By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) is accusing its alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC) of being arrogant, as talks between the two have borne no fruit.
Speaking at the SACP’s central committee meeting in Braamfontein on Friday, SACP secretary general Solly Mapaila said the ANC had several chances to fix the situation.
“We had an opportunity to manage things differently, but the ANC was arrogant. Even in meetings, they didn’t take our proposals seriously, “he said.
Mapaila added that the ANC rejected every attempt by the SACP to work together differently.
“They gave us a ‘take-it-or-leave-it” attitude and expected us to go against our own congress decision. That was disrespectful, “he said.
He explained that the SACP had called for a “reconfiguration” of the alliance between the ANC, SACP, and COSATU since 2019 – meaning a new way of working together more equally.
However, Mapaila says that the ANC did not take that seriously.
“They even accused us of trying to destroy the ANC just because we wanted changes in how we work together.That showed they weren’t serious about the alliance,” Mapaila said.
SACP has resolved to contest all municipalities in the upcoming 2026 local government elections independently, marking a significant shift from its longstanding alliance with ANC.
This decision was solidified during the SACP’s fifth special national congress, held at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg in December, 2024.
Historically, the SACP has been a key component of the Tripartite Alliance, alongside the ANC and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). This alliance has been instrumental in shaping South Africa’s political landscape since the end of apartheid. However, recent developments, including the ANC’s decision to form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with parties like the Democratic Alliance (DA), have strained relations within the alliance.
Mapaila has long criticised the GNU, saying it does not represent the interests of Black South Africans and the working class.
SACP decision to contest elections independently may signal a shift in alliance dynamics, potentially leading to a realignment of political forces within South Africa’s leftist movements.
Meanwhile former president Thabo Mbeki urged the SACP to contest as socialists, warning against undermining the tripartite alliance.
This follows the communist party’s re-assertion that it still regards the ANC as a partner, despite plans to contest independently.
Mbeki has cautioned that a direct electoral challenge by the SACP in the 2026 municipal elections could spark confrontation between the two longstanding allies.