The formation of the Communist Party of South Africa (CPSA) in 1921, which later changed to the South African Communist Party (SACP) in 1953, was a turning point for the development and advancement of labour politics in South Africa.
The party intended to organise and mobilise workers, it was mainly meant to protect the workers' rights, not the current circus we are witnessing in our country.
The current SACP is clouded by careerism and stomach politics. All this noise we are hearing about the SACP contesting the local elections in 2026 comes from those who were still hopeful of advancing careers as parliamentarians.
It is unfortunate for them because they were busy defocusing the workers especially the public servants, who have been experiencing abuse by those who were supposed to understand the importance of collective bargaining. In the event whereby there was the overturning of collective bargaining agreements, when public servants were told that the public sector is bloated and when they were told to accept below-inflation salary increments and forced to stomach words such as “sini zamile”.
At that time our very own SACP and Cosatu, were blind voting the workers, telling them to defend the national democratic revolution no matter what.
It is ironic to hear the very same SACP today saying they are against the government of national unity (GNU). Is not like political scholars and various researchers did not warn them. We have the Indluamithi South Africa Scenarios 2030, which predicted the outcome of the 2025 elections. However, our South African Conditional Party never heeded the warnings because they were still hopeful that more of their hopeful leaders would have their board return the gravy train in 2024.
Now that the gravy train is gone, they are forging an ideological battle about the GNU. I think it is time they make peace with the GNU for South Africa, There was a high level of corruption and a lack of consequence management and accountability. It is time for parties not to have absolute power.
I think it will be best for the SACP to accept that the gravy train is long gone and might not return soon, therefore they should allow the GNU to take its toll and see where it takes the people of South Africa since this is all about citizens and service delivery, not politicians
When we hear such utterances we are very much disappointed especially that there is proof the GNU is working for other countries. In South Africa, we are fortunate to have the National School of Government (NSG) which happens to be at the forefront of professionalism of the public sector.
The National School, immediately after the formation of the GNU, organised an international master class which was intended to draw lessons and best practices from international counterparts - countries such as Lesotho, Ireland, Italy and many others.
Universities such as Unisa, through the Thabo Mbeki School of Public and International Affairs, organised sessions to educate people about the GNU and the ideological battles which come with that and it is so sad that we are experiencing that.
I think it will be best for the SACP to accept that the gravy train is long gone and might not return soon, therefore they should allow the GNU to take its toll and see where it takes the people of South Africa since this is all about citizens and service delivery, not politicians.
- Mogau Letswalo is a holder of a BA in Policy Studies and a BA in Honours International Politics from the University of South Africa.
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