At a hybrid conference, held virtually and in person, the party’s general secretary Blade Nzimande said it continues to support the African National Congress (ANC) administration led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, but that the ANC’s current problems extend beyond the “nine wasted years” of the Jacob Zuma administration. He said that recent unrest in Gauteng and other provinces was part of a “counter-revolutionary conspiracy” and that questions remain over how such a situation could have developed after 27 years of democracy.

The SACP will continue its efforts to build socialism and help in the rebuilding of the country, Mr Nzimande said, drawing on its experiences and the leading role played by the party and its supporters in the defeat of the apartheid system. “We will not allow this broad liberation movement that communists in their tens of thousands helped to build now to be hijacked by criminals and demagogues,” he said. The process leading to the formation of the SACP started in 1914, when communists around the world, including in South Africa, condemned World War I as an imperialist conflict.

The founding conference of the SACP was held in Cape Town between July 30 and August 1 1921. It went on to play a leading role in South Africa’s national liberation movement, with communists making great sacrifices in the struggle for democracy and social emancipation. “At every key moment, SACP cadres were present both as foot soldiers and as strategic leaders and organisers,” Mr Nzimande said.

The SACP was banned in 1950 but adopted new methods of organisation, including the armed struggle. Its most famous member, Nelson Mandela, went on to become the country’s first post-apartheid president. Mr Nzimande said the struggle continues with communists not as “hitchhikers” or “entryists into the broad national democratic movement,” but as socialists committed to the end of the system of profit.

The SACP which is part of the ruling ANC government is playing a crucial role in restoring raial harmony in the different provinces of the country which witnessed arson and looting against the Indians by the blacks in the recent weeks. The protesters targeted the Indian shops and establishments as the impression gained ground that former president Jacob Juma was supported by the Business groups owned by the Indians in resorting his corrupt practices. There were clashes between the supporters of the convicted former president and his opponents and in the process, many ordinary shops and established owned by the South Africa based people of Indian origin, were attacked and destroyed.

The SACP leadership worked relentlessly in the period of riots and its cadres took a prominently role in restoring peace and racial harmony. SACP has support base among the people of Indian origin who are dominant in business establishments in a few provinces, especially in Natal. The party cadres worked at the base level and talked to both sides resulting in easing of tensions in the provinces.

Right now, the SACP leadership is extending support to the government led by the president Cyril Ramaphosa on the basis of pro poor programmes. South Africa has been hit badly by covid and the infections are on te rise because of new variants. SACP has called for vigorous measures for stepping up vaccination, especially to the poor and the people in the informal sector. The trade union wing of SACP is active in protecting the rights of the workers which were adversely during nine years of Juma presidency.

The centenary celebrations have given the SACP an opportunity to relook at its existing policies and how to take forward its programme of building a society based on welfare measures and equality. The party is also assessing its relationship with the ANC and how to make it more effective for giving a better future to the South African people. (IPA Service)