Youth Coming Through

The Bottom Line is the fortnightly electronic newsletter of the Young Communist League of SA. You can subscribe to it at http://www.unwembi.co.za/sacp/subscribe.html . The current edition, linked below, is a full-scale critique by YCL National Secretary Buti Manamela of recent statements of a liberal nature by President Thabo Mbeki and by ANC NEC member Joel Netshitenzhe. The whole piece amounts to a scathing critique of the trajectory of development since at least 1996. This is a good piece of political education by any standards. The ANC Youth League also has a two-weekly electronic newsletter, called Hlomelang. It is not clear from the web site at http://www.anc.org.za/youth/ whether it is available by e-mail subscription, but it can be downloaded as PDF files via links at the bottom of each page, accessible at that address. In the latest issue, linked below, ANCYL President Fikile Mbalula makes brief points about the origins of the organisation 62 years ago, and its influence on the ANC’s break with “pacifism” at that time. The relationship between the two youth organisations is good. In the third linked document the YCL congratulates the ANCYL on its Anniversary and reviews some matters of common concern, such as the political attack, pretending to use legal means, upon ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma, which both organisations have resisted strongly. The clothing and textile workers’ union SACTWU gives an important example in the extent to which they are granting bursaries for university education. We respect all work but we do not say that a person has to work at the bench all her life. Perhaps SACTWU would like to think of starting an electronic university. See the link below. Last but not not least, the SATAWU Congress starting tomorrow in Boksburg is the last of the affiliates’ Congresses before the COSATU 9th Congress a week later. The draft programme is attached. Note that COSATU President Willie Madisha will be speaking on behalf of the federation, SACP GS Blade Nzimande will be speaking on behalf of the party, and ANC Deputy President Jacob Zuma will speak on behalf of the movement. Click on these links: Managing Capitalism, Market Fundamentalism, YCL Bottom Line (4292 words) History Has Affirmed The Role Of ANCYL, Mbalula, Hlomelang (1439 words) YCL message on occasion of 62nd Anniversary of ANCYL (1602 words) SACTWU pays out nearly R4m in bursaries for 2006 (278 words) SATAWU 2nd National Congress Programme 12-15 Sept 2006 (Programme)