What does the SACP’s independence mean for the ANC’s election future?

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said that the party might have reached a point where it was no longer able to persuade the South African Communist Party (SACP) to abandon its decision to contest the elections.

This comes after SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila confirmed that plans are on track for the South African Communist Party (SACP) to contest the 2029 general elections independently.

Mapaila, speaking at the party’s 104th anniversary in KwaDlangezwa, KwaZulu-Natal, accused the ANC of failing to implement alliance decisions and said the SACP was tired of “meaningless meetings” that result in no action.

He cited repeated frustrations, including the ANC’s refusal to allow SACP ministers in ANC-led departments real authority and failure to drive core issues like land redistribution and the promotion of indigenous languages.

He stressed that the decision to contest elections was a democratic resolution of the SACP’s 2022 congress, not a personal agenda, even though he had initially opposed it.

While affirming that the party would not leave the Tripartite Alliance, he made it clear that working-class representation in the state is long overdue.

Speaking at the ANC NEC meeting media briefing, Mbalula said the ANC respects the South African Communist Party's right to operate independently and make its own electoral decisions.

However, he warned that the SACP's move to contest local government elections outside of the ANC-led alliance structure could have serious consequences for the broader liberation movement.

“As a revolutionary movement, we recognise the SACP’s right as an independent organisation to chart its own electoral path. However, as a movement that has shared trenches with the SACP in the struggle for freedom, we have communicated our profound disaccommodation with this decision,” Mbalula said.

He said the ANC believes the decision has “far-reaching implications” for the strategic programme of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), the long-term vision of transforming South African society.

“It is our considered view that this move carries far-reaching implications for the strategic programme of the National Democratic Revolution. The National Executive Committee recalled many moments in history in which the SACP’s vanguard role was very critical in the struggle,” he said.

Mbalula stressed that past and current SACP leaders have always maintained that the road to socialism must pass through the NDR, led by the broader National Liberation Movement, of which the ANC is the primary force.

“Successive generations of party leaders have always affirmed that the route to socialism will traverse and be approached through the National Democratic Revolution led by the National Liberation Movement,” he said.

Reflecting on the historical alliance between the ANC and the SACP, Mbalula said: “Our shared victories against apartheid, our collective resistance to neoliberal exploitation, and our vision of a just society cannot be surrounded by fleeting tactical divergences.”

He reiterated the ANC’s commitment to unity among progressive forces, saying the party would continue to engage its allies with humility but also with clarity.

“The ANC will act with maturity and fortitude, engaging our allies with humility but also with clarity. Unity is the weapon of the oppressed and disunity is a luxury we cannot afford,” Mbalula said.

Although attempts have been made to convince the SACP to reconsider, the ANC now believes the decision may be final.

“And we believe that the ANC will weaken the National Democratic Revolution. It is important that, if possible, the Communist Party must understand the implications of this particular decision,” Mbalula said. 

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za

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