part of no part

It would seem to me as if a discussion like this has got to start with first principles. In philosophy, a first principle is a basic, foundational proposition or assumption that cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption. For now let us assume that we all agree on Freedom and Equality as a foundation of our contract with the state. Let's all also agree that morality must supersede tyranny in any legitimate form of government. Otherwise, people are left with a societal system rooted in backwardness, disorder, and regression So what is Freedom? In a philosophical context freedom is: 1. Free will, the purported ability of agents to make choices free from certain kinds of constraints. 2. Political freedom, the absence of interference with the sovereignty of an individual by the use of coercion or aggression 3. Economic freedom, the freedom to produce, trade and consume any goods and services acquired without the use of force, fraud or theft And what is E...

I cannot help but feel some nostalgia when reading the January 8 Speech. The message contained therein, smacks of the ANC of old, The ANC that has returned to its roots and once again is able to sweep me up in the euphoria of an equalitarian struggle. Much of the speech is very positive and places the ANC firmly back within the Framework of the NDR. Gone are the days of GEAR, at least in the rhetoric. Such strident words as "We must make the decisive shift to meaningful economic transformation and set in motion a very deliberate programme that will ensure that the benefits of our political liberation are shared amongst all our people" and "This will include the deepening of empowerment of black South Africans in general. We have to live the promise of the Freedom Charter, which states amongst others, that all our people will share in the wealth of the country. Political emancipation without economic transformation is meaningless. That is why we have to commi...

I recently joined a quite heated and sobering debate on Capitalism vs. Socialism on the M &G website and was struck by the challenges facing any attempt to change the status quo. The tremendous growth of the Middle Class in South Africa has achieved what Apartheid could never achieve, and that is to build a buffer population that would defend the Capitalist system. The Middle Class has become vociferous in their defence of Capitalism and this is nowhere more clearly illustrated than with the recent "Sushi Party" debacle. A strong case has been made for the rights of the Middle and Capitalist classes to flaunt their accumulation of wealth, with such mendacity that people such a Khanyi Mbau was able to garner significant support for her position. The Steam Roller called Capital Accumulation has been able to trample any and all challenges to their right to eat Sushi, drive Flashy cars and live in extravagant mansions. However, this arrogant display of the benefits o...