Jubilant delegates at the South African Communist Party (SACP) congress in Boksburg on Tuesday sang and danced, calling for President Jacob Zuma to step down.

“Le utlwile, taba tse monate…ba re Zuma wa tsamaya,” the group sang outside the plenary hall at the venue in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. Loosely translated, the song went “have you heard the good news, Zuma is leaving.”

The SAPC has banned Zuma from attending its events, after fellow tripartate alliance partner the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) did the same following a chaotic Workers’ Day event in the Free State earlier this year. Cosatu had to cancel speeches on the day after Zuma was continually heckled by workers.

Inside the venue in Boksburg on Tuesday, another group sang SACP second deputy secretary Solly Mapaila’s praises, asking him to lead the party.

Mapaila will not be contesting for the position of secretary general at the congress. Incumbent secretary, Blade Nzimande is expected to be re-elected, and has been the face of the SACP since 1998.

First deputy secretary Jeremy Cronin will step down from party leadership structures.

Mapaila and Nzimande have in recent times criticised Zuma’s leadership and his close ties to the politically-connected Gupta family.

The party has been scathing in its criticism of Zuma and the ruling African National Congress (ANC), prompting it to look into contesting elections alone and leave the tripartite alliance.

The congress is expected to take a decision on contesting elections solo.

Nzimande is set to present the SACP’s political report, while other speakers for the second day of the congress include SACP Gauteng leader Jacob Mamabolo and Gauteng Premier David Makhura.

ANC National Executive Committee members at the congress include Siyabonga Cwele, ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu, Bheki Cele, as well as ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte.