Sowetan reports that Cosatu’s second deputy president, Zingiswa Losi, seems to be getting a lot of support to succeed S’dumo Dlamini as the labour federation’s president.  

Cosatu is to hold its national congress at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand next month.  The latest support for Losi comes from the Cosatu Young Workers Forum (YWF) and National Union of Mineworkers Youth Structure (NUM-YS).  The two structures, which are made up of young unionists, will enjoy voting rights within their respective affiliates.  YWF national coordinator Xolani Fakude said on Tuesday that young workers want Losi to lead Cosatu.  NUM-YS national secretary Bonginkosi Mrasi said that Losi would assist in rebuilding Cosatu.  Several Cosatu affiliates such as the National Education Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) and the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) are also believed to be backing Losi.  Cosatu general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali commented on Tuesday:  “The gender is not an issue.  We are colour-blind when it comes to gender.  We will support anybody who is elected, irrespective of gender.”

• Read this report by Ngwako Modjadji in full on page 4 of Sowetan of 15 August 2018

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