WATCH | Mashatile confident the ANC will remain true to itself as GNU member

Mashatile

Cape Town — Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, said the African National Congress (ANC) would not abandon its left-wing principles while it is part of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Mashatile was speaking at the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) 5th national congress in Boksburg where he said the party was working with other parties in the GNU who ideologically opposed to its values or principles, EWN reported.

He acknowledged that the GNU was not ideal but it was the best option for the ANC after it lost the majority vote during the 2024 general elections. He maintained the party would not lose its identity.

“We have decided though, at the moment, we will try and use it to try and assist us to continue to advance the struggle to achieve a national democratic society as envisioned in the freedom charter,” he said.

According to IOL, Mashatile addressed the party’s challenges, and he called for unity, decisive action and inclusive growth to rebuild trust with the electorate. He said the ANC has faced harsh realities and setbacks, which was acknowledged.

“As we convene today, we must confront the harsh reality that the African National Congress, the leader of the alliance, suffered a strategic setback in the recent elections held in May,” Mashatile said.

The ANC only walked away with 40% of the vote, despite Mashatile predicting a 57% victory for the party.

 “During the campaign, I witnessed vibrant energy and optimism as I travelled across the country. When asked about our prospects, I confidently predicted we’d achieve 57%, while others estimated 60% or more. The final result of 40% was a significant shock to our leadership.” he admitted.

Among the other issues, Mashatile reaffirmed the party’s commitment to collaboration through the GNU, bringing parties together to uphold shared principles including the Constitution, rule of law, social justice, and alleviation of poverty.

He also underscored the need for economic growth, job creation and addressing the high cost of living, through the implementation of the Economic Recovery and Reconstruction Plan, which prioritises infrastructure development, industrialisation, and support for small businesses and township enterprises.

As reported by The Citizen, the ANC was forced to agree to the SACP’s demands for reconfiguration of the Tripartite Alliance alongside the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU).

Mashatile said the question of alliance reconfiguration would be back on the party’s agenda as soon as January when the party’s national executive committee convened to start the new year.

“The reconfiguration of the alliance must come back. The time has arrived for us to do it, we are in a new situation now,” Mashatile said, confirming the two organisations would meet soon to discuss the issue further,” he said.

The decision by the ANC to consider reopening talks has been welcomed by senior SACP members.

SACP national chairperson Blade Nzimande greed that the ANC decision was long overdue. However, neither of them would commit to whether the SACP would still contest future polls on its own.

“That’s a very important commitment, we had wanted this thing a very long time ago. But if there is a renewed commitment from the ANC, my own view is that we have a duty as an alliance to reopen the discussions on this particular matter,” Nzimande said.

Nzimande said the SACP was not alone in calling for reconfiguration, but COSSATU too. He added that it was not important who initiated the pressure, but rather that the ANC had a change of heart.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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