Potential to Build a Mass Communist Party
“Greetings, Comrades! Today is the day! Let’s go and give the masses the knowledge of life! Let’s go and open the eyes of our fellow brothers and sisters! Let’s go and tell the masses that there is a beauty of life besides this capitalism…. Let’s go mobilize for communism, Comrades!”
This was the May Day message from an auto worker and organizer comrade in South Africa.
About three dozen comrades participated in various May Day activities in South Africa. Our energetic contingent included students, autoworkers and other industrial workers. This year there were many female comrades, workers and students, who provided crucial leadership in reaching out to the masses with communist ideas.
We had a brief meeting afterward. Each and every person talked about how the masses are open to communism. We will think, analyse and write more later about where we are at.
It was a breakthrough for the Party here in recruiting new members, especially more female members. Everyone was energized beyond imagination because of the leadership shown by new members.
Comrades are bringing their friends with the confidence that comes from the struggle around our line. As we continue, we can envision a mass party in the near future. The collective here is strengthened and will continue to intensify internal struggle for the entire party.
Reflections from the Comrades
Comrade1: Thousands of workers and masses alike were gathered at a rally at one of the stadiums in the township. We managed to distribute well over 1300 copies of the Red Flag. When the rally was over, we had no newspapers left.
The workers there were enthusiastic about getting the Red Flag. Some just took it but some asked questions: “Which party are you”? When we told them we are ICWP and we’re communists, they were pleasantly surprised.
We had a conversation with a worker who picked up the Red Flag that somebody had left on the chair. He looked for us and told us that he is always interested in the workers’ struggle. We explained ICWP quickly, and he left his number for us. We will follow up.
Comrade 2: I particularly noticed that the people there were familiar with the paper. We were surprised when two workers told us, “Please pass us the Red Flag.” We gave our numbers to two workers who asked for it. It was a good day for the party.
Comrade 3: It was nice to see those young people helping us distribute the Red Flag inside the stadium. When the rally was over, everyone had a newspaper on their hands. No paper was lying around on the floor. That means our ideas are out there to the masses.
Comrade 4: I’m proud that even the people of Kwazakhele Township were helpin’ us to distribute the Red Flag, especially the kids.
Comrade 5: The most pleasing thing for me was the openness we got from the masses. The masses there are not completely familiar with our political line but they listened to us. Some of them agreed that we need a communist world with no class division and no exploitation. Hence they gave us their numbers.”
Comrade 6: We got six contacts with the comrades I was with on the other side of the stadium. The highlight for me was seeing the new comrades distributing the Red Flag and explaining the Party’s position to the workers. It shows, we must have confidence in the masses and the working class that they will and can grasp our ideas and put them in practice.
Comrade 7: It was my first time mobilizing the masses with ICWP and distributing the Red Flag. The response we received from the people was nice to see. I do hope we will do this more often. I’m looking forward to those experiences and to learn more.
Distributing Red Flag on May Day Around the World
Mexico
Spain