SACP Snubs ANC Event Marking 100 Days Of GNU

• The South African Communist Party (SACP) is expressing dissatisfaction with the Government of National Unity (GNU).
• The SACP has confirmed it will boycott an ANC event celebrating the GNU's 100-day milestone.
• ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula emphasized that the ANC and DA are not in a formal alliance.

The African National Congress (ANC) is celebrating 100 days of the Government of National Unity (GNU), but not everyone in its political circle is in the mood to celebrate. While the ANC is marking this milestone with fanfare, one of its key partners in the tripartite alliance, the South African Communist Party (SACP), has decided to take a pass on the festivities.

The SACP, which forms part of the broader alliance that includes the ANC and COSATU, has officially declined an invitation to the commemoration event scheduled to take place at Luthuli House. This decision comes as a significant blow to the ANC, as it underscores the growing tensions within the coalition.

SACP secretary-general Solly Mapaila was clear in his stance, explaining that the party wouldn’t be attending the event on principle. In a statement, he said, “We have rejected the invitation, and we will not be going. While we acknowledge the importance of thanking those who voted for the ANC, a campaign we were actively involved in, it’s hard to celebrate a government that aligns itself with forces we fundamentally oppose. It’s a sad day, but we must stand by our principles.”

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Why the SACP Is Displeased with the GNU

The SACP’s dissatisfaction with the GNU stems from its concerns about the ANC’s collaboration with what it perceives as "right-wing" parties. The party has been vocal about its discomfort with the ANC’s decision to partner with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Freedom Front Plus (FF+), two parties that the SACP views as being closely aligned with "white monopoly capital." This partnership, according to the SACP, compromises the ANC’s commitment to socialist ideals and the empowerment of the working class.

Solly Mapaila has been particularly critical of the GNU, arguing that the ANC’s cozy relationship with these parties undermines the very principles the movement was founded on. “The GNU is not just a coalition; it’s a betrayal of the values we’ve fought for over decades,” Mapaila has said in the past. The SACP’s decision to boycott the event is a clear indication of its growing disillusionment with the current political arrangement.

Fikile Mbalula: Clearing the Air on ANC-DA Relations

In response to the SACP’s criticisms, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula addressed the issue during the commemorative event. He reiterated that the ANC and the DA are not in a formal alliance, despite their cooperation within the GNU. Mbalula explained that the ANC entered into the coalition only after failing to secure a majority in the recent elections. “We didn’t go into these elections planning for a GNU,” he said. “But the results left us with no choice but to form a government that includes other parties.”

Mbalula went on to emphasize the fundamental differences between the ANC and the DA, likening their relationship to that of oil and water. “We may be working together in this coalition, but let’s not mistake this for an alliance. The ANC and the DA have vastly different ideologies, and we remain committed to our socialist vision for South Africa,” he stated.

ActionSA: Another Voice of Dissent

The SACP isn’t the only party expressing discontent with the GNU. ActionSA, led by Herman Mashaba, has also voiced its opposition to the coalition government. In a previous statement, ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont noted that his party was content with its decision not to join the GNU. “We believe that nothing has fundamentally changed since the GNU took over,” Beaumont said. “The same challenges persist, and the same inequalities remain. We chose not to be part of this coalition because we didn’t see it as a solution to the problems facing our country.”

As the GNU continues to navigate its first 100 days, it’s clear that the road ahead will be fraught with challenges. With key partners like the SACP and ActionSA expressing their reservations, the coalition will need to work hard to address these concerns and build a more cohesive and effective government. Only time will tell if the GNU can deliver on its promises and bridge the growing divides within South Africa’s political landscape.

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