No Blank Pages

From COSATU yesterday: “The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) informs you that two consultants from the Netherlands trade union federation the FNV, who were visiting the ZCTU, were detained on arrival at the Harare International Airport today Sunday 19 March 2003. (Names: Jeff Handmaker and Bangane Ngeleza) And: “The Congress of South African Trade Unions condemns the reported re-arrest of opposition leader Mario Masuku in Swaziland. If true this action further confirms that the Swazi dictatorship hold human rights and the arguments of progressive forces throughout the world in contempt.” It is sad to report these things on Sharpeville Day, now called Human Rights Day, 46 years after 69 unarmed people were shot dead while demonstrating in front of the Sharpeville Police Station. “Blank pages in history should not be allowed,” wrote Comrade Mzala. The linked document is the text of an address given by SACP Deputy General Secretary, Jeremy Cronin, on the 15th anniversary of the death of “Comrade Mzala”, known by many names, born Jabulani Nxumalo. The Communist University Mzala Archive is here. Constitution Hill has events today. Their small flyer is transcribed here. It mentions nothing about Sharpeville. Is Sharpeville becoming a "blank page"? Tomorrow at Constitution Hill there is to be a “public dialogue” around the question: “Is the Law Just?”. Next week on Tuesday on Constitution Hill there is a seminar on “Ex-combatants as Peace Promoters”. See linked documents for full details. Such events are at least educational. Communist University people should avail themselves of these opportunities if they possibly can. In France, huge demonstrations are to be followed by a national general strike against the introduction of a “dual labour market” along the lines of the one planned by SA Deputy Finance Minister but emphatically rejected by the ANC’s National General Council in July 2005. In San Diego, California, Cuba is playing Japan in the final of the World Baseball Classic. Links: Blank pages in history should not be allowed - Cronin on Mzala (5576 words) Is the Law just, 2006-03-22, Con Hill, 18h00, public dialogue (notice) Promoting Peace, 2006-03-28, Con Hill, 17h00, seminar (notice)