Despite the growing criticism from the SA Communist Party (SACP) on ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU) with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the party’s chairperson Blade Nzimande has reiterated his commitment to his position as minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. File Picture: Cindy Waxa/Independent Newspapers Despite the growing criticism from the SA Communist Party (SACP) on ANC-led Government of National Unity (GNU) with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the party’s chairperson Blade Nzimande has reiterated his commitment to his position as minister of Science, Technology and Innovation. File Picture: Cindy Waxa/Independent Newspapers
Image: File Picture: Cindy Waxa/Independent Newspapers
SA Communist Party (SACP) chairperson Blade Nzimande, who is also cabinet minister, has says he “disagrees” with the Government of National Unity (GNU), led by the African National Congress and involving the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The SACP has repeatedly criticised the GNU stating that the coalition fails to reflect the historical experiences of black people.
Despite disappointment over the GNU, Nzimande said that he won’t resign from Cyril Ramaphosa's cabinet or as the minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Nzimande was addressing the media at a press conference of SACP’s 5th Special National Congress (SNP) held at Boksburg, Gauteng.
He emphasised that the DA is “diametrically opposed” to the values of both the SACP and the ANC.
Ndzimande acknowledged the ANC’s poor performance during the May 29 general election, labelling it as a “huge setback.”
“It doesn’t mean that we are blind to the fact that the ANC got 40% of the vote or that we don't care or that it doesn’t mean anything. Of course, it doesn’t, it's a huge setback that the ANC got 40%,” he said.
He, however, stressed that the SACP needs to engage with the ANC in order to determine the best way to unite the alliance, which also includes the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu).
“As to under these conditions, what is the best thing and the best route to go forward in a manner that unites the alliance,” Nzimande said.
Despite the SACP having blasted the GNU, Nzimande reiterated his commitment to the cabinet position.
“So, me, in the GNU, what do I do? I do the work that I have been given and I will do it to the best of my ability,” he said.
Nzimande said this is not the first time the SACP opposed the ANC government policies, citing the Growth, Employment and Redistribution Strategy (GEAR), in 1996.
He said they strongly opposed the adoption of GEAR, which described as a “bad idea” even today.
“There was no need to adopt a policy with austere measures despite the existence of social grants,” Nzimande said.
The GEAR policy focused on privatisation and the removal of exchange controls.
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