Subscribe:
RSS feed
News & Views by Terry Bell
Browsing All posts tagged under »politics«
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.
The long road to decent work
June 22, 2018
A university-based network may hopefully galvanise the labour movement to make a priority of the Decent Work project the network has started. This could, in its turn, move toward an essential reform on the way to radical economic transformation.
Time to focus on Gross Domestic Benefit
June 17, 2018
Unless there is some radical change, an estimated 71 million unemployed youth will be the forerunners of what may turn out to be the first of discarded generations of the future. Perhaps it is time to stop focusing on growth — on GDP — and instead target GDB (Gross Domestic — and international — Benefit).
Prediction, the EFF & fascism
June 6, 2018
In the light of a series of actions and the very recent controversy regarding statements made by the Economic Freedom Fighters, along with earlier EFF statements in similar vein, is it accurately to assume that a home grown fascism is emerging? The red trappings of socialism, at root internationalist and extremely democratic, have been assumed by what seems increasingly to be an ethnic nationalist movement that is headed by a Commander-in-Chief. And authoritarian nationalism, with a dash of socialist rhetoric is, in essence, fascist.
Minimum wage, innovation & persecution
June 2, 2018
By the time — perhaps a year down the line — that South Africa's minimum wage legislation is passed, inflation would have caused the cost of living, especially for lower paid workers, to rise substantially. In any event, the claim that the the minimum wage is R3,500 a month and will improve the lot of more than 6 million workers is an illusion.
Terry Bell Writes 
Nelson Mandela’s views in 1993
July 18, 2018
0
In the first internationally published commentary, written for, and approved by, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandea in January 1993, he outlined his views about current events and the future. These seem pertinent today, on the centenary of his birth, when his legacy is being debated and various groups and individuals attempt to lay claim to it.