Ramaphosa calls on ANC alliance partners SACP and COSATU to close ranks

African National Congress (ANC) president Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the party’s alliance partners to close ranks amid concerns the rift with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) continues to widen.

A difference of opinion on policy between the two parties is at the centre of tensions in the tripartite alliance, with the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) further pushing the SACP to the sidelines.

But Ramaphosa has continued to preach unity in spite of the differences.

He was speaking at a rally celebrating COSATU’s 40th anniversary at the Dobsonville stadium in the south of Joburg on Sunday.

Ramaphosa said the differences with the SACP are not cause for a divorce.

“We stand at a time when, as alliance partners, we should all agree that the National Democratic Revolution, premised on the Freedom Charter, is our common programme. We have important differences about the best way to pursue the NDR, but these are not insurmountable differences. They can be overcome.”

COSATU has for some time been caught between the ANC and SACP, who are now expected to go head-to-head at the upcoming local government elections.

While the labour federation is yet to decide which of the partners it will endorse at the polls, Ramaphosa has made this appeal: “Let us all together work for an overwhelming victory in the forthcoming local government elections.

“Securing victory at the polls also means that COSATU will be part of the improvement of implementing the various decisions that will advance the NDR.”

Earlier in 2025, the ANC, SACP, and COSATU confirmed plans to speed up the long-awaited reconfiguration of the alliance.