Silumko Nondwangu, general secretary of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa), has emerged as a strong candidate to challenge the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (Cosatu) general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, at the federation’s conference next month.
Although Cosatu’s provincial structures and affiliates have yet to submit their final nominations, the Mail & Guardian understands some union leaders are pushing for Nondwangu to stand against Vavi. Certain senior ANC leaders are also said to be lobbying for him to mount a challenge.
A senior Cosatu leader said this week: “ANC leaders say Vavi is reckless, that he fights even when it is not necessary. Nondwangu is seen as a reasonable leader who would not plunge the workers into crisis. Most of the time he talks sense. Vavi has become big for his boots.”
The Cosatu congress is the first in a number of important meetings of ANC allies in the run-up to the ANC’s national conference in December next year, where the party’s deputy president, Jacob Zuma, is expected to stand as leader.
As a prominent Zuma supporter, Cosatu is a key player in the ANC succession battle. Elements within the ANC are expected to try to influence crucial decisions at the federation’s congress in September.
Vavi clearly enjoys massive support within Cosatu. But his backing for Zuma — whose admissions during his rape trial angered many unionists — is understood to have damaged his support base. Nondwangu is hoping to capitalise on this.
A Cosatu source said: “A lot of workers believe Vavi has not consulted them on a number of issues. The majority of women are of the view that Cosatu has not articulated itself well on the rape issue involving Zuma. They believe some things said by Zuma in court transgress women’s rights.”
Said one of Nondwangu’s backers: “If he stands and loses, that’s fine, because we still have someone whom we can look after for the next elections in 2009. Nondwangu’s advantage is that he is young. He comes from Numsa which organises a critical sector of the economy.”
However, another Cosatu leader believes Vavi will weather any challenge. “Some people do not agree with the Zuma issue, but they are very few; their voices can’t be heard. Vavi is aggressive. He has managed to profile himself well, while Nondwangu is unknown.”
Nondwangu, appointed Numsa general secretary in 2000, is also an executive member of the International Metalworkers’ Federation. He serves on the board of Coega and the Development Bank of South Africa.
Since he took over the reins, the union has increased its membership from about 200 000 to 220 000.
Organisations likely to support him include Numsa itself, commercial workers’ union Saccawu, education union Sadtu, the public service union Nehawu, and the prisons and police union Popcru.
Approached for comment this week, Nondwangu said he was not aware that certain unions supported his candidacy. “I am comfortable leading Numsa, unless there is a convincing argument that I should stand for the position,” he said.
Vavi said: “I’m standing, that’s all I can say. I can’t say anything about people who are aspiring to take over as general secretary. I don’t want to be seen campaigning in the media, it would be immoral. People should be allowed to express their desire to choose their own candidates.”
Vavi said he did not believe his support for Zuma would affect his support. Those who were unhappy about his public statements on the issue should first raise their concerns within their unions. “I was just articulating the agreed position,” he said.
Randall Howard, general secretary of transport affiliate Satawu; Fikile Majola, general secretary of Nehawu; and Welile Nolingo, general secretary of Cosatu’s chemical union Ceppawu, are being touted as possible replacements for Bheki Ntshalintshali as Cosatu’s deputy secretary general.
Cosatu provincial chairperson in the Eastern Cape, Goodman Wayile, is tipped to replace Violet Seboni as the second deputy president.
Meanwhile, the M&G understands that the Cosatu leadership is divided on whether Mbeki or Zuma should be the keynote speaker at the congress. Both leaders have been invited to speak, with Mbeki likely to deliver the keynote address.