Soweto: Workshop on Class Struggle, Anarchism and Syndicalism (revolutionary trade unionism)

southern africa | anarchist movement | anarchist communist event Friday February 26, 2010 16:31 by Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front - ZACF zacf at zabalaza dot net

Part of the launch of the book "Black Flame: the revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism" by Lucien van der Walt and Michael Schmidt

Invitation to a workshop on class struggle, anarchism and syndicalism
(revolutionary trade unionism) as part of the launch of the book "Black
Flame: the revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism" by
Lucien van der Walt and Michael Schmidt

We find ourselves at a critical juncture - nearly a million jobs have been lost in South Africa since the onset of global crisis in 2008. The planet is teetering on the brink of environmental collapse. The United States continues to wage war on the world's poorest regions.

The workers' movement remains the key force for defending the popular classes from neoliberal and government onslaughts, and in building a sustainable, egalitarian and just society. If we do not act, we should not complain.

But how? In his Political Report to the 10th Cosatu national congress, Zwelinzima Vavi argued for the need to "Build Marxism" by learning from other left traditions. In particular, he mentioned anarchism as useful for "developing a vision for socialism in the 21st century", laying "the basis for the unity of the left in our country".

Vavi made especial mention of a new book from South Africa: "Black Flame: the revolutionary class politics of anarchism and syndicalism", by Lucien van der Walt and Michael Schmidt. This was launched at Wits University last year, at a major gathering of intellectuals, trade unionists, social movement and students activists.

A Soweto launch of this book is being organised by the Zabalaza Anarchist Communist Front (ZACF) and the Orlando West study circle on anarchism. This will be part of a workshop on class struggle and revolutionary trade unionism on the 6th of March 2010 at 1 pm. Both authors of "Black Flame" will be present to discuss topics covered in the book, and the importance of anarchism for the revolutionary social and political praxis of the workers' movement and the socialist project.

We hereby invite you, or your organisation to send shop-stewards, organisers and rank-and-file delegates to this event, which we have no doubt will prove to be both very informative and inspiring, giving us lots to consider as we set about building a revolutionary workers' movement for the 21st century.

Date: Saturday 6 March, 2010
Time: 13h00
Place: Funda Centre, Soweto

For news, views and reviews of Black Flame see: http://black-flame-anarchism.blogspot.com/