Update: Mpumalanga Congress of the South African Communist Party, 18-20 September 2009

19 September 2009

Nzimande address the Mpumalanga 7th Congress

The 7th Congress of the SACP in Mpumalanga opened with a vibrant start yesterday 18 September 2009. It was spiced by the address of its General Secretary, Dr. Blade Blade Nzimande, who is also a Minister of Higher education in the Jacob Zuma Administration.

The General Secretary opened by his address to the estimated 450 delegates from the branches of the SACP throughout Mpumalanga, alliance and guests from various organizations. Speaking about some concerns about his role as Minister of Higher Education, Nzimande said "This tendency of reducing me to be a General Secretary of Higher Education and Training than that of the Communist Party, people should understand that I am the General Secretary of the SACP, who from time to time will be mandated to convey the SACP message to the people of this country and the world. And I would like to assure this congress and all members of the party that I will continue to speak for the SACP on whatever issue I am delegated to speak on no matter what it is and to whom they are directed without fear or fail."

He further presented a preparatory discussion document for the special national congress for the delegates to reflect on and enrich as the SACP prepares for the Special National Congress. The document assesses the current Global conjuncture, the Great Recession and proposes how the country should position itself to respond to this situation and to continue build working class hegemony on the terrain of a National Democratic Struggle.

Nzimande questioned the tendency by government to operate in silos without maximizing impact or speaking to the priority needs of the communities. He thus indicated that there was a need to examine the relevance of the three spheres of government and assess as to whether they are not compounding the delivery mechanisms by adding unnecessary layer or layers of bureaucracy that do not add value to the quality of service delivery. We should pay attention to the current services delivery analyse them to establish a proper understanding around them. "In as much as we should blame violence that goes with some of the community protest that we are currently witnessing, we should interrogate the extent to which our bureaucracy, our fragmented delivery, arrogance of our government officials and failure by some of our councilors to account to communities play a role in these protests. We should interrogate as to whether it is not a reflection of capitalism in a crisis – failing to deliver jobs and provide necessary resources to deliver services, as well as its inherent individualistic value system that tend to corrupt the state for self-enrichment purposes." Nzimande added.

Nzimande blames the global economic melt down to the capitalist system, which has proven over the years to survive through a crisis that get to be saved by government each time the cycle completes itself. He indicated that Capitalists criticize socialism, while to the contrary keep capitalism afloat though cyclical bail-outs by government during recession. A simple hypocrisy that seeks to favour what he terms "nationalization of debts than Natural Resources and banks."

He also indicated that South Africa`s Transformation of society must not be limited to state and social sector, but also touch the economic development means including productive mode and its leadership. "We have to move away from primary production, like mining, to the secondary sectors of manufacturing and value addition." Nzimande said.

He also called for the transformation of Apartheid geography – economical, social and services. He welcomes the intention to close the distance between places of work and of living through sustainable integrated Human Settlements. "We should pay attention to issues of health amenities in our communities and access. We believe that the National Health Insurance will play a major role in de-racializing and improving access; Education facilities; Culture and sporting facilities and decent housing" added Nzimande.

Nzimande warned congress delegates about the growing tendency to use of public office to access business, which he said was dangerous and detrimental to the development of SMME`s and Cooperatives.

Nzimande called on all delegates to go out and build working class hegemony on the terrain of a national Democratic Struggle, through our "Know your Neighborhood"; to participate in the formation of street committees; participate in organs of civil society, such as Hospital Boards and School Governing Bodies, as well as participating in the building and strengthening of Trade Unions in the work place.

The congress shall continue until tomorrow, the 20th of September 2009 and is expected to pass resolutions, adopt a programme, and elect a new provincial Leadership.

Issued by SACP Mpumalanga

Contact:
Bonakele Majuba,
Provincial Secretary
Cell: 0829684877

Or

Lucky Mbuyane
Organising Secretary
Cell: 0823515804