SACP Unveils Ambitious Manifesto for 2026 Elections, Lacks Critical Governing Experience

The South African Communist Party (SACP) is entering the 2026 local elections on its own, breaking away from its historical alliance with the ANC. This shift brings both excitement and uncertainty, as the party aims to outline its vision for a more equitable society through its manifesto.

The manifesto, notably short and principled, emphasizes essential services such as water and sanitation. It pledges to conduct ward-by-ward audits and establish rapid-response teams for maintenance, aiming to prioritize preventative measures over emergency fixes. However, the document lacks details on funding sources for the proposed infrastructural repairs, raising questions about the feasibility of its promises.

In stark contrast to the Democratic Alliance’s approach, the SACP advocates for rebuilding municipal capabilities rather than outsourcing services. It highlights the need for fair electricity tariffs and plans to address the rising costs of energy, which have inflated sixfold since 2007. Although the manifesto touches on the impacts of cable theft on working-class communities, it falls short of offering a concrete energy policy to tackle outages and engage with Eskom.

The SACP also promises to prioritize municipal roads, vowing to repair and maintain them to improve access to jobs and services. Their commitment to integrated public transport under community control sets them apart, yet measurable targets for implementation are conspicuously absent.

In terms of sanitation, the SACP calls for a thorough audit and plans for maintenance, explicitly denouncing the bucket system as a humiliation that should be eradicated. The manifesto champions the upgrading of informal settlements in collaboration with residents, reflecting a progressive approach to community development.

On safety, the SACP proposes community-based initiatives rather than conventional policing, emphasizing the need for organized efforts to tackle crime and support survivors of gender-based violence. This model aims to foster safer environments through grassroots involvement.

While the manifesto includes a vision for decent work through local cooperatives and community-owned enterprises, it lacks specific plans for waste management and public cleanliness—areas critical to municipal performance. The SACP's focus on public employment and local procurement highlights its commitment to community resilience.

In addressing social infrastructure, the manifesto champions public access to sports, arts, and healthcare, framing them as essential rather than luxuries. SACP candidates are tasked with engaging regularly with their communities, ensuring accountability through open ward assemblies.

Despite its revolutionary fervor and commitment to local empowerment, the SACP's manifesto reveals a shortfall in practical governance experience. General Secretary Solly Mapaila's call for transparency in local governance underscores the need for a robust strategy to address real-world challenges.

Source: www.dailymaverick.co.za