• Tweet

END OF AN ERA: Gwede Mantashe has not made himself available to be re-elected as SACP chairman

RELATED ARTICLES

• SACP endorses Gwede Mantashe

In giving his opening remarks yesterday during the SACP's national congress in KwaZulu-Natal, Mantashe said he had arrived at this decision after realising the impracticality of holding two full-time positions.

Mantashe is currently chairman of the SACP as well as secretary-general of the ANC.

He said: "It is not practical to hold two full-time positions in the SACP and ANC. It's just impossible. It's a disaster and leaves one to be an absentee chairperson of the party [SACP]."

But Mantashe did offer himself up for re-election to the SACP's central committee.

"Since this is not an ideological decision, one is prepared to serve in the central committee if nominated," he said.

Mantashe's party chairmanship could be taken up by National Union of Mineworkers president Senzeni Zokwana.

But elections might not be necessary if there is consensus on who should replace Mantashe.

Mantashe said SACP members would remain loyal to the decisions reached in the organisations to which they were deployed.

He said: "It is our party that has emphasised that communists serving in other organisations neither do so as communist cliques or factions, nor with any intention of usurping those formations."

"Communists were and are to be loyal to the decisions of such structures," he added.

Elements in the ANC, in particular the Youth League, have expressed concern at the SACP's growing influence in the alliance, arguing that the SACP's intension is to impose socialism on the ruling party.

Despite these concerns, Mantashe lauded the SACP for having its members in prominent ANC and government positions. He said having leaders serve in the NEC of the ANC was a sign that "communists are not communist members of the ANC, but members and leaders of the ANC ... "

- molatlhwao@sowetan.co.za

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Thu May 23 08:20:50 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 13, 2012

Tsar-Rasputin

Ja,right!!!

The main reason is that SACP is not loaded, we all no Russia is a broke ass "superpower" and he is aspiring for Deputy President

Ntate mogolo o, omaka
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

Baba_T

@Tsar-Ras
Aweh Ma se Kind. Well Said

Die Oupa dink ons is dom.

He has been holiding those positions all along and suddenly it is "not ideological".

He wants more power and realises that the SACP is a dead beat so he rather focus on the "BIG" fish the ANC.

ANC will bleed futher.
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

MGEEZ

How noble of you Mr Mantashe?? Then my grand mother is spider men!!!!
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

takadisman

He is only looking for attention
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

Mokwepa

didnt know that Gwede is SACP.
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

DJWinner

It is clear to him that he and Zuma will re-elected in Mangaung. Good for him to only focus on his SG job.
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

ngutha

@DJWinner
It is clear to him that he and Zuma will re-elected in Mangaung. Good for him to only focus on his SG job.
=================================

Are u sure they will be re-elected?
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

Segodithomas

He has learnt from Thabo Mbeki, Mangaung will have casualties and he is one of them. Juju factor is getting to him.
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

DJWinner

ngutha
@DJWinner
It is clear to him that he and Zuma will re-elected in Mangaung. Good for him to only focus on his SG job.
=================================

Are u sure they will be re-elected?
......................................................
You did not read my comment correctly. I said 'It is clear to him that he and Zuma will re-elected in Mangaung'. I did not say it is clear to me.
Report Abuse

Jul 13, 2012

SeshegoGuY

There are no Communists in RSA-- They are like Vegetarians who are Meat-eaters
Report Abuse

Read all 54 comments