Africa+must+have+strong+leftist+wing,+Nzimande,+Post



=Africa must have strong leftist wing – Nzimande=


 * By George Chellah**

Post, Lusaka, Tuesday March 28, 2006
AFRICA must have a strong leftist wing, South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Dr Blade Nzimande has said.

Addressing journalists at Lusaka International Airport upon arrival yesterday, Dr Nzimande said SACP was currently concentrating on structuring leftist ties throughout the African continent.

"We have been focussing as SACP to build bridges for leftists not only in the region but across the continent of Africa," Dr Nzimande said.

"Much as we have won the struggle for independence, we must have a strong leftist wing." He further observed that there were both subjective and objective realities on leftists, part of which includes the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Dr Nzimande said after the liberation of the continent, there had been a weak leftist voice to speak against forced economic reform programmes.

“There are failures on many policies from above like the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP)... they have not delivered to reduce poverty in Africa,” he said.

Dr Nzimande said he was excited to be in Zambia because it holds a very particular meaning for South Africa.

“Zambia was headquarters of our liberation. It’s a place that symbolises the solidarity between our two people and the sacrifices of Zambians in the liberation,” Dr Nzimande said.

“And it’s important to maintain the ties. South Africa is now liberated and it’s important to maintain these exchanges. We are appreciative to The Post for extending its invitation to us.”

Asked what his expectations of the visit were, Dr Nzimande responded: “It’s an opportunity for us to get first hand information about the situation in Zambia. So we want to share these concerns I have mentioned with our Zambian colleagues.”

Dr Nzimande is accompanied by SACP members of the central committee who include Lindelwa Dunjwa, Joyce Moloi, Chris Matlhako, Lesego Lejaka and Lucian Segami.


 * From: http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=8135**

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