The Government of National Unity (GNU) once again came under scrutiny as the SACP led the 30 anniversary of Joe Slovo’s passing during a commemorative event at the Avalon Cemetery on Monday. Picture: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers
Amid chants of “we do not want the GNU”, the relationship between the ANC and the DA found itself under the microscope on Monday during the SACPs commemoration of Joe Slovo’s legacy at the Avalon Cemetery in Soweto.
Those attending said it was a poignant reminder of the political divisions that continue to shape the country's discourse.
Speaking at the event, President Cyril Ramaphosa, alongside SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila and Cosatu leader Duncan Luvuno, paid tribute to Slovo's contribution as an anti-apartheid activist and one of the architects of South Africa’s democracy.
Slovo was a founding member and later chief of staff of Umkhonto we Sizwe.
Ramaphosa reflected on Slovo's strategic brilliance and flexibility.
"One of Slovo's exceptional attributes was his ability to appreciate changing conditions during the Struggle and to anticipate the need for new approaches."
Mapaila did not shy away from criticising the DA, labelling them as “hyenas gunning to finish off the ANC”.
He voiced concerns over the Government of National Unity (GNU), warning Ramaphosa of the potential threat the coalition poses to his party's stability.
"We are aware of the reversals that are taking place at the strategic level," he said, expressing that the struggle against poverty is a significant challenge for the ANC.
Mapaila asserted that the SACP remains committed to contesting the 2026 local elections independently from the ANC, emphasising that this decision is aimed not at weakening the alliance but at strengthening it.
"We want working-class representation, that’s why we are contesting the 2026 elections," Mapaila declared emphatically, reinforcing the importance of interdependence within the alliance without compromising the SACP's autonomy.
Despite the evident strain within the coalition, both leaders recognised the lasting impact of Slovo's activism.
Ramaphosa highlighted the ongoing transformation of South Africa, acknowledging that the legacy of apartheid still looms large over the nation.
"More than three decades since Comrade Joe Slovo’s passing, our country has been transformed in many ways. The legacy of apartheid is still with us and still casts a shadow," he said.
The event, marking 30 years since Slovo's death on January 6, 1995, not only celebrated his achievements but also brought forth critical reflections on the current political landscape.
The SACP also paid tribute to Slovo in a statement, saying his leadership was vital in the armed resistance against apartheid.
The party said Slovo’s commitment to gender equality was revolutionary.
“He recognised that true liberation required the dismantling of patriarchal systems alongside the overthrow of capitalism.
“His analysis placed women’s emancipation at the heart of the broader struggle for social justice,” the statement reads.
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