SACP chairperson and former ANC NEC member Blade Nzimande has expressed his respect for his party's decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently. However, this will not deter him from campaigning for the ANC. Nzimande, also the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, made these remarks while leading an ANC election campaign in Ward 10 under the Moses Mabhida region. He acknowledged that the SACP's decision has created a difficult position for him as someone who has served both the ANC and the Communist Party.
The SACP's decision to contest the upcoming local government elections independently does not mean it has abandoned the broader alliance with the ANC. Nzimande described the changing relationship between the two organisations as not an easy development to digest. He has served both the ANC and the SACP, making the decision a difficult one for him. The veteran politician emphasised that despite the challenges, he will continue to campaign for the ANC.
Nzimande's presence on the campaign trail comes as the ANC prepares for an election in which it faces the challenge of rebuilding support in communities where voters have become increasingly critical of service delivery. The ANC is set to contest the 2026 local government elections, which will test its strength at grassroots level. The party needs to reconnect with voters at ward level and address service-delivery failures.
Engagements with communities and ward structures are crucial in understanding why the ANC is losing support and what needs to be done to address the problem. Nzimande said his meeting with the Ward 10 task team was particularly important as it provided an opportunity to confront the challenges facing the party at grassroots level. The ANC needs to listen to communities and take responsibility for past errors.
The ANC also needs to acknowledge and correct mistakes made in the past instead of ignoring concerns raised by communities. Service delivery problems have to be addressed robustly if the party wants to restore confidence among voters. Nzimande emphasised that the party needs to be proactive in addressing the challenges facing it.
The 2026 local government elections will provide the SACP with its first opportunity to contest municipalities independently of its traditional alliance partner, the ANC. The SACP's decision to contest the elections independently has created a new dynamic in the alliance between the two parties. Nzimande's continued support for the ANC despite the challenges will be crucial in the upcoming elections.
The campaign comes against the backdrop of growing political differences between the ANC and the SACP. Nzimande said the immediate focus remains on the ANC campaign and its ability to reconnect with voters at ward level. The party needs to be successful in the 2026 local government elections to restore confidence among its supporters and voters.
Key points
- Blade Nzimande will continue campaigning for the ANC despite the SACP's decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently.
- The ANC faces the challenge of rebuilding support in communities where voters have become increasingly critical of service delivery.
- The 2026 local government elections will test the strength of the ANC's support at grassroots level and provide the SACP with its first opportunity to contest municipalities independently.
