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The South African Communist Party (SACP) in KwaZulu-Natal no Sunday, 11 July 2021, llaunched its year-long centenary celebration programme which will be characterized by commemorative events that address social issues affecting communities.

Speaking during the virtual launch, SACP Provincial Secretary, Cde Themba Mthembu described the 100th year of the SACP as a major milestone in the history of South Africa because of the role the party played in SA’s liberation struggle.

Mthembu made a clarion call to all SACP alliance partners and all sectors of society to join the party as its celebrate 100 years of its existence.

“Our theme is: celebrating our centenary and strengthening communist activism-the year of mass activism. We would like to work with different structures in reinforcing our programme of ensuring that South Africa puts people before profit, addresses hunger, improves healthcare and water needs.”

Cde Mthembu said the SACP's centenary milestone coincided with that of the Communist Party of China.

“This is an extraordinary milestone of the international communist cause. We have no doubt that fathers of Socialism, Cde Karl Marx and Cde Friedrich Engels, are pleased to see that their teachings continue to flourish right up to the 21st century.”

Cde Mthembu’s address also touched on many latest political developments in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and across the globe.

ON VIOLENT PROTESTS IN KWAZULU-NATAL

Cde Mthembu said it was regrettable that the launch took place when KZN was engulfed by sporadic violent protests organized in opposition to the imprisonment of former President of the Republic Cde Jacob Zuma.

He said it was concerning that scores of vehicles are being stoned and millions worth of public infrastructure businesses looted and damaged. Some workers have not been able to reach their places of work, he added.

“It is regrettable that we find ourselves in this situation and appeal for an urgent solution to the current situation. Cde Zuma played a significant role in bringing about peace and stability in this province hence held in high esteem by the people KZN and therefore the demonstration should not only be viewed as mere ethnic chauvinism as there is a strong emotional attachment between a sizeable number of people of KZN and Cde Zuma.”

ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS

Mthembu said that the SACP in KZN would throw its full weight behind the ANC as it prepares for the local government elections, adding to that it had always been the party’s intention to see the ruling party winning elections overwhelmingly.

The SACP was, however, disappointed and concerned by what it was witnessing in terms of the performance of municipalities, which had been tolerated for far too long and it has had adverse impact on people on the ground.

“The recent Auditor General’s report paints a gloomy picture about the state of our municipalities particularly here in our province and a lot needs to be done to remedy the situation. The A.G Report on 2019-2020 municipal audit outcomes 26 billion in irregular expenditure and raise concern about the ongoing use of consultants.”

It was also appalling that over R1 billion worth of tenders have been awarded to government officials and that R600 million worth of tenders have been awarded to political officials.

“These are issues that we will raise with the ANC as we nominate candidates for local government elections. We want people who will not do things that compromise our movement. We will also not accept any imposed candidate against the wishes of the community.”

ON CHALLENGES AROUND COVID-19

Cde Mthembu said it was encouraging that countries with lower infections and fatalities were Socialist states which put the people first as compared to capitalist economies led by America which put profits first. Struggling economies like Cuba and Vietnam manage to do better than America and our country South Africa, he added.

“This clearly demonstrate that the spread of the virus can be stopped only if countries have a will and put people first,” said Mthembu

He said the SACP was concerned about what he called “vaccine imperialism” which saw struggling economies being discriminated. “Here in South Africa, the prioritization of Western vaccines which are not easy to obtain contributes immensely to covid-19 related deaths. We are not happy that South Africa only uses Covid-19 vaccines from the Western countries only.”

The SACP was of the view that the hesitancy to open for vaccines from China, Cuba was driven by ideology rather than science.

Issued by The SACP in KwaZulu-Natal