In a significant development ahead of the 2026 local government elections, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has publicly confirmed his party’s ongoing pursuit of a political courtship with the South African Communist Party (SACP). This move comes amidst visibly escalating tensions between the SACP and its decades-long alliance partner, the African National Congress (ANC).
The SACP’s recent decision to contest the upcoming elections independently has sent shockwaves through the tripartite alliance, creating an opening opposition parties are eager to exploit. Malema, while acknowledging ideological alignment with the SACP, publicly questioned the communist party’s capacity for mass mobilization on the ground.
In the same address, Malema launched a scathing international critique, likening US President Donald Trump to a “modern-day Adolf Hitler.” He further urged a general boycott of the 2026 G20 leaders’ summit in Miami should South Africa be barred from participating.
Analyst Questions Strategic Value of EFF-SACP Engagement
Political analyst Professor Mazwe Majola, providing insight on the developments, characterized the EFF’s engagement as potentially more tactical than genuine. He noted the shared leftist ideology and common opposition to the ANC’s Government of National Unity (GNU), particularly its cooperation with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Freedom Front Plus.
However, Majola expressed skepticism about the SACP’s electoral value, pointing to its lack of a tested, independent electoral machine. “What are you bringing on top of the table in terms of your visibility, your popularity, your numbers?” Majola asked. He suggested the EFF, which was the only major party to increase its vote share in the 2021 local elections, would be strategic to protect its growing reputation.
“I think they will just engage informally but I don’t think they will take any formal alliance or any formal agreements at this point in time,” Majola stated. He posited that the EFF’s aim might be to lure the SACP into a new “left alliance,” potentially spelling “the beginning of the end of the tripartite alliance.”
ANC’s Internal Turmoil Mirrored in Tense Tshwane Conference
The national political instability is reflected within the ANC’s own structures, notably at its crucial three-day Tshwane regional conference, held under the theme “Renew, Rebuild and Unite.” The conference is unfolding amid deep factional tensions and serious controversies.
Key contested positions include that of Regional Secretary, where outgoing secretary George Matjila is under police investigation for an alleged assault—a claim he alleges is politically motivated. Meanwhile, outgoing regional chairperson Eugene Modise is seeking re-election with ambitions of becoming Tshwane mayor, despite a damning report alleging unethical conduct involving a city service provider.
Professor Majola warned these ethical controversies are deeply damaging. “When it comes to ethical issues, it’s very, very damaging for the organization,” he said, emphasizing the public’s focus on integrity over legal technicalities.
The conference is also viewed as a proxy battle between ANC provincial coordinator Bafuze S’fiso and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, who is seen as a potential successor to President Cyril Ramaphosa. Majola confirmed that succession battles for the 2027 national conference are already underway, threatening to distract from the imminent 2026 electoral campaign.
Coalition Frustrations and Electoral Challenges
Frustrations within the ANC’s multi-party coalition in the City of Tshwane, where the mayoral position is held by an opposition candidate despite the ANC being the largest party, further complicate the picture. Majola concluded that the ANC will face perpetual challenges until it can win an outright majority.
“I doubt that the ANC will get the outright majority [in 2026],” he said, indicating that the party’s coalition headaches and internal fractures are set to define South Africa’s political landscape in the run-up to the pivotal local government elections.