Oscar Mabuyane opens door to ANC-SACP cooperation after elections

ANC Eastern Cape chair Oscar Mabuyane has indicated a willingness for the ANC and SACP to collaborate following the November 4 local government elections, despite the two parties contesting the polls separately. Mabuyane emphasized that pressing issues such as unemployment, poverty, inequality, and the land question would persist after the elections. He delivered the ANC's support message at the SACP's Red October launch in Great Kei.

Mabuyane suggested that the electoral outcomes could potentially create opportunities for progressive forces to cooperate in municipal governance. However, he cautioned against basing post-election arrangements on political positions, urging instead to focus on rebuilding municipalities, generating employment, combating corruption, strengthening public institutions, and advancing developmental local government.

The ANC leader acknowledged that the party was entering the elections in a weaker position compared to any previous local government election since 1994, attributing this to organizational weaknesses, factionalism, governance challenges, and a trust deficit. He also proposed reconfiguring the Tripartite Alliance, the partnership between the ANC, SACP, and COSATU, after the election.

Mabuyane stressed that such a decision would require discussions on the alliance's strategic purpose, decision-making, the role of organized labor, the ANC-SACP relationship, and its program.

Mabuyane stated that SACP members holding state positions should not be removed solely because the SACP was contesting the elections independently. Instead, they should be evaluated based on competence, integrity, performance, and commitment to transformation. He urged both parties to avoid deepening tensions during the election campaign and to maintain their historical alliance, emphasizing that they would still face the same challenges post-election.