SACP message of condolences to the family of Comrade Joseph 'Joe' Muzi Nkosi

Monday, 31 August 2026:- The South African Communist Party (SACP) dips its red flag in mourning and honouring Comrade Joseph "Joe" Muzi Nkosi, a cadre who committed his life to serve the working class till he breathed his last.

As the SACP, we convey our heartfelt condolences to his family, as well as to our liberation movement and the people of South Africa for the loss.

Affectionately known as "Comrade Joe" and "Comrade President Joe", he distinguished himself as a revolutionary from his days as a mineworker, joining and serving in the National Union of Mineworkers, serving at various levels representing mineworkers. He went on to become a leader in Cosatu, serving as Deputy President during the difficult period when our movement had to contend with the deepening of the neo-liberal project in our country, following the defeat of the apartheid system. Comrade Joe stood on the correct side of history, as he fought within the working-class collective in the fight against neo-liberalism.

Comrade Joe later took on a diplomatic assignment, first in Venezuela. During his tenure there, he worked closely with the SACP in building and strengthening our solidarity with the Bolivarian revolution in Venezuela. Comrade Joe later became a diplomat in the Republic of Chad, where he served our country with distinction.

We will remember Comrade Joe for his forthrightness, his sharpness and his commitment to the advancement of our struggle. He was a true representation of the South African revolution, the Alliance, a worker, an activist of our national liberation movement, and a cadre of the Party.

In memory of Comrade Joe, the SACP calls for the unity of the working class in taking the struggle towards socialism. As the SACP, we will continue to build the internationalist movement against imperialism, a principle which Comrade Joe championed till the end.