Freedom Charter is a 'blueprint for communism'

IT IS SURPRISING that despite their historical knowledge and the extent to which the tenets of the Freedom Charter are being applied by the ANC, Professor Saleem Badat, Selvan Naidoo and Kiru Naidoo (the POST, June 25-29) have failed to recognise the charter for what it is— a blueprint for communist hegemony.

- DUNCAN DU BOIS

Selvan and Kiru are correct in stating that the charter is “no mere political manifesto” and that it is “subversive.”

But Professor Badat is very much deceived when he says it is “not a socialist programme”.

Drafted by communists Joe Slovo, Ben Turok, Lionel Bernstein and Ruth First its content reflects communist ideology and aspirations in every respect.

The populist appeal of the charter promising “a democratic state based on the will of the people” disarmingly masks its totalitarian intentions. That is obvious from the demand that all resources, mineral wealth, banks and industry will be owned by the people.

Nowhere is there any mention of private or individual enterprise. Nowhere is there any recognition of possible alternatives.