The South African Communist Party (SACP) chairperson Blade Nzimande has reiterated calls for a “reconfigured alliance" between the African National Congress (ANC) and the SACP.

The SACP is currently holding its 5th Special National Congress (SNP) in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni.

In his opening remarks, Nzimande said the party is committed to the alliance, which also includes the Congress of South Trade Union (Cosatu).

“We have always insisted, and we still do, as our general -secretary will find in his political career, that we are committed to the alliance,” he told the delegates .

“We need this alliance. Perhaps we needed the alliance more than we needed it before.”

Nzimande called on the SACP, ANC and Cosatu to listen to each other, emphasising the importance of the alliance.

“And, it is therefore important that we do not take each other for granted as allies, but we know that we are all together as one.”

The four-day conference, aims to hold discussions over the party's intent to contest the 2026 local government elections independently and its finalisation of their manifesto for the elections.

SACP’s deputy chairperson Thulas Nxesi, former president Thabo Mbeki, ANC National Executive Committe (NEC) member and Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, widow of slain struggle stalwart Chris Hani - Limpo Hani, former Human Settlement minister Lindiwe Sisulu and ANC Gauteng chairman and premier Panyaza Lesufi were among those who attended the conference.

Nzimande expressed concern with the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) for rubbishing their calls for a “reconfigured alliance.”

He said post-1994 the political landscape has changed from an era of the 1980s and 1990s.

“This is very critical, comrades. But it's also important that we listen to each other. We don't want to sound as if we are complaining as the SACP.”

Nzimande asked how the ANC’s renewal efforts would be successful without tackling the needs and grievances of its allies.

”How can the NEC just renew itself without actually looking at its own allies? he questioned.

Nzimande used the opportunity to reflect on the ANC's poor performance during the May 29 general elections, as the ANC failed to secure a majority in Parliament since 1994.

He described that as a “huge setback,” adding that despite the efforts of the SACP having campaigned for the ANC’s victory during the elections, some members in the ANC started to put the blame on them for their poor performance.

“We were everywhere campaigning for the African National Congress,” he said.

“We believed that the ANC must not lose power. Of course, we were faced, as always, every revolution is faced with a counter-revolution.

“Part of the counter-revolution was this moonshot pact, whose aim was to begin by bringing the ANC under 50%.”

Nzimande cautioned that there is a growing acceptance of the governance where the ANC no longer has power, which he viewed as a trend part of the huge efforts to undermine the party.

“Therefore, comrades, we're now in a situation where we have a government of national unity. No one bargained for this.”

He said that no one wanted the Government of National Unity (GNU), which is led by the ANC and involves the Democratic Alliance and other parties.

The SACP has expressed huge disappointment over the GNU, stating that it does fails reflect the historical experiences of black people.

“That's where we are now,” Nzimande added.

He said it was important that the SACP provide the “direction and light,” as they are mapping a way forward, given the pressing challenges that the country is facing which include unemployment, workers issues, poverty and inequality amongst others.

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SACP chairperson Blade Nzimande calls for a 'reconfigured alliance' with ANC at special congress