Time to make Hani's dreams come true
By Mazibuko K. Jara, SACP Media Officer
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In April hundreds of South African workers and Communists marked the 7th anniversary of the cowardly murder of the late General Secretary of the SACP, Comrade Chris Hani. But in the context of globalisation, job losses and economic developments, in South Africa what does Chris Hani’s life and his struggle for socialism mean? Of what relevance is the SACP? The current campaign by COSATU against job losses and the continued existence of poverty in South Africa make the case for socialism even stronger. |
Almost 53% of the South African population falls within category of poor and almost 29% in the category ‘ultra-poor’. The gap between rich and poor has remained relatively constant over last three decades, despite significant increases in wealth for a small number of blacks. |
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The majority of the population is now deeper in poverty than before. The gap between rich and poor is much higher than the gap between blacks and whites in terms of share of total expenditure. The poorest 40% make up 6% of total expenditure, whereas the richest 20% of the population make up 69% of total expenditure.
Put differently, all these statistics mean one thing – deepening gender and racial inequalities made worse by class oppression.
In his keynote speech at a Hani rally in Phalaborwa, SACP General Secretary, Blade Nzimande, said, "We must never allow Chris Hani to die. He fought poverty and job losses. He fought for people’s power and socialism. Let us build and strengthen the power and influence of the poor and the working class."
Workers and the poor need a strong SACP and the SACP needs revolutionary workers to fight for socialism. Therefore workers and the poor must join and build the SACP. In this way we will make Chris Hani’s dream of strong SACP and a socialist South Africa possible. In this way Chris will live in us through our current struggles and the struggle for socialism in our country"
In many ways, Nzimande’s words give meaning to the argument that Chris Hani’ s life and socialism are relevant for our times. In his own words:
"Socialism is not about big concepts and heavy theory. Socialism is about decent shelter for those who are homeless. It is about water for those who have no safe drinking water. It is about health care, it is about a life of dignity for the old. It is about overcoming the huge divide between urban and rural areas. It is about education for all our people. Socialism is about rolling back the tyranny of the market. As long as the economy is dominated by an un-elected, privileged few, the case for socialism will exist."
Socialism means democratic working class rule, full equality and meeting the needs of the majority. Socialism means democratic and rational economic planning, substantial equality in income, wealth, power and opportunities for all citizens.
Only a socialist South Africa will fully address unemployment, lack of housing and other needs of society. Without the planned, rational, equitable and sustainable use of our country’s resources, the survival of our people is at risk. It is a socialist democracy and not the casino economy of capitalism that can fully address poverty and recurring job losses.
The current struggles by workers and the poor against unemployment and poverty are part of the struggle for socialism in our country. These struggles must consolidate working class power throughout South African society.
As the SACP Programme states:
"Socialism is not just an ideal located in some distant future. We seek to actively build capacity for socialism, momentum towards socialism, and elements of socialism, here and now. This means advancing gains from 1994, rolling back the market in service delivery, transforming the market and socialising the ownership function. The struggle to build socialism now is connected to current struggles to empower poor and working classes.
Build people’s power!
Build socialism now!"
© COSATU
