01 December 2010
The South African Communist Party will be hosting the 12th International meeting of Communist and Workers Parties (ICWP) in Centrurion, Swan Lake Lodge Conference Centre, from 3-5 December 2010. It follows the successful hosting of the 1st Africa Left Network Forum (ALNEF) and 2ndAfrican Participatory Democracy Conference (APDC), held in Johannesburg in August 2010.
The meeting, which will be held on the African continent for the first time, marks an important achievement in the movement of international communist and workers’ parties, as it completes the circle of convening international meetings in all continents of the world. It will be attended by almost 60 communist and workers’ parties, representing 50 countries from all continents, and will address the theme:
“The deepening systemic crisis of capitalism. The tasks of Communists in defense of sovereignty, deepening social alliances, strengthening the anti-imperialist front in the struggle for peace, progress and Socialism”.
The General Secretary of the SACP will open the meeting on Friday the 3rd a and the President of the ruling party will also address the meeting on Friday at 16H00. Other speakers includes a representative of COSATU and the World Federation of Democratic Youth. See programme below.
As part of the meeting a public rally will be held on Friday the 3rd at the Johannesburg City Hall at 18H00. The rally is to demand the release of the 5 Cuban Heroes currently held in U.S. prison, serving four life sentences and 75 years collectively, after being wrongly convicted in U.S. federal court in Miami, on June 8, 2001. They are Gerardo Hernández, Ramón Labañino, Antonio Guerrero, Fernando González and René González.
The Five were falsely accused by the U.S. government of committing espionage conspiracy against the United States, and other related charges when in essence they risked their lives to infiltrate terrorist groups based in Miami who, with the knowledge of the FBI and the CIA, have been involved in countless terrorist activities against Cuba. Theirs was a just cause to prevent criminal activities and protect the lives of the Cuban people and many others.
Members of the press are hereby invited
For information contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson – 082 226 1802
3 – 5 December 2010
NB!! All open sessions to the media are in bold and italics
Venue: SWAN LAKE CONFERENCE CENTRE, WEST CENTURION
Thursday, 2nd December
Arrival of the Delegations
Friday, 3rd December
07.30-09.30 Breakfast
09:30 – 10:30 Registration
11.00-12.00 Inaugural & Open Session
Message of support from COSATU
Message of Support from WFDY
Key note address by SACP General Secretary, Cde Blade Nzimande
12.00-12.30 Tea-break
12.30-13.30 Plenary Session
13.30 - 14.30 Lunch
15.30 -16.00 Plenary Session
16.00 – 17.00 Address by ANC President Cde Jacob Zuma
17.00 -17.30 Tea-break
17.30- 18.30 Plenary Session
19.00 Cuban Solidarity & Free the Five Public Rally at the Johannesburg City Hall
Saturday, 4th December
07.30 - 09.30 Breakfast
Delegation of the 12th International meeting departs for the 25th Anniversary Rally of COSATU
09.30 - 11.00 Plenary Session Swan Lake Conference Centre
11.00 - 11.30 Tea-break
11.30 - 13.00 Plenary Session
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch
15.00 - 16.00 Plenary Session
16.00 - 16.30 Tea-break
16.30 – 19.00 Plenary Session
Upon Return Dinner/Networking at TBC (Venue) hosted South African partner
Sunday, 5th December
07.30 - 09.30 Breakfast @ Swan Lake Lodge & Conference Centre
09.30 - 11.00 Continuation of Plenary Session at Swan Lake
11.00 - 11.30 Tea-break
11.30 - 13.30 Discussions and adoption of the Johannesburg Declaration & Closing of the International Meeting
13.30 Lunch & Departure
Monday, 6 December
07.30 - 09.30 Breakfast @ Swan Lake Lodge & Conference Centre
All Day Free Activity/City-Tours and Political-Historical visits
Departures