The Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) has no intention of becoming a political party or of turning its leaders into politicians, its general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi said on Saturday.
”We have no ambition of turning Cosatu into a political party. We are happy as trade unionists,” Vavi said in a 32-page speech he delivered at a conference to mark South Africa’s 10 years of democracy.
”We have no business whatsoever of being ambitious to become politicians. We have no political ambitions,” Vavi said.
Cosatu has been engaged in a bitter public spat over the past few months over its visit to Zimbabwe.
Among others, it has been accused of harbouring political aspirations and of being an agent of Western powers over its criticism of the government’s handling of the Zimbabwe issue.
Vavi said it would be a fundamental mistake ”if we can’t criticise our government or side with the opposition even if we represent our constituency”.
”That culture must be challenged,” he said.
Earlier on Saturday, Deputy President Jacob Zuma told the conference the tripartite alliance between Cosatu, the African National Congress (ANC) and SA Communist Party (SACP) was strong.
”The alliance continues to be strong and this augurs well for the consolidation of our democracy,” Zuma said.
”The alliance must be careful not to undo the success that we have scored over the decade,” he cautioned.
The Cosatu-organised conference, in Midrand, was attended by Zuma, Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana, and representatives of the SACP and ANC.
Zuma urged delegates at the conference to discuss their differences as there would always be people who disagreed.
”The alliance is not just there for fun, it is there for a fundamental reason. I urge you to discuss the importance of the alliance as your last item of the conference,” he said.
The conference ends on Monday. – Sapa