[DEBATE] : Zuma debate in Soweto Invitation

[Peter Dwyer]

Dear oh dear oh dear Dominic....sometimes  I just dont know where to begin 
with you. You are absolutely infuriating at times....You deny the need for 
any discussion about the importance of what Zuma's election means for the 
left  as 'shallow' and 'naive'.

Does that mean everytime SACP members, as revolutionaries, (who 
fundamentally do not believe in reformism as the ultimate answer to the 
problems of the working class) argued , lobbied and justified for Zuma over 
Mbeki inside the Alliance that you were beng shallow and naive? Of course 
not!  However that is the logic of your position against the debate, is it 
not?

Now, as a socialist, who often calls for unity, you could be cynical that 
the left outside of the Alliance simply wants to set up the debate so as to 
knock Zuma down and those who support him. No doubt there are some on the 
left like that.

However, I think those who are setting up the meeting have demonstrated 
their solidairty with others e.g. striking Alliance workers and others etc 
(some of whom no doubt support Zuma) many times over and so want a GENUINE 
debate amongst the left about what Zuma's election means.

Afterall, it makes sense for any group on the left to want to debate this as 
we all recognsie how important the victory was for the left. And afterall, 
did not the CPGB and others on the  far-left in the UK all hold debates and 
discussions on what the election of Blair meant for the Labour Party and the 
left more widely? Is not the election of Zuma fundamentally the same 
importance for the South African left and so therefore warrants a debate 
amongst the left?

That a genuine attempt to develop political debate in a public meetng in 
Soweteo is a credit. That you have responded the way in which you have is 
tragic and very, very sad.

Peter


Dr Peter Dwyer
Bradford Resource Centre,
17-21 Chapel Street,
Bradford, BD1 5DT.

Work: 01274 779003
Mobile: 07947857906
www.brc-net.org.uk
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dominic Tweedie" <dominic.tweedie at gmail.com>
To: "debate: SA discussion list" <debate at debate.kabissa.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 9:04 PM
Subject: Re: [DEBATE] : Zuma debate in Soweto Invitation


> Comrade Trevor,
>
> I have seen an invite for this from Claire Ceruti and now from
> yourself, but I cannot find anybody in the SACP who will own up to
> having anything to do with the event, so I will not publicise it.
>
> One well-known SACP comrade suggested that you guys just stick the
> party's name on stuff as a ruse to draw more people.
>
> Or maybe it is to deflect criticism that you might otherwise get from
> SACP members and supporters?
>
> As a party member let me tell you that I think the title of your
> gathering is unpolitical, shallow and naive. I don't know exactly why
> you want to individualise politics around JZ but that is what you are
> doing with your "cries of unity".
>
> Think up a better topic and we might be in business.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Dominic
>
> On 20/02/2008, Trevor Ngwane <trevor_ngwane at yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>
>>              Dear Comrades
>>
>>  On Saturday 23 February 2008 there will be a discussion on the topic:
>>
>>  IS ZUMA THE ANSWER TO WORKING CLASS STRUGGLES?
>>
>>  This public debate is jointly hosted by the Soweto Electricity Crisis 
>> Committee, Keep Left, Socialist Group, Democratic Socialist Movement and 
>> the South African Communist Party Linda Jabani (Greater Johannesburg) 
>> District.
>
> -- 
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>
>