Should the ANC lose power in 2024 it would eradicate the gains of the mass democratic movement.
The General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Solly Mapaila says the party is ready to contest elections.
The SACP and COSATU have been in an historic alliance with the ANC as part of the mass democratic movement. Mapaila who is a veteran of the SACP said the alliance was in a mess, an obvious public fact.
Speaking at the Cosatu congress in Midrand, Johannesburg, Mapaila noted that the ANC had moved away from its own manifesto and policies, something which was disappointing and disturbing for its alliance partners.
He took delegates through the history of the SACP in South Africa and told delegates that the Party had the political muscle to contest elections.
But for now it would remain part of the alliance. “We don’t have to like each other to be in an alliance.” Mapaila said.
He reminded delegates that should the ANC lose power in 2024 it would eradicate the gains of the mass democratic movement, saying an ANC electoral loss would be detrimental for all alliance partners.
Mapaila said the hackling of ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe on Monday by delegates, underlined the tensions within the alliance. He said after the congress, alliance leaders must meet to discuss the problems, and decide on how best to prepare for the next general elections.
Mapaila said alliance partners needed to be constantly reminded of the reasons for its existence and not get caught up in the ecstasy of being in power.