Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. So said the English writer and lexicographer, Samuel Johnson. But he was badly served by his biographer, James Boswell who quoted this dictum. Because Johnson actually distinguished between what he saw as true and false patriotism, the true being that which served the “common good”, the false that which served individual or sectarian goals.
This seems to be the same distinction made by the labour movement in its recent, regular, calls for patriotic action by business, workers and consumers. However, this is rarely spelled out and is further confused as both sides of the labour market coin, organised employers and organised employees, indulge equally in the patriotic fervour surrounding the Bokke.
This nationalistic and tribal tub thumping about sport is justified on the basis that it plays a role in “nation building”. Yet the employers and the sellers of labour once again differ as to what this actually means.
From a trade union perspective, it is imperative that workers unite as workers, irrespective of gender, language or any other differences while, at the same time, the inherent class divide between workers and bosses remains. This is not an opinion shared by bosses and many politicians, who tend to stress arguments devoid of class content.
Arguments from the employer side that “we’re all in the same boat” tend to be used to try to get workers to accept pay cuts, more flexible labour laws and austerity measures in order to maintain the profitability of business. From a labour viewpoint, this is false patriotism; it is designed to make the workers pay to maintain a system that makes a minority rich and the majority poor; that has increased greatly the wage and welfare gap.
On the other hand, what the unions see as truly patriotic actions would create decent jobs, all with a guaranteed “living wage” and put an end to casualisation and temporary work. These are admirable, probably wholly unachievable, goals, but totally contradictory to a fundamental principle of labour, that an injury to one is an injury to all — and that this includes workers the world over.
Having fallen prey to patriotism, the labour movement tends, by and large, to define the common good as extending only to the citizens — primarily the poor — of South Africa. It is a glaring contradiction that has surfaced more frequently in recent months as the effects the global economic crisis continue to impact locally.
However, patriotism, sometimes in the form of a narrow nationalism, is no new phenomenon within the international labour movement. And South Africa probably holds the record for the most bizarre version of this contradiction.
It arrived on the scene in Gauteng in 1922 during the strike and armed rebellion by white miners when the South African Air Force was called in to machine gun and bomb the strikers. The slogan then displayed was: Workers of the world unite — for a white South Africa. The slogan then displayed was: Workers of the world unite — for a white South Africa.
The Benoni trades hall that displayed that slogan was bombed, but not because of the sentiment expressed which, at the time, was widely shared by those in power. Today the call is for all South African workers to unite, which is an obvious improvement.
However, this demanded unity is aimed at encouraging the purchase of local products in order to boost local business and so maintain local jobs, presumably at the expense of other jobs in competing countries. Employers agree, which is why many of them, along with the unions, back the Proudly South African campaign.
But they know that most South Africans, however patriotic they may seem, see price as a critical factor; that consumers are unlikely to tax themselves in the name of patriotism. So employers use the same, buy local, argument as labour, but to demand pay cuts and relaxed labour laws in order to make local products more competitive.
Or, especially in the garment industry, to threaten to move to other countries, something labour cannot do. It was this mobility of capital that created the principle of an injury to one being an injury to all along with the dictum: act local, think global.
However, as the economic crisis deepens, there are now more talks, seminars and bosberade being staged as trade unions, employers, state bureaucrats, politicians and academics try to make sense of what is happening — and what to do about it. Unfortunately, the various macro remedies suggested seem, for the most part, to be repetitions of failed policies involving regulation or deregulation of the existing system.
But a common theme usually emerges in such talk shops: the need for South Africans to be better educated, skilled and efficient. The unions see this as a passage toward decent work and wages, the employers as a means to be more competitive.
In a world where supply did not exceed demand, both would be correct; in the present situation of gluts, debts and capital intensivity, the goals seem naive. However, on a local level, both are desirable and achievable. But this means questioning the whole basis of government policy, especially regarding the Skills Education and Training Authorities (Setas) that are financed by more than R2 billion in levies a year.
As Thapelo Molapo, a vice president at Toyota South Africa told a Chamber of Commerce symposium in Durban last week, Seta training has resulted in the production of “accelerated artisans”, young people who complete short courses that ill prepare them for the world of work. Professor Justin Barnes, a specialist in industrial best practice, agreed.
Barnes also pointed out that relatively high wages and more rigid labour laws did not necessarily affect competitiveness. He noted that labour laws in Turkey were more rigid and that wages, averaging some R6 000 a month, were much higher than in South Africa. Yet Turkey had a thriving garment industry employing a million workers.
Such comments hopefully will result in practical local steps, to an awareness that the global system is fatally flawed — and that patriotism is no answer.
Cape Town, South Africa-based journalist commentator and author specialising in political and economic analysis and labour matters. 
Terry Bell Writes 
wendy van schalkwyk, account manager, draftfcb
October 12, 2011
PATRIOTISM MUST LIVE
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Proudly South African is the “buy local” campaign launched in 2001 by government, organised business, organised labour and community organisations (the constituencies represented in the National Economic Development and Labour Council – Nedlac) to boost job creation, patriotism and national pride in “local” by promoting South African companies and their ‘homegrown’ products and services.
Buying South African stimulates an increased demand for locally-produced products and services. This translates into the safeguarding of existing employment opportunities, economic growth, and the creation of more quality employment opportunities in our country.
“With a population of approximately 49million people to feed and more than 50% currently living below the poverty line, South Africans, businesses and our government should be doing all it can to promote “Buy Local”. In a recessionary environment, where the competition forjobs locally and internationally remains the focus, it makes complete sense to push the Buy Local mandate as every single local product purchased impacts a South African family somewhere. Economics is all about sentiment and if we can be positive and patriotic about our country, our people and our products and services then saving and creating jobs and being patriotic is exactly where our focus needs to be right now. This is translated into nation building. What we cannot and should not do is apply history of old to our current day and age situation. So much has changed locally and internationally. Right now we need to focus on what is right and good for our people and our country. We must look at what we are facing right now economically and be visionary in what we do today in order to create a sustainable and better future for South African people as a nation.” says Adv. Leslie Sedibe, new CEO of Proudly South African.
By buying Proudly South African, both consumers and businesses are making a personal contribution to nation-building. Consumers get an assurance of quality because only quality products carry the Proudly South African mark, while members of the Campaign are furthermore committed to an uplifting ethos and socially responsible business practices which are reflected in the membership criteria. In this manner the Campaign represents and stimulates the creation of a virtuous circle which benefits all.
Membership is not restricted to a particular type of business or organisation. Any company or institution, whether it renders a professional service or is a manufacturing business; a public entity, sports body, school, tertiary institution, government department, municipality, NGO, town or city or even an individual, may be eligible to join the Campaign, provided that they support the Campaign’s overall aims and objectives and meet the Campaign’s membership criteria.
The qualifying criteria for Proudly SA membership are: Local Content (at least 50% of the cost of production must be incurred in South Africa and there must be “substantial transformation” of any imported materials), High Quality Product (the product or service must be of a proven high quality), Fair Labour Practise (the company must comply with labour legislation and adhere to fair labour practices) and Environmental Standards (the company must be environmentally responsible and adhere to production processes that are environmentally friendly and acceptable).
Proudly South African clearly is much more than a marketing campaign – it is an internationally recognised competitiveness driver; an impetus for economic growth, employment creation, social change and greater overall prosperity. So, remember to look for the Proudly South African logo when you make purchase decisions, or, apply to become a member. Either way, supporting Proudly South African or being part of the Proudly South African community promises to be truly rewarding.
Adv. Leslie Sedibe, new Proudly South African Chief Executive Officer said: “We know that every cent spent in South Africa on South African made products and services impacts on jobs locally. We cannot avoid the serious impact the global recession has had on South Africa and we are still not out of the woods. Economists predict that this recession could continue well into and beyond 2012. Usually recessions are a way of making countries and companies rethink their business strategies, methods and practises and it calls for deeper introspection and reflection to do things better. It calls for an awakening of a new paradigm of living and doing business. In our current macro and micro economic landscape, the green economy seems to present a good option to South Africa and other countries as it will allow countries and companies to move out of a highly industrial, technological era into a more socially conscious and organic era where sustainability and consistent growth can take place. Globally the competition for job creation is high as the focus on poverty alleviation, responsibility for the environment and sustainability of mankind mounts.”
“All of us have an important role to play in the development of our country and contributing towards a better life for all” says Adv. Sedibe.
Adv. Sedibe
Proudly South African CEO
Terry Bell
October 15, 2011
These are the same tired old arguments that have been used at various times in different jurisdictions. In a country such as South Africa, where the majority of people barely scrape a living and where most of those in work provide an unofficial social securiry safety net for the army of the unemployed, price is the critical factor. In any event it is sheer sophistry to claim that workers and bosses — especially major corporations that often have investments and shareholdings across the world — have an identity of interests. Patriotism, at root, is nothing more than a divisive poison that fuels xenophobia and has led to much of the carnage around the world.