ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has revealed that Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been mandated to lead the ANC delegation to the SACP congress.
The SACP which recently announced that it will be contesting the upcoming local government elections independently outside the ANC will this week host an elective conference which it said it will be used to formulate SACP’s manifesto for the 2026 local government elections.
The party is due to hold its 5th special national congress from December 12 to 14.
This pivotal moment comes at a time when the ANC is keen to re-evaluate its own strategies and partnerships within the tripartite alliance that includes the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).
In a statement to media representatives at the Birchwood Hotel following a meeting of the ANC National Working Committee (NWC) and the Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula disclosed that Deputy President Paul Mashatile will lead the ANC delegation to the SACP congress.
"We have been invited to deliver a message of support and we will do so," Mbalula affirmed, underscoring the complexities of the looming electoral landscape.
The SACP's movement towards an independent electoral strategy marks a significant departure from past practices, where it has relied on the ANC in the spirit of the long standing alliance.
Mbalula noted the party's resolution to retain SACP ministers in the cabinet, despite the latter's new stance. This indicates an attempt by the ANC to maintain unity and cooperation amidst growing tensions about electoral strategies.
“We are yet to fully assess the implications of the SACP's decision for our alliance. We have cautioned against it as it has far-reaching implications,” Mbalula explained. He further detailed that the ANC has planned a bilateral meeting with the SACP in January to engage thoroughly with the decision and discuss its ramifications.
In an ironic twist, the SACP's congress will be held at the same venue as the ANC's national executive committee (NEC) meeting, raising eyebrows regarding the future of their collaborative efforts.
With the past electoral performance being scrutinised, discussions concerning the fate of the party in key provinces like Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal are set to unfold in the New Year. “Our analysis on Gauteng is about assessing the state of the organisation in the province, not a blame game,” Mbalula stated, emphasising a desire for rejuvenation within the party.