by Lucien van der Walt
(Tokologo African Anarchist Collective)

Our country is in a mess. Hunger, poverty, exploitation and injustice stalk the land.

The working class and poor face, at every step, the high walls of injustice, the chains of unemployment, and the bullets and batons of the police.

Conflicts shake the country, and hopes that shone in 1994 are fading, rusting under the waters of greed, oppression, and inequality; those hopes seem like a dream that fades when you awake to a grim reality.

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By Nthabiseng Motahane
(Tokologo African Anarchist Collective)

We, the people of South Africa, are suffering from the tariffs of Eskom. Electricity prices  are increasing every three years. This process is called a “multiple year pricing determination.” Eskom started borrowing money from the World Bank and others as a loan. We, the poor and working class, are the ones who are going to pay the interest through the rising prices. In 1994  we thought that we had access to everything in South Africa – housing, electricity, service delivery, health care – but that was wishful thinking.

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By Lawrence Zitha
(Tokologo African Anarchist Collective)

What is a  nation or a nationality?  A nation or nationality is the a group of people with the a common culture, history and background.

What is nationalism? This is the idea that your nation is more important than your class. You have more in common with other members of the nation, regardless of their class position and therefore must unite as a nation. This nation should represent itself through its own national state. The state is seen as representing the will of the nation. (Nationalism is not the same as nationalization, which is when the state takes over industries).

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by Lekhetho Mtetwa
(Tokologo African Anarchist Collective)

It is clear that the rights of the working class and poor people on the ground are not recognised by those in power, and will never be. After the 1994 elections, ordinary people thought that they will feel and enjoy real democracy. But to their surprise, things didn’t work the way they thought. People are being demoralised, threatened and killed when they stand up. It is now difficult for people to exercise their democratic rights.

It’s clear that voting won’t bring any change in people’s lives. The whole system is run by a small ruling class.  Voting does not change the system. By voting we are just fooling ourselves about our rights. People voted in 1994  because they thought their votes will bring complete changes in their lives. No one thought of suffering after voting in the first elections. Promises were made by so-called leaders in order to be voted into power. Their promises were a big lie.

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by  Tina Sizovuka
(Tokologo African Anarchist Collective)

Nelson Mandela has become a brand, “Brand Mandela,” his image, name and prison number used to generate cash and to promote the legend of Mandela. In July 2012, for example, the 46664 clothing line was launched (all “Made in China”).

But “Brand Mandela” is more than just an opportunity to sell stupid trinkets to tourists and celebrities. It is also a dangerous myth, based on Mandela-worship, promoted daily in the public imagination to serve far more sinister interests.

The myth of Mandela is used to give the vicious South African ruling class credibility by association, and to legitimise the the ruling African National Congress (ANC). It is no surprise that the 2012 launch of the new “Randelas” – South Africa’s new set of banknotes, with Mandela on – coincided with the ANC’s national conference at Manguang.  Continue reading →

by Bongi Motahane
(Tokologo African Anarchist Collective)

On 22 August 2012, communities from in, and out, of Gauteng had a meeting at Khanya College, Johannesburg, on the Marikana massacre. More than half of the 50 people who participated, most of the delegates, came from the mine areas affected by the situation in the North West Province. Continue reading →