The South African Communist Party (SACP) has reaffirmed its decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently, despite efforts by the ANC to convince them otherwise.

The two parties held a bilateral meeting this week that sought to try to sort out the differences of the alliance partners that have been brewing over the years.

The two parties have been at loggerheads over the ANC partnering with the DA in the Government of National Unity (GNU), prompting the SACP to say it will contest the 2026 elections on their own.

Sources that were close to the meeting said the SACP’s secretary general, Solly Mapaila did not want to talk about the issue despite the ANC, led by Ramaphosa, trying to place the matter as a highly important issue on the agenda.

Recently, SACP spokesperson Alex Mashilo said the party had submitted its representation to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) to remain on the official register, following a notice to cancel its registration.

Mashilo emphasised that the SACP remains committed to its decision to contest the elections independently, citing its strategic objective of "deepening democracy and shifting the balance of forces in favour of the working class".

"The SACP remains steadfast in its commitment to building working-class power and pursuing socialist transformation in South Africa," Mashilo said.

The decision has sparked mixed reaction, with some analysts viewing it as a natural evolution of the SACP's role, given its long-standing ideological differences with the ANC.

Cosatu, a key ally of the SACP, has expressed its support for the party's decision, criticising the ANC for sidelining alliance partners during the formation of the GNU.

ANC leaders, including Gwede Mantashe and Paul Mashatile, have argued that contesting elections independently could strain the alliance further and weaken the broader leftist movement.

However, Mashatile recently acknowledged the criticisms by the SACP and committed to rebuilding unity in the alliance.

Despite this, the SACP remains resolute in its decision, with Mashilo stating that the party will contest all wards in the municipal elections independently.

Sources further said the SACP urged the meeting to strengthen the two parties' decades-old relationship.

The meeting focused on domestic, African continental, and global developments impacting the lives of South Africans, particularly the working class and poor.

"We held robust yet very constructive discussions on how to overcome our nation's challenges, solve our people's problems, and build shared prosperity, guided by the Freedom Charter," said Ramaphosa.

In a statement the parties said the meeting emphasised the need for a united, strong revolutionary movement to achieve economic and social transformation.

The parties discussed the implications of recent developments on the Alliance and reviewed the state of the National Democratic Revolution.

"We engaged in further reflections on the aftermath of the May 2024 election and the state of the Alliance, focusing on its reconfiguration and renewal," said Mapaila.

According to Mapaila, the bilateral meeting reaffirmed the parties' commitment to the National Democratic Revolution and the Alliance.

They agreed to strengthen their relationship, forged in over a century of national-revolutionary democratic struggles.

"We are interdependent, even though we are also foundationally independent formations, each with its historical mission to accomplish," said Ramaphosa.

The parties agreed to set in motion joint alliance consensus-seeking democratic consultation, culminating in the Alliance Summit this year.

"We will convene Alliance Political Council Study Sessions on economic policy, including fiscal, monetary, trade, and industrial policy, as well as broadly understood social policy," said Mapaila.

The parties emphasised the need for unity and international solidarity to build a better Africa and world. They reaffirmed their commitment to defending democratic national sovereignty and securing national independence and self-determination.

"We will not flinch or give any quarter to bullying," said Ramaphosa. "We will close ranks to defend and implement democratic transformation legislation towards a completely non-racial and non-sexist South Africa."

"We are determined to build a nation characterised by equality and shared prosperity in line with the Freedom Charter," said Mapaila.

sollly mapaila

ANC fails to sway SACP on 2026 local election decision