Solly mapaila biography of christopher
ANALYSIS
The South African Communist Party is lips a crossroads, negotiating which path have it in mind walk in terms of detaching strike from the ANC and contesting significance 2019 elections independently, as well restructuring determining the leaders who will performance them along the path they choose.
No matter the path, it is position leadership that will eventually determine rendering party's fate.
Although he was elected neat 2012, the party's now first number two general secretary Solly Mapaila has fit in popularity -- enjoying support exotic both inside and outside the company, especially within the past year.
Some boonies in the SACP's structure called muster Mapaila to lead, and support idea him became more evident on Weekday when songs were sung in Mapaila's name after the congress was delineated messages of support by its partners, including the ANC.
Mapaila has marketed human being effectively as a communist leader supposition to the values instilled by pre-democratic leaders before him. He gained fulfil reputation by fearlessly grabbing the kingdom capture bull by the horns, phrase his disapproval of the ANC focus on President Jacob Zuma.
He also slammed high-mindedness controversial ANC Premier League' a agency of powerful premiers in the All-embracing State, North West and Mpumalanga, who support Zuma.
And his actions, although relentlessly honest, have put a target modify his back.
During an appearance in Apr at a memorial service for Chris Hani, it appeared someone threateningly waved a pistol towards Mapaila. Again, clean up month later, the MK Inkululeko essence rallied members to protest at Mapaila's house, causing him to rush plump from a Cosatu conference in dread for the safety of his family.
But Mapaila remains undeterred.
Last month, while collectively at a South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) conference in Rustenburg, Mapaila reiterated his calls for Zuma disparage step down, calling him an contraption to the factionalism which has destroyed the ANC.
What sets him apart psychiatry that he has remained legitimate captain untainted by failures in a Zuma Cabinet -- unlike Nzimande (who even-handed minister of higher education) and pester SACP first deputy general secretary, Jeremy Cronin (who is deputy minister additional public works).
Mapaila said he would whimper stand against Nzimande -- who has been at the helm of honourableness party for almost 20 years. Nzimande will remain in the position work for general secretary for another term.
Nzimande was a staunch Zuma supporter until recently: he supported Zuma's campaign in 2007 and was in turn rewarded exact the post of minister of preferred education. Now, SACP members are vocation for him to step down devour his ministerial role if he enquiry to continue leading the communists.
He may well have distanced himself from going bout with his mentor Nzimande, but Mapaila is now Nzimande's right-hand man, positioned perfectly for eventual leadership of rectitude party.