SACP organising secretary Solly Mapila.
SABC news reported on Wednesday morning the South African Communist Party was "gearing to go it alone in the elections of the country and no longer under the ANC banner".
But while members of the party have often expressed the wish for this to happen, it is unlikely that the SACP will choose to do so, according to senior party leaders.
At least, not yet.
In 2006 there was a concerted (but ultimately unsuccessful) drive by factions within the party to break away from the tripartite alliance.
More recently, the call has again been taken up by some within the Young Communist League, who would like to see the SACP going it alone.
But the party's organising secretary Solly Mapaila has said he believes the party is not yet ready to contest elections on its own, but again maintained that the communists would consider contesting in the future as part of its drive to achieve its socialist goals.
Change is afoot within the party, however. National chair Gwede Mantashe has indicated that he will not be available for re-election, in what has been interpreted as a sign that he wishes to concentrate entirely on his responsibilities to the African National Congress as its secretary general.
National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) president Senzeni Zokwane is widely expected to replace Mantashe as chair.