SEDIBENG. – The South African Communist Party (SACP), an alliance member of the ANC, is preparing to contest the upcoming local government elections in its own name for the first time in the democratic era.
The SACP held a bilateral meeting with the ANC at Luthuli House in Johannesburg last week, following an invitation from the SACP.

The SACP Sedibeng District Secretary, Thembinkosi Pulu, confirmed the meeting.

The meeting is said to have discussed important issues affecting the alliance and the national democratic revolution as a shared programme between the alliance partners.

“As part of its input, the ANC tabulated matters emanating from its special NEC meeting, particularly those relating to election processes insofar as they affect the relations of the alliance partners, more particularly the SACP as an organisation that will also participate in the upcoming local government elections,” said Mbulelo Mandlana, SACP Head of Media, Communications and Information.

Pulu said, “We affirm our position to contest the Local Government Elections and its campaign.”

During the discussion, Mandlana said, the ANC and the SACP reaffirmed their continued commitment to the alliance, even as the SACP prepares to contest the upcoming local government elections in its own name. Among other issues, the meeting reflected on the ANC’s position to communicate its election approach and expectations to its members.

” We view dual membership not as a punishable offence.”

“The SACP respects the ANC’s independence to manage this process. In the context of a shared membership between the ANC and SACP, this discussion is important for SACP members who are also ANC members. The SACP will remain available for further engagements on this matter as we remain committed to the organisational formation of the alliance, which critically includes dual membership. We view dual membership not as a punishable offence but as an asset for the progressive cause,” said Mandlana.

Mandlana further added that it is through the idea and practice of dual membership that the revolutionary movement succeeded in building the most powerful political movement, that defeated colonial and apartheid forces.

“The SACP is committed to maintaining productive cooperation.”

“Any action to undermine it serves only to reverse any potential for further progress on transformation. Considering existing standing committees between the ANC and SACP relating to management of alliance relations during the course of the elections, the bilateral agreed to continue to work out and refine the rules of engagement. However, as the SACP, we are concerned that the work of this task team has not been given sufficient attention from the side of the ANC. The SACP is committed to maintaining productive co-operation with alliance partners in this area and any other important area of work.”

“We remain committed to the resolution to contest the upcoming local elections.”

The SACP said that it remains steadfast in its position that none of its members will face any political retribution whatsoever for holding a membership of the ANC.

“The SACP remains committed to its resolution to contest the upcoming local government elections and sees no contradiction between its decision and sustaining the alliance with its shared objectives. We welcome what we see as the ANC’s ultimate realisation of the unchanging nature of this decision of the SACP as reflected in the engagements in the bilateral meeting.”

The party’s primary focus remains establishing a strong working-class base for sustained socialist struggles while utilising electoral opportunities to defend national democratic ideals and consolidate the transformation project.