Cosatu president Sdumo Dlamini made a strong call for unity at the federation’s provincial conference at the weekend.
More than 800 delegates attended the event at the Orient Theatre in East London.
Dlamini said: “If you are capable of uniting Cosatu here in the Eastern Cape, it means you can unite Cosatu nationally, and your own affiliates. Eastern Cape knows, as a province, where Cosatu has come from. You were lobbied and people did not sleep because they wanted to mark the demise of Cosatu, but we have survived,” he said. Dlamini was referring to the launch of rival unions such as the United Front and the Thobile Ntola-led South African public service union, launched in East London last weekend.
The federation has been experiencing major difficulties after its former general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, was expelled. One of its biggest affiliates, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has been booted out for pledging allegiance to Eastern Cape-born Vavi.
Dlamini said the union was over the worst and was now on the road to recovery. “It is not over until we say it is over. Our task is to build a stronger Cosatu. You have proven that no weapon sanctioned against us shall prosper.” The conference was an elective one and all Cosatu provincial leaders were re-elected unopposed. David Toyise of the South African Municipal Workers Union is still Cosatu’s provincial secretary; Loyiso Mdingi, from the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, remains deputy chairperson; Xolani Malamlela is secretary; and Nomonde Mthembu treasurer.
Eastern Cape SACP spokesman Siyabulela Mdodi said the unity of the ANC-led alliance was paramount. “If we are to change the plight of the poor in our province the alliance must be viewed as the political centre. It is worth noting that Cosatu convened a united and coherent congress, with leadership elected unopposed during challenging times. We commit ourselves to continue working with the newly elected leadership collective and the entire federation.”
Dlamini calls for unity to save Cosatu
More than 800 delegates attended the event at the Orient Theatre in East London.
Dlamini said: “If you are capable of uniting Cosatu here in the Eastern Cape, it means you can unite Cosatu nationally, and your own affiliates. Eastern Cape knows, as a province, where Cosatu has come from. You were lobbied and people did not sleep because they wanted to mark the demise of Cosatu, but we have survived,” he said. Dlamini was referring to the launch of rival unions such as the United Front and the Thobile Ntola-led South African public service union, launched in East London last weekend.
The federation has been experiencing major difficulties after its former general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, was expelled. One of its biggest affiliates, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) has been booted out for pledging allegiance to Eastern Cape-born Vavi.
Dlamini said the union was over the worst and was now on the road to recovery. “It is not over until we say it is over. Our task is to build a stronger Cosatu. You have proven that no weapon sanctioned against us shall prosper.” The conference was an elective one and all Cosatu provincial leaders were re-elected unopposed. David Toyise of the South African Municipal Workers Union is still Cosatu’s provincial secretary; Loyiso Mdingi, from the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, remains deputy chairperson; Xolani Malamlela is secretary; and Nomonde Mthembu treasurer.
Eastern Cape SACP spokesman Siyabulela Mdodi said the unity of the ANC-led alliance was paramount. “If we are to change the plight of the poor in our province the alliance must be viewed as the political centre. It is worth noting that Cosatu convened a united and coherent congress, with leadership elected unopposed during challenging times. We commit ourselves to continue working with the newly elected leadership collective and the entire federation.”
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