Trade union federation Cosatu is kicking the can down the road in the bitter standoff between its alliance partners, the ANC and SACP.
Cosatu spokesperson Mathhew Parks said the federation had not taken a position on who to back before the November 4 local government elections.
“Cosatu has mandated its affiliates to secure mandates from members and workers with regard to the November local elections and the ANC and SACP contesting them,” Parks told Sunday World.
The hostilities between Luthuli House and the Reds are a result of the Red’s decision to contest the polls independently for the first time since 1994.
The cold war once again came under the spotlight yesterday during the unveiling of the ANC’s mayoral candidate, where the SACP was notably absent and not recognised.
In the SACP manifesto launch last weekend, which only three of its top six leaders attended, the ANC also did not attend and was not acknowledged.
Sunday World reported on the day that SACP national office bearers, among them its national chairperson Blade Nzimande, second deputy general secretary David Masondo and former head of elections Buti Manamela, had chosen to campaign for the ANC. Not all of them attended the manifesto launch.
Cosatu, which has taken a neutral posture, has had some of its leaders, chiefly its deputy president Mike Shingange, attending SACP events and endorsing the Communist Party.
“Cosatu has a standing resolution to support the ANC at the elections. This is reviewed at each congress. Cosatu supports and values both its alliance partners, the ANC and SACP. The federation will be holding its congress in September, which will deliberate on thZinifinalised their mandates.
“It will be critical that the deliberations unite workers, Cosatu and the alliance and equally ensure the alliance is radically reconfigured on the ground and driving working-class campaigns and emerges victorious in the November elections.”
Tension is expected to run high at next month’s congress, with incumbent president Zingiswa Losi set to be challenged.
Losi, who is seen as soft to the ANC and aligned to the dominant faction in the leadership of the former liberation movement, is set to be contested by Shingange.
If Shingange emerged a victor, our sources said, Cosatu would probably throw its weight behind the communist party before the November polls.
“Mike is behind the communists; you will see that he has been attending their events, including their Conference of the Left, where Zingi (Losi) was nowhere to be seen,” said an insider. “The feeling among workers is that Cosatu has lost its sting under the current president (Losi); she seems rather close to the president of the ANC , and that is evidenced by how Cosatu has been moving since CR (Cyril Ramaphosa) came into office.”
At its past congress, where Losi was re-elected, Cosatu could not decide whether to back the SACP going it alone.
At the time, the decision was deferred to the central executive committee, which has failed to decide. Affiliate trade unions are now having to decide for themselves.
Teachers’ union Sadtu has resolved to support the ANC. “Congress reaffirmed Sadtu’s historic commitment to the unity of the ANC-led Tripartite Alliance and adopted a resolution supporting and voting for the ANC in national and local government elections,” it has said.
In contrast, trade union Nehawu, resolved to go with the SACP and elected Zola Saphetha as its general secretary. He is one of the SACP general secretary’s closest allies and a SACP central committee member.
It is believed that Nehawu will be championing the campaign for Shingane to take over as Cosatu boss.
- Cosatu has not taken a formal position on whether to support the ANC or SACP in the November 4 local government elections and has tasked affiliates with securing mandates from members.
- The SACP is contesting the elections independently for the first time since 1994, causing tension within the alliance with the ANC.
- Cosatu’s deputy president Mike Shingange has attended SACP events and supports the Communist Party, while the incumbent Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi is viewed as aligned with the ANC.
- Some Cosatu affiliates have chosen sides independently, with teachers’ union Sadtu backing the ANC and trade union Nehawu supporting the SACP.
- Cosatu's congress in September is expected to resolve the federation's official stance, with a leadership challenge anticipated between Losi and Shingange.
Trade union federation Cosatu is kicking the can down the road in the bitter standoff between its alliance partners, the ANC and SACP.
Cosatu spokesperson
“Cosatu has mandated its affiliates to secure mandates from members and workers with regard to the
In the SACP manifesto launch last weekend, which only three of its top six leaders attended, the ANC also did not attend and was not acknowledged.
Cosatu, which has taken a neutral posture, has had some of its leaders, chiefly its deputy president Mike
“Cosatu has a standing resolution to support the ANC at the elections.
“It will be critical that the deliberations unite workers, Cosatu and the alliance and equally ensure the alliance is radically reconfigured on the ground and driving working-class campaigns and emerges victorious in the
Tension is expected to run high at next month’s congress, with incumbent president
Losi, who is seen as soft to the ANC and aligned to the dominant faction in the leadership of the former liberation movement, is set to be contested by
If
“Mike is behind the communists; you will see that he has been attending their events, including their Conference of the Left, where
At its past congress, where Losi was re-elected, Cosatu could not decide whether to back the SACP going it alone.
At the time, the decision was deferred to the central executive committee, which has failed to decide. Affiliate trade unions are now having to decide for themselves.
Teachers’ union Sadtu has resolved to support the ANC. “
In contrast, trade union Nehawu, resolved to go with the SACP and elected Zola
It is believed that Nehawu will be championing the campaign for
