Despite disillusionment with allies in government, the SACP and the Confederation of Labor are unlikely to break away from the tripartite alliance
The South African Communist Party (SACP) will review its decades-long relationship with the ANC at a meeting in December, citing concerns that the alliance undermines its political independence and weakens its influence.
The party is scheduled to hold its fifth special national conference from December 11 to 14 at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni, as part of which will discuss how the ANC is blurring its identity and effectively connecting with the working class. We plan to discuss whether this has limited the ability to engage in
This is an unprecedented three-party alliance that includes the ANC, SACP and Cosatu, with the ANC's decision to enter a unity government with the Democratic Alliance (DA), the party's declining electoral performance and growing voter disillusionment. This is in the midst of facing challenges.
“Coalition partners' influence has increased the influence of key neoliberal policies, including strict fiscal austerity, justified as a more decisive push to meet specific debt reduction targets, and the concept of 'dealing' with profits. “We are likely to move towards even stronger compliance with the code.” '', he said in a pre-meeting discussion paper.
The party says its identity as an independent political organization has declined and it is increasingly seen as an extension of the ANC, a perception that is hurting its ability to attract support and remain relevant. said.
“It's not very flattering, but certainly among the middle class who read the print media, there is a perception that we are a party that has never left the ANC, even though we keep threatening to leave the ANC. This is certainly the practice of prominent analysts (black and brown) in the media.
“We seek to characterize the SACP (white),” the document reads.
The party said the ANC's historically low 40% share in the 2024 national elections has heightened doubts about the alliance's effectiveness, and that its long-standing relationship with the ANC, once a strategic asset, has now become its unique asset. He added that there was a risk that his voice and mission would be overshadowed.
The party blames the ANC's decline on poor service delivery, economic stagnation and new politics such as the IsiZulu-focused party (MK), which has a large following in KwaZulu-Natal. It blames voters' dissatisfaction with the rise of the movement.
The party did not advocate splitting the alliance, but stressed the need to redefine its role and regain independence.
The proposal proposes strategic shifts for local government elections in 2026, including a renewed focus on establishing an electoral management system and mobilizing working-class voters.
“The SACP will contribute to the alliance’s election manifesto for the 2026 local government elections and may also consider issuing a separate ‘local government statement’ to highlight specific socialist perspectives.” says the document.
It added that it would create a manifesto rooted in socialist principles, with a focus on equitable service delivery and local accountability.
The party has ruled out forming a coalition with the DA or MK party, but stressed the need to go beyond traditional allies and work with like-minded organizations. These included trade unions across various federations, progressive NGOs, and research institutions.
Such cooperation is consistent with common goals such as advocating for universal basic income subsidies, expanding public employment programs, opposing budget cuts that affect workers and the poor, and advancing financial sector campaigns. It will be something to do.
“We need to recognize that the old adage, ‘You can’t win in the boardroom what you can’t win on the field,’ is now likely to be even more true. We need to recognize that the power and influence of classes has been declining for some time.
“Unless they build more power on the ground, left-wing alliance partners are likely to have less influence over government economic policy than the DA,” it said.
“In many ways, power has shifted downward in a perverse way, and we have not achieved the mass democracy and popular participation that we had hoped for. The ANC is given authority and strategic capabilities. [national executive committee] In some ways, the situation has become even worse, with considerable erosion and a decline in the sophistication of the “kingmakers.”
“What happens to the country if the ANC becomes increasingly federal or quasi-federal? [SACP]• Compared to the earlier period considered, the party now controls its conventions through local leaders and relies heavily on regular organizational reports on local self-reports. Additionally, reporting on the party’s local funding is not always transparent,” the party said.
