‘SACP never brought numbers to the ANC!’ Mbalula slams decision to contest elections

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has hit back at the South African Communist Party’s (SACP) decision to contest the 2026 local government elections independently, saying the move does not shake the ANC, as the SACP “never brought numbers” to the party.

Mbalula made the remarks on Saturday, October 18, while delivering the opening address at the ANC’s Mpumalanga Provincial General Council (PGC) meeting at Mbombela Stadium. 

The gathering discussed key issues affecting the organisation, service delivery, and the economy.

Mbalula said there was no province facing difficulties, claiming that the ANC in Mpumalanga was “determined” and that such determination “must be rewarded, not disturbed.”

“We are seeing unity of purpose here in Mpumalanga,” he said. 

“However, it does not mean that everyone is within the fold of unity, but we must bring them along. As we march forward, they must come with us.”

He said the ANC’s National Executive Committee saw in Mpumalanga a province “determined to make the ANC live and lead.”

Turning to the SACP, Mbalula criticised its decision to contest the upcoming elections independently.

“Comrades of the Communist Party, I’m going to talk about it. You are the ANC, you are different,” he said. 

“You must be organised, show discipline, and demonstrate that you understand your politics. Political education is the food of the soul – it changes our behaviour and way of thinking.”

He urged ANC members not to be deterred by criticism from the SACP.

“Leave comrades of the SACP to talk. After they finish, we correct them with a red pen,” he said to applause.

“Even if they disrespect us, we don’t haul visitors. We will correct them because the ANC is a vanguard. When you are older, you are not deterred by small things (referring to the SACP). The ANC is like a car with shock absorbers – it can handle rough roads even those without a tar. The ANC is not shaken.”

Mbalula said that the ANC still wants the SACP to remain within the tripartite alliance, alongside Cosatu, despite the communist party’s decision to run independently.

The SACP has long voiced opposition to the Government of National Unity (GNU), which includes the DA and Freedom Front Plus. 

The party argues that the coalition does not represent the working class and black South Africans.

It has vowed to contest the elections independently, despite the ANC’s opposition to that stance.

“As the ANC, we must not give up on the SACP,” Mbalula said. 

“Others say they don’t have numbers, but when we go to by-elections, they come back with 70%. They were not formed for numbers. The best thinkers and ideologues in the ANC have always been communists.”

He said the SACP brought “quality, not quantity,” to the ANC.

“Communist parties never came to the ANC with numbers,” he said. 

“When we see them getting three or four votes, we know that’s not their thing. They brought quality - they shaped our direction and our political education.”

Mbalula also addressed remarks made by ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe, who last month criticised councillors for lacking capacity during an event at FNB Stadium in Gauteng.

“So, comrades, that thing Gwede said about you being good at singing but having no capacity – I know it didn’t sit well. We have apologised for it,” Mbalula said. 

“Tomorrow we don’t want to hear that ANC members don’t understand politics or that they hauled the Communist Party at their platform.”

Last month, Mantashe told councillors they were “good at singing and making noise” but lacked the ability to manage councils.

“I know we have a lot of singing councillors, but we have no councils. You all sing well, but capacity dololo (nothing),” Mantashe said at the time.

His comments came amid growing criticism of the ANC’s performance at local government level, particularly concerning poor service delivery, failing municipalities, and rising public frustration.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

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