EDITORIAL – Umrabulo 49th Edition by J P Louw, Umrabulo Editor
The ANC’s outlook of South Africa’s economy is aptly captured in the Freedom Charter which envisions a country whose people share in the nation’s wealth. This commits ANC to build an equal society that offers decent jobs and enjoyment of sustainable livelihoods.
This 49th edition of Umrabulo Journal, themed “Economic Transformation”, talks to this frame of mind. The economic and social disruptive nature of Covid-19 has thrown further spotlight on prospects and characteristics of a recovery plan which can fundamentally move the country away from the same old where the few (primarily set in racial terms) have most and the many are persistently disadvantaged. Meaning finding and executing a solution which mitigates hardships experienced pre and post-Covid-19 through a rebuilding that is premised on ensuring all can share in the country’s wealth.
Joel Netshitenzhe’s article delivered at the ANC Eastern Cape Umrabulo Dialogue and titled “Impact of Balance of Forces On The Cause of Social Transformation”, offers a sound foundation to this edition. Through reflections on the meaning of the Morogoro Conference in relation to today’s realities, answers to what must be done to move us forward gets explored.
ANC NEC member and Minister of Environmental Affairs, Barbara Creecy’s Green Stimulus Injection – A post-COVID 19 Solution looks at an economic recovery model which promotes a more sustainable growth path ”that addresses the inherent contradictions and constraints to human development”. In Post-COVID-19’s ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OPPORTUNITIES, Dr Kenneth Creamer explores immediate and medium to longer term interventions needed to counter the effects of Covid-19.
In a self-explanatory title, Professor Muxe Nkondo’s Makings of a New World Order Through Covid-19 advocates for different terms to drive international relations. He aptly asks and proclaims that “What is the function of the pandemic if not one of forging solidarity? Not to do so would be suicidal. This calls for a sustained inter-science and global ethics. We have to move beyond disconnections and territorializations, to ever new connections.”
Sarah Mokwebo’s Reins of The Informal Sector In The Trajectory Of Economic Transformation makes a case for economic inclusion with a call for different thinking and approach about the place of the informal sector. This is linked to Advocate Seitebaleng Alfred Dikole’s “Building a People’s Economy And a Prosperous Society” which further expands on the theme of economic inclusion.
Sigqibo Biggz Mfuywa’s “Time for Remakes In Our Economy” boldly states that “We have been very shy to speak boldly about structural economic reforms to address a system still bearing an apartheid architecture.” Ashley Mabasa’s “Stokvels & Burial Society In The Economic Transformation Discourse” is yet another articulation of what is needed to realise economic transformation in South Africa.
In this edition we also included an article of Deirdre Grisword originally published in Mundo Ubrero Workers World titled “COVID-19 and basic facts of Marxist economics” which makes the point that “Marxist economics is crucial to understanding what is behind the economic catastrophe accompanying the COVID-19 crisis”
In the 50th edition of Umrabulo Journal we will explore the theme of Social Compacting. Articles must be 2000 words long (and not exceed 3 000 words). Please contact the Editor on jplouw@thero.co.za or WhatsApp 066 056 0911 if keen to make a contribution.
ENDS/
