Left alternatives in South Africa *

I have been privately rebuking editors, professors and other parts of the intelligentsia for ignoring left alternatives in South Africa, or for not taking the time to find out what is going on.

For instance, at a recent colloquium (that’s a seminar, meeting, to you and I), a very respected professor argued that the Basic Income Grant Coalition did not have a financing strategy. Wrong, there is a financing strategy, and it has been available for a few years.

In another instance (instances, is probably more correct), analysis of the ANC presidential succession race, very respected journalists have been asking: Where are the alternatives? In yet another instance, academic analysis of economic policy in South Africa excludes civil society alternatives, which arose as a response to Gear.

In the most worrying instance, a key mover and shaker completely misunderstood the proposals on renewable energy, or was that simply political bullying to ensure market access? I cannot explain why these people either do not know that these alternatives exist, or ignore the evidence presented. Perhaps I have a delusional sense of their importance. Perhaps, there is not enough theoretical mumbo-jumbo …

But, lest we protest too much, overall, the media have provided fair coverage and have often provided more space than expected. There is a bevy of international students researching the impact of these alternatives, being joined recently by South African students. Cosatu is finally raising these policy alternatives on the road to Polokwane. And, some of the critics have the graciousness to admit they were wrong or had a wrong impression of the position of civil society. Most importantly, more and more people in civil society are advocating for changes to government policies.

The common threads between the alternatives are:

aspirational — they seek to build a better future through their proposals;

evidence-based — there is, of course, an imagination of a better future, but firmly grounded in reality. The advocacy positions are all well-researched and substantiated, and implementation of proposals is addressed;

challenging power — the alternatives are pragmatic responses, which seek to shift power relations in society; and

popular support — civil society organisations have built coalitions around these issues, and often have the implicit support of government departments.

The alternatives are by no means perfect, and are criticised. From the left, they are criticised as being too evolutionary, and not revolutionary enough. From the right, they are criticised as building a “nanny state” (~~just ask the millions of unemployed youth if this is a nanny state)~~ — or as limiting optimal market conditions. But, hold on before you criticise the proposals; make sure that you have an alternative. Democracy demands that.

What are these alternatives? Below are links to some documents and sites on civil society alternatives. It is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but provides an indication.

People’s Budget Campaign
This is a coalition between the South African Council of Churches, Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African NGO Coalition. Access training manuals and budget proposals here, or here . The People’s Budget Campaign has provided a set of alternatives, a full year in advance, to the National Treasury since 2000.

BIG Coalition
Read the proposals on the basic income grant, and especially the financing proposals here. Debate the issues after understanding the financing proposals, as well as how the BIG links into comprehensive social security package.

Treatment Action Campaign
The TAC has developed several proposals not just on HIV/Aids, but more generally also on transforming the health system. Read about its response on human resources, as well as an oldish briefing note on a national treatment plan.

Renewable energy
There have been more than a few blogs on TL on renewable energy. Earthlife Africa provides an interesting argument for renewable energy that links environmental concerns and jobs creation. This link is to its research.

Public services
The Anti-Privatisation Forum has ideas on how to extent free basic services to the poor, through the public sector. Click here to access some of the research reports. The APF site is being revamped, so this link will change. Alternatives to privatisation of state-owned enterprises have existed for a long time. This link takes you to a summary of a conference called Alternatives to Privatisation held in 2001. This is a PDF document.

That is just a sampling to demonstrate that alternatives from the left in civil society exist. Engage these alternatives, criticise them; but do not ignore them.

* With an apology to all those expecting yet another theoretical exposition of left strategy in South Africa