African National Congress: A Battle of Left or Right-Wing Alignment and How to Bridge the Gap. A REFLECTION ON THE 113TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION.
The African National Congress (ANC), South Africa’s ruling party since 1994, finds itself grappling with an ideological identity crisis. As it turns 113 years old, it has a primary duty of making critical reflections on its identity. Once firmly rooted in leftist, liberation-oriented policies, the ANC has increasingly encountered tension between its historical commitments to socialism and its pragmatic embrace of market-friendly policies. This dichotomy has given rise to fierce internal debates, with factions aligning with either left-wing or right-wing principles, threatening to fracture the party. The question of how to reconcile these ideological rifts is critical, not just for the ANC, but for the future stability and prosperity of South Africa.
The ANC’s origins are steeped in leftist ideology, shaped by its alliances with trade unions, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU). These partners provided the intellectual and logistical framework for the party’s liberation struggle. Central to the ANC’s early vision was a commitment to redistributive policies aimed at addressing the socioeconomic inequalities brought by apartheid. Landmark programs like the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) reflected this leftist orientation. However, the transition to governance brought with it the pressures of globalization, investor confidence, and the demands of managing a capitalist economy. The ANC adopted the Growth, Employment, and Redistribution (GEAR) strategy in the mid-1990s, signalling a pivot toward more market-oriented policies. While this move was intended to stabilize the economy and attract foreign investment, it alienated leftist allies and created ideological tension within the party.
Over the years, some within the ANC have embraced policies that lean toward the right-wing spectrum. Proponents of these policies argue that a market-driven approach is necessary to foster economic growth, create jobs, and attract foreign investment. This faction often clashes with the party’s leftist bloc, which advocates for state-led development, nationalization of key industries, and aggressive redistribution of wealth and land. These tensions have culminated in public and private confrontations, often paralyzing decision-making within the party. The left accuses the right of betraying the ANC’s liberation ideals, while the right claims the left’s policies are outdated and impractical in a modern global economy. This ideological tug-of-war has weakened the ANC’s ability to present a unified vision, leaving citizens disillusioned and the party vulnerable to declining electoral support.
The ideological rift within the ANC poses a real threat to its cohesion. A fractured ANC risks splintering into separate parties, with each faction pursuing its own agenda. This fragmentation could erode the party’s dominance in South African politics, opening the door for opposition parties to capitalize on the ANC’s perceived failures. More importantly, such disunity undermines the party’s ability to govern effectively, which has dire implications for a country already grappling with high unemployment, energy crises, and persistent inequality. Thus, its demise to 40% electoral outcome in May 2024 and forced to form a Government of National Unity (GNU).
To bridge the gap between its left and right-wing factions, the ANC must embrace a pragmatic approach that respects its ideological diversity while focusing on a shared vision for South Africa’s future. The party needs to initiate an internal dialogue that allows members to engage openly about the challenges and trade-offs associated with their differing positions. This requires robust leadership capable of mediating these debates and fostering consensus. One potential solution lies in adopting a hybrid policy framework that combines elements of both left and right-wing ideologies. For instance, the ANC could pursue pro-market policies to stimulate economic growth while simultaneously expanding social safety nets and investing in public infrastructure to address inequality. Similar to how the Communist Part of China approached its pro-market policies to alleviate poverty, create a stable middle class and foster growth and development within the country.
Land reform could be approached in a manner that balances redistribution with agricultural productivity, ensuring economic stability while meeting historical obligations – rectification of the 1913 Land Act. Additionally, the ANC must recommit to ethical governance and transparency. Corruption and factionalism have exacerbated the party’s internal divisions, eroding trust among its members and the public. Addressing these issues would not only strengthen the ANC’s credibility but also create a more conducive environment for ideological reconciliation.
The remarkable success of China in lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty and expanding its middle class offers critical lessons for the ANC in its quest to reconcile internal ideological divisions. Central to China’s strategy has been a pragmatic blend of state-led planning and market-driven growth, which could serve as a model for South Africa. By focusing on the rapid growth and development of the general populace, the ANC could align its left-wing goals of social equity with its right-wing aspirations for economic expansion, creating a unifying vision that transcends factional divides.
Similarly, China’s transformation began with heavy investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, ensuring the population had the skills and access necessary to participate in a modern economy. The ANC can adopt a similar approach by prioritizing these sectors as part of its developmental agenda. For example, improving access to quality education and vocational training, particularly in underserved rural and township areas, can empower South Africans to secure better-paying jobs and move into the middle class. Such investments align with the left-wing emphasis on social justice while simultaneously supporting the right-wing goal of enhancing productivity and competitiveness.
Moreover, China’s success in poverty reduction was driven by its focus on industrialization, particularly in labour-intensive industries. The ANC could replicate this by fostering the growth of manufacturing and agro-processing sectors, which have the potential to absorb large numbers of unskilled and semi-skilled workers. Policies that incentivize domestic and foreign investment in these sectors—such as tax breaks, reduced red tape, and the development of special economic zones—could create millions of jobs. While such initiatives resonate with the right’s pro-business stance, they also address the left’s demand for economic transformation by reducing unemployment and inequality.
One of the key components of China’s poverty alleviation strategy was the establishment of robust social safety nets to protect vulnerable populations. The ANC could strengthen and expand programs such as social grants, free basic services, and affordable housing to ensure that no one is left behind. At the same time, these measures should be complemented by initiatives to help beneficiaries transition from dependence on state support to self-sufficiency. This dual approach – providing immediate relief while enabling long-term economic participation – offers common ground for both left and right-wing factions.
Agriculture played a pivotal role in China’s early development, with land reforms enabling millions of farmers to increase productivity and improve their livelihoods. The ANC could adopt a similar approach by accelerating land reform in a way that balances redistribution with economic viability. Providing farmers with the training, resources, and market access needed to succeed in commercial agriculture can address historical injustices while contributing to food security and rural development. This strategy would appeal to the left’s emphasis on land equity and the right’s focus on market efficiency.
China’s rise was fuelled by significant investment in infrastructure and technology, which facilitated trade, connectivity, and innovation. The ANC can prioritize similar initiatives by modernizing transportation networks, expanding access to electricity and water, and enhancing digital connectivity. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) could play a vital role in financing these projects, bridging the left’s preference for state-led development with the right’s emphasis on private sector participation. Such investments not only create jobs but also lay the foundation for long-term economic growth, benefiting all South Africans.
The cornerstone of China’s poverty alleviation strategy was its focus on inclusive growth, ensuring that the benefits of economic expansion were widely shared. The ANC can adopt policies to ensure that marginalized groups – such as women, youth, and rural communities – are actively included in the economy. For example, targeted funding for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), support for youth entrepreneurship, and affirmative action programs can help reduce disparities and create a more equitable society. This approach bridges the left’s call for inclusivity with the right’s focus on economic dynamism.
A critical factor in China’s success was the role of strong governance and a disciplined focus on long-term goals. For the ANC to emulate this, it must prioritize eradicating corruption, improving service delivery, and ensuring policy continuity – considering the NDP 2030 is left with only 5 years in effect. Transparency and accountability are essential to gaining public trust and fostering a unified sense of purpose within the party. By demonstrating effective governance, the ANC can reduce the factionalism that stems from competing interests and redirect its energies toward a shared developmental agenda.
The ANC has a unique opportunity to draw inspiration from China’s model of poverty alleviation and economic transformation to bridge its ideological divides. By adopting a pragmatic approach that blends left-wing commitments to social justice with right-wing strategies for economic growth, the party can create a unifying vision centred on the rapid development of South Africa’s population. This strategy not only addresses the country’s pressing socioeconomic challenges but also strengthens the ANC’s position as a party capable of delivering on its historical promise of a better life for all.
Equally, the ANC stands at a crossroads. Its internal struggle between left and right-wing factions is emblematic of the broader challenges facing South Africa as it seeks to balance economic growth with social justice. Bridging this gap will require visionary leadership, pragmatic policymaking, and a renewed commitment to the values that once united the party. If the ANC can overcome its internal divisions, it has the potential to not only regain its footing but also steer South Africa toward a more inclusive and prosperous future. However, failure to address these ideological battles could spell the end of its dominance, with profound consequences for the country’s political landscape.
As the ANC celebrates 113 years of its existence, it needs to think deep about the next 113 years of relevance in the general populace and across the political space.
Comfort Matoti (Gauteng Provincial Chairperson of the Black Management Forum Young Professionals. )
