Abstract: | The article first describes the history of the South African Communist Party (SACP) from 1921, the year of its origin, to the 1980s. Then it turns to the theoretical perspectives of the SACP and examines the party's changing attitude to the relationship between apartheid and capitalism and to the vanguard role of the working class. Since its seventh congress the Party has stated that the trade union movement at all times should maintain its independence, that democracy should be taken seriously and that the right of others to hold different views should be respected. Finally, the article examines the SACP's attitude to negotiations. It is clear that Gorbachev's 'glasnost' has played an important role in moving the Party to adopt a more independent position. It has adopted a more flexible approach to tactical questions, while at the same time adhering to its long-term goal of a socialist transformation of South African society. Notes, ref. |