SANCO KwaZulu-Natal Severs Ties with ANC, Signaling Major Rift Ahead of 2024 Elections

• SANCO KwaZulu-Natal has formally ended its alliance with the ANC, citing a lack of response to outreach efforts since early 2023.
• SANCO KZN Secretary Sizwe Cele expressed frustration, stating that SANCO’s repeated attempts at dialogue were disregarded by ANC leaders in the province.
• Analysts suggest this separation could weaken the ANC’s grassroots influence in the politically crucial province of KwaZulu-Natal, with potential implications for both parties ahead of the 2024 elections.

In a significant political shift, the South African Natives Civic Organization (SANCO) in KwaZulu-Natal has announced it will cut ties with the African National Congress (ANC) in the province. This decision, confirmed in a letter from SANCO KZN Secretary Sizwe Cele to ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, follows a year of failed attempts by SANCO to re-engage the ANC. The announcement represents a notable departure from what has traditionally been an alliance rooted in shared goals and coordinated efforts.

Cele’s letter voiced SANCO’s frustration over the ANC’s apparent lack of response, describing SANCO’s outreach efforts as sincere but consistently ignored by the ANC. “We have tried since 2023 to establish meaningful dialogue, but we’ve been consistently snubbed. It’s clear that the ANC has no intention of restoring this alliance,” the letter stated.

As a civic organization grounded in community activism, SANCO has long supported ANC initiatives, especially at the grassroots level, where its presence has been invaluable for mobilizing support. The separation is likely to impact both organizations, particularly as South Africa heads toward the 2024 elections—a time when collaboration among political allies is typically viewed as beneficial.

Cele further clarified that SANCO will no longer invite ANC representatives to its events or activities in KwaZulu-Natal, effectively ending what has been a longstanding alliance. This development may reveal deeper fractures within ANC’s coalition partnerships, with analysts warning that the loss of SANCO’s grassroots support could diminish the ANC’s influence in KwaZulu-Natal, a politically significant province.

The ANC has yet to respond officially to SANCO’s announcement, though sources indicate internal discussions are underway to evaluate the impact and consider possible next steps. This separation introduces a new dynamic into South Africa’s political landscape, underscoring the volatility of provincial alliances and raising questions about the ANC’s ability to maintain unity within its coalition framework.

As SANCO withdraws its support, the coming months will reveal whether this move sparks broader shifts in provincial alignments, potentially paving the way for new partnerships or a more lasting transformation in political alliances in KwaZulu-Natal.