http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3661560.stm
This seems to be an almost general strike -- the BBC say it is about pay. But the issues it raises are far deeper. The ANC is now running SA as a one-party state, having absorbed the old ruling Apartheid party and the old Communist Party while abandoning any gestures towards socialism; the new apartheid is based on wealth, and the old one based on colour has only been superficially altered by the rise of a few black business managers.
The unions and community groups are the only force that can challenge this; however, at least one TU and civics federation is closely linked to the ANC.
Is this a sign that this link will be aharder to maintain?
Isn't cosatu is part of ANC in a weird way which was supposed to last only for a while after the apartheid was ended? This strike is encouraging because any crack in this relationship is welcome!
I don't think SACP (communist party) will split from ANC because they probably would be too small to stand on their own feet, but cosatu breaking away is very possible.
I'm always plugging this site when i have the smallest opportunity, so here it goes again:
http://www.zabalaza.net/
(SA anarchist group)