At the heart of South African political news, a wind of change is shaking the political scene, with the South African Communist Party (SACP) announcing its decision to run independently in the 2026 local government elections. This decision, revealed by SACP Secretary General Solly Mapaila in a recent announcement, marks a major shift in the country’s political dynamics.
While the SACP states its intention to contest the elections as an independent party, it stresses that it does not wish to position itself in opposition to the ANC in the post-election phase. This nuance is crucial, as the SACP is keen to stress that the ANC remains its ally and that it is not in a position of direct confrontation with the latter.
Alex Mashilo, spokesperson for the SACP, stressed in a statement to the Mail & Guardian that the decision to contest the 2026 local government elections is not aimed at confronting the ANC, but at exercising the party’s democratic right to run. He insists that the SACP is seeking to implement this move autonomously, without seeking to place itself in direct opposition to its historical ally.
The SACP’s decision may have major implications for the ANC, which has expressed reservations about the move. However, it is important to note that the SACP has considered running alone in the past, only to back down following concessions made by the ANC. This time around, the SACP’s determination to go ahead appears to be strengthened by the ANC’s decision to form a government of national unity.
The modalities of the SACP’s participation in the 2026 local government elections will be clarified at the party’s special national congress in Boksburg next week. There are still outstanding questions about how the SACP will approach the polls, including whether one of its leaders will be featured on the ballot paper. These details will be discussed and finalised at the special congress.
Some SACP leaders believe that the ANC has shown more consideration for the Democratic Alliance (DA) than for its traditional alliance partners. Relations between the SACP, Cosatu and affiliated unions on the one hand, and the ANC on the other, have been strained by the decision to form a unity government with the DA, taken without prior consultation with alliance partners.
In this tense political context, the ANC’s reaction to the SACP’s announcement to contest the local government elections highlights the complex challenges facing the alliance. Fikile Mbalula, ANC secretary-general, has stressed that the SACP’s decision has serious implications for the alliance, while stressing the need for continued dialogue on the issue.
It is clear that this new political dynamic in South Africa is opening the way to major reconfigurations in the political landscape. The SACP, by asserting its independence while maintaining links with the ANC, is a testament to the upheavals underway in the South African political scene. How this situation evolves remains to be watched closely, as it could have significant repercussions on the political landscape and on the relations within the historic alliance between the SACP and the ANC.