SACP courts Azapo and other left allies, signaling a potential shift from ANC alliance
via The Citizen13 min read
The South African Communist Party SACP is actively seeking new alliances within the left movement, a move interpreted as an effort to broaden its ideological base beyond its long-standing alliance with the African National Congress ANC. While the SACP maintains its autonomy and right to collaborate with other leftist parties, some analysts question the sustainability of this approach while remaining within the ANC-led alliance. The SACP has accused the ANC of betraying the working class by adopting neoliberal policies and embracing liberal and right-wing parties. Recently, the SACP invited the Azanian People’s Organisation Azapo to discuss consolidating the left, leading to an agreement to hold an SACP-initiated Conference of the Left from May 29-31. Azapo president Nelvis Qekema described the bilateral meeting as "historic and long overdue," emphasizing its focus on the working class. The conference aims for "political convergence" to unite left forces and address fragmentation, with plans to establish a Council of the Left for joint campaigns. Both parties noted that the democratic dispensation has not fulfilled the aspirations of the working class, citing entrenched poverty, inequality, and corruption, alongside the persistence of apartheid-era economic power structures. The conference is expected to include trade unions, community and civic formations, women and youth organizations, cooperatives, social movements, intellectuals, and various political organizations, though
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