South African Communist Party facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
South African Communist Party
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Chairperson | Blade Nzimande |
| General Secretary | Solly Afrika Mapaila |
| First Deputy General Secretary | Madala Masuku |
| Second Deputy General Secretary | David Masondo |
| Founded | 12 February 1921 |
| Preceded by | International Socialist League |
| Headquarters | 4th Floor Cosatu House 110 Jorissen Street Johannesburg Gauteng |
| Newspaper | Umsebenzi |
| Youth wing | Young Communist League of South Africa |
| Membership (2015) |  220 000 |
| Ideology | Communism Marxism–Leninism |
| Political position | Far-left |
| National affiliation | Tripartite Alliance |
| International affiliation | IMCWP |
| Regional affiliation | Africa Left Networking Forum |
| Colours |
|
| Party flag | |
 |
|
The South African Communist Party (SACP) is a political party in South Africa. It believes in communism, which is an idea about how society should be organised. The SACP was started in 1921. Back then, it was called the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA).
In 1950, the government made the party illegal. So, the CPSA decided to close down for a while. But its members secretly started it again in 1953. This time, they called it the SACP. The party then worked to end apartheid, a system of unfair racial separation. Today, the SACP is part of the ruling Tripartite Alliance. This alliance includes the African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). Through this alliance, the SACP helps shape the South African government. The party's main decisions are made by its Central Committee.
Contents
History of the SACP
The Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) was formed in 1921. Different groups joined together, led by William H. Andrews. The party first became well-known during the Rand Revolt in 1922. This was a big strike by white miners.
Mining companies wanted to hire black workers for lower wages. White workers feared losing their higher-paying jobs. The CPSA supported the strike. They saw it as a fight between workers and rich business owners. However, the party did not support racist ideas. They said all workers, no matter their race, should unite. Their goal was a fair South Africa for everyone.
Changes and Growth
After the strike, the party changed its focus. In 1924, they decided to work more with black workers. They wanted to make the party more "African." By 1928, most of their members were black. The party also adopted a new idea. It said that South Africa belonged to its native Black people.
In 1946, the CPSA joined a big strike. This was the African Mine Workers' Strike. Many party members, like Bram Fischer, were arrested.
Fighting Against Apartheid
In 1948, the National Party came to power. They planned to ban the Communist Party. So, the CPSA decided to close down. They thought it was better to support the African National Congress (ANC). The ANC was working for majority rule. In 1950, the CPSA was officially made illegal.
In 1953, former CPSA members started the South African Communist Party (SACP). This new party worked secretly. It was still connected to the Soviet Union. The ban on the SACP was lifted in 1990. This happened when the ANC and other anti-apartheid groups were also unbanned. Nelson Mandela, an ANC leader, was also released from prison.
The National Party especially targeted the CPSA/SACP. They used the Suppression of Communism Act. This law was used against anyone who wanted to end apartheid.
After the party was banned, its members worked within the ANC. They helped the ANC change its goals. The ANC moved towards a non-racial approach. This meant all groups in South Africa should have equal rights. Black SACP members joined the ANC and took leadership roles. White SACP members formed the Congress of Democrats. This group worked with the ANC and others. Together, they formed the Congress Alliance.
The Congress Alliance created the Freedom Charter. This document described a democratic and non-racial South Africa. It said that "the people shall govern." The ANC, SACP, and other groups adopted this Charter. It became a key plan for a fair and equal South Africa. The SACP played a big part in creating the Freedom Charter. They also helped the liberation movement grow.
As the National Party became stricter, the ANC changed its approach. Leaders like Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu saw that peaceful protests were becoming impossible. They teamed up with communists to form Umkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation"). This group aimed to fight the apartheid government. Many leaders were arrested and jailed. The movement became weaker.
Communist nations helped the ANC with money and weapons. Slowly, the ANC rebuilt its presence in South Africa. They gained support from young South Africans. This happened especially after the Soweto uprising in 1976.
Eventually, changes happened both inside and outside South Africa. Many people, even apartheid supporters, knew change was needed. Long talks began. In 1994, the National Party was defeated. This ended 46 years of their rule.
After Apartheid
After the victory, many communists became important members of parliament. Nelson Mandela even appointed Joe Slovo as Minister for Housing. However, there were new challenges. The ANC's plans did not aim to end capitalism in South Africa. They relied on foreign money and tourism.
Joe Slovo believed that socialism had not worked well in Eastern Europe. He thought it was not a good model for South Africa. Nelson Mandela wrote in his book, Long Walk to Freedom:
The cynical have always suggested that the Communists were using us. But who is to say that we were not using them?
After Mandela passed away in 2013, the ANC confirmed he had been a member of the SACP. He had also served on its central committee.
The SACP has a lot of influence through the Tripartite Alliance. Many SACP members are on the ANC's NEC. The SACP often disagreed with President Thabo Mbeki (1999–2008). They did not like his economic policies. This became clear when Mbeki was removed from power. Jacob Zuma took his place. Zuma was seen as more open to the ideas of the SACP and COSATU.
At first, the SACP did not run in elections on its own. But in December 2017, the party ran in local elections in Metsimaholo. They did not win any ward seats directly. However, they gained three seats based on the total votes they received. The SACP got 3,270 votes in total (6.3%).
In 2015, President Jacob Zuma spoke to the South African Jewish Board of Deputies. He said that South African Jews helped organise the working class early on. Some Jewish activists were important leaders in the Communist Party.
General Secretaries
- 1921: William H. Andrews
- 1925: Jimmy Shields
- 1929: Douglas Wolton
- 1929: Albert Nzula
- 1932: J. B. Marks
- 1933: Moses Kotane
- 1936: Edwin Thabo Mofutsanyana
- 1938: Moses Kotane
- 1978: Moses Mabhida
- 1984: Joe Slovo
- 1991: Chris Hani
- 1993: Charles Nqakula
- 1998: Blade Nzimande
- 2022: Solly Afrika Mapaila
National Chairperson
- 1921: William H. Andrews
- 1925: Sydney Bunting
- 1931: Douglas Wolton
- 1933: Lazar Bach
- 1935: Issie Wolfson
- 1939: William H. Andrews
- 1953: Bram Fischer
- 2007: Gwede Mantashe
- 2017: Senzeni Zokwana
- 2022: Blade Nzimande
Important Members of the SACP Central Committee
- Michael Harmel
- Moses Kotane
- JB Marks
- Bram Fischer
- Jeremy Cronin
- Ruth First
- Chris Hani
- Ronnie Kasrils
- Mac Maharaj
- Nelson Mandela
- Govan Mbeki
- Thabo Mbeki
- Raymond Mhlaba
- Joe Slovo
- Yusuf Dadoo
- Blade Nzimande
- Sechaba "Charles" Setsubi
- Rob Davies
- George Mashamba
- Mfengu Makhalima
- Brian Bunting
- Kay Moonsamy
- John Nkadimeng
- Esther Barsel
- Charles Nqakula
- Judy Malqueeny
- Thenjiwe Mtintso
- John Gomomo
Veterans' Category
- Sydney Mufamadi
- Charles Nqakula
- Essop Pahad
- David Niddrie
- David Ivon Jones - founding member of the South African Communist Party
See also
In Spanish: Partido Comunista Sudafricano para niños
- List of communist parties
- African Communist
- Central Committee of the South African Communist Party
Literature
- Raising the Red Flag. The International Socialist League & the Communist Party of South Africa 1914 - 1932 by Sheridan Johns. Mayibuye History and Literature Series No. 49. Mayibuye Books. University of the Western Cape, Bellville. 1995. ISBN: 1-86808-211-3.
- Time Longer Than Rope by Edward Roux. The University of Wisconsin Press. Madison, Wisconsin. 1964. ISBN: 978-0-299-03204-3.
