SACP+Gauteng+post-Congress+press+statement

PRESS STATEMENT, 29 MARCH 2007
=SOUTH AFRICAN COMMUNIST PARTY, GAUTENG PROVINCE=

The South African Communist Party, Gauteng Province, held its historic and memorable 9th Provincial Congress from the 24-25 March 2007 in Johannesburg. The Congress was attended by at least 300 delegates representing more than 7000 paid-up members across the length and breath of the province. The Congress was also attended by provincial structures of the Alliance that is, the African National Congress (ANC), Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the South African National Civic Organization (SANCO). In attendance were also various international guests countries such as Burma, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

One of the most important outcomes of the Congress was the election of the new Provincial Executive Committee, entrusted with the mandate to lead the Party in the province for the next three years. For the purpose of this press conference we would like to introduce the newly elected officials as follows:

> Zico Tamela, Provincial Secretary > Nkosiphendule Kolisile, Chairperson > Nkabinde Alfred, Provincial Treasury > Mamabolo Jacob, Provincial Deputy Secretary > Meisie Sekaledi, Deputy Chairperson > 15 other PEC Members

One of the critical tasks before our Congress was the discussion on the state of the Party over the last three years. Whilst the discussion focused on the province, we also discussed the state of the Party nationally. In this case we noted the following trends:

Since the last Congress in 2004, the SACP in Gauteng Province and nationally has shown positive phenomenal growth in paid-up membership. Whilst this is consistent with the fact that we are building the Party under favorable conditions of democracy and legality, we are firmly convinced that workers and broader sections of the working class continuously and consistently appreciate the political role of the Vanguard Party. This clearly demonstrates that even under conditions of the post Soviet Union era marked by the collapse of socialism, our party is still a source of hope and inspiration to the workers and the poor in this country that their future lies in socialism. Compared to 2004, our membership has consistently grown from around 2000 to more than 7000 paid up members. One of the most important factors that account for this positive state of affairs in our province is the amount of political education conducted within the trade union movement. We have also intensified our political mobilization through Campaigns such as the Financial Sector Campaign, the Land and Agrarian Reform, the Public Transport Campaign and the annual Red October Campaign.

We have however, in addition to the above positive and commendable developments, noted serious challenges that face our Party in the current political situation at both nationally and internationally. One of the most critical challenges relates to the historical role of the Party to build and sustain the unity of the Party itself, the Alliance, mass democratic movement and most importantly the unity of the working class. We are mentioning and placing major emphasis on this issue because the historical foundation and basis of the existence and task of the Communist Party, as a truly Marxist-Leninist Party, has been the need to unite workers of the world and oppressed people in the colonies to fight for their emancipation. We firmly believe that this is the basis for any serious evaluation and analysis of our role as a Communist Party.

Our Congress was clear that whilst the Party has played this role very well, we have noted that a tendency has emerged in the last few years that point to serious weaknesses in this area. One of the most indisputable proof of this observation is the strange tendency to elevate personalities above class contradictions. This happened in the context of the so-called Succession debate in the ANC. We have seriously noted that since its inception in 1921 and in its entire history, the SACP has never had difficulties to forge unity amongst its ranks and to communicate a clear, consistent and unifying political message within the ranks of the working class. We are concerned that there have been instances where Central Committee decisions have been given different and inconsistent interpretations thereby creating confusion within Party ranks.

We have also noted a disturbing trend marked by low levels and complete disregard of Party discipline and communist conduct. We have seen cases of labeling and name calling in the Party. We have also witnessed instances where internal Party matters where raised in the media without any attempt to resolve them within the Party structures. This situation marks a definite departure from the Party theory and practice since its inception. We refer in this case to labels such as those levelled against our province following the gift to the President of the African National Congress, comrade Thabo Mbeki, the calls for the dissolution of Limpopo Province after its political school was addressed by this leader of the ANC, media attacks against the former Spokesperson of the SACP and Deputy secretary of the YCL, comrade Jara Mazibuko, public attacks against the Deputy General Secretary of the SACP after his address in Limpopo.

We also refer in this case to the perceived divisive role played by certain party leaders in the last COSATU Congress. This and many others indicate a serious challenge facing our Party as we prepare for our forthcoming National Congress. We call on all members and structures of the Party at different levels to remain true and loyal to the best traditions and values of a Marxist-Leninist Vanguard Party of the working class and forge unity amongst the working class and the Alliance. We call on members and leaders of the SACP to lead by example in this regard and to prevail over any attempt to divide our movement and the people it leads.

Our Congress also had the opportunity to discuss one of the most important and critical questions with serious implications for our strategy and tactics, the question of electoral options and contest of state of power. One of the most distinct and positive elements of this debate was the democratic, tolerant and mature manner in which delegates expressed themselves. We have noted that whilst delegates hold diverse views on the matter, there is an emerging popular view, that the SACP must contest elections at all levels in its own name from 2009 onwards.

There is also another view strongly expressed by delegates that the Party must continue contesting elections under the banner of the ANC, as is the case now. We have also noted another view that the National Congress must adopt a middle ground accommodating both the above stated views. However, Congress resolved to convene Provincial Council to further discuss this matter and other discussion documents in preparation of our forthcoming National Congress.

As part of the assessment of the state of the Party, Congress discussed the state of the Alliance in the province. Having received a report on the Alliance, Congress commended the positive relations that exist amongst Alliance member organizations. Congress urged the new PEC to intensify its work in this regard and ensure that the alliance continues to function in the most appropriate and effective manner.

We also had the opportunity to receive a report on the situation in Zimbabwe and the Swaziland. Congress resolved that the SACP must support the forthcoming National Strike in Zimbabwe on the 3rd and 4th April 2007 and the Blockade against Swaziland Border with South Africa on the 12th April 2007

We have also noted the ongoing Bus strike by municipal workers led by SAMWU in the City of Johannesburg. The SACP supports the legitimate demand of the workers and call for the speedy resolution of the dispute.


 * For more information please contact the Provincial Secretary, Zico Tamela at 083 437 8654**

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