Film Number

7463

Title

THE STRUGGLE OF BLACK WORKERS, LINDA RETSALEY [?]

Producer

WFA

Date

1982

Gauge

U-matic LB

Colour

colour

Sound

sound

Running Time

60 mins 20 secs

Description

Presentation to a meeting in Manchester on the Struggle of Black Workers by Linda Retsaley, replacing John La Rose who was unable to attend. Linda, born in Soweto and now working with Manchester's Abasinidi Women's Co-operative. Trade Unions and basic education go hand-in-hand and are the only way to challenge multinationals. Talks about the divisions between workers and those whose interest such divisions serve. Talks about trade unions in relation to capitalism and its history. Gives a very strong anti-capitalist analysis and how some Africans are trying to make it work for them. Talks about missionaries' role in softening the edges of capitalism in Africa. Wearing a PAC (Pan-African Congress) tee shirt with Azania written on it, she explains the meaning of this in the South African context. Gives a forceful explanation of the importance of armed struggle in South Africa and the necessity for it to be fought on colour lines - black consciousness. After 37 minutes, discussion opened to floor with contributions from Kath Locke about multinationals, comparison between South Africa and Britain. Also issues of foreign aid and the implications of that in Africa.

[Catalogued as part of 'Revitalising the Regions' a Screen Heritage UK project, 2011]