PHUTI MOSOMANE
The African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) convened the much-anticipated ‘high-level bilateral’ meeting this weekend to look at the state of the alliance, the two parties said in a joint statement.
The agenda of the meeting was discussions on the state of the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) , the reconfiguration of the Alliance, the international situation and balance of forces, preparations for the forthcoming Alliance Economic and Energy Summit and the 2024 national and provincial elections.
For many years now, the SACP has threatened to contest the elections on their own ticket, but this weekend, the two political parties agreed to still work together in preparations for the 2024 National and provincial elections manifesto, and most importantly, on candidates.
“The Alliance partners will also form part of the 2024 manifesto drafting process. This exemplifies the functioning of a renewed/reconfigured Alliance, not only in respect of elections but other important questions of the political struggle and democratic transformation,” the statement read.
This time, the ANC and the SACP will unite not only at the national, but also at provincial and local levels “to engage and work together regarding the elections candidate selection process”.
The two parties said the encouragement to continue working together is informed by the shared strategy of struggle and transformation meant to eliminate the legacy of
oppression and transform South Africa into a united, non-racial, non-sexist,
democratic and prosperous society.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the two parties “have agreed to work together towards strengthening the Alliance.”
“A renewed/reconfigured Alliance, which we are committed to build, is essential to the renewal of the wider unity of, and growing support from the motive forces of the
National Democratic Revolution,” he said
SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila said the ANC and SACP are determined to work together to deepen the revolution to solve the economic and social problems
affecting our people, not least to meet their material needs, such as work, poverty
eradication, and systematic elimination of the high levels of racialised and gendered
inequalities.
According to the alliance partners it is generally accepted that the terrain upon which they operate has changed, and that these changes necessitate that the Alliance must adapt to these circumstances and more effectively confront the challenges.
“We agreed to put in place the basis for discussing the modalities of such a
renewal/reconfiguration of the Alliance. Already the meeting identified important
elements, such as a joint Alliance programme and regular Alliance consultation, and,
to this end, monthly Political Council meetings,” they said.
Following bilateral sessions with Cocasu, the Alliance will, in due course, convene its Economic and Energy Summit.
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