Position Papers and Constitution of the WSF (South
Africa)
-
1. DEFINING THE WSF, ANARCHISM AND
SYNDICALISM
- 2. CLASS STRUGGLE, CAPITALISM AND
THE STATE
- 3. THE TRADE UNIONS
- 4. FIGHTING RACISM
- 5. THE ENVIRONMENT
- 6. ANTI-IMPERIALISM
- 7. WOMEN'S FREEDOM
- 8. GAY RIGHTS
- 9. THE STUDENT MOVEMENT
- 10. SEPARATE
ORGANISATIONS?
- 11. THE VIOLENCE QUESTION
- 12. THE NATURE OF THE SOVIET
BLOC
- 13. THE ROLE OF THE REVOLUTIONARY
ORGANISATION IN THE CLASS STRUGGLE
- 14. BUILDING AN
ANARCHO-SYNDICALIST INTERNATIONAL
PREFACE
The Position Papers and Constitution of the WSF were developed by
mandated activists in the Workers Solidarity Federation in the period
between early 1995 and late 1996. These documents were adopted as
official policy by the WSF in December 1996.
These documents represent a systematic effort to apply Anarcho-
syndicalist theory to the specific conditions of South Africa in the
current period. Although Anarcho-syndicalism has a proud history as a
fighting tradition amongst workers and peasants across the world, it
has not had an organised presence in South Africa (as far as we know)
since the 1910s and early 1920s.
We hope, now, to lay the basis for a new movement. Marxism,
nationalism, liberalism- the history of these ideologies is a history
of broken promises and failed hopes. We believe that only Anarcho-
syndicalism -stateless socialism- provides the basis for the
liberation of the world's working class and peasantry from the crises
and oppression that beset uncountable billions of toiling and poor
people. We believe that freedom for the Black working class and poor
majority of South Africa can only come through mass class struggle
and revolution against capitalism, the State and all oppression. The
programme of that struggle can only be Anarcho-syndicalism.
These documents are a contribution to the process of building a
mass Anarcho-syndicalist movement in South Africa, and anywhere else
that people suffer and are oppressed.
Overall, the development of these documents was underlain by a
recognition that an effective Anarcho-syndicalist political
organisation can only be built on the basis of theoretical and
tactical agreement. In other words, we need a clear analysis and
clear guidelines as an organisation if we are to succeed in our aims.
In addition, if we do not provide explanations and strategies for the
various questions facing working and poor people, some opposing force
will step into the space we leave, and seek to entrap the masses in
this or that false ideology or programme. We must provide a
comprehensive alternative to the tricks and illusions of other
political groups, a theory that "ordinary" people can use as a weapon
in the fight for freedom and equality .
At all points in the material that follows, we have sought to
remain true to the general premises, theories, and classical writings
of classical class-struggle Anarchism/Syndicalism as a starting point
in developing our positions. Although these documents are often
highly detailed, such detail was unavoidable for the sake of clarity
and completeness.
Despite a number of delays in printing and proof-reading, we are
pleased to invite you to read on.
Yours, WSF-National Secretariat May 1997
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We dedicate these documents to the millions of
Anarcho-syndicalists, past and present, who have struggled for a
better world based on grassroots democracy and human fraternity.
Phambili basabenzi!
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