Mike Shingange and Zingiswa Losi have clinched the top positions at COSATU’s bruising 15th National Elective Congress, ending months of infighting, court battles and factional warfare that threatened to tear the federation apart.
Shingange was elected President after defeating SADTU’s Cele Mabutho, while Losi staged a dramatic comeback to win the powerful General Secretary position after being challenged for the federation’s future.
The vote, which ran deep into the early hours of Wednesday at Emperor’s Palace, saw 1816 delegates finally decide the fate of the 1.6 million-member federation after a chaotic credentials process that had delayed proceedings for two days.
Shingange, who had his eligibility fiercely contested in the build-up to congress, secured 973 votes against Mabutho’s 836 votes, with 3 abstentions and 3 spoiled ballots.
The 137-vote margin sealed victory for the militant camp backed by SAMWU, NUM and unions pushing for a harder break from the ANC.
The result is a major blow to the continuity bloc anchored by NEHAWU, SADTU and POPCRU, which had backed Mabutho as the man to steady a federation that has haemorrhaged members.
In the most hotly contested battle of congress, outgoing President Losi defeated outgoing General Secretary Solly Phetoe for the Secretary General position – the federation’s engine room.
Losi polled 996 votes to Phetoe’s 809, with 11 abstentions. The win allows Losi, who has led COSATU since 2018, to move from the ceremonial presidency to the operational powerhouse of the federation.
Her supporters say the move will allow her to drive the rebuilding project that includes trying to bring back NUMSA, FAWU and SAFPU.
Phetoe, who has been at the centre of months of suspensions, infighting and litigation over the congress, was ousted after one term as General Secretary.
The battle for First Deputy President was equally tight, with SACTWU President Susan Khumalo edging out incumbent Second Deputy President Duncan Luvuno.
Khumalo received 915 votes to Luvuno’s 882, with 18 abstentions and 1 spoiled ballot.
The Second Deputy President position was automatically won by Mbali Blose from SACCAWU after the nomination of Zamani Mathiso was submitted late and disqualified by the electoral committee.
Blose’s uncontested victory makes her the only new face in the top leadership and a sign of SACCAWU’s growing influence.
Gerald Twala was declared uncontested for the position of Deputy Secretary General, handing him an automatic return and a second term.
The race for National Treasurer, which tested the muscle of the public sector unions against the provinces, was won by Nehawu’s Kgomotso Makhupola who secured 966 votes against Limpopo provincial treasurer Mike Manganye’s 832 votes, with 18 abstentions.
Shingange’s camp – which has been vocal about COSATU needing to be more militant and independent from the ANC – survived a concerted attempt to have him disqualified from the ballot on eligibility grounds.