Progressive Caucus Charter 2024

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS CHARTER A- Commitment Statement

We- representatives of the oppressed- declare that we shall unite in strengthening opposition in the Parliament of South Africa to achieve equality, total decolonisation and economic freedom for all.

We note that the 2024 National and Provincial Elections outcome resulted in the formation of a reactionary coalition government that seeks to preserve the current power of white monopoly capital in the economy, give advantage to white privilege. and undo the gains of the liberation movement.

This coalition, claiming to be a Government of National Unity, is a design of white monopoly capital whose objective is to mask the class and race contradictions exposed by the 2024 electoral outcomes.

It seeks to foreclose the possibility of the unity of all progressive forces to form a progressive government that will institute a meaningful transformation of South African economy and society as a whole.

The 2024 elections were a target of big capital and imperialist forces who sought to undermine the will of the people. They used money to propel liberal and neo-colonial political party outfits who united in the form of Moonshot Coalition clearly setting themselves against liberation movement associated formations.

Upon electoral defeat, the capitalist establishment realised the liberation movement forces constitute 70% majority. Instead of continuing with its Moonshot project which had instigated class divisions, it now advocated for the unity of all, in order to mask and contain the obvious explosion against its domination.

This accounts for the birth of the GNU which does not represent the unity of the oppressed. but an empty elite coalition of predominantly liberal and neo-colonial parties.

Thirty years into our so-called democracy. South Africa teeters on the edge of a reckoning. Economic power is still monopolized by the ruling elite. while the masses are suffocated by relentless socio-economic oppression: the vast majority are landless, denied educational opportunities. and shackled by the chains of Apartheid's enduring legacy.

In this urgent and volatile landscape. the Progressive Caucus emerges. resolute in our mission to dismantle the status quo and blaze a revolutionary path toward true justice and equality.

We, the Progressive Caucus, representing 102 seats in the National Assembly. bring together uMkhonto WeSizwe (MK Party), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the African Transformation Movement (ATM), the National Coloured Congress (NCC) and the United African Transformation (UAT), to oppose an elite pact masquerading as national unity.

We pledge to remain faithful to the true aspirations of the oppressed on transformation of colonial patterns of ownership, achieving equality, justice and total economic freedom. Accordingly;

1. We shall fight for expropriation of land without compensation for equitable redistribution.

2. We shall fight for nationalisation of the commanding heights of the economy, in particular the banks and the mines.

3. We shall strengthen our democracy by ensuring that the government and all captains of the ruling class are held accountable to achieve a corrupt free society.

4. We shall fight for decolonisation of legal and cultural apparatuses in society as a whole, with emphasis on an Afro-centric philosophy of law.

5. We shall fight for free quality education, healthcare. housing, water and sanitation.

6. We shall fight for the industrial development of the African economy, attainment of peace and stability in all its nations.

7. We shall defend and promote the liberation struggle legacy of Progressive Internationalism.

B- WHAT IS TO BE PROGRESSIVE?

In the current domestic and international balance of forces. to be progressive means;

1. Anti-capitalism: All who seek an alternative to capitalism as an economic strategy and system of life, and are who are in pursuit of a society anchored by the principle of collective ownership and benefit from the means of production.

2. Anti-colonialism: All who oppose colonialism — the creation of racially divided societies to achieve the economic, social and spiritual exploitation of the oppressed of the world: especially as it occurred in Africa and elsewhere. beginning with the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, up to the apartheid system.

3. Anti-Racism: all who oppose a way of life in which white people are privileged over black people in all aspects of life and perpetuate the exploitation and exclusion of black people based on the colour of their skin. By 'black: we refer to those who were disenfranchised by the Apartheid regime on the basis of their skin colour.

4. Anti-sexism: all who oppose the oppression of women or any person on the basis of their gender or sexuality. We shall fight for the total elimination of Gender Based Violence in our society.

5. Anti-Imperialist: all who oppose the domination of global capitalism and its driving countries and institutions in the world system. We shall always stand with the oppressed of the world. We reaffirm international solidarity with the people of Western Sahara, Cuba and Palestine who remain under the yoke of imperialist domination.

We shall defend the Brazil. Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) international forum in the interest of the transformation of global balance of forces and in favour of the global south and the oppressed on the world.

6. Rule of Law: we shall promote the supremacy and rule of law: however, we are prepared to oppose any unjust law. We shall advocate for complete decolonisation of our legal framework to reflect justice, equality and an Afro-centric legal philosophy and praxis.

7. We shall defend and promote the principle of collective Bargaining: workers' rights and freedoms shall be central to our program.

8. Traditional leadership: we shall defend and promote institutions of traditional leadership and customs.

In the current South African Parliament. to be progressive means a refusal to be part of the Government of National Unity since it is a mere executive for the management of the common affairs of the white and neo-colonial bourgeoisie.

C. MINIMUM PROGRAM

We shall join unite in action to ensure that the 7' Parliament achieves the following:

1. The revival of the amendment of the Constitution to achieve expropriation of land without compensation for equal redistribution.

2. The revival of the Phala-Phala Impeachment process to hold the sitting President accountable for all reported abuses of power in terms of the constitution and laws of the country.

3. We shall propose bills to legislate the following, among others:

a. Insourcing of security guards, cleaners and other general workers in government departments and related entities.

b. Provision of Free Sanitary Towels for the poor

c. Nationalisation of South African Reserve Bank

d. Repeal of all Apartheid Laws

e. Introduction of a Foreign Agents Bill

f. Cancelling of Student Debt

4. We shall propose the following parliamentary inquiries:

a. Inquiry into Rand Manipulation

b. Inquiry into sexual abuses of inmates in prison

c. Conditions and remunerations of farm and domestic workers

D- CONCLUSION

Although the Progressive Caucus is formed in the context of the 7th Parliament, it will not be limited to parliament as a forum to achieve its objectives. We shall work together to broaden our collaboration and cooperation with all progressive formations of the working class and people in general.

We shall mobilise and reach out to progressive formations of workers, the landless, traditional and religious leaders and all progressive forces outside parliament, in a united action for the total liberation of all oppressed people in our country and the world.

We call upon every worker, every landless South African. every young person who has been denied opportunities, and every citizen still shackled by the chains of economic oppression to rise with us. The unity you have been yearning for is happening. We stand at the precipice of a revolutionary change, a moment that will redefine our future and dismantle the remnants of Apartheid's legacies.

Let us ignite the spirit of resistance in every corner of our land. Let the voices of the oppressed roar louder than ever, echoing through the halls of power and across the nation. We are not merely fighting for policy changes: we are fighting for our dignity. our future, and our very existence.

This is our call to arms. We shall not rest until the land is returned to the people. until the wealth of our nation serves all its citizens, until the chains of poverty are broken. and until true equality and justice are achieved. Our struggle is just. our cause is righteous, and our determination is unwavering.

ENDS