9 April 2008
The 10th of April 2008 marks the 15th Anniversary of the cowardly assassination of the late General Secretary of the SACP, an MK Commander and a member of the ANC NEC, Cde Martin Thembisile ‘Chris’ Hani.
This is indeed a very significant day for the democratic movement as a whole as we commemorate the beginning of the final lap of our journey to democracy. It was through the life and blood of Cde Chris that South Africa’s freedom and democracy was achieved. We will always remember him for that immense contribution.
Cde Chris dedicated all his life to fight injustice and exploitation. When we said we would not allow Cde Chris to die, we committed ourselves to continue fighting injustice and exploitation wherever it is meted out against humanity.
The SACP will this year use the commemorative month to launch its campaign to lower the cost of living for the workers and the poor in this country. We will in due course announce to the public details of the campaign. We undertake this campaign inspired by Cde Chris’ words when he said:
“Socialism is not about big concepts and heavy theory. Socialism is about decent shelter for those who are homeless. It is about water for those who have no safe drinking water. It is about health care, it is about a life of dignity for the old. It is about a life of dignity for the old. It is about overcoming the huge divide between urban and rural areas. It is about education for all our people. Socialism is about rolling back the tyranny of the market. As long as the economy is dominated by an un-elected, privileged few, the case for socialism will exist”
In the recent past, we have seen an increased onslaught on the quality of life of many South Africans. Exorbitant food prices compounded by the immoral act of price fixing and collusion, a rise in prices of fuel, a public health system in a crisis, an education system that produces junk and now recently, to add salt to the already painful situation of load shedding, the proposed tariff hikes by Eskom.
This events, including the slow pace of transformation in the economy, lack of support for co-ops, entrench holding of the monopolies in our commanding heights of the economy, have reinforced a case for socialism.
Cde Chris life will be worth nothing until all the banks, the mines and the key monopolies are returned to the ownership of the people as a whole.
As part of the commemorative events, a wreath laying ceremony and a commemorative lecture will be held as follows:
Date: 10 April 2008
Venue: South Park Cemetery, Boksburg
Event: Wreath Laying Ceremony
Time: 10H00
Date: 10 April 2008
Venue: Boksburg Civic Centre
Event: Memorial Lecture and Dinner
Time: 18H00
Key speakers at the events include the SACP General Secretary Cde Blade Nzimande, ANC Secretary General Cde Gwede Mantashe and the General Secretary of COSATU Cde Zwelinzima Vavi.
Members of the press are hereby advised to attend.
Issued by the SACP
Contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson
0822261802