Ógra Shinn Féin Meet with Revolutionary South African Leader

On Monday (4 December), Ógra Shinn Féin held an internal activist meeting in Belfast with South African Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils.

Ronnie was a former Director of Intelligence for the military arm of the ANC, Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), is a member of the Communist Party and ANC, and was appointed to his present Ministerial role in 2004.

Ronnie spoke at length of the importance of youth in any liberation struggle, recalling his involvement in the struggle in South Africa as a teenager. He spoke candidly about his involvement with the ANC, the MK and also related his progression from a guerrilla fighter to minister stating,

“I still miss my AK – 47, but you can’t exactly be a government minister and have and AK strapped around yourself.”

The activist meeting raised many issues including racism, policing, international solidarity, transition to power, outreach, and truth and reconciliation.

Barry McColgan, National Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin said,

“The meeting was extremely thought provoking and inspirational, many people have read or watched documentaries about the South African Struggle, but we learned a first hand account through Ronnie.”

“You don’t get an opportunity to meet with a Revolutionary Leader everyday, and so obviously Ógra used the time effectively to equip ourselves with the vast knowledge and experience of Ronnie Kasrils.”

“From the meeting it was clear that South Africa will continue to support Sinn Féin and Ógra in achieving our objectives in Ireland, we are two nations involved in one struggle!”