NATIONALIZATION IN OUR LIFETIME - MAYBE NOT IN SHABANGU'S

We condemn extra-ordinary arrogant remarks by Minister of Minerals and Energy Susan Shabangu that "the nationalization of mines will not occur in her lifetime". We view her glib statements as populist and smack of gratuitous disrespect for the ANC electorate that elected her and the ANC to government. Nationalization whether Shabangu likes it or not will occur within our lifetime and surely within hers; unless she will die young.

The expropriation of South African natural resources occurred through a bloody and violent process waged both by domestic and international capital. We also know that the domestic bourgeoisie and its stooges such as Susan Shabangu will not allow a peaceful transfer of wealth to the people. In fact we view Susan Shabangu's statements as a declaration of war to which we will respond.

If Susan Shabangu is prepared to reduce herself into being a representative of big business and mining multinationals we are willing and ready to wage war against her and her position. We see nationalization as urgent and necessary to transform the South African economy. It is for this reason that we are forever willing to enter the fray in order to ensure the complete nationalization of mines and the rest of the South African economy in order to achieve free education in particular.

We know and understand that the struggle for economic freedom and socialism will not be polite and friendly it will be acrimonious and this forms part of it.

Statement issued by Mbulelo Mandlana, president of the South African Students Congress, February 3 2010

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