The big lesson of 2011: colonialism is very alive and vicious

THE year 2011 was a dramatic year. On the world front we saw regime changes in most parts of North Africa through the so- called Arab Spring revolts.

We saw how desire for liberation turned into a mechanism for imperial control. Egypt was perhaps the most emphatic example of people's power going wrong.

We will never forget how two million protesters faced up to the Hosni Mubarak dictatorship and won - only to return power to the same dictatorial army that had repressed the people for so long.

Currently there is a stand-off in Egypt between protesters, the army and impatient politicians who want to install a democracy for elites like we have had in our country.

Muammar Gaddafi's public murder after being bombed by Nato is a clear indication that imperialism is lethal.

In the coming years the story of Libya will unfold in sorrow that is going to follow and poverty unknown under Gaddafi's rule.

The US and France are set to have a major influence over the spoils of Libyan wealth. There will be elections and a new native elite will be the managers of the new colonialism and the people will suffer.

Alternatively, the country will be destabilised through tribal wars to facilitate plunder.

Libya shows that people want both bread and freedom. Gaddafi gave them bread and denied them freedom.

The big lesson for 2011 is that imperialism is alive and vicious. The second lesson is that resistance against injustice can be turned into an instrument of self-disempowerment.

This means those who desire real change must not make haste to approve of protests, we must ask the question, protest for what? From now on all protesters and resisters need to clarify their objectives or be swept by imperial interest into serving evil by default.

That is why even the so-called "occupy" movement needs to be questioned about its objectives. Right now they only want a capitalism with a human face.

This will not resolve the problems of the poor.

This questioning is also true for service delivery protests in South Africa.

If we cast our eyes beyond the ongoing tender wars in the ANC, which are manifested as leadership struggles, we see the figure of Andries Tatane on the cross.

We must not forget how this man was publicly executed for demanding water.

Tatane's blood flowed so that we may free ourselves from the illusion that the ANC can deliver us from the ravages of systematic impoverishment of blacks.

As we know democracy has meant that the new leadership in power gets a tender, the majority are rendered powerless.

What were missing in the past year were strong and workable solutions. Unfortunately our communists are capitalists.

The only practical idea worth pursuing this year is the September National Imbizo's campaign, which says politicians and public servants must be compelled by law to use public services.

Imagine what the quality of our public education would be the day our ministers and directors-general are forced to take their children to public schools. Imagine how quickly our hospitals would be improved.

Yes, 2012 must be a year of service to the people!