November 14 – Workers strike against retrenchment (layoffs) of 107 workers from the ArcelorMittal South Africa plant south of Johannesburg. Officials of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) called the strike off after six days, citing “the dire situation facing the business.” What about the dire situation facing the workers? Trade unions can’t and won’t solve our problems. Join the ICWP to end capitalist wage slavery and unemployment!
Extortion in South Africa: Another Reason to Destroy Capitalism
Comrades, as I write this my heart bleeds for the vulnerable young lives being exploited. Extortion here has reached alarming levels, with the latest victims being initiates in initiation school (a traditional rite of passage for boys).
Crime is getting worse by the day. We were still fazed by the collection of “protection” fees from parents who are just selling sweets and chips to business owners and school kids. And now it has escalated to the kids who went to initiation school whereby some families had struggled to pay the initiation doctor. Now they are being demanded protection fee “for the safety of their sons” while in school.
The trauma and fear inflicted on these young minds will have long-lasting effects, potentially damaging their prospects.
Comrades, we need to stand in solidarity against this exploitation. We need to get rid of the Capitalist society. These incidents are happening because people want money. The crimes — murder cases behind insurance policies, the robberies, bribes, and corruption —are all routes of money. That is how the capitalist system works: everything is money. If we can get rid of money, we get rid of all these negativities going around the world, including the bombing of Gaza, racism, xenophobia, and sexism. In a communist society everyone will be united. We will be one.
Rise, communists, rise!
Communism is the only solution and way we can live a fruitful and peaceful life.
—Red salute from South Africa
