Cape Town – The African National Congress (ANC) has stressed that its long-standing alliance with the South African Communist Party (SACP) remains intact, even as the communists prepare to contest the 2026 local government elections independently of the ANC.
Speaking on the sidelines of the party’s 114th birthday celebrations in the North West, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa said the alliance, which also includes the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), has been the backbone of the liberation movement and should not be abandoned.
“We have accepted the SACP decision to contest the elections. We don’t agree with that decision, but it is a decision of the SACP,” he said, adding that the ANC intends to engage with its partner to resolve differences.
While the ANC acknowledges the decision, Ramaphosa also appealed for unity and reflection on the alliance’s history, referring to legendary ANC and SACP leader Moses Kotane.
“At this moment, Moses Kotane’s message would have been ‘keep the alliance alive, united and strong… renew the alliance’,” he said, urging the communists to reconsider their position.
WATCH | ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says the decision by the SACP to run elections independently, which the ANC respects, will be a historic mistake and weaken the alliance. pic.twitter.com/bp6cqtcvym
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 6, 2026
The SACP’s move to go alone comes amid growing frustration over the ANC’s political direction, including its formation of a government of national unity with parties like the Democratic Alliance after the 2024 elections.
SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila has explained that the party is contesting locally to strengthen working-class representation and defend core socialist principles, not to break the alliance.
Mapaila told supporters that the 2026 local polls are a “crucial terrain of class struggle” and insisted that independent participation would reaffirm, not undermine, working-class interests.
“Our commitment to the alliance remains firm… but unity must be principled,” he said, outlining priorities like participatory budgeting, land reforms and public employment programmes.
WATCH | SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila says members who campaign for the ANC rather than the party in the local government elections will not be punished, though he expects all SACP members to campaign for the party. pic.twitter.com/WyGCzGlVuX
— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 4, 2026
Not all voices within the ANC are upbeat about the split.
ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe warned that contesting elections independently could risk the SACP’s political relevance, describing it as a “historic mistake” that might distract voters and weaken the broader liberation movement.
Cosatu, meanwhile, has called for renewed talks to keep the alliance cohesive, stressing that unity among the ANC, SACP and labour is important as the country heads into crucial local elections next year.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@twintshego_
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
