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We, the most resolute detachment of the vanguard party of the working class, the SACP, in the Western Cape Province converged at the Cape Town Hotel in our 9th Provincial Congress from the 18th – 20th March 2022. The provincial congress brought together over 150 delegates, Central Committee deployees, Provincial Executive Committee, representatives of the Young Communist League and guests from the mass democratic movement, SACP stalwarts and the honoured guests from the Russian Embassy.

Our successful and united 9th Congress received fraternal messages of solidarity from the YCL and components of the Revolutionary Alliance namely SANCO, Cosatu and the ANC. The content of the political messages unanimously reaffirmed the historic role the Party played in revolutionising and uniting the Alliance as the most potent weapon in the hands of the toiling masses in South Africa. Delegates embraced the appeal by the leader of the Alliance that, “The primary preoccupation of our Alliance must be the immediate aims of the NDR. Communists must become a nucleus in rebuilding the liberation movement.”

The 9th Congress was dedicated to the unflinching revolutionary contribution of comrade Ray Alexander, an outstanding communist militant and a gallant revolutionary. We salute you Mam’ Ray and we pledge to honour your memory and never allow the red flag to fall. Long Live Ray Alexander, Long Live!

Delegates conducted extensive analysis of the global balance of forces; fluid geo-political developments and the tectonic shifts in the political economy; the broader crisis of global-monopoly capitalism, domestic balance of power and importantly the trajectory of the National Democratic Revolution. 

On the global balance of forces

As delegates, we are gravely concerned about the Western imperialist inspired conflict that is unfolding between Russia and Ukraine. We unapologetically characterise the crisis as Western imperialist sponsored conflict which is contrary to the dominant and biased view propagated by the bourgeoisie media.

We reaffirm the SACP’s position that the main source of the crisis is the US dominated military and war instrument, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) including the European Union. The US dominated NATO continues to perpetuate the undermining the existing security agreements to safeguard a buffer between NATO countries and Russia and various provisions of the Minsk agreements.

The coordinated sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus by the US primarily and the EU, on one hand, and threats of extending such sanctions on China, on the other, seek to use the crisis as a pretext by the US to reclaim its waning hegemony and uni-polarity in the global economic and political order. Not long ago, the US embarked on what was euphemistically called trade wars with China. This was nothing but bullying tactics by the US because the technological advancement and economic rise of China displaces US hegemony on the global political and economic system.

The pendulum is swinging leftwards. We have seen positive signs of the left consolidating state power in Latin America including Chile, Peru, Argentina and possibly Colombia and Brazil. In addition, the developments in Spain and Portugal also offer positive reinforcement on rejection of the failing capitalist system.

However, the US-dominated global order is increasingly battered by crisis and contradiction, and the balances of forces can change rapidly. Whilst the old order is refusing to die, inevitably a new order, not capitalist but also not yet socialist, is ’struggling to be born’. As a product of many struggles waged on different fronts and in diverse parts of the world, there are indications that the US is a declining superpower and its capacity to define globalisation and dominate the global order is weakening along with its economic dominance.

Pursuing a socialist oriented National Democratic Revolution

The theme for our 9th provincial congress declares: “People before profits – defend and advance a socialist oriented National Democratic Revolution for social justice.” This theme is instructive in terms of our collective declaration of our pledge to continue the relentless struggle against neoliberalism and ensure a socialist orientation of the NDR which will place the welfare of the working class at the centre.

The NDR and the Freedom Charter are neither capitalist nor explicitly socialist but constitute a minimum programme to resolve class, race and gender contradictions. We believe that the struggle against national domination and economic exploitation are intertwined. However, the neo-liberalisation of the NDR constitutes rerouting the trajectory of our revolution.

Therefore, we reaffirm our steadfast opposition to neo-liberal austerity, auctioning our state-owned entities and possibly succumbing to foreign ratings lending agencies such as the IMF and World Bank. We remain clear that “imperialism is the highest stage of capitalism” as Lenin once observed. On this basis the more than 100 years of unbroken struggle was simultaneously against national domination as well as imperialist domination. We cannot allow imperialism by the back door and sacrifice our national and economic sovereignty.

Further, on the trajectory of the NDR, we make abundantly clear that what the working class in South Africa need is a rupture with capitalism. We are unapologetic that the second phase of the NDR must be distinguishable by its class content. Hence, we call for a “socialist oriented NDR for social justice.”

The scourge of neo-apartheid in the Western Cape

We note the reactionary posture of the Democratic Alliance government in the Western that is governing in favour and in the interest of the minority. The Western Cape is the last bastion of racism in this country. The DA’s logic of development remains biased against the majority.

The DA deliberately neglects service delivery needs of the working-class communities which is visible in bulk infrastructure decay including sewerage and stormwater systems in townships. Services like street lights, roads and drains are in a state of disrepair to a point where they pose a threat to safe and liveable communities. The DA’s inability to meet the housing demands leads directly to astronomical growth of informal settlements without basic services which condemns people to inhumane conditions of existence.

Rather than focus on these developmental priorities of the people as enshrined in the constitution the DA wants to arrogate powers to itself in terms of police and even intelligence services, the transport system, the harbours etc. These naked power grabbing tactics are unconstitutional. Its tired tactics of diversion to blame national government and deception of not taking responsibility for its failures has now been exposed and people are voting with their feet.

On the implications of oil and gas explorations in the Western Cape

We embrace the mixed energy approach to ensure energy security and supply for economic prosperity. We note the developments in oil and gas exploration and prospecting along our coastline in particular in the West Coast and Southern Cape. We implore government to broaden consultation with the fish dependent coastal communities to ensure protection and sustainable livelihoods.

Further, as communists we understand that conservationist politics are not neutral. Importantly, on the process and exploration and prospecting, our firm principle is that non-invasive technologies must be used to ensure environmental integrity and the preservation of the ecosystem.

Conclusion

As we rise from this historic congress, we recommit our firm conviction of building elements of, capacity for and momentum towards socialism. On this basis we declare for all to know that we will fight for ultimate realisation of a socialist oriented National Democratic Revolution.

Forward to Socialism! 

The Newly elected PEC is as Follows:

Benson Ngqentsu – Provincial Secretary

Anthony ‘Toon’ Dietrich – Provincial Chairperson

Ernest Theron – Provincial Treasurer

Sonwabile Ngxiza – 1st Deputy Provincial Secretary

Nokulunga Sofoyiya – Deputy Chairperson

Masonwabe Sokoyi – 2nd Deputy Provincial Secretary

Additional Members

1.    Mthetho Thunzi

2.    Mcebisi Mnconywa

3.    Shaanaz Isaacs

4.    Wenzile neil

5.    Bongiwe Duba

6.    Pamela Harris

7.    Beauty Stoffels

8.    Andrew Madella

9.    Christopher Maans

10. Simnikiwe Mbhalo

11. Lutho Mhlontlo

12. Ntombomzi Mjajubana

13. Patrick Raulane

14. Baxolise Mali

15. Pinky Mnkayo

16. Nandi Andries

17. Lungelo Nokwaza

18. Nonzaliseko Mzizi

19. Sbongile Kwazi

Issued by The SACP