Lenin once said ‘without a revolutionary theory, there can never be a revolutionary party’, and Mao Tse Tung explained further that a revolutionary party is the guide masses. The problem that is facing the Platinum belt at Lonmin speaks to challenges that Lenin raised above.
Since January Lonmin bosses and AMCU have been at loggerheads with each other because of the R12 500 minimum wage proposed by AMCU. There is nothing wrong with the proposal because workers who are producing wealth for company bosses also have to benefit from those mining companies.
The conditions that workers are facing there are very despicable that is why I am not against workers who are demanding better living standards and better pay. In achieving this though, workers need to be united, they need to be guided by a clear revolutionary theory and a revolutionary party that have their interests at heart.
Though some may argue that revolutions can be violent, it is important to note that there is nothing revolutionary about the recent strike at Lomnin and other sectors. Che Guevara reminded us that true revolutionaries are guided by the greatest feelings of love, and what we see at Lonmin is the anti-thesis of Che’s teachings.
The violent protests prove to me that workers there are suffering from a serious problem of hatred towards each other, the main hater being those who belong to AMCU. Last week there was a hit list that was circulated by media. The list is said to be coming from AMCU with targets being the non-striking workers particularly those affiliated with NUM.
There is no unity within workers in the mining industry, violent is the order of the day and unfortunately AMCU leadership is very silent on this issue as they are the main culprits of violent. NUM members continue to be victim of Mathunjwa’s lack of leadership skills and this cannot be right.
While striking workers continue to suffer the consequences of downing their tools, Mathunjwa and his family continue to enjoy luxurious life through the union’s money. One wonders if he is not looting the workers’ Striking Fund for his selfish interest.
It is for this reason that workers must unite, and end the violent strikes. These killings do not assist workers in any way. Instead it provide a hostile environment for workers. And finally Mathunjwa and co should to take a lead and end the violent strikes.
