So Many Questions

Metalworkers’ union Numsa says it will start a new workers’ party. Chris Barron asked South African Communist Party boss Blade Nzimande . . .

Where will this leave you?

Well, we’re a democratic country. Everybody has the right to form a political party if they so wish.

Aren’t you supposed to be the workers’ party?

Yes, we are. We still believe that we are the best-placed political party of the working class.

Doesn’t this mean that you no longer represent the workers?

It does not mean that. We believe that we remain the political voice of the working class.

How can you be so sure?

We’re sure because we are a growing party.

You’ve never tested your support, so how would you know?

Our support is on the ground with our campaigns and interaction and work that we do.

If you’re so confident, why don’t you stand for election under your own name?

We have a strategic alliance with the ANC and Cosatu. And it is not a tactical or short-term alliance. Our strategy dictates that we support the ANC. We stand together; we do not compete against each other.

Aren’t you just the wagging tail on the ANC dog?

People have always been saying that. It is just an attempt to drive a wedge between us and therefore divide and weaken our forces.

If you’re doing such a good job representing the workers, why is there so much support for Numsa?

We don’t yet know how much support there will be for Numsa.

Why did the Economic Freedom Fighters do so well? Isn’t this the same constituency you’re supposed to be representing?

They’re disgruntled elements of the ANC. The Numsa thing is simple. A small clique approached the president of the ANC that comrade [Zwelinzima] Vavi be made the deputy president . . . When that did not happen, they threw their toys out of the cot. Even taking this very risky direction that they’re taking of breaking ranks with the alliance — that is what it is. There is no fundamental thing. Julius [Malema] was expelled from the ANC because he wanted the ANC to protect him from his corrupt activities. When that did not happen, he started throwing his toys out of the cot. As leftist opposition to the ANC increases, isn’t there a risk of the SACP becoming increasingly marginalised? We don’t think so. We believe that our roots among workers are very strong and among communities. Of course, we can never take our support for granted. We must always work for it. That is why, as the SACP, we are everywhere. We are in the trade unions . . .

If you’re representing them so effectively, why are workers flocking to the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union?

The growth of Amcu was the project of the bosses at BHP Billiton to try and weaken the National Union of Mineworkers.

The fact is they’ve got a lot of support.

In the platinum sector, yes.

Which means you’ve lost a lot of support?

We admit that. We have got to go back to the drawing board.

How can you justify being part of a government that Numsa and Vavi say is pro-business and anti-worker?

We dismiss that with contempt. This is not a socialist government, but it is pursuing many policies that are benefiting the workers and the working class.

What policies are you talking about?

Three million houses for the poor, social grants, nine million kids being fed at school every day . . .

No jobs and growing inequality?

We have this administration that has invested a trillion rands in infrastructure. It is beginning to bear fruit, although not at the speed one would, of course, expect. And the issue of unemployment can’t just be blamed on the government.

The National Development Plan is government policy. Would you agree that it is pro-business?

No, we don’t agree. There are aspects of the NDP that we agree with and we highlighted two chapters that we said we were unhappy with.

Wouldn’t you lead the SACP more effectively if you were not a government minister?

No, that would be a very shortsighted strategy. Our strategy is that we must be both inside and outside government. There is this wrong, oppositionist, narrow attitude of equating government with selling out and being outside government with being progressive.

Haven’t you become too comfortable in government?

Being in government is not comfortable, it is hard work. Sleepless nights, waking up early, finishing late, working seven days a week.

And yet communities are burning tyres because the government is not delivering?

Research shows a close relationship between more delivery of government services and protests.

Are you saying their complaints are not legitimate?

No, I am not saying that. I have not said that.