SACP 10th CONGRESS RESOLUTIONS

Contents

Resolution on
International Programme of Action

Resolution of Gear

Moses Kotane
Award for outstanding Contribution to the SACP

Resolution on
Constitutional requirment of Full Time Provincial Secretary

Resolution on the
SACP's Theoretical Framework

Resolution on the
Tripartite Alliance

Resolution on Robert McBride

Resolution on a Young
Communist League (YCL)

 

Resolution on
International Programme of Action

Affirming that our international resolutions must not just be general
expressions of solidarity or condemnation, but a concrete guide to action for
the SACP, this Congress resolves that:

1. The SACP at all organisational levels must foster a consistent
   anti-imperialist outlook, within our branches, within our Party, within the
   working class and broader movement, and amongst the South African public in
   general. Practically this means, amongst other things, that in our political
   education work and Party media work consistent attention must be given to
   this. This is a task that all Party members must take up, where they live
   and where they work or study. Wherever possible we must seek to connect
   current international events to a broader understanding of global realities,
   and we must constantly counter the ideological impact of imperialist
   dominated media.
2. The SACP must be active in all campaigns of solidarity for peoples still
   suffering from foreign military occupation or aggression, and with peoples
   under the yoke of anti-democratic regimes. Recognising that, for practical
   reasons, some points of focus are essential, this 10th Congress charges the
   Party to take up, in particular:

2.1 Solidarity with peoples still struggling for the right of national
self-determination. We are ourselves, after all, emerging from a national
liberation struggle. Specifically, the SACP must:

• Continue its active involvement in the struggle for an end to the
  oppression of the East Timorese people. We call for the release of comrade
  Xanana Gusmao and all Timorese political prisoners (and indeed all
  political prisoners in Indonesian jails). We call for the immediate
  scaling down of the Indonesian military presence in East Timor as a
  climate-creating first-step towards a UN supervised referendum on the
  future of the territory. We express our support for initiatives taken in
  this regard by President Mandela and by the South African Department of
  Foreign Affairs;
• Support the just struggle of the Palestinian people for effective
  self-determination, and condemn the intransigence of right-wing Zionist
  forces in Israel, including the present government, which refuse to
  implement even those accords to which they have solemnly committed
  themselves;
• Continue to seek a just settlement in West Sahara in the context of UN
  resolutions;
•  Condemn the ongoing Turkish occupation of Cyprus, the Turkish
  government's genocidal war against the Kurdish people, and support the
  South African government's principled refusal to sell arms to Turkey.

2.2 The SACP must, in its solidarity efforts, give special priority to our
Southern African region in particular, and our African continent more
generally:

•  In regard to Zambia, the SACP calls for the release of all
  political detainees, and for the rapid setting up of an all-party
  constitutional commission that is able to lay the basis for a resolution
  of the present political impasse. The SACP expresses its support for all
  progressive and pro-democratic forces in Zambia and our commitment to
  offer whatever solidarity support we are able:
• In regard to Swaziland, we note that the political situation remains
  blocked, and that the present Constitutional Commission is a toothless
  entity that is serving as a pretext to justify a lack of seriousness in
  regard to making real changes from the side of the government. We call for
  an end to the State of Emergency and the ongoing harassment of political
  parties, trade unions and other progressive formations. The SACP will work
  with its allies in South Africa and Mozambique, and with progressive
  formations in Swaziland to intensify pressure. Swaziland solidarity work
  must not be confined to work at the SACP national head-office level, there
  are many prospects for interaction and support at other levels, especially
  from branches located in the provinces that border on Swaziland.
• The SACP also expresses strong solidarity with the workers' movement in
  Zimbabwe.
• The SACP calls for the freeing of all political prisoners in Nigeria,
  for a halt to the oppression of democratic forces in that country, and for
  a rapid return to democratic civilian rule. The SACP will continue to work
  with Nigerian pro-democracy forces.
• The 10th Congress also calls for a Tripartite Alliance national workshop
  on Southern Africa to be convened as soon as possible. The Alliance needs
  to co-ordinate its Southern African work, and it needs to develop a common
  strategic understanding of the key priorities.

2.3 Cuban solidarity struggle

The SACP, at all levels, must continue too play an active, vanguard role in
developing and deepening Cuban solidarity work within our country. The SACP
salutes the achievements of the Cuban revolution, and the success of our Cuban
comrades in having defended their revolution through the past difficult years,
the "special period". We condemn the ongoing US sanctions against
Cuba, and particularly the Helms Burton law, a flagrant act of international
bullying directed against the rights of the Cuban people, it is also in
violation of all the most basic rules of international law. The SACP salutes
the work of the South African government in developing active trade and
economic ties with Cuba. We also salute the outstanding example of
international solidarity provided by the Cuban doctors working in our country.
The SACP resolves that all of its provinces, districts and branches will
ensure that the Cuban doctors are given support.

2.4 The struggle against backward, xenophobic and fundamentalist ideologies

In conditions of imperialist global cultural hegemony, in many Third World
countries, there is the danger of populist appropriations of backward,
xenophobic and fundamentalist ideologies by elites. Preying on the genuine
distress and alienation felt by popular forces, certain elites demagogically
mobilise around ideologies that present themselves as
"anti-imperialist". In fact, these ideologies are used to brutally
repress progressive, left and working-class forces in these societies. Cases
in point are Iran and Sudan. The SACP expresses its full support for the
persecuted Tudeh Party in Iran, and for the Sudanese Communist Party in Sudan.
We call for an end to anti-communist persecution in these countries, and for
the emergence of a democratic, secular and genuinely anti-imperialist politics
to be nurtured in these societies. We commit ourselves to deepening
understanding within our own country of the dangers of backward fundamentalist
ideologies.

3. Build global solidarity

In the context of our Party's commitment to renew the socialist and
communist project world-wide, to develop and deepen solidarity between all
forces struggling against neo-liberalism, race and gender oppression, the SACP
will maintain and advance connections with our historical allies, other left,
worker, and democratic parties and social movements, and solidarity movements.
The SACP will seek out all means to carry out this work, including the new
possibilities offered by communications technology. In the face of the
depredations of neo-liberal globalisation, the SACP commits itself to the
struggle for the globalisation of solidarity.

Resolution on GEAR

Noting that:

• There are many external and internal objective constraints on our economy,
  and a persisting legacy of economic underdevelopment;
• Nonetheless, the current government macro-economic policy (GEAR) has not
  succeeded in improving the economic outlook, and is far from delivering the
  growth, employment and redistribution projected in its model;
• GEAR targets, particularly employment targets, have not been met;
• GEAR involves strict and inflexible adherence to deficit reduction at the
  expense of social programmes to serve the poor;
• There is an agreement within the Tripartite Alliance that the process
  leading to the formulation of GEAR was flawed.

Believing that:

•  Macro-economic policy, like all other areas of policy, should be
  formulated through inclusive, consultative processes. We are, likewise, of
  the view that macro-economic policies and targets should be subject to
  periodic review, in which the social and economic consequences as well as
  costs and benefits of continuing to adhere to set targets should be assessed
  in the context of economic and social conditions;
• Macro-economic policy must be a subordinate element within a broader
  development orientated growth strategy. Where there are choices and
  trade-offs to be made, these should be clearly identified and not always
  resolved in favour of adherence to macro targets;
• There must be a willingness to attack macro-constraints in innovative and
  creative ways that acknowledge the need to transform historical ownership
  patterns and promote redistribution. For example, a number of proposals have
  been made to reduce the public debt burden by reforming public sector
  pension funds, and seeking relief from the odious apartheid debt. These must
  be seriously examined and not simply dismissed out of hand;
• We must avoid exposing ourselves unnecessarily to the vagaries of
  speculative movements in global markets. In this respect, and in the light
  of the Asian crisis, we believe there is a need to review the policy of
  progressively removing exchange controls, and devise an approach which takes
  account of the vulnerability of even fundamentally sound economies to the
  vagaries of speculative pressures;
• While GEAR locates itself within the RDP, in practice many of its
  consequences have constrained our ability to meet the interests of working
  people and the poor;
• The overall thrust of GEAR is not the appropriate macro-economic framework
  for our society, and this overall thrust must be rejected.

Resolves:

• That the SACP should engage with its alliance partners and other
  components of the MDM to ensure that we develop an appropriate
  macro-economic framework;
• We should continue to engage the government on the contents of GEAR;
• The SACP should deepen its capacity to intervene in economic
  policy-making, including through the development of an alternative economic
  framework.

Moses
Kotane award for outstanding contribution to the SACP 

This Congress

Noting that:

1. There are SACP cadres who have made an outstanding contribution to both
   the struggle for national liberation and socialism.
2. This contribution is reflected both in terms of quality and length of
   service, which in cases includes 50 years and more.

Believing that:

1. It is vital that these comrades be acknowledged for the outstanding
   contribution that they have made.

Therefore resolves that:

1. The Moses Kotane Award be instituted to be conferred to comrades
   identified by the Central Committee as having made an outstanding
   contribution to the Party.

Resolution on
Constitutional requirement of the full time Provincial Secretary

Noting:

1. The constitutional stipulation in Section 14.4 that requires that
   "either the Secretary or the Deputy Secretary should be full-time
   employees"

Further Noting:

1. The difficulties in putting this into practice in most of our provinces;

Believing:

1. That the presence of a full-time political office bearer is critical in
   the building of our party

Therefore Resolves:

1. To instruct the CC to assist provinces towards the achievement of this
   constitutional requirement.

 

Resolution on
the SACP's theoretical framework

Noting:

1. The constant elaboration of a socialist perspective by our Party since its
   inception.
2. This development of theory has, importantly, included a revolutionary
   approach to nationalism.

Believing:

1. That theory is central to the development of Party cadres and making sense
   of our day to day practical work.
2. Theoretical elaboration and development happens through collective
   intellectual endeavour and is grounded in the collective experience of our
   Party.
3. That the development of a Party cadre grounded in the Marxist-Leninist
   perspective is key to the SACP's role as a socialist vanguard.
4. That theory is not grasped and developed in isolation, but within the
   context of working class struggles for deepening and consolidating the
   democratic breakthrough.

This 10th SACP Congress therefore resolves:

1. To mandate the Central Committee, through its Ideological Commission, to
   pay attention to and further elaborate various aspects of our theoretical
   framework, particularly: 

• the dialectic between reform and revolution;
• gender exploitation and reproductive labour
• relationship between state and capital in the present post-apartheid
  context;
• how to appropriately engage with globalisation;
• working class approach to the environment and sustainable development.

2. That political education and ideological training should be informed by
   this perspective.
3. Deepen our understanding of the history of our Party and particuarly the
   history of the alliance within our ranks.
4. To work with the other socialist forces particularly COSATU, and with the
   ANC, in further elaborating our theoretical/ideological perspectives.

Resolution on the
Tripartite Alliance

Noting:

1. The centrality of the ANC-led Alliance in bringing about peace and
   democracy in our country;
2. The Alliance between the ANC, SACP and Revolutionary trade union movement
   (represented by COSATU today) has been forged in concrete struggles of our
   people and around common goals over the past seven decades;
3. The history and tradition of South African Communists contribution to
   building and strengthening mass organisations;
4. That Communists who worked in mass organisations have distinguished
   themselves through hard work and respect for the discipline of these
   organisations;

Further Noting:

1. Continuing attempts by our strategic opponents to weaken and undermine our
   Revolutionary Alliance;
2. Debates within our broader movement on the role, character and relevance
   of the Alliance in the new context;
3. The commitment of the ANC to working class leadership, deepening national
   democracy at all levels of our society and anti-imperialism;

Believing:

1. That the Alliance remains the only vehicle that can mobilise and unite the
   overwhelming majority of South Africans behind our programme for fundamental
   transformation and defence of the achievements of the 1994 democratic
   breakthrough;

Further Believing:

1. That our strategic alliance is defined by our common understanding of the
   nature of apartheid colonialism, the nature of our revolution and immediate
   tasks of the revolution;
2. That the strength of each partner in the Alliance will contribute to the
   strength of the others;

Therefore Resolves to:

1. Reaffirm the commitment of the SACP to the Tripartite Alliance;
2. Commits South African Communists to continue with our tradition of
   building and strengthening mass organisations, including encouraging our
   members to be active in building the ANC;
3. Reaffirm our long-held view that Communists working within mass
   organisations must demonstrate Party integrity and respect for the
   discipline of these organisations;
4. Deepen our understanding of the history and continuing relevance of our
   strategic alliance within the ranks of both the Party and its Alliance
   partners;
5. Promote a culture of open and constructive debate within our broader
   movement and mutual respect among our Alliance partners even when we differ
   on issues;
6. Deepen and consolidate unity within the Tripartite Alliance.

Resolution on Robert Mcbride

Noting:

1. The national sovereignty of Mozambique, the independence of its judicial
   system and the friendly relations between Mozambique and South Africa
2. The exemplary role played by Robert McBride in the liberation struggle,
   and as part of our new democratic government
3. The history of internationalism and solidarity as practised by the SACP

Believing that:

1. The arrest of Robert McBride, on 9th March 1998 was based on the word of a
   discredited former agent of apartheid, Vusi Mbatha, who was the sole source
   for the equally discredited Meiring Report, the contents of which were used
   to charge Robert McBride with "espionage, gun running and conspiring
   with wrongdoers"
2. Robert McBride, as a stalwart of the South African liberation struggle,
   and a senior member of the South African Foreign Service, does not pose a
   serious threat to the Mozambique government and is thus deserving of being
   granted bail while he awaits the outcome of his appeal to the Mozambique
   Supreme Court, a process which could take up to one year.

This 10th Congress of the SACP resolves:

1. To express its solidarity with Robert McBride and its belief that his
   arrest and continued detention is the result of discredited information
   emanating from a known criminal and paid informer
2. To respectfully request the relevant Mozambique authorities to allow the
   granting of bail for Robert McBride while he awaits the outcome of his
   appeal to the Mozambique Supreme Court 

Resolution on a Young Communist League (YCL)

This Congress

Noting:

1. The outstanding role played by the youth of our country in the struggle
   for national liberation and socialism.
2. The enormous enthusiasm  for the SACP among the youth.
3. The significance of the youth as a critical part of the working class and
   other progressive forces in the ongoing national democratic struggle and the
   struggle for socialism.
4. The strong views within the SACP both for and against the formation of a
   Young Communist League (YCL).

Therefore resolves:

1. The Central Committee facilitates a thorough discussion within the ranks
   of the SACP on whether we should establish a YCL.
2. A document to facilitate this discussion should be prepared by the Central
   Committee, in consultation with our branch, district and provincial
   structures, within 4 months of this Congress.
3. To, at all times, work closely with the SACP Youth Desks which are to be
   established soon, to facilitate this process.
4. Discussions should also be held with our Alliance partners, particularly
   the ANC Youth League,  and broader democratic movement structures,
   including SASCO, COSAS and other progressive youth organisations.
5. A decision on whether to establish a YCL or not, should be made by July
   1999.