In a significant hardening of its position, the South African Communist Party (SACP) has publicly attributed the collapse of its historic tripartite alliance with the African National Congress (ANC) to what it describes as the ANC’s “arrogance” and failure to implement agreed-upon reforms.
The party has definitively ruled out any reversal of its decision to contest the 2026 local elections independently, setting the stage for a potential political realignment in South Africa.
The declaration was made by SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila, who spoke of the party’s central committee meeting in Braamfontein this weekend. He presented a picture of a relationship broken by the ANC’s intransigence.
“The ANC has not been serious about it,” Mapaila stated, referencing a 2019 joint agreement on the “reconfiguration of the alliance.” He produced a copy of the document to underscore the point, alleging that the ANC leadership had consistently ignored the pact.
“It’s arrogance. Not that we can’t find each other. It’s arrogance,” Mapaila asserted, framing the SACP’s decision as a direct reaction to the ANC’s “unseriousness.”
The SACP’s congress had set a deadline of December 2022 for the reconfiguration process to be implemented. With that deadline passing without resolution, the party’s decision to go it alone became operational. Mapaila emphasized that this was not an individual leader’s choice but a “collective decision of its congress,” a point meant to signal the party’s unified resolve.
The weekend meeting also grappled with the internal complications arising from this break, particularly the issue of dual membership, where many SACP members also hold membership in the ANC. Mapaila acknowledged the stir it has caused but stated the party’s hands were tied.
“Congress has taken a decision and… neither the central committee nor me have the power to reverse it,” he said, indicating that the path forward, while disruptive, is immutable.
Facing down concerns from “doomsayers” about the practicality of a solo campaign, Mapaila admitted the SACP lacks the financial resources of its former ally but argued that elections are not solely determined by funding.
“We don’t have money and everybody knows that. But we’ll contest elections without money,” he declared. He outlined a vision for a grassroots, “community-based elections campaign” reliant on mobilizing the poor and working class to change their “dire conditions.”
In a related note, the SACP reiterated its support for the proposed national dialogue and vowed to meet with former President Thabo Mbeki to persuade him to participate.
The ball now appears to be in the ANC’s court. The ruling party is scheduled to hold its own crucial National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting next weekend, where the deteriorating relationship with its oldest ally is expected to be a central topic of discussion. The outcome will be closely watched for signs of whether a reconciliation is even possible or if South Africa’s political landscape is set for a fundamental shift.