President Jacob Zuma arrived at Gallagher Estate shortly before 11am on Monday to address the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) central committee.
Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi — on the podium as Zuma arrived — greeted him with a song and was joined by the delegates from Cosatu’s 33 affiliates gathered at the Midrand venue.
Vavi extended apologies for members of the African National Congress (ANC) who were not present, saying while there was a small delegation from the ruling party, many members would join the proceedings after the party’s national working committee meeting taking place at Luthuli House in Johannesburg.
Hundreds of delegates, clad in red T-shirts from the various affiliates, gathered ahead of proceedings. They waved Cosatu flags and sang along with a choir dressed in federation colours.
The four-day meeting is expected to see the ANC ally discuss its economic and political programme of action.
Steering clear of succession debate
Vavi, however, was adamant on Sunday that the federation will steer clear of the ANC succession debate during the meeting — the party elects new leadership at the end of next year.
The ANC Youth League has urged the ruling party to open the leadership debate. On Sunday, Gauteng ANC spokesperson Paul Mashatile reiterated the call, saying a “disciplined discussion” was needed on the matter.
“Cosatu has not discussed any succession or who we are going to support,” Vavi said.
The central committee would be assessing the leadership of the movement. Discussions on alliance relations were also set to feature, as well as Cosatu’s living-wage campaign.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi will address the gathering on Wednesday and the committee will also focus on the Walmart acquisition of Massmart. — Sapa