ANC Eastern Cape chair Oscar Mabuyane has extended an invitation to the SACP to consider working together in municipalities after the November 4 local government elections. Mabuyane emphasized that the two parties should not allow their first direct electoral contest to damage their longstanding relationship. He noted that the challenges facing South Africa, including unemployment, poverty, and inequality, would persist regardless of the election outcome.
Mabuyane made these remarks at the SACP's Red October campaign launch in Great Kei, where he delivered a message of support on behalf of the ANC. He suggested that the parties should first agree on a program around which they can govern together, rather than simply dividing political positions. Mabuyane cautioned that any post-election arrangement should prioritize issues like rebuilding municipalities, creating jobs, tackling corruption, and strengthening public institutions.
The ANC and SACP have a long history of cooperation, but the SACP has decided to contest the local government elections independently. Mabuyane acknowledged the SACP's decision, stating that the ANC accepts it despite differences over strategy. He emphasized that the two parties should not confuse tactical disagreements with strategic enmity and that they would inevitably compete for votes before the election.
Mabuyane also highlighted the ANC's vulnerabilities going into the election, citing organizational weaknesses, factionalism, and a trust deficit between political organizations and ordinary people. He noted that the ANC no longer possesses the same level of political power it once commanded and that some of its challenges are self-inflicted. Mabuyane emphasized the need for the ANC to learn from its mistakes and renew itself.
The ANC's failure to submit candidate lists on time in four Eastern Cape municipalities was cited as an example of the party's organizational weaknesses. Mabuyane stressed that such failures cannot be dismissed as merely administrative or technical problems, but rather as a reflection of deeper political issues. He emphasized the importance of organizational discipline and competence.
Mabuyane also raised the possibility of restructuring the tripartite alliance between the ANC, SACP, and other partners. He suggested that the post-election environment may compel the parties to give concrete meaning to this concept, including examining the strategic purpose of the alliance and the relationship between the ANC and SACP. This could involve reevaluating the role of organized labor and decision-making processes.
Mabuyane's comments suggest that the ANC could be willing to work with SACP members who remain in public positions, despite the party's decision to contest elections independently. He emphasized that individuals in public positions should be assessed based on their competence, integrity, performance, and commitment to the transformation of society. Mabuyane concluded that the ANC and SACP have shared too much history to allow an election to turn them into enemies.
Key points
- ANC Eastern Cape chair Oscar Mabuyane invites ANC and SACP to explore governing together after local government elections.
- Mabuyane emphasizes the need for the ANC to learn from its mistakes and renew itself in the face of organizational weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
- The ANC and SACP may consider restructuring their alliance in the post-election environment.
