Latest news with #SACP
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
SACP plans solo run in 2026 as ANC faces new threat
The SACP has confirmed it will contest the 2026 local elections independently, raising concerns for the ANC. Supporters of the South African Communist Party march through Braamfontein against gender-based violence, 21 August 2022. Picture: Michel Bega As the 2026 local government elections approach, the ANC is concerned about the SA Communist Party's (SACP) move to contest separately, or potentially challenge, the ANC in the upcoming elections. However, an expert believes the SACP's alliance with the ANC could prove to be an Achilles heel for the party. The ANC's transgressions could be revisited upon the small socialist party, with voters punishing it for tolerating the ANC's neoliberal policies that adversely affected the poor. SACP alliance with ANC could prove to be Achilles heel Besides, said an expert, the party may fail to amass much support like in the 2016 election – in Metsimaholo, Free State – because voters will not take it seriously. Last week, the SACP reiterated its position, taken as a resolution at its national congress in December, that it will stand alone in the local government elections. Initially, some analysts had been in doubt about the party's intention to go it alone, arguing such a move had always been on the SACP's agenda but failed to materialise as the party always changed its mind. ALSO READ: SACP's solo election run won't hurt ANC, analyst says But following SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila's reiteration of the decision, analysts said the party was not a real threat to the ANC because it lacks the numbers. Political analyst and scholar Dominic Maphaka, from NorthWest University, said the SACP resolution to contest elections alone 'will not affect the ANC'. 'An in-depth analysis of the SACP demonstrates that the party has no constituents that can affect the ANC if they stand for elections,' said Maphaka. Party doesn't have contituents that can affect the ANC 'The SACP has spent many years defocusing and demobilising itself by aligning with the ANC, which prioritises neoliberal policies.' He said the SACP's 'socialist ideological basis to draw the hearts and minds of voters will fall on deaf ears'. 'Many South Africans will not take the SACP seriously. If anything, the party would fail to amass much support,' he said. ALSO READ: EFF slams Presidency's silence around Mashatile shooting incident Coalitions worldwide have crumbled, some as far back as the 1930s in Germany, and that this continues to this day, he said. The cause was often ideological differences, including policy implementation, something that threatens South Africa's own 10-party government of national unity, he said. The party, which renewed its registration at the Electoral Commission of South Africa, described its participation in the elections as 'contesting for power'. 'Contesting for power' In preparation for its campaign, the SACP launched 'The Peoples' Red Caravan' last week. The campaign was themed 'The People's Movement for SelfReliance and Sustainability'. The observers regard the Red Caravan initiative as a final stamp in the party's position to go it alone under its Soviet-styled hammer and circle banner, plus black star banner. Some party grassroots structures have begun to prepare the media by carrying SACPspecific messages, including election T-shirts and caps, banners, and leaflets – an indicator that the stand-alone decision will not be reversed this time around. ALSO READ: Hani family slams 'imposters' allegedly pretending to be related to struggle hero Political analyst Dirk Kotzé said the history of left-wing parties in South Africa wasn't good, as they performed poorly and had minimal following. The SACP votes would come in the major urban centres and mining areas. Rather than compete with the ANC, he said, the party would compete with the EFF, which had the best record in membership and electoral performance. 'I don't think the SACP will really be able to manage nationwide local elections, which are much more demanding as they need organisational presence in each town or place where it is contesting,' said Kotzé. Votes would come in major urban centres, mining areas 'Local elections need a local organisation and I don't think the SACP has got that.' But one thing is for sure, he said, 'any poll victory for the SACP would be a loss for the ANC, which will also lose votes to other parties'.
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
The Legacy of Gertrude Shope: A Tribute to a Fearless Leader and Patriot
Struggle stalwart and former president of the ANC Women's League, Gertrude Shope. We are rightly a nation in mourning and justifiably feel a sense of deep loss and grief. Her selfless dedication and commitment inspired many of us young and old alike, says the writer. Image: Nelson Mandela Foundation Ambassador Welile Nhlapo When my mother passed on in 1973 I learnt about the pain of losing a mother and hoped it was my last experience. Today I feel the same pain with the passing of Mme Gertrude Shope, Isithwalandwe. She treated me as her child and showed me the love of a mother. She was my leader and mentor at the same time. Her late husband, Mark Shope, was equally my father and political mentor. He groomed me to be a political instructor in our camp in Angola and recruited me to the underground structures of the SACP. The Shopes were the in-laws of my childhood friend and Comrade, the late Tebogo Mafole. We all shared a strong bond of comradeship and selfless service to our people. Many others have experienced the same warmth, parental love, and political mentorship I am writing about. It particularly gives me a deep sigh of relief to be personal about what is going through my mind. Last week, her daughter, Lyndall, shared a video of her asking about me in a conversation they had. That is what a mother would do in her period of final reflection. I deeply understand why it happened and feel very overwhelmed that she thought about me. We are rightly a nation in mourning and justifiably feel a sense of deep loss and grief. Her selfless dedication and commitment inspired many of us young and old alike. There is no aspect of our struggle in which she did not leave a mark and a legacy to be emulated. Her life and deeds constitute many lessons of what patriotism and internationalism truly mean. Her commitment to global peace and security continued to be celebrated in the Annual Gertrude Shope Lecture on Women in Peace and Security as part of a dedicated continental training programme for women peace mediators conducted annually at DIRCO. I feel proud and honoured to be part of this noble experience. 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 Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading She did not only believe in the importance of intergenerational mix but was an embodiment of its true meaning. The ANC Women's and Youth Sections shared the same floor in Lusaka, Zambia and both of us were Heads of the two sections. We had the common responsibility of dealing with the challenges facing Youth and Women in the ANC. I learnt a lot from her on how to tackle our common tasks. We consulted on many issues and sought to find a unified approach towards uniting and giving common purpose to particularly the youth in institutions of higher learning wherever they were provided with scholarships, young women and men in Umkhonto we Sizwe and those deployed in various projects and offices. That is what the logo and slogan, Fight, Learn, and Produce found expression and adopted also as the current emblem of the ANC Youth League. This task remains firmly on the agenda in dealing with our contemporary issues of leadership, gender parity and confronting all forms of violence against women and children. A lot will still be written and spoken about as tributes continue to flow during this period of mourning. Our mother and leader have left us in pain and grief. We find solace that through her exemplary life and teachings, she left us with the best Inheritance we can yearn for and cherish as a nation she leaves behind. We bow our heads in her honour as we express our sincere condolences and gratitude to her entire family for the treasured gift of a wonderful soul. May she rest in eternal peace till we meet again. The struggle continues!!! * Welile Nhlapo is South Africa's former Ambassador to Ethiopia, Burundi and the USA. He was also the National Security Adviser to the President of South Africa and is a Struggle Veteran. ** The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
Eyewitness News
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
MPs question release of Janusz Walus on parole, want him extradited & reincarcerated
CAPE TOWN - Members of Parliament (MPs) have questioned the release of Janusz Walus on parole. The correctional services committee said that Walus showed no remorse after his release and should ideally be extradited and reincarcerated for violating parole conditions and South African laws. Walus, who was sentenced to life for murdering Chris Hani, was released on parole before being deported to Poland in December last year, a decision that outraged many, including Hani's wife. Correctional Services Minister Pieter Groenewald briefed the committee on the process of how people who were sentenced to life in prison could have their parole revoked, and how lifers were also not entitled to parole. READ: SACP expresses disappointment over handling of Janusz Walus's deportation This led to questions from members on how his statement contradicted certain decisions, like the release of Walus, who was serving life for Chris Hani's murder in 1993. Committee member, Marlon Daniels, said that Walus showed no remorse in interviews after his release, which was a violation, calling for his extradition. "We are in full support in checking out the prospects of extraditing Janusz Walus back to South Africa. In particular, the fact that there's no remorse." Committee member, Carl Niehaus, asked about the possibility of extraditing Walus for his lack of remorse. "On the basis of the fact that Walus had broken South African law." Groenewald said that Walus was released on parole because of a Constitutional Court decision, or the Van Vuuren case, which stated that those sentenced to life before 2004 could be granted parole after serving 20 years.
Eyewitness News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
SACP calls for GNU's downfall
MIDDELBURG - The South African Communist Party (SACP) has again spared no criticism over the Government of National Unity (GNU).The SACP and African National Congress (ANC) joined trade union federation COSATU in its annual commemoration of Workers' there are a number of rallies being held across the country, this year's national event is being held in to the podium first to deliver a message of support, SACP general secretary, Solly Mapaila, opened with a jab on a number of political issues."Down with VAT, down. Forward with the NHI, forward. Forward with the implementation of the BELA Act, forward. Down with the GNU, down."COSATU leader, Zingiswa Losi, weighed in on matters of national importance during her address to supporters gathered at the Kees Taljaard Stadium in Middelburg."The budget, comrades, must be progressive and not punishing. It must create jobs and it must tax the wealthy."In his brief address, ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, had this to say."Be it the BELA Act, be it the Expropriation Act, all that has happened because of you." The main event has wrapped up.
IOL News
01-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SACP demands wealth tax increase instead of VAT hike
SACP general secretary, Solly Mapaila, has called on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to replace the abandoned Value Added Tax (VAT) increase by increasing the wealth tax. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Newspapers South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary, Solly Mapaila, has called on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to replace the abandoned Value Added Tax (VAT) increase by increasing the wealth tax. He was addressing the Cosatu May Day rally, which President Cyril Ramaphosa also addressed at Kees Taljaard Stadium in Middleburg, Mpumalanga, on Thursday. Before delivering his speech, Mapaila, who had previously indicated that the SACP would contest future elections against the ANC, said 'down with the VAT increase', 'down with the GNU'. Ramaphosa annoyed the SACP after establishing the Government of National Unity (GNU), which included the DA, when the ANC lost its support during the May 29, 2024, general elections. Various political parties and labour unions were also angered when Godongwana attempted to increase VAT. 'We joined parties led by Cosatu and, in some instances, joined Saftu (South African Federation of Trade Unions) to fight against VAT,' he said. Godongwana was expected to table his revised Budget late this month, which excluded increased VAT. 'At least they should bring back the percentage that they reduced in the last round of reduction of capital income tax. 'That would give us more than four times what they wanted to do with the VAT,' he said. He said Godongwana should introduce measures that would enable the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to track down wealthy people who were dodging paying taxes. 'And recover, comrade president, as the commissioner of SARS indicated, almost R800 billion. 'That should be the main focus if R800 billion is in the hands of capitalists and they want to run away with it and not serve the interests of the people,' said Mapaila. He said the DA, which was the major partner in the GNU, was a stumbling block in the transformation of the country through its opposition to the Basic Education Law Amendment Act and the National Health Insurance. He said the DA was opposed to the Act so that the country could be dominated by white people through exclusive education and health services. 'They don't want the universal access to education at the nearest point of service, because they want exclusivity of whiteness in the country,' said Mapaila. Justifying the GNU, Ramaphosa said it was 'the best way forward' in the aftermath of the general elections, although it was 'not without its challenges and contradictions'. 'While there are parties within the GNU that have historically opposed the transformation of our society and the interests of the working class, the GNU has agreed on certain strategic priorities and a programme of action that will take our country forward,' said Ramaphosa. He said the ANC and its alliance partners have a task of managing the GNU challenges. 'We have seen some of the challenges of the GNU, most recently in the development and adoption of the national Budget. 'Following engagements between parties in the GNU, as well as with other parties in Parliament and different stakeholders, we have now reached an agreement that the Minister of Finance should table a revised Budget to Parliament,' said Ramaphosa. Cosatu and various political parties also held rallies across the country. In KwaZulu-Natal, Deputy President Paul Mashatile shared the podium with SACP national chairperson Blade Nzimande at Durban's Curries Fountain Stadium. Mashatile said the ANC recognised the role of the working class in the development of the country's economy. 'We further recognise the sacrifices and hard work of our workers who wake up every morning to work for their families, more importantly, to make meaningful contributions to the economy of our country.
