Moses Kotane
Encyclopedia
Moses Mauane Kotane was a South Africa
n politician and activist. Kotane was secretary general of the South African Communist Party
from 1939 until his death in 1978.
) to a devout Christian family of Tswana origins. He received little formal schooling prior to entering the workforce. In 1922 at the age of 17, Kotane began his working in Krugersdorp, where he worked in various jobs including as a photographer's assistant, domestic servant, miner, and bakery worker.
but left it, considering it weak and ineffectual. Later that year he joined the African Bakers Union, an affiliate of the new Federation of Non-European Trade Unions then being built by SACP. Kotane joined SACP a year later in 1929, soon becoming a member of the party's politburo
. In 1931, he became a full time functionary of SACP. Within the Communist Party, Kotane worked on Umsebenzi, the party's newspaper. As a promising young party member, Kotane was sent to Moscow
to study Marxism-Leninism
at the International Lenin School
. In Moscow, Kotane studied under Endre Sík
, 1967 recipient of the Lenin Peace Prize
and other Marxist theorists. Returning to South Africa in 1933, Kotane advanced through the Party until the point where he became the party's general secretary in 1939.
credited him as a "giant of the struggle" because of his logical and non-dogmatic approach.
Kotane was also a leading member of the African National Congress
at the same time as the SACP. With the African National Congress, Kotane served as Treasurer General from 1963 to 1973 when he was replaced by Thomas Nkobi
. Kotane, representing the Communist Party, attended the 1955 Asian-African Conference
in Bandung
, Indonesia
. From 1956 to 1961, Kotane was a defendant in the Treason Trial
alongside fellow South African leaders Nelson Mandela
, Albert Luthuli, Joe Slovo
, Walter Sisulu
and 151 others. Despite years of prosecution, none of the defendants, including Kotane, were convicted.
, where he died on 19 May 1978.
by the ANC in 1975. A local municipality
is named after him in North West Province, South Africa
.
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n politician and activist. Kotane was secretary general of the South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party
South African Communist Party is a political party in South Africa. It was founded in 1921 as the Communist Party of South Africa by the joining together of the International Socialist League and others under the leadership of Willam H...
from 1939 until his death in 1978.
Early life
Kotane was born in Tamposstad, Transvaal (now North WestNorth West (South African province)
North West is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Mafikeng. The province is located to the west of the major population centre of Gauteng.-History:...
) to a devout Christian family of Tswana origins. He received little formal schooling prior to entering the workforce. In 1922 at the age of 17, Kotane began his working in Krugersdorp, where he worked in various jobs including as a photographer's assistant, domestic servant, miner, and bakery worker.
Trade unionism and early party politics
In 1928, Kotane joined the African National CongressAfrican National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
but left it, considering it weak and ineffectual. Later that year he joined the African Bakers Union, an affiliate of the new Federation of Non-European Trade Unions then being built by SACP. Kotane joined SACP a year later in 1929, soon becoming a member of the party's politburo
Politburo
Politburo , literally "Political Bureau [of the Central Committee]," is the executive committee for a number of communist political parties.-Marxist-Leninist states:...
. In 1931, he became a full time functionary of SACP. Within the Communist Party, Kotane worked on Umsebenzi, the party's newspaper. As a promising young party member, Kotane was sent to Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
to study Marxism-Leninism
Marxism-Leninism
Marxism–Leninism is a communist ideology, officially based upon the theories of Marxism and Vladimir Lenin, that promotes the development and creation of a international communist society through the leadership of a vanguard party over a revolutionary socialist state that represents a dictatorship...
at the International Lenin School
International Lenin School
Situated in Moscow and shrouded in secrecy, the International Lenin School was founded in 1926 as an instrument for the "Bolshevisation" of the Communist International and its national sections, following the resolutions of the fifth Congress of the Comintern. Between 1926 and 1938 the school...
. In Moscow, Kotane studied under Endre Sík
Endre Sík
Endre Sík was a Hungarian historian, politician, Minister of Foreign Affairs between 1958 and 1961. He was the younger brother of Sándor Sík, poet, piarist teacher....
, 1967 recipient of the Lenin Peace Prize
Lenin Peace Prize
The International Lenin Peace Prize was the Soviet Union's equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize, named in honor of Vladimir Lenin. It was awarded by a panel appointed by the Soviet government, to notable individuals whom the panel indicated had "strengthened peace among peoples"...
and other Marxist theorists. Returning to South Africa in 1933, Kotane advanced through the Party until the point where he became the party's general secretary in 1939.
Political legacy
Kotane was a well-respected member of the struggle for majority rule in South Africa by even non-communist leaders. Walter SisuluWalter Sisulu
Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress .-Family and Education:...
credited him as a "giant of the struggle" because of his logical and non-dogmatic approach.
Kotane was also a leading member of the African National Congress
African National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
at the same time as the SACP. With the African National Congress, Kotane served as Treasurer General from 1963 to 1973 when he was replaced by Thomas Nkobi
Thomas Nkobi
Thomas Titus Nkobi was a senior leader of the South African African National Congress and a key figure in the Anti-Apartheid movement...
. Kotane, representing the Communist Party, attended the 1955 Asian-African Conference
Asian-African Conference
The first large-scale Asian–African or Afro–Asian Conference—also known as the Bandung Conference—was a meeting of Asian and African states, most of which were newly independent, which took place on April 18–24, 1955 in Bandung, Indonesia...
in Bandung
Bandung
Bandung is the capital of West Java province in Indonesia, and the country's third largest city, and 2nd largest metropolitan area in Indonesia, with a population of 7.4 million in 2007. Located 768 metres above sea level, approximately 140 km southeast of Jakarta, Bandung has cooler...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. From 1956 to 1961, Kotane was a defendant in the Treason Trial
Treason Trial
The Treason Trial was a trial in which 156 people, including Nelson Mandela, were arrested in a raid and accused of treason in South Africa in 1956....
alongside fellow South African leaders Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
, Albert Luthuli, Joe Slovo
Joe Slovo
For Joe Slovo Informal Settlement in Cape Town, see: Joe Slovo .Joe Slovo was a South African politician, long-time leader of the South African Communist Party , and leading member of the African National Congress.-Life:Slovo was born in Obeliai, Lithuania to a Jewish family who emigrated to South...
, Walter Sisulu
Walter Sisulu
Walter Max Ulyate Sisulu was a South African anti-apartheid activist and member of the African National Congress .-Family and Education:...
and 151 others. Despite years of prosecution, none of the defendants, including Kotane, were convicted.
Later life
Kotane suffered a stroke in 1968. Following the stroke, he went for treatment in the Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, where he died on 19 May 1978.
Honours
Kotane was honoured with the Isitwalandwe MedalIsitwalandwe Medal
The Isitwalandwe Medal is the highest award given by the African National Congress . Isitwalandwe means “the one who wears the plumes of the rare bird.” It was customarily only given to the bravest warriors, those distinguished by their leadership and heroism.Past recipients...
by the ANC in 1975. A local municipality
Moses Kotane Local Municipality
Moses Kotane Local Municipality is a local municipality in Bojanala Platinum District Municipality, North West Province, South Africa. It is named in memory of Moses Kotane. The seat of local municipality is Mogwase....
is named after him in North West Province, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.