It’s all systems go for SACP elective conference

The SA Communist Party (SACP) says it’s all systems go for its elective conference set to get underway today in Gauteng, where the congress’ members will elect new leadership for the communist party.

It’s a strenuous start for this year’s conference as the party will have to choose a new dawn as the long-serving general secretary Blade Nzimande has asked to step down as the bigwig for SACP.

The outgoing secretary general who has been at the helm of the SACP for past 24 years, said he has come to the conclusion to hand over what he labels ‘a much stronger SACP to the younger generation’.

“I am handing over a much larger Communist Party than it has ever been in its 101 years now there is no doubt about that. It’s a much stronger Communist Party in the sense it has got a presence throughout our nine provinces, in many communities, in urban areas, townships, informal settlements and in the rural areas, I am now handing the baton to the next generation – young roaring lions,” said Nzimande.

Nzimande took over the baton from Charles Ngqakula in 1998 and he was the second longest serving leader of the communist party after Moses Kotane.

During the tenure of Nzimande, the SACP has become a home of over 300 000 members from 10 000 in 1998.

Kasi Voice News has learnt that three provinces including Gauteng, Northern Cape and the KwaZulu-Natal are calling for Nzimande to return but this time as a national chairperson.

According to the communist party’s spokesperson, Alex Mashilo, the SACP has been given a thumbs up to proceed with its conference with no objections.