The African People’s Democratic Union of Southern Africa (APDUSA) pays tribute to the contributions of Comrade Zola Siyaka to our liberation struggle. Our deepest condolences to the Siyaka family on the loss of Comrade Zola. Bhut Zola, as he was fondly known, became a member of the APDUSA at a very turbulent time in South Africa during the 1980’s. This was a time when workers and students engaged in mass revolts against our oppressors and exploiters. With an unshakeable commitment to the democratic demands and aspirations of his fellow workers and the landless peasantry, he understood what the compromise between the ANC and the apartheid regime meant for our struggle. Having developed a clear understanding of the unfolding conditions in the so-called new South Africa, inaugurated with pomp and ceremony in the early 1990s, Comrade Zola resolutely continued the fight for socialism.

Bhut Zola also believed in the need to nurture future generations of revolutionaries. He was at the forefront of building of APDUSA in the Kimberley region during very difficult times, placing special emphasis on recruiting and mentoring new generations of APDUSA fighters from militant youth. Through this action he gave concrete expression to one of Mr IB Tabata’s favourite sayings: “a flock without its young is a dying flock”. His home became a hub for national meetings, always eager to host his comrades from other regions across South Africa. At comrade Zola’s house informal debates about national and local politics will always carry on late into the night (or the early hours in the morning).

During the 1960’s and 1970’s the APDUSA was vehemently attacked by the apartheid regime. Many of our members were imprisoned and forced into exile. The ideas of the organisation could however not be destroyed. When some members finished their sentences of imprisonment they started to rebuild the organisation during the 1980’s. Comrade Zola was instrumental in contributing to rebuilding the APDUSA as a national organisation.

Recently Bhut Zola was not able to actively participate in many organisational activities due to ill health. He however remained keenly interested in daily political life and continued to inspire young and old, as he did at APDUSA political school in Warrenton. His contribution to the APDUSA, especially in Kimberley shall not be forgotten.

Long live the fighting spirit of Comrade Zola! Viva APDUSA!