When talking about South African Communist Party, a political organization founded in 1921 that follows Marxist-Leninist ideology and has been a key player in South Africa’s liberation and post‑apartheid politics. Also known as SACP, it works closely with other progressive forces to shape national policy. The South African Communist Party still pushes for social justice, workers’ rights, and economic transformation across the country.
One of the most important allies of the SACP is the African National Congress, South Africa’s dominant political party that led the struggle against apartheid and now governs at the national level. The ANC and SACP share a historic partnership dating back to the 1940s, often coordinating on legislation, election campaigns, and policy platforms. This relationship means that many SACP members hold influential positions within the ANC’s structures, reinforcing the party’s ability to influence legislation on land reform, nationalisation, and public services.
Ideologically, the SACP is rooted in Marxism‑Leninism, a political theory advocating for a proletarian state, collective ownership of the means of production, and a planned economy. This framework guides the party’s stance on wealth redistribution, nationalisation of key sectors like mines and utilities, and the creation of a robust welfare state. By interpreting Marxist principles in a South African context, the party argues for policies that address historic inequalities and promote inclusive growth.
The party’s strongest power base lies in the nation’s trade unions, organized groups representing workers across industries that negotiate wages, working conditions, and labor rights. Unions such as COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) often adopt SACP’s policy proposals, turning them into concrete demands during collective bargaining. This partnership creates a feedback loop: union activism fuels party agendas, while SACP’s legislative push strengthens union leverage in the workplace.
During the anti‑apartheid era, the SACP played a covert yet critical role in the liberation movement. Its members operated underground cells, provided political education, and helped organise mass protests. The party’s commitment to a non‑racial, socialist South Africa helped shape the ANC’s Freedom Charter, which enshrines the ideals of land to the tiller, free health care, and free education. These historic contributions still influence contemporary debates about reparations and social equity.
After 1994, the SACP moved from resistance to governance. It entered the parliament, pushed for the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP), and advocated for policies like free primary education and universal health care. The party also championed land reform mechanisms that aim to correct the apartheid-era dispossession of Black South Africans. While some reforms have stalled, the SACP continues to lobby for faster implementation, arguing that economic justice is essential for lasting peace.
Today, the party faces new challenges: shifting voter demographics, internal factionalism, and the rise of neoliberal economic arguments within the ANC. Nevertheless, the SACP remains a vocal force in coalition talks, especially in provinces where the ANC relies on its support to maintain a majority. The party’s latest statements focus on climate justice, digital rights, and strengthening the public sector to meet 21st‑century challenges.
Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dive deeper into the SACP’s history, its ties with the ANC, policy positions, and contemporary relevance. Whether you’re interested in the party’s ideological roots, its role in labor movements, or its impact on today’s political landscape, these pieces will give you a well‑rounded view of the South African Communist Party and its enduring influence in the country.
Ruth First, South African anti‑apartheid activist and scholar, was killed by a letter bomb in Mozambique in 1982. Her journalism, UN work, and role in drafting the Freedom Charter shape today’s fight for justice.
