Dear Comrades,

THE Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) conveys warm fraternal communist greetings to the South African Communist Party on its 80th anniversary.

The SACP has a historic legacy of steadfast commitment to the working people of South Africa. Braving the worst forms of repression and forced to function underground for many decades by the hated Apartheid regime, the SACP successfully forged the widest possible resistance and, finally, won the battle for the freedom of the people of South Africa.

Your history of struggles and sacrifices have been and continue to be a source of immense inspiration to the communists all over the world.

We, in India, have always held dear our relationship with the SACP. This commonality arises not merely because of the proximity of the nature and character of the struggles of our peoples but also due to the fact that many a comrade of Indian origin has been an integral part of the SACP. During the years of struggle against Apartheid, the bonds of solidarity between the CPI(M) and the SACP have grown and cemented.

In the present context, we are keenly following the SACP's activities in facing the new challenges in the post-Apartheid period. The massive support received by the tripartite alliance of SACP, ANC and COSATU in all the democratic elections confirms that the SACP plays a vital role in the development of South African society.

On this happy occasion of the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the SACP, the CPI(M) joins our comrades in South Africa in their celebrations. Your struggle for socialism in South Africa, based on the scientific revolutionary teachings of Marxism-Leninism, we are confident, is bound to strengthen in the days to come.

• Long live socialism!

• Long live international working class solidarity!