On the somber 33rd anniversary of the assassination of General Secretary Chris Hani, the South African Communist Party (SACP) has issued a defining statement that marks a significant departure from its historical electoral strategy.
While the day was intended to be one of quiet reflection and solidarity with the Hani family, it instead became the backdrop for a stern critique of the current state of the Tripartite Alliance and a bold reaffirmation of the Party's intent to contest elections in its own right.
The day's proceedings were already clouded by a disrupted wreath-laying ceremony earlier in the week at the Thomas Nkobi Memorial Cemetry. The SACP officially apologised for the discontinuation of that event, citing what they described as interference by the municipality.
This friction served as a poignant lead-in to the Party's broader message: the era of unconditional, silent support for their primary ally is coming to an end.
A living organism, not a holy cow
Invoking the legacy of Chris Hani, the SACP leadership reminded the public and their partners in the Alliance was never meant to be a static or unquestionable entity. They characterised the Alliance as a “living organism” shaped by struggle and accountability rather than a “holy cow” to be protected from criticism.
The Party expressed deep concern over the perceived stagnation of the Alliance, noting that no formal summit has been convened since 2015.
The Party's frustration stems from what they describe as a lack of meaningful implementation regarding the reconfiguration of the Alliance. Despite drafting a joint reconfiguration platform in 2019, the SACP contends that the ANC has largely ignored these processes, allowing the dominance of “monopoly capital” and “neo-liberal ideology” to persist in South Africa's economic space.
The road to the ballot box
The most significant portion of the communique focused on the resolution to contest elections directly. While this objective was first adopted in July 2017 and reaffirmed through various congresses in 2019, 2022, and 2024, the SACP has now signaled that it will no longer delay its implementation.
The Party was careful to frame this move not as a break with the Alliance, but as a necessary evolution to give voice to a working class that is increasingly disillusioned and abstaining from the polls.
By seeking direct electoral participation, the SACP aims to bring “scientific socialist perspectives” back into the national dialogue. They argued that for over three decades, they have provided selfless support to the ANC at the expense of their own independent voice. The move is presented as a democratic right, anchored in the Freedom Charter, intended to deepen democracy and strengthen working-class agency rather than to act as an opposition to the ANC.
Internal friction and revolutionary fibre
The statement did not shy away from addressing the growing internal intensions within the movement. The SACP leadership rejected what they called a “new tendency of harassment and intimidation” directed at their members by certain ANC leaders.
They specifically called out threats made against SACP members holding government positions, describing such conduct as a betrayal of “revolutionary fibre” and a misunderstanding of the principle of dual membership.
Despite these sharp rebukes, the Party maintained a fraternal tone toward the ANC, emphasising their shared history in the struggle against apartheid. However, the underlying message was clear: the SACP will no longer allow its socialist historical mission to be compromised by “narrow electoralist arrangements.” As the country moves toward future elections, the Party remains committed to the National Democratic Revolution, but insists that this revolution must now enter a second phase — one where the Communist Party speaks for itself.