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 – News from South Africa –
The Real Freedom Movement
Maja Mokoena
Is South Africa a lost cause like Zimbabwe, or can good sense still prevail?
The emergence of the "Real Freedom Movement" and Maja Mokoena on the South African scene may just provide some answers to that question.
A student leader during the uprisings of June 1976, Majakathata Mokoena has since worked as an international entrepreneur - a consultant in the computing, telecommunications and financial industries. He has also been a
prolific writer on the subject of individual rights and market economies.
He has recently launched a new book entitled Letters to my Countrymen. This is a collection of his writings in "The Star" and "City Press" since the year 2000. It provides great insight into his libertarian way of thinking,
and represents a distinctly alternative point of view in the South African media.
You can find out more about both Maja and the book at www.maja.co.za, and order a copy while you are there.
The following is a compilation of materials from Maja's writings from various sources, prepared by ISIL member Trevor Watkins (trevorwatkins@absamail.co.za).
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Confronted with the double-edged sword of political change at home, and a massive global economic and political paradigm shift, South Africa still finds itself ruled by political leaders whose mind-sets are wedged firmly in
our history, rather than our future.
With their roots and minds buried in the apartheid past, all the current parties fail to grasp the intensity of the global changes sweeping the world today. Their behavior affects our ability to compete globally. The end
result has been continued loss of confidence in the government and the country.
While the black youth feel cheated of an education which would allow them to compete in the global marketplace - the white youth and their parents feel that their future is doomed by affirmative action in South Africa.
The net result has been the relentless exodus from the country of both black and white young professionals, leaving a country rich in potential but poor in governance.
It is with these concerns in mind that a new political party is being launched, to usher in a platform that is not tainted by the past, and based squarely and without apology on the concept of free markets and free
individuals. The free market philosophy that has brought about economic miracles in countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Ireland, Mauritius and Botswana can work its magic in South Africa too.
In the spirit of 1776 and of 1976, the Real Freedom Movement seeks to establish a prosperous and free nation in South Africa.
CORE VALUES AND BELIEFS
Some of the basic principles of the new movement are presented below. For more information, the full statement of principles and their platform is on their website: www.maja.co.za/rfm.asp.
The Real Freedom Movement believes that the rights and freedoms of the individual supersede those of the state and other groups. These rights and freedoms should be enshrined in the Constitution of the land. We believe that all
individuals have the right to live in whatever manner they choose, so long as they do not interfere through force or fraud with the equal right of others.
We believe that every individual has the right to life, liberty, fair trial, ownership of property, freedom of movement, speech, language, religion, and association.
THE RULE OF LAW
The Real Freedom Movement believes in the rule of law and that no individual or institution, regardless of rank, is above the law. All individuals are equal before the law. The rule of law is underpinned by the independent
judiciary, whose highest body is the Constitutional Court.
PROPERTY RIGHTS
The Real Freedom Movement believes that all individuals have the fundamental right to own property and to deal with it as they see fit, so long as they do not interfere through force or fraud with the equal right of others.
PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY
The RFM believes that it is each individual's responsibility to ensure his or her own wellbeing.
This wellbeing cannot be guaranteed by anyone else. Thereafter, an individual should strive to ensure the wellbeing of his or
her family, community, and country, in that order.
FREE ENTERPRISE
The Real Freedom Movement believes that the Free Market system is the only economic environment consistent with individual freedom. The history of the 20th century, and in particular, the collapse of communism, has proven
beyond question that individual freedom and prosperity flow from economic freedom.
The document continues, outlining constitutional guarantees for free speech and free press, free association. They also call
for the privatization of the public school system and elimination of conscription.
Maja invites libertarians to visit his site and provide feedback.
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