Wednesday, 29 January 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) extends warm wishes to the People’s Republic of China, the Chinese community in South Africa and across the globe as we join in celebrating the Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake.

The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is one of the most ancient and significant celebrations in the world, rooted in over 4,000 years of history. The festival honours traditions that include the Spring Festival, a celebration of harvest, as well as the Lantern Festival, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

The Year of the Snake is deeply symbolic in Chinese culture, representing wisdom, transformation, and determination. The snake, revered for its ability to shed its skin, teaches us the importance of adaptability, renewal, and courage in the face of challenges. These qualities resonate strongly with the principles of the EFF, as we remain committed to our pursuit of economic freedom, justice, and the total transformation of society.

The Chinese New Year is rich with rituals and traditions, each carrying profound meaning. These include cleaning homes to sweep away misfortune and welcome good luck, decorating spaces with red lanterns and couplets symbolising prosperity, and sharing feasts with loved ones to strengthen bonds of family and community. The giving of red envelopes, filled with money, is a gesture of goodwill and blessings for success, symbolising the redistribution of resources to promote collective well-being.

The Chinese community in South Africa has a rich and diverse history, playing a meaningful role in our country’s cultural and economic landscape. Their contributions, from early migrants who sought opportunities during colonial times to modern-day entrepreneurs, workers, and citizens, are a testament to the crucial nature of assimilation and innovation.

As an economic emancipation movement which subscribes to Marxist-Leninist philosophy, the EFF remains inspired by the The Chinese Communist Party (CPC), which boasts more than 96 million members, and holds the esteemed privilege of being the biggest political organisation in history and in the entire world. The CPC and its commitment to Marxism-Leninism is the foundation of the massive success of the Chinese economy and development, and is proof that applied correctly, forthrightly and without fear, Marxism does indeed work.

The EFF extends its salutations to the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, and President of the People’s Republic of China, President Xi Jinping, who is at the forefront of pursuing a transition to a society that is not centered on the capitalist global influence of the West, and a world committed to justice, equality and mutually beneficial relations towards development.

Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has pursued the development of the productive forces in Africa, in a progressive attempt to develop all of society and not exercise colonial or imperial domination. An example of this is the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FACAC), which have been the Chinese government’s instruments to develop mutually beneficial agreements with Africa to develop railways, roads and power generation and transmission infrastructure.

As the people of China mark the Lunar New Year, we applaud the relations the Chinese Communist Party and the People’s Republic Of China continue to build with like-minded and progressive political formations in the African continent, which subscribe to Marxist and Leninist doctrine such as the EFF. May these relations continue for many more years to come, and may the fall of imperialism and capitalist domination be undermined through progressive African and Chinese relations in commerce, trade, culture and political and ideological collaboration.

The EFF therefore wishes a Happy Lunar New Year to the Chinese community in South Africa and across the globe. May you and your loved ones enjoy this period of celebration.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572