LONGSTANDING General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP) Blade Nzimande says he will not contest for another term at the 15th national congress, expected to take place on Wednesday.
He told the SABC News on Tuesday that he was ready to hand over what he says is a much stronger SACP to the younger generation.
Nzimande’s decision not to avail himself as SACP head opens the door for long-time SACP deputy general secretary Solly Mapaila to occupy the hot seat.
He took over from Charles Ngqakula in 1998, and he is the second longest serving leader of the SACP after Moses Kotane.
“Absolutely 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,” Nzimande told the SABC
Nzimande said despite the party being stronger in numbers, it still faces challenges.
“It does not mean that it does not have challenges but certainly I am proud that it is actually a much stronger party also it has been a party for most of this time I have been a General Secretary that has been united.”
At the national congress, the positions of first deputy secretary, second deputy secretary, national chairperson, deputy national chairperson and treasurer are all expected to be contested.
According to some SACP members, Frans Baleni, the former general secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), is being is expected to contest for the position of national chairperson.
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