THULAMAHASHE, Mpumalanga — The South African Communist Party (SACP) has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the lives of the working class and the poor during the SACP Red October Siyanqoba Rally in Bushbuckridge.
SACP General-Secretary Solly Mapaila made the pledge while addressing supporters at the party’s final rally in the province ahead of the local government elections scheduled for November 4. The annual flagship campaign is heavily focused on combating the cost of living crisis and addressing food insecurity.
Mapaila emphasized that the party is confident in its ability to address the concerns of workers and the marginalized. He outlined a strategy to bring a stronger voice into local councils to prioritize community programs and build people’s power.
“We are creating the right to work and resuscitating that forgotten aspect of the people’s wishes in the Freedom Charter,” Mapaila stated. “We are rebuilding that to make sure that people have got access to basic services.”
Looking ahead to post-election governance, Mapaila indicated that the party is open to forming coalitions with like-minded parties. He explained that a framework has been tabled to evaluate potential partners based strictly on their commitment to thoroughgoing societal transformation.
“We are not here for deals, we are here to transform people’s lives,” Mapaila said, dismissing what he described as lip service and elite pacting.
Mpumalanga SACP Secretary Lucky Mbuyane reported that the party’s election campaign has been highly extensive, utilizing a wall-to-wall, daily approach. He noted that the party has been meeting with highly positive responses across various sectors and churches, expressing strong confidence that voters will turn out for the SACP.
The rally also highlighted the shifting dynamics within the political alliance. Because the SACP has decided to contest the upcoming elections independently, its alliance partner, Cosatu, has resolved to support both the ANC and the SACP.
A Cosatu representative explained the federation’s strategic position, noting that union members are currently standing as candidates for both political parties. “It was very strategic for the leadership to support all of them,” the representative said, confirming that the federation will back its members regardless of which party they represent.
Concluding the event, Mapaila took a swipe at mainstream media houses, accusing them of marginalizing the SACP in their news coverage. He alleged that the lack of airtime is directly tied to the fact that the communist party is not funded by capitalists.
