesty, equity, asked his Father to keep his disciples from evil peasants and the people in the rural tiary cooperative venture process- since the effective demand for re- humility and solidarity; a new plateau of compas- without taking them out of the world. areas as keepers of the collective ing cassava, beans, groundnuts, gionally manufactured food is less sion. Jesus’ entire existence was one of immersion goods of nature,” he said. millet and other traditional peasant volatile. We are socialists. We care all the time. And in the ideological conflict, in the arena where “These are the prerequisites for farmer produce. Its medium-term “Again, the AfCFTA provides for us, care is the essence of power, of strength. different concepts and options for or against the oppressed, exploited, humiliated, marginalised our food sovereignty as well as continental and global revenue Strength without care is savage, brutal and an opportunity. However, as with selfish. Strength with care is compassion, the were discussed. Nor was Jesus’ spirituality for turning this natural resources prospects are worth billions of US most opportunities, it needs con- strength needed to help our poor people lift that of moralism. That is the spirituality of the endowed country into a hub for dollars. crete action and processes embed- themselves out of poverty and to their full stat- Pharisees, who turn their moral virtues into a manufactured food exports. “The second venture will be for ded in achieving the collective ure. That is what socialism is about. sort of conquest of sanctity. Many Christians “Our socialist government will meat processing. A publicly owned and common good for the masses But where do we get the strength to provide have been trained along these lines and lose strength in their faith because they don’t manage systematically link investments in company (along the lines of the that care? From some Macgyver, some 21st of our people, otherwise it will century Moses? No. to adjust to the pharisaical moralism they seek. peasant agriculture to value addi- Botswana Meat Commission) will quickly vanish or even become a We cooperate, we collect, we coordinate so God seems to live on top of the mountain, and tion through food processing and fill today’s regional export gaps for liability.” that everyone has responsibility, everyone has spirituality is taught as a manual for mountain rights. That is how we make the weak strong, climbing to be used by Christians interested in that is how we lift the poor out of poverty, that is scaling its steep slopes. Since we are of a fragile how we cure the sick, that is how we give talent nature, we begin our climb over and over again Level playing field pledge ‘a bit late’ a chance to flourish. We do it together. – it is the constant repetition of the Sisyphus This is what socialism is about. This is legend, rolling the stone uphill. ASSURANCES that the political landscape in the “Arguably, one way to ensure that each party and socialism. This is the true meaning of revolu- each candidate is treated fairly is to provide precisely tionary democracy – people deciding together, run-up to August’s elections will be a “level playing building together to transform their country field” are a little late, Socialist Party president Fred the same opportunities, as they all require an equal op- and thus transform themselves. It is a growth in Socialism is a very simple M’membe says. portunity to put their case to the voters.” fraternal love. “While the assurance or promise by the Deputy Dr M’membe said an uneven playing field was a concept: it’s about equity Inspector General of Police, Charity Katanga, to level central component of the current regime’s political HOW can people fail to understand that which the political playing field as far as the administration survival strategy. The meaning and purpose speaks for them? How can they fail to identify of the Public Order Act is concerned is welcome, it has “In today’s Zambia, multiparty democratic competi- with that which speaks for them? How can come rather late,” Dr M’membe said. tion is undermined not only by fraud or repression, but of our radical changes people fail to understand Socialism? “Deputy Inspector General Katanga says the police also by unfair administration of the Public Order Act Socialism is a very simple concept. It is about HUMAN liberation is basically a question of equity in terms of access to education, access will not allow a situation where one political party and unequal access to resources, public media, and state institutions. When opposition parties are denied moral and spiritual values. If a person sees to health services, housing, sanitation, clean monopolises the holding of campaigns ahead of the the right to hold rallies, meetings, access to public the meaning of their life in material wellbeing, water, food, and all the services required in an presidential and general elections. accumulating wealth becomes an end in itself – organised society. mass media, their ability to compete in elections – and “This was supposed to be the policy and practice of “eat and drink for tomorrow you will be dead”. These are the things that people need every survive between elections – is often impaired. the police over the past five years and not just over the If, on the other hand, a person sees the meaning day. These are what define the lives of our “Where the playing field is skewed, the weakening, of their life in spiritual values, that is the love of people. 30 days to August 12, 2021,” he said. collapse, and/or co-optation of parties may effectively God and the love of one’s neighbour, then mate- The Zambian people on the ground under- “And given the record of the police, as we know it, depopulate the opposition, even in the absence of large- rial possessions become merely means towards stand this. They understand that their children we doubt the police’s ability to deliver on this assur- scale repression. an end. are not going to school, that there are no drugs ance or promise of a level political playing field. “A skewed playing field may thus allow this auto- Faith in God should free a person from en- in hospitals, that they are hungry and cannot “There is indeed a need to level the political playing cratic regime to maintain power without resorting to slavement to material possessions and enable afford three meals a day, that they don’t have ac- field so that no political party has the advantage of run- them to use the riches of this world towards truly cess to decent housing, sanitation, clean water, the kind of fraud or repression that can undermine its human ends, that is living a life of love in com- food, and all the other services required in an ning downhill against opponents who are handicapped international standing, allowing it, in effect, to have its munion with God and one’s fellow persons. organised society. by having to run uphill. cake and eat it too.” 4 Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES

People power = real democracy Men and women who are committed to their constituencies

Socialist staff reporter and 19 women,” Dr Musumali said. “We don’t just talk about gender equity, we practise it as MARKETEERS, peasant the Socialist Party.” farmers, a chicken seller, He said there was one candi- hairdressers, unemployed date from Northern Province, trained teachers, and a mo- one from Copperbelt Province, bile money booth agent who two from Muchinga, 10 from Luapula, six from Southern also sells tomatoes and fish, Province, five from Central, one were among the 37 parlia- from North-Western, five from mentary and council adop- Eastern, one from Western, and tees presented to the world five from Lusaka. recently at Kingfisher Gar- “Out of these candidates, 15 den Court in Lusaka. are below the age of 30,” Dr Mu- sumali said. Speaking at the first of two Separately, party president Above and below: parliamentary and local government candidates who were presented at Kingfisher Garden Court, Lusaka, on March 31 presentations in late March and Fred M’membe told the can- early April, and Socialist Party didates that it was time for the general secretary and first vice- poor to rule both themselves and president Cosmas Musumali Zambia. praised the candidates as repre- He said poverty would not end senting “real democracy”. if the poor did not take control “These are the men and wom- in the August elections and re- en who are committed to and live minded people how the rich, who in their constituencies,” he said. owned other parties, had backed “This is real democracy, and real leaders who had exploited the democracy entails people tak- poor ever since independence. ing power into their own hands. He said it was important to Democracy can never be del- educate the poor who had pre- egated.” viously voted for people with wealth to instead vote for them- Gender selves this time.

Dr Musumali said the Socialist l Parliamentary adoptees are: Party was proving to the world Levy Songiso (Sikongo), Janet that women and men could rep- Zimba (Lumezi), Misozi Kaleya resent the values of equity in ac- (Chasefu), Lovemore Mvula tion. (Kaumbwe), Edna Lungu (Lu- “We are proving to the world angeni), Alice Phiri (Msanzala), that how much money you have Precious Samalesu (Ikeleng’i), is not a determinant for you to Oswald Chikwaba (Serenje), Si- get into political office,” Dr Mu- mon Bwalya (Bwacha), Peggy sumali said. Siamundele (Mumbwa), Las- “We are proving to everyone ton Chibuye (Muchinga), Jona- More reports, photos – Pages 6-7 today that age can never be lim- than Katoota (Lufubu), Fitzwell iting, in terms of you governing Moomba (Chikankata), Carolijne yourselves.” Simwala (Namwala), Victor Sia- pili), Clara Chomba (Mansa kanga (Mwense), Justine Ngosa (Kafulafuta), and Lewis Chizu l The local government candi- Out of the 37 candidates, there mulonga (Mapatizya), Teinson Central), Cleopatra Mweemba (Mwansabombwe), Charles Fri- (Mpulungu). dates for Lusaka are: Newton were 34 parliamentary candi- Musanje (Kalomo), Chilema (Bahati), Hope Kalenge (Mi- day Kalumba (Chembe), Jack- Ng’ambi (Mwembeshi, ward dates, and three hoping to be Lu- Caesar Machila (Bweengwa), lenge), John Chenge Kasanda son Mukupa (Nchelenge), Purity l Parliamentary candidates for Lu- 27), Ronald Mutale (Matero, saka councillors. Gertrude Chikampa (Sinazon- (Pambashe), Miriam Mwewa Ng’ambi (Chama North), Agness saka are: Henry Kalolo (Mandevu) ward 28), and Treza Kayanda “We have a total of 18 men gwe), Astridah Mubanga (Chi- (Chifunabuli), Margaret Na- Mwila (Mfuwe), Lilian Matowe and Eucridy Mwiinga (Chirundu). (Muchinga, ward 24). JUSTICE • EQUITY • PEACE

Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 5 PARLIAMENTARY CANDIDATES

The 11 latest parliamentary and council candidates adopted at Kingfisher Garden Court in Lusaka in early April, when Cosmas Musumali said Socialist Party was ready to help Zambians gain emancipation You’re like Lazarus, eating scraps that fall from tables of the rich Enough is enough. leave you hanging four or five M’membe, more than any Zam- ture. “The cost of farming inputs “The Socialist Party is the it had resulted in outbreaks of in my constituency is beyond un- only one with a clear ideological cholera and dysentery, and much You are fed up with years, but at the last minute they bian leader, has spent days, weeks, come up with a manifesto. Cut and months and years in the villages. believable,” she said. “And it gets grounding,” he said. of the infrastructure needed to be being harassed, being paste. They know you don’t even He has not been in Lusaka, he worse at harvest time. Farmers Chewe says the most pressing replaced. have absolutely no say on the pric- issues in his constituency are poor Chizu said he would be propos- abused, Cosmas have time to read and understand doesn’t belong to Lusaka.” it. That’s what is happening today.” Dr Musumali said Zambia was ing of their harvests.” water supply, poor healthcare, and ing “capital projects” to create jobs Musumali tells his Dr Musumali said the adoption ready for political change. “People Banda was educated at Lusaka youth unemployment – Chimwem- as well as business loans at low in- Girls’ Basic, Kudu, and First Rate we has more than 65,000 youths audience as he intro- of a further 11 candidates – nine want self-emancipation, they want terest rates to enable people to run for parliament, one for a mayoral to change their own situation, and International schools, as well as and young adults between the ages their own businesses. duces the Socialist position and one as a councillor the Socialist Party is ready.” Lusaka Learning Centre. She holds of 16 and 25. ”My message to the people in Party’s latest adopted – would be the last official event. an advanced certificate in market- Chewe says there are around 30 my community and Zambia at While there might be “one or two l Parliamentary adoptees are: ing from the National Institute of companies in Chimwemwe owned large is: vote for the Socialist Par- parliamentary and lo- more” candidates, the party was Goma Dydas (Chama South), Public Administration. by foreigners. “The Socialist Party ty, Dr Fred M’membe, myself, and cal council candidates by-and-large through with adop- Mary Bukisa (Lukashya), Dorothy will ensure that fair taxes are col- party councillors on August 12.” tions. Mashingwele (Kabwe Central), Mary Bukisa lected and partners fulfil their obli- Of the 11 latest candidates, sev- Sharon Fulani (Lufwanyama), gations of cooperative responsibil- Sharon Fulani MARY Bukisa, parliamentary ity, including as they relate to the THE ZAMBIAN people are en are female, with six below the Ireen Musela (Mufulira), Sharon age of 35. Muyupa (Kankoyo), Constance candidate for Lukashya constitu- environment,” he said. SHARON Fulani, parliamentary like the beggar Lazarus in the Dr Musumali said there was Bwalya (Kantanshi), Kalota Mor- ency in Northern Province, is the “The Socialist Party govern- candidate for Lufwanyama constit- Bible, eating filthy scraps that a world of difference between ris (Solwezi West) and Stanley granddaughter of the chief in Lunte ment in Chimwemwe will also uency in Copperbelt Province, says have fallen from the tables of the Socialist Party’s manifesto, Tembo (Kafue). In addition, Moses district and dedicated “to bring focus on job creation in the educa- she is standing “for good health, the rich, Socialist Party gen- pledges and ideas, and parties that Makondo will contest to be mayor change in my area”. tion, health and agriculture sectors. good education, good farming, and Most importantly, the people of eral secretary and first vice- had nothing to offer the Zambian of Solwezi, and Ngulube Mukuka Bukisa says once in power, she peace in Zambia”. and the Socialist Party will deal Chimwemwe will be empowered president Cosmas Musumali masses. will stand as councillor in Ku- Fulani, who was educated at Lu- “We produced a manifesto two pumaula ward, Kasama. with the pressing issues that in- to govern themselves and contrib- manto School in Kalulushi, says it has said. or three years ago and you have clude poor education, poor roads ute to the development of their is time for women to drive change. He was speaking at the sec- constituency. Cooperatives will be had the chance to look at it. This PROFILES and inadequate markets. “Let’s vote for ourselves now ond of two adoption ceremonies is your manifesto, these are your “My government will introduce formed and women will actively and wipe away all our tears. Fe- in late March and early April at ideas,” he said. “Those who come free education for all, build more participate in all the sectors.” male voters, let’s vote for devel- Kingfisher Garden Court in- Lu to you without ideas are basically Marie-jessy Banda schools and higher institutions, Chewe attended Mitanto prima- opment, good farming, more fer- saka. saying remain where you are. And construct good roads with proper ry and Mukuba secondary schools tiliser, a good road network, good “The masses of our country have because they don’t have much to PARLIAMENTARY candidate for drainage, and build sheltered mar- and has worked for Drilltech En- healthcare and good education. become, as a collective, a mod- offer you, they will resort to insults Lundazi constituency in Eastern kets and toilets,” she said, adding gineering Services. He is currently “The Socialist Party is the only ern day Lazarus. And if you are and jokes. The whole campaign Province, Marie-jessy Banda, says that all this would be carried out studying business management. party that can change these things, the Lazarus of today, you have no becomes a cracking of jokes. Of “the issues close to my heart” form “by our people after equipping together with you, the people,” she say in your governance. If you are course, we all like jokes, and at the core of the Socialist Party’s them with skills because educa- Lewis Chizu said. Lazarus, you don’t qualify to be a times even insults can be quite in- manifesto, with the poor at the cen- tion will be free for every Zambian leader,” he said. teresting.” tre of its policies. citizen”. LEWIS Chizu, parliamentary Morris Jempa “Those who eat at the high table But he said jokes and insults “I wasn’t seeking a political She says women should “turn candidate for Mpulungu Constitu- will pretend they will speak on from ordinary politicians would audience, but I want the working up in numbers and join politics to ency, Northern Province, says MORRIS Sautu Jempa, parliamen- your behalf, that they will bring not put food on tables or build class to be free from the exploita- bring about change”, especially he joined the Socialist Party be- tary candidate for Chilanga in Lu- development to you, that they will schools. tion we see today,” she said. regarding the high incidence of cause he wants to be a part of “the saka Province, says he has always be the ones who will take care of “This has gone on for too long. Banda says education, health- gender-based violence. radical changes transforming our been impressed by revolutionary you. But this is a lie. It’s evil ac- This has to change. Zambians are care, and agriculture are pressing Bukisa was educated at Muban- country”. leaders and was nicknamed “a Che tually. They only use violence and fed up with the greedy, irrespon- issues in Lundazi. ga Chipoye basic and Ituna high Chizu holds a master’s degree in Guevara” at school. intimidation. sible, corrupt establishment in “We need to build lower primary schools. She has worked as a DJ business administration from the “I was born a socialist,” he said. “Enough is enough. You are Zambia. We are taking over,” Dr schools in the communities as the with Northern FM Zambia radio University of Zambia (UNZA), a “I am an individual who does not fed up with being harassed, being Musumali said. majority have been upgraded to station in Kasama, and studied for bachelor of arts degree in market- like seeing oppressed people and abused. This has gone on for too “The Lazarus of today is saying secondary schools,” she said. a secretarial qualification at Kasa- ing from the University of Green- because of this, I opted to join a long. They will come with tokens ‘we want to rule ourselves’, and “When you go into a health in- ma Skills Centre. wich in the UK, a postgraduate political party whose ideology is of money, make you drunk, give that is also in tandem with what stitution today at 06 hours you will diploma in marketing, advertising rooted in my heart. Socialism is you some salt, sugar, pieces of democracy is. When you go to the leave the place at 15. The ratio of Stephen Chewe and public relations from Evelyn the best governance system and chitenge, to buy you off. But you villages today, people tell you they patients to doctors needs seriously Hone College, and an advanced all well-meaning Zambians should are not that cheap,” he said. are fed up.” addressing because lives are being STEPHEN Chewe, parliamentary certificate in business economics embrace it.” “Your status as Lazarus will not Dr Musumali said the Zambian lost in the process.” She said phar- candidate for Chimwemwe con- from UNZA. Jempa said that although Chi- change because of that. They are masses were cynical and no longer macy prescriptions also needed stituency in Copperbelt Province, Chizu said there were many langa was near Lusaka, it suffered taking away your dignity. They are trusted the political establishment attention. “What happens to those defected from the Patriotic Front pressing issues in his constituency, all the deprivations of a rural area. using your poverty to come back or what politicians had to say. who can’t afford to buy the pre- to the Socialist Party because he including unemployment, the sup- “Although Chilanga is 15km to you with hand-outs. They come “The people of Zambia feel be- scribed drugs?” she asked. says “it is the only one committed ply of clean water, and sanitation. from Lusaka, we still use pit la- to you to campaign but they don’t trayed. We have been in those vil- It was vital to implement the So- to ending poverty and to the cause The water and sanitation situation trines,” he said. “Water consumed have issues to bring to you. They lages. My brother, comrade Fred cialist Party’s policies on agricul- of the working class”. was especially worrying because in Lusaka is purified in Chilanga JUSTICE • EQUITY • PEACE

6 Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 Beckham Mudenda Lindiwe Mawere Lydia Kasonya Lewis Chizu Precious Samalesu Stephen Chewe Kalota Morris Juliet Nalwimba

Morris Jempa Thelma Nkoloma Blessings Mwale Marie-jessy Banda Mary Bukisa Sharon Fulani Caroline Simwala Christine Mulenga

but we have no water here, and Lindiwe Mawere will make his- Beckham Mudenda “Let’s fight for our rights, our only those with connections can re- ruin”, says Precious Samalesu, par- civic leaders in Chilanga are only tory as the youngest person to be wealth. We need to voice out, fight ceive services. We will also do our liamentary candidate for Ikelengi interested in land, not people. Even elected to parliament. BECKHAM Mudenda says his hunger, joblessness, and lack of best to create independence for the constituency in North-Western our burial space has run out.” A hairdresser by trade, Mawere mission is to “bring about change proper healthcare. We deserve youths to allow them to do things Province. Jempa gained his grade 12 at completed her grade 12 at Ng’ona to our country and change the lives recognition and respect as citizens on their own.” Other constituency “There’s no justice in Zambia, St Marks Secondary School and Secondary School. of the suffering masses in my con- of this country, we deserve better. issues included a lack of health there’s nothing Zambian people holds a diploma in human re- “I joined the Socialist Party be- stituency, and to help lead the peo- Mother Zambia is for all, not just posts, poor agricultural results in can be proud of unless they save sources management from the Uni- cause of its desire to entrench jus- ple as they govern the country and the rich.” an area where the soil was fertile themselves from calamity and total versity of Zambia. He worked for tice, equity and peace in this great ensure that the masses are saved Mulenga was educated at Ma- with good rainfall, a lack of em- ruin,” she said. the Department of National Parks country, Zambia. This is a political from this capitalist government”. samba and Chavuma primary, and ployment and empowerment, poor “Let’s fight for justice, equity and Wildlife Service as a human party that puts the interests of peo- Kalulushi secondary, schools. She roads, and a lack of clean water. resources manager until his retire- Mudenda, parliamentary candi- and peace for all Zambians. All ple first, regardless of status,” she has worked for One Square Limit- “The reason I joined the revolu- ment in 1999. date for Magoye constituency, is patriotic citizens need intervention, said. “Frankly speaking, I joined from Mazabuka in Southern Prov- ed and Kalulushi Municipal Coun- tionary party is that in the history which will only be brought about Lydia Kasonya the party because I was attracted ince and is a single father with two cil but now runs her own business. of Zambia none of the parties that by the Socialist Party.” by the humility of its leaders and sons. He was educated at Nkonkola She is secretary of Kalulushi have come and gone ever thought Samalesu says people need to their genuine consideration for any Council for Catholic Youths and of helping the poor,” she said. LYDIA Kasonya, parliamentary High School. work together to solve the coun- human being.” a project administrator for Shalom “They all had their own selfish mo- candidate for Chavuma constitu- He said his priority is to work try’s problems that, in her constitu- She said the people of Kawamb- Youth Club. tives. The Socialist Party’s aim of ency in North-Western Province, together with the people of his con- ency, include a poor road network, wa Central desperately needed restoring poor people’s hopes in says she is representing the Social- stituency to address the problems polluted drinking water, education, Blessings Mwale life gave me the excitement to join healthcare and agriculture. It’s also ist Party because she believes it can proper roads, a reliable water of poor roads, making sure chil- the race.” time for women to take control. transform Zambia, and people’s supply and business ventures for dren are educated and don’t drop- HONESTY, humility and the wis- Nalwimba was educated at “We should never look down on lives. youths and women. out of school, and focus on peasant dom of socialist leadership are Nsansamwenje, David Ramusho, ourselves,” she said. Kasonya was educated at Moses “The humble people of farming practices. what inspired Blessings Mwale to Kasanda Malombe, and Highridge “We have been given an op- Luneta Primary School but suf- Kawambwa Central should vote “We can’t bring about com- join the revolutionary movement. schools, before studying for a portunity to be leaders, we have fered at grade 8 when her parents for me because I’m committed to munity change apart, but we can Mwale, parliamentary candidate teaching diploma at Immaculata to take politics as a right, question passed away and there was no one lobbying for development in the move mountains as a team,” he for Masaiti constituency in Cop- College of Education. everything, make informed deci- to pay her fees. She says things got area,” she said. “I will lobby from said. “Development lies with the perbelt Province, was born in Ndo- sions and demand all that we are tougher when she became pregnant the central government as well as people.” la and attended Masaiti Primary entitled to.” and decided to ask social wel- from progressive movements inter- Thelma Nkoloma School in Luanshya, and Samfya Samalesu attended Kambanda, fare for help, eventually finishing ested in spreading wealth to rural Christine Mulenga Secondary School. THELMA Nkoloma, parliamenta- Kasumbalesa, Chililabombwe pri- grades 10 to 12 and completing her areas. I encourage female political He says his main concerns are ry candidate for Mazabuka Central mary and Konkola Basic schools, senior secondary in 2014, gaining candidates to look up and aspire CHRISTINE Chomba Mulenga, the very high level of unemploy- constituency in Southern Province, completing her grade 12 at Ikelengi five 0-levels. for any office. They shouldn’t be Secondary School. She holds a sec- parliamentary candidate for Kalu- ment, inadequate education facili- joined politics and the revolution- “I am passionate about my work, intimidated by anyone.” ondary diploma in teaching from lushi constituency, Copperbelt ties and poor agricultural sector in- ary movement “after seeing how I am a natural leader, I am highly Mawere said people would only South West College of Education Province, works with a number put in his constituency. those in power use and mislead organised, ambitious and driven, see justice, equity, and peace in under the University of Lusaka. of youth organisations and joined “These can be solved by opening youths in my area”. and an excellent results-oriented their communities if they fully sup- the Socialist Party because “it is a up the manufacturing industries of “This is our opportunity to be communicator,” she said. ported the Socialist Party and its Caroline Simwala movement fighting for everyone, fertiliser and jam-making,” he said. part of decision-making in Maza- Kasonya knows from her own president, Dr Fred M’membe. especially the less privileged”. buka,” she said. “Let’s end this Mwale described party leader CAROLINE Simwala, parliamen- experience how hardship can affect “There is a lack of proper wom- trend of being used for political Fred M’membe as “a patriotic tary candidate for Namwala con- people’s lives and is determined Kalota Morris en and youth empowerment,” she violence. Let’s choose to stand and Zambian who will look into the stituency in Southern Province, to focus on the issue of empower- said. “Giving is not a problem but challenge these political leaders equality of the living standards of says she joined the Socialist Party ment for women and young people. KALOTA Morris, parliamentary how you give is what matters. As who have no vision for us. Let’s our people, not only in Masaiti, but because its manifesto “touched my “A lot of youths and women have candidate for Solwezi West con- stand as one and fight the injustice, a leader you can give money and Zambia at large”. heart”. knowledge, skills and experience stituency in North-Western Prov- inequity and lack of peace in Maz- food when someone doesn’t have Simwala was educated at Ma- abuka and the country at large.” but no empowerment,” she said. ince, says the Socialist Party is the them but the question is, will you panza primary and St Mark’s Juliet Nalwimba Nkoloma says that in addition to Unemployment and farming only one “that can deliver people always provide? secondary schools and trained as the lack of opportunities for wom- were two other pressing issues. from the bondage of slavery, fight “I believe it’s better to empower GOD sent Moses to rescue his a teacher at Paglory College of en and the young in her constitu- “There are a lot of farmers in the corruption and create jobs”. a person with a skill that they can people who had suffered for so Education. ency, the issues of a lack of clean area, but a lack of good machin- Morris says agriculture and a use as their source of income. long, and now Zambians must “I joined this revolutionary water and sanitation, and poor ery. Chavuma is in a region that lack of clean water are urgent prob- Instead of providing money, I’d rise to take charge of their nation movement because I want to make roads, also need addressing. receives a high amount of rain and lems in his constituency. rather build a skills and recreation by voting for Dr Fred M’membe, sure that I can help my community “The Socialist Party, anchored if it had the equipment it could help “There is a lack of markets centre that can be teaching women Juliet Nalwimba, parliamentary with the problems we are facing to- on the policy pillars of education, Zambia with food security.” where farmers can sell their prod- and youths different skills that gether,” she said. candidate for Isoka constituency in health and agriculture, has the best Kasonya said there was an ur- ucts, and the water is dirty,” he will also benefit the community at “I will address the people and Muchinga Province, says. of intentions for every Zambian,” gent need to change the govern- said. “Local people and the Social- large. If this is implemented the we tell them that it’s only if we work “The time has come to change she said. ist Party government are going to together as a community that we ment and said women could be a can fight joblessness in our- com things, not in words, but serious Nkoloma was educated at Nam- can solve our problems.” driving force. “It’s women who work together to solve these prob- munity,” she said. change,” she said. ulonga primary, Arakan junior, and know pain and how it feels to lems by creating job opportunities Mulenga said her constituency Nalwimba, a teacher by profes- Simwala said unemployment, Arakan high schools. She has been poor roads and a shortage of medi- have a family and what the family and making organic fertilisers, had long suffered from water and sion but also an entrepreneur, said a psychosocial counsellor with the cines in hospitals were the pressing needs,” she said, adding that things which are cheaper.” sanitation issues and there was a she knew what suffering what district AIDS task force and recent- issues. “My message to the people could only get better if empowered Morris is a teacher by profession lack of proper infrastructure for de- was “and knowing it well” would ly completed a short course with in my community and Zambia at with a qualification from South women supported each other. velopmental services. “Kalulushi do her level best to work with the the University of Zambia Students’ large is: let’s vote wisely so we can West College of Education in Sol- is a very big town for people to be community “to change our beauti- Empowerment Association. bring about change. Lindiwe Mawere wezi, and also holds certificates in going to Kitwe for everything,” she ful nation which has been turned “I would like to tell all women psychosocial counselling from the said. into a beast by selfish people”. Precious Samalesu also to vote wisely so that our WHEN she is voted in as MP for Full Life Institute, and human re- Mulenga said it was time to “rise “I will work together with people problems, as mothers, are solved Kawambwa Central constituency sources management from Molex up and fight for change and refuse to bring about equality in education ZAMBIANS must fight to save by choosing the Socialist Party and in Luapula Province, 21-year-old College of Education. to be intimidated”. and hospitals, where at the moment themselves from “calamity and Dr Fred M’membe.” JUSTICE • EQUITY • PEACE

Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 7 GLOBAL VIEW CHINA China lifts WATCH INTEREST in China is growing, yet most news and analysis out- side the country is produced by mainstream media from the glob- al north. To provide access to more than Chinese perspectives, the Dong Feng Collective – researchers from various countries – offers a China digest of news. This is an edited selection.

15.6m out GDP hits 30-year high CHINA’S first quarter GDP has hit a three-decade high, growing 18.3% year-on-year to US$3.82 trillion. Key economic indicators expanded by more than 20%, such of poverty as retail sales (33.9%), fixed-asset Above: villagers in an impoverished district of Sichuan Province move to new homes as part of a poverty reduction scheme. Below: China hails the success of its anti-poverty programmes investment (25.6%) and industrial White paper sets 2035 as production (24.5%). Global Times target date to become ‘a Trade with US rises CHINA’S trade surplus with the US has jumped to US$72.6 billion in modern socialist country’ the first quarter (US$40.7 billion, 2020 1Q), despite the trade war. MORE than 15.6 million the most effective way to eradicate Chinese imports (US$46.5 billion) people in the poorest parts of poverty, and China had taken five grew 69.2% year-on-year, while exports to the US rose 74.7%, due China, including areas with measures to implement it: l Boosting the economy to pro- to the pandemic-driven demand for the highest concentrations of vide more job opportunities, Chinese goods. ethnic minorities, have been l Relocating poor people from in- South China Morning Post lifted out of poverty in the hospitable areas, past five years, according to a l Compensating for economic Hi-tech firms banned new government white paper losses associated with reducing THE US has sanctioned seven Chi- released in April. ecological damage, nese supercomputer companies for l Improving education in impov- allegedly helping develop “weap- Xu Lin, director of the State erished areas, and, ons of mass destruction”. The com- Council Information Office, said l Providing subsistence allow- panies are key to China’s goal of at a press conference to introduce ances for those unable to shake off self-sufficiency in chips (70% by the paper that the 100-year his- poverty through their own efforts 2025) but are barred from accessing tory of the Communist Party of alone. US technology without authorisa- China (CPC) was about eradicat- The paper said: “We have made billion yuan (US$45.7 billion) or The paper did not break down of China’s economic and social de- tion. China has 214 of the world’s ing poverty and leading people’s great strides in our decisive battle about 45 per cent of the national the figures for each province, but velopment,” Xing said. top 500 supercomputing compa- fight for a better life. against poverty in ethnic minority total,” he said. said the number of nationwide Wu Qiang, a political analyst nies. The US has 113. The white paper said the found- areas. From 2016 to 2020, the pop- “Beijing has also granted policy transfers had more than doubled in Beijing, said the focus on lift- Nikkei Asia from 12.3 million in 2015 to 32.4 ing people’s living standards was ing of the People’s Republic of ulations living in poverty in Inner support in areas such as finance, million in 2020. China’s shield against Western China in 1949 and the establish- Mongolia, Guangxi, Tibet, Ningxia land use and human resources, pro- According to a working report criticism of its policies in Xinjiang. New city under way ment of the socialist system pro- and Xinjiang autonomous regions, viding powerful backing in win- THE new Xiong’an city construc- released by the Xinjiang govern- “Beijing is trying to use this vided basic institutional guarantees and Guizhou, Yunnan and Qinghai ning the battle against poverty in tion is under way with over 160,000 ment earlier this year, more than white paper to divert the attention for addressing the root causes of provinces, fell by 15.6 million.” these ethnic minority areas.” people employed in 120 major 14.3 million jobs were arranged of the international community on poverty. Xia said the per capita net in- construction and ecological proj- Earlier this year, the country of- for rural labourers in the region Xinjiang and other human rights is- The reform and opening up, come of low-income residents in ects. Announced in 2017, the city ficially declared that it had -eradi through organised government pro- sues, and respond to criticism with which started about four decades the eight provinces highlighted had is expected to relieve Beijing of cated extreme poverty and said it grammes in the past five years, and the ‘right to development’,” Wu ago, had accelerated the country’s passed 10,000 yuan (US$1,520) by non-essential functions (universi- was entering a new phase of eco- about 2.7 million were expected to said. development and poverty allevia- the end of last year, over and above ties, hospitals, business headquar- nomic and social development that be made available this year. He said the paper indirectly sug- tion. the international benchmark for ab- ters, financial institutions), with 70 would see it become a “modern so- Xing Chengju, an associate pro- gested that the cause of the prob- The paper said China had de- ject poverty. “It should be said that to 80% of its economy in high-tech cialist country” by 2035. fessor at Northwest A&F Universi- lems in Xinjiang was not terrorism veloped a set of standards and pro- this was no easy achievement,” he and high-end industries, and 30% of Xia Gengsheng, deputy head of ty in Xianyang, Shaanxi Province, but decades of poverty. cedures to accurately identify the added. its 1770km2 area forested. the National Administration for said Beijing attached great impor- China officially recognises 56 poor, as well as the causes of their Xinhua Rural Revitalisation, attributed the tance to poverty alleviation as a different ethnic groups, with the poverty and their needs. These Remote success to heavy investment and way of maintaining unity and sta- billion-plus Han Chinese citizens were summarised as targeted ef- policy support from the central The paper said Beijing had made bility in ethnic minority areas and representing the vast majority at 25-year deal with Iran CHINA has signed a 25-year stra- forts in six areas; arranging tar- government. great efforts to help ethnic mi- border regions. 91.5 per cent of the population. The tegic cooperation deal with Iran, geted programmes, utilising capital “For instance, specialised funds norities move to jobs outside their “Success is vital in defeating the other 55 ethnic minority groups whose economy is suffering from efficiently, taking household-based provided by the central govern- home provinces and dispatched lure of extreme religious ideologies include the Zhuang (16.9 million), US sanctions. While partnership de- measures, dispatching first party ment for these eight provinces and three million cadres to support anti- and foreign separatist forces among Hui (10.5 million), Manchus (10.3 tails are yet to be disclosed, China secretaries based on village condi- autonomous regions during this poverty work in remote, impover- the poor as it means that the ethnic million) and Uygurs (10 million). could invest up to US$400 billion tions, and achieving set goals. critical period reached almost 300 ished areas. minority people can share the fruit Xinhua, South China Morning Post For example, the paper said, on infrastructure in exchange for poor households were identified Iranian oil; between 2014-20, bi- primarily based on their incomes, lateral trade fell (US$52-20 billion) with consideration given to other US policy ‘pours petrol on Asia flashpoint’ due to US sanctions. New York Times factors, including housing, educa- tion and health; while for villages, THE US Pacific Fleet commander, Admiral a large-scale war”. In his bellicose anti-China what amounted to economic warfare against John Aquilino, has testified that he regards a remarks, McMaster argued that, “China has a China, directed in particular at preventing its consideration was given to the inci- Uyghur population up Chinese attack on Taiwan as the most threat- fleeting opportunity that is closing”, and the development of rival hi-tech products. This XINJIANG’S capital Ürümqi has dence of poverty, the per capita net ening flashpoint for war in the Indo-Pacific months between next year’s Winter Olympic was combined with accelerated provoca- seen its population surge, with the income of villagers, and income region and advocated a further build-up of Games in Beijing and the Chinese Communist tive “freedom of navigation” operations in fastest growing and youngest demo- from businesses run by village col- US military force in the western Pacific to Party congress later in the year presented the Chinese-claimed territorial waters in the South graphic in China. Ürümqi’s popula- lectives. counter China. “greatest danger”. China Sea. His remarks underscore the mounting These declarations stand reality on its After three decades of US-led wars, the tion grew from 1.5 to 3.5 million Individuals and villages con- bipartisan clamour in Washington against head. It is not Chinese “aggression” that outbreak of a third world war, which would be people between 1990 and 2018 as firmed as poor were then registered Beijing and the accelerating danger of the US, threatens a devastating nuclear war between fought with nuclear weapons, is an imminent youths migrated for jobs and liv- and a national poverty alleviation not China, provoking a war. China and the US, but rather the relentless US and concrete danger. ing standards. Xinjiang’s Uyghur Aquilino was testifying before the Senate military build-up throughout Asia. Within weeks of being installed, President information system was created. growth rate (25%) surpassed that of “Through this registration sys- Armed Services Committee at his confirma- Combined with naval provocations in the Biden has accelerated the war drive against tion hearing to replace Admiral Phil Davidson South and East China seas and trade war China. In his recent press conference, Biden the Han people (2%). tem, for the first time in the history as head of the US Indo-Pacific Command – measures against China, this has dramatically declared there would be “steep, steep compe- South China Morning Post\ of poverty alleviation, China has the largest US military command. escalated geopolitical tensions. tition” with China. He said his administration identified every poor individual in He told the committee that “the dangerous Aquilino, Davidson and McMaster all used would nearly treble research and development Migrant rules boost every village,” the paper said. concern is that of a military force against Tai- the alleged threat posed to Taiwan to justify funding to ensure US supremacy in hi-tech wan”. He referred to the previous testimony their demands for a further major expansion areas, and again insisted that China had to THE government is to increase ac- The strategy of targeted poverty of Davidson, who had warned of a Chinese of armaments and military spending for the abide by the “international rules” – that is, cess to public services for 230 mil- alleviation was China’s strongest takeover within six years, then added, “My US Indo-Pacific Command. those set by Washington. lion migrant workers by 2035 to “weapon” in its final battle against opinion is this problem is much closer to us The deliberate US ramping up of confron- By heightening tensions with China over reduce inequality and expand the poverty, and a major innovation in than most think.” tation with China began under the Obama Taiwan, the Biden administration is pouring middle class. It will invest US$5.3 the theory and practice of poverty Significantly, Aquilino agreed with the administration’s “pivot to Asia”, which called petrol over what is correctly regarded as the billion to relax residency rules for assessment of Trump’s former national for the deployment of 60 percent of the most dangerous flashpoint in Asia, threaten- reduction, which “highlighted the security adviser H.R. McMaster, who told a Pentagon’s naval and air assets to the region ing to not only trigger war between the US and migrants, increasing their spending CPC’s sound approach”. Senate committee that Taiwan was “the most by 2020. China, but drag in the entire world. power by about a third. The paper said development was significant flashpoint now that could lead to The Trump administration then launched wsws.org Caixin Global 8 Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 GLOBAL VIEW

A barricade in Chaussée Ménilmontant, March 18, 1871

In memory of the Commune April marked the 150th other factors combined to drive the little nevertheless clearly reveals croaked in vain. Less than six years population of Paris to revolution Lenin in 1911 its character as a popular, workers’ after the suppression of the Com- anniversary of the Paris on March 18, which unexpectedly government. Night work in baker- mune, when many of its champions Commune, and this placed power in the hands of the ies was forbidden; the system of were still pining in prison or in ex- National Guard, in the hands of the ile, a new working-class movement essay by Vladimir fines, which represented legalised working class and the petty bour- robbery of the workers, was abol- arose in France. A new socialist Lenin was published in geoisie which had sided with it. ished. Finally, there was the famous generation, enriched by the experi- the Russian-language It was an event unprecedented in decree that all factories and work- ence of their predecessors and no history. Up to that time power had, shops abandoned or shut down by whit discouraged by their defeat, newspaper Rabochaya as a rule, been in the hands of land- their owners were to be turned over picked up the flag that had fallen Gazeta in April 1911, on owners and capitalists, i.e., in the to associations of workers that were from the hands of the fighters in the hands of their trusted agents who to resume production. And, as if to cause of the Commune and bore the 40th anniversary of made up the so-called government. emphasise its character as a truly it boldly and confidently forward. After the revolution of March 18, Their battle cry was: “Long live the historic event bourgeois republicans and the petty poorly developed, and France was democratic, proletarian govern- when M. Thiers’ government had ment, the Commune decreed that the social revolution! Long live the fled from Paris with its troops, its bourgeoisie soon broke away from at that time mainly a petty-bour- Commune!” And in another few the salaries of all administrative police and its officials, the people it. The former were frightened off geois country (artisans, peasants, years, the new workers’ party and and government officials, irrespec- FORTY years have passed became masters of the situation, by the revolutionary-socialist, pro- shopkeepers, etc). the agitation work launched by it tive of rank, should not exceed the since the proclamation of and power passed into the hands of letarian character of the movement; On the other hand, there was no throughout the country compelled normal wages of a worker, and in the Paris Commune. In ac- the proletariat. But in modern so- the latter broke away when they workers’ party, the working class the ruling classes to release Com- no case amount to more than 6,000 ciety, the proletariat, economically saw that it was doomed to inevi- had not gone through a long school munards who were still kept in cordance with tradition, the table defeat. Only the French pro- of struggle and was unprepared, francs a year. French workers paid homage enslaved by capital, cannot domi- prison by the government. nate politically unless it breaks letarians supported their govern- and for the most part did not even All these measures showed The memory of the fighters of to the memory of the men and the chains that fetter it to capital. ment fearlessly and untiringly, they clearly visualise its tasks and the clearly enough that the Commune the Commune is honoured not only women of the revolution of That is why the movement of the alone fought and died for it – that methods of fulfilling them. There was a deadly menace to the old by the workers of France, but by March 18, 1871, by meetings Commune was bound to take on a is to say, for the cause of the eman- was no serious political organisa- world founded on the enslavement the proletariat of the whole world. and demonstrations. socialist tinge, i.e., to strive to over- cipation of the working class, for a tion of the proletariat, nor were and exploitation of the people. For the Commune fought, not for better future for all toilers. there strong trade unions and co- At the end of May they will throw the rule of the bourgeoisie, That was why bourgeois society some local or narrow national aim, Deserted by its former allies and operative societies. again place wreaths on the the rule of capital, and to destroy could not feel at ease so long as the but for the emancipation of all toil- left without support, the Commune But the chief thing the Com- the very foundations of the contem- Red Flag of the proletariat waved ing humanity, for all the downtrod- graves of the Communards who was doomed to defeat. The entire mune lacked was time – an oppor- were shot, the victims of the ter- porary social order. over the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. den and oppressed. At first, this movement was ex- bourgeoisie of France, all the land- tunity to take stock of the situation As a foremost fighter for the so- rible “May Week”, and over their lords, stockbrokers, factory own- and to embark upon the fulfillment And when the organised forces of graves they will once more vow tremely indefinite and confused. It the government finally succeeded cial revolution, the Commune has was joined by patriots who hoped ers, all the robbers, great and small, of its programme. It had scarcely won sympathy wherever there is a to fight untiringly until their ideas in gaining the upper hand over the Commune would renew the war all the exploiters joined forces had time to start work, when the proletariat suffering and engaged have triumphed and the cause the poorly organised forces of the with the Germans and bring it to a against it. This bourgeois coalition, government entrenched in Ver- in struggle. The epic of its life and revolution, the Bonapartist gener- they bequeathed has been fully successful conclusion. It enjoyed supported by Bismarck (who re- sailles and supported by the en- death, the sight of a workers’ gov- als, who had been beaten by the achieved. the support of the small shopkeep- leased a hundred thousand French tire bourgeoisie began hostilities ernment which seized the capital Why does the proletariat, not ers who were threatened with ruin prisoners of war to help crush revo- against Paris. Germans and who showed cour- of the world and held it for over only in France, but throughout the unless there was a postponement lutionary Paris), succeeded in rous- The Commune had to concen- age only in fighting their defeated two months, the spectacle of the entire world, honour the men and of payments on debts and rent (the ing the ignorant peasants and the trate primarily on self-defence. countrymen, those French Rennen- heroic struggle of the proletariat women of the Paris Commune as government refused to grant this petty bourgeoisie of the provinces Right up to the very end, May 21- kampfs and Meller-Zakomelskys, and the torments it underwent after their predecessors? And what is the postponement, but they obtained it against the proletariat of Paris, and 28, it had no time to think seriously organised such a slaughter as Paris its defeat – all this raised the spirit heritage of the Commune? from the Commune). forming a ring of steel around half of anything else. had never known. of millions of workers, aroused The Commune sprang up spon- of Paris (the other half was be- However, in spite of these un- their hopes and enlisted their sym- taneously. No one consciously pre- Propaganda sieged by the German army). favourable conditions, in spite of Bloodthirsty pathy for the cause of socialism. pared it in an organised way. The In some of the larger cities in its brief existence, the Commune The thunder of the cannon in Paris unsuccessful war with Germany, Finally, it enjoyed, at first, the France (Marseilles, Lyons, St. managed to promulgate a few mea- About 30,000 Parisians were awakened the most backward sec- the privations suffered during the sympathy of bourgeois republicans Étienne, Dijon) the workers also sures that sufficiently characterise shot down by the bestial soldiery, tions of the proletariat from their siege, the unemployment among who feared that the reactionary Na- attempted to seize power, to pro- its real significance and aims. The and about 45,000 were arrested, deep slumber, and everywhere gave the proletariat and the ruin among tional Assembly (the “rustics”, the claim the Commune and come to Commune did away with the stand- many of whom were afterwards ex- impetus to the growth of revolu- the lower middle classes, the indig- savage landlords) would restore the the help of Paris, but these attempts ing army – that blind weapon in the ecuted, while thousands were trans- tionary socialist propaganda. That nation of the masses against the up- monarchy. were short lived. Paris, which had hands of the ruling classes – and ported or exiled. In all, Paris lost is why the cause of the Commune per classes and against authorities But it was of course the workers first raised the banner of proletarian armed the whole people. It pro- about 100,000 of its best people, is not dead. It lives to the present who had displayed utter incompe- (especially the artisans of Paris), revolt, was left to its own resources claimed the separation of church including some of the finest work- day in every one of us. tence, the vague unrest among the among whom active socialist pro- and doomed to certain destruction. and state, abolished state pay- ers in all trades. The cause of the Commune is the working class, which was discon- paganda had been carried on during Two conditions, at least, are ments to religious bodies (i.e., state The bourgeoisie were satisfied. cause of the social revolution, the tented with its lot and was striv- the last years of the Second Empire necessary for a victorious social salaries for priests), made popular “Now we have finished with - so cause of the complete political and ing for a different social system, and many of whom even belonged revolution – highly developed education purely secular, and in cialism for a long time,” said their economic emancipation of the toil- the reactionary composition of the to the International, who played the productive forces and a proletariat this way struck a severe blow at leader, the bloodthirsty dwarf, ers. It is the cause of the proletariat National Assembly, which roused principal part in this movement. adequately prepared for it. But in the gendarmes in cassocks. In the Thiers, after he and his generals of the whole world. And in this apprehensions as to the fate of Only the workers remained loyal 1871 both of these conditions were purely social sphere, the Commune had drowned the proletariat of Paris sense it is immortal. the republic—all this and many to the Commune to the end. The lacking. French capitalism was still accomplished very little, but this in blood. But these bourgeois crows wsws.org Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 9 GLOBAL VIEW Brazil set Billionaires’ wealth up by for strike as deaths 60pc as pandemic rages pass grim Profits appropriated as states’ policies cost millions of lives milestone BRAZIL passed the grim mile- Niles Niemuth stone of 300,000 COVID-19 deaths at the beginning of April and in each of the coun- try’s states and regions the THE COLLECTIVE wealth population has witnessed a of the world’s billionaires brutal waste of lives, the result exploded by more than 60 of the criminal indifference of its ruling elite. percent last year, from US$8 The deteriorating situation trillion to US$13.1 trillion, comes as leadership of the according to Forbes maga- major trade union federations in Brazil have said they will zine’s annual list of global bil- officially announce on May 1 – lionaires, released on April 6. International Workers’ Day – a “COVID-19 brought terrible general strike to take place suffering, economic pain, geo- across Brazil on June 14. Brazil’s COVID-19 catastro- political tension, and the greatest phe is now having an impact acceleration of wealth in human far beyond its national bor- history,” Forbes writes. ders, with the Pan American The number of billionaires in the Health Organisation warning world grew by 660 to 2,775, the of the devastating threat to biggest total number and the larg- neighbouring South American countries. est annual increase ever. A new bil- The regions in Venezu- lionaire was minted every 17 hours. ela, Peru, and Bolivia that Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and border the northern part of Tesla CEO Elon Musk lead the Brazil have reported serious pack with US$177 billion and increases in cases. On Brazil’s US$151 billion, respectively. They southern border, Paraguay is are followed by Bernard Arnault facing a hospital collapse, and Uruguay, which had excep- and family (US$150 billion), who tionally low numbers during control the French luxury goods the first wave of the pandemic, company LVMH, Microsoft co- is suffering a rapid escalation founder Bill Gates (US$124 bil- of infections and deaths. lion) and Facebook CEO Mark Above: Jeff Bezos. Right: Workers wearing PPE bury bodies in a trench on Hart Island, New York City, in April last year The efforts of the govern- Zuckerberg (US$97 billion). ments in these countries to along with governments and central profit making could be resumed. tate their parents’ return to work. the US government. Just over one Press reports discuss how wall off their populations with banks around the world, stepped in The capitalists were determined to Bezos and Musk have been among year into the pandemic, as a fourth Zuckerberg “earned” US$50 bil- border controls and restric- with trillions of dollars to buy up ensure that the working class paid the most handsomely rewarded for wave of infections surges around tions on the entry of Brazil- lion and Elon Musk “earned” the bad debts of the banks and cor- the full cost of the pandemic, and rejecting any serious public health the globe, and vaccine distribution ians are seriously undermined US$130 billion last year. But the porations and prop up the markets. more. safeguards in their plants to protect remains limited, it is increasingly by the deep cross-border very term is an absurdity. One No expense was spared to guaran- Virtually every government the workforce and slow the spread clear that the ruling class is pre- integration of economic and cannot “earn” a figure equivalent social life. Moreover, the tee and expand the wealth of the around the world refused to carry of the virus. pared to send millions more to their to the gross domestic product of a Musk reopened his Tesla auto more infectious Brazilian P.1 richest, while destroying the wages out measures shown in the few deaths to satisfy its drive for profit. mid-size country. COVID-19 variant, a major fac- and conditions of the working countries that employed them, such factory in Fremont, California, last This wealth is socially appropri- May in defiance of public health Stopping this deadly accumula- tor in the explosion of cases class. In other words, governments as China and New Zealand, to be in Brazil, has already spread ated. First, through the exploitation orders, resulting in more than 440 tion of wealth in the hands of the oversaw the massive creation of effective in containing the virus widely to neighbouring coun- of the working class in the process workers contracting COVID-19. oligarchy is critical to preserving public debt, which was transferred, and minimising the loss of life. It tries, as well as other parts of of production. Secondly, and no Amazon has sought to cover up the safety and wellbeing of the by the mechanism of the markets, was no secret that what was re- the world. less important, the wealth is appro- COVID-19 outbreaks and work- world’s population. into the private fortunes of the fi- quired was an extended shutdown President Bolsonaro is priated as the result of state policy, ers’ deaths at its plants around the Just as the spread of the pandem- fighting to ensure that no nancial oligarchy. of nonessential industries and designed to ensure the perpetual world. ic is inseparable from the enrich- measures to contain the schools, strictly enforced social rise of the stock market through a ment of the financial oligarchy, the spread of the virus conflict Wildcat distancing, testing, quarantining Rebates combination of monetary stimulus ending of the pandemic is insepa- with the economic interests and contact tracing. of capitalism. Reaffirming his from the Federal Reserve and the rable from the expropriation of the As soon as the bailouts were All such serious and scientifi- The company finally admitted in dictatorial threats, he warned provision of an endless supply of oligarchs. secured, the push came to reopen cally based measures were rejected November that nearly 20,000 of its that his government and army cheap labour for exploitation. As the economy and overturn the because they impinged on the per- employees had tested positive since The vast wealth piled up by the were preparing “harsh mea- a result, the S&P 500 stock index lockdowns and other basic public sonal wealth of the financial oli- the start of the pandemic. The num- financial elite must be used - tofi sures” against any lockdown has nearly doubled since its low in decree, in order to guarantee health measures that had been put garchs. The interests of the masses ber of workers who have died as a nance emergency measures to stop March last year. the “right of the people to in place after wildcat walkouts by – the working class – coincided result of these infections has yet to the spread of the virus and save Amid a raging pandemic, every work.” workers forced shutdowns in Eu- with the implementation of interna- be disclosed. millions of lives. To force workers into super- country in Europe and the Ameri- rope and North America. tionally coordinated measures that Thanks to tax cuts included in the As workers all over the world infected workplaces, he relies, cas has refused to shut down non- As President Trump declared, prioritised saving lives and pro- CARES Act bailout and Trump’s enter into social struggle, they above all, on the enormous essential production, claiming the echoing the line pioneered by tecting the income of the popula- tax cuts in 2017, 55 of the largest must take up the demand for the economic pressures people cost would be too high. This policy, the New York Times writer Thom- tion. The economic interests of the corporations in America, including expropriation of the wealth of the face. The explosion of unem- which has led to the deaths of more ployment, rising food prices, as Friedman, the “cure can’t be capitalist class required a rapid and FedEx, Nike and Salesforce.com, financial oligarchy as a pillar of the than three million people, has the and the cutting of emergency worse than the disease”. Workers full resumption of profit making in paid no federal income taxes in socialist programme to reorganise deliberate aim of expanding the aid by the government is im- were forced back into deadly fac- unsafe factories, offices and ware- 2020, with most receiving rebates. society to meet social needs, not wealth of the financial oligarchy. posing unprecedented levels tories and workplaces, and children houses – and the herding of youth All told, these companies received private profits. of social desperation. With each death, an average of were packed into schools, so that back into unsafe schools to facili- US$3.5 billion in tax rebates from wsws.org A statement by the National US$1.7 million was added to the Political Commission of the net worth of the billionaires. Hun- Brazilian Communist Party, dreds of millions of people around announcing the plan for a the world got sick on the job or general strike, said the gov- Capitalism, spoiled vaccines, ‘lobbying’ ernment had “blown away” were thrown out of work. Hun- dreds of millions went hungry. But the policy of readjustments to REPORTS widely circulated in April that 15 The specific problem that resulted in the But how was Emergent even allowed to the minimum wage, attacked the stock portfolios of the wealthy million doses of COVID-19 vaccine had been ruin of 15 million vaccine doses was the con- produce crucially needed vaccines when the the labour unions’ resources, soared to ever-greater heights. spoiled in a Baltimore production facility sequence of Emergent handling two different government already knew about these prob- expanded cuts in education As Karl Marx noted more than described the incident as a “mix-up” or “hu- vaccines at the same facility. Ingredients from lems? The individual in charge of the matter and health, and legitimised the 150 years ago in Capital, it is a man error”. one vaccine were mixed with the other, wast- who awarded Emergent the “Warp Speed” persecution of social activists, basic law of capitalism that, “accu- With coronavirus cases once again trend- ing time and around estimated US$150 million. contract happens to have worked for the among other things. mulation of wealth at one pole is, ing upward globally, it is especially important The US Food and Drug Administration knew company in the past. “The way out [for Brazil] is to examine the systemic causes of this waste about problems at the Baltimore Emergent Robert Kadlec, former assistant secretary not to favour capitalist profits therefore, at the same time accumu- of badly needed vaccine doses. plant before the company was contracted to of the Department for Health and Human lation of misery, agony of toil, slav- and exploitation. It is, on the American pharmaceutical giants Pfizer and produce COVID-19 vaccines. Services, previously worked as a consultant contrary, to create the means ery, ignorance, brutality, mental Moderna expect to reap tens of billions of dol- Most of the deficiencies cited in FDA for Emergent and is also a business partner to build popular power in the degradation, at the opposite pole”. lars in sales of their vaccines this year. Public investigation reports from 2020 indicate the in a different venture with Emergent’s chair- direction of socialism, the The piling up of immense sums funds have been provisioned by the US gov- lack of rigour that capitalism incentivises man. This is the ruling class’s revolving door only way to combat unem- at the top of society is made pos- ernment’s questionably named “Warp Speed” with its “race-to-the-bottom” profit motive: between industry and government. In many ployment, misery and hunger sible by the immiseration of the project to pay private, for-profit pharmaceuti- lax safety practices, missing documentation, countries it is called corruption, but in the once and for all, and to solve cal companies to produce them. and little-to-no training for workers in a facility United States it is legal and called “lobbying”. the grave problems and mis- working class and poor. Emergent BioSolutions is a contractor that manufacturing life-saving medicines. This is The FDA and White House both declined As global markets entered fortunes experienced by the handles the actual creation of doses for both “efficiency” of the capitalist type. Companies to comment on the loss of the 15 million vac- Brazilian people.” freefall in March last year, the US Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca in its spend as little as possible on production, and cines at their preferred for-profit facility. Liberation, wsws.org government and Federal Reserve, problematic Baltimore facility. safety is secondary to profitability. Liberation

10 Socialist Monthly, April/May 2021 GLOBAL VIEW Women do US$11 trillion worth of unpaid care work every year COVID-19, austerity cuts increase pressure on families and institutions

Vijay Prashad Gómez Alcorta told me recently. “Care is a necessity, since all of us need to be cared for at some point WOMEN around the world in our lives, and if it is a neces- spend an average of four sity, then there must be rights for hours and 25 minutes per day the care givers. We have before us on unpaid care work, while the great challenge of laying the foundations for a comprehensive men spend an average of one care system with a gender per- hour and 23 minutes per day spective,” she told me, and this on it. This was the finding of system must take into account the an International Labour Or- “complex and heterogeneous real- ganisation (ILO) study from ity” of Argentina. That is why, she 2018. said, “The dialogue being carried out by the drafting commission is What is care work? The ILO so important . . . we know that the study defines it as “consisting of current composition of families is activities and relations involved diverse, so on the one hand, we in meeting the physical, psy- work in terms of the diversity of chological, and emotional needs families and identities, trying to of adults and children, old and contemplate all situations. On the young, frail and able-bodied”. other hand, our country has a great There are two main kinds of care social debt, we have high poverty work, as described by the ILO. The rates, and we know that women are first is characterised by direct care the most affected by economic cri- activities (sometimes referred to as ses. That is why we maintain that “nurturing” or “relational” care), a better redistribution of care tasks such as “feeding a baby, nursing not only generates greater gender a sick partner, helping an older equality but also results in greater person to take a bath, carrying social justice.” out health check-ups, or teaching Patriarchal systems and customs young children”. are “breaking down”, Gómez Al- The second is characterised by Ailén Possamay, What they call love is unpaid labour, Buenos Aires, 2019 corta said, but “there is still a long indirect care activities, “which do way to go”. Shared responsibil- school for almost a full year. At the first Minister of Women, Gender, not entail face-to-face personal Frontline care workers, from nurses to ity for care work is seldom a real- same time, many of the frontline and Diversity in the Argentinian care, such as cleaning, cooking, ity, which is why “men have to be care workers in our societies, from cleaners, are women. It is these women who government. In December 2019, doing the laundry and other house- more involved, but we also know nurses to cleaners, are women. It is her ministry set up the National hold maintenance tasks (some- find themselves being applauded as “essential that deconstructing habits and ste- these women who find themselves Directorate of Care (Dirección times referred to as ‘non-relational workers” at the same time as their working reotypes can take time”. Nonethe- being applauded as “essential Nacional de Cuidados), which has care’ or ‘household work’), that less, Gómez Alcorta told me, “We workers” at the same time as their conditions deteriorate and their wages stagnate, worked along four main axes. provide the preconditions for per- have the strong conviction that we ‘ First, to draw up a federal map of working conditions deteriorate and putting them at risk of contracting the virus sonal caregiving”. Direct and indi- are moving towards a scenario in their wages stagnate, putting them care and training facilities for care rect care work operate in tandem, which care is better distributed and at risk of contracting the virus. tina led to the publication of our of family surpass kinship, emerg- work. the physical and emotional labour socially recognised and valued for Last June, in a dossier called recent dossier, Uncovering the ing as an essential foundation for Second, in February 2020, the that holds together the fabric of what it is: the work that makes the Health is a Political Choice, we Crisis: Care Work in the Time of survival during the pandemic. directorate instituted an Inter- society. world work.” documented how women health Coronavirus (dossier no 38, March Luz Bejerano of the Transgen- ministerial Roundtable on Care Women and girls, the ILO study workers in Argentina, Brazil, In- 2021). der Movement of Argentina reports Policies (Mesa Interministerial de shows, carry out three-quarters of l IN A recent newsletter, I high- dia, and South Africa were strug- The pandemic has put immense that a transgender comrade opened Políticas de Cuidado) to bring to- the unpaid care work that is re- lighted the assembly election gling to improve their working pressure on families, with women an outdoor kitchen to feed people, gether 14 ministries whose agenda quired to maintain families and campaign in Kerala. conditions and to earn enough to at the centre of the increased work- which also provides snacks for intersects with care work. society. If those who performed Now that the manifesto of the care for their families. Our sixteen- load. This pressure is the result of a children. Silvia Campo of Encuen- Third, in August 2020, the direc- unpaid care work received the Left Democratic Front has point list of demands that ended the long period of austerity cuts made tro de Organizaciones explains how torate started a campaign, Caring minimum wage in their respec- been released, there is a point dossier came out of the struggles to state institutions, which has re- her organisation is working to trace with Equality: Necessity, Rights, tive countries, the annual wage bill that bears special mention: that of unions in these countries, de- sulted in a deterioration of social cases of COVID-19 and dissemi- and Work, which holds “Parlia- would amount to US$11 trillion if the left returns to power, it mands that remain as fresh now as wages (including pre-school care nate information to the public about ments of Care” to listen to the care would institute a pension for (or up to roughly 15 percent of the they were last June. This pandemic for children and nutritious food in health clinics and services. María workers and care givers to get their housewives. global gross domestic product, the has uncovered and sharpened our school). Benitez of the Federation of Grass- perspective on the key issues. And, “The value of domestic labour size of the total digital economy). sense of how patriarchy blocks the This long-term problem is cap- roots Organisations organised her lastly, in October 2020, Gómez will be recognised, and pension The necessity of this unpaid advance of social progress. tured in the phrase “care crisis” neighbours to go to the landlords Alcorta’s team formed a drafting will be instituted for house- care work – including taking care Our team in Argentina, along (crisis del cuidado), coined by the and tell them – successfully – that commission comprised of nine wives,” the manifesto says. of children and the elderly – has with the collective Mapeos Femi- UN’s Economic Commission of they cannot evict families during experts who will write a bill for a The implications of this prevented women, and some men, nistas (Feminist Mapping), de- Latin America and the Caribbean the pandemic. Against all the odds, comprehensive care system for the pension plan are enormous – it from entering the paid workforce. veloped a podcast to explore the (CEPAL) in 2009. Due to the aus- Luz, Silvia, María, and their organ- country. recognises that domestic labour has value and shakes the foun- In 2018, according to the ILO, uneven impact of the pandemic terity regime, the notion of family isations have held the social fabric ‘The slogan of the campaign – dations of patriarchy, which is 606 million women said that un- has been broadened as caregivers together. Their stories are inspira- “care with equality” (Cuidar en through a feminist lens. This work built on the financial dependence paid care work meant they could of documenting the crisis and draw resources from others in their tional and instructive. igualdad) – seems to summarise a not seek paid employment outside of women. the struggles of people in Argen- community. These wider networks Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta is the large part of our concept of care, Tricontinental the home; 41 million men said the same thing. During the pandemic, 64 million women lost their paid jobs, while Cubans honour memory of ‘first lady’ Vilma Espín most found themselves spending more time on unpaid care work CUBANS, socialist comrades and sup- led by Commander Raúl Castro, who she youth, and equal rights for women in the than before the “great lockdown” porters paid tribute to the legacy of Vilma later married. After the triumph of the Rev- legislative body. of 2020-21. Espín ���������������������������������������Guillois (pictured right), revolution- olution in 1959, she led political and state As the wife of Raúl Castro, the younger In the Tricontinental study, Co- ary fighter and defender of the full rights actions to materialise Cuban women’s full brother of longtime Cuban leader Fidel ronaShock and Patriarchy (No- of women, on April 7, the 91st anniversary realisation and enjoyment of their rights. Castro, she was for decades regarded as vember 2020), we note that dur- of her birth. Vilma Espín is remembered as the the unofficial first lady of Cuba and was ing the pandemic, “care work has Born in the eastern province of Santiago founding president of the Federation of the most politically powerful woman in de Cuba, she was an underground fighter Cuban Women, created in 1960 to promote the country. increased exponentially, and the under the orders of Frank País, especially policies and programmes aimed at achiev- Espín married Raúl shortly after the extra burden continues to fall on during the uprising of November 30, 1956, ing the full exercise of women’s equality in overthrow of the regime of Fulgencio women”. It is largely women who in that city. all areas and at all levels of society. Batista, and because Fidel was divorced at are overseeing the education of She had held revolutionary political She was also a member of the Central the time he came to power, Espín assumed their children, maintaining house- positions since her youth and actively par- Committee of the Communist Party of the first lady’s responsibilities, a role she holds that struggle with diminished ticipated in student demonstrations after Cuba from its foundation in 1965, a deputy continued to play even after her brother- incomes, and taking care of the el- the March 10, 1952, coup d’état by dictator in the National Assembly of People’s in-law remarried. Fulgencio Batista. Power from its first legislature, and a She officially became first lady in 2006 derly in times when they are most She joined the Rebel Army in the Sierra member of the Council of State. after Fidel ceded power to Raúl, who as- susceptible to the dangers of CO- Maestra when her life was in extreme Vilma Espín chaired the parliamentary sumed the title of acting president. She VID-19. UNICEF reports that 168 danger in the urban uprising. Vilma Espín committees on prevention and social care, died on June 18, 2007. million children have not been to was a member of the 2nd Guerrilla Front, as well as the committee on children, Britannica, Radio Havana Cuba

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