Business Day
*Nzimande backs Zuma for his 'many advances'* *Natasha Marrian, Business Day, Johannesburg, 26 March 2012*AS PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma fends off attacks on many fronts over his leadership, South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary Blade Nzimande has come to his defence, saying many advances have been made since he took over the reins of the African National Congress (ANC) in 2007.
Mr Nzimande jumped to Mr Zuma's defence at the weekend, referring to the president by his clan name, "Msholozi", amid criticism of his leadership from many quarters, including ANC ally the Congress of South African Trade Unions.
Mr Zuma is likely to be challenged by his deputy, Kgalema Motlanthe , for the ANC's top job in Mangaung in December.
Speaking at the SACP Gauteng elective conference in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, Mr Nzimande said people like former director-general in the Presidency Frank Chikane were trying to "derail" the revolution by writing about Thabo Mbeki 's recall from the government.
"Before Polokwane, we were talking the language of privatisation in this country. That language is gone in government. That is a very important advance. As the SACP, we called for an industrial policy. That industrial policy is there now as part of government policy," he said.
"We are not saying there are no problems, but we are seeing all these advances and we are aware that this actually poses a threat to certain interests who would like to build a tendered state rather than a revolutionary state. This ... is threatening to engulf our movement if we don't maintain our unity."
Mr Nzimande urged the SACP to build unity with its alliance partners, in particular trade union federation Cosatu. The unity between Cosatu and the SACP was "built in blood" and was "sacrosanct", he said, but warned that there were people seeking to "cause problems".
"We are hearing some noises from some ... who are actually beginning to occupy themselves by trying to cause a stress between SACP and Cosatu ... they are not going to succeed," he said.
Earlier this month, National Union of Metalworkers general secretary Irvin Jim reportedly accused the SACP leadership of being "confused" due to its leaders occupying positions in the government.
Mr Nzimande and his deputy, Jeremy Cronin, are both Cabinet ministers --- and Cosatu has raised concern over this, saying the SACP needs its general secretary to run the party full time.
Critics have accused the SACP leadership of taking a soft stance towards the government on issues facing the poor since the two assumed government positions.
"There is no contradiction between being a communist and a communist leader and being in government," Mr Nzimande said. "Our own programme instructs all communists to be in all key terrains and fronts of struggle and we must not leave an inch to the enemies and our detractors to our revolution."
Mr Nzimande is likely to remain in his position as the party general secretary when the SACP holds its national elective conference in July.
Some provinces are adamant that Mr Nzimande, Mr Cronin and chairman Gwede Mantashe should retain their posts.
A member of the central committee said the feeling in the party was that Mr Nzimande should stay, but the provinces differed on whether this should be on a full-time or part-time basis.
Insiders feel that if he leaves the government, the "progressive" emerging block in the Cabinet --- which includes Economic Development Minister Ebrahim Patel --- will be weakened. On the other hand, the party has grown considerably under Mr Nzimande, but those on the ground are now "crying out for leadership".
Party membership almost doubled since January 2009 and its base is now predominantly among the black working class, according to the party.
Its membership grew from 19385 in 2002 to 51874 in 2007 and from 80000 in January 2009 to 150000 to date.
Many provinces are looking at the possibility of having three general secretaries to deputise for Mr Nzimande in order to strengthen the party at headquarters level.
Gauteng SACP spokesman Pat Ntsobi yesterday said the province would push for an amendment to the party's constitution at its national conference in July to allow for three deputy general secretaries to support Mr Nzimande and enable him to keep his Cabinet post.
Limpopo secretary Gilbert Kganyago said the province believed the party was safe in Mr Nzimande's hands. "The suggestion is that he must leave Parliament, but then how do we advance the Communist Party in the state? It is a terrain of struggle. We should deploy our best to elevate the profile of the party."
Mpumalanga secretary Bonakele Majuba said Mpumalanga supported the retention of the top leadership. The Free State is also set to push for the leadership to be retained, but this position would only be finalised at its provincial council in June 10.
The Eastern Cape is scheduled to hold its provincial council in May and will take a decision on the leadership question then.
Provincial secretary Xolile Nqatha said the party was "more united than ever" and he did not foresee any disagreements over the leadership question.
In Gauteng, the SACP retained Jacob Mamabolo as its secretary, National Education and Allied Workers Union first deputy president Joe Mpisi was elected as chairman, Joseph Moralana as treasurer, Mpapa Kanyane as deputy secretary and Rosemary Thobejane-Ndoqo as deputy chairwoman.
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