The Long Walk to Freedom

Why I am in support of the Long Walk to Freedom

This post might cause a stir and even upset a few…

So many people are against the ANCYL long walk to economic freedom and also possible job creation. I however must confess that even though I am NOT an ANCYL member I do support this march. A march labelled by lots of critics as a show off, a march to economic freedom.

What is economic freedom?

"Economic freedom is the fundamental right of every human to control his or her own labor and property. In an economically free society, individuals are free to work, produce, consume, and invest in any way they please, with that freedom both protected by the state and unconstrained by the state. In economically free societies, governments allow labor, capital and goods to move freely, and refrain from coercion or constraint of liberty beyond the extent necessary to protect and maintain liberty itself."

 

"A riot is the language of the unheard" by Martin Luther King Jr...What does it mean to you?  I think by "Unheard", the author is referring to those people who are neglected in the society. Those people whom no one is willing to listen to and no matter how hard they try to communicate what they want, it’s in vain. For people like these, riot becomes an outlet, a medium to prove that they exist and they are to be heard. The quotation is important because it conveys to us that the development of society should be inclusive i.e. it should comprise of people from all the sections of the society. If not, the outcome can be disruptive to the normal functioning of the society in the form of uprising/riots. It's a warning to the establishment that if they fail to engage the people in a peaceful and democratic manner, then the people will stop being peaceful and democratic, and will rebel.

 

It means that if the establishment (The state government, or anybody in a position of power) disenfranchises a group of people by ignoring their fears and dismissing their concerns then that group of people will eventually grow tired of trying to use the system (because it is ignoring them) and they will go outside of it, they will riot. It is important because time and again it has proven to be true. People start out peaceful and try to change the system through civilized means, and when the establishment prevents them from doing this they will often resort to violence.

A question therefore would be, but why I am in support of the economic march… well the reasons are simple.
·        No one really cares about unemployment.
·        The rich get richer even super richer.
·        All essential goods and services increase on almost a monthly basis (fuel and food prices)
·        When government advertises employment they require a long list of qualifications knowing that it is almost impossible for the black child to get these qualifications.
·        Employers in Private sector make sure that without formal education, you won’t get that opportunity.
·        Disparities amongst racial lines in employment sector.
·        Labor brokers or employment agencies will delete your e-mail applications, CV, without it being read. This can be confirmed on Blackberry or Outlook e-mail tracking facility.
·        Employment Equity, an act of Government, is not always enforced or monitored (Correctional Services having employees now going to courts for assistance).
·        What did those opposing the march do to better the youth and or the Unemployment in our country.
·        We have so many inequalities healthcare, food, shelter to name a few.
·        CEO and other Senior Management Posts are getting huge salaries and or performance bonuses whether they perform or not.
·        In the South African employment sector the rules is simple; if you’re white you’re senior if you black you just there .I never thought that I would say this but it is just to mention a few reasons why I am supporting this march. Some say they’re all supporting the march but they’re not attending it. Leadership from the ANC, COSATU and SACP is divided. How can you be an alliance is there is opposing views. We all know that this is the Youth League (ANCYL) and not the Mother body (ANC). 

I have observe media reports, making it clear that the alliance partners did not agree on this march, with COSATU saying they support but will NOT take part, however the very same COSATU always want employees (members) to bring the Country, Economic sector to a halt when they’re having differences with either their Alliance Partners or with the way Government or employers are doing things. 
The less said about the SACP the better, I don’t even know whether they have membership and or a common goal (with their partners). These divisions might cause a strain in the relationship between these partners. This is the very same reason why there must be “Strong Opposition” politics to keep those Alliance Partners in comfort zones doing actual work. One can only assume that if someone less controversial (not a Julius Malema) had to organize this event then there would not have been ANY outcry for that matter. 

People are losing focus or the scope and purpose of this march; this is not about marching or walking for the ANCYL but a walk towards Economic Freedom. We must not be blinded by our emotions, let’s rather focus on our own backyards, I grew up in an environment with highly educated professionals who had to settle for employment opportunities in the Police, Correctional Services and or Teaching Profession, in most cases employed on junior levels yet they had qualifications higher or on par with the highest paid candidate within that department or section. On our doorsteps we are faced with drug abuse, teenage pregnancies and other social ills because of unemployment or unequal economic opportunities. We have more coloured/black people in prisons because of the problems as highlighted. Our own relatives are working for FMCG companies earning only enough to transport them to an from work.

We are therefore forced to take part in these marches. To those in their comfort zones just remember change is inevitable…

SO many questions – SO little answers….