THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has elected Mike Shingange as its new president at its 15th national congress in Kempton Park, which was overshadowed by a deepening rift between the African National Congress (ANC) and the South African Communist Party (SACP) regarding the upcoming local government elections on November 4.
Shingange, president of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu), defeated Mabutho Cele, deputy president of the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), by 973 votes to 836 in a tightly contested presidential race.
A total of 1,816 delegates voted, with four abstentions and three spoiled ballots.
The results were announced on Wednesday, the last day of the conference following voting that continued into Tuesday night.
The gathering this week marks Cosatu’s second attempt to convene its congress after the initial meeting in September fell apart.
Although the federation officially cited credential problems for the collapse of the September congress, sources inside the trade union federation pointed to the growing rift between the ANC and the SACP as the real reason.
Shingange’s eligibility was questioned in September after Nehawu suspended him days before the congress.
However he challenged the decision at the Labour Court, which cleared him to stand.
Former president Zingiswa Losi made a comeback as general secretary securing 996 votes against incumbent Solly Phetoe’s 809 votes, with 11 abstentions.
Phetoe, who took over as general secretary after Bheki Ntshalintshali’s departure, failed to retain the position.
Gerald Twala was elected unopposed as deputy general secretary after Mervin du Bruin declined nomination.
For the position of first deputy president, Susan Khumalo, president of the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workers’ Union (Sactwu), narrowly defeated Duncan Luvuno by 915 votes to 882. There were 18 abstentions and one spoiled ballot.
Mbali Blose, second deputy president of the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (Saccawu), was elected unopposed as second deputy president.
This followed the late submission of the nomination for Zamani Mathiso, Northern Cape provincial chairperson of the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru), which was ruled out in line with congress rules.
For treasurer, Makhupula Kgomotso, national treasurer of Nehawu, won with 966 votes against Mike Manganye’s 832 votes, with 18 abstentions.
The voting on Tuesday took place after the conference began dramatically on Monday when ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe walked out in protest against the speaking order, which placed the ANC first to deliver a message of support, followed by the SACP.
Mantashe was reportedly unhappy that the ANC, as the leader of the tripartite alliance, was not given precedence to speak last.
His walkout briefly disrupted proceedings on the opening day of the congress, but the federation continued its programme.
Mantashe was accused of trying to change Cosatu’s programme and acting like a ‘big brother’.
He told journalists outside the conference venue that the ANC has always spoken last, saying this aligns with “tradition”, adding that: “Anybody who says we ever spoke first is telling lies conveniently. There is no truth in that. We always speak last because that is the order of the alliance. We are the leader of the alliance until that is changed.”
Inside the venue more than 1,800 delegates chanted “Asiyifuni i-agenda yama-capitalist” (We don’t want the capitalists’ agenda).
Mantashe said the ANC was “neither socialist nor capitalist” and added of the alliance: “At this point in time, we are contesting the SACP. That is the state of the alliance.”
The incident has reignited debate about tensions within the alliance, which is likely to be a key discussion point for Shingange’s new leadership.
The tripartite alliance, which has united the ANC, SACP and Cosatu for three decades, is showing cracks after the SACP resolved to stand alone in the upcoming municipal polls.
Political analyst Zweli Ncube predicted this week that the alliance was unlikely to be a factor after the 2029 national and provincial elections.
“I think the tripartite alliance itself is slowly disintegrating. I think after the 2029 elections, we will not be talking about the alliance. So it’s a question of how strong Cosatu can be and take a leap and probably redirect to the ANC or leave the ANC,” he said.
A Nehawu proposal for Cosatu to dump the ANC for the SACP won backing from some affiliates but was opposed by others, who said it would undermine the federation’s long-held position of strengthening a united alliance.
The congress resolved to allow members to vote for either the ANC or the SACP in the upcoming local government elections, framing both as alliance partners in pursuit of working-class unity and the national democratic revolution.
The ANC has reportedly welcomed Cosatu’s resolution to remain neutral and not declare support for either party, but rather to back the alliance itself.
Image provided (Cosatu’s new President Mike Shingange.)
