2008 New Year message from MELS

| Wednesday December 19, 2007 00:00

Our focus must not be on by-elections but harnessing our resources towards building a capacity to fight effectively in the general elections. To me the results of General Elections will mean two things: 

* If our party is to fare badly in the general elections, it will be necessary for our membership to consider an effective change of strategy and tactics. 

* If the party fails to produce results that will indicate that the party is growing, then the party must go to the drawing boards, review its basic documents: The Constitution, the Political Programme (manifesto) and the Party Election Regulations. Despite all this, our struggle against the populist leadership of Lt. General Ian Khama will be an uphill struggle. However, I am confident that with the political efforts we have put on our structures in 2007, we must persevere. We are more prepared and organised for the coming general elections than any other period in our history. We need to rebuild confidence in our structures, and move forward to bring compatriots and patriots from the ruling party and other opposition parties to campaign under our banner. Time has come for us to regroup progressive forces, who are prepared to match with us, without demanding any change in our strategy, tactics and policies.

Campaign Issues
While our Political Progamme encompasses a number of issues, that are a source of our campaign strategy and tactics, I propose to discuss some that I believe will be useful in pushing our message for the coming general elections. I believe that these issues will effectively communicate our scientific socialist ideology to the nation. This should not give an impression that our basic documents have been superceded, they remain the central basis of our strategy, tactics and campaign issues.

* Working class
The workers need a movement that will tirelessly, conscientise their colleagues. The workers need to rediscover themselves and realise that they are the hope for the future. The future scientific socialist society will depend much on what workers are doing now and how they organise themselves and support each other. The workers do not have job security, the mass dismissal of Debswana workers, the dismissal of some head teachers, the daily retrenchment, bears testimony to this.

The workers are working under appalling conditions, generally they are not transported to and from work, they lack proper accommodation (sometimes no accommodation at all, they do not have tea and lunch at work, they lack proper protective clothing) there are no workshops on HIV/AIDS and First Aid. All these are essential elements if the working conditions are to be improved. Workers produce the country's wealth, but they have no say on how it is distributed. Workers must be encouraged to unionise so that they can speak as a united force. As matters stand now, they are too vulnerable. Melsians must support the working class, despite their low level of ideological consciousness. In the long run, workers will gain consciousness and guide our Movement to greater heights.

Our Party has no future without the support of the working class; they are a vehicle of our struggle. Currently, they provide goods and services, we must train them to provide revolutionary leadership.

* Poor peasants and the peasantry
It has always been difficult to categorise this class/however, Melsians must emphasize and conscientise the poor peasant; we must keep the good work. Our emphasis is that upon assumption of power, we will emphasize on cooperative and collective farming.

Individual farmers, that is small subsistence farmers and commercial farmers will not be neglected though not encouraged. Assistance to both peasants will be by providing farming equipment, new and advanced farming methods, providing technical assistance and dispatching agricultural and veterinary experts to provide assistance to the peasants (farmers).

* Youth
Our major task is the provision of relevant education that will meet the needs of the society, and provide proper programmes to create employment. From two-and-a half years to eighteen years schooling will be provided by government: education will be free, universal and compulsory. At eighteen, youths can either go for further education or be deployed as working class cadres. In the event government cannot provide employment for them, they will be entitled to unemployment benefits. Students from primary level to tertiary level will be organised to form student representative councils, which will be financially and technically assisted by government.

The entire civil servants, including teachers will undergo short orientation courses, to meet the new needs of socialism. During vacations, students who will undergo practical work orientation in civil society will be attached to various government departments. During these attachments, they will be given allowances; short workshops on HIV/AIDS, First Aid, and Security matters will be provided to them.

* Unemployed and oppressed nationalities
Our vision is to create an environment that will emancipate, those who for generations have been oppressed. Our struggle is to provide job opportunities and create an environment in which the dehumanised will be brought back to humanity. Our struggle will be complete only if we create a complete human being/free from exploitation and oppression.

* The burden of liberation
The Melsians are called upon to conscientise the oppressed, so that the oppressed can play an important role in the liberation struggle. Unity, consciousness and rallying behind the revolutionary MELS Movement of Botswana, is an essential aspect of our struggle. The oppressed classes must first come up as individuals to join the struggle and thereafter influence groups to support the struggle.

The struggle for liberation requires self-sacrifice, self-discipline and commitment. Suffering is inevitable, however Melsians must match on! Tsela tshweu!!
Forward with Socialism! Victory is certain.

T. Joina
President, MELS