Message of Congratulations to the South African Communist Party on its 90th Anniversary from the Communist Party of Finland
Dear Comrades
The Communist Party of Finland sends fraternal greetings and solidarity to the South African Communist Party on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of its foundation. Throughout its history the SACP has proven to be a example of a vanguard party in providing socialist leadership and interwoven innovative theory and practice to the struggle in South Africa against colonialism and apartheid.
The South African struggle against colonial and apartheid racism and capitalism has always had strong ramifications far beyond South Africa’s borders.
The integrity, strategic intelligence and astute example of the African National Congress during the years of liberation struggle and more recently in the even tougher effort to reconstruct and develop South Africa have to a great extent been due to the input of the SACP. Finnish communists remain greatly attached to and inspired by the SACP.
The CP of Finland remembers the great work of such towering South African communists of past years as Bill Andrews, Moses Kotane, Joe Slovo, Ruth First, Ray Alexander, Walter Sisulu, Bram Fischer, Chris Hani, and others.
The calibre of such communists and the fact that their example persists in the world movement for socialism is part of the historical achievement of the SACP.
The CP of Finland extends its solidarity to you also as your 90th birthday comes at a time of heightened struggle against capitalism and the legacies of colonialism and apartheid in South Africa, and in particular against
new neo-liberal, right wing and anti-communist agendas.
Your struggle is important not just for your country but for the southern African region, and indeed for the African continent as a whole. The 12th International Meeting of the Communist and Workers` Parties held in South
Africa was one example of your important international and internationalist role.
The CP of Finland will continue to make the struggle in South Africa known in Finland and to work in cooperation with the SACP to create firm bases of practical mutual solidarity.
Viva the South African Communist Party!
Helsinki 25.7.2011
Communist Party of Finland
Yrjö Hakanen
chairman