Key Takeaways:
- The South African Communist Party (SACP) has decided to contest the upcoming local government elections against its Tripartite Alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC).
- The ANC has pleaded with the SACP not to contest the elections, citing concerns that it will weaken the alliance and split votes among the working-class base.
- The SACP has announced plans to launch its election manifesto, which will be determined by communities, trade unions, and other formations of the working class.
- The decision has created a conundrum for the ANC, as many of its members and leaders hold dual membership with the SACP.
- The SACP expects its members to openly campaign for the party, while acknowledging the reality of dual membership and the need for some members to act accordingly.
Introduction to the SACP’s Decision
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has dismissed the African National Congress’s (ANC’s) ongoing pleas not to contest them in the upcoming local government elections. In late 2024, the SACP leader, Solly Mapaila, announced that the party would break its long-standing tradition and contest the local government polls against its Tripartite Alliance partner, the ANC. This decision has significant implications for the alliance and the upcoming elections. The tripartite alliance is a political pact between the ANC, SACP, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) formed during apartheid, which united nationalist, communist, and labour forces around a shared "National Democratic Revolution" (NDR), while retaining independent organisational structures under ANC electoral leadership.
The ANC’s Plea
The ANC has been trying to persuade the SACP to reconsider its decision, with President Cyril Ramaphosa calling for the alliance partners to unite at a commemoration event for the late SACP leader Joe Slovo on 6 January 2026. Ramaphosa expressed concerns that the SACP’s decision would weaken the alliance and distract voters, potentially leading to a loss of power. However, the SACP remains unmoved, with Mapaila announcing plans for the launch of its election manifesto, which will be determined by communities, trade unions, and other formations of the working class. The manifesto will be launched at a people’s manifesto conference, where communities will come together to determine their own manifesto. This approach is seen as a way to ensure that the party’s election campaign is driven by the needs and aspirations of the working class.
The Implications of the SACP’s Decision
The SACP’s decision to contest the elections independently has significant implications for the ANC and the alliance. Political analyst Dr. Ntsikelelo Breakfast argues that the ANC will be the primary loser, as the SACP’s independent run will split votes among the same working-class base, weakening the ANC’s electoral prospects. The ANC’s exclusion of SACP members from election strategy meetings is seen as evidence of the alliance’s breakdown. The SACP’s decision is also likely to have significant implications for the party’s relationship with the ANC and the COSATU. The COSATU, which is a key partner in the tripartite alliance, has not publicly commented on the SACP’s decision, but it is likely to be concerned about the potential impact on the alliance and the labour movement as a whole.
The Dual Membership Conundrum
Another conundrum that the ANC faces is that many of its members and leaders, like Minister Blade Nzimande, hold dual and high-ranking membership with the SACP. When the ANC and SACP re-emerged in 1990, they facilitated shared leadership, allowing members to hold positions in both parties and the government post-apartheid. However, this has created a challenge for the ANC, as it tries to navigate the implications of the SACP’s decision. The ANC’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, has told fellow party members that the party’s NEC has given the SACP an ultimatum: either backtrack on its decision to contest elections on its own or have its members lose their ANC membership. However, Mapaila is unfazed, telling attendees that the decision to contest elections would not change. The SACP expects all its members to openly campaign for the party, while recognising the reality of dual membership and the need for some members to act accordingly.
The SACP’s Election Campaign
The SACP’s decision to contest the elections independently marks a significant shift in the party’s strategy. Mapaila has stated that the party is entering the local government elections in 2026, which will be a crucial terrain of class struggle. The party’s election campaign will focus on determining a new social path for municipalities, with a emphasis on the needs and aspirations of the working class. The SACP’s approach is seen as a way to ensure that the party’s election campaign is driven by the needs and aspirations of the working class, rather than by the interests of the ANC or other parties. The party’s election manifesto will be launched at a people’s manifesto conference, where communities will come together to determine their own manifesto. This approach is seen as a way to ensure that the party’s election campaign is driven by the needs and aspirations of the working class.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the SACP’s decision to contest the upcoming local government elections against the ANC has significant implications for the alliance and the party’s relationship with its members. The ANC’s plea for the SACP to reconsider its decision has been rejected, and the SACP is moving forward with its plans to launch its election manifesto. The dual membership conundrum has created a challenge for the ANC, as it tries to navigate the implications of the SACP’s decision. The SACP’s election campaign will focus on determining a new social path for municipalities, with a emphasis on the needs and aspirations of the working class. As the elections approach, it will be interesting to see how the SACP’s decision plays out and what implications it will have for the party, the alliance, and the country as a whole. The SACP’s decision is a significant development in the country’s political landscape, and it will be important to monitor the party’s progress and the impact of its decision on the alliance and the country.
