Comrade Songezo Mjongile, a disciplined activist and African nationalist, has been remembered for his tireless efforts towards achieving economic liberation for the black majority in South Africa. According to a tribute by Andile Lungisa, a member of the ANC NEC and former ANC YL deputy president, Comrade Songezo was a committed advocate for radical economic transformation. He identified the concentration of economic power in the hands of White Monopoly Capital as a major obstacle to the National Democratic Revolution.
Comrade Songezo believed that true political freedom could only be achieved when the majority had ownership and control of the country's land, minerals, financial institutions, and commanding heights of the economy. He supported the amendment of section 25 of the constitution to allow for the expropriation of property, particularly land, without compensation. This, he believed, was crucial for restoring the dignity, sovereignty, and productive capacity of the African people.
Comrade Songezo was a strong proponent of state ownership and control of strategic institutions, including the South African Reserve Bank. He rejected private ownership of such institutions, arguing that they should serve the country's developmental priorities, not narrow private interests. He also advocated for a Mining Charter that would require a minimum of 30% black ownership, with a gradual increase to 51% within five years.
Comrade Songezo's vision for economic transformation extended to the nationalisation of strategic minerals, such as platinum, to boost the state's fiscal and industrial capacity. He also called for a fundamental change in the structure of the South African economy, arguing that at least 60% of all minerals extracted in the country should be beneficiated within its borders. This, he believed, would help to create sustainable employment and promote local manufacturing.
Comrade Songezo's commitment to African nationalism and radical economic transformation was shaped by the foundational principles of the Congress Youth League, established by Anton Muziwakhe Lembede and others in 1944. He believed in the unity of Africans beyond tribal, regional, and class divisions and saw the national movement as the principal instrument for achieving the African majority's historical mission.
Comrade Songezo's legacy is one of unwavering dedication to the struggle for economic freedom and national sovereignty. His contribution to the fight for radical economic transformation must be assessed not only through the positions he occupied but also through the programme he advanced. The responsibility now lies with the present generation to continue his work and ensure that South Africa's wealth serves the African majority.
As the country mourns the loss of Comrade Songezo Mjongile, his revolutionary spirit will continue to guide the struggle for land, dignity, sovereignty, and economic freedom. His call for the review of black economic empowerment policies, trade policies, and the establishment of a state bank will remain an integral part of the ongoing efforts towards achieving true economic liberation.
Key points
- Comrade Songezo Mjongile was a champion of radical economic transformation and African nationalism.
- He advocated for state ownership and control of strategic institutions, including the South African Reserve Bank.
- Comrade Songezo's vision for economic transformation included the nationalisation of strategic minerals and a fundamental change in the structure of the South African economy.
