Latest news with #GovernmentElections
IOL News
a day ago
- Politics
- IOL News
SACP members chased out of ANC election workshop
ANC Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane threw out SACP members at an ANC workshop recently. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers THE South African Communist Party (SACP) has launched an attack on its tripartite alliance ANC deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane, accusing her of chasing the communist party's members away during a recent elections workshop in Mpumalanga. During the workshop, aimed at strategising for the 2026 Local Government Elections, Mokonyane issued a directive, asking SACP delegates to leave, citing that the party would not strategise with a group intending to contest elections independently. The directive, according to sources, also angered some SACP leaders, who accused Mokonyane of also breaking the longstanding relationship the party has had with the ANC and Cosatu. SACP national Spokesperson Mbulelo Ndlazana confirmed the incident, stating that the party's decision to contest the local government elections independently is not a reflection of the political relationship between the two organisations. 'Certain members and leaders of the SACP were removed from an elections workshop in Mpumalanga. The SACP is aware of this action and has engaged the ANC about it,' Ndlazana said. He further stated that the alliance was not an election, and therefore, electoral contests do not determine the fate of the political relationship between alliance partner organisations. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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. Next Stay Close ✕ He blamed the ANC leadership in Mpumalanga for failing to address the matter before extending an invitation. 'The ANC local leadership committed an error by inviting the SACP into the workshop, given the fact that the SACP is contesting the elections independently. 'The fact that the SACP is contesting the local government elections independently and in its name means its election strategy and plans are internal to it, and this is true of the ANC as well,' Ndlazana said. The SACP has met all requirements to contest the elections, as confirmed by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). The ANC has criticised the SACP's decision, arguing that it could split the Alliance vote and benefit opposition parties. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula previously questioned the theoretical basis for the SACP's decision, stating that if the communist party wants more influence, it can be resolved through discussions on deployment lists. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has backed the SACP's decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. In its secretariat report at its elective conference in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, the NUM called for the mobilisation of the 'popular front of the left' against the Government of National Unity (GNU). SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila said there was no turning back from forging ahead with their plans. 'I cannot reverse this decision; no one in the Communist Party can reverse this decision. It's a decision taken by Congress,' Mapaila said. Cape Times SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila insists that the party will contest the local government elections next year. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers
IOL News
2 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Rifts in the Tripartite Alliance: ANC and SACP clash ahead of local elections
ANC Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane threw out SACP members at an ANC workshop recently. Image: Doctor Ngcobo / Independent Newspapers Tensions within the Tripartite Alliance between the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) have come to the fore after an incident in Mpumalanga where SACP members were asked to leave an ANC election workshop. The workshop, aimed at strategising for the 2026 Local Government Elections, has exposed deepening divisions within the alliance. At the event, ANC Deputy Secretary-General Nomvula Mokonyane issued a directive, asking SACP delegates to leave the workshop, citing that the party would not strategise with a group intending to contest elections independently. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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. Next Stay Close ✕ This move has drawn criticism from senior SACP leaders, who accuse Mokonyane of divisiveness and of breaking the longstanding relationship between the parties. According to sources, the directive also angered some SACP leaders, and they have accused Mokonyane of also breaking the longstanding relationship the party has had with the ANC and Cosatu. Sources say there will be talks between the ANC and the SACP that will focus on what will happen to SACP members who were placed in top positions by the ANC, including SACP chairperson and Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Blade Nzimande. SACP national Spokesperson Mbulelo Ndlazana confirmed the incident, stating that the party's decision to contest the local government elections independently is not a reflection of the political relationship between the two organisations. 'Indeed, it is true that certain members and leaders of the SACP were removed from an elections workshop in Mpumalanga. The SACP is aware of this action and has engaged the ANC about it,' Ndlazana said. He further stated that the alliance was not an election, and therefore, electoral contests do not determine the fate of the political relationship between alliance partner organisations. He blamed the ANC leadership in Mpumalanga for failing to address the matter before extending an invitation. 'The ANC local leadership committed an error by inviting the SACP into the workshop, given the fact that the SACP is contesting the elections independently. 'The fact that the SACP is contesting the local government elections independently and in its name means its election strategy and plans are internal to it, and this is true of the ANC as well,' Ndlazana said. SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila insists that the party will contest the local government elections next year. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers He further said it was normal that each organisation on this particular question worked separately because the two were running different election campaigns. 'This is related specifically to the election programme and not to the political relationship between the two organisations as we historically know it.' The SACP has met all requirements to contest the elections, as confirmed by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Cosatu Spokesperson Matthew Parks expressed concern over the growing rift, emphasising the importance of unity within the alliance. 'The unity of the Alliance is paramount to Cosatu. We are undertaking discussions with affiliates, members, and workers on Cosatu's approach to the local elections, more so in light of the SACP's congress resolution to contest state power,' Parks said. He also highlighted the need for the Alliance to be reconfigured to address challenges and ensure it remains the strategic centre for policy and political discourse. The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has backed the SACP's decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. In its secretariat report at its elective conference in Benoni, Ekurhuleni, the NUM called for the mobilisation of the 'popular front of the left' against the Government of National Unity (GNU). The ANC has criticised the SACP's decision, arguing that it will split the Alliance vote and benefit opposition parties. ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula previously questioned the theoretical basis for the SACP's decision, stating that if the SACP wants more influence, it can be resolved through discussions on deployment lists. SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila reiterated the party's decision to contest the elections independently, stating that there is no turning back. 'The SACP is going to contest the local government elections; there's no turning back. I cannot reverse this decision; no one in the Communist Party can reverse this decision. It's a decision taken by Congress,' Mapaila said.
Daily Maverick
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Reimagining unity: The imperative of National Dialogue 2.0 in SA's political crisis
It is a common cause that 31 years after the formal demise of apartheid, the promises, great expectations and dreams of democracy are rapidly turning into horrific nightmares for the poor and disadvantaged. At the same time (new and old) elites rule the roost. Socioeconomic and spatial inequalities of the apartheid era widened while the politically connected continued to accumulate wealth and power at the expense of the poor. Crime and corruption escalated exponentially and are inextricably connected to political elites; global mafia operations of every genre magnetically gravitate to our country; and gender-based violence is a pandemic. South Africa has one of the highest unemployment rates in the world (33%), especially among young adults. The poor have inadequate access to essential services like water, electricity, healthcare and basic education. Many of these challenges were aggravated by State Capture. As highlighted by the Zondo Commission, State Capture in South Africa involved the systematic and deliberate subversion of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) for private gain. State Capture eroded good governance practices within SOEs and government departments (including law enforcement and intelligence services), decreasing operational performance and effectiveness. This entailed influencing appointments, procurement procedures, governance, and institutional structures to favour specific individuals and organisations. Key SOEs like Eskom, Transnet, and South African Airways were significantly affected by State Capture, with subsequent multiplier effects on all aspects of South African life, destroying the economy. Hegemonic rule of the ANC All these problems and challenges were aggravated during the hegemonic rule and reign of one political party, the ANC. Not surprisingly, some of its senior members were implicated in the State Capture report. Still, no one has yet been convicted because of the hollowing out of capacity in the National Prosecuting Authority. When he was firmly ensconced on the throne, Jacob Zuma said on more than one occasion that the 'ANC will rule until Jesus returns'. However, there were some obvious indications that the ANC was haemorrhaging — for example, in the 2021 Local Government Elections it received 45.59% of the vote. In the May 2024 General Elections, the ANC lost its parliamentary majority, winning 40.18% of the vote. Ironically, Zuma's newly established uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party (while he still claimed to be a disciplined member of the ANC) eroded the support of the ANC, winning 14.58% of the vote. The notion of a National Dialogue entered the public domain against the background of the ANC's declining electoral support. Former president Thabo Mbeki initially proposed a national dialogue in May 2024, calling for 'seismic reflections'. This was endorsed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who in his inauguration address after the May 2024 national elections, invited 'all parties, civil society, labour, business and other formations to a National Dialogue on the critical challenges facing the nation'. Ramaphosa said: 'By establishing the Government of National Unity, by preparing for a National Dialogue, we have deliberately set ourselves along the path towards a 'co-operation nation'. We would like all of us as South Africans to behave like 'weaver birds'… despite all the challenges, despite our differences, despite all the headwinds.' Political legitimacy There is a view that ruling elites have frequently utilised National Dialogues to obtain or regain political legitimacy. According to the Geneva-based Inclusive Peace and Transition Initiative: 'National Dialogues are typically convened when the fundamental nature or survival of a government in power is questioned. Thus, they usually intend to redefine the relationship between the state, political actors, and society by negotiating a new social contract.' A National Dialogue can be used for peacebuilding and reconciliation to increase confidence and trust among national actors, encourage inclusive engagement, and advance agreement on critical social, political, and economic challenges. The National Dialogue Handbook defines National Dialogues as 'nationally owned political processes aimed at generating consensus among a broad range of national stakeholders in times of deep political crisis, in post-war situations or during far-reaching political transitions'. The goal is for national leaders (political, business, religious, civil society, sports, etc.) across the ideological spectrum to debate, discuss and encourage inclusive engagement and advance agreement on significant social, political, and economic challenges. It is worth noting that the first National Dialogue was the Convention for a Democratic South Africa (Codesa), which took place in Johannesburg in December 1991. It was a critical step in the process of transitioning South Africa from apartheid to a democratic state. Nineteen political organisations participated, including the ruling National Party and the dominant African National Congress (ANC), comprising 228 delegates. Key aspects of Codesa included signing a 'Declaration of Intent' committing to negotiations and creating a new, democratic Constitution. The parties agreed on the principles of a unified, democratic, and non-racial South Africa, with a supreme Constitution and an independent judiciary. Crucial step Codesa established the foundation for negotiations for a democratic South Africa. While there were many disagreements, Codesa was a crucial step in the process of dismantling apartheid and building a new nation. The procedure was sufficiently adaptable to permit the creation of new forums and committees and modifications to existing ones based on political exigencies. As South Africa's transition from apartheid proceeded (with all its twists and turns), a Multi-Party Negotiating Process was established in March 1993, culminating in the adoption of an interim Constitution and preparations for the country's first non-racial elections. Parties with opposing views had to make substantial concessions during this process. Given the protracted conflict and violent past, the comparatively quiet and orderly democratic transition was praised globally as a miracle. Essential outcomes from the first National Dialogue were the Reconstruction and Development Programme and the Constitution. The National Development Plan, which presented a long-term vision and goals for South Africa to achieve by 2030, was released in 2012. All three documents can influence outcomes in the National Dialogue 2.0. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Almost a year after it was initially proposed, on 10 June 2025, Ramaphosa released the names of the Eminent Persons Group to 'guide and champion the National Dialogue'. The problems in South Africa cannot be solved by National Dialogues alone. For a National Dialogue to be successful, several challenges must be addressed, including political actors' opposition and resistance to change, a lack of support from groups, persistent violence, crime, corruption, instability, and a lack of inclusivity. The National Dialogue 2.0 should not be about saving the ANC. It is about saving our country. All stakeholders must put their shoulders to the wheel, rise above personal, parochial, and party interests, and put South Africa first.
