Former president Nelson Mandela on Thursday put aside his tight schedule to pay tribute to his lifelong comrade Joe Slovo, the past chairperson of the South African Communist Party (SACP), at Slovo’s Avalon grave in Soweto.
Slovo and Madiba first met as young law students at Wits University in the 1940s.
Slovo served in Mandela’s Cabinet in 1994 as housing minister. He died in January 1995.
“It was my privilege to have known and been befriended with Slovo from an early age.
“To stand at the grave of a patriot and a comrade of the stature of Slovo is an honour as much as it is a moment of sadness in remembrance.
“I must say I have tight programmes. I would not be here today if it was not because of Joe. It would be unfair for me not to be here,” said a frail-looking Madiba.
Mandela’s visit coincided with the launch of the Joe Slovo Election Trail campaign by the SACP.
“In the memory of Joe, we shall retain the ANC [African National Congress] [in] power with the overwhelming majority,” said SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande.
Nzimande called on the working class to vote for the ANC.
“We are not only going to vote for the ANC but ensure we take responsibility for that victory.”
Asked by the Mail & Guardian Online whether the SACP is now in support of the ANC’s macro-economic policies, Nzimande said: “We wouldn’t call on people to vote for the party if we did not support the ANC manifesto.
“If the ANC says it will go on an expanded public works programme, the working class has no reason not to participate in ensuring the realisation of these programmes.
“This is what we have been fighting for all along. Public works programmes will play a very important role in alleviating poverty in the country.”
He said strong organisations are needed on the ground to ensure that the programmes are implemented.
The Joe Slovo Election Trail is the official election campaign of the SACP in its support for an overwhelming victory of the ANC in the April 14 national and provincial elections.
Special Report: Elections 2004