CANCELLED: Talk and book launch with Irvin Jim and John Saul
In partnership with the Institute of African Studies at Carleton University, we present an event with Irvin Jim from National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa, and author, veteran analyst and activist John S. Saul. John has two new books released this spring: A Flawed Freedom, Rethinking Southern African Liberation & South Africa - The Present as History, From Mrs Ples to Mandela and Marikana that he co-wrote with Patrick Bond.
Irvin Jim is the General Secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), the largest industrial trade union in the country, which has continually challenged the economic policies of the ruling African National Congress (ANC). NUMSA has a history of providing a left critique of the South African Communist Party and has challenged the historic alliance between SACP, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the ANC. Last year, following a 4-day conference NUMSA members committed to building a united front with the purpose of establishing a new left-wing workers party.
To this end Jim has stated “there is no turning back from where we stand. We will take time and have political schools, take trips to Latin America to learn more and champion the needs of the working class.”
The union has also advocated in support of the non-unionized and argued for a move from organising along industries/sectors to organising along value chains. Irvin Jim has gained significant respect due to his bold and articulate advocacy and his ability to speak truth to power.