The Future of the Left – South Africa in a Global Context

 

 
The Future of the Left – South Africa in a Global Context

 

08 June 2017

 

18h00 – 18h10 Welcome: Derek Buchler
18h10 – 18h20  

Introductory Remarks: Noel Solani

 

18h20 – 18h45  

Keynote Panel:  Setting the scene: What is the Left? Brief overview of the crises of socialism from the late 20th century and the challenges for the Left

Panel: Panelist TBC, Joel Netshitenzhe and Jeremy Cronin (TBC)

Chair: John Pampallis

 

18h45 – 19h00  

“Mzala’s views and their applicability in contemporary South Africa” – Percy Ngonyama

 


 

 

09 June 2017

 

08h30 – 08h45  

Registration and Refreshments

 

08h45 – 09h30  

Welcoming Address: John Pampallis

 

09h30 – 11h15  

Session One – Aspects of Capitalism in the Neoliberal Era – Chair: Eddy Maloka

(4 presentations at 20mins and Q&A 20mins)

§  The changing nature of work and worker organisation – Debbie Bonnin

§  Environmental challenges in the era of neoliberal – Rasigan Maharaj

§  Is neoliberal hegemony under threat? – Samantha Ashman

§  The meaning of work in an age of neoliberal hegemony – Thabang Sefalafala

11h15 – 11h30                                    

TEA BREAK

 

11h30 – 13h15  

Responses to neoliberalism: Right-wing populism and the role of the Left – Chair: Clint le Bruyns

(4 presentations at 20mins and Q&A 20mins)

§  European right wing backlash – Jörn Jan Leidecker

§  Palestine and Syria – Salim Vally – UJ

§  South Africa and populist politics – Alex Mashilo – TBC – SACP

§  Right wing backlash post Trump election – Holly Lewis – Texas State University

13h15 – 14h00  

LUNCH

 

14H00 – 15H45  

Challenges of social and economic development in South Africa: A Leftist perspective – Chair:   Vukile Khumalo

(4 presentations at 20mins and Q&A 20mins)

§  Irvin Jim (TBC) – NUMSA

§  Solly Mapaila – SACP

§  Gunnett Kaaf – Department of Finance (FS)

§  Bheki Ntshalintshali – COSATU

16h00 – 16h45            

Book Launch – The Unresolved National Question: Left Thought Under Apartheid – Edward Webster and Karin Pampallis (2017) – Wits University Press.

 

18h00 – 19H30 Address by Blade Nzimande – General Secretary of the SACP


 

 

10 June 2017

 

08h45 – 09h00            

Arrival and Refreshments

 

09h00 – 10h20            

Panel Session – Community Struggles: on the side-lines? – Chair: Derek Buchler

(4 presentations at 20mins and Q&A 20mins)

§  S’bu Zikode – Abahlali baseMjondolo

§  Noel Solani – Mzala Nxumalo Centre

§  David Ntseng – Church Land Project

 

10h20 – 10h30  

TEA BREAK

 

10H30 – 12H10  

Panel Session – An agenda for the Left in South Africa: “What is to be Done?” – Chair:

(4 presentations at 20mins and Q&A 20mins)

§  Jeremy Cronin – SACP – awaiting confirmation

§  Mbuyiseni Ndlozi – EFF

§  Dinga Sikwebu – TCAE

12H10 – 12H40  

Wrap-up and Conclusion

 

§  Richard Pithouse – Wits

 

Attachments


The Future of the Left - Final Programme