COSATU to decide ANC, SACP election support at congress
Matthew Parks says COSATU remains committed to the Tripartite Alliance despite tensions between the ANC and SACP, with the federation seeking common ground before the local government elections.
COSATU, a key partner in South Africa's Tripartite Alliance, is facing an important decision at its congress about supporting the ANC or the SACP in the 2026 local government elections. The federation's executive assistant, Matthew Parks, confirmed that COSATU still officially supports the ANC, but the SACP's decision to contest elections independently adds complexity.
Parks said the final choice would depend on what affiliated unions decide after consulting their members. COSATU would remain part of the alliance and would not abandon either party. The congress must find a way to reconcile the differences between the ANC and SACP, or decide to support both, in order to continue advocating for workers' interests.
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