4 March 2015
The South African Communist Party in the Moses Mabhida Province held its annual Lekgotla on the 28th of February-1st of March 2015 in Durban. The Lekgotla was also attended by the Provincial Executive Committee of YCL and strategically deployed cadres. The main purpose of the Lekgotla was to map up the programme of SACP in the Province emanating from the resolutions of the 7th Provincial Congress recently held in UMzimkhulu in the beginning of January 2015. It then also covered topical issues from the State of the Nation, the Budget Speech to the State of the Province Addresses. The unpalatable development in the ruling Party in Ethekwini Region did not escape the attention of the Lekgotla.
The Lekgotla voiced its satisfaction on the state of the nation address delivered by the president Cde Jacob Zuma on 12 February 2015. The SONA covered a wide variety of issues which are starting to address the 2nd phase of a more radical socio-economic transformation much to the dissatisfaction of the opposition. The opposition are now starting to be open on their discomfort when the government move aggressively towards addressing the fundamental issues that are at the centre of socio-economic imbalances caused by more than three centuries of colonial and apartheid conquest. At the centre of the destabilization project against our government, the ruling Party and its Alliance, led by the opposition and the large section of mainstream media, is the bold initiative undertaken by Zuma lead government to aggressively push for programmes that start to address the real and fundamental challenges of South Africa of inequality, poverty and unemployment.
The Lekgotla further condemned the persistent conduct of the opposition in undermining institutions of democracy if they are seen to attend issues that are bias to the poor and the working class. The Lekgotla fully supported the action of the speaker and the assembly in confronting this undermining and destabilizing agenda of the opposition. These unacceptable behaviours of the opposition and the section of the mainstream media should be located in e very disturbing worldwide development currently taking place, that of killing social democracy in favour of liberalism and fascism. This latter is encouraged by the attitude of the triumphalism of the capital. This is the biggest threat facing the poor and the working class internationally.
The Lekgotla welcomed the nine point plan announced by the President, the 50/50 sharing of the commercial farms between the workers and the farm owners, the insourcing of basic services in the health sector (we call for the same in the education sector) and many other progressive announcements that came out of the speech. The Lekgotla further understood the constraints that faced the budget. The crisis of capitalism surely affected how government can move on issues of budget. But we strongly believe that it should have not raised personal tax without raising company tax. Currently there is an investor strike so by not raising company tax the citizens get punished through the behaviour and conduct of the investors.
The Lekgotla also welcomed the State of the Province Address delivered by the Premier Senzo Mchunu on the 27th of February 2015. The SACP believes that the SOPA was comprehensive and directly dealt with the fundamental challenges facing the province. The Lekgotla noticed the comments of the opposition downplaying if not rubbishing very important initiatives to address socio-economic challenges of the province. The SACP would have been worried if the kind of opposition we have accepted the speech. Initiative to address matters of the Royal Household, focus on building township economy, which must be done together with rural or village economy, resuscitation of mining towns, initiatives of ocean economy and many others must be commanded. The Lekgotla re-affirmed its full confidence on the leadership of the President of the Republic of South Africa and the ANC as well as the Premier and Chairperson of ANC in Kwazulu-Natal.
There was a serious concern raised on the developments in COSATU and Ethekwini Region of the ANC. The two structures are considered very important Pillars of the liberation movement and their stability must be taken to remain sacrosanct. The conduct and action of the General Secretary of Cosatu and five affiliates of the federation is very disturbing yet these affiliates are taken as very important in bringing the stability in Cosatu. Cosatu should avoid elite "pacting" at the expense of ordinary members at the shop floor. On Ethekwini Region of the ANC the Lekgotla voiced its serious concern on the unfortunate development and bad publicity received by the Region. The SACP considered the ANC Ethekwini Region as the central pillar of the organization in KwaZulu Natal and is in the economic hub of the province. Speedily resolving of Ethekwini impasse will be positive for the stability of the Province as a whole.
The SACP in Moses Mabhida is worried about signs of an effort to destabilize KZN and consider this as part of a concerted attack on the President and the ANC. The Province and Ethekwini Region are seen as the pillar and strength behind ANC and the President. The SACP in Moses Mabhida strongly believe that the ANC Leadership in the Province does have the capacity to bring order and stability at the Ethekwini Region. The Lekgotla further condemned the burning of ANC offices in Emalahleni Region and called for speedily arrest of the perpetrators of this callous act.
The SACP in Moses Mabhida welcomed the returns of prominent leaders of the SACP, the former long-time General Secretary of SACP Cde Moses Kotane and Central Committee member Cde J.B. Marks from Moscow in the former Soviet Union. May their returns revive us in realizing the importance and prominence of the struggle of the working class, the value and importance of the alliance and its writing and the preservation of the congress tradition of our liberation movement.
The SACP in the province commanded the success of the SAPS in the province in fighting crimes. The breakthrough in Kwandengezi will go a long way to solve the mystery killings in that township hoping the investigation will be clinical to bring a closure in this matter. We also believe the recent arrest will bring light to the assassination of former Councillor Cde Siphiwe Phansi. However there is still no progress in the killing of SACP Branch Secretary of Ward 43 Cde Zwane on the eve of what was seen as a much contested BGM of ANC at Ethekwini Region. The SACP is very concerned in the handling of the investigation and will soon request an audience with the Commissioner. We applaud the success of the Police in solving the Taxi Violence in Stanger hoping soon the Police will bring closure to this carnage. The MEC for Safety and Liaison in KwaZulu Natal Cde Willies Mchunu also deserves a special recognition of his selfless and tireless commitment to fight crime and bring peace and stability in the Province.
Lastly the SACP calls for the lowering of food prices in the light of the massive drop in petrol prices, failure to respond to this call the Party will organize major picketing at all the major retail shops.
Issued by the SACP Moses Mabida Province
Contact:
Provincial Secretary - Themba Mthembu
Mobile: 083303 6988