It is important to realise in the SA context that the oppositional discourse, as welcome as it is, is still shaped by other dynamics: (a) the almost century long influence of the SACP, ANC, PAC and their notions of 'socialism' (the Keep Left people that Patrick cites are also unreconstructed state-socialism-in-one country types, thought they would deny it) and (b) the overhwelmingly racial frame of that discourse. So when the protesters celebrate a reactionary nationalist like Mugabe, as a large section does, then we have a struggle here that is still framed in archaic anti-colonial and nationalist terms. All this is of course highly 'understandable' but for me it does lend some weight to the view that a united front can only be constructed here on the most dubious of terms. I personally don't want any piece of that - it will replace the ANC's current 'neo-liberalism' with a form of crypto-nationalist fascism. For that reason I share Barchiesi's reservations. I am one of tho! se!
who are long past thinking that anyone who opposes imperialism is automatically providing a 'solution', as justified as their outrage might be. No more united fronts, thank you very much.
Tahir