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News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All Posts filed under »Inside Labour Column«
Marikana — and the wheels keep coming off
In 2010, as he was reaching the end of his days, Henry Makgothi, former South African treason trialist and former deputy secretary general of the ANC, confided sadly: “I fear the wheels are coming off.” He was referring to the apparent inability of the vehicle of government to act fairly and decisively as nepotism and […]
Unemployment, malnutrition & decolonisation
August 13, 2018
Local production — poultry and sugar being classic examples — is being crippled by unfair competition. This means not only more job losses and suffering; in the long term it could mean the effective takeover of SA Inc, something the decolonisation lobby would do well to consider.
Chinese loans: let’s have the facts
August 4, 2018
There have been ecstatic announcements from the SA government about money apparently pouring in from China. But these are loans, denominated in US dollars. They have to be paid back, with interest, so why is the government not making clear what the terms are. And that might include what collateral has been offered.
Undermining the SA productive sector
July 28, 2018
It is becoming increasingly clear that organised labour and others are no longer prepared to be fobbed off by commissions of inquiry, panels and task forces established as proclaimed means to remedy financial malfeasance and often grossly unfair trade practices. The dumping of chicken portions — the prime source of animal protein for poorer communities — is a prime example of such unfair trade in practice.
Cutting through the double talk
July 21, 2018
Politicians tend always to claim to act in the best interests of all. But is is essential to look closely to see whatever detrimental consequences their professedly beneficial policies have, whether they have to do with recycling or the expropriateion of land.
Promised New Dawn & glimmers of hope
July 6, 2018
South Africa's governing ANC, along with the opposition political parties, share one thing in common: the mantra that they alone can usher in a “new dawn” for the working people of the country. But the important question remains: is a new dawn possible under the present circumstances and under the existing system?
Lies, damned lies & statistics
July 1, 2018
As austerity policies start to bite, it is essential that reliable statistical data be critical analysed and interpreted to avoid the distortions of such material by politicians and others with self-serving agendas to push. Only in this way will we be able to see a clear way forward, uninfluenced by political agendas that are all too frequently spiced with wishful thinking.
Terry Bell Writes 
August 18, 2018
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