Capitalism and Apartheid:
COSATU accuses!
The key motive for Apartheid was the "perpetuation of a
super-exploitative cheap labour system". This was COSATU's statement
as the bosses went before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The workers movement rejected the bosses' ridiculous claim to have
been against Apartheid. The bosses' wealth was based on the
exploitation of the Black working class. Capitalism in South Africa
was based on colonialism, racist political oppression and violations
of human rights.
The bosses' actively collaborated in Apartheid through
* inventing key Apartheid institutions such as the
migrant labour/compound system
* violating human and worker rights through applying Apartheid
laws like the ban on Black trade unions and the pass laws
* co-operating with Apartheid regime through contracts and loans
* depending on Apartheid oppression to guarantee good profits
COSATU said that business should demonstrate its remorse by paying
better wages, providing jobs, training, ending the migrant
labour/compound system, and funding a workers museum. Of course, none
of this is likely to happen! The bosses only understand the language
of mass action, not guilt or decent human behaviour.
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