These pieces examine imperialism, colonialism, race, the national question, and national liberation struggles -including anarchist/ syndicalist positions
This was an introduction written for a pamphlet called No Justice, No Peace: An Eyewitness Account of the Los Angeles Riots, which was reprinted in two South African editions, one from Backstreet Abortions distro, one from ARM, both based in Johannesburg. Some bits hold up well. THE FIRE NEXT TIME: LESSONS OF THE LOS ANGELES … Continue reading Lucien van der Walt, 1993, “The Fire Next Time: Lessons of the Los Angeles (LA) Uprising”
Lucien van der Walt, 1994, “Chimurenga! The Lessons of the Zimbabwe Liberation War,” Unrest, number 1, pp. 16-17, 23. THE VICTORY OF a seemingly militant ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) in Zimbabwe’s 1980 independence elections, following a long guerrilla war (the “Chimurenga“) against White colonialism, was greeted with jubilation. Today [i.e. 1994], the hopes raised … Continue reading Lucien van der Walt, 1994, “Chimurenga! The Lessons of the Zimbabwe Liberation War”
Lucien van der Walt, 2004, "On Bakunin: Introduction to the South African Edition," in Basic Bakunin (South African edition), Zabalaza Books, Durban/ Johannesburg, no page numbers. (Basic Bakunin, first published in the UK around 1993, can be read here). ON BAKUNIN: INTRODUCTION TO THE SOUTH AFRICAN EDITION (2004) Lucien van der Walt This pamphlet provides an … Continue reading Lucien van der Walt, 2004, “On Bakunin: Introduction to the South African Edition,” to “Basic Bakunin” (Zabalaza Books)
Lucien van der Walt, 2003, "Introduction to the Second Edition," in A.M. Bonanno, Anarchism and the National Liberation Struggle (South African edition), Zabalaza Books, Durban/ Johannesburg, pp. XXX. Introduction to the Second South African Edition (2003) by Lucien van der Walt The ongoing struggle in Palestine is only the most obvious of a number of … Continue reading Lucien van der Walt, 2003,”Introduction” to new edition of Bonnano, “Anarcism and the National Liberation Struggle”
This first appeared as Lucien van der Walt, 1994, "Introduction to the South African Edition," in Alfredo Bonanno, Anarchism and the National Liberation Struggle, ARM, Johannesburg, South African edition. The text below is the slightly revised version from the 2019 3rd South African edition, which is available in full HERE. TO CITE: Lucien van der Walt, … Continue reading Lucien van der Walt, 1994 “Introduction” to Alfredo Bonnano’s “Anarchism and the National Liberation Struggle”
Lucien van der Walt, 1998, "The Life of Bakunin," Internal Bulletin of the Workers Solidarity Federation (WSF) of South Africa, number 2, March/April 1998, pp. 11-13, republished as "The Life of Bakunin: Anti-imperialism, Anti-capitalism, Anti-statism," Anarkismo, 1 June 2014, HERE , which is copied below . Mikhail Bakunin (1814-1873) can be seen as the founder of libertarian socialism (anarcho-syndicalism). … Continue reading Lucien van der Walt, 1998, “The Life of Bakunin”
Popular talk: Lucien van der Walt, 2017, “The Political Economy of the Rhodes Industrial Action,” seminar on “Students and the Strike,” Asinimali, Rhodes University, 28 April. This talk was part of a panel arranged by the 'Asinimali' student group at Rhodes University, South Africa, as an unprecedented strike by staff took place at the institution. The … Continue reading [TALK] Lucien van der Walt, 2017, “The Political Economy of the Rhodes Industrial Action,” seminar on “Students and the Strike,” Asinimali, Rhodes University, 28 April.
Lucien van der Walt, 2001, "Racism, Neo-Liberalism and Class Struggle in South Africa" Bikisha Media Collective, South Africa Article for Comunismo Libertario (Italy): published as Lucien van der Walt, June 2001, "Razzismo, neoliberismo e lotta di classe in Sudafrica," Comunismo Libertario, no. 51, p. 8 (part 1) and November-December 2001, "Razzismo, neoliberismo e Iotta di classe … Continue reading [ANALYSIS]: Lucien van der Walt, 2001, “Racism, Neo-Liberalism and Class Struggle in South Africa”
Academics support student struggle: Democratise higher education now 22 October 2015, Mail and Guardian, here A collective statement from academics at South African institutions of higher education. As academics in South African institutions of higher education, we stand with students in their fight for the democratisation of our universities. The current student protests that have … Continue reading [PRESS]: “Academics support student struggle: Democratise higher education now” [2015]
Lucien van der Walt, 2018, "Préface," to Guillaume Rey, Afriques Anarchistes: Introduction à l’Histoire des Anarchismes Africains, Paris, L'Hartamann, pp. 9-26. Get the PDF here
Lucien van der Walt, 2017, "'All Workers regardless of Craft, Race or Colour': The First Wave of IWW Activity and Influence in South Africa", in Peter Cole, David Struthers and Kenyon Zimmer (eds.), Wobblies of the World: A Global History of the IWW, Pluto Press, London/ University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 271-287. Get the … Continue reading [CHAPTER] van der Walt, 2017, “‘All Workers regardless of Craft, Race or Colour’: The First Wave of IWW Activity and Influence in South Africa”
Co-designed and co-faciliated a three-day workshop with the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM) in the Eastern Cape, with Leroy Maisiri and Ayanda Kota. The venue was the Bantu Stephen Biko Student Union Building, at Rhodes University, Grahamstown/ Makhanda; the dates were 7-9 November 2018, and the topic was “Autonomy, Land, Self-Management: Alternatives & the Russian and … Continue reading [3-DAY SCHOOL with UPM]: 7-9/11/2018: “Autonomy, Land, Self-Management: Alternatives & the Russian and Spanish Revolutions”
Lucien van der Walt 2018, “From Union Renewal to a Self-Managed Society: Towards an Anarcho-Syndicalist Project,” 'South African Labour Bulletin,' 42 (1): 27-30. Get the PDF of print version here **In this article, Lucien van der Walt argues that trade union renewal is essential but should not be reduced to democratising structures or new recruitment … Continue reading [ANALYSIS] van der Walt, 2018, “From Union Renewal to a Self-Managed Society: Towards an Anarcho-Syndicalist Project” (South African Labour Bulletin)
From The Citizen, here White genocide is ‘a lie’, ‘threat simply doesn’t exist’ 16 March 2018, by Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni Minority rights group AfriForum’s Ian Cameron cautions against the use of the term ‘white genocide’ as it can deligitimise a just cause. The notion of “white genocide” is a lie, white South African farmers are not … Continue reading [PRESS]: Lucien van der Walt argues that rightist claims of “white genocide” in SA are”a lie”
From The Citizen, here SA unlikely to be next Zimbabwe, expert says, advising calm 13 March 2018, by Simnikiwe Hlatshaneni Panic around land expropriation without compensation is likely to harm the interests of the poor. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is not in charge of land reform and a repeat of Zimbabwe’s land grab situation … Continue reading [PRESS]: Lucien van der Walt “SA unlikely to be next Zimbabwe” but groundless panic hurts poor …
