SACP to use upcoming conference to formulate manifesto for 2026 local government elections

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Communist Party (SACP) will use its upcoming conference to formulate its manifesto for the 2026 local government elections.  

The SACP, which is in a tripartite alliance with the African National Congress (ANC) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), has resolved to contest the next elections.  

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The party is due to hold its 5th special national congress from 12 to 14 December. 

In its discussion documents, the SACP said it will campaign on progressive, left-leaning policies.  

These include pushing for a basic income grant, expanding public employment programmes, and advocating against budget cuts.  

Political sciences lecturer at the University of KwaZulu-Natal Zakhele Ndlovu said the SACP is unlikely to make a significant electoral impact.  

“Where are the votes going to come from? I don’t even think they can fill a small stadium. They don’t have the numbers. We know politics is a numbers game.”  

The SACP has once contested elections outside of the ANC. Following the dissolving of the Metsimaholo Council in 2017, the SACP contested the by-elections and won three PR seats.