The South African Communist Party (SACP) is set to kick off its Fifth Special National Congress on Wednesday at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Ekurhuleni.
Running until December 14, the congress marks a pivotal moment in the party's history as it prepares to chart its course for the 2026 local government elections.
For over 30 years, the SACP has been a key member of the Tripartite Alliance with the African National Congress (ANC) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), playing a significant role in securing the ANC's dominance in South African politics.
However, the decision to form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other political parties has sparked intense criticism within the SACP.
General Secretary Solly Mapaila has been a vocal critic, accusing the ANC of betraying the working class. At the congress, Mapaila's position on the ANC’s alliance with the DA is expected to be a central discussion point.
As delegates gather in Ekurhuleni, a key issue will be how the SACP can assert its independence while maintaining relationships with the broader left-wing coalition.
National spokesperson Dr. Alex Mashilo highlighted the importance of the congress in shaping the party's future.
"The question for the congress is, how do we deal with these things affecting the independence of the SACP as a political party of the working class?" Mashilo said.
"We have campaigned for these things to be addressed for 28 years, now is the time for new strategy and tactics in how we do things," he said.
One of the congress's most anticipated outcomes is the party's manifesto for the 2026 elections. The SACP plans to focus on progressive policies, including a basic income grant, expanded public employment programmes, and a firm stance against budget cuts.
However, questions remain about the party’s ability to garner wider support at the polls. While the SACP has contested elections independently before, most notably in the 2017 Metsimaholo by-elections, its success has been limited. The party secured three proportional representation seats in that contest, but its broader electoral potential remains uncertain.
Mashilo acknowledged the challenges ahead, but emphasised that the SACP's decision to contest the 2026 elections reflects the need to adapt to shifting political dynamics.
“When you have the SACP contesting, there will be a reconfiguration. The alliance will no longer be the way it was before, it will be having two political organisations contesting for power,” he said.
The future of the SACP's ministers, Blade Nzimande and Gwede Mantashe, will also be a key topic of debate at the congress.
Both serve in the GNU government, and the party will need to determine whether it will continue to support them in these roles or distance itself from the ANC-led government as it pursues a new direction.
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has acknowledged the SACP's decision to contest the 2026 elections and stated that discussions about the future of the alliance will continue.
“We have agreed to continuously engage on this matter, including the modalities of that particular decision,” Mbalula said.
As the congress unfolds, the outcomes will set the stage for the SACP's political future and could reshape the broader left-wing political landscape in South Africa. With key decisions on the horizon, all eyes will be on the Birchwood Hotel over the next four days as the SACP navigates its path forward.
IOL