ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for unity in the Tripartite Alliance ahead of the local government elections following its ally, the SA Communist Party's decision to contest the polls independently.
Image: ANC X page
ANC Deputy President Paul Mashatile and EFF Leader Julius Malema used Workers’ Day on Friday to campaign for their respective political parties ahead of the local government elections in November.
Speaking at Cosatu’s national May Day rally at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, Limpopo, Mashatile said the ANC must emerge victorious in the local government elections and that victory is certain.
He also reaffirmed the ANC’s commitment to the unity of the working class following its traditional ally, the SA Communist Party’s (SACP’s) decision to contest the upcoming municipal polls independently.
“Workers are not just participants in the economy; they are the foundation of it. Without workers, there is no economy,” Mashatile stated.
He added that the unity of the working class is not a luxury and expressed the ANC’s concern about the recent developments relating to the SACP’s decision.
Mashatile warned that the Tripartite Alliance must avoid the fragmentation of the working class' struggles.
He said the perceived differences must not give rise to weakening the very forces required to advance the alliance’s national democratic revolution.
“Now more than ever before we must close ranks, deepen political education, build a cohesive discipline, and aunited movement of workers,” Mashatile urged.
He called on the alliance to continue to work together and not be divided by anybody.
“Let there be unity, we must forge ahead with the reconfiguration of the alliance,” said Mashatile.
The ANC has also encouraged workers to actively participate in democratic processes, to organise, mobilise, register to vote for the party, and to defend the gains of democracy towards the 2026 local government elections.
Malema addressed EFF members and supporters in Marikana in the North West. He said his party opened the nomination of councillors from Friday and that the process is expected to be concluded at the end of the month.
According to Malema, the EFF wants to win the elections outright in the North West.
Cosatu President Zingiswa Losi told the federation’s members at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium that as the ANC heads to the most contested local elections since the dawn of democracy, the alliance must be united.
“We are allies and not opponents. We must work hand in glove as we engage and mobilise voters and ensure that on election day, this alliance emerges victorious from Thohoyandou to Tshwane,” she said.
Losi added that the federation will unapologetically defend its unity and the alliance must be radically reconfigured, lead the state, and remain biased towards the working class and rural poor.
“We must never allow our differences to divide workers. We make this appeal to our alliance partners. This leadership of the alliance, you dare not fail Collins Chabane, Joyce Mashamba, Ruth First, and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela,” she added.
Losi said Cosatu remains the shield of workers at the workplace, the SACP the vanguard of the working class and the ANC leader of the liberation movement, with each having a unique role.
“This is an alliance forged through stayaways, strikes, prison, exile, and funerals. It is an alliance built by such giants as OR Tambo, Joe Slovo, Chris Hani, Elijah Barayi, and Helen Joseph,” she stated.
SACP central committee member Dr Alex Mashilo said the differences in the alliance need cool heads and leaders to be level-headed.
loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za