By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Solly Mapaila has been elected as the new General Secretary of the South African Communist Party by the 15th National Congress at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg.
Mapaila was uncontested for the position of the general secretary and replaces Blade Nzimande as party leader.
Mapaila, who was the second deputy general secretary from 2012 to 2017, was a member of ANC’s military wing, Umkhonto weSizwe, in which he operated outside of South Africa before 1994.
He has also been very vocal in his disdain for corruption and was among the leaders who called for former president Jacob Zuma to resign before the end of his term.
The congress descended into chaos early on Saturday morning as delegates fought over nominations for new leaders.
Nzimande who has been at the helm of the party for 24 years – serving as general-secretary, and minerals and energy Minister Gwede Mantashe are battling it out for the position of national chairperson.
Mantashe occupied the same role from 2007 to 2012.
This is the first congress of the party where individuals are openly contesting leadership posts – Fullview understands that at the core of the battle is the pursuit of access to ministerial postings through the SACP’s alliance with the governing ANC.
The results for the other positions were announced shortly after we published the story, Nzimande was elected the national chairperson, with Thulas Nxesi retaining his position as deputy chairperson of the party.
Nzimande defeated Gwebinkundla Qonde by over 100 votes, not Mantashe as indicated.
Qonde served as Nzimande’s director-general at the Department of Higher Education and Training until the pair had a public fallout leading, to the former being suspended in 2021.
Madala Masuku was elected first deputy general secretary, while David Masondo was elected second deputy secretary.
Joyce Moloi-Moropa retained her position as SACP National Treasurer.
The SACP 15th National Congress will end today with a Post-Congress Press Briefing.