Abstracts
Abstract
Worker education played a crucial role in the development of the trade union movement in South Africa and in the broader struggle for social transformation. This article reviews key moments and dynamics in the trajectory of worker education in South Africa. We argue that international developments, the rise of neoliberalism, and the negotiated compromise between the African National Congress (ANC) and the apartheid state, as well as corporatism resulted in changes to worker education. While the latter as it existed in the past has weakened, the centre of gravity has shifted to community organizations where various forms of learning and creativity continue. Despite the challenges and setbacks of recent years, there remains a significant legacy and influence of the traditions of worker education and militant trade unionism in South Africa, which can and should be drawn upon.
Résumé
La formation des travailleurs a joué un rôle déterminant dans le développement du mouvement syndicaliste en Afrique du Sud et dans l’ensemble des luttes pour la transformation sociale. Cet article survole les moments-clés et les dynamiques de l’évolution de la formation des travailleurs en Afrique du Sud. Nous soutenons que les développements sur le plan international, la montée du néolibéralisme et les compromis négociés entre le Congrès national africain (ANC) et le gouvernement d’apartheid, ainsi que le corporatisme, ont provoqué des changements dans la formation des travailleurs. Alors que la forme sous laquelle elle existait dans le passé s’est affaiblie, le coeur de ses activités réside désormais au sein d’organisations communautaires, où des formes diverses d’apprentissages et de créativité se poursuivent. Malgré les défis et les échecs au cours des dernières années, il reste encore un héritage important et une influence des traditions de la formation des travailleurs et du mouvement militant syndicaliste en Afrique du Sud, desquels il est possible et essentiel de s’inspirer.
Appendices
Bibliography
- Alexander, N. (2002). An ordinary country: Issues in the transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa. Pietermaritzburg, SA: University of Natal Press.
- Arnold, M. (1979). (Ed.). Steve Biko: Black consciousness in South Africa. New York, NY: Vintage.
- Bellamy Foster, J., Clark, B. and York, R., (2010). The ecological rift: Capitalism’s war on the earth. New York, NY: Monthly Review Press.
- Callinicos, A. (1988). South Africa between reform and revolution. London, UK: Bookmarks.
- Commercial, Catering & Allied Workers Union of South Africa (CCAWUSA), Johannesburg branch Education Unit. (1985). Handbook on education. Unpublished document, CCAWUSA, Johannesburg, SA.
- Cooper, L. (2005). Towards a theory of pedagogy, learning and knowledge in an “everyday” context: A case study of a South African trade union (Unpublished Doctoral Thesis). University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Cooper, L. (2007). Workers’ political consciousness: A case study from South Africa. Economic & Labour Relations Review 17(2),183-198.
- Cooper, L., Andrews, S., Grossman, J., & Vally, S. (2002), “Schools of Labour” and “Labour’s Schools”: Worker education under apartheid. In P. Kallaway (ed.), The history of education under Apartheid, 1948-1994: The doors of learning and culture shall be opened (pp. 111–133). Cape Town, SA: Pearson Education.
- Gramsci, A. (1971). Antonio Gramsci: Prison notebooks (Q. Hoare & G.N. Smith, editors.). London, UK: Lawrence and Wishart.
- Gramsci, A. (1977). Antonio Gramsci: Selections from Political Writings (1910-1920) (Q.Hoare editor) London, UK: Lawrence and Wishart.
- Hamilton, S. (in press). (Re)claiming workers’ education.” In S. Vally & E. Motala (Eds.), Education, economy and society. UNISA Press: Pretoria.
- Harvey, D. (2006). The limits to capital. New York, NY: Verso Books.
- Jones, B. (2013). Desktop review of workers education in South Africa. Unpublished manuscript, University of the Western Cape, SA.
- Lacom (1989), Freedom! from below: The struggle for trade unions in South Africa. Johannesburg, SA: Skotaville Publishers.
- Mojab, S. (2009). Turning work and learning inside out: A Marxist feminist perspective.” In L. Cooper (Ed.), Turning work and learning inside out (pp. 4-15). Cape Town, SA: HSRC Press.
- Motala, S., & Vally, S. (2003). People’s education: From people’s power to Tirisano. In P. Kallaway (Ed.), The history of education under Apartheid, 1948-1994: The Doors of Learning and Culture Shall be Opened (pp. 174-194). Cape Town, SA: Pearson Education.
- Ngcwangu, S. (in press). Skills development in post-Apartheid South Africa: Issues, arguments and contestations. In S. Vally & E. Motala (Eds.), Education, economy and society. UNISA Press: Pretoria.
- Paper, Print, Wood and Allied Workers’ Union (PPWAWU) Education Unit. (1992). Toward an education plan for PPWAWU. Unpublished manuscript, PPWAWU, Johannesburg, SA.
- Republic of South Africa (RSA) (1979). Commission of Inquiry into Labour Legislation (The Wiehahn Commission, RP/47/1979). Pretoria, SA: Government Printer.
- Roux, R. (1992). Learning from other trade unions: Policy Alternatives for trade union education. Unpublished manuscript, Wits Education Policy Unit, University of the Witwatersrand. SA.
- Samson, M., & Vally, S. (1996a). Snakes and ladders: Promises and potential pitfalls of the NQF. Labour Bulletin, 20(4), 7-14.
- Samson, M., & Vally, S. (1996b). Additional reflections on the NQF. Unpublished manuscript, Wits Education Policy Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, SA.
- Seftel, L. (1983). Worker education projects in the seventies (Unpublished bachelor’s dissertation). University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA.
- Soliar, D. (2000, September). Literacy in South Africa: New strategies are needed after the Apartheid era. epd-Entwicklungspolitik, 17/18(45/46).
- South African Labour Bulletin (1984, July), Braaitex choir – Singing for workers, 9(8), pp. 112-114.
- Urban Training Project (UTP). (1976). Annual report, 1976. Johannesburg, SA: UTP Collective.
- Urban Training Project (UTP). (1977). Annual Report, 1977. Johannesburg, SA: UTP Collective.
- Urban Training Project (UTP). (1985). Prospectus, 1985. Johannesburg, SA: UTP Collective.
- Vally, S. (1994). Worker Education in South Africa 1973-1993 (Unpublished master’s thesis). University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, SA.