Thesis 1: Class Struggle and Class Analyses should guide the current trajectory of the National Democratic Revolution
There has been a significant absence of Class and Class Struggle in our analyses of the of the post-Apartheid National Democratic Revolution. There has been more emphases on the National, rather than the class and gender struggle, the other two and main contents of the National Democratic Revolution. This is evident in the influence of hostile class forces (towards the working class) through justification of Black Economic Empowerment, the introduction of a “dual-labour market” and the so-called positive “Market Messages”
Thesis 2: The Main Content of the National Democratic Revolution.
The main content of the NDR is the liberation of Africans in general and blacks in particular from economic and political bondage and the creation of a democratic, non-sexist and non-racial society. However, class struggle remains the location of, and determines, the basic inequality in society. The class, gender and national question of the NDR constitute the main content of the NDR, with its radical programme being the Freedom Charter. This constitute a resolute programme towards Socialism, and thus, a defence and deepening of the current phase of the NDR.
Thesis 3: Global Market Forces have a direct and indirect impact on the current phase of the National Democratic Revolution.
Transnationalisation has played a significant and negative role towards the economic liberalisation and political liberation, as the two main streams of the trajectory of the NDR. The derailing of a radical NDR was through justification of Foreign Direct Investments, Currency Devaluation and “lack of labour market flexibility”
Thesis 4: Where does Power lie in the current phase of the NDR?
The most influential class forces of the NDR have become the middle-class and the emerging and aspirant black bourgeoisie. White capital still remains in control of the economy of the country, and thus, has its equal share of influence. The centre of influence for these class forces is the state (which has protects their private property), legislature (through policy), Presidential Working Groups and Golf Courses.
Thesis 5: It is not through capitalism that productive forces can be developed
The compartmentalisation of the working class into the employed, unemployed, casualised and informalised working class weakens the power and influence of this class at the production point. The insistence that productive forces can only be developed in capitalism is defeated by the fact that capitalism has now assumed “exclusion” rather than exploitation. Working class unity does not mean concentration at the point of production.
Thesis 6: The NDR has assumed a dual-role post 1994.
Our liberation had a dual effect in that it ushered political liberation and economic liberalisation. Political power is in the hands of the National Liberation Movement and could have been used for the advancement of a radical NDR, however, and conversely this has been utilised to liberalise the economy.
Thesis 7: The State is a contested terrain, an instrument of class oppression.
The state is an instrument of class rule and class oppression. ‘The ideas of the ruling class are the ruling ideas’. The idea that the State can be developmental and thus resumes neutrality is flawed. The current South African State machinery is capitalist, the working class should seize and crush this state and instate a socialist state.
Thesis 8: The Alliance should be retained in advancing the current phase of the NDR.
The Alliance has been retained because the key feature of the current phase of the NDR is the resolution of the National Question. The gains of the National Democratic Government also helps in keeping the Alliance. The working class should hegemonies itself within the Alliance.
Thesis 9: Capitalism has failed the working class in the last decade of democracy.
The contradictory class expectations within the NLM exposes the forced tactical and strategic manoeuvres of capital.
Thesis 10: The immediate task of the working class.
The immediate task of the working class is to strengthen working class power in the State, at the point of production and in communities