African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has paid tribute to the late party General Secretary Joe Slovo and called on alliance partners, particularly the South African Communist Party (SACP), to strengthen their partnership.
Mr Ramaphosa's remarks at Mr Slovo's 30th memorial service at Soweto's Avalon Cemetery on Monday come as the SACP considers contesting future elections independently, including the 2026 local polls. It was held inside.
“Comrades, Joe Slovo was the embodiment of the Revolutionary Alliance. He understood the respective roles, responsibilities, and purposes of each component of the Alliance. Through the contributions of people like Joe Slovo, The SACP has played a very central role in refining the ANC’s ideological outlook,” Ramaphosa said.
He added: “The SACP is the strength behind the ANC, and likewise the ANC is the pillar of strength for the SACP. They need each other and it is in the interests of the democratization of the people for one to walk separately. It will weaken the movement.”
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However, SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila supported their decision to contest the 2026 local elections and said their decision was not intended to weaken the ANC.
“We want working class representation. That is why we are participating in the 2026 elections. We want to strengthen the Alliance, not weaken it. We are not enemies of the ANC and our dual membership continues because the political climate dictates that we stand up to capital and promote the NDR as the SACP.”
SACP | Conversation with Solly Mapaila and Cyril Ramaphosa
