LAND PARTY Media Statement

Statement delivered by Gcobani Ndzongana

25 January 2019

Greetings to all fellow South Africans, global citizens, to the media houses (big and small) and to everyone who is watching today’s media briefing.

Welcome to you all, and thank you for your support.

In March 2018 the community of Zwelihle on the Whale Coast of the Western Cape rose up against segregation, racism, discrimination and the exclusion of African people. The community had particular grievances against the transgressions of the Overstrand municipality in providing basic services and sharing the Land equitably amongst all citizens of Hermanus. The municipality, politicians and existing political parties in the area, together with the white-owned businesses, have carried out a program against the poor and working class communities of Hermanus that can be likened to Israel’s program against Palestine.

Expensive penthouses, retirement villages and sprawling, white-only suburbs were developed on almost every piece of land available to ensure that the African people, the poor and some of the sectors of the working class cannot afford to buy or rent a property. The poor and working class have been squeezed and stifled so that they cannot grow, develop or expand. They can just barely survive. This is not only true of Hermanus, but a phenomenon of the current and previous Western Cape governments. We are living in a country that prioritises the rich while it neglects the poor and some sectors of the working class.

The destitute and the poor working class decided to take to the streets after many failed attempts were made to the relevant authorities, the municipality, previous public protectors and courts to stop the illegal sale of the community’s last piece of land known as Schulphoek. They organized themselves to take back the land through mass mobilization. 19 brave women accompanied by a few men volunteered to take the lead and confront the municipality to demand that the Land be given back to the community. Although we didn't know it at the time, this event would lead to the birth of the Land Party, a true people's party.

THE LAND PARTY HAS A POSITIVE VISION

Our vision puts all communities first. The Land Party listens to the people and consistently represents all communities of South Africa. We are not a party for big business and vested interests. The Land Party believes in a South Africa that is inclusive and welcoming. A South Africa where everyone is looked after and 100% equal in all respects. A South Africa that has high quality health care and provides education for all, no matter your income or financial situation. A South Africa that protects its citizens, its people and the environment. A South Africa that plays an active role as global citizens. We must be a South Africa that tackles the ever growing gap between the rich and the poor as this is the only way we will win the fight against poverty and inequality.

The Land Party endeavours to capture state power in such a way that it can build a strong, viable and economic environment for all citizens. The Economy is central to our manifesto, and the backbone of the Land Party’s vision for building a stable South Africa for all. South Africa and its people have been brought to their knees by generations of slavery, colonialism, apartheid and corruption. The current conditions of our people, particularly the destitute people and poor working class, have not changed much in this time. The corruption over the past 25 years under the current ruling government has worsened the situation. The apartheid government and the current elected democratic government have failed the people of South Africa. It is time for change. It is time for discipline. It is time for the people of South Africa to take control of their destinies and that of their country and not leave it up to politicians and businessmen. The Land Party provides the only solution to resolve the current status quo and the opportunity to affect change that will create a better future for all South Africans

The Land Party has a clear vision of what the future looks like. We aren’t afraid of innovation and we aren’t afraid of change. We know that to meet the challenges that lie ahead we will need the support of all South Africans. The politics of race has failed us, the politics of populism did not bring us freedom, and the politics of patronage did not bring us justice. Therefore we need a party that will not just bring criticism, but a party that will partner with all South Africans to bring solutions to our challenges. The Land Party is the only party that will unite all South Africans regardless of colour, creed, religion or cultural beliefs. The Land Party will build a united South Africa and build patriotism among all citizens.

THE LAND PARTY'S CONSTITUTION

The Land Party’s Constitution can be broken down into three basic tenets: Our Language, our Character and our Ideology.

LAND PARTY LANGUAGE

The language of the Land Party is communicated through pure socialism that accommodates the poor, the rich, the working class and the most destitute and downtrodden. We believe strictly in people before profit.

Our guiding principle is humanistic love for the people of South Africa, particularly the poorest of the poor. We are led by the heart and we will always remain grounded with the people. We will continue to live with the people, walk with the people, talk with the people and continuously ask and understand what makes them happy. We will take decisive action to fulfil that happiness. Money or greed will never be a driving force for Party members. We are prepared to sacrifice ourselves entirely, down to our last cent, to serve the people of South Africa. Through strict discipline, strong, accountable leaders and bravery, we seek to create a Socialist South Africa that empowers and educates all citizens of South Africa to become self-sustainable.

Our principle focus will be on the economy of South Africa as we seek to open up and reform government. Through socialist modernisation; strong and accessible investment opportunities; upholding and improving a free and open market economy; stimulating macroeconomic growth; growing South Africa’s gold reserves; focussing on modern agricultural practices and effective land redistribution; placing strong emphasis on science and technology; working cooperatively with business; prioritising local products; creating strong ties with political alliances across the world, we plan to build South Africa’s economy into one of the strongest in the world.

LAND PARTY CHARACTER

The character of the Land Party is largely based on the communist values of SHARING. We will work tirelessly to promote and protect the people we serve and always uphold democratic centralism and the people’s dictatorship.

We are not sexist, racist, homophobic or against any religion. We are anti-imperialism, we are anti-tribalism, and we are anti-nationalism. Our collective wisdom, heart and connection with the people will guide us consistently and constructively in carrying out action in the name of all the people of South Africa.

We are kind, courteous, loving and empathetic - always. We will always be accessible to the people and remain grounded and ready at all times to act and serve. We believe that through UNITY, this country can succeed at anything. We will always be victorious and will never accept defeat.

LAND PARTY IDEOLOGY

Democratic centralism is at the heart of our Party. We understand that we are in South Africa, and therefore, our guiding ideologies are always influenced and transformed in the context of South Africa. Our constitution will never be rigid or static, but evolve with the times and the needs of the people.

The Land Party draws influence from Marxism/Leninism, Mao Zedong thought and Chief Leader Thought with South African characteristics. We have learnt from the failures of previous lines of thought, and we have renewed and modernised the lines of thought that will work to grow South Africa’s economy and empower and uplift all the people of South Africa. We do not believe in rigid communism. Our guiding ideologies are adaptable with a distinct South African identity and culture and focused, always, on liberating the people of South Africa.

We seek to advance the culture of socialism in South Africa through democratic centralism, South African patriotism and unity, upholding the rights of the people and educating them on their rights, and, most importantly, through love for all people.

The Land Party Ideology was formed by young, dynamic and pragmatic social activists representing all races and cultural backgrounds. Vast amounts of research and collective wisdom has been put into the constitution to introduce a new era for South African politics. South Africa has a fairly short, but very complicated history, revealing many failures on the part of political leaders seeking only to enrich themselves and losing touch with the people

The Land Party is a community driven organization and was formed by young and old political activists and community activists. It is the first communist party with distinct South African context, characteristics, tradition and culture to contest South Africa's national general elections. It represents the modern evolution of communism that envisages South Africa as a global economic power house with less unemployment, illiteracy, crime, and corruption.

THE LAND PARTY IS THE FUTURE

History is a culmination of the past, present and the future. The Land Party is the future. It does not belong to the past nor is it stuck in the present. The future of South Africa rests in the hands of this socialist revolution and we are asking all South Africans to join us.

Land Party government will ensure that it implements a five-sphered integrated plan to promote coordinated advancements in the following areas:

1. Economic

2. Political

3. Cultural

4. Social

5. Ecological

The Party’s four-pronged implementation strategy is to make comprehensive moves to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, deepen reform, advance law-based governance, and strengthen Party self-governance. Today, we are closer, more confident, and more capable than ever before of making the goal of national rejuvenation a reality. The Land Party asks all South Africans, regardless of their cultural and political background or political party loyalty, to vote strategically this year for the Land Party, the only party that has solutions to make South Africa a leader of major economies.

The Land Party is the vanguard of the people of South Africa and we are excited to offer to the people a creative, youth-inspired and humanistic mash-up of ideologies as the best possible solution to the problems we face in South Africa. We are ready to sacrifice everything for the people and we are the only Party providing hope to the people through action, results and wholehearted love and empathy for the people that make South Africa so unique and special.

South Africa needs change and the time for change is now.

THANK YOU!