South African Communist Party
14 December 2021 By Song Tao As the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) celebrate their centenaries in the year 2021, it is of great significance that we take stock of the 100-year struggle of both parties so as to deepen our solidarity and cooperation, and bring greater benefits to our two peoples. At the outset, I wish to extend warm congratulations on the centenary of the SACP and salute the SACP for the important contributions it has made to the national liberation and independence as well as to the explorations and development of the socialist cause in South Africa. Being the largest and most influential Marxist political party in Africa and taking Marxism as its guide, the SACP, for the last century, has provided theoretical guide for the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) in South Africa, and played a historic role in the struggle for the emancipation of the black poor, the dismantling of the apartheid regime, and the founding of the new South Africa. In the post-1994 period, the SACP, while holding high the banner of “Socialism is the Future, Build it Now!” in its relentless efforts to build the New South Africa, has stayed committed to the ANC-led Alliance and relied on the working class and the poor, as it persisted in advancing the NDR and in marking socialist explorations in light of the national realities. The century-long struggle of the SACP testifies to the tenacious vitality of scientific socialism. The SACP has been among the pioneers in South Africa and indeed in Africa to develop contacts with the CPC. As early as in 1947, the news on the opening of the SACP national congress appeared on the People’s Daily, the official organ of the CPC Central Committee. In the early days of the People’s Republic, both Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai devoted particular care to supporting the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. SACP leaders including Yusuf Dadoo visited China on many occasions and found their warmest welcome from the CPC and the Chinese people. The special bond of “camaraderie +brotherhood” between our two parties has developed further in recent years as highlighted by the frequent interactions between top leadership and the growing depth of our exchanges. In the wake of COVID-19, we have strengthened cooperation on pandemic response and maintained active contact through cloud meetings. What we have done together served to inject powerful impetus to the development of relations between our two parties and two countries. We wish to place on record our heartfelt appreciation for the SACP’s consistent stance on the one-China principle and valuable support it has rendered on issues regarding China’s core interests and major concerns such as those related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang and the South China Sea. On our part, the CPC will as always continue to deliver our support to the just causes of the SACP. Having pulled through a magnificent century of arduous struggle, the 100-year-old party is at its prime and becoming stronger as never before. As the centenary of the CPC approaches in 2021, we recall the glorious century in which the CPC has stayed true to its original aspiration and founding mission, in which a solid foundation has been laid against all odds, and in which the outstanding achievements have opened a new horizon for the future. Under the leadership of the CPC, the Chinese people have made the historic leap from independence to prosperity and strength. At present, in the run-to to the grand centenary celebrations, the CPC has launched an intensive Party history study and education…
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The CPC and the SACP at 100: Celebrating Our Centenaries and Embarking on our Brand New Journey