The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) congratulates the South African Communist Party on its 103 years of struggles on behalf of the working class. 

Throughout its history, the SACP, has proven itself to be a reliable ally of workers, a pillar of support for the trade union movement, a champion of a non-racial and non-sexist democracy,  and a fearless opponent of corruption and state capture.

From the earliest days of the liberation struggle, the SACP’s predecessor, the Communist Party of South Africa, was the first organisation to demand a non-racial democracy and to open its doors to all South Africans.

The SACP proved to be an indomitable opponent of the apartheid regime, pre-empting its attempts to liquidate it and shifting to underground struggles.  Despite facing the most brutal suppression, it played a key role in the Congress of the People at Kliptown and the drafting of the Freedom Charter, which laid the foundation for our progressive Constitution today.

The party helped open the doors of international solidarity for the liberation movement from the then Soviet Union and the socialist fraternity of nations.

Since the democratic breakthrough of 1994, the SACP and its deployees to government led by the African National Congress, have helped ensure that 60% of the budgets are dedicated towards uplifting working-class communities and the massive investments made in the social wage from social security providing a lifeline to 27 million compatriots, to subsidised public housing, transport and education.

In the face of attempts to roll back the gains of the National Democratic Revolution, through the rise of neo-liberalism and austerity, the SACP has stood firm in defence of a capacitated developmental state.

During the decade of state capture and corruption, the party mobilised the working class in opposition to this betrayal of the National Democratic Revolution and the nation.

As we navigate the uncharted waters of the government of national unity, the sobriety of vision of the SACP, will be more important than ever as we defend the rights of workers, the gains achieved since 1994, accelerate the transformation agenda and build the foundations of a socialist society, through the roll out of the National Health Insurance, Comprehensive Social Security, free education amongst others.

COSATU is proud of the role the SACP has played over these 103 years of principled struggles and is comforted knowing the party will continue to play its role as the vanguard party of the working class.

Issued by COSATU

For more information, please contact:

Matthew Parks

Parliamentary Coordinator

Cell: 082 785 0687

Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za