SOUTH AFRICA: Saturday 15 July 2017 - 4:36pm
File: "On our side we don't want to break the alliance, we don't see a contradiction in maintaining the alliance and us contesting the elections," said Blade Nzimande. Photo: eNCA/Sthembiso Zulu
JOHANNESBURG - South African Communist Party (SACP) general secretary, Blade Nzimande says the party will contest the 2019 general election under its own banner.
But Nzimande wants his party to stay in the alliance it has with the ANC and Cosatu.
"On our side we don't want to break the alliance, we don't see a contradiction in maintaining the alliance and us contesting the elections. It happens that allied formations contest independently and decide to come together again at elections. So there's no contradiction in asking to engage our allies so that this isn't a decision that we take behind their backs," said Nzimande, addressing delegates at the closing of the SACP Congress on Saturday.
Deputy president, Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the SACP congress, delivering the ANC's message of support. Ramaphosa said the misuse of state funds requires urgent attention. He spoke out against state capture.
WATCH: SACP Congress kicks off
"Le utlwile, taba tse monate … ba re Zuma wa tsamaya," the group sang outside the plenary hall at the venue in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.
Loosely translated, the song went "have you heard the good news, Zuma is leaving."
WATCH: SACP congress draws to a close
Pushed for more detail on the SACP's plan to participate in the elections on its own, general secretary Blade Nzimande told a media briefing the future of the alliance will play a role in their plans.
"I suppose the challenge in South Africa is that we are not yet used to the changing realities that are facing all of us. That is why we want to put things in black and white if I can start with the last question. Our resolutions say we may or may not contest separately in the context of a reconfigured alliance. That's why we are talking about a road map which also will be informed by the times of engagements we have. So allied formations contesting independently doesn't necessarily make an opposition. That's not where we are in this point in time.
https://www.enca.com/south-africa/sacp-to-go-it-alone-in-elections