The MK Party is manoeuvring behind the scenes to solidify an alliance with the SACP with the explicit objective of jointly challenging President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government of national unity (GNU).
This strategic collaboration seeks to fundamentally reshape South Africa’s political landscape amidst escalating tensions within the governing ANC and its tripartite alliance partners, the SACP and Cosatu.
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Informal discussions
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela told Sunday World that informal discussions with SACP leaders had been ongoing for months, recently gaining momentum. “We are exploring how an alliance could challenge the GNU, which we believe is undermining the interests of the masses and the working class.”
The MK Party goal, as he emphasised, is to activate an alliance of progressive parties to bring about change. “The aim is to end what Cyril has done, which is bringing the country under white rule for his own personal benefit, as opposed to the benefit of the masses and the working class.”
SACP’s Solly Mapaila last week told Sunday World Engage that it would be “foolhardy” not to engage with the MK Party, particularly as the party at its recent central executive committee meeting resolved to become part of efforts to “forge a popular left front”.
However, there were no formal talks between the two parties yet.
Ramaphosa has formed a coalition with the DA
Ndlela criticised Ramaphosa, accusing him of forming the coalition with the DA to try and escape Parliamentary impeachment. He cited the Phala Phala scandal, which involved the discovery of millions of US dollars hidden in a sofa at Ramaphosa’s game farm, as evidence of corruption and collusion with the DA to prevent his impeachment.
According to Ndlela, there’s a growing dissatisfaction within the ANC’s national
executive committee regarding the GNU. “The majority are tired of this so-called unity government, which feels more like an insult, especially given how the DA fails to demonstrate a truly unified front,” he said.
He said a coalition of black and patriotic parties could liberate and govern better for the people and the working class.
SACP-MKP realignment just the next step
The potential alignment between the SACP and the MK Party was also seen as a
natural progression, given the shared history of members and leaders on both sides.
Dr John Hlophe, deputy president of the MK Party, hinted at a willingness to engage with the SACP in a recent statement.
“If you read between the lines of Dr Hlophe’s statement, you’ll see that we’re essentially signalling support for the communist party,” Ndlela explained.
The MK Party has not ruled out the possibility of involving Cosatu in their coalition.
In a statement on October 17, the MK Party called for unity among all left-wing political organisations, grassroots movements and trade unions. The aim is to form a broad front against what it described as a neo-liberal agenda embedded in the current DA-led coalition framework.
SACP has been critical of GNU
The SACP echoed similar sentiments in its October 13 statement, criticising the GNU as a “class collaboration or elite pact” that weakens its alliance with the ANC and Cosatu. It highlighted issues like the postponed implementation of educational reforms and the resistance to the National Health Insurance as evidence of this problematic pact.
The SACP emphasised the need to reconfigure the alliance from within and outside, aiming to build a powerful socialist movement for workers and the poor. “We can no longerrely solely on seeking reconfiguration from within,” its statement warned. Instead, it plans to intensify efforts to forge a popular left front.
Mapaila revealed the SACP had previously engaged in talks with the EFF before then deputy president Floyd Shivambu joined the MK Party and with the PAC. “I never close the possibility to engage with forces opposed to capital in this country, irrespective of their orientation,” Mapaila said.
He stressed the importance of unity among black political forces, especially as historical struggles are threatened by elite interests.
“The unity of African people is crucial, particularly now, as almost four centuries of struggle are being rolled back by a political error. We will never shut the door on engaging with any of those forces.”
