The debate has opened in South Africa and a beginning has been made to establish a united front, with talk of the move toward a “socialist movement”. This is a contribution to the debate.
Some food for thought about the future as the economic crisis continues, elements of barbarism and instability seem to be spreading to various arts of the globe — and as South Africa heads to another election.
Modern technology is making the bulk of humanity increasingly redundant. But the same technology could end the obscene waste of human potential.
The 2014 election campaign in South Africa has clearly begun and promises to be long and almost certainly very bitter and at the core of the ongoing debate will be the Constitution and, specifically, the Bill of Rights.
The intolerant reaction to the 2010 cartoon by Zapiro of the prophet Muhammed was an example of bigotry and ignorance. Zapiro did not ridicule Islam or religion. What he did was to hold up to deserved ridicule those bigots who distort the professed messages from their prophets and, indeed, from their God or gods. He should be hailed for his perception and sensitivity, not damned for doing a good job.
South Africa has a justly lauded Constitution and Bill of Rights. It also has some of the best labour laws anywhere. These are victories largely attributable to the labour movement, but they remain paper victories that have constantly to be fought for to ensure that they are applied.
Thoughts on a united front
January 2, 2015
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The debate has opened in South Africa and a beginning has been made to establish a united front, with talk of the move toward a “socialist movement”. This is a contribution to the debate.