Numsa confers with socialists

IN pursuit of a socialist South Africa, the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) is holding a three-day international conference of socialists.

The conference – “International Symposium of Left Parties/Movements” – starts tomorrow and the union, which wants to form a workers’ party to contest the 2016 local government elections, hopes to share ideas with other leftists.

The conference is in Johannesburg and ends on Sunday.

Numsa has for years been one of the unions calling for the country to abandon its capitalistic ways for socialism.

“We remain convinced that the only viable solutions for humanity lie within socialism,” the union said yesterday.

“The global capitalist crisis, genocide, senseless wars to impose imperialist interests and environmental degradation demonstrate for all to see that capitalism is a discredited and barbaric system.”

Numsa national treasurer Mphumzi Maqungo said the conference, with the theme “Building Our Own Movement for Socialism: Learning the Lessons First Hand” – was in line with its special congress last year.

“We have invited everyone – the ANC, Cosatu and its affiliates and even those communists who claim they are advancing the needs of the working class. This is a very good opportunity to engage,” Maqungo said.

“The conference is in line with our [aim] of establishing a socialist workers’ party.

“We are still exploring whether that will be possible.

“We want to share ideas and experiences with other left movements and formations about some of the challenges we face.”

The union has been a vocal critic of the National Development Plan (NDP) – the government’s development roadmap to 2030.

Yesterday, it continued attacking the NDP, saying it was not the solution to unemployment, inequality and poverty.

Numsa also vowed to campaign for the full implementation of the Freedom Charter – which among other things says the people shall govern and also share in the wealth of the land.

“To achieve all this and more, South Africa must navigate its tough journey towards socialism,” Numsa said.

Maqungo said the conference would be attended by delegates from Brazil, China, South Korea, Egypt, Vietnam, Germany, Greece, India, Nigeria, Uruguay, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, Zambia, El Salvador and the Philippines.