21 July 2026

The Politburo of the South African Communist Party (SACP) sat in its special meeting on 17 July 2026. The Politburo discussed the state of the Party at the present time and urgent organisational matters confronting it, including several aspects of the SACP elections programme. The special Politburo also discussed the renewal of the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) as one of the most important issues in the SACP organisational revitalisation.

The SACP, through its structures, the Politburo and the Central Committee in particular, has a constitutional responsibility to continuously evaluate the state of the organisation, including the YCLSA, and take appropriate decisions in order to advance its political objectives. The YCLSA remains a key source of political imagination and vigour for the Party as it takes its socialist programme forward, and therefore its welfare as an organisation is indispensable to the sustainability of the SACP and its vision. The ability of the YCLSA to be a vibrant and effective league of the SACP is the primary concern of the SACP at all times.

Against the backdrop of a prior YCLSA National Committee decision to convene an early congress that was scheduled for 10-12 July 2026 in Moses Kotane Province (North West), the Politburo received a report in this regard and discussed the programme and the fate of the YCLSA going forward from that purported congress.

The secretariat of the SACP played an oversight strategic role in the congress, as is practice in the Party, and the Politburo received a report in this regard.  As part of its strategic oversight over the proceedings of the congress, the secretariat of the SACP submitted a proposal to congress delegates in the plenary of congress to the effect that the congress status and mandate be converted to that of a national council as provided for in Article 2.7 of the YCLSA constitution. This proposal was made as an intervention, having observed the administrative and political shortcomings of the congress and its processes, as well as with the view to maintain the unity of the YCLSA as an entity of the SACP.

Following a lengthy discussion of this proposal in the plenary, the delegates approved the proposal, which meant the gathering could not and did not elect a National Committee, as this is not in the constitutional purview of a national council. The meeting therefore was effectively converted into a Special National Council, which focused on shaping a comprehensive organisational and political programme to revitalise the YCLSA and build a programme that reconnects the organisation with young people at its base. Part of the council mandate and area of focus was the role of the YCLSA in the SACP elections programme. The YCLSA, thus, would be led by an interim leadership core for a determined limited period of time as appointed by the SACP.

In the context of this particular approach, the meeting received, discussed and adopted the political, organisational and financial reports as a guide to action and a foundation to consolidate a plan of action to be overseen by an interim leadership. The Special National Council determined in its discussions that the impending interim leadership should convene a National Interim Leadership Core (NILC) meeting that will serve as an induction and first plenary session.

The Politburo considered and accepted the report of the secretariat regarding the YCLSA programme as well as the interventions and decisions of the secretariat in assisting the YCLSA to move forward. The Special National Council further mandated the National Interim Leadership Core, through an augmented national meeting of the YCLSA, to adopt a programme of action and an 18-month roadmap in line with the terms of reference defined by the SACP Politburo as tabulated in the YCLSA constitution.

The decision to appoint a National Interim Leadership Core was made by the Politburo in conformity with the constitution of the YCLSA regarding the National Council and its mandate and in line with the powers of the Politburo as contained in the constitution of the SACP. The Politburo also set out terms of reference for the National Interim Leadership Core, including the duration of its time of existence.

After thorough consultation and internal engagements with YCLSA provinces, the Politburo has determined the following to be the terms of reference for the National Interim Leadership Core:

1. The NILC is given 18 months to convene the 7^th National Congress on 6–9 December 2027.
2. Revive and relaunch structures of the YCLSA with a focus on the four provinces not in good standing.
3. Lead and play oversight in establishing new branches.
4. Assess the state of the organisation in the provinces, receive reports from lower structures monthly and submit reports to the Politburo and Central Committee.
5. Facilitate and convene provincial and district congresses.
6. Organise all organisational activities on behalf of the National Committee.
7. Represent the YCLSA in all events where the structure is invited nationally to immediately hit the ground running in delivering a youth vote to the South African Communist Party on 4 November 2026.
8. Conduct induction for all newly elected provincial committees.
9. Members of the Secretariat must participate weekly in the SACP Secretariat meetings without fail.
10. The structure will have the powers of the National Committee in the period under review. In line with the powers of the National Committee, the NILC will elect four extra comrades, through co-option, looking into the principle of non-racialism and geographical spread, with priority given to Northern Cape and Free State.
11. The Interim National Secretary and Interim National Chairperson will be ex-officio members of the SACP Central Committee, and the Interim National Secretary, further, will be an ex-officio member of the Politburo.

The following comrades have been appointed to serve in the National Interim Leadership Core.

Interim National Secretary – Jan Nabane (M) GP
Interim National Chairperson – Mzwandile Thakhudi (M) FS
Interim National Treasurer – Tarik Lalla (M) GP SASCO
Interim 1^st Deputy National Secretary – Ponego Pookgoadi (F) MP
Interim 2^nd Deputy National Secretary – Thandeka Nkosi (F) MM (KZN)
Interim Deputy National Chairperson – Dr Thabani Dlamini (M) EC

NILC Committee Members:

Ayanda Mashaba (M) MP
Mogale Matsose II (M) MK (NW)
Edward ‘Obama’ Letsimo (M) MP: Elections Coordinator
Thabile Lenkwane (F) GP: National Spokesperson
Nuel Phatlane (M) GP: National Organising Secretary
Exlira Giose (F) WC
Gopotso Matlou (F) LMP
Kgomotso Molotseme (F) MK (NW)
Kyle Haselsteiner (M) GP
Lebogang Makhubele (M) LMP
Lerato Phela (F) MP
Dr Lesego Phetlhe (M) MK (NW)
Lindokuhle Mdlaose (M) MM (KZN)
Lucian Davids (M) WC
Lukhanyo Banda (M) EC
Sandra Wilkesen (F) GP
Sarah Mokwevho (F) GP
Sihle Mgushelo (F) EC
Thalente Cele (M) KZN
Themba Zondo (M) FS

We wish them well in reviving the YCLSA and rallying young people under the banner of the YCLSA and the Party.

Issued by SACP National Secretariat.

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FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.
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