Image: YCLSA Leader Mzwandile Thakhudi vs ANC’s Fikile Mbalula vs SACP’s Solly Mapaila
By Thabo Mosia
Johannesburg – The Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) has come out strongly in defense of the South African Communist Party (SACP) General Secretary, Solly Mapaila, against what they termed the “verbal diarrhea” of ANC Secretary General, Fikile Mbalula. This intense political discourse has cast a spotlight on the fragile nature of the tripartite alliance between the African National Congress (ANC), SACP, and Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), with the GNU being the crux of the contention.
Mbalula, known for his outspoken nature, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to voice his displeasure with Solly Mapaila’s recent comments regarding the ANC’s political trajectory and its decision to form a Government of National Unity (GNU) with the Democratic Alliance (DA). Mbalula’s series of tweets have ignited a fierce response from the YCLSA, highlighting deep-seated frustrations within the alliance.
The ANC’s Choice of a GNU: A Gross Mistake?
Solly Mapaila, in an interview with Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh on the popular SMWX show, did not hold back his criticism of the ANC’s decision to align with the DA in the GNU. “The political choice that the ANC made is a gross error, a serious mistake,” said Mapaila. He expressed disappointment, particularly with the ANC’s seeming disregard for the ideological foundations that have traditionally underpinned the alliance. Mapaila’s harsh critique resonates with many within the SACP, who view the GNU as a betrayal of the revolutionary principles that have guided the liberation movement in South Africa.
Mapaila further elaborated on his disillusionment with the ANC’s decision, describing it as a choice that fundamentally misaligns with the aspirations of the working class. “This political choice, this alignment with the DA, does not reflect the will of the people,” Mapaila asserted, emphasizing that the electorate did not vote for such a coalition. His comments underscore a growing sentiment within the SACP that the ANC is drifting away from its roots, increasingly influenced by neoliberal ideologies that prioritize market stability over the needs of the masses.
Mbalula’s Retort: Defending the ANC’s Stance
Fikile Mbalula responded sharply to Mapaila’s criticisms, using his social media platform to articulate his defense of the ANC’s actions. “CDE Solly Mapaila is missing the point,” Mbalula tweeted. “We shall debate these matters in the Alliance political council.” Mbalula’s response underscores the tension between the two leaders, reflecting broader ideological clashes within the alliance.
Mbalula further elaborated, “The ANC is neither a capitalist nor a socialist party. Our relationship with capital is unity and struggle of the opposite; we are a multi-ideological party. At best, you can say we are social democrats. The burden to advance the struggle for socialism is on the South African Communist Party.”
Mbalula’s remarks suggest that the ANC sees itself as a broad church, capable of accommodating diverse ideological perspectives. However, his statement also reveals the underlying tension between the ANC’s current leadership and its alliance partners, particularly the SACP, which has consistently advocated for a more radical socialist agenda.
Mbalula continued his critique by expressing his disapproval of what he sees as public grandstanding by Mapaila. “Grandstanding on public platforms, insulting your own comrades instead of engaging directly, is unfortunate,” Mbalula tweeted. He called for internal discussions within the alliance rather than public spats, indicating a preference for resolving differences behind closed doors rather than in the public eye.
YCLSA’s Scathing Response: A Call for Respect
The YCLSA, however, was not content to let Mbalula’s remarks go unchallenged. In a statement issued by YCLSA National Secretary Mzwandile Thakhudi, the league expressed its deep annoyance and perturbation at Mbalula’s “reckless utterances” against Cde Solly Mapaila. The YCLSA’s statement is a clear indication of the rising frustration within the SACP’s youth wing over the direction the ANC is taking under its current leadership.
“It is worth highlighting that our General Secretary has not singled out any leader of the ANC during his recent reflections on the political developments in the country,” the statement read. “Rather, he maintained the Party’s position that the liberation forces should not succumb to neither the parasitic state capture networks nor neo-liberal elites.”
The YCLSA’s response goes further, suggesting that Mbalula’s aggressive rhetoric is indicative of how tightly “the chains of Capital are shackled around the necks and minds of some of our comrades in the liberation alliance.” This stark language reveals the depth of the ideological rift between the ANC and its alliance partners, particularly on the issue of economic policy and the ANC’s perceived alignment with neoliberal interests.
The YCLSA also accused the ANC of “malicious compliance” in failing to consult with its alliance partners on critical policy decisions, particularly the decision to form a GNU with the DA. “The ANC is guilty of malicious compliance in terms of not consulting and seeking counsel from its own alliance partners on policy matters that directly affect both the future of this country and what stood opposed to the core of the class, being the workers of our country,” the statement continued.
A Call for Ideological Respect
The YCLSA’s statement concluded with a direct demand for respect from Mbalula, calling for a cessation of what they described as his “verbal diarrhea.” The league reiterated its call for the SACP to fully implement its resolution on state and popular power by actively participating in elections to earn respect from the class and its allies.
“In conclusion, SG Mbabula correctly posits that the SACP and ANC are allies and not branches, and we ought to respect each other instead of his ongoing verbal diarrhea. Therefore, the YCLSA demands a modicum of ideological respect on the part of the ANC SG,” the statement read.
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