Solly Mapaila has been elected unopposed as the new general secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP) at the party’s 15th national congress in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.
SACP national congress
Mapaila, who was previously the SACP’s first deputy general secretary, takes over from Blade Nzimande after 25 years at the helm of the party. Nzimande was elected as the SACP’s national chairperson.
The other elected national office bearers elected were Thulas Nxesi, Madala Masuku and Joyce Moropa as deputy national chairperson, first deputy general secretary, and national treasurer, respectively.
The SACP’s elective conference is expected to conclude on Saturday.
Relevance of tripartite alliance
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday defended the longstanding alliance between the African National Congress (ANC) and the SACP, hitting back at critics who say the partnership remained outdated and irrelevant.
The ANC is in a tripartite alliance with the SACP and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) that was formed during the struggle against apartheid.
Ramaphosa told delegates at the SACP’s congress the governing party remained firmly committed to the alliance and backed calls for the reconfiguration of the partnership.
“As many have called for the dissolution of the alliance [and] as many have called it an outdated and irrelevant alliance – we have continued to work together to advance the interests of the people of South Africa, in particular, the poor and the working class,” he said.
The ANC-led alliance has in the recent past been fraught with challenges over decision-making and the government’s policy direction, with calls for the reconfiguration of the partnership.
The SACP had also threatened to withdraw its support for the ANC at the polls and contest elections independently due to corruption and state capture scandals bedeviling the ANC.
In other news – WATCH: SK Khoza finally addresses his viral s.e.x video
Popular South African actor Sthembiso Khoza affectionately known as SK Khoza discussed his current career development, the leaked s.e.x tape that violated his privacy, and his outrageous videos that circulated on social media in the past few months.
In the interview with KZN’s biggest commercial radio station Gagasini FM, Khoza candidly spoke about his outrage, claimed to have been experiencing what could easily be described as a spiritual awakening, Learn More
