Polity
Article by: Creamer Media Reporter
Published: 25 Nov 2009
Source: The African National Congress
Title: ANC: Mantashe: Speech by the Secretary General, at the memorial service of struggle stalwart Chris Dlamini, Springs
Comrades, compatriots,
We are here to
celebrate the life of a leader of our glorious movement. A leader who is the
embodiment of the Tripartite Alliance. We mourn the loss of one of our own,
one who remained true to his commitment until the end.
This is a man whose
commitment did not waver even when faced with conditions that can only be
described as "trying times". His track record speaks volumes; and many
comrades have spoken to the various aspects and phases of this revolutionary
journey.
Comrade Chris was a member and a leader of the African National
Congress, the South African Communist Party, the Congress of South African
Trade Unions and the civic movement.
Chris Dlamini; a name that rightfully
belongs among those of comrades such as Moses Mabhida, Moses Kotane, Raymond
Mhlaba, "Oom Gov" Mbeki, Edwin Mofutsanyane, Dan Tloome, JK Nkadimeng and
many others who served everyone of our revolutionary organs with
distinction. He had a particular faith in veterans of the Food and Allied
Workers Union like Oscar Mpetha and Ray Simons.
This is one of the comrades
who responded to the call made by comrade Oliver Tambo in his political
report to the Morogoro Conference in 1969, where he said,
"Today armed
struggle together with other forms of struggle constitute the weapons of the
oppressed in our country against the oppressor. How can we intensify the
revolution? What forms of organization can ensure the maximum mobilization
of all the resources at our disposal? What are the motive forces of our
struggle and their potential? What strategy and tactics are to be employed?"
Comrade Tambo went further and explicitly identified the immediate enemy
as the fascist regime in South Africa, which was an integral part of the
world imperialist forces. It is this political report that set the scene for
the drafting of the Morongo strategy and tactics.
I am submitting that
comrade Chris responded to this call because his talent as a leader of the
working class movement was a direct offshoot of the re- emergence of the
trade union movement, following the dock strikes in 1973. This is an
important milestone in our revolution in that it is normally ignored, and
totally overshadowed by the 1976 uprisings.
Chris did not only join trade
unions but was in the leadership that built them into a formidable movement
that constituted itself into FOSATU. More important was the role this
comrade played in the unity talks.
Comrades will remember that at one
point the unity talks almost collapsed due to the level of mistrust between
the UDF unions and the Federation of South African Trade Unions (FOSATU), in
particular. The guidance by the underground operatives of our movement gave
direction and talked sense to those who opted to follow their hearts and not
their heads. Comrade Chris proved himself a dependable leader and a
revolutionary in this process.
The birth of the Congress of South African
Trade Unions, COSATU, was a product of this difficult process. The word
Congress, as was the case when SACTU was formed, put COSATU firmly in the
Congress movement right from inception. Resolutions taken in this inaugural
congress confirmed this and were taken further in terms of clarity in the
1987 congress. This was the coming into fruition of what Morogoro captured
so well,
"This perspective of a speedy progression from formal liberation
to genuine and lasting emancipation is made more real by the existence in
our country of a large and growing working class whose class consciousness
compliments national consciousness. Its political organisation- and the
trade unions have played a fundamental role in shaping and advancing our
revolutionary cause. It is historically understandable that the double-
oppressed and doubly exploited working class constitutes a distinct and
reinforcing layer of our liberation and Socialism and do not stand in
conflict with the national interest. Its militancy and political
consciousness as a revolutionary class will play no small part in our
victory and in the construction of a real people's South Africa.
Chris
Dlamini, in word and deed, bore resonance to this revolutionary
framework.
I am fortunate to have been part of a revolutionary trade union
movement that made a big difference in our struggle under the leadership of
a formidable collective of Barayi, Dlamini, Ludwaba, Naidoo, Mufamadi and
Xulu. Only now do we appreciate what it meant to have this visionary
leadership collective. This founding first Vice President of COSATU held
this position for nine years. I must confess that the attempt, at Vista in
Soweto, to abruptly remove Barayi stood between comrade Chris and his accent
to the position of being the president of COSATU. Those who were around can
relate to this disagreement.
Comrade Chris was one of the twenty plus that
were released by COSATU to go to the first democratic parliament. In
recognition of the dependability of this cadre he was deployed to China as
the High Commissioner. His deployment marked another progressive step on our
part, that of recognising the one China policy and thereby ending the
diplomatic relations with Taiwan. He served our country with distinction. I
had an opportunity of being hosted by him in Beijing in 2000.
It remains a
puzzle that he when he returned at the end of his diplomatic tenure, on the
promise that he would be the mayor of the newly formed Ekurhuleni, this
never materialised. He was one of the victims of what we described as the
revolution that is devouring its own children. His is one of many cases in
that generation of leaders, including Gomomo and Xulu. Those who suffered a
similar fate appreciate that Polokwane was necessary.
When I met comrade
Chris in Katlehong on June 16, and also at the 10th National Congress of
COSATU at Gallagher, I was unhappy with his health. But the strong voice
when he burst into "ugugel' eGoli njenge ngolovane kwenze njani? Hayi Izinja
ziyabulawa", I was reassured.
Comrade Chris taught us to persevere even
when it is tough. He has always been consistent in teaching us that the
Alliance is sacrosanct. He always warned us against the claims of our
detractors, "that the ANC's association with the SACP means that the ANC is
being influenced by the SACP. That is not our experience. Our experience is
that the two influence each other. The ANC is quite capable of influencing,
and is liable to be influenced by others", as comrade Oliver Tambo enunciate
in 1981.
Alfred Nzo further elaborates this view in 1986 when he said; "As
did the Nazi progenitors, the Pretoria regime, supported and echoed by its
allies, relies on the use of anti-communism as its principal ideological
weapon. The focus is of attack of those who seek to keep us in servitude is
today centred on the role and position of the SACP in the South African
struggle, the extent and depth of the influence of communists within the ANC
to the point of questioning the independence of the African National
Congress, the veracity of our own leadership and the honesty of our
publicly-declared intentions, policy and programme.
We must honour comrade
Chris by educating the younger generation that there is no revolutionary
task of protecting the ANC from Communists. We must use that energy in
defence of the revolution from the possible regrouping of
counter-revolutionary forces. We must go out there and recruit some of his
students back from COPE, particularly in the East Rand. We must build a
strong Alliance and its components. We must deliver quality service to our
people. We must improve the lives of the South African people. We must lead
the fight against corruption as this movement. Then Chris will rest in
peace.
Chris Dlamini, a name that should be remembered.
Chris Dlamini, a
name that should be engraved in the noble and glorious litany of our
movement.
Chris Dlamini, a name that should remain indelible in the heart
and soul of the resilient folklore of the working people.
His revolutionary
zeal and spirit live forever.
Amandla! Matla! Matimba! All Power!