The African National Congress (ANC) will hold a special NEC meeting on Friday to finalise its position on the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest elections independently and to set out its process for selecting mayoral candidates.
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The African National Congress (ANC) national executive committee (NEC) will meet on Friday to finalise its stance on the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest elections independently and to outline the party’s process for selecting and launching mayoral candidates.
In a media statement issued on Thursday, the party said it would convene a special NEC meeting on Friday, April 10, 2026, at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre.
The meeting will be held at 2pm.
“This special sitting of the NEC will focus specifically on the evolving relationship between the ANC and the SACP, in the context of the SACP’s decision to contest elections,” said ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bengu.
“The NEC will deliberate on the political, organisational and alliance implications of this development, guided by the historic mission of the liberation movement and the need to safeguard unity, coherence and the strategic objectives of the alliance.”
Bengu said the media briefing would outline the ANC’s process for selecting and launching mayoral candidates, communicate key timelines and open the call for public submissions of suitable candidates to serve communities.
Tensions between the alliance partners have persisted, with the ANC warning SACP members not to undermine it electorally.
The SACP has long indicated its plans to contest the 2026 national elections independently of the ANC.
A key factor is the ANC’s coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the current Government of National Unity (GNU).
SACP general secretary Solly Mapaila has repeatedly criticised the GNU, saying it does not represent the interests of black South Africans and the working class.
The ANC, however, has rejected the SACP’s decision.
President Cyril Ramaphosa previously said the party is concerned that the move could weaken the broader transformation agenda.
“We will explain to our members why this decision by the SACP poses a challenge. But we still see SACP members with ANC membership as full members of our movement,” Ramaphosa said.
He added that the ANC would continue seeking ways to work with the SACP ahead of the 2026 elections, despite mounting strain in the relationship.
Meanwhile, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula recently said the party is intensifying preparations through a comprehensive strategy to strengthen its position across municipal councils.
“Local government elections are fought in every municipality and every ward. Our wall-to-wall plan means we must have candidates for every one of the 205 local councils, eight metro councils and 44 district councils, with more than 4,458 wards and over 23,000 voting districts,” he said.
Mbalula said candidate selection began on April 1, following a decision by the party’s National General Council.
“The top seven of the ANC will lead and appoint mayors at the metro level and in secondary cities. We have adopted the framework at national level and will unveil it this coming week,” he said.
The party plans to launch its local government elections manifesto in June and submit candidate lists before August.
“Our biggest challenge is changing the mood of potential ANC voters across municipalities,” Mbalula said.
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