BACKGROUND TO THE INITIATIVE

BACKGROUND TO THE INITIATIVE

HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICAN YCW

 Many of us thought it urgent to collect testimonies on the contribution of the YCW to the history of the Workers’ struggle in South Africa and on its impact on the many leaders who were involved in it.

Some of us, in various occasions, proposed to open a “Blog” (Website) where ex-YCW testimonies and documents could be collected and consulted. This proposal was again mentioned at Oukasie Brits during the funeral of our comrade David Modimoeng. This mail aims at giving a follow-up to this proposal. It comes from Moses Cloete and JM Dumortier, who both attended David’s funeral and have the opportunity to meet easily in Joburg.

 

What do we expect from you at this stage?

1 – Name of the Blog:

 With the blog we want to collect in an electronic and accessible form as much memories and history of the YCW that relates to our period in the history. It is NOT an “official history” of the YCW and neither is it a YCW publication of the current generation of YCWs. All those who contribute to this collection of histories and memories will own it. While it might speak to current challenges faced by young workers and the working class it is clear to us that it is the current YCW who should be the in charge of their own destinies. It is intended as a dynamic blog where ex-YCWs can interface – and of course current YCWs – and it will probably attract readers from outside the immediate circles of the YCW, both past and present, but its objective remains first and foremost to collect as much historical memory as a tribute to former YCWs and their struggles.

It must be clear that it should be mainly a record of the past experiences of former members of the movement. All that should be clearly reflected in the name we choose for it.

2 – Signing in

 Our “Blog” is a collective entity and it must have some sort of membership, showing who “patronizes” or supports it. As a matter of principle we believe that this membership should be open to every identified former YCW member. If you want to be part of it, to “sign in”, can you send us your particulars, especially the region and period of your involvement in the YCW and your present situation?

Can you also contact other former YCWs about this initiative and ask them to join and sign in?

 3 – Testimonies:

We need “Testimonies”. While “signing in” can you also provide a short testimony mentioning the circumstances in which you joined the movements the actions you were involved in, the impact they had on the workers’ movement of your area, and the way it shaped your life and made you what you are today?

Steps ahead:

 A “Blog”, said Moses needs a “moderator”. For the time being, you can send your replies and reactions to JM’s Email address (jeanmarie@zanet.co.za). 

 We believe that some available documents could immediately be fed in the Blog to give it a start, such as:

-       Mandela’s speech at the 95 International Council opening

-       Obituaries and tribute speeches at ex YCW funerals (Abissai, David etc.)

-       Testimonies and chapters of YCW books (Long Struggle Record of YCWs in Africa – Many in this city…)

We plan to use these documents to initiate an ongoing flow of information among us. We will obviously keep you informed of all the developments, hoping that we receive a lot of support.

We will also proceed with the technical installation of the ”Blog” and see how to handle its management as things develop. We will keep in touch about all that too…

 Of course all this project will be run totally on voluntary basis, Our only aim is to make sure that what our YCW history, and the history of so many of our fellow young workers, does not sink into oblivion, and may still be a source of inspiration for the new generations.

Waiting for your reactions,

Yours in solidarity,

 JM Dumortier – Moses Cloete