COSATU-SACP Mpumalanga Bilateral Statement
14 February 2014
The South African Communist Party (SACP) and Congress of South African Trade Union (COSATU) in Mpumalanga Province convened a bilateral as the progressive left-axis on Thursday, 13 February 2014. The meeting was held in Emalahleni, and assessed the relations of the two organisations, the alliance and developed a joint program. The meeting received and considered Political inputs, presented by SACP Provincial Secretary Cde Bonakele Majuba and COSATU Provincial Secretary Cde Fidel Mlombo.
The meeting took place few days after the historic day of the 11th February. This day will remain inscribed in our hearts remembering the year 1990 when political parties were unbanned and the revolutionary icon Cde Nelson Mandela was released from prison - NOT as a voluntary decision by the apartheid regime, but as a result of our liberation struggle and particularly the role played by masses of our people.
Alliance Relations
The SACP and COSATU appreciate the unity between these two structures and the continued bilateral meetings which are always successful. Both COSATU and SACP commit to maintain high level of unity, political maturity and increase collaboration between the two formations of our socialist axis in the province.
COSATU and SACP are worried and concerned by the reluctance from the leader of the alliance in the province - ANC, to convene Alliance political councils which will pave a way forward in building a strong and united alliance. Bilateral meetings with the ANC fail to achieve the desired objective due to lack of political will and leadership to ensure the unity of our revolutionary alliance.
The two organisations will work together in ensuring a united and campaigning alliance exists in the province. Both organisations commit to protect and defend the ANC against the imperialist and counter-revolutionary forces who are bent on pursing an agenda to derail the NDR. The ANC is a broad-church and a contested terrain, hence lumpen-tenderprenuers have hijacked our movement in the province for personal and material gains, which is the root cause of the corruption we are facing.
We commit to combat, defeat and isolate any tendency which seeks to undermine unity and cohesion in Mpumalanga especially during this crucial time of elections.
The National Democratic Revolution
We believe the NDR is still on track and the African National congress remains the beacon of hope to the poor and the working class in South Africa. We will continue to give necessary support to the ANC-led government in moving the people of South Africa forward.
The relation between SACP and COSATU is informed by our ideological identity in the quest for Socialism and we believe the National Democratic Revolution is a direct route to socialism.
Despite challenges which are there in the movement and triple challenges which affect the poor and the working class, we will never attempt to leave the ANC.
The imperialists are on an offensive against the unity of the federation, the alliance and South Africa in general. We will jealously guard against imperialist attempts to destroy the tripartite alliance. The imperialist agents and lumpen-tenderprenuers will never defeat the strength of the working class.
Counter-revolutionary forces are hell-bent in trying to dislodge the ANC and other COSATU affiliates. We will defend the National Union of Mineworkers from the strides by vigilante group and cohorts who masquerade with left rhetoric while advancing an imperialist agenda.
State of Municipalities
We note lack of capacity and quality services at other state institutions. This crisis is created when lumpen-tenderprenuers deploy incapacitated comrades in order to open doors for looting and collapsing the quest for service delivery.
The isolation of experienced comrades in the province is rife and informed by high level of patronage, dispersed by those who seek to remain relevant even when they lost touch with membership and the masses. We need to ensure a new cadre is developed in this decade of a cadre and not people who lack political consciousness and capacity.
Joint Program and Campaigns
We will work together to fight against labour-brokering, exploitation of workers, sky-rocketing toll gates fee and corruption in Mpumalanga. Political education is of paramount importance in fighting against political bankruptcy amongst our members.
We still reaffirm our commitment to the struggle for the total liberation of the masses in Swaziland, unconditional release of political prisoners and unbanning of political parties. We make a call to the ANC-led government to implement Mangaung resolutions on international relations and solidarity.
2014 General Elections
We are happy with the high turn-out during voter registration weekend and we call upon those not yet registered to do so at various municipalities. We call on all our members to actively participate in ANC election structures and branches in strengthening the capacity of the movement. A conscious and politically capacitated working class leader is relevant to advance the mandate our people gave to the ANC.
Issued by SACP and COSATU in Mpumalanga Province
Enquiries:
Bonakele Majuba - SACP Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 082 968 4877
Fidel Mlombo - COSATU Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 082 719 5699
