Newly elected COSATU President Mike Shingange says the federation remains firmly committed to its alliance with the ANC and SACP, but warned that the alliance must be radically reconfigured if it is to survive the post-majority era.
Delivering his closing remarks at the 15th National Congress at Emperor’s Palace on Wednesday, Shingange said the alliance forged in the darkest days of apartheid remains the most viable political vehicle to defend workers, despite its contradictions.
In a historic first, the congress elected four women to occupy the federation’s top six positions.
“The call of this Congress is loud and clear. We remain united in our alliance with the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party,” Shingange said.
“The Alliance was forged during the darkest days of apartheid and has led the nation over the past 32 years as we dismantle 350 years of the most savage forms of colonial and racist rule.”
But in his address, Shingange said business as usual cannot continue.
“Like any political formation or family, it has had its ups and downs, its contradictions and challenges but without a doubt it remains the most viable and progressive political vehicle to defend the hard-won rights of workers,” he said.
“COSATU has a leading role to play in defending the Alliance and to ensure its radical reconfiguration. This is urgent as we navigate this post-majority political era.”
He warned that a divided COSATU cannot lead.
“The unity of the Alliance is the path to its reconfiguration and survival. A united Alliance is also essential to a united COSATU. This Congress has been clear. The Federation cannot afford to be divided. Nor can the Alliance,” Shingange said.
Shingange was elected President after defeating SADTU’s Cele Mabutho with 973 votes to 836, in a congress that nearly collapsed a month ago due to infighting, suspensions and court battles.
“A mere month ago we were staring at the precipice. We could not even agree on proceeding with our long-scheduled congress. We were at each other’s throats. Many were writing our very obituary,” he said.
“Today as we conclude this successful 15th National Congress, we can reflect with pride that when the very future of the Federation was at stake, we acted in defence of its unity.”
His election, alongside Zingiswa Losi as General Secretary, marks a new chapter for the 1.6 million-member federation. Losi beat outgoing General Secretary Solly Phetoe with 996 votes to 809 to take the powerful Secretary General position.
Shingange used his first speech to issue a direct election call, ordering COSATU structures to campaign for the ANC and SACP ahead of the November 4 local government elections.
“Our mandate is clear. We must give our full support to our beloved alliance Partners, the African National Congress and the South African Communist Party over the remaining two and a half weeks to ensure the Alliance decisively wins these elections,” he said.
“We must leave no stone untouched. We must engage our members and workers, across all workplaces, at their homes, in the shops, at the taxi ranks and bus stations, on the need to vote, vote early and vote in defence of the National Democratic Revolution and that on November 4, our Alliance Partners emerge victorious.”
He warned against handing the state to big business.
“We dare not abandon the contestation of the political landscape to big business or their political formations. We dare not hand over the state, one of the most important tools to drive the empowerment and the emancipation of the working class, to our class enemies,” he said.
Shingange said COSATU must convene an urgent Alliance Political Council and Summit to set renewal firmly in place.
Painting a grim picture of the crisis facing workers, he said the federation cannot normalise a 43.8% unemployment rate, austerity budget cuts that cripple frontline services, and horrific levels of crime and gender-based violence.
“We cannot continue to normalise a 43.8% unemployment rate and higher for young people. We cannot continue to tolerate the scars of apartheid that mark our cities, towns and rural areas,” he said.
He also touched on international solidarity, pledging support for Cuba facing a blockade, Venezuela, Palestine and Western Sahara, and Eswatini under absolute monarchy.
Shingange concluded on a sombre note, paying tribute to SACCAWU General Secretary Mdu Mbongwe, whose passing was announced as congress closed, and hailed the election of four women out of six national office bearers as a bold message against gender-based violence.
“At a time when the nation has been pained by the most horrific forms of gender-based violence and sexual harassment, COSATU by electing four women out of six office bearers, sends a bold message that enough is enough,” he said.