Our sincere condolences on the passing of comrade Chris Matlhako, secretary for international relations of the South African Communist Party (SACP). He regularly represented the SACP at the International Meetings of Communist and Workers' Parties (IMCWP). We knew him as a devoted communist, committed to proletarian internationalism and the struggle of the working class for socialism. 

Comrade Chris became involved in the student movement against the apartheid regime as a student. He joined the SACP and worked tirelessly for the emancipation of the South African working class. He was committed to the international struggle for peace and against imperialism. He served, for instance, as general secretary of the Friends of Cuba Association - South Africa (FOCUS-SA) and was involved in the South African Peace Initiative (SAPI) which is a member of the World Peace Council. He represented the South African Communist Party at numerous international meetings. 

We wish his loved ones and comrades, the SACP and the South African working class, strength with this loss. His contribution to the struggles of the South African working class, the international communist movement and the anti-imperialist peace movement will continue to be an inspiration for the struggle against capitalist exploitation, for socialism.

International Commission of the CC of the NCPN