BusinessLive writes that Cosatu’s affiliates will have to perform a fine balancing act between politics and the needs of workers when they elect the new leadership at the union federation’s September congress.
The new leadership will have the task of growing Cosatu’s membership, which has dwindled by 300,000 to 1.6-million since its last congress in 2015. The federation is also seeking to redefine itself politically. It threw its weight behind President Cyril Ramaphosa at the ANC’s national elective congress in December, but its posture is increasingly shifting as the weak economy continues to hit its membership hard. The nomination process opened on Monday, allowing the 15 affiliated unions to propose candidates for president, general secretary and other key posts. Cosatu could make history at the congress if it elects second deputy president Zingiswa Losi as its first woman president. Unions are apparently in agreement that she should be appointed in the role. Concerns have been expressed that general secretary Bheki Ntshalintshali and deputy Solly Phetoe are "not dynamic enough". Ntshalintshali said last week he would stand for the position again if nominated. According to sources, Mike Shingange, first deputy president of Nehawu, is being considered to take over from Losi to serve alongside Tyotyo James, if the latter seeks to continue.
- Read this report by Theto Mahlakoana in full at BusinessLive
- Read too, NUM and Nehawu leading Losi’s campaign to be elected new Cosatu president, at Mail & Guardian
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