By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Communist Party (SACP) has rejected an invitation from its alliance partner to celebrate the 100 days in the government of national unity (GNU).
It has been just over 100 days since the formation of the broad-based co-governing agreement called the ‘Government of National Unity (GNU).’
The African National Congress (ANC) will reflect on the 100 days of the GNU tomorrow at the Luthuli House.
SACP announced at a briefing at its headquarters in Johannesburg following a three-day meeting of the Central Executive Committee.
The meeting discussed the political, economic, and social state of the country and resolved various issues including the basic income grant, transformation of the reserve bank, and expanded public employment amongst others.
SACP Secretary General Solly Mapaila says that the celebrations are taking place on the day the party and ANC were scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting on pressing issues.
“On the 100 days of the GNU celebrations tomorrow, we have rejected the invitation. We will not be going albeit that it’s been laced together with thanking the people who voted for the ANC for which we were in the campaign it feels sad, but we will not be going,” says Mapaila.
“We cannot, in good conscience, attend an event that does not reflect the principles of unity and collaboration that we initially envisioned,” Mapaila stated.
He emphasized that the SACP’s rejection of the invitation is a stand against the perceived dismissive attitude of some ANC officials towards their coalition partners and broader societal concerns.
Meanwhile ANC secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula said the party will use the occasion to extend its gratitude to six million South Africans who voted for the party on 29 May this year.
Load shedding, job creation, and the economy will top the agenda.
“We will talk about the things that are happening in this government that have been sustained from the sixth administration,” said Mbalula.
Mbalula also revealed that the ANC will have a bilateral meeting with the SACP on Monday.
The meeting comes amid tensions and a clashing of views on the formation of the GNU after the ANC’s poor performance in the elections.
Mapaila, has been fiercely criticising the GNU.
“We will meet with the SACP on Monday because we don’t have hostility with the SACP. If the SACP has got a fundamental issue in relation to GNU, they are free to raise that with us; we are allies.”