JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — Tensions between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) are escalating ahead of the November 4, 2026 Local Government Elections, prompting urgent questions about the future of the Tripartite Alliance. According to political analyst Thembisa Fakude, the SACP’s decision to contest the elections independently may be less […]
JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — Tensions between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) are escalating ahead of the November 4, 2026 Local Government Elections, prompting urgent questions about the future of the Tripartite Alliance. According to political analyst Thembisa Fakude, the SACP’s decision to contest the elections independently may be less of a fundamental political realignment and more of a tactical maneuver that ultimately leaves core municipal governance challenges unaddressed.
For decades, the ANC and the SACP have campaigned jointly alongside the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) as foundational members of the Tripartite Alliance. However, this longstanding political arrangement is now facing its most significant test. The SACP is preparing to run under its own banner in the upcoming municipal elections, arguing that an independent platform is necessary to authentically advance working-class interests. Conversely, the ANC has cautioned that this move risks fragmenting its traditional support base and confusing progressive voters.
The political rift is already spilling over into COSATU. With some union affiliates backing the ANC and others throwing their support behind the SACP, the labor federation is expected to fiercely debate its official position at its national congress next month.
Political analyst Thembisa Fakude suggests that the SACP’s independent run is unlikely to offer voters a genuinely different governing philosophy. Fakude describes the move as the “same party with different colors,” noting that the SACP has been part of the governing coalition for decades and shares responsibility for the ongoing challenges seen at the municipal level.
Addressing concerns about voter fragmentation, Fakude argues that the standalone campaign could actually be a calculated tactic. By presenting the SACP as a “new player,” the maneuver might dilute disgruntled voter sentiment, subtly guiding them back to the ANC through the “back door.” Fakude expressed skepticism that the electorate is naive enough to believe this new positioning will deliver tangible changes to their daily lives.
Expanding on the broader political landscape, Fakude pointed out that both parties continue to compete for the same working-class demographic while maintaining the same political ideology. Fakude criticized a shared culture of “flip-flopping, lack of delivery, and continual undermining of our people for the past at least 34 years.” This sentiment, Fakude noted, also extends to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), which was described as “another ANC in a different color” stemming from the exact same political tradition and school of thought.
The situation is further complicated by the issue of dual membership. The ANC has instructed its members, including those who hold SACP membership, to actively campaign for ANC candidates. Fakude highlighted that enforcing this directive will be highly difficult, especially since both parties have been slow to announce their precise candidate lists. By the time the candidates are finalized, Fakude warned, many voters may have already made up their minds at the ballot box.
Despite the independent electoral contest, the SACP maintains that it remains committed to the broader Tripartite Alliance. However, with the November 4 elections approaching and COSATU’s national congress looming, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this fracture is a temporary tactical break or a permanent shift in South Africa’s political landscape.
