14 June 2002
The Central Committee and the entire membership of the South African Communist Party (SACP) wish President Thabo Mbeki well as he celebrates his 60th birthday. We wish this true son of the soil a good birthday, a good 60th year and many more years in the future filled with joy, happiness, purposefulness and achievement. For anyone, a birthday is about life, renewal and looking ahead hoping for a better future.
The SACP considers it significant and important that the President shares his 60th year with the 90th year of the titanic army and movement of the South African and African people as a whole - the African National Congress. President Mbeki's 60 years of life are full of history, achievement, struggle, aspirations and a vision of a better life for all our people. He is a product of the struggle of our people and their aspirations. He comes from, and is shaped by our people. He is a great tribute to our people and country.
The SACP also notes that the President+IBk-s 60th birthday comes on the eve of the launch of the African Union. This is a milestone achievement for him personally, the people and governments of our country and continent. In our period, he has pioneered the effort to renew the African continent and ensure that its people, countries and resources are directed to the cause of humanity.
We wish him strength, vision and courage in his immense responsibilities and leadership of our ANC-SACP-COSATU alliance, South Africa, the African continent and the developing world. We trust that he will use this day to rest, look back and plan for this future.
We call on his family, cabinet ministers and all South Africans to share this day with the President and wish for his good life.
Ukhule ungakhokhobi Zizi
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity
South African Communist Party
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2
Fax: 27 11 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org