SACP Gauteng PEC Statement

6 September 2011

1. Overview

The SACP Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held its scheduled plenary meeting on Sunday 4th September 2011 in Johannesburg, to assess the implementation of the SACP programmes and communicate the decisions of the Central Committee that was held on the 26 - 28 August 2011.

Provincial Political and Organisational Reports were presented and discussed. The PEC further discussed a number of practical measures to strengthen the Party as the vanguard of working class rooted in ideological work to advance working class and community struggles.

2. Repositioning of the party in Gauteng

Having analysed its work and the current balance of forces, the PEC resolved to reposition the party in the province, through the SACP’s Medium Term Vision (MTV) and South African Road to Socialism (SARS) by focusing on the following:

• Strengthening our work with trade unions;
• Waging our struggles alongside community struggles;
• Intensify the party’s political education programme;
• Strengthening the alliance through programmes and campaigns;
• Instilling discipline within our ranks through democratic centralism and internal party democracy;
• Intensify our campaign against corruption;
• Contesting the Gauteng growth trajectory so that it benefits the working class, the poor and the most vulnerable in society;
• Building the ANC through the SACP Voting District based branches.

3. ANC Disciplinary Process to the ANCYL NEC Members

Whilst re-affirming that the disciplinary action by the ANC against the ANC YL leadership is an internal ANC matter, the PEC condemns in the strongest sense the unruly conduct of protesters outside Luthuli House (ANC National Head Quarters) on Tuesday 30th August 2011.

Even more disturbing was the burning of ANC paraphernalia such as the flag, t-shirts and posters with faces of leaders like ANC President Comrade Jacob Zuma and Secretary General Gwede Mantashe. This includes the burning of a poster with the face of the SACP General Secretary and ANC NWC member comrade Blade Nzimande by the unruly and violent demonstrators.

Such behaviour should not be tolerated at any time within the movement as it constitutes serious ill-discipline. Clearly our National Democratic Revolution is being brought into disrepute which compels us to strengthen ideological training and levels of discipline (especially amongst the youth). There is also an urgent need to deal with some of the causes of this anti social and lumpen behaviour which the PEC identified as poverty, unemployment and inequality amongst others.

4. Political Education

The PEC resolved to strengthen its ongoing work among and with trade unions through political education and joint political programmes. The SACP Gauteng Province will also continue to play its role in ensuring that a culture of teaching and learning is restored especially amongst working class children in places like Soweto and Cosmo City.

5. E - Tolling System

Whilst we do not support the tolling of roads emanating from the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, our focus going forward is to influence and ensure that future infrastructure programmes mainly benefit the working class. We have noted with concern that most of the recent projects such as Gautrain have elitist elements and do not benefit the working class and their communities.

6. Youth and unemployment, poverty and inequality

The PEC is concerned by the rate of youth unemployment in the province and resolved to confront this issue head on as poverty and unemployment lead to many of the social ills. This is also compounded by high levels of poverty, inequality and lack of education. We shall be engaging the provincial government and relevant stakeholders to alleviate the plight of our youth.

In this regard, the PEC cautioned against the dangers of youth in distress or Lumpen Youth, borrowing from Karl Marx’s concept of Lumpen proletariat. With such vulnerabilities, such a group may be easily mobilised to fight the objectives of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) or destabilise the democratic state.

7. Defending the party and its leadership

The PEC reaffirmed its support to the SACP leadership and called upon all its members to defend the party against attacks from within and outside the party. Whilst creating space for internal democracy, the SACP Gauteng Province will not tolerate ill-discipline and anarchy within its ranks.

Issued on behalf of the SACP Gauteng PEC

Contact:
Acting Provincial Secretary: Jacob Mamabolo (082 884 1868)
Provincial Spokesperson: Pat Ntsobi (072 671 4258)