|
|
|
|
AMANDLA! ULUTSHA
About
Oh no, not another newsletter! Don’t we all get some interesting newsletters full of interesting content – and yet we never read them? Luckily, this one hopes to be the exact opposite.
So what’s different about it?
First and foremost, this is not a one-way traffic. Why should writers control the topic and tone of discussions whilst readers just passively consume contents? We want more than that: Amandla! Ulutsha wants to oppose the usual hierarchy of knowledge production. With this newsletter, we are providing a platform which gives room for discussion and debate. It is a space for all active people who want to share, discuss and engage on any issue that affects them: thoughts, reflections or concerns about movements, struggles or any other political, social or environmental topic. It can be critical, controversial, inspiring or very personal, and it can come in any form of expression. We are building our future in the present, and this future will be built on diversity and creativity.
Amandla! Ulutsha wants to show resistance to all forms of oppressions taking place around the world, and to amplify the idea of alternatives, showing where and how they exist already and what we can learn from those processes. It will be structured in a way that is creative and dynamic, in an effort to make the debate interesting and fun. Watch out for regular features including Mafuku (the editorial), a featured video and exciting things to look out for - including upcoming events. We hope this will spark discussion, leading to a vibrant and dynamic newsletter. Continue the conversation on social media platforms and other channels.
We provide the space. Now use it.
Discuss at #Amandla!Talks
Email info@amandla.org.za
Join our editorial collective
|
|
MAFUKU
The Editorial
In face of debt crisis and state capture: AIDC calls for public audit of the debt
The government faces difficult choices”, Finance Minister Gigaba said in his Mid Term Budget Statement (MTBPS). But he made no choices. All decisions were postponed to later. On the one hand, the Minister and the MTBPS document provided a shocking account of the deep economic crisis facing South African society – reflected in the projected rise to over the benchmark 60% debt to GDP ratio by 2021/22 or the R50.8bn revenue shortfall in this budget year and rising. On the other hand, what measures the government is going to take are shrouded in darkness, except for Mr Gigaba’s signalling that the government remains committed to its failed economic policy.
Let it be clear that the South African economy hasn’t been hit by a natural disaster. It faces the outcome of a distinct economic policy, which now threatens our sovereignty. Trade liberalisation, relaxation of capital controls and the fixation with an extractivist development (mining, fracking, oil drilling in the sea) have laid the economy bare, open to shocks coming from the world market. With an increasing budget deficit and retention of a miserly expenditure ceiling the doors are opening to an IMF bail-out. The corporate friendly phrases in Mr Gigaba’s speech signalled that there is no plan B. In February 2018 we can expect harsher austerity, meaning cuts in social spending rather than tax increases for the rich and empowered corporations.
Gigagba’s quoting of President Zuma in the speech when talking about nuclear power must been seen as keeping open the possibility of signing a deal with Russia. Read more
|
|
|
|
|
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
After a long, hectic day at Wallstreet, would you frankly admit who you've exploited by trading with your stock today? Obviously not.
So here's a new strategy to smash capitalism: A cute little kid playing news reporter. The result is not only a masterpiece of investigative journalism, but also a warning from the young generation: "Your money doesn't make you better than me!"
|
|
|
A solution to unemployment and the climate crisis at the same time? AIDC's new research report "One Million Climate Jobs – Moving South Africa forward on a low-carbon, wage-led and sustainable path" introduces a renewable alternative to coal or nuclear energy programme.
Over the next two weeks there will be a series of launches around South Africa. For more information, see the dates below or email clara@aidc.org.za.
You can download the full booklet here.
|
|
|
|
Contribute to
AMANDLA! ULUTSHA
|
|
|
Send us your comments, questions, critique, letters, poems, cartoons, videos, upcoming events...!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
