COVER STORY
entrepreneurs and corporations behind a consolidated national
economic-developmental plan, which will address the social
challenges characteristic of South African society. This is one
revolution that requires support from various sections of South African
society and should be understood within such a context.
6. Certainly, the nationalisation of minerals and metals might ignite
international condemnation by global imperialists, institutionalised in
the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and, notably, the World
Trade Organisation. A broader mass movement should be mobilised in
South Africa in defence of these massive economic reforms, because
they constitute the core of our economic emancipation programme.
Mass campaigns on what nationalisation (people and state ownership
and control) of minerals, metals and other strategic sectors of the
economy will entail should be conducted to garner support from the
people as a whole.
7. The benefits of nationalising strategic sectors of the economy will
include, but are not to be limited to, the following realities:
- An increased fiscus for, and therefore more resources for, education,
housing, healthcare, infrastructure development, safety and security,
and sustainable livelihoods for our people.
- More jobs for our people because state-owned and controlled
mines will increase the local beneficiation and industrialisation of
mineral resources. This will, in turn, reduce the high levels of poverty
consequent of joblessness.
- More equitable spatial development, because state-owned and
controlled mines will invest in areas where mining is happening.
- Better salaries and working conditions in mines, because stateowned mines will increase the mining wage and improve compliance
with occupational health and safety standards.
- Greater levels of economic and political sovereignty, as the state will
be in control and ownership of strategic sectors of the economy, which
produce mineral resources