ANC unmoved by SACP's election ambitions, says Mbalula

THE ANC will have to “change its ways or it will die”, warned  secretary-general Fikile Mbalula.

“Our ways and deeds have contributed largely to the low morale among our voters and our people,” he said when addressing the Mpumalanga Provincial General Council at the weekend.

He also used his speech to take a swipe at the South African Communist Party (SACP) for its decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently.

“Comrades, we have suffered a setback, a big one. Our numbers went down to 40%. The NEC asked, ‘What do we call this outcome?’ and said it is a setback. We had to create what is called a Government of National Unity,” he stated, acknowledging the severity of the electoral blow.

Mbalula placed the blame squarely on the party's internal conduct and the widespread perception of corruption, rather than a rejection of its foundational principles. 

“The people say: We trust the ideas, but no longer the vehicle, and the vehicle is the ANC.” 

“Our organisation has not done well, and we must stand up together united and focus on the task,” he said.  

Beyond the internal introspection, Mbalula also used the platform to address the growing rift within the tripartite alliance, specifically hitting back at the SACP's decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. 

Mbalula claimed the SACP move “does not shake the ANC, as the communist party ‘never brought numbers’ to the party”.

“Leave comrades of the SACP to talk. After they finish, we correct them with a red pen,” he said to applause. He metaphorically described the ANC as a car with “shock absorbers” capable of handling “rough roads”. 

Political analyst Metjie Makgoba said Mbalula's speech represented a crucial moment of public reckoning for the ANC.

“His admission that the party's decline is self-inflicted, particularly due to its 'ways and deeds' which allude to widespread corruption, marks a significant shift from previous attempts to deflect blame.”

He said this acknowledgement, if followed by concrete action, could be a first step towards rebuilding trust.

“However, the challenge lies in translating these words into tangible reforms that address the systemic issues of corruption and maladministration that have plagued the party and government.

“The timing of Mbalula's remarks, following a historic electoral setback and the formation of a GNU, highlights the extreme pressure on the ANC to reinvent itself. His call for unity and renewal is not new, but the urgency with which it is delivered underscores the existential threat the party faces. The reference to the 'carcass' of a party serves as a stark warning that continued inaction could lead to its irrelevance.

“Furthermore, Mbalula's strong stance against the SACP's independent electoral ambitions reveals the deep fissures within the tripartite alliance. While he downplays the SACP's electoral impact, his public rebuttal indicates a concern within the ANC that a fractured alliance could further dilute its support base,” he said.

Cape Times