THENEWSOUTHAFRICA
GEAR meant that the interests of big business coincided with state pol-
icy,but it caused strains in the relationship between the ANC and its politi-
cal allies-the
South African Communist party (SACP), which supplied a
substantial proportion of the ANC leadership, and COSATU, the trade union
federation that had been the strongest element in the anti-apartheid move-
ment. Under GEAR the government was, indeed.closer to big business than
to its allies. Both COSATU and the SACP criticized GEAR from the outset.
COSATU threatened to terminate its alliance with the ANC and form a sepa-
rate party pledged to support labor and eradicate poverty; but there was
no sign of aCOSATU or SACP secession. The affiliates of COSATU amounted
to only 1.5 million members, and the SACP claimed a membership of just
75,000.
Both organizations needed the ANC more than the ANC needed
them; and their leaders knew where their bread was buttered. Conse-
quently, both allies supported the ANC in the 1999 election.s" As American
political scientist Thomas Koelble stated, "The ANC glue, the solidarity
against racism, colonialism, and apartheid, and Mandela's charisma, is
likely to work against breakaway parties" for years to come.f"
The Quality of Life of the Majority of the People