PRETORIA, Gauteng — The South African Communist Party (SACP) officially launched its 2026 election manifesto this weekend, signaling a definitive shift as the party prepares to contest the upcoming local government elections independently. Gathering at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Soshanguve campus, party leaders outlined a vision centered on working-class priorities and a strategic reconfiguration of their historic political alliances ahead of the November 4 polls.
For decades, the SACP has campaigned alongside the African National Congress (ANC) within the tripartite alliance. However, citing ideological divergences that trace back to the adoption of neoliberal economic policies in 1996, the Communist Party is now asserting its electoral autonomy. Dr. Alex Mashilo, a Central Committee and Politburo member, emphasized that this move is not about destroying the alliance but rather reconfiguring it through the ballot box.
“We are exercising our organizational, political, and ideological independence,” Mashilo stated, noting that the party intends to use the electoral front to spread socialist ideas and build working-class consciousness. He clarified that campaigning for the SACP is not the same as campaigning against the ANC, maintaining that the elections belong to all South Africans and not to a single political entity.
At the core of the newly launched manifesto are “bread and butter” issues, which Mashilo argues are the true essence of socialism. Rather than focusing on abstract ideology, the party’s local government strategy is anchored on the right to work, access to clean water, affordable electricity, and infrastructure maintenance. Mashilo heavily criticized the outsourcing of municipal services and public-private partnerships, pointing to systemic corruption in private water tanker contracts. He highlighted a recent instance where the Auditor General ordered a municipal manager to personally recover over 4 million rand in overpayments made to a private water tanker company.
Furthermore, Mashilo noted that while 94% of South Africans are connected to the electricity grid, the cost of units remains prohibitive. In some urban townships, residents pay more for electricity monthly than the national minimum wage, while rural populations still rely on wood for cooking.
SACP Acting Spokesperson Mr. Numalo confirmed that the party’s candidate selection process is already at an advanced stage. Rather than fielding only internal party leadership, the SACP is casting a wider net to reflect the communities it seeks to serve. “We are working with traditional leaders, church leaders, and community structures,” Numalo explained, adding that candidates will represent a broader sector of society under the SACP banner.
The decision to contest independently has sparked public speculation regarding “dual membership” and potential rifts within the alliance, particularly concerning leaders who hold prominent positions in both the SACP and the ANC. Party officials dismissed these concerns, maintaining that members do not need to choose between being communists and belonging to the ANC. Addressing rumors surrounding the absence of certain high-profile leaders, Numalo clarified that National Chairperson Dr. Blade Nzimande recently traveled to Cuba for the centenary celebrations of Fidel Castro. However, Nzimande remains active in party affairs, having recently chaired a fundraising dinner in Centurion.
Despite the electoral split, the SACP maintains that it values its alliance partners. Invitations to the manifesto launch were extended to the ANC, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), the South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO), and the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (CONTRALESA). While COSATU, SANCO, and CONTRALESA confirmed their support and attendance, the ANC’s participation remained unconfirmed at the time of the event. Numalo noted, however, that any ANC representative who attends will be warmly welcomed by the party’s members.
Delivering the keynote address, SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila framed the independent campaign as a necessary response to collapsing municipalities across the country. He urged candidates to adopt what he referred to as the “Chris Hani” standard—a nod to the selfless servant leadership of struggle icon Chris Hani.
Mapaila reminded supporters that true socialism begins with answering basic, daily questions: “Who has water? Who has food? Who has housing?” By rejecting the petty privileges sought by many modern politicians and focusing entirely on selfless service, the SACP hopes to set a new moral standard for local governance and force a necessary reconfiguration of the political landscape in the upcoming elections.
