Discontent among SACP branches over succession contest

Leaders of the SACP have had their hands full trying to manage a revolt by branches over a decision to try to avoid a succession battle by having the party’s boss, Blade Nzimande, remain in his position for another term.

Independent Media understands that another matter delegates are up in arms over is that they want the party to contest elections on its own instead of campaigning for the ANC, a campaign Nzimande and the party’s officials are against.

So angry are some delegates from provinces such as the Western Cape that they decided that should the party’s second deputy general secretary, Solly Mapaila, not contest Nzimande’s position, they would nominate another candidate.

Nzimande has been at the helm of the party for the last 19 years.

Although Mapaila decided not to run against Nzimande, he appears to have been persuaded to take the position of first deputy general secretary, left vacant by Jeremy Cronin.

The party’s international relations head, Chris Matlhako, has been nominated to replace Mapaila.

Nzimande remains in his post.

In the last two days of the party’s congress at the Birchwood Hotel in Benoni, a significant number of delegates have been singing songs in praise of Mapaila.

This, while party officials have had to convene provincial secretaries to try to ensure the unhappiness over the “management” of a leadership contestation does not flare up in the presence of the media and expose the deep fissures over some issues in the party.

The party mandarins were worried that a contestation would weaken the party in the run up to the ANC elective conference in December, while there was uncertainty over Nzimande’s future should former AU chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma win the presidency of the ANC.

One delegate, who has attended SACP congresses since Nzimande took over in 1998, said the conference was more tense than the one where the leader ascended to power.

“I haven’t seen such revolt. The branches are unhappy,” he said.

It all started on Monday when Mapaila announced that he believed Nzimande should continue in his post, while the party’s first deputy general secretary Cronin said he was no longer available to serve. This set tongues wagging.

Opening the congress on Monday, Nzimande intimated that he was aware that he had served his time and was old furniture.

The party’s central committee (CC), its highest decision-making body between congresses, had discussions on the question of succession before the congress.

There were arguments Nzimande should remain, while others wanted “renewal”.

It is understood the CC had agreed there should be changes in the party’s leadership, especially the secretariat.

However, the branches seem unhappy and delegates sang, demanding that the party contest elections.