The ANC and SACP — it’s more than just a messy divorce

Q: Will the ANC and SACP officially split?

While a formal 'divorce' hasn't been finalized, the current standoff over election contesting and dual membership represents the most serious threat to the alliance's survival since its inception.

April 24, 2026

The ANC and SACP — it’s more than just a messy divorce

The long-standing political marriage between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) is facing its most significant crisis in decades, transcending the labels of a simple political spat or a messy divorce. As the 2026 local government elections loom, the SACP’s recent decision to contest elections under its own banner has triggered a seismic shift within the Tripartite Alliance. This move has prompted the ANC to issue a stern 10-day ultimatum, demanding that members with dual membership declare their primary allegiance. This escalation signifies a fundamental breakdown in the strategic and ideological "glue" that has held the liberation movement together since the mid-20th century, suggesting that the era of unquestioned ANC dominance supported by its communist ally is rapidly coming to an end.

The ANC and SACP alliance is currently fracturing as the SACP moves to contest the 2026 local government elections independently for the first time since the dawn of democracy in 1994. This shift follows years of mounting tension over neoliberal economic policies, state capture allegations, and the ANC’s declining electoral majority. The ANC’s recent directive requiring dual members to choose a side within 10 days has been labeled by the SACP as a "serious anti-communist act," threatening the very foundation of the Tripartite Alliance and signaling a potential permanent split in South Africa's governing political structure.

The ANC and SACP — it’s more than just a messy divorce

The Historical Foundation of the Tripartite Alliance

To understand the current friction, one must look back to the 1950s. The alliance between the ANC and the SACP was forged in the fires of the anti-apartheid struggle. Following the banning of the Communist Party of South Africa in 1950 and the subsequent formation of the underground SACP in 1953, the two organizations found common ground in the National Democratic Revolution (NDR). The "Colonialism of a Special Type" theory served as the ideological framework that united African nationalism with Marxist-Leninist class struggle. This partnership was solidified in 1961 with the co-founding of uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), the armed wing that carried out sabotage and guerrilla warfare against the apartheid state. For decades, the SACP provided the ANC with intellectual rigor, organizational discipline, and vital links to the Soviet bloc, while the ANC provided the mass base necessary for a national liberation movement.

Electoral Decline and the Catalyst for Change

The current "divorce" proceedings find their roots in the ANC's steady electoral decline. Since its peak in 2004, the party's support has eroded, culminating in the 2024 general elections where the ANC lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in democratic history. This decline has emboldened the SACP to question its secondary role. Historically, the SACP has campaigned for the ANC, effectively acting as an ideological vanguard that delivered the working-class vote without appearing on the ballot itself. However, as the ANC's "good story" fails to resonate with millions of unemployed and marginalized South Africans, the SACP's leadership, particularly General Secretary Solly Mapaila, has argued that the party must contest elections directly to offer a genuine socialist alternative and rescue the NDR from what they perceive as a neoliberal drift.

The 10-Day Ultimatum: A Turning Point in Discipline

The immediate trigger for the current standoff was a directive from ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula. Following an ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in April 2026, the party demanded that all members holding dual SACP-ANC membership declare within 10 days which party they would campaign for in the 2026 elections. Mbalula framed the SACP’s decision to run independently as a "conflict of interest" and a violation of ANC constitutional rules regarding support for rival political organizations. This administrative ultimatum has been met with fierce resistance from the SACP, which views it as an attempt to disenfranchise its members and subordinate the party to the ANC’s dictates. Solly Mapaila has openly ordered SACP members to disregard the ultimatum, calling it a "hostile" act that undermines the historic principle of dual membership.

Ideological Ruptures: Neoliberalism vs. Socialism

Beyond the administrative squabbles lies a deep-seated ideological divide. The SACP has grown increasingly critical of the ANC-led government’s economic trajectory. From the adoption of the GEAR (Growth, Employment, and Redistribution) policy in the late 90s to more recent fiscal consolidation measures, the SACP argues that the ANC has prioritized the interests of "monopoly capital" over the working class. The SACP views the ANC's current governance as a "conformist" approach influenced by imperialist forces and capital interests. This ideological "mess" is what makes the current situation more than just a divorce; it is a battle for the soul of the liberation movement. The SACP wants to pull the alliance to the left, while the ANC, now part of a Government of National Unity (GNU) involving centrist and right-wing parties, is forced to navigate a more pragmatic and often neoliberal path.

The Impact on High-Profile Dual Members

The "messy divorce" puts several high-ranking government officials in an impossible position. Leaders like Gwede Mantashe (Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources), Blade Nzimande (Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation), and Buti Manamela (Deputy Minister of Higher Education) are stalwarts of both organizations. Historically, being a communist was a badge of honor within the ANC leadership. Now, these individuals face the prospect of disciplinary action or forced resignation from one of their political homes. This internal pressure threatens to destabilize the cabinet and creates factions within the ANC itself, as members are forced to choose between their socialist convictions and their roles within the governing party.

Key Event/Factor	Significance for the Alliance
SACP 2022/2024 Resolutions	Formalized the intent to contest elections independently.
2024 National Elections	ANC lost its majority, forcing a coalition government (GNU).
ANC 10-Day Ultimatum	The first major administrative attempt to end dual membership privileges.
Solly Mapaila’s "Anti-Communist" Claim	Signals a total breakdown in trust between alliance leadership.

The Government of National Unity (GNU) Complication

The formation of the Government of National Unity after the 2024 elections has further alienated the SACP. By entering a grand coalition that includes the Democratic Alliance (DA) and other parties the SACP considers "pro-capitalist," the ANC has, in the eyes of the communists, diluted its revolutionary character. The SACP has been vocal in its opposition to the GNU, arguing that it empowers right-wing forces and further sidelines the working-class agenda. This geopolitical and domestic realignment means the ANC is looking for stability and broad-based consensus, while the SACP is looking to mobilize its base against the very partners the ANC now relies on to govern. This creates a functional paralysis within the alliance structures.

The Risk of Electoral Marginalization for the SACP

While the SACP’s rhetoric is bold, the reality of independent contesting is risky. Historical data from by-elections suggests a steep uphill battle. In recent by-elections in Fetakgomo Tubatse and Polokwane, the SACP managed only about 1% of the vote. Critics argue that while the SACP provides significant intellectual leadership, it lacks the "machinery" and broad-based appeal to succeed as a standalone electoral party. If the SACP fails significantly in the 2026 local elections, it risks losing its leverage over the ANC entirely. Conversely, if it manages to peel away a significant portion of the ANC’s traditional working-class base, it could hasten the ANC’s decline toward being a minority party, potentially paving the way for a more permanent realignment of South African politics.

Internal Tensions and the Ghost of State Capture

The "mess" is also a legacy of the Jacob Zuma era. The SACP was initially a key supporter of Zuma’s rise to power, hoping he would shift the party to the left. However, as the "state capture" project unfolded, the SACP became one of the first alliance partners to turn against him, leading to deep divisions. The rise of the MK Party, led by Zuma, has further fractured the traditional ANC support base. The SACP now finds itself fighting a war on two fronts: against the "neoliberal" elements within the ANC and the "populist" threat from the MK Party. This multi-layered conflict makes the current political landscape incredibly volatile, with the SACP trying to carve out a space that is both revolutionary and distinct from the corruption-tainted factions of the past.

Conclusion

The current state of the ANC-SACP relationship is far more complex than a simple "messy divorce." It represents a fundamental restructuring of the South African political landscape that has existed for over 70 years. The ANC’s 10-day ultimatum and the SACP’s defiant rejection signify that the tactical and strategic unity required to maintain the Tripartite Alliance is failing. As the SACP prepares to stand on its own in 2026, it is not just seeking a divorce from the ANC; it is seeking to redefine the National Democratic Revolution in a way that the ANC, in its current form, may no longer be able to accommodate. Whether this leads to a complete split or a newly reconfigured (and likely much weaker) alliance, the "marriage" that liberated South Africa is effectively over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the SACP deciding to contest elections independently?

The SACP believes the ANC has drifted toward neoliberal economic policies that neglect the working class. By contesting independently, the SACP aims to provide a socialist alternative and reclaim the radical direction of the National Democratic Revolution.

What is the ANC's 10-day ultimatum?

In April 2026, the ANC issued a directive requiring members with dual ANC-SACP membership to declare within 10 days which party they would campaign for, citing a conflict of interest since the SACP plans to run against the ANC.

Can someone be a member of both the ANC and SACP?

Historically, dual membership has been a cornerstone of the Tripartite Alliance. However, the ANC's recent leadership decisions suggest that dual membership may no longer be compatible if the two parties are competing for the same electoral seats.

How does the Government of National Unity (GNU) affect the alliance?

The SACP strongly opposes the GNU, especially the ANC's partnership with the Democratic Alliance (DA). The SACP views this as a move toward the right, further straining the relationship between the two historic allies.

Will the ANC and SACP officially split?

While a formal "divorce" hasn't been finalized, the current standoff over election contesting and dual membership represents the most serious threat to the alliance's survival since its inception.

The ANC and SACP — it’s more than just a messy divorce

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