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.
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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The foundations stated that a key factor in the decision was the uncertainty regarding the R700 million allegedly allocated for the National Dialogue. They also cited concerns over the rushed timeline, inadequate preparation, and shift towards government control as reasons for their withdrawal. 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