Mail & Guardian writes that May Day rallies across the country last week showed that trade unions have lost their lustre and are no longer the political force they were a decade ago.  

Union federation, Cosatu, held its May Day celebrations in Durban on Wednesday, hoping to drum up support for the ANC.  KwaZulu-Natal has the country’s second-largest voter base.  The 6,500-seat Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium at Clermont township was almost full by the time President Cyril Ramaphosa took to the stage — more than two hours late.  But as the centerpiece rally on the most important day of the labour calendar, and as a show of strength for the country’s biggest union federation, the day was, at best, a sad reminder of just how badly the battle for control of the governing party and massive job losses have decimated the ANC’s alliance partner.  Ramaphosa, in a black and red leather Nehawu jacket, praised Cosatu for its contributions, saying that successive ANC governments had entrenched worker rights and would continue to do so.  He said that while many critics had predicted the death of Cosatu, it was “still alive”, relevant and a key partner to the ANC in its alliance.  Cosatu president Zingiswa Losi said Cosatu was still a “fighting union” that remained relevant and would continue to take up worker issues.

• Read the full original of Paddy Harper’s report in the above regard at Mail & Guardian

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