COSATU’s leadership war is now official after nominations for national office bearers closed at Emperor’s Palace, setting up a heavyweight showdown between outgoing President Zingiswa Losi and outgoing General Secretary Solly Phetoe for the powerful position of Secretary General.
Losi will face off with Phetoe in what insiders say will be the most contested battle of the 15th National Elective Congress, while outgoing First Deputy President Mike Shingange will battle SADTU’s Mabutho Cele for the presidency.
The nominations, which were finalised after a chaotic credentials process, have confirmed that the federation’s top two positions will be fiercely fought over by two warring camps that have torn COSATU apart over the past year.
A total of 1838 voting delegates representing 11 affiliates in good standing will decide the fate of the federation on Tuesday night, in a vote that is expected to run deep into the early hours of Wednesday.
Shingange, backed by SAMWU, NUM and a coalition of unions demanding a militant break from the ANC, had his eligibility fiercely contested in the build-up to congress but survived the credentials purge to make the ballot.
Cele, a senior SADTU leader, is the candidate of the continuity block anchored by NEHAWU, SADTU and POPCRU, which argues that Losi’s camp has steadied a federation that collapsed to 1.6 million members.
The battle for First Deputy President will be equally explosive, contested by SACTWU President Susan Khumalo and the federation’s current Second Deputy President Duncan Luvuno.
In a dramatic twist, the position of Second Deputy President has been 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 first new face in the top leadership.
The race for National Treasurer will be between Limpopo provincial treasurer Mike Manganye and Nehawu’s Kgomotso Makhupola, a contest that will test the muscle of the public sector unions against the provinces.
Losi, who has led COSATU since 2018, is now seeking to move to the Secretary General position, a move her supporters say will allow her to drive the rebuilding project that includes bringing back NUMSA, FAWU and SAFPU.
She will face Phetoe, the incumbent General Secretary who has been at the centre of months of infighting, suspensions and court battles over the congress.
The only moment of calm in a tense nominations session came when Gerald Thwala was declared uncontested for the position of Deputy Secretary General, giving him an automatic return.
COSATU spokesperson Matthew Parks said voting will proceed on Tuesday night with results expected early Wednesday morning.
“Results likely to be announced in the morning tomorrow,” Parks said.
The casting of votes is expected to start after lunch.