BOKSBURG, Gauteng — Leaders from multiple left-wing political parties gathered this weekend at a SACP-sponsored Conference of the Left, calling for a unified strategy to transform living conditions for South Africa’s poor and working class. More than 300 delegates are participating in the three-day meeting underway east of Johannesburg.
Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, providing analysis on the proceedings, described the gathering as an effort to build “a historic bloc” aimed at a comprehensive overhaul of the current neoliberal social order. The conference brings together political parties from the left, academic intellectuals, and civil society activists with the goal of coordinating efforts ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
According to Breakfast, the initiative seeks to address the fragmentation that has characterized left-wing politics in South Africa since 1994. While the concept is not new—originating in 2010 as the “Conference of the Democratic Left” before dissolving—the current effort includes prominent organizations such as the EFF, PAC, AAPO, and the SACP. Breakfast noted that these vanguard organizations have historically contested elections individually, limiting their collective impact.
The SACP’s sponsorship of the conference has raised questions about the future of the tripartite alliance. Breakfast observed that if the SACP contests local elections independently rather than within the ANC-led framework, it could signal the end of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) project, which positions the ANC as the leading force alongside the SACP and COSATU.
Key issues dominating discussions include the social and economic crisis exacerbated by capitalism, wealth inequality, unemployment, and recurring social unrest. Breakfast highlighted water shortages as a national consequence of water privatization, alongside the privatization of municipal services that has fueled violent service delivery protests. He noted that policies perceived by the left as “anti-poor,” coupled with intensified market fundamentalism under the Government of National Unity (GNU), have created a receptive audience for the conference’s message.
Breakfast emphasized that the only path to significant electoral influence lies in unity. “If the PAC approaches these elections by itself and the SACP [does the same], they are not going to be impactful,” he stated. Delegates are reportedly discussing the formation of a national revolutionary council to implement resolutions from the gathering and ensure the initiative translates into concrete action rather than becoming “just another talk shop.”
The conference also draws inspiration from international examples. Breakfast referenced Venezuela, where Hugo Chavez rose to power through a similar political arrangement, as well as Cuba. However, he cautioned that success depends on participating parties prioritizing collective goals over individual ambitions, noting that internal disputes over leadership have undermined such projects in the past.
Among the notable figures in attendance are Julius Malema and Tony Yengeni, who are reported to be helping to set the strategic direction for the conference. As the three-day meeting continues, observers will be watching for final resolutions and whether the assembled left-wing forces can present a cohesive alternative to voters in the upcoming electoral cycle.