The South African Communist Party says it will not backtrack on its decision to contest alone in the 2026 local government elections
It can be achieved through the regulations the education minister must draft
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile said the party’s national executive committee respected the SACP’s decision to campaign alone for 2026 local government elections
If the original uMkhonto weSizwe had been launched on 16 July and not 16 December, we would all be on holiday
Jacob Zuma’s party aims for a branch in every ward by the middle of 2025
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The SACP is asking important questions of itself but, like the other parties busy with political activities this week — and those threatening to walk out of the government of national unity — it should also be asking itself what material benefit its decisions will bring to those it will be asking to vote for the party come the 2026 local government elections
The party is also set to discuss whether to ‘donate’ its votes to the ANC after the poll
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The South African Communist Party has rejected claims of collaborating with the uMkhonto weSizwe party, describing it as a counter-revolutionary organisation
The Democratic Alliance called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to draw on a settlement with Solidarity to end the impasse over the act
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The ANC, and not the Economic Freedom Fighters, are the ‘true victims’ of the uMkhonto weSizwe party
The party will hold a special policy conference to decide on how to reconfigure its longstanding alliance with the ANC
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The ANC has put off the decision on how it will intervene in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal until next month
The Democratic Alliance is seen as having disrespected President Cyril Ramaphosa, limiting the chances that he might extend the consultation period on the Act’s contentious clauses
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
IFP and ANC leaders and members of the Zulu royal family are among those who want Buthelezi removed from the role
ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula defends the decision not to ask the minister to step aside, despite allegations of misconduct linked to VBS Mutual Bank
The party wants to use its growing influence in Gauteng metros to consolidate its presence
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The SACP had planned to run in 2024 national and provincial elections but pulled back because of the number of parties funded by white capital
This is an edited extract from the book Darkest Before Dawn: Writings, Testimonies and Correspondence from the Life of Robert Sobukwe
The cabinet has accepted that the communications minister’s unilateral withdrawal of the Bill was not malicious
The Democratic Alliance’s spokesperson on justice and constitutional development has called for Simelane to be removed from the cabinet
The secretary general said the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal cannot keep up with the uMkhonto weSizwe party
The party’s spokesperson said the ANC was considering various options on how to rebuild the party in that province and Gauteng
The DA has refused to partner with the ANC in eThekwini because of its role in the removal of Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The deliberations on clauses 4 and 5 have been extended by a further three months
Unlike his predecessor, President Cyril Ramaphosa has no interest in compound interest
The party’s secretary general, Fikile Mbalula, has summoned the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provincial structures to a meeting
Judges ask the president’s and the National Assembly’s counsel if parliament threw the baby out with the bathwater
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
A total of 21 parties and five independents will contest the dysfunctional Limpopo council next week
Sources said the party’s national executive committee is set to finalise the possible dissolution of the two provincial bodies at its next meeting in two weeks
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
The parties have agreed to continuous consultation and to strengthening the broader ANC-led alliance
This content is restricted to subscribers only.
Join the M&G Community
Our commitment at the Mail & Guardian is to ensure every reader enjoys the finest experience. Join the M&G community and support us in delivering in-depth news to you consistently.
Subscribe
Subscription enables:
- – M&G community membership
- – independent journalism
- – access to all premium articles & features
- – a digital version of the weekly newspaper
- – invites to subscriber-only events
- – the opportunity to test new online features first
Already a subscriber?
Login here.
This is an edited extract from My Radio Memory: Listening to the Listener, which is edited by Robin Sewlal, with articles by 100 contributors. This one is by the journalist, editor and media scholar Guy Berger
Officials are accused of manipulating branch general meetings to ensure victory for their preferred candidates