Politics.za: Seperation Rumblings

Seperation Rumblings

Farrel — Thu, 18 May 2006 12:06:00 -0400

The SACP have once again started making noises that they might want to leave the tri-partite alliance. At the COSATU led protests today SACP leader Blade Nzimande asked the strikers whether the SACP should break away and was met with a resounding ‘Yes!’.

Over the weekend the SACP central committee will discuss amongst other things:

Whether to back a specific candidate at next year’s ANC conference, as well as for the country’s presidency in 2009
The influence of communists in the cabinet and government; and
Whether to fight elections independently of the ANC.

I think the first two points are the most pertinent with the SACP knowing full well that if they leave the tri-partite alliance the ANC will most probably shut them out of any position of power and influence. Not to mention the political mudslinging that will take place during the run up to elections. I can already see the ‘Traitor!’ accusations flying through the air.

That being said if the SACP believes they have enough votes to put up a decent fight then by all means please run as a seperate party. If their support is decent it will probably actually be good for a number of reasons:

It will reduce the ANC majority and if their support is large enough (unlikely but bear with me) would mean a coalition government.
It will take some of the heat of the ANC’s ‘Death To Opposition!!!’ tactics off the current opposition parties.
The SACP might be inclined to be more vocal about government than their current tone of ‘Slightly whiny’.

Now if they do split where does this leave their best friend Jacob Zuma? Well I don’t think he will jump to the SACP if he leaves because doing so would remove any chance of him actually being president.

Also can you imagine the ANC YL and the Young Communists going head on in an election campaign. The mind boggles at the sheer volume of crazy press releases which make no sense.

"Seperation Rumblings" by www.blacklooks.org

Fri, 19 May 2006 04:42:55 -0400

Hi I am the African editor for Global Voices. Just a point for readers outside SA. Please could you use the complete name of an organisation and possibly put a link to their site if they have one.

Many thanks Sokari

Africa@globalvoicesonline.org

"Seperation Rumblings" by VazLube

Fri, 19 May 2006 03:23:27 -0400

I for one, welcome the day the end of tri-partite alliance and get ANC the freedom to steam ahead with real economic reforms.

Today it’s becoming questionable for maintaining the tri-partite alliance. Time for them to compete on ideas not struggle creditials.

"Seperation Rumblings" by Farrel

Thu, 18 May 2006 15:57:01 -0400

Perhaps, but they can’t keep threatening to split and then not do so forever. That will just make the ANC ignore them even further.

"Seperation Rumblings" by Colin Pretorius

Thu, 18 May 2006 13:10:39 -0400

We should be so lucky… but somehow I doubt it’ll happen just yet, because it would be lunacy. I’m sure it’s rather calculated to keep the ANC on its toes and remind it who its constituents are, though.