Mike Shingange elected Cosatu president as Zingiswa Losi takes over as general secretary

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has elected Mike Shingange as its new president, while Zingiswa Losi will serve as general secretary following a congress shaped by leadership contests and disagreements over the federation’s political direction.

Shingange, previously Cosatu’s deputy president, defeated Mabutho Cele, deputy president of the South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu), for the top position.

The elections concluded the federation’s 15th national congress in Kempton Park, which followed three days of discussions about leadership, policy and Cosatu’s relationship with its political alliance partners.

Leadership changes follow a contested congress

Shingange’s election comes amid differences among Cosatu affiliates over whether workers should continue backing the African National Congress (ANC) or support the South African Communist Party (SACP) in the upcoming local government elections.

Shingange is associated with the SACP, as is his union, the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu).

Nehawu has argued that the ANC should be replaced by the SACP as the political party of choice for workers. However, most Cosatu affiliates have opposed that position, maintaining that the ANC remains an important part of the alliance and warning that a change in support could deepen divisions.

The SACP, meanwhile, has decided to contest the local government elections independently of the ANC and opposes the current government of national unity.

Rather than endorsing one party, Cosatu adopted a neutral position that allows workers to vote for either the ANC or the SACP, provided their choices prioritise workers’ interests in their policies and governance.

Losi returns as general secretary

Losi’s election as general secretary means Solly Phetoe will leave the position.

Her appointment comes after criticism from some unions that Cosatu had not been sufficiently vocal in national political and economic debates or effective in representing workers’ interests under its previous leadership.

There has also been debate about the factors behind Losi’s election, including her perceived alignment with the ANC and her position outside a union affiliate. These views reflect divisions among delegates rather than an established explanation for the result.

The leadership changes will place renewed attention on how Cosatu represents workers and engages with political parties as the next local government elections approach.

Other leaders elected

Several other positions were filled during the congress.

Susan Khumalo was elected first deputy president, Mbali Blose second deputy president, Kgomotso Makhupola national treasurer and Gerald Twala deputy general secretary.

The new leadership takes over as Cosatu faces the challenge of rebuilding its membership and strengthening its influence in the labour movement.

The federation has previously experienced membership losses linked to economic downturns, retrenchments and the growth of labour brokers offering companies cheaper labour. It has also lost affiliates to the South African Federation of Trade Unions, led by former Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi.

A difficult road ahead for Cosatu

The congress reconvened in Kempton Park after a month-long adjournment prompted by disagreements among affiliates over leadership positions and the federation’s political direction.

With Shingange now at the helm and Losi serving as general secretary, the incoming leadership faces the task of addressing internal differences while making workers’ concerns more prominent in national debates.

How the federation manages its relationship with the ANC and SACP, alongside efforts to grow its membership, is likely to remain central to its direction in the lead-up to the local government elections.

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Source: The Citizen