African National Congress (ANC) president Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to the party’s alliance partners, the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), to pull together as divisions within the tripartite alliance continue to widen.
Policy disagreements — particularly over direction and implementation — have fuelled friction between the partners, with the formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) further straining relations and leaving the SACP feeling increasingly sidelined.
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Despite this, Ramaphosa has repeatedly emphasised the need for cohesion, insisting that differences should not derail the long-standing alliance.
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He delivered the message on Sunday at COSATU’s 40th anniversary rally held at Dobsonville Stadium in southern Johannesburg.
Ramaphosa said that disagreements with the SACP do not signify the end of the partnership.
“We stand at a time when, as alliance partners, we should all agree that the National Democratic Revolution, premised on the Freedom Charter, is our common programme. We have important differences about the best way to pursue the NDR, but these are not insurmountable differences. They can be overcome.”
Alliance Tensions Ahead of Local Government Elections
COSATU has found itself in a difficult position as the ANC and SACP are expected to compete directly in the upcoming local government elections. The labour federation has yet to announce which party it will back at the polls.
Ramaphosa urged COSATU and other alliance members to rally behind the ANC to secure strong results in the elections.
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“Let us all together work for an overwhelming victory in the forthcoming local government elections,” he said.
He added that a favourable outcome would ensure COSATU remains central to the push for policy implementation.
“Securing victory at the polls also means that COSATU will be part of the improvement of implementing the various decisions that will advance the NDR.”
Push for Alliance Reconfiguration
Earlier in 2025, the ANC, SACP, and COSATU confirmed plans to accelerate the long-discussed reconfiguration of the alliance, a move seen as vital to restoring trust and reaffirming shared objectives.
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