The SACP is set to review its relationship with the ANC following the outcome of the May 2024 general elections and the formation of a government of national unity.
This comes as the tripartite alliance, comprising the ANC, SACP, and COSATU, faces unprecedented challenges, including the ANC’s decision to join a government of unity with the Democratic Alliance.
The SACP said it acknowledged its failure to heed grassroots warnings before the May 2024 elections and was now preparing for a more independent political role, potentially contesting the 2026 local government elections outside the traditional ANC-led Alliance.
The party will convene its fifth Special National Congress at Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni from 11 to 14 December to address concerns over the ANC’s blurred identity and its diminished capacity to engage effectively with the working class.
In its pre-conference discussion document, the SACP said the ANC’s loss in the 2024 national elections, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, have forced it to confront the challenges historically faced by liberation movements losing majority support.
“After waking up from that bad dream in May2024, we found in discussions in SACP structures that we shared widespread recognition that we had indeed seen the writing on the wall before the elections but had failed to really listen to what our members on the ground had been telling us for some time,” the party said in its pre-conference discussion document.
“Electorally, this means that SACP needs to seize the moment to start preparations for independent participation.”
The SACP said it recognized the urgent need for transformation, moving away from a “business-as-usual” approach to embrace a more independent role.
With the alliance no longer linked to a majority ruling party and the path to state power no longer guaranteed, the SACP acknowledged the necessity of adapting to the new political reality.
“This shift involves revisiting the South African Struggle for Socialism, adopted at the 15th National Congress in July 2022, with a fresh strategy for implementation.”
“Central to this new approach is the establishment of a popular left front or movement, grounded in grassroots mobilization and active campaigning, as a critical step toward advancing revolutionary change.”
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