SACP+North-West+PEC+Media+Release,+26+February+2008

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 * SACP North-West PEC Media Release, 26 February 2008**


 * SACP North-West Provincial Council Meeting **

The South African Communist Party in the North-West held its provincial council on the 23rd February 2008 in the city of Matlosana. The council was overwhelmily attended by branches and representatives from the alliance. This important gathering in the calendar of the SACP had an opportunity to discuss and reflect on the state of the organisation in the province and is satisfied that the SACP in this province is on course. Also, the council had an enriching discussion on the political, socio-economic situation in the province.

Council took time to wish one of the greatest human beings the world has ever known Commander Fidel Castro a well earned and well deserved retirement. His name will be a constant reminder that the struggle for a just, equitable and caring society is not over until we vanquish over the capitalist system and usher a true humane order - Socialism.

The SACP in the North-West is overwhelmingly satisfied by the success of the 52nd national conference of the African National Congress held in Limpopo during December 2007 amid speculation of a possible split by prophets of doom. Having analyzed the political situation in the province, the masses of our people are confident that the African National Congress remains the only organisation capable to deliver our commitments as enshrined in the Freedom Charter.

We unfurl our gratitude to the commitment by the African National Congress through its delegation led by the chairperson of the ANC Cde Edna Molewa towards building of a strong alliance in the province. We also welcome the unqualified support and commitment towards the current Red-October campaign. Having noted that the alliance in the province is weak as it is only administrative, we are confident that this commitment will transcend to all levels of the organisation in the province.

The SACP note with concern developments leading to the provincial congress later this year. The ANC as a multi class organisation remain a centre of contestation. However, our experience is that contestation for positions in the province have less or nothing to do with serving the masses of our people through the organisation, rather, the opulent accumulation of resources to serve narrow personal interest over and above the same people who elect us to serve their needs.

We further denounce the development of lists by various individuals outside of the structures of the alliance, who purport themselves to be the true representatives and more revolutionary than the revolution itself. The position of the SACP is that processes of the ANC should be left to due processes of the ANC.

However, in the same breath, we call upon those at the forefront of the development of lists to desist from these acts as they divide and are a good recipe to detract the organisation from the resolutions of the 52nd national conference which is amongst others to build unity. The ANC deserve better. The SACP also call upon these individuals in the so-called "CORES" to subject their preferences to legitimate structures of the ANC.

The council also deplore the harsh treatment meted against known members of the SACP and those identified to be holding a different views through purging from either positions within the ANC or in government.

To this end the council call upon all cadres of the alliance to engage on the following principles of leadership collective that will emerge with a united ANC PEC and alliance after the provincial conference;


 * **Loyalty to the organisation and centrality of mass work** - we call to an end the leadership style in which the interests of an individual supersede the interests of the organisation and also where individuals are made to be loyal to individuals rather than the organisation.
 * The ANC leadership in the province must in line with the Polokwane resolution lead its alliance partners on the ground in the mass mobilization and organizational work. The ANC in the province should take up its vocation and empower its alliance partners in their complementary strategic roles especially on the eve of the national elections in 2009
 * However, for this to be achieved there needs to be a leadership collective that understands and appreciate mass work
 * **Re-affirm intra-alliance protocols of conduct and mutual respect** - We must appreciate and understand that the alliance is made up of independent but interdependent ideologies and organizational structures of which unity and cohesion is central to its functionality. Therefore, it is important for the alliance structures to be meaningfully integrated into all key strategic decision making structures the sole purpose being to strengthen each others formations.
 * **Leadership collective** - We call upon members of the ANC to be guided by the following when engaging in the leadership debate leading to the provincial conference - a leadership collective with a proven history capable to strengthen the democratic character of the movement, a leadership that is consultative and inclusive, a leadership that encourages frank, open and comradely engagements. This leadership should reflect in character the unity of the various formations of the congress movement i.e. allies, youth, women, MK veterans etc.
 * Central to the availability for election should be on the basis of what value an individual will bring to the collective and to the organisation at large. The tendency to polarise availability to leadership positions with personal friendship, business linkages, regional ethnic inclination, factionalism must be discouraged at all levels at all times
 * The SACP will not enter into the debate of the ANC list but is mandated by council to interact with the leadership of the African National Congress in the province to release the discussion documents. Interaction with the discussion documents will be guided by the SACP, COSATU and ANC congresses resolutions particularly on building the unity of the ANC, alliance as the political centre and the SACP and state power.

Communists to the front towards a socialist future!

By e-mail
 * For more information contact Madoda Sambatha - The Provincial Secretary - at 072 360 6861 or Pat Motubatse at 082 455 2327**

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