DEBATES & OPINIONS

Mondli Hlatswayo argues that the wave of militant socialist struggles led by the trade unions over the last 30 years are now coming to an end, and that the unions have been co-opted into the capitalist system.

Linda Cooper argues that the struggle between education as a tool for social transformation and political practice and education as a human resource development is no longer an evenly balanced one, and that the balance has shifted decisively away from worker education as ‘political practice,’ in favour of human resource developmen

Sakhela Buhlungu argues that while white activists played an important role in the development of black trade unions, there were unequal power relations between them and black workers.

Oupa Lehulere argues that over the last ten years COSATU has moved from being a militant socialist organisation to becoming an organisation whose policies are now acceptable to the capitalist class in South Africa.

Maria Van Driel argues that the social dialogue, which is the policy of the main South African trade unions, cannot advance the interest of the working class under conditions of neoliberalism

Mthetho Xali looks at a study conducted by ILRIG on the AEC and SAMWU, examining the relationship between trade unions and social movements in the Western Cape. The article is a contribution to the current database about a lack of trade union presence in community struggles.

In this interview with Mondli Hlatshwayo, Mxolisi Mafilika looks at working class organising over the last 30 years, and argues that its important for the new layer of activists to appreciate the importance of understanding the history of struggle.

Sakhela Buhlungu argues that since the early 1990s COSATU’s membership has been changing, and this might have the effect of toning down its radical politics.

Thabang Matete Mohale argues that globalisation has increased xenophobic tendencies and trade unions as part of the struggle for international solidarity should unite with the immigrant communities and workers.

Programme Objectives In 2001, Khanya College decided to set up a working-class history programme. The programme attempts to systematically capture the history of the South […]