Sunday World reports that the ANC has lost a powerful ally in the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM), which has decided not to campaign for the governing party in the 2026 local elections.
Even though the union isn’t telling its members to vote against the ANC, not supporting it will be a blow to the party which it has always helped in the past to win votes. But, the move is also a setback for the SA Communist Party, which a month ago seemed to enjoy full backing of the union in its decision to contest the elections independently of the ANC. NUM president explained that the current political environment has changed dramatically, forcing the union to reconsider its role. He said that internal divisions, mistrust and a failure of leadership has caused many within the union to question whether political alignment was still appropriate. With this decision the NUM is prioritising its founding mission to protect workers’ rights above political loyalty, at a time when many are of the view that the revolutionary spirit that once united the two organisations has been lost. Cosatu’s spokesman Matthew Parks said the federation was still discussing the SACP’s resolution to contest the elections. He said the issue would be taken to the Cosatu national congress next year, where a final decision would be made.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Boitumelo Kgobotlo on page 4 of Sunday World of 10 August 2025
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