The SACP will independently contest the 2026 local government elections, a decision signaling a significant break from the ANC due to recent neoliberal shifts and poor electoral performance. The SACP aims to bolster grassroots engagement and reform the left-progressive identity while addressing widespread voter disaffection, indicating a critical period in South African politics.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has announced its intention to independently contest the 2026 local government elections, a decision that signifies a significant separation from its historical ally, the African National Congress (ANC). This development, revealed during the SACP’s Special National Congress, is a response to the ANC’s recent collaboration with the right-leaning Democratic Alliance (DA) in a Government of National Unity (GNU) after the ANC received only 40% of the vote, its weakest electoral performance since 1994.
The partnership with the DA is seen by both the SACP and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) as a movement towards neoliberal economic policies, marking a divergence from the pro-worker agenda initially upheld by the ANC and its allies. The continued oppression of poverty, unemployment, and violent crime, as well as the stagnation of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR), highlights the failures of recent ANC administrations. Despite historical alliances, the SACP has felt increasingly sidelined within the decision-making processes led by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Solly Mapaila, SACP General Secretary, emphasized that this move is to liberate the party from perceived abuses while aiming to strengthen the ANC as a broader movement.
The SACP expresses confidence that their separate electoral participation will enhance their left-progressive identity and advocate for better living conditions for South Africans. However, there is concern about how this shift will impact the close ties between the parties, particularly given the substantial overlap in membership and positions held by SACP members within the ANC. The SACP is pursuing a grassroots engagement strategy to counteract the disenchantment among the electorate, as exemplified by the 22.7 million eligible voters who chose not to participate in the recent election, reflecting a deep-seated alienation from the democratic process.
The SACP aims to gather various progressive forces under a popular left front, asserting that inclusive dialogue is vital to address South Africa’s social and economic crises. Notably, former President Thabo Mbeki’s attendance and supportive remarks at the special congress signal a potential opening for collaboration across traditionally divergent political lines.
As the SACP navigates this complex political landscape, it seeks to promote a renewed vision that prioritizes fulfilling the needs of the working class and marginalized communities while recognizing the precarious state of democratic engagement in South Africa.
Ultimately, this pivot by the SACP signifies a bold attempt to reclaim a voice for the left in South Africa’s political discourse, aiming to address pressing societal issues with renewed vigor.
The South African Communist Party, historically aligned with the African National Congress, has faced increasing tensions due to the ANC’s alliance with the Democratic Alliance and shift towards neoliberalism. The ANC’s reduced electoral success has prompted both the SACP and COSATU to reconsider their participation and demands for reform within the alliance. The SACP’s commitment to contesting elections independently highlights its desire to reassert a left-progressive agenda and respond to the growing disaffection of voters within a struggling democracy.
The SACP’s decision to contest the 2026 elections independently from the ANC marks a profound shift in South African politics, signifying increasing discontent with the ANC’s neoliberal policies. By prioritizing grassroots engagement and forming a popular left front, the SACP aims to address the pressing social and economic challenges facing the country. This strategic move reflects a broader need for a revitalized commitment to the needs of the working class and a reevaluation of the ANC’s direction.
Original Source: cpusa.org
