Blade took over from Charles Nqakula in 1998 and led the party as a powerful voice of the left.
Blade Nzimande has stepped down as general-secretary of the South African Communist Party after 24 years at its helm.
He is the 13th man to have led the party as its general-secretary since it was founded in 1921.
Solly Mapaila is the new general-secretary, elected at the party’s 15th elective congress Saturday 16 July 2022.
Mapaila was Nzimande’s deputy since the 2017 congress and is now his anointed successor, given a mandate to lead the vanguard until 2027.
Mapaila was elected unopposed.
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Voting delegates at the conference in Boksburg on Saturday made Nzimande the new national chairperson after he defeated Gwebinkundla Qonde with over 100 votes for the chairman’s seat.
The SACP is led by a general-secretary as its face and the general-secretary is assisted by two deputies – one called ‘1st deputy secretary’ and the other called ‘2nd deputy secretary’.
Madala Masuku was elected to replace Mapaila on the post of 1sf deputy secretary, while David Masondo was elected 2nd deputy secretary.
Thulas Nxesi was re-elected as deputy chairperson of the SACP as well as Joyce Moloi-Moropa who retained her post of treasurer.
Nzimande’s 24 years in charge makes him the second longest serving leader of the SACP since it founding in 1921. Moses Kotane led it for 40 years from 1938 to 1978.
Moses Mabhida led it for 6 years and his successor Joe Slovo led it for 7 years until 1991 when Chris Hani took over.
But in 1993 Hani was assassinated and his deputy Charles Nqakula was elected the new general-secretary.
Nqakula was often criticised of supporting the ANC’s 1996 class project. “He lacked the charisma, energy and oratory that Chris Hani had,” political analyst Mcebisi Ndletyana said.
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“Nqakula’s gentle, soft-speaking manner did not inspire confidence that he could instigate a socialist revolution. In fact, the subject of socialism was not a priority for Nqakula and his peers in the party leadership,” Ndletyana said, adding that this made Nzimande, who had been mentored by Hary Gwala, the obvious candidate to take over leadership of the party at its 1998 congress.
Nzimande on Saturday thanked the membership and leadership of the party and said it really was an “honour” to work with them.
“Your loyalty has been something that has been unbelievable,” Nzimande said.
(edited by MLM)
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