Dear Comrades,
The Central Executive Committee of the Workers` Party of Ireland sends warm comradely greetings to the Central Committee of the South African Communist Party on the occasion of your 13th National Congress which is taking place at the University of Zululand at Kwadlangezwa on 11-15 July.
This is an important Congress taking place at a time of major crisis in the world capitalist system. The WPI recognises and salutes the stand of the SACP against capitalist exploitation and imperialist war and its consistent struggle to advance the interests of South African workers and, through your solidarity, the interests of the working people of the world.
In Ireland, Europe and beyond it is the communist and workers` parties who struggle against the anti-people offensive of the monopolies, the bourgeois class and their political representatives. The working people of Ireland are currently facing serious problems of unemployment, low salaries, high prices, exploitation and increasing attacks on social protection. The present strategy across Europe, as dictated by the EU/ECB/IMF troika, is to protect the ruling class and its institutions and to penalise workers for the failure of capitalism. Austerity measures and the anti-people economic and social policies of the capitalist class can only be defeated by organising workers, whose interests are irreconcilable with the interests of the capitalist class, in the struggle for socialism.
At a time of increasing imperialist aggression, particularly in the Middle East, it remains a vital task to oppose imperialism, neo-colonialism and all other forms of aggression, domination and exploitation. Through the increasing aggression of NATO and the creation of the US African Command (AFRICOM) the US is intent on firmly establishing itself in Africa to further facilitate imperialist domination and interference in the domestic affairs of African States and to guarantee, by force if necessary, the interests of the United States in the region.
The WPI recognises that your Congress also takes place in the centenary year of the ANC. The WPI salutes the heroic struggle of the SACP in the battle for national liberation, freedom and independence and to defeat the vile racist system of apartheid in which many courageous comrades lost their freedom and their lives. We salute the role and struggle of the SACP in your continuing demands for workers and peoples` rights and in your unswerving commitment to the national democratic revolution and to construct a socialist society.
The WPI applauds the militants of the SACP and wishes to take this opportunity to condemn the brutal murder of Comrade Owen Camagu in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, who was shot dead in his own home on Saturday, 23 June 2012, and to convey our sincere condolences to his family and comrades.
The Workers` Party of Ireland believes that your discussions will make a significant contribution to the advancement of the interests of the people of South Africa. The WPI sends its warmest wishes to the participants in the Congress and to the leadership and cadres of the SACP. We wish you continued success in your work and look forward to continuing solidarity and friendship between our two parties.
Yours in solidarity,
Gerry Grainger
International Secretary
Central Executive Committee
Workers` Party of Ireland
July 2012