Supporters gather for Joe Slovo commemoration

People have gathered at Slovo's graveside at the Heroes Acre, Avalon Cemetery in Soweto.

Slovo served as one of the two founding Commanders of the joint SACP-ANC military wing, uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK), along with former President Nelson Mandela. 

He also served the MK as its Chief of Staff and was succeeded in this position by Chris Hani. 

He also served as SACP General Secretary. 

By the time of his death, he was the SACP's National Chairperson, ANC National Executive Committee Member and the first Minister of Housing.

Alliance partner leaders made use of the occasion to address leadership and unity in the country.

Cosatu General Secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali told supporters that leaders must be taught to love their people and to listen to them attentively.

"Joe Slovo will say we must be able to practice self-criticism so that we can be able to distinguish our weakness and our way forward," says Ntshalintshali.

SACP Deputy General-Secretary Solly Mapaila says unity within the movement is non-negotiable.

"The SACP does not want to be in alliance with a faction, but with our movement. We want principled unity. Not unity with factions. No matter how strong a faction is, we can never enter into an alliance with it," says Mapaila.