By the end of the second day of the Congress of South African Trade Unions’ (Cosatu) congress in Midrand, there was still no clarity on whether there was any official opposition to the present leadership.
The nominations for new national office bearers for Cosatu closed on Tuesday but no details on any possible new candidates were being released.
”We haven’t finalised the process yet,” said an Electoral Institute of South Africa (EISA) official late in the day while the congress, way behind schedule, was busy debating socio-economic policy.
The elections were delayed when the deadline for nominations was extended to Tuesday lunchtime, as not all unions had submitted nominations.
Another EISA official said nominations closed on schedule at 1pm and that the institute would report back to the Cosatu congress before announcing whether there were any additional nominations.
On Monday, the only nominations received were for the incumbent office bearers who had all been nominated unopposed for their positions.
It has been widely rumoured that Cosatu Eastern Cape chairperson Zanoxolo Wayile, a member of the powerful National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, had made himself available for nomination. Wayile was not available to comment on this.
Cosatu leaders have repeatedly denied reports of a split, in particular between president Willie Madisha and general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, with Madisha supposedly aligned with President Thabo Mbeki and Vavi supporting Zuma.
Congress delegates have indicated strong support for Zuma, and Madisha has also openly declared his support for Zuma.
At one point, a huge group of delegates marched around the hall chanting, whistling and singing ”Madisha is working for Cosatu … Madisha, my president”.
After nominations had closed, a statement purporting to be released by the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (Sadtu), and apparently dealing with support for Cosatu and Sadtu president Willie Madisha, was circulated.
”That statement has not been circulated or sanctioned by the organisation and we are apologising for it … However, we will deal with this matter in our own organisation,” a Sadtu official told the congress.
The congress has heard complaints that the ANC-led alliance does not treat its alliance partners equally, and Madisha’s calls for government to be influenced by the ANC rather than for the ANC to be led by the Cabinet were well received by delegates on Monday. — Sapa