4 December 2008
Dear Zwelinzima
Please accept, on behalf of the SACP, our warmest congratulations on your being awarded the TransAfrica Forum`s Pan African Lifetime Achievement award on the 3rd December in Washington DC.
This forum includes some of the most progressive individuals in the African-American community, many of whom have been in the forefront of the struggle against racism, class and gender oppression in the US and globally, as well as in the frontline, as you say in your acceptance speech, of the global anti-apartheid struggles.
We are indeed honoured and humbled by you accepting this award on behalf of our revolutionary Tripartite Alliance and especially on behalf of the 2 million members of COSATU. This shows your humility and why you deserve such recognition.
But please accept the fact that this award is also recognition of your personal sacrifices and contribution to the national liberation and reconstruction of our country, with and for the workers and the poor!
It is indeed a very serious indictment that thus far none of our similar SA institutions have recognized you as such, a sure sign of the class and racial bias that continues to plague our institutions. Yet many of these have honoured capitalist functionaries and parasites, even including apartheid leaders and henchmen and women.
Ume njalo Mzondi. Thambo lenyoka lihlaba elimzondayo!
Socialist regards!
Blade Nzimande
For further details contact:
Malesela Maleka
SACP Spokesperson – 082 226 1802