2 July 2022
The National Officials of the African National Congress (ANC) and the National Office Bearers of the South African Communist Party (SACP) met on Saturday, 1 July 2023, in a high-level bilateral session.
This meeting discussed the State of the National Democratic Revolution, the renewal/reconfiguration of the Alliance, the international situation and balance of forces, preparations for the forthcoming Alliance Economic and Energy Summit and the 2024 national and provincial elections.
Both Alliance partners recognised the profound importance of the meeting, coming as it did against the backdrop of a range of internal organizational challenges experienced by both organisations; the challenges and obstacles posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and consequent lockdowns; as well as the dynamics arising from both organisations holding national conferences / congresses in the recent past and coming together with fresh mandates and priorities.
Both partners reaffirmed their commitment to the National Democratic Revolution, our shared strategy of struggle and transformation to eliminate the legacy of oppression and transform South Africa into a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous society.
Millions of South Africans have realised important social advances since our April 1994 democratic breakthrough, under the ANC-led government, and significant progress has been achieved in building, consolidating and developing our democracy, all as part of the National Democratic Revolution. However, it is also true that the National Democratic Revolution is currently facing both objective and subjective challenges.
The ANC and the SACP recognise that further progress in advancing the National Democratic Revolution depends on the strength and cohesion of the Revolutionary Alliance. We have agreed to work together towards strengthening the Alliance.
A renewed/reconfigured Alliance, which we are committed to build, is essential to the renewal of the wider unity of, and growing support from the motive forces of the National Democratic Revolution. Through this process we are determined to work together to deepen the revolution to solve the economic and social problems affecting our people, not least to meet their material needs, such as work, poverty eradication, and systematic elimination of the high levels of racialised and gendered inequalities.
The Bilateral acknowledged that the terrain upon which we operate has changed, and that these changes necessitate that the Alliance must adapt to these circumstances and more effectively confront the challenges before us.
We agreed to put in place the basis for discussing the modalities of such a renewal/reconfiguration of the Alliance. Already the meeting identified important elements, such as a joint Alliance programme and regular Alliance consultation, and, to this end, monthly Political Council meetings. Following bilateral sessions with COSATU and joint Alliance preparations, the Alliance will, in due course, convene its Economic and Energy Summit.
Working together, we will develop and implement a joint programme of action ahead of the next national and provincial elections and beyond.
The bilateral acknowledged that work has already begun to assess how far we have gone in implementing the 2019 Elections Manifesto. Alliance partners are part of this review process, which will inform the drafting of the 2024 manifesto. The Alliance partners will also form part of the 2024 manifesto drafting process. This exemplifies the functioning of a renewed/reconfigured Alliance, not only in respect of elections but other important questions of the political struggle and democratic transformation. In this regard the meeting emphasised the importance of unity in action based on a joint programme, not only at national, but also at provincial and local levels.
The Alliance partners will engage and work together regarding the elections candidate selection process.
The meeting received a briefing on work done to build a better Africa and world. This imperative includes the work done by the government, notably the recent African Leaders’ Peace Mission to Ukraine and Russia. We expressed our support for the world peace effort.
The Alliance partners discussed the forthcoming BRICS Summit. We agreed that matters such as the expansion of BRICS membership require further consideration. Another meeting will take place shortly to reflect on this and other matters of international significance and importance to our national transformation and development.
The meeting was also briefed about the situation in Swaziland, notably concerned about alleged abductions of Swaziland democracy activists. The meeting agreed to look into this matter further, to develop a joint approach to promoting democracy and human rights in eSwatini.
This was a fruitful meeting that will form the basis for constructive discussion in the Alliance Political Council.
Issued by:
African National Congress Nomvula Mokonyane
1st Deputy Secretary General
South African Communist Party Solly Mapaila
General Secretary
