Rousing welcome for Zuma at Cosatu congress
Cosatu congress delegates chanted “Zuma, Zuma” as President Jacob Zuma made his way on to the stage at Gallagher Estate in Midrand today.
Wearing a red golf shirt, he hugged a few people before taking his seat at the Congress of SA Trade Unions’ (Cosatu) 11th national congress.
Zuma was expected to address delegates after Cosatu president S’dumo Dlamini had delivered the opening address.
SA Communist Party general secretary Blade Nzimande was expected to speak later in the day.
Delegates from Cosatu’s 20 affiliates were scheduled to discuss the organisation’s political report on Monday. They were also expected to begin the process of electing national office bearers. The election results will be announced on Thursday, the final day of the congress.
Congress house rules do not allow singing divisive, war, or tribal songs, “unrelated to the class battle”.
“Singing in praise of any serving leader of the alliance is not divisive. However, singing against any leader of the alliance... is divisive and will not be allowed,” according to the rules.
The rules also ban “showing of signs that seek to prematurely open the debate on leadership in the ANC”.
Before the congress opened, a group of delegates outside sang while showing two fingers in the air — a sign calling for Zuma to serve a second term as African National Congress president.
The ANC holds its national conference in Mangaung in December, when new leaders will be elected. Nominations for leadership positions by branches officially open only in October.
The Cosatu congress is reportedly expected to debate the leadership battle.

Comments
maneater
the blind leading the blind!!!Report Abuse
Tango
Before the congress opened, a group of delegates outside sang while showing two fingers in the air — a sign calling for Zuma to serve a second term as African National Congress president.VIVA
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malemaforpresident
So now every Opportunity count before Mangaung Heeeee political circusReport Abuse
RobinH
The stupidity of our people will never cease to amaze me. Blind loyalty is a truly dangerous thing.Report Abuse
kutsukuyi
This is the ZUMA who does not want to ban labour brokers. I think the obesesion with ANC politics has cause COSATU a huge blow. I just hope that Vavi is elected again or COSATU is doomedReport Abuse
RaoN
As politicians in power continue to destroy the country, me and you are busy swearing on the Sowetan comment blog instead of standing up and come up with a plan to make our country better. We need people like Beyers Naude who stood for what was right against the government who was oppressing the rights of other people. We also need to stand against this government, we need to help our brothers to see the risk they imposing to our society when they vote incapable leaders or organisations. Only those who see and do something, can help the blind. amen.Report Abuse
Groovisto
I wonder what has Zuma done for them.....Everything has gone on decay....From Better to worst. No second term for Msholozi please!!!Report Abuse
ktzo
The truth is we are far away to be able to liberate ourselves from this Greedy morons, they are laughing at our comments everyday. Like a man laughing at a barking dog knowing that it cannot do him any harm. I would like to urge everyone to PRAY hard everyday for the fall of this government, then we will be truely free.Report Abuse
Papage
So he was a key note speaker for the labour movement, the very same labour union that is failing its members for more than 100 years in the mines and Zuma is encouraging the to continue working for nothing, is he telling the shop stewards to continue telling workers lies, hence they are been killed and Cosatu must be blamed, because they dont protect the shop stewardsReport Abuse
CheeseBoy
Our country has been hi-jacked by a bunch of greedy hayenas, oh what a pity when, like bloggers have mentioned we have the blind applauding for the blind.COSATU has never done sh!t for the man on the street as our unemployement rate is pathetic and Marikana remains a big egg on the face of these idiots sucking each others d*&*ks
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