Gideon du Plessis, general secretary of trade union Solidarity, writes about the difficulties faced by Zwelinzima Vavi, former general secretary of Cosatu, and metalworkers union Numsa in bringing about the establishment of the new SA Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu).  

He also writes about the considerable challenges that now face the new body, which held its inaugural congress over the past weekend.  Apart from Numsa, the Food and Allied Workers Union (Fawu) is the only significant former Cosatu affiliate that has become part of Saftu.  Speculation is that Numsa footed the bill for Fawu’s arrear Cosatu dues in exchange for joining Saftu.  But Du Plessis notes that Fawu is pro-ANC and he says it will be interesting to see for how long its loyalty to the new body lasts.  The big fish remains Amcu with its 190,000 members, but despite numerous attempts by Vavi and Numsa, it hasn’t yet been landed.  Regarding Nedlac membership, Du Plessis says that the other three federations, namely Cosatu, Fedusa and Nactu, are already maneuvering to keep Saftu out, but ultimately that will fail. (Loosely translated from Afrikaans)

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