SACP to attend ANC's celebrations despite tensions

THE South African Communist Party (SACP) has confirmed that it is forging ahead with its intention to participate in the ANC's January 8 celebrations, even as tensions between the two political allies rise.

- SIYABONGA SITHOLE

Scheduled for Saturday, January 10, at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg, the event marks the anniversary of the ANC's founding in 1912 and traditionally features messages of support from various alliance partners, including the Congress of the South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and the SACP itself.

However, the relationship between these two longstanding allies has been strained by recent political maneuvers, most notably the SACP's decision to contest the forthcoming local government elections independently.

This move was met with a hardline response from ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, who announced that SACP members would be barred from holding dual membership and participating in ANC election-related platforms.

"We have resolved to strengthen the alliance, we have also resolved to solve this impasse but in the meantime, we will disinvite the SACP from all election preparation platforms," he said.