Amid ongoing tensions over the controversial Government of National Unity (GNU), the African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed that Deputy President Paul Mashatile will lead the party’s delegation at the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) special national congress. The congress, which is taking place in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, is set to conclude on Saturday. Mashatile’s role marks a significant moment in the fractious relationship between the two organizations, as the ANC and SACP continue to navigate their complex alliance.
Mashatile will deliver a message of solidarity on behalf of the ANC, emphasizing the shared vision of building a non-racial, non-sexist, and prosperous society. His address will stress the importance of unity and collaboration to protect democratic gains and address the nation’s pressing socio-economic challenges, including unemployment, inequality, and poverty. The ANC’s participation in the congress underscores the significance of the tripartite alliance between the ANC, SACP, and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), even as cracks appear in this longstanding partnership.
Despite their shared goals, the ANC and SACP have been at odds since the formation of the GNU, a coalition that included the Democratic Alliance (DA). The SACP has been vocal in its criticism of the ANC’s decision to partner with what they term “capitalist racists” and “neoliberals,” accusing the ruling party of betraying the revolutionary values that defined the struggle for liberation. According to the SACP, the ANC’s alliance with the DA undermines the progress of the black majority and fails to honor the legacy of those who fought for freedom.
At the congress, SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila voiced the party’s displeasure, expressing a preference for an ANC-EFF (Economic Freedom Fighters) coalition over the ANC-DA partnership. Mapaila has consistently rejected the DA’s neoliberal agenda, which he believes threatens the interests of the working class. The SACP’s frustration with the ANC’s direction is compounded by the party’s historic ties to the ANC and its expectation that the ruling party would prioritize alliances with more ideologically aligned partners, such as the EFF.
As tensions between the ANC and SACP continue to simmer, the SACP has made a dramatic declaration about its future political strategy. The communist party confirmed that it would contest the 2026 local government elections independently from the ANC, signaling a definitive break in their relationship. This move, described by the SACP as irreversible, marks a significant shift in the political landscape, suggesting that the SACP is preparing to chart its own course, free from the constraints of its traditional alliance with the ANC.
The fallout between the ANC and SACP raises important questions about the future of the tripartite alliance and the state of South Africa’s political environment. As both parties grapple with ideological differences, the SACP’s move to contest the 2026 elections on its own terms suggests a realignment of political forces in the country. For the ANC, the departure of a key ally in the SACP could signal broader challenges in maintaining its unity and pursuing its vision for the country’s future.
