The fractured tripartite alliance of the ANC, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and Cosatu is showing widening cracks as the South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) announced its support for the ANC in the November local government elections.
Sadtu's decision follows the SACP's announcement in December 2024 that it would not support the ANC and would contest the elections independently. As Cosatu's second-largest union, Sadtu made its choice during a special congress held last weekend to debate whether teachers should back the ANC or the SACP in the November 4 polls. This move divides Cosatu unions, as the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) resolved to support the SACP at its July congress.
Sadtu general secretary Dr Mugwena Maluleke confirmed the decision and defended it, saying it was based on the call to unite the alliance and deepen democracy.
"Can a divided vote of the majority defend our gains. Our gains were achieved through the struggle. We must unite, consolidate and defend the majority vote rather than divide" said Maluleke.
The trade union federation Cosatu is still scheduled to hold its own special congress in mid-September, where members will be asked to choose between its two long-standing alliance partners, the ANC and the SACP.
The SACP, a staunch critic of the current Government of National Unity, believes the ANC no longer advances the interests of the country's working class. Nehawu cited similar reasons when announcing its support for the SACP's election campaign.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said Cosatu was not even supposed to call a special congress and should have decided to back the SACP, which is its ideological partner in socialism.
Seepe said Sadtu's decision to back the ANC, which appears to be sympathetic to capitalists, is a shift from socialism, which is concerned with the struggle of the working class.
“The SACP is a vanguard of the working class, and workers do not need to be confused as to whether they will vote for the ANC or the SACP if they want to change their economic and social conditions. November 4 will be a golden opportunity for the workers to shape their own future; however, since today’s politics in South Africa is shaped by money, anything can happen,” said Seepe.
He further stated that if Cosatu decides to support the ANC, it would find it difficult to claim that it is for the working class.
“The ball will be in the workers’ court. They have the SACP, which is clearly advocating for socialism, and the ANC on the other hand—a multiclass and broad church which, for me, means it does not have an ideological position. Cosatu’s upcoming congress is an ideological test,” added Seepe.
Both the ANC and the SACP had not commented on Sadtu’s resolution by the time of publication.
willem.phungula@nationalmg.co.za