The alliance is unravelling, heralding a new era for politics

The SACP’s decision to contest the upcoming local government elections independently of the ANC is more than a political disagreement; it is a tectonic shift.

With the polls two months away, the move signals the end of the tripartite alliance as a functional governing force. The political and ideological threads that have bound the movements since the struggle against apartheid are now irreparably frayed.

For decades, the SACP, the ANC and Cosatu operated as a “strategic” unit, with the SACP acting as the intellectual and ideological engine room. This often resulted in the SACP wielding significant influence over policy without having to account for its performance at the ballot box. By severing the link and standing independently, the SACP is gambling that its ideological purity and grassroots organisation will resonate with a disillusioned electorate, even as it risks splitting the alliance’s voter base.

The schism could reshape politics. The ANC is in a precarious governing coalition in which it and the DA are the dominant partners. This has not gone down well with the SACP leadership, hence the severing of electoral ties.

The SACP’s independent campaign will force the ANC to contend with a competitor that understands its internal machinery but offers a more radical, state-centric economic alternative. This could push the ANC back towards its centrist, market-accommodating instincts to differentiate itself from the Left.

The coming weeks are expected to see fierce debates over issues such as land expropriation and fiscal discipline as electoral weapons; instead of just a narrow focus on service delivery concerns.

The collapse of the alliance will also alter the mechanics of coalition politics. In the upcoming elections, neither the ANC nor the SACP is expected to achieve an outright majority in key metropolitan areas. The ideological kinship between the two, however, suggests they may be forced to enter into a coalition arrangement with each other or other parties, depending on how well the SACP does. Sceptics expect it to fare badly but we can’t rule it out as possible kingmaker.

If the ANC chooses to approach the EFF or the uMkhonto weSizwe Party for possible post-electoral pacts, it could push the SACP into permanent opposition, creating a split in the liberation movement vote that could lead to political gridlock.

The electorate has a desire for accountability and service delivery, which the alliance structure often obscured.

By forcing parties to stand on their own records, voters may finally be able to choose a clear ideological path. The disappearance of the alliance umbrella means no party can hide behind the collective history of the struggle; they must stand or fall on their governance track record.

Ultimately, the 2026 local government elections will no longer be a mere gauge of ANC support but a moment that determines whether South Africa moves towards a more ideologically polarised governance structure or descends into political fragmentation.