NEWS ANALYSIS: SACP ups the ante in race for leadership
The party opts to contest elections but not to leave alliance
The South African Communist Party’s (SACP’s) decision to contest elections has the hallmarks of a radical resolution, but it came with an add-on: the party will not yet leave the tripartite alliance. This means the party has not entirely committed to electoral politics. And contesting the polls while remaining in the alliance could simply symbolise a ruse to dupe voters who are not willing to vote for the ANC to give the party their vote through its more amenable sounding ally. The SACP continues to leave open a wide back door to remain in the alliance under an ANC led by a less hostile leadership than the nationalists who will ascend to power should Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma succeed Jacob Zuma as ANC president in December.What the communist party has cemented over recent years is the considerable sway it holds over Cosatu unions — most significantly the federation’s public sector unions. Unions also hold considerable sway within the communist party. In fact, most of their top leadersh...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.