17 July 2011
The SACP takes this opportunity to wish the stalwart of our revolution and our icon, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, affectionately known by his clan name `Madiba`, a Happy 93th birthday.
For years as an ANC activist and a leader of the ANC, he led and served with selfless dedication and embodied values that have been adored beyond the realms of our national liberation movement. It is this, which he learned in struggle in the ANC and our Alliance that makes Madiba an international hero in the struggle for the liberation of humanity from all forms of oppression and discrimination. It is what the ANC and our Alliance have stood for, even in the face of ruthless persecution and demonisation as a `terrorist`.
Like most revolutionaries in our country, Madiba deeply valued the relationship between the SACP and the ANC. He particularly valued the dedication and role of South African communists in our national liberation struggle, and in the reconstruction of our country from the devastation wrought by the apartheid reime and it`s policies. In his honour, as South African communists, we pledge to work even harder to eradicate all forms of oppression and discrimination in our society, as well as confront its foundations, the capitalist system. Speaking about the alliance of the ANC and the SACP at the 9th National Congress in 1995, Madiba had the following to say about the relationship between the ANC and the SACP:
"It is a relationship that has detractors in abundance; a relationship that has its prolific obituary scribes. But it is a relationship that always disappoints these experts.
Because it was tempered in struggle. It is written in the blood of many martyrs. And, today, it is reinforced by hard-won victory...
Our alliance is therefore not a marriage of convenience. Neither is it a communion of similar organisations, which differ only in name.
We talk of an alliance precisely because we are two independent organisations with political platforms and long-term goals that do not necessarily converge."
Throughout his life Madiba was influenced by and influenced the ANC. He is what he is because of the ANC. He operated within the framework of organisational policies, discipline and decisions. Madiba`s understanding of the non racial principle of our movement for which he tirelessly campaigned for was, amongst others,elucidated by the ANC`s own principles and policies. In celebrating Madiba`s birthday we need to deepen the struggle for the creation of a truly non-racial South Africa with the correct understanding of the interconnectedness of race, class and gender in South Africa.
The SACP has noted now lately with disgust an attempt by some elite and even racist elements in society to try and define Madiba in isolation from the organisation that influenced and shaped his political commitment to the liberation of our people from political and economic bondage. Accompanying these opportunistic elements is to always pose their opposition to the ANC and its current leaders by using Madiba as a benchmark when they have no practical experience of what Madiba means and meant for the ANC and the millions of the workers and the poor of our country.
As we celebrate Madiba`s birthday and his legacy, we must recognise that the most immediate short term threat to his legacy is rampant corruption in the public and private sector, crass materialism and the use of our organisations as platforms for self accumulation. All these are in contrast to what Madiba came to represent and we must work hard to eradicate these from the fabric of our society.
We must fight poverty, unemployment and inequality to give meaning to his 93 years of sacrifice for the good of our people. The SACP is quite conscious that in order to achieve that we would have to deepen our fight against capitalism and its neo-liberal outlook which has resulted in this crisis that humanity faces today.
This July marks the 90th anniversary of the SACP. In celebrating this milestone, we will indeed also be remembering and celebrating the many leaders of the ANC who for decades were together in the trenches with the SACP.
The SACP wishes Madiba a joyful 93rd Birthday!!
Issued by the SACP
Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson - 082 226 1802