FREE NELSON MANDELA
“FREE NELSON MANDELA” ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRT OUT
27 years in captivity. Nelson Mandela was finally released by South Africa’s Apartheid regime on 11 February 1990 two decades ago. And this year the country, which he was democratically elected President of, celebrates 20 years of freedom as well as hosting Africa’s first World Cup. Philosophy Football’s 20th anniversary ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ T-shirt is the perfect kit for 2010, whatever your team. Available from HERE
During the magnificent campaign for Nelson Mandela’s release one song stood out, The Specials AKA’s ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ revisit it at You Tube HERE
Philosophy Football’s shirt both celebrates this message that inspired a generation to dance, march and boycott but also South Africa’ achievements in its two decades of freedom. Plus the shirt helps raise funds for Action for Southern Africa, www.actsa.org , the successor to the Anti-Apartheid Movement.
Now imprison Nelson Mandela.
And all other capitalist politicians. Mandela, de Klerk and Zuma. Chavez & Berlusconi. Putin and the Castros. Etc, etc.
All of them.
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:04 am
You gone soft, Southpaw? thought you’d be saying hang them.
Comment by RobM — 9 February, 2010 @ 6:22 am
‘Southpawpunch’
Nelson Mandela endured 27 years in captivity for the cause he believed in. Not once did he waver. And what precisely have you done save from the security of your middle-class existence penned a blog. Do tell, Ilm sure in all its glorious heroism it will at least be on a par with Mandela’s.
Mark P
Comment by Mark P — 9 February, 2010 @ 7:35 am
I was going to suggest that southpawpunch unfurls a banner in Soweto, but think I”ll wait until the law on assisted suicides has been clarified.
Comment by Calvin — 9 February, 2010 @ 8:32 am
Shit, I thought he’d been arrested again for a minute!
Mark P - good points. Southpaw does border on the ridiculous at times.
Comment by Marko — 9 February, 2010 @ 8:39 am
Nelson Mandela did endure 27 years in captivity. That’s why any Left would have supported his release - then. Note the ‘Now’ in my post.
I did then (and incidentally took a full part in matters that arose when a GLC ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ concert at County Hall was attacked by Nicky Crane and other Nazi skinheads, and which continued into Waterloo station.
And I know the following will be taken as a satire but it is true. The only injury I was lucky to suffer that day was after Crane started the ruckus and a solid phalanx of Stoke Newington Lefts/Fruitarians/Ecologists - you really could tell where they lived from how they dressed - all who had been dancing along to ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ immediately before, turned tail and scarpered when they saw the bottles fly - but near them - and in the process knocked me and the now Spiked Online sports writer to the ground and hurt my wrist considerably.
Despite that, I and other Lefts, including some Red Action members, then went forward to get better acquainted with the fash.)
Mandela was imprisoned from the 60s to the 80s. From 1994 to 1999 the President of the capitalist RSA was one Nelson Mandela. Socialism wasn’t introduced.
Whilst I’d imagine Mandela’s stock remains high amongst the residents of Soweto, I bet it is nothing like it was upon his release and that of the ANC will be even lower.
What disturbs me about the sheep-like behaviour of those commentating here, who call themselves Leftists, is the way that they just don’t grasp what would be bleeding obvious to communists in previous eras.
We don’t praise capitalist politicians like Mandela. And Mark P - so if you aren’t imprisoned for your political beliefs, you are a lightweight are you? So that makes just about all of the British Left such. And those mainstream conservative or centrist politicians who suffered long terms of imprisonment in places like Greece (under the Generals) or fascist Portugal are our heroes are they? Use some sense.
People like Mandela are now our enemy, not our friends.
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 11:50 am
#1: Southpawpunch “… imprison Nelson Mandela. And all other capitalist politicians. Mandela, de Klerk and Zuma. Chavez & Berlusconi. Putin and the Castros. Etc, etc.”
Might be quicker to list those who shouldn’t be imprisoned?
Comment by daveyboy — 9 February, 2010 @ 12:49 pm
Those like Mandela who dedicated their lives to the liberation struggle in South Africa and inspired millions of others around the world to struggle for their rights and for equality, will always be heroes.
Many gave their lives in the struggle and did not live to see the fall of apartheid - a moment that seemed a world away even in the 1980s. I cannot believe that SPP really believes that an incoming ANC government, inheriting the chaos and destruction and deliberate underdevelopment, wrought by decades of apartheid, and at a moment in time when internationally capitalism was strong and triumphant (the eastern bloc had just collapsed) could have magically wished away the economic imprint of the apartheid years and implemented socialism.
Access to clean water, better housing and sanitation, access to electricity, access to higher education, may not rank with the “dictatorship of the proletariat” but the gains that have been made by millions of poor South Africans under ANC rule, which I was able to witness in a visit in 2006, are real enough.
Such gains clearly have not been universal. Unemployment remains high, some live in squatter camps and shanty towns. But Mandela remains a beacon for the cause of equality and hope for the future for South Africans.
Comment by David Rosenberg — 9 February, 2010 @ 1:32 pm
“Whilst I’d imagine Mandela’s stock remains high amongst the residents of Soweto, I bet it is nothing like it was upon his release” ~ southpawpunch
In which case you should take your slogan - Imprison Nelson Mandela - to the working class in Soweto. I would recommend either of the following locations for you to unfurl your banner.
The first is in front of the memorial to the victims of the 1976 Soweto uprising. It’s a great spot, plenty of visitors, and no doubt the local residents would flock to your aid if Mandela’s henchmen tried to remove your banner.
The second is outside Mandela’s old house in Soweto. The bar over the road doesn’t close until 2am - it would be a great opportunity for you to interact with the natives in a relaxed setting.
Comment by Calvin — 9 February, 2010 @ 1:45 pm
I disagree with 8 but at least Rosenberg above has a world view (unlike the inane comments above). A strategy something like ‘the time isn’t right now, but hopefully these ‘Left’ rulers can move towards proper socialism at some point in the future.’
I don’t know Rosenburg’s politics but the above reminds me of those who would brook no (or very little criticism) of the Sandinistas, Castro, Chavez and earlier than them, people like Tito (who broke Leftwards from Stalinism).
It’s the strategy of modern-day inheritors of Pabloism, or the stageism of classical Stalinism (see Calvin’s site - 21st century socialism, for in fact the mid part of the c20 redux through the eyes of a modern version of the line of the then Soviet Communist Party).
This trend is apparent today in the many praise-singers for the Cuban regime and amongst those like the South African Communist Party, fully integrated with the ANC and some of whose ‘politburo’ have become parts of the very capitalist hierarchy they once had an idea of overthrowing.
But it is a non-socialist strategy. I’m not criticising Political Prisoner Mandela but the later ruler of a capitalist nation.
I agree that the SA gov does not control all the lives of its citizens in the way that the British government couldn’t decide the level of the pound. Capitalism is international.
But the leaders of the local franchises, including Mandela from 94-99 in RSA, are fully part of the apparatus - part of the problem, not part of the solution.
You do need to think tactically in your attitude to ‘progressives’. Support them to a degree - Go ahead Chavez and expropriate and get our backing but you will at best only ever be a Kerensky.
And so with Mandela - support say laying on mains water to shanty towns. Condemn him when his gov moved against ’squatters’ seizing their land.
And socialists don’t judge a regime just by “gains that have been made”. The large majority of Britons are better off now than ten years ago, and many would be happy to interact with a poll on their flat screen TVs to tell you that. In places like Korea and Singapore, millions have been dragged from near destitution at the end of WW2 to top living standards now.
But do we support the right-wing governments that did this? Or do we work independently as socialists supporting gains (e.g. the NHS, the end of apartheid) whilst having no truck with the leaders who deliver these.
Mandela-worship or Marxism?
Revolutionary socialism (i.e. Trotskyism) or Stalinism and its heirs
Reform or revolution?
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 2:18 pm
Jeezo SPP it’s a fuckin t-shirt for goodness sake, not a political programme.
Or are you one of those who only wears rrrrrevolutionary clothing ?
Comment by Eddie Truman — 9 February, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
And it’s only a planet we want to win, not just rearrange the rulers.
I might if I could. I kind of always secretly admired the bloke I knew when squatting (in the 80s) and who would import his clothes from East Germany and Czechoslovakia and which had a very distinctive look.
He was a member of the New Communist Party. I bet he reads the ’21st century socialism’ website now, with its stories about Yuri Gagarin, etc.
Remember when you were a Trot (in Militant) Eddie? You wanted to change the world and doubtless would often have to fight against the Scottish ultra-Stalinists of the CPGB.
What went wrong?
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
For someone who has really moved to the right, check out Dave’s Part. A real garden of trolls.
Comment by Mark Victorystooge — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
Yeah, it got so bad that, after a quite a few years commentating there I left at the end of last year after I and others failed to get Olser to do something about it.
I don’t mind intelligent right-wing comment and reply to it but find it a waste of time to also have to read through all the meandering or abrupt and abusive and racist content about Muslims and other non WASPs that now often dominate Dave’s Part.
Whilst these aren’t the views of the blog proprietor, I’m not sure how much blame should be attached to him for the crap that gets posted there.
So it’s this blog for now (which also reminds me often of the CPGB or the Morning Star - see above) until I’m doubtless purged at some point.
If only for a popular and broad Trot blog, other then the all-SWP ‘Lenin’s Tomb’. And under democratic control - no proprietors, no purging (save ‘in extremis’).
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:22 pm
SPP, the t shirt doesn’t say anything about support for Mandela’s policies in government - it says Free Nelson Mandela, a demand which you apparently supported and indeed fought for, suffering a traumatic slight wrist injury in the process (I am sure many MK veterans would be moved to tears by your sacrifice). So what precisely are you kvetching about?
Comment by lone nut — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:29 pm
Well, if it was popular and broad, it wouldn’t be Trot, would it? It’s like wishing for lasagne-flavoured ice cream. It might be delicious (you never know), but somehow in this life it is just not going to happen.
Re Dave’s Part, he spends most of his time having a pop at the left, and not from the left either. That, combined with his tolerance of some real assholes, has made his “part” intolerable for anyone to the left of Gustav Noske.
Comment by Mark Victorystooge — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
Nut, read the advertising blurb, sorry article, above again to answer you own point.
“And this year the country, which he was democratically elected President of, celebrates 20 years of freedom as well as hosting Africa’s first World Cup. Philosophy Football’s 20th anniversary ‘Free Nelson Mandela’ T-shirt is the perfect kit for 2010, whatever your team.”
I’ve often wondered how the capitalist business, Philosophy Football (run by, guess what, the former marketing guy of the CPGB) get free coverage in a way say Marks and Spencers wouldn’t on Left blogs for a new swimwear range .
Also see http://www.davidosler.com/2007/06/clash_tshirt_competition.html for more of that and from when Dave’s Part was worth reading i.e. when I commentated there.
@Mark. Yeah, sadly, I agree.
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:41 pm
“Yeah, it got so bad that, after a quite a few years commentating there I left at the end of last year after I and others failed to get Olser to do something about it.”
Some of us thought you left because Dave O mentioned you in passing in a post about his blog’s comment policy:
“By way of context here, readers may be aware that I am facing a four-day jury trial at the High Court in April, in front of Mr Justice Eady, in response to an action brought by the subject of one of a 2007 post.
One of the grounds on which I am being sued is a comment left by the above-mentioned Southpawpunch, who has disgracefully proved too pussy to provide a witness statement, lest the British state rumble the identity of this fearsome revolutionary. Thanks a lot, comrade.
Unsurprisingly, I don’t give a shit whether our heroic self-proclaimed ‘Left’ ever comments here again or not. But even in these circumstances, Southpawpunch most emphatically is not banned.”
http://www.davidosler.com/2009/12/comments_policy_in_2010_what_d.html
You seemed embarrassed about this being made public and departed stage ultra-left.
Comment by Francis — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:46 pm
“And this year the country, which he was democratically elected President of, celebrates 20 years of freedom as well as hosting Africa’s first World Cup”
So which part of this do you disagree with/condemn? That he has been free for 20 years, that he was democratically elected President or that SA is hosting the World Cup?
Comment by lone nut — 9 February, 2010 @ 3:50 pm
“I’ve often wondered how the capitalist business, Philosophy Football (run by, guess what, the former marketing guy of the CPGB) get free coverage in a way say Marks and Spencers wouldn’t on Left blogs for a new swimwear range . “
who said it was free coverage?
and if M&S approach me, then if their swim wear has some connection wth left politics, then I am sure I would be happy to publicise it
Comment by Andy Newman — 9 February, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
Southpawpunch
Perhaps we get the coverage because of our support and considerable fundraising for Viva Palestina, Hope not Hate, The Cuba Solidarity Campaign, TUC’s Haiti Appeal, Stop the War, the Internaional Brigade Memorial Trust, and others.
Whereas you, when Dave Osler was issued with a libel writ and could have helped Dave out couldn’t be bothered.
I can’t wait for you to leave this site alone too. At least then we wouldn’t have to put up with one of these middle class revolutionaries whose talk is al fight this that and the other but whose achievements are absolutely zero. Or perhaps you can enlighten us of what you’ve been up to in the 20 plus years since your punch up with the fash?
Mark P
Comment by Mark P — 9 February, 2010 @ 4:11 pm
Well Mark P, Me being divisive and of low mindset,It is awhile since I bought from you I am going to buy two of them shirts, irrespective of them not being Green and White. Keep spreading the word
Hail Hail
Comment by LarryN — 9 February, 2010 @ 4:35 pm
@Francis
Of course, I would expect deviousness and selective quotations from someone like you who gives their web address as ‘labour.org’
You deliberately miss out the start of Dave’s post where he quoted a previous comment of mine - “I think the blog owner needs to decide whether he wants comments here from Lefts, such as myself (maybe he doesn’t) or the aforementioned - as, for me, it’s going to have to be one or the other.”
i.e. I’m going now unless Osler sorts it. He didn’t, so I left whilst he then also made a baseless allegation or two about me e.g. the state doesn’t need to have a court case (“lest the British state rumble the identity of this fearsome revolutionary”) to get my or anyone’s identity here. I bet it is just two or so mouse clicks away for them.
And there is nothing that “embarrassed” me about the details of the court case, as you will have read but chose not to report. It’s very clear that my objection was that I thought Osler was being an idiot to himself in revealing information about his case and to his possible detriment ahead of the trial.
I didn’t realise the ‘Mark P’ here is the Mark P who owns Philosophy Football (although it explains a lot. His politics are often a modern version of the Marxism Today type, for which he worked, e.g. against sectarian ‘Trotksyite wreckers’ and for a broad labour/SDP/Soft Tory coalition against the Thatcherites.
It’s rather rich being accused of doing nothing by a small business owner (who, when I went to the PF ‘International Brigade’ night - see how non-sectarian is that? - said, from the stage, that they don’t pay their admin or packer or similar worker enough) and who sees donating to the CSC (i.e. to apologists of the ruling privileged clique in Cuba) as worthwhile. I do a fair bit of Left stuff actually and have done since 1980.
@ Mark P
There is no question of me “couldn’t be bothered.” Re the Osler case. I had many discussions with him and, purely for his benefit, will only give an account of my correct decision until after proceedings (unlike Osler).
@Newman
I’m presuming you weren’t paid. At least Dave Osler got a bung of a couple of t-shirts to give away (see above link), not unlike promotions a band does on a complaint radio station to generate loads of free publicity for the price of a couple of concert tickets.
If this was a socialist blog (or even say the New York Times) then gifts would either be declared or refused.
But of course it’s not. It’s owned by the proprietor(s) and with no obligation to ‘open the books’.
Even thought of democratising your blog and running it on a collective basis?
@Nut.
‘Freedom’? In capitalism? see e.g. http://censorbugbear-reports.blogspot.com/2009/05/miners-work-without-pay-at-pamodzi-gold.html
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
Southpawpunch
You really can’t be bothered to get your facts straight can you?
The reason why this and plenty of other left blogs and sites give our shirts a mention is because unlike Maks and Spaeks we give a huge amounts of our efforts to promoting all variety of left campaigns. The fact that you regarding raising funds for Cuba’s Hurricane Appeal as siding with the enemy is your problem not ours.
As for Dave Osler. I certainly don’t agree with everything he writes but if I could help him out as a material witness in a libel case he is threatened with I wouldn’t hesitate to do so. You won’t and deserve all the contempt you are get for that spineless act.
Bye bye. Hopefully you’ll soon decide that this site isn’t for you either and disappear to e-pastures where you can share your incisive critique with whatever others want to listen, not many I suspect if the non-traffic to your own blog is anything to go by.
Mark P
Comment by Mark P — 9 February, 2010 @ 4:49 pm
“Freedom’? In capitalism?”
Freedom as in not being in jail. Your own reluctance to appear in courts of law would indicate a fairly astute grasp of the distinction.
Comment by lone nut — 9 February, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
@Mark P
First I said the CSC (Castro’s acolytes here) not some appeal. Secondly, my website is not currently updated not has been for months.
But on Osler, you not even trying to give a pretence of fairness, are you?
You state I “won’t (help Osler with a statement) and deserve all the contempt you are get for that spineless act.” whilst at the same time knowing full well that I claim there are very good reasons why I didn’t and that I will reveal all AFTER the case (as everyone knows you don’t help the opposition by discussing stuff publically before).
i.e. You know that I have not yet said my side of the story and for good reasons, but you rush to condemn.
So you are indeed a guttersnipe, devious Stalinist, true to your traditions.
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 5:01 pm
That is them bought, They are of good quality as always and I will be sporting them when I have en eye on the sheep
Comment by LarryN — 9 February, 2010 @ 5:04 pm
Southpawpunch
No I won’t indulge you with fairness.
Dave Osler asked you for support when threatened with a libel case. you refused him that support.
You don’t deserve ‘fairness’ a quaintly bourgeois ideal you cling to when it suits you.
Now get along now to whatever site is foolish enough to indulge you. Bye
Mark P
Comment by Mark P — 9 February, 2010 @ 5:19 pm
So Southpawpunch who exactly should we give our support too??? I think I would get bored if i trolled all the blogs and insulted everyone for being a dirty capitalist like you. I have plenty to get angry about but I also like to be occasionaly inspired too.
I love the fact that this blog is clearly capitalist as Andy is promoting a t shirt. Should he declare that a blog post of his may have been inspired by a conversation in the pub? he might raise an issue someone brought up just after being bought a pint which is further proof if it were needed that he is a dirty dirty capitalist.
Comment by ben — 9 February, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
Mark P
Talking of bribery and corruption, didn’t you promise me a free t-shirt for doing something or other a couple of years ago? I might have imagined it, but if not I’ll have an XXL Free Mandela. Email me for the address.
Shamelessly yours etc
Comment by Calvin — 9 February, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
SPP might be on to something you know. Here’s the ‘Jail Nelson Mandela’ facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/JAIL-NELSON-MANDELA/194600047222?v=info#!/pages/JAIL-NELSON-MANDELA/194600047222?v=wall
It has 42 members, mostly neo-Nazis as far as I can tell. But I guess SPP isn’t into popular fronts, so he’ll set up a rival page. Splitter!
Comment by Calvin — 9 February, 2010 @ 5:49 pm
Let’s set up a ‘jail Nelson Mandela-(Marxist-Leninist)’ group on facebook.
While we are at it lets make a ‘For Socialist,Down with the Cuban Government!’ group and a
‘Chavez, at best you will only ever be a Kerensky!’ group.
Comment by George W — 9 February, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
From this week’s Socialist Worker
“South Africa’s World Cup stadium of slums
Twenty years after the release of Nelson Mandela, the World Cup is coming to South Africa. Viv Smith looks behind the glamour to see what it means for ordinary people
When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, 50,000 people turned out to hear him speak.
“Our march to freedom is irreversible,” he told them. After more than 40 years of apartheid enforcing segregation and denying black South Africans any democratic rights, there was finally hope for the future.
Hilda Ndude was there. “There was incredible optimism,” she says. “We knew a new South Africa had been born.”
But 20 years on, that optimism is dwindling.
The football World Cup is coming to South Africa in June this year. It is set to focus the eyes of the world upon the country once again.
What they will see is the return of a practice closely associated with apartheid South Africa – the forced removal of black people from their homes.
Huge shanty towns are being set up as dumping grounds for the urban poor, forcing them out of the way of the massive stadiums and other construction projects.”
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=20203
Forget all that. All together now, sing along -
“Visited the causes at the ANC
Only one man in a large army
You’re so blind that you cannot see
You’re so deaf that you cannot hear him
Free Nelson Mandela”
repeat ad nauseum
Comment by Southpawpunch — 9 February, 2010 @ 6:49 pm
Yes, yes Southpawpunch. The reactionary forces of the ANC have done absolutely no good whatsoever in South Africa despite two decades in power. Meanwhile the South African masses disillusioned by Mandela’s betrayals re rallying behind the banner of internatipnal Trotskyism.
Or did I miss something?
Never mind, try harder next time. Or better still move on to a site where you will find yourself more at home.
Mark P
Comment by Mark P — 9 February, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Regardless of political disagreements, people have to admit that the comment boxes here are infinitely more entertaining with the presence of Southpawpunch.
I’m unclear as to why people think that criticism of Mandela and the ANC is beyond the pail and instead of recognising the provocative arguments made by Southpawpunch as precisely that act as if they are personally offended.
Comment by Duncan — 9 February, 2010 @ 7:14 pm
That should be ‘pale’ rather than ‘pail’ incidently.
Comment by Duncan — 9 February, 2010 @ 7:15 pm
Southpawpunch says imprison Mandela, Castro, Chavez etc…? Is he crackers or…? Whenever I’ve came across your type campaigning on major issues at critical times, eg miners’ strike, cruise and Pershing missile deployment, anti-apartheid and the like you’ve always been there to cause problems and sow confusion among the movement. In my opinion your type are an obstacle to progress.
Did I pick up elsewhere that your a supporter of TUSC? Good! They’re welcome to you.
Comment by Jim — 9 February, 2010 @ 7:17 pm
I am confident African nations will better placed to determine the impact of Nelson Mandela’s legacy than the gibberings of the horizontal chump Southpawpunch.
Comment by LarryN — 9 February, 2010 @ 7:33 pm
Thank you for the quick delivery of 2 Mandels T shirts
Comment by LarryN — 16 February, 2010 @ 11:06 am