RE: Climate Justice Coalition Leadership on The Conference of The Left
21 May 2026
The Climate Justice Coalition (CJC) vehemently denounces the “Conference of the Left”, hosted by the South African Communist Party (SACP). The Coalition condemns as well as the unauthorised and unconsulted use of our name in the conference programmes and briefing documents.
The inclusion of the CJC’s name creates a false and misleading impression to our members, partners, affiliates, allies, and the broader public that the Climate Justice Coalition endorses and aligns itself politically and ideologically with the agenda and participating formations represented in this convening. The lack of consent for use of logos and names of partners within leftist movement spaces – as seen with Abahlali baseMjondolo – as well as the non-consensual use of the Climate Justice Coalition’s name undermines cross-collaborative trust building which is central for our collective and effective mobilising. These actions undermine and actively demobilise the left.
The Climate Justice Coalition, while wary of the potential for political co-option of the space, had initially engaged via email regarding attendance in good faith not endorsement, with the intention to better understand the direction of the convening and to explore whether meaningful spaces existed in principled engagement and collaboration amongst progressive and leftist formations committed to justice, equality, and true systemic transformation. However, upon review of the latest programme, participating formations, and broader direction of the conference, it has become clear that this gathering does not represent the transformative, people-centred politics it claims to advance.
The Climate Justice Coalition is deeply concerned by the inclusion and legitimisation of organisations and formations whose politics, conduct, and public positions stand in stark contradiction to the values that underpin genuine working-class struggles and leftist values. This seen particularly with the inclusion of uMkhonto weSizwe Party, whose politics and conduct have raised serious concerns since its formation. It stands in contradiction to the conference’s want to invite “all left leaning formations in their various forms – mass movements and organisations; trade unions; youth and women movements; organisations advancing interests of children and people with disabilities as well as LBTQIA+, NGOs and NPOs advancing the course of the working class and poor.”
The normalisation of corruption, xenophobia/ Afrophobia, misogyny and various related forms of oppression has fundamentally undermined the basis upon which the Climate Justice Coalition initially accepted engagement with this process. We therefore unequivocally distance ourselves from this conference and reject any implication of endorsement and participation. Furthermore, we stand with members, partners, and affiliates in rejecting this farcical representation of left politics and remain committed to building a truly transformative justice agenda.
Whilst understanding that there is a diverse landscape of formations and movements working to progress change in South Africa, the Climate Justice Coalition rejects any attempt to collapse or dilute the distinctions between movements and formations genuinely advancing justice for people and planet, and those forces responsible for sustained social harm, exploitation, and exclusion.
As a broad-based coalition made up of South African trade unions, grassroots and community-based organisations, civil society organisations, faith-based formations, youth structures, and climate justice activists, the Climate Justice Coalition remains committed to principled intersectional justice movement-building rooted in respect for and the advancement of human rights, equality, dignity, justice and fairness for all.
In solidarity and justice,
Gabriel Klaasen, General Secretary and Tara Nair van Ryneveld, Deputy Secretary of the Climate Justice Coalition