Version imprimableThe GNU represents the political consummation of the convergence of neoliberal forces that have
since the late 1990s driven pro-market policies. While it is possible that this dream outcome for
capital may result in short-term gains, including some capital investment and a more efficient
government, these will not alter the fundamental trajectory of the new government: austerity on
steroids within a stagnant and deindustrialising economy.
Public services are likely to be subjected to an onslaught of austerity and privatisation, with the
generation and distribution of electricity and freight transport being primary targets. The much-
vaunted and necessary NHI will probably be stalled and withered down to protect the private health
sector. Already plans are emerging of extending the GNU to municipal level, leaving no part of the
state safe from the tentacles of capital.
At this critical juncture, the progressive movements are weak and fragmented. Waiting in the wings
to opportunistically carry the mantle of the left are the Radical Economic Transformation (RET)
forces, now in the form of the uMkhonto Party (MKP), which have demonstrated repeatedly that
their only interests are political power and self-enrichment.
The EFF-led progressive caucus represents a potpourri of disgruntled parties with very little
progressive, never mind left, politics. A convergence between MKP and EFF would establish a
formidable political bloc, albeit riddled with contradictions, and would further complicate a process
of uniting the socialist left. The GNU also represents an existential crisis for the National Democratic
Revolution (NDR) project, especially for the SACP and COSATU. They will have to decide whether to
remain in the ANC-led alliance and continue to provide a left fig-leaf for the government’s neoliberal programme or finally to break away and work with others to reconstitute the left.
Amidst these political convulsions, the forces of the left – trade unions, popular movements and
various socialists – remain weak. The Working Class Summit has the possibility of becoming a
national movement to mobilise grassroots struggles and to rebuild the forces of the left. However,
the ultra-left sects are a stumbling block in the path of left renewal. Their insistence immediately to
launch a mass workers’ party is delusional and adventurist. Operating in their own ideological echo
chambers, they are unable to analyse the conjuncture, not least the state of movements.
There is much work to do and difficulties to navigate. The capitalist forces will be emboldened by the GNU and will accelerate their attacks on the poor majority. The MKP-RET-EFF will attempt to position themselves as the authentic representatives of the black majority and will probably find fertile ground for their rhetoric. There is therefore an urgent need to act decisively but to avoid the pitfalls of sectarianism. More than ever, we need to muster our forces, stand with the workers and the poor to resist austerity and privatisation.
We must fight for a meaningful Basic Income Grant to cushion the unemployed and the poor from the rising cost of living. We must stand in solidarity with workers and their unions to fight retrenchments and stand shoulder to shoulder with the women, LGBTI+ people and foreign nationals who bear the brunt of violence, misogyny, homophobia and xenophobia.
We must continue engaging politically, clarify our analyses of the conjuncture and develop a shared
vision of political conscientisation, mass mobilisation and organisation.
An Injury to one is an injury to all!
Issued by the ZASO Secretariat
17 June 2024
