Street versus Boardroom

Venezuela has done what South Africa should have done long ago – withdrawn its ambassador to Israel. In fact we should do much more than that. See the link from Al Jazeera below. Especially we should stop South Africans going to fight for Israel (and for Britain and the USA). Legislation going through parliament can achieve that, but British ambassador Paul Boateng in particular is lobbying against it. What business has he got to be in our parliament arguing a partisan case? The Israeli colonialists are stupid as well as disgusting. See the linked report from Lebanon below. COSATU has condemned the increase of interest rates, and declared support for current strikes, including remarks on President Thabo Mbeki’s speech, given in the Great Hall of Wits University to an invited audience last weekend. See the linked statements below. Vukani Mde’s comments in the Weekender upon the same presidential speech will be relayed from here tomorrow. The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) is strong, class-conscious and united. It is more than a society of the employed. It is a self-conscious element of educators of society. Its National Congress later this month will have the theme: "Empowering educators to reposition SADTU for peoples' education and working class power." These teachers are serious revolutionaries. They are well aware of the role they must play. The linked SADTU NEC report also announces the nomination of Cde. Willie Madisha for a further term as President of COSATU. In Mexico there are huge protests taking place in the streets. Bourgeois elections are losing credibility all over the world, even as they are being presented as “transition” in other parts of the world, like the DRC. Why do we think we can trust the bourgeoisie to hold an election? Without the street, there is no democracy. Click on these links: Venezuela pulls out Israel ambassador, Al Jazeera (211 words) Adjusting the Heroic Commando Raid Story, Roger Assaf, Counterpunch (643 words) COSATU strongly condemns MPC interest rate increase (286 words) COSATU supports strikers and draws lessons (808 words) SADTU, NEC decisions, Madisha nominated for COSATU Presidency (895 words) Boardroom versus Street, Laura Carlson, Mexico City, Counterpunch (1025 words)