SACP DIGS IN: "WE WON'T BACKTRACK" ON ELECTION PLAN, DEFIES ANC PLEAS

SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila.

By Mpho Dube — Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian_

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) has publicly defied efforts by the ANC to reverse its decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently, with SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila confirming plans to hold a manifesto conference in March.

Speaking at the 31st anniversary of Joe Slovo's death, Mapaila declared the SACP's commitment to defending working-class interests, despite ANC warnings that the move could weaken the alliance and fragment its support base.

Mapaila framed the decision as an assertion of political independence, saying the tripartite alliance had been weakened by "class compromise, bureaucratisation, corruption and neo-liberal orthodoxy in state policy".

He emphasized that unity must be principled, ethical, and led by the working class, drawing applause from SACP supporters. "Where we contest and where we govern, our approach will be clear: insourcing of workers rather than labour broking; participatory budgeting; land release for housing, agriculture and co-operatives; public employment programmes linked to social needs; support for co-operatives and township enterprises; firm action against corruption; and socially just responses to energy insecurity," Mapaila said.

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa had urged the SACP to reconsider, warning that independent participation would be a "historic mistake". However, Mapaila maintained that the SACP's stance was rooted in principle, not personal ambition, dismissing suggestions that the decision stemmed from dissatisfaction with deployment outcomes. "To those who are saying we are taking this decision because we do not have deployments, I do not care about deployments. I don’t want deployment," Mapaila said.

The tension between the two alliance partners was palpable, with SACP supporters chanting "asiyifun iGNU" (we do not want the GNU) as Ramaphosa spoke, highlighting the deepening rupture within the tripartite alliance. The SACP has been openly critical of the national governing coalition, which includes the Democratic Alliance, arguing it has shifted governance away from working-class priorities.

Mapaila emphasized that the SACP's decision was not an attack on the Alliance, but an exercise of working-class political independence. He said the party would focus on reorienting the National Democratic Revolution towards meeting the material needs of the majority, confronting neoliberalism, and improving living and working conditions.

The ANC's national executive committee has resolved to stop allowing dual membership of both parties, and SACP-deployed representatives will be barred from participating in ANC election strategy meetings. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula warned that the SACP's independent participation would confuse voters and undermine alliance cohesion.

As the SACP prepares to contest the 2026 local government elections, the party's stance has sparked debate about the future of the tripartite alliance and the direction of South African politics. With the SACP digging in, the stage is set for a potentially contentious election season.