South Africa’s largest labour federation, the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), has faced criticism following its resolution on which alliance partners workers should support in the upcoming local government elections.
COSATU’s reconvened 15th Elective Congress urged workers to support and vote for both the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the local government elections scheduled for 4 November.
Speaking on YOU FM’s Newshour, independent labour analyst Mamokgethi Molopyane warned that COSATU’s failure to clearly identify which of its alliance partners it supports could have serious political consequences.
“It signals both weakness and fear because the federation is keeping one foot in each camp.
“It was crucial for COSATU to state its position unambiguously and declare exactly who it supports.
“This cautious approach tells me they want to keep their options open while also trying to benefit from both sides. However, trying to have it both ways will backfire on them,” Molopyane said.
According to Molopyane, the decision risks portraying COSATU as a federation without a clear political position, which could undermine its credibility and future prospects.
She also pointed to ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe’s dramatic walkout from the congress after he was reportedly denied an opportunity to speak following the SACP’s address. Molopyane argued that the incident demonstrated that the ANC did not regard COSATU as an equal partner within the alliance.
Meanwhile, Molopyane commended COSATU for electing Zingiswa Losi as its new general secretary, describing the development as a historic milestone for women in leadership.
She said the decision reflected a growing recognition within the federation that women were capable of occupying senior executive positions, rather than being confined to deputy or treasurer roles, as she argued was the case in some other organisations.
Losi has now made history twice by breaking significant leadership barriers within COSATU.
In 2018, she was elected unopposed as president at the federation’s 13th National Congress, becoming the first woman to lead South Africa’s largest labour federation. She was re-elected unopposed in September 2022.
On Wednesday, she crossed another leadership milestone when she defeated incumbent general secretary Solly Phetoe by 996 votes to 809, becoming the first woman to be elected to the position.
Gerald Twala was elected deputy general secretary, succeeding Losi in the role.
Mike Shingange was elected president after defeating Mabutho Cele by 973 votes to 836. Susan Khumalo and Mbali Blose were elected first and second deputy presidents, respectively.
Kgomotso Makhupola was elected treasurer-general of the federation.
