Vavi's future uncertain
POWERFUL Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has not been nominated by some Cosatu affiliates but he may still retain his position.
OPPOSED: Zwelinzima VaviSowetan understands that some affiliates did not nominate him while they have nominated other leaders, who include president Sdumo Dlamini, to retain their positions.
Those close to Cosatu processes said the troubled National Union of Mineworkers, which Vavi comes from, is among the unions that did not nominate him.
The idea is to send a message to Vavi that they do not want him in his current position anymore but did not want him to be humiliated by being contested.
But this does not mean Vavi will be out in the cold as some unions have nominated him. Cosatu has 21 affiliates.
The labour federation's four-day national congress will start on Monday and President Jacob Zuma is among those who will address the gathering.
Those who want to see the back of Vavi are not impressed with his consistent criticism of weaknesses of the government, and questioning the ANC's failure to execute its electoral commitment.
And the unfolding dynamics in Cosatu cannot be divorced from the coming ANC congress in Mangaung.
Whoever emerges during Cosatu congress would have an influence on voting patterns at the ANC conference. That influence cannot be undermined considering that a large chunk of ANC members are drawn from the labour federation.
Vavi is perceived to be located within the "change brigade" and unions which are comfortable with Zuma want him reigned in, and if possible pushed from the helm of the labour federation.
But Vavi has his defenders who are also plotting to topple those who are regarded as pro-Zuma and unwilling to take a hardline stance particularly on economic policies.
Among those in defence of Vavi is Numsa under the stewardship of its secretary Irvin Jim.
It was Jim who fended off attacks on Vavi from Cosatu in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and from Sadtu and Nehawu recently when he raised concerns about their silence on non-delivery of textbooks in Limpopo.
The SA Municipal Workers Union, Fawu, Saccawu and Sapawu are also singing from the same hymn book as Numsa when it comes to Vavi.
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Comments
Mzabalazo
Dead wood, saying so much and doing nothing, he is one of the people who gave us the pathetic President Jacob Zuma, he has done much damage than progress for his people, he campaigned for Zuma and lied to us saying through Zuma they were going to get rid of the LABOUR BROKER, for that alone he need not to retain his position and the worst crime that he has committed it to continue making the FEDERATION a partisan organization . I will not miss you should you loose your position. Join Barney Pityana and contradict yourself further as he does.Report Abuse
Kabelo10
@MzabalazoThats not true!!
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Mzabalazo
SEP 14, 2012Kabelo10
@Mzabalazo
Thats not true!!
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What is it that is not true? Is it not true that Vavi was the chief anointer of Zuma?
Is it not true that we are worse off today because of the decision that Vavi took, to derail justice to prevail , by fighting against ZJ defending himself in the court of law?
Did not Vavi blame Mbeki( who happens not to be my favorite, but I am sure that Mbeki would not have taken a foolish decision of allowing the West to attack Libya and introduce Islamocary) for labour brokers and promise that with ZJ the labour broker will a thing of the past?
Is it not true that COSATU and it's affiliates are an extended wing of the ANC?
Which of these is not true?
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Kabelo10
It seems you only know the negatives only about this true revolutionary leader.Report Abuse
Mzabalazo
SEP 14, 2012Kabelo10
It seems you only know the negatives only about this true revolutionary leader.
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Kabelo 10 I know more than you think but that will not blind my sober judgement.
Let me make for you an example, Jabu Pule( Hlongwane) or Steve Lekwelea were great players and lets say they were playing for you're team and were no longer giving the fire they used to give would you retain them? I do not think so does that mean you despise them? H#ell no! Can you really recommend Doctor Khumalo to Igesund? No, but that does not mean you do not respect him for his best contribution, then why should it be different in politics, we need to keep the antiques just because they were once great Madiba knew that one can only do so much and as soon as they have done what they are suppose the need to move for other new minds. Vavi cannot see beyond the apartheid struggle, that is why we have leaders who continuously talk about the ills of apartheid when they commi the present ills. So I am not going to ignore the mistakes of my hero nor will I pretend that all those who fought for change are infallible , Vavi needs to join the elders and become a young elder and stop fuffing around
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Lord-Have-Mercy
i will pray for you Mzabalazoits seems as if you are walking in a forest but seeing no trees
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Papage
Two faced, they caught up with him at last.Report Abuse
19Doubleiets
Now they want Vavi out simply because of the MESS they did... ai ANCReport Abuse
Papage
19DoubleietsNow they want Vavi out simply because of the MESS they did... ai ANC
What mess, he messed himself up, by been a politician and a workers man at the same time, how do you balance the 2?
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Kabelo10
He is the only true revolutionary leader left in the alliance, is unfortunate COSATU is no longer that strong as it used to be cause of division over power struggle, and thats not becaus of VAVI. He remained true to Cosatu principles even today. If he is booted out, i wonder who will fill his shoes, Irvin Jim maybe will do.I cite with malema when he say's ""I have nothing against Vavi and will always support and defend him as a brother and comrade” and that “he is the only revolutionary remaining in Cosatu".
Follow this URL: http://numsa.org.za/article/cosatu-rejects-malemas-flattery-2012-09-06
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