Communists Cautioned Over Elections Ambitions

Ramaphosa warns of potentially ‘disastrous’ electoral path that will confuse SACP’s core voting base

President Cyril Ramaphosa has issued a stern warning to the South African Commu nist Party (SACP), labelling their decision to contest the 2026 local government elec tions independently as a “historic mistake”. Speaking at the recent Joe Slovo com memoration in Soweto, the President expressed deep concern that a fractured alliance would directly jeopardise the polit ical power of the liberation movement. He cautioned that by running separately, the alliance partners risk confusing their core voting base and weakening their collective influence over the state. Ramaphosa highlighted that the strength of the National Democratic Revolution has always relied on the unity of the ANC, SACP, and COSATU. He noted that the emergence of splinter groups in recent years has already damaged the ANC’s electoral standing, and he pleaded with the Communist Party to reconsider its path to avoid further fragmentation. The President emphasised that the struggle for social and economic transformation requires a single, unified front rather than a collection of competing entities. During his address, Ramaphosa was explicit about the dangers of a split. “The ANC is on record: the decision by a party to go alone in elections will, we believe, be a historic mistake. It can dis tract our people from knowing who to vote for, and power could be wrested from our hands.” He further challenged the SACP leader ship to reflect on their ultimate goals. “We need to ask ourselves whether we are truly serious about winning state power because if we are, then we walk together.” The President also warned that if the partners choose to distance themselves from one another at the ballot box, the consequences for governance would be severe. “If we walk separately, then we must then accept that state power is going to be diffused and it is no longer going to reside in the hands of the mass democratic movement of the alliance,” he said. Despite acknowledging the SACP’s autonomy and their frustrations with the current Government of National Unity, Ramaphosa urged the party to maintain a broader perspective. He concluded by calling on all leaders to protect the ‘revolutionary project’ that South Africans have entrusted to them, insisting that the priority must remain on strengthening the alliance to ensure it remains a capable instrument for changing the lives of the people.