Johannesburg – Would Joe Slovo be happy about the conditions South Africa finds itself in today? Would he be critical of the government of the day, his own organisation or the ruling party?
These are the questions that tend to bubble about.
However, some within the South African Communist Party (SACP) believe his top priority would have been to solve the country's problems.
Today marks 22 years since Slovo died from cancer.
The anti-apartheid activist and esteemed politician passed on two years after the dawn of democracy and the establishment of a new government.
While the SACP and the ANC alike gather at Avalon Cemetery in Soweto to commemorate Slovo's contribution to the struggle against apartheid and inequity, those who have followed his work and ideals celebrate him as an astute strategist and tactician.
"It's difficult to say what he would have said about what has happened in South Africa, particularly throughout the last couple of years. But I believe what he would see the contradictions that exist in society and would be concerned about what underpins these contradictions. He would certainly not claim that South African has one view. He would see a country divided into fractions on the basis of sharing common views," says Alex Mashilo, SACP spokesperson and former Young Communist League Gauteng secretary.
Mashilo says Slovo was an intellectual thinker and would have analysed the ANC-led government in a particular manner and would have never been a reactionist.
He points out that Slovo contributed in the writing of ANC's first strategy and tactics documents of 1969 and subsequently other documents.
He cites his views contained in some of his work titled; The SA Working Class and National Democratic Revolution focused on many aspects particularly the marginalisation of women in the country.
"It was way back then but somehow he predicted the future and spoke of today's reality. One of the things he said is that if you look at South Africa and divide into two camps – the oppressors and the oppressed in both these camps you will find women subjected to patriarchy or male domination. We still see that in the 21st century."
Mashilo says he believes Slovo would have undoubtedly looked at the #FeesMustFall movement closely. He would have ascertained the strides made since 1994, looked at current problems and solutions that could be put forth.
In relation to the SACP's role in the country and within the Tripartite Alliance Mashilo concedes that much work remains to be done by the party.
"SA is not a socialist society. SACP itself recognises that. Until we reach socialism, we cannot claim that we have achieved what we preach."
"We can look at '94 and say we have made inroads. But equally there has been insufficient economic transformation. We need a drastic change in the elite regime. There are still forces that control the economy. When you talk about transformation they fight. But Slovo managed this in the '80s. He knew we could not achieve transformation until we drove towards the path of democracy."
Mashilo says Slovo would have appreciated the progress made.
"You cannot discount the fact that progress has been made," he says but further states that he (Slovo) would ensure that there is work done about areas where there is a lack of progress.
He explains that Slovo, for instance, was the Minister of housing from April 1994 – January 1995 and he built flats for the indignant.
"He knew these people did not have houses before. He knew their conditions. He's a man who wold acknowledged progress. He was not populist but rather a strategist," he says.
Slovo was handed over the Isithwalandwe-Seaparankoe award by the ANC's national executive committee in 1994 for his distinguished service in the liberation movement. This is cited by former telecommunications minister Pallo Jordan in his tribute to Slovo in 1995.
Aside from assuming roles as the founding member of the Congress of Democrats, the Chief of Staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe, a member of the Central Committee of the SACP and subsequently chairman, Slovo also played an integral role within the ANC.
His alongside his wife Ruth First were admired for the resilience and standing up against the Apartheid system.
They are survived by their daughters Shawn, Gillian and Robyn Slovo and granddaughter Cassie.