SACP’s election stance signals end of Tripartite Alliance

IN DECEMBER 2024, the South African Communist Party (SACP) announced that henceforth, it will contest elections alone outside of the Tripartite Alliance comprising the ANC, COSATU and the SACP — as well as South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO). This includes the much-anticipated upcoming 2026 Local Government Election (LGE).

- BHEKI MNGOMEZULU

It was not the first time that the SACP had taken such a decision. But this time it sounds serious, and the ANC has conceded defeat in persuading it.

This incident triggers a few questions. Firstly, what has prompted the SACP to take such a firm decision this time? Secondly, does this mark the end of the Tripartite Alliance? Thirdly, what impact will the SACP’s decision have on the ANC during elections starting from 2026? Fourthly, could this incident have been avoided? Fifthly, what should the ANC do henceforth?

On the first question, the decision by the SACP was not impromptu. For years, the party has complained about the ANC, which it accuses of undermining other Tripartite Alliance partners and has been contemplating this move. This has led to the SACP threatening to contest various elections under its name, not under the ANC’s banner. This was the case, for example, under President Zuma’s term. However, such a decision was rescinded on various grounds.

Because of the SACP’s lack of a decisive position on this matter, the ANC did not take the party seriously. It worked on the assumption that the SACP would make this threat but change its mind on the eve of an election.

There was no expectation that the SACP would take a firm position, especially because its numbers are less than those of the ANC. What the ANC failed to understand or was oblivious to is that the political dynamics have changed significantly under President Ramaphosa. In 2019, the ANC fell below 60% for the first time, only obtaining 57%. In 2024, the ANC’s support further declined to 40.18%.