Delegates at the congress are expected to elect new leaders, with all eyes on outgoing general secretary, Blade Nzimande, who has committed to stepping down from the post he has occupied for 24 years.
Leaders of the SACP in Gauteng, Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal are said to be pushing for Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande to return to the helm of the party.