PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has officially resolved to back the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the upcoming 2026 local government elections, marking a historic departure from the labor movement’s traditional support for the ruling ANC. The decision, solidified during the union’s 13th National Congress, signals a growing formalized effort by public sector unions to build an independent working-class socialist movement in response to the country’s volatile post-2024 political landscape.
Nyameka Macanda, the newly elected president of NEHAWU, defended the resolution, stating that the union believes the SACP is the “vanguard of the working class.” Speaking on the union’s strategic pivot, Macanda emphasized that when the working class is “under siege,” the SACP must step in to defend workers’ interests. The endorsement aligns with the SACP’s recent decision at its own 15th National Congress to contest the upcoming elections independently, with or without the reconfigured tripartite alliance.
The pivot away from the ANC is rooted in deep-seated frustrations over unfulfilled agreements and deteriorating workplace conditions. Macanda highlighted that public sector workers are currently grappling with severe challenges, including high vacancy rates and stagnant incomes. She specifically pointed to “Resolution One of 2018,” a landmark agreement signed with the ANC-led government, alleging that the government reneged on its full implementation.
“That angered the workers,” Macanda noted, explaining the catalyst for the union’s shifting political allegiances and its renewed focus on campaigning for improved conditions directly on the shop floor.
During the congress, Macanda was elected to lead the national union, though she was quick to clarify that she is not the first woman to hold the presidency, acknowledging a female predecessor in the organization’s history. Under her leadership, the union is now navigating the complex task of positioning itself within the broader labor federation, COSATU.
When pressed on whether NEHAWU is actively campaigning against the ANC, Macanda clarified the union’s approach to its federation allies. She explained that NEHAWU will not force its political stance on other COSATU affiliates. Instead, the union plans to actively engage with the federation to persuade other affiliates to rally behind the SACP as they move toward COSATU’s 15th National Congress.
Ultimately, the union’s leadership maintains that building class hegemony across all key sides of power requires a decisive political realignment. By throwing its weight behind the SACP for the 2026 electoral contest, NEHAWU is betting that an independent working-class movement is the most viable path to securing the rights and livelihoods of public sector workers.
